Successfully planned
Upon hearing this, Ci Ke’s eyes widened.
Ci Ke suddenly shook her head. She reached up to touch Ye Youqing’s hand, grasping her palm with both hands, and pulled it away.
She opened her mouth to explain, but the words got stuck in her throat; she didn’t know where to begin.
To say that she had fallen for her, yet was powerless?
She disrupted her plans, disturbed her thoughts, and lost the last bit of dignity she had in front of her.
Recalling Zhou Ziqiu’s words: Stay away from her. She has no ulterior motives; she is innocent. This way, it will be better for both of you.
It would save herself from being heartbroken all the time and spare her from getting more entangled in a situation where there is no way out.
“I thought after everything we’ve been through, there would be some change between us. Or is it just my illusion?” Ye Youqing asked softly when she saw Ci Ke remained silent.
Ci Ke shook her head, her bangs swaying with the movement.
“I’m sorry,” Ci Ke said, lowering her beautiful head, so only her cloud-like bangs and a corner of her delicate nose were visible.
Ye Youqing’s anger was extinguished as if doused by a bucket of cold water. Despite the summer heat, she didn’t feel hot; instead, a cool sensation spread through her mind. She stepped back slightly, letting her hands fall to her sides.
Why did she care so much? She found it somewhat amusing.
She spoke again, as if seeking confirmation, “So, will you go with me?”
Ci Ke’s smooth nails scratched at the rock behind her, chipping off a small piece, as her gaze turned towards the cool pavilion with its gushing water.
Just as Ye Youqing expected, she wasn’t surprised; she couldn’t let go of Zhou Ziqiu.
“I’m sorry,” Ci Ke said again. She wanted to reach out to Ye Youqing, but Ye Youqing instinctively raised her hand to avoid it.
“It’s fine,” Ye Youqing looked at her, all her previous emotions gone, and slightly curled her lips. “The Emperor is very cautious. Take care of yourselves.”
With that, she turned and walked around the rockery, stepping into the blazing sunlight. Her clothes and sleeves were blown by the warm wind, tangling behind her, and her slender figure quickly disappeared beyond the layers of palace walls.
Ci Ke closed her eyes, her body suddenly losing strength, leaning softly against the rough rock. She still gazed into the direction where Ye Youqing had left, even though her view was blocked by the deep palace and the scorching red walls.
After sleeping for so long, it’s time to wake up.
The sunrise came earlier and earlier, often breaking dawn before the rooster crowed. Bianjing became increasingly humid and rainy. After several heavy downpours washed away the summer heat, the next day would bring back the oppressive heat as the heavens and earth tangled once more.
It was a season of thriving growth, with the deep blue sky heralding the arrival of midsummer.
The streets of the capital gradually took on a festive atmosphere. The locust trees on both sides of the Imperial Street were adorned with red lanterns and prayer ribbons. Every day, special personnel cleaned the streets, making the ancient bluestone slabs shine as if freshly washed.
To celebrate the joyous occasion of the upcoming wedding, the Grand Princess opened her personal granary to distribute porridge to the poor on the outskirts of the city, drawing throngs of impoverished people and adding to the bustling scene.
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The marriage between the Duke’s legitimate daughter and the eldest son of the Wei family was a major event in the capital. As relatives of the Emperor and favorites of the Empress Dowager, the occasion was bound to be grand and magnificent, showcasing the opulence of the imperial family.
As one of the main characters, Ye Youqing had been confined at home for three full days, forbidden from going out.
Seeing Ye Youqing so earnestly preparing for her wedding, the guards sent by the Emperor relaxed their vigilance, just waiting for the two to get married and for everything to be settled.
On the auspicious day, Ye Youqing woke up very early. It was still dark when she groggily opened her eyes and saw Zhao Qingrou sitting in front of the dressing table, mending something by the light of a small lamp.
Ye Youqing yawned, got up, put on her shoes, and walked over to look down. It turned out to be a dark red wedding dress, and Zhao Qingrou was sewing some gold threads onto the cuffs.
The wedding dress was very exquisite and luxurious, made of the finest Shu brocade. Under the candlelight, it gleamed smoothly, with the skirt spreading out in layers like blooming summer flowers.
The cuffs and lapels were embroidered with gold thread by Zhao Qingrou, adding a touch of elegance and grandeur to the otherwise vibrant attire.
“You sewed all night?” Ye Youqing frowned, taking the needle and thread from her. “How can your eyes endure this?”
Zhao Qingrou, her cheeks noticeably more flushed than usual, smiled softly and took the needle and thread back from Ye Youqing’s hand. “It’s nothing. Today is your wedding day. Besides sewing this dress, there’s nothing else I can do.”
“No matter what, today you must be the most radiant bride.” Zhao Qingrou gently touched Ye Youqing’s face and said softly.
Zhao Qingrou was fully aware of the Emperor’s intentions in arranging this marriage, but beyond feeling distressed, she was powerless.
Ye Youqing smiled gently and reached out to light two more candles, brightening the room and watching Zhao Qingrou’s fingers deftly move.
“Mother, there’s something you need to know,” Ye Youqing suddenly said.
“What is it?” Zhao Qingrou looked up.
“No matter what news you hear today, it’s false, but you must treat it as true,” Ye Youqing said, then dipped her finger in tea and drew a strange, four-petaled leaf on the wooden table.
“In the future, you can only trust the person who draws this symbol,” Ye Youqing added.
The needle in Zhao Qingrou’s hand fell to the ground. She bent down to pick it up, but Ye Youqing was quicker and picked it up first.
Zhao Qingrou continued sewing, but she missed the stitch several times. Finally, she gave up and looked up at Ye Youqing.
Tears gradually welled up in her eyes.
“Alright.” Zhao Qingrou smiled lovingly, sighed with deep emotion.
“Mother will wait for you.”
Ye Youqing held her hand until it warmed from its initial coldness, then stood up and called Qin Xin to come in and wash up and change clothes.
She wasn’t completely calm today either; her heart was always hanging, no matter what. Her move was risky. If it succeeded, fine; if not…
If not, she would truly have to marry that pig-like Wei Yanei.
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But one had to try, how would one know without trying? Ye Youqing extended her arms and allowed Qin Xin to help her put on her clothes.
“In the future, when I’m not here, take good care of my mother. Without anyone daring to bully her in the residence now, there shouldn’t be any trouble for a while. If anything unusual happens later, go to Jinlingzhai,” Ye Youqing said in a very low voice, and Qin Xin nodded, unable to clearly see her expression.
“Eldest Miss, the Wei family has no reason to protect you. You should take me with you…” Qin Xin pleaded softly as she helped Ye Youqing with her hair.
“Only if you stay by my mother’s side will I be at ease,” Ye Youqing said with great seriousness, eliciting a sob from Qin Xin.
She dared not speak too explicitly, for fear that if anything happened later, those who knew might betray them. It was easy to expose one’s true intentions.
“That’s enough. It’s just a marriage, not a death. Why cry and mourn?” Ye Youqing said sternly to Qin Xin, but a ball of thread was thrown at her head by Zhao Qingrou.
“What nonsense. Hurry up and knock on the table,” Zhao Qingrou scolded.
Ye Youqing rubbed her head and knocked on the table three times.
After putting on the wedding dress, using Luo Zidai, she meticulously darkened her already slender eyebrows, applied a hint of rouge to the corners of her eyes, and blended dark shadows around her eyes, making her phoenix eyes appear even deeper.
(LP: “Luo Zidai” is the name of a type of cosmetic pigment used traditionally in China, especially during the Tang Dynasty. It was a dark pigment made from the powder of burnt peach pits or a mixture of indigo and lead, used to darken the eyebrows and outline the eyes.)
With wet red paper dabbed on her lips, when she opened her mouth again, it revealed fiery red lips as bright as flames, complementing her cold and bright features.
Qin Xin was indeed skilled in hairstyling; she fashioned a Baihua hairstyle on Ye Youqing’s head, adorned with gold and silver jewels, and topped with a deep red golden crown. It felt like she had a few pounds of iron hanging from her head, causing her neck to ache.
Marriage for women in ancient times was truly a physically demanding task. Ye Youqing supported her neck, her face creased in discomfort.
“Wait, there’s this too.” Qin Xin pulled out a few pearls from somewhere and stuck them between her eyebrows, serving as hair ornaments.
“Eldest Miss usually doesn’t care much about dressing up, but now that you’re done up, you look even more beautiful than usual,” Qin Xin said, staring blankly at the bronze mirror in front of her.
Ye Youqing glanced at herself and was quite satisfied as well, although she knew that dressing up elaborately now would be of no use later.
The pitch-black sky gradually brightened, transitioning from the pale fish-belly white of dawn to a rosy hue, until the red color faded away, filling the room with the bright morning sunlight.
The wedding procession would arrive at the door by the hour of Chen. Ye Youqing heard the commotion outside the window gradually rising, so she sat on the neatly arranged bed by several maids and watched as the house was adorned with fruits and ceremonial candles.
The tranquility was shattered by the suona at some point, and lively festivities completely took over the mansion. Children’s shouts resonated throughout the residence, mingling with the joyful sounds of gongs and drums, creating a vibrant atmosphere akin to another world.
“The groom is here!” someone shouted loudly. After a flurry of footsteps, the door was pushed open, and maids rushed in, helping Ye Youqing to her feet.
The hair ornament on her head felt uncomfortably heavy. Ye Youqing frowned as she got up and glanced at Zhao Qingrou, who had teary eyes. So, she smiled reassuringly and followed the crowd out of the inner chamber and into the main hall.
Red cloth covered the ground, extending all the way outside. The maids on the side all retreated, leaving only her to walk slowly along the red carpet, her gaze sweeping over the bustling surroundings.
Lanterns adorned the outside, and remnants of spent firecrackers lay scattered around. The wedding ceremony in the Chongqing style was truly festive, she thought to herself.
The pearl curtain hanging from her hair ornament partially obstructed her view. She saw Zhao Qingrou being escorted by Qin Xin to a seat at the end of the main hall, while on the other side sat Duke Liang, adorned in elaborate attire. Though his brow was furrowed, he managed to squeeze out a hint of a smile.
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Standing on either side were some unfamiliar relatives, along with Ye Chengfu and Ye Chengzhu, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time. She lowered her eyes and bowed to Duke Liang and Zhao Qingrou.
As Duke Liang raised his hand, she would be free to leave.
Having lived here for so long, she felt a twinge of reluctance. Ye Youqing pursed her lips, turned, and walked into the sunlight. Following the path of red cloth and festive candles, she made her way out of the mansion, with the maids trailing behind, seeing her off.
By the time she reached the main gate of the Duke’s mansion, her neck was already quite sore.
The bridal sedan for the welcoming procession had long stopped at the entrance. Surrounding it were curious onlookers from the populace, yet none dared to approach too closely, their murmurs buzzing in the air.
“The eldest daughter of the Ye family has emerged, come and see!” someone shouted excitedly.
“What a pity, such unparalleled beauty,” someone else muttered, shaking their head with regret.
Ye Youqing let out a disdainful snort, her gaze sweeping over the crowded crowd. Only after spotting a few familiar figures did she feel somewhat relieved.
“Make way, make way, clear the path!” Several burly attendants leaped down from a sedan chair draped in red silk, shoving aside the bystanders. They then turned back and skillfully helped a man dressed in red robes down from the carriage.
The man’s face was pallid, as if he was enduring some kind of pain. His lips lacked color, appearing much thinner than before, almost like a dying man, frail and sickly.
Supported by the crowd, he approached Ye Youqing and extended his hand towards her, forcing a smile on his lips. “Qingqing,” he said with effort.
Though filled with disgust, Ye Youqing suppressed the churning in her stomach and placed her hand, wrapped in her sleeve, onto his. Then she boarded the bridal sedan.
“Raise the sedan!” someone called out. After a moment, when it seemed that Wei Yanei had climbed into the carriage, the sedan chair finally began to move. Ye Youqing lifted the curtain, watching as Zhao Qingrou and Qin Xin’s figures disappeared from the mansion’s gate before releasing her grip.
She removed the heavy hair ornament and pulled out the willow leaf hairpin.
It had begun.
The sound of drums and gongs followed her every step. People from the outskirts retreated to the streets, eagerly picking up the copper coins and candies tossed to them. It had been a long time since the capital witnessed such a lively wedding ceremony. The entire city was bustling with activity, filled with joyous shouts and the neighing of horses.
The Wei residence was adjacent to the Imperial Palace. As the Princess Consort’s son wed, even the Emperor graced the occasion with his presence. Seated in the Wei residence’s grand hall, the Emperor set aside his teacup upon hearing the drums drawing nearer, tapping his fingers in rhythm.
His expression was solemn.
Noble Consort Zhou Ziqiu sat below the dais, with Ci Ke, silent and reserved, standing behind her. They both observed the somber faces of the Princess Consort and her husband.
There seemed to be no joy here; what was meant to be a joyous occasion felt more like a funeral.
However, outside, the jubilation continued as before. Sitting in the sedan chair, Ye Youqing, feeling a bit nauseous due to the swaying motion and lack of food, closed her eyes and began to count.
When she reached one hundred, the sedan chair suddenly halted, and the sound of drums gradually faded, replaced by murmurs of discussion.
“What’s going on?” someone asked.
“It seems to be the Ministry of Justice’s prison. There were officials and soldiers passing by just now,” someone replied, their voice tinged with apprehension.
The wedding procession came to a halt, and the sedan chair touched the ground. Everyone looked at each other, as if no one knew what had happened.
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In the twinkling of an eye, distant screams erupted one after another, and carried by these sounds, the surrounding populace began to scatter, clutching their heads.
“Who goes there?” someone shouted, and in response came several cries of “Run!”
“Quick, flee from the Imperial Street!”
“They’re raiding the prison!”
In the chaos, someone’s fleeing caused the sedan chair to tilt. Ye Youqing furrowed her brow, parted the curtains, and descended. Her dark red attire shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight, drawing attention to her crimson lips.
“Qingqing!” With the assistance of several servants, Wei Yanei stumbled towards Ye Youqing. Just as he reached out his hand, his eyes widened in horror. Then, abandoning Ye Youqing, he clutched his head and fled. However, he was tripped by someone else’s legs, narrowly avoiding rolling under a carriage.
Witnessing this comical scene, Ye Youqing couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. Then, she turned around, only to see many commoners rushing towards the now sparsely populated Imperial Street, displaying remarkable agility as they moved.
Their hands wielded horse chopping sabers, glinting ominously in the blazing sun, stained with blood. They hacked through the roadside stalls, sending wood splinters flying.
As several of them approached closer and closer, brushing past Ye Youqing, one of them swung his saber at the carriage wheel. Wei Yanei, terrified, scrambled to his feet to escape, but was struck by the hooves of the pursuing horses, tumbling to the side, unconscious.
Laughter filled the air, followed by a large group of Imperial soldiers, armed with long sabers, rushing in pursuit. The two forces clashed, engulfing Ye Youqing in a whirlwind of blades and shadows.
Ye Youqing discarded her cumbersome outer garment and swiftly climbed onto the carriage, seeking refuge inside. Suddenly, several masked men appeared out of nowhere, seizing control of the carriage. They drove the carriage through the midst of the fighting, bouncing wildly as they headed towards the city outskirts. Ye Youqing quickly grabbed onto the seat, preventing herself from tumbling to the side.
“Protect the hostage!” shouted someone from among the Imperial soldiers. Soon, a few of them raced after the carriage, their horses galloping at full speed. Abruptly, the curtains were torn down, and two figures entered the carriage. One was a sturdy woman with bright eyes, while the other wore black clothes, unmistakably a skilled member of the imperial guard.
The woman grabbed Ye Youqing as if holding her hostage, pressing her against the seat, while wielding an iron hammer with a resounding clang. Meanwhile, the imperial guard, realizing he was outnumbered, changed tactics and aimed his broken blade at Ye Youqing.
With the carriage compartment being narrow, Ye Youqing instinctively raised her hand, wielding the willow leaf hairpin, which grazed his wrist, narrowly avoiding a blow.
“Damn it,” she cursed inwardly. It was indeed the Emperor, displaying his malevolence without hesitation.
Seeing the situation, the masked woman shouted sharply. Taking advantage of the man’s distraction, she knocked him unconscious with a single blow of her hammer and kicked him out of the carriage. Then, she swiftly pulled Ye Youqing into the carriage, whistled sharply, and leaped onto a horse.
Ye Youqing felt the breeze outside the carriage, but amidst the lightning and thunder, arrows came flying from an unknown direction. She felt a sharp pain, nearly crying out as she clutched her shoulder.
She had never experienced such a severe injury before. The piercing pain felt like countless hands twisting and squeezing her flesh, accompanied by a searing heat.
Her vision went black.
Meanwhile, at the Wei Residence.
The doors burst open, and several imperial guards rushed in, kneeling before the occupants, causing everyone in the room to stand up, exchanging concerned glances.
“Report, Your Majesty! Someone has audaciously raided the prison, freeing the salt merchant captured several days ago and escaped from the capital. They also seized the Wei family’s wedding carriage!”
“What?!” The Princess Consort took a step forward, her legs weakening, supported by a man beside her.
The Emperor also rose in shock, angrily asking, “This is the capital! How dare they! Is Wei Yanei harmed?”
“The young master’s whereabouts are unknown, but the Ye family’s daughter is still on the carriage. It’s said she was taken by those people as well and has been severely injured!”
A loud clatter came from the corner as the tea cup in Ci Ke’s hand fell to the ground.
thank you for the chapter (◍•ᴗ•◍)