The most dissolute couple in the capital

On the day of the betrothal ceremony, the three of them went together.

The three rode out of the Liang Prince's Mansion, followed by a procession of ceremonial guards. Although it was a betrothal ceremony, the Imperial Clan Court had prepared all the necessary rituals. The grand procession of betrothal gifts stretched from the Liang Prince's Mansion to the end of the long street.

Gold and silver utensils, palace satins and silks, jade and pearls were carried steadily by eunuchs, one after another, attracting crowds of onlookers to stop and watch.

Li Chengjing rode at the very front of the procession, his back ramrod straight, and he personally carried the wild goose that was tied with a red ribbon in a bamboo cage.

After struggling for several days, the pair of geese quieted down in the cage, seemingly resigned to their fate.

People along the way pointed and whispered among themselves.

"Is that Prince Liang? He's quite handsome."

"The King of Liang personally delivered the betrothal gifts? That's quite rare."

"I heard she's going to the Cui family, the family of that sixth-rank secretary Lang. Tsk, I wonder which family's daughter she is, what a lucky girl."

"What a pity, what's so good about marrying the Prince of Liang? He's just an incompetent playboy—"

He Li, with his sharp ears, heard the last sentence and was about to turn around and glare at the person when Wang Chengyuan grabbed his sleeve.

"Don't embarrass yourself," Wang Chengyuan whispered.

Li Chengjing didn't seem to care. He even turned to the gossiping crowd and grinned, "Yes, a playboy, but a rich one. See all those dowry items? Can you earn that much in your lifetime?"

The commoner, his face flushed red from his rebuke, shrank back and disappeared into the crowd.

He Li was laughing so hard he almost fell off his horse.

-

Cui Mansion.

Upon receiving the news, Cui Zhiyuan changed into his most formal official robes early in the morning and sat upright in the main hall.

Lady Li also changed into a presentable appearance and directed her servants to clean the hall again.

Cui Qingyi sat in her courtyard, looking at the busy scene outside through the half-open window, and took a bite of the osmanthus cake that Su Xin handed her.

"Miss, aren't you nervous?" Su Xin peeked outside and whispered, "I heard that His Highness Prince Liang has come personally to deliver the betrothal gifts."

Cui Qingyi chewed on a pastry and said slowly, "What's there to be nervous about? I don't need to be present for the betrothal."

On the day of her betrothal in her previous life, she was so nervous that she could hardly sit still in her room, fearing that something might go wrong and leave a bad impression on the Zheng family.

She later learned that Zheng Wenyuan hadn't even come in person to deliver the betrothal gifts; he had only sent his uncles from the clan.

She comforted herself at the time, saying that the family had strict rules and it was inconvenient for the groom to attend in person.

Oh.

Cui Qingyi swallowed the last bite of cake and patted the crumbs off her hands.

Suddenly a commotion arose outside.

"He's here! His Highness Prince Liang has arrived!"

Cui Qingyi peeked out through the crack in the window and saw a grand procession turn into the alley. Leading the procession was a young man in a moon-white brocade robe riding a chestnut horse. He stood ramrod straight and was carrying a bamboo basket in his hand.

A red silk ribbon was tied inside the bamboo cage, and a plump gray goose was staring with its round eyes.

Su Xin leaned closer for a look and exclaimed in surprise, "What's that in Your Highness's hand—a wild goose? Is he carrying it himself?"

Cui Qingyi was also somewhat surprised.

According to etiquette, the goose used for betrothal is usually presented by the attendant or the best man. How could the groom carry it himself?

She narrowed her eyes and suddenly noticed a strip of white cloth wrapped around the back of Li Chengjing's left hand, with faint traces of blood showing through.

"He's injured?" Cui Qingyi murmured to herself.

Su Xin didn't hear clearly: "What did you say, Miss?"

Cui Qingyi shook her head and did not answer.

-

front hall.

Cui Zhiyuan and the men of his household greeted him at the door.

This was the first time he had taken a close look at his future son-in-law.

Li Chengjing dismounted swiftly. Carrying an exquisite bamboo cage in each hand, he strode up the steps, stood before Cui Zhiyuan, and bowed respectfully.

"Your son-in-law, Li Chengjing, has come to accept the betrothal by order of the Emperor."

Cui Zhiyuan returned the greeting, his gaze involuntarily falling on the two bamboo cages.

Those were two geese, currently exchanging heartfelt calls across their cage, their voices so loud they were deafening. Each goose had a thin red silk cord tied around its neck, and their feathers were all exceptionally smooth and even in color.

"This goose—"

"I did it myself." Li Chengjing interrupted before Cui Zhiyuan could speak, his tone tinged with undisguised pride. "I spent the whole morning waiting in the reeds south of the city, and I chose the most loving couple to attack."

Before he could finish speaking, He Li added resentfully from behind, "I almost got pecked bald by that mother goose while trying to hold down the other one."

Wang Chengyuan patted He Li on the back of the head, signaling him to shut up.

Cui Zhiyuan was stunned for a moment.

Why would the dignified King of Liang need to hunt geese himself?

But unfortunately, the scars on the back of Li Chengjing's hand were clearly visible.

Cui Zhiyuan remained silent for a moment before solemnly accepting the bamboo cage.

"Your Highness is very kind," he said.

Li Chengjing scratched his head and grinned, "I'm glad Lord Cui doesn't mind. These two geese have quite a temper and can even 'double-team' each other, so please be careful when you have them fed."

Cui Zhiyuan's lips twitched slightly.

The betrothal gifts were carried in, one load at a time. The Cui family's courtyard wasn't large, and by the end, it was almost overflowing, so the servants had to clear out the backyard as well.

In the front hall, Cui Zhiyuan and Li Chengjing exchanged a few pleasantries.

Cui Zhiyuan initially thought this纨绔 (playboy) prince would be difficult to talk to, but he found that although Li Chengjing was not well-versed in classics and history, he spoke frankly and openly, neither putting on airs of royalty nor trying to curry favor. He was more like a junior visiting his father-in-law's house.