Xiao Man lay on the roof of Yanqing Palace, listening to the conversation between the master and servant below, and couldn't help but smile. Consort Xian was about to make a big move in the palace, which was a good thing, and she should help her a bit.
When the master and servant below went to rest, Xiao Man was about to leave when she noticed someone squatting beside her. Instinctively, she threw a punch, but her wrist was grabbed by that person.
"Heartless, is this how you treat your man?" Nangong Yu gnashed his teeth fiercely. He knew this girl was not one to stay put. How dare she sneak out in the palace? If she were discovered to be faking illness, the Empress Dowager would surely tear her apart!
Xiao Man lowered her voice, "How did you get into the palace?"
"If I didn't come into the palace, I wouldn't have known you had this hobby of eavesdropping." Nangong Yu lowered his voice, "Don't you know this is very dangerous?"
Xiao Man glanced around, making sure no one was there, then leaped down and headed towards Changle Palace. Nangong Yu followed closely.
"Why are you following me?"
"To send you back." Nangong Yu followed unhurriedly. "This palace is far more complex than you imagine, with experts everywhere. Even with superb concealment techniques, you shouldn't act recklessly."
"I understand." Xiao Man replied obediently. "By the way, do you have any grudges against Mr. Zhong?"
"No." Nangong Yu said slowly. "I don't like the way he looks at you."
Xiao Man was a little confused. "The way he looks at me?"
Nangong Yu gave Xiao Man a deep look. Xiao Man had always been carefree, and even when she said she liked someone, it wasn't from the heart. If he didn't know that she understood nothing of love, he would have suspected that Xiao Man was an old hand at romance.
The way Zhong Qing looked at her was the way a man looked at a woman. He was a man, so he recognized it at a glance, but Xiao Man would never think in that direction.
"Stay away from this person as much as possible," Nangong Yu said. "He is the Empress Dowager's man after all. If you trust him, be careful not to suffer."
"The Empress Dowager, not my Imperial Grandmother anymore?"
Nangong Yu gnashed his teeth. This little woman's focus was always in unexpected places. "She is both the Empress Dowager and this King's Imperial Grandmother, but that doesn't mean she poses no threat to you!"
Xiao Man pinched her chin and thought carefully. "It's strange, Nangong Yi also warned me to be careful of the Empress Dowager, and Old Madam Xiao seems to be very afraid of her too."
Nangong Yu lowered his gaze, not answering. Xiao Man should know very well what kind of person the Empress Dowager was, considering they both had been through the deep palace!
Prince Qi's wedding was attended by civil and military officials to offer congratulations, and wealthy gentry also sent lavish gifts. Prince Qi's maternal family, the Jin family, were both court officials and wealthy merchants, and they associated with people from all walks of life.
The steward welcomed and saw off guests at the entrance, while the accountant quickly recorded the gifts. Those coming to congratulate were endless.
Nangong Yu sat in the backyard, lost in thought. The bright red wedding attire made him even more handsome and unrestrained. Zhou Kang looked at the empty courtyard and then at his master, reminding him softly.
"Your Highness, the auspicious hour is approaching. You should go to welcome the bride."
"Welcome the bride?" Nangong Yi savored these words, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his lips. "Zhou Kang, does this outfit look good on me today?"
"It's beautiful, exceptionally beautiful." Zhou Kang immediately flattered him. "The ladies in the capital will surely be captivated by Your Highness when they see it."
"Will Xiao Man like it?"
Seeing the expectation on Nangong Yi's face, Zhou Kang immediately said, "Even Princess Yongning would be captivated by Your Highness's elegance."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Yi's smile became a little more genuine, but his eyes were filled with desolation. He had imagined countless times wearing a bright red wedding robe and marrying the one he loved, but dreams were ultimately dreams, unable to come true.
"Will she come today?" Nangong Yi asked softly. "I want her to see me as a groom."
Zhou Kang knew that Nangong Yi was referring to Xiao Man, but Xiao Man was unwell and could not leave the palace. The Empress Dowager would not allow her to leave either. "Princess Yongning is unwell and cannot come, but she has sent her personal maid to deliver a gift."
"Indeed, how would my Imperial Grandmother let her out?" Nangong Yi sneered. "All these years, she has tormented her relentlessly, all to make me obedient. I have been obedient, but she has only become worse!"
"Your Highness, be careful of eavesdroppers." Zhou Kang knew Nangong Yi was full of resentment, but both the Jin family and Consort De followed the Empress Dowager's orders. If they fell out with the Empress Dowager, only Your Highness would suffer.
Nangong Yi took a deep breath and suppressed the resentment in his heart. "The birthday gift I prepared for her, remember to have her maid take it back. Tell her I can't spend her birthday with her... Speaking of which, I couldn't spend her birthday with her last year either."
Zhou Kang looked at the time. "Your Highness, the auspicious hour is approaching. You should go out."
Nangong Yi stood up. "Let's go, let's welcome the bride."
The sedan chair stopped at the entrance of Prince Qi's manor. Nangong Yi stood at the entrance, looking at the sedan chair, then took the nearby bow and arrow and shot an arrow towards it. The matchmaker immediately beamed with joy and sang auspicious verses, helping the bride out.
The matchmaker handed the red silk to the newlyweds and led them inside.
"The red silk intertwined brings blessings like brocade, congratulations to the groom for gaining his beloved. The bride steps over the brazier, to soon have sons and grandsons."
Nangong Yi, with a blank expression, led the person inside. The matchmaker, supporting the bride, spoke auspicious words as they walked, until they bowed to heaven and earth and entered the bridal chamber, only then did the matchmaker leave.
Nangong Yi looked at Du Yulan, who was sitting on the wedding bed, his expression cold. "I will go out to entertain the guests."
Du Yulan nodded slowly, acknowledging him. Whether Nangong Yi saw it or not, she only heard the sound of the door opening and closing, leaving her alone in the bridal chamber with the quietly burning red candles.
Prince Qi's manor was filled with laughter and merriment. The Emperor and Consort De returned to the palace after the ceremony. The Crown Prince and a few of his brothers were drinking at the manor.
"Fourth Brother, now that Thirteenth Brother is married, among us brothers, you are the only one left alone. The long night ahead must be quite lonely?" The Crown Prince leaned closer to Nangong Yu. "Fourth Brother, you have been abstinent for too long. Once you taste the pleasure of a woman, you will understand why men like to have three wives and four concubines; the various flavors are intoxicating."
Nangong Yu played with the white jade wine cup in his hand, a playful smile curling at the corner of his lips. "I'm not a gigolo in a brothel, sleeping with any woman."
The Crown Prince's expression changed, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. He had meant well, and Nangong Yu had called him a gigolo. Were all men with three wives and four concubines gigolos?
Prince Chu curled his lips, the arc very small, almost imperceptible. However, upon closer thought, it seemed he was not even as good as a gigolo. After all, one had to pay to be with a gigolo, while he had to pay to support his three wives and four concubines. Was this not a case of trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice?