The Ministry of Rites had chosen an auspicious date for the wedding. It was by the end of the month as the heavens and earth were said to be in harmony and it symbolized a new beginning.
The days rolled by and the air was relatively calm and peaceful. Gossips were spreading and the bickers kept the capital lively.
Although no one openly said it, they knew a new chapter in Daxia was about to open and the key was the marriage that was fast approaching. Everyone was keeping watch, biding their time for the turnaround that was going to begin.
[Mo Residence]
[Eastern Courtyard]
Lingxi watched as the servants brought over carts filled with valuables. They were opened as she screened them. They were five carts of silver and three carts of gold. They were also brocades, rare medicines, herbs, jewelries, land deeds, shops, antiques, calligraphies, a 100 year old zither, and so on. Although Mo Qinshan was known for being frugal, he was not about to embarrass his only daughter.
Lingxi looked at all the carts.
"How come I didn't know my father was so lavish?"
The head nanny curtsied, "Master has always been frugal, all for the sake of your dowry. He would definitely not embarrass you."
Lingxi nodded.
"Your father has always been frugal. You have always been the parasite draining his money," Qin Yan muttered.
"You..." Lingxi was used to Qin Yan's dry words. "I'll let you slide."
Lingxi looked outside and saw more servants with more gifts than the ones already present.
"What's going on?" she asked the head nanny.
Another elderly nanny came in and bowed.
Lingxi recognized her. "Nanny Zhao?"
Nanny Zhao was from her maternal family.
Her maternal family was the Mu. They were very wealthy merchants. They were even rumored to be wealthier than the country combined. Naturally, they would not neglect their only granddaughter's marriage.
"Nanny Zhao, you're here?"
Lingxi was happy.
"Miss Mo, Madam Mu asked me to give you this letter", Nanny Zhao said as she handed her a sealed envelope. Lingxi opened it and read the contents.
"Dear Xi'er, forgive me as I am in poor health and won't be able to attend your wedding. When I received the news of your wedding, I was elated and started preparing these few gifts for you. As a daughter of the Mu family, your dowry should be grand so no one would look down on you when you get married into the grand prince's residence. Take good care of yourself when you get married and tread lightly. I know you are young and confident but do not be presumptuous. If you ever need help or are in need of more money, remember to send me a message. Remember that the Mu family will always have your back. Take care", the message read.
Lingxi smiled. Truly, her grandmother treated her best.
"Young master Mu will also attend your wedding. He is on his way. If all goes well, he'll arrive by tomorrow morning", Nanny Zhao added.
"Okay. Lead them to bring the gifts inside", Lingxi instructed.
The Mu family was truly the wealthiest in the capital. There were over forty carts of gifts. They were two boxes of pearls, rare perfumes, twenty carts of gold and silver, antiques, silk, brocades and many more expensive gifts. Truly, her wedding was going to be a big day in the capital.
*******
The night sky was quite peculiar this particular night. Lingxi wasn't sure if it really was so or it was just her imagination. She was strolling down the busy streets alone with her flower lantern she had just bought. Up the bridge, she found people tying ribbons with their wishes.
"What are they doing up there?" she asked someone who had just come down from the bridge.
"Miss, don't you know? At the end of every month, people come over to hang their wishes on the bridge", he explained.
"There are so many people", Lingxi noticed.
"Of course, tomorrow is the wedding between the grand prince and the daughter of Censor Mo. Everyone is here to wish them a happy married life"
"Oh, thank you" the man walked on while Lingxi went to get a paper and ribbon. She removed the crystal rose hairpin from her hair and used it to write down her wish. The tip of the hairpin was a sharp pen. She tied a red ribbon round the folded paper and began tying it to the bridge.
"Sister, are you also here to wish His Highness a happy marriage?" a little girl asked.
"Why are you wishing him a happy marriage?" Lingxi asked.
"Father says he is a good man and he has been protecting the country from the borders. The country is safe thanks to him"
"Thanks to him? He doesn't go to war. How is he the one protecting the country"
"The army belongs to him so they obey his orders. He tells them to protect us and they listen to him"
Lingxi rubbed the little girl's hair, "how cute".
"I never knew you believed in superstitions", Lingxi heard a familiar voice. It was He Yu
*******
The two walked down the quiet road to the Mo Residence. Lingxi broke the silence.
"What is your highness doing outside by this time?" she asked quietly.
"I was bored so I came out for a stroll", He Yu answered.
"A stroll?"
Lingxi did not believe it. A sickly prince like him under constant scrutiny doesn't casually wander outside at night. Anyways, she did not press further.
"The sky is beautiful tonight", she commented.
"Yes"
"Everyone is excited for tomorrow", He Yu said.
"Is your highness also excited?" "I don't know, are you?"
"Of course, tomorrow I'll marry your highness. As a girl, I'll only get married once. I'm marrying once and marrying right. Of course, I'm excited"
He Yu gave a slight smile.
"Your highness seems to be in a good mood today", Lingxi noticed.
"The entire capital is wishing me a happy marriage, of course, I'm happy".
Lingxi's smile widened, "that is great. The capital is always bustling with activities. Your highness should come out more often if it makes you happy"
"Do you like the capital?"
"Although there are many good places, there is no place like home"
He Yu did not respond but Lingxi did not stop talking.
"After we get married, I'll take your highness out more. There are many dishes you can eat and many fun things you can try"
"Is that so?"
"Of course, the street dishes are far more delicious than the strict food in the palace. There are different flavors. Your highness is sick and is therefore always cooped up in the palace. Your highness should come out more and breathe the air of the common people. By the time you smell the fragrance of hot porridge, hot pot, and even dust, your highness might even recover faster"
"Sounds wonderful"
"It is. Don't worry; once we get married I'll accompany you everywhere and anywhere. It will be..."
He Yu coughed slightly with his one hand on his chest and the other over his mouth. Lingxi remembered that she was talking to a sick prince.
The rest of the walk passed in comfortable silence until they arrived before the Mo Residence.
They faced each other.
"Your Highness, I'll be going in now," Lingxi said.
He Yu nodded.
"See you tomorrow, Miss Mo."
"See you," Lingxi responded, her grip on the lantern tightening.