When the imperial decree ordering the Crown Prince to be placed under house arrest was issued, Zongzheng Mufeng was on his way to fetch his bride.
The Eight Treasures Canopy was a privilege reserved for empresses and princesses.
Zongzheng Mufeng asked his elder brother for a favor, which allowed Xunmi to have a grand and magnificent wedding.
He desperately needed to tell everyone that the beauty was his.
Xunmi sat in front of the dressing table, while Shangguan Yan gently combed her hair.
"One comb to the end, and you'll have no worries about wealth; two combs to the end, and you'll be free from illness and worries."
"Combing the hair three times will bring many children and long life; combing it a second time will bring a harmonious and loving marriage."
"The second comb to the end, we fly wing to wing; the third comb to the end, we are forever bound together in love."
"With a beginning and an end, we'll share wealth and honor in this life." It's wonderful that she can see her daughter happy in this lifetime.
She was at ease marrying Prince An; as long as her daughter was carefree and happy, she would be content.
"Mother, we will all be happy." Xunmi said solemnly, holding Shangguan Yan's hand on her shoulder.
Shangguan Yan nodded, put the headdress on her daughter, and tidied her clothes.
He was helped onto Wenren Lu's back and escorted to the bridal sedan chair by his younger brother.
Dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, she sat under a canopy, with a beaded curtain hanging from her head.
Elegant and luxurious, unparalleled in the world.
The carriage slowly passed through the streets of the capital, greeted by cheers and blessings from all the people.
Seeking, she placed her hands folded over her abdomen, a warm smile on her face.
This is her second life; she and her lover will have many more lifetimes to come.
She was a greedy woman who still hoped her lover could stay with her forever.
The baby lay at Xunmi's feet, somewhat delighted. This was its first time in ancient times, and it had witnessed such a scene.
It feels very different from modern times, and most importantly, it's obviously much more interesting than modern times.
The groom has to kick the sedan chair door, step over a fire basin, and be doused with mugwort water.
The bed will be covered with dates and peanuts, and we'll eat glutinous rice balls and such—it's all so meaningful.
It was already dusk when we arrived at the Prince's Mansion.
Xunmi finally learned how modern weddings originated; it turns out that weddings were originally called "hunli," ceremonies held at dusk.
Different times, different meanings, but the same beauty and blessings remain.
Zongzheng Mufeng carried Xunmi the whole way into the main hall and stopped. The matchmaker brought out a red silk ribbon, and the two of them led each other toward the main seat.
Today, the Prince's Mansion is filled with distinguished guests, and even the Emperor himself has come to witness the couple's marriage.
"First bow to Heaven and Earth." The two turned around and knelt down facing outside.
"Bowing to our parents again." The two men knelt down and bowed to the people in high positions.
"Husband and wife bow to each other." The two face each other, with the same smile on their faces, bowing to each other with their heads bowed.
"The ceremony is complete, escort them to the bridal chamber." The officiant announced loudly, bringing the ceremony to a close.
Xunmi was helped away by Xiaoxiang and two maids; she was now more than three months pregnant.
Fortunately, the clothes were quite intricate, so the slightly raised marks were not visible.
This was followed by a significant increase in appetite; she ate more than the average pregnant woman, and she didn't know why.
Zongzheng Mufeng once joked that she must be carrying a boy, otherwise why would she be so troublesome?
She didn't have any particular feelings about searching; she liked both boys and girls.
It was past midnight when Zongzheng Mufeng entered the bridal chamber, and he drank the nuptial wine with Xunmi.
"The red candle's beauty is even more delicate and gorgeous than the finest rouge."
"My beauty, in this life and the next, I, Zongzheng Mufeng, will hold your hand and grow old with you."
He removed the heavy headdress from her head, helped her take off her outer clothes, gently laid her down on the bed, and then pressed himself down on top of her.
The red gauze curtains are warm, the spring breeze is gentle, the love is tender and sweet, the lingering crimson hue is hazy and dreamlike, and the roses are shy and rosy.
The meandering waves converge into beautiful floral patterns, gliding into that enchanting and exquisite beauty.
A soft murmur, oh, so vibrant and fragrant, the moonlight just right, we sleep neck to neck.
The next day, Xunmi only felt a little soreness in her lower back, but everything else was fine.
She knew it was her husband who gave her a massage afterward, but she was asleep at the time and naturally didn't feel it.
She called Xiao Xiang over, got dressed, and went to find her beloved husband.
Zongzheng Mufeng was in his study reading the news from the palace: the Empress had been banished to the Cold Palace, and the entire Crown Prince's faction had been expelled.
As for Bai Ling, he was killed by the Crown Prince before Xunmi and Zongzheng Mufeng could leak the news.
Because he inadvertently discovered evidence of Bai Ling's betrayal—it was truly an accidental discovery!
It can only be said that Bai Ling was unlucky.
The prime minister was also dismissed from his post and banished from the capital because of his connection with the crown prince.
This verdict was the result of Zongzheng Mufeng's intercession.
Otherwise, the emperor would have wanted to execute the entire Prime Minister's family.
Seek out all the debts that should be repaid, and then we will have no further dealings with each other.
"What are you looking at?" He walked over to Zongzheng Mufeng and asked with a smile.
Zongzheng Mufeng wrapped his arm around Xunmi's waist, placed her on his lap, and watched together.
The note read that Nangong Muchen had left the capital for the borderlands, but encountered trouble everywhere he went.
Now they are completely homeless, and it's hard to say whether they can rise again.
Guan Shengqing was diagnosed by the doctor with insanity and was completely ruined, with no hope left.
As for Wenren Yunfei, her human skin mask was punctured when she received a customer with unusual fetishes.
The disfigured face terrified the person so much that they fainted. She herself couldn't accept the grotesque appearance in the mirror and went insane.
He was kicked out of the brothel by the madam and became a beggar. A few days ago, his body was found exposed on the street.
Wenren Xiang, however, abandoned his large group of people in his backyard and disappeared without a trace.
Looking at these things, I feel at peace. People really shouldn't be so dramatic.
"My beauty, once you've given birth, let's go on a trip."
Zongzheng Mufeng put down the letter in his hand and made a suggestion.
"Okay." She gently stroked her belly, her eyes filled with tenderness.
My mother took my grandfather to settle in Jiangnan, away from these storms.
She felt at ease knowing that her younger brother had gone to the military camp with his uncle for training.
Six months later, Xunmi gave birth to a big, healthy boy.
A year later, Zongzheng Mufeng sent the woman to his mother-in-law in Jiangnan to be cared for, while he took the beauty to tour the beautiful landscape.
I don't need any big fuss, I just want a peaceful life.
When they were both surrounded by children and grandchildren, they could still recall that year, when the spring breeze was beautiful, the peach blossoms were fluttering, and they met.
On his deathbed, Zongzheng Mufeng held Xunmi's hand and said, "If there is an afterlife, I will definitely find you at a glance."
I've chosen you, I'll protect you, and I'll cherish you.
Xunmi nodded, her eyes filled with expectation and blessings, but no tears.
She will wait for him in the next life, no matter when or when, until the very end.
Years later, when people talk about it, they still speak highly of the story between the two.
That peach tree was regarded by later generations as a tree of marriage, capable of bringing good wishes.
Whether they are praying for a good marriage or for peace, they will all go to that tree to pray.
The soul, searching, floated in the air, lingering over the peach tree, before finally disappearing.