The charming widow of the Marquis's mansion: The stable boy carries the flag and raises the dra

Three days later.

The former Zhenguo Duke's Mansion was renovated overnight, and a brand-new plaque hung on the vermilion gate.

The two characters "Wangfu" were personally inscribed by the emperor, with vigorous strokes and gold powder outlines, shining brightly in the morning light.

In front of the mansion gate, imperial guards stood on both sides, long swords hanging at their waists, their faces stern.

Red silk was laid out from the lintel all the way to the street corner, and the lanterns along the way were changed to bright red with golden "囍" characters pasted on them.

The entire imperial city was in an uproar.

People, young and old, crowded both sides of the street, craning their necks to look inside, their voices rising and falling in discussion.

"Have you heard? The Prince of Yizi is getting married today, marrying Princess Yongning and the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei!"

"Marry both of them at the same time? That's quite a show of power..."

"He's a hero who saved the entire Great Qian Dynasty, what's wrong with marrying two? If you ask me, marrying ten wouldn't be excessive!"

Amidst whispers, the main hall of the Prince's Mansion was brightly lit with lanterns and red candles.

In the center of the main hall were two octagonal tables covered with red silk, piled high with fruits and snacks.

On the chairs on both sides sat imperial relatives, civil and military officials, all dressed in fine clothes and smiling.

Murong Yuan sat in the main seat, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and a crown, his face dignified.

Murong Hao sat beside him, wearing a crown prince's python robe and a white jade belt around his waist, his face gentle.

Luo Hanyi sat to Murong Hao's left, wearing a crimson-purple long dress, her hair tied up in a high bun, her face cold and aloof, but deep in her beautiful eyes, there was a complex emotion that was hard to describe.

Her gaze fell on the two large red candles in the center of the main hall, and she seemed slightly lost in thought.

Wang Long's wedding, but she wasn't the bride.

She was the widow of the Marquis of Zhenbei, and there were many things she had no choice but to do.

Outside the main hall, firecrackers suddenly exploded, crackling and deafening.

"The auspicious time has arrived!"

The eunuch's high-pitched voice pierced through the sound of firecrackers and echoed throughout the entire palace.

All eyes turned to the entrance of the main hall at the same time.

Two figures walked slowly in from outside the door.

Both Murong Qing and Qin Minglan wore bright red wedding dresses, phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, with red veils covering their faces, revealing only a section of their snow-white chins and slender necks.

The wedding dress was embroidered with lifelike golden phoenixes, and the hem trailed on the ground, drawing a graceful arc on the red carpet.

Two brides walk side by side.

Two groups of palace maids followed behind her, carrying flower baskets and scattering flower petals as they walked. Red rose petals drifted in the air, landing on the ground, on the wedding dresses, and in their hair.

All the guests stood up, applause thundered, and cheers rose and fell.

"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness!"

Wang Long stood in the center of the main hall, wearing a bright red wedding robe with a large red flower tied to his chest. His hair was neatly combed, and the wrinkles on his face had become much shallower. He looked energetic and radiant.

Looking at the scene before me, I felt a moment of disorientation.

he has married!

The marriage involved a princess and the eldest daughter of a marquis, with the emperor personally officiating and all officials offering their congratulations.

This kind of grandeur is unmatched in the entire Daqian Dynasty.

Murong Qing and Qin Minglan walked up to him and stopped.

Two brides, one on his left and one on his right, stood side by side with him.

The eunuch shouted in a shrill voice.

"I bow to Heaven and Earth!"

The three of them turned around at the same time, faced the door, and bowed deeply.

"Bowing to the parents a second time!"

The three turned around, faced Murong Yuan in the main seat, and bowed.

Murong Yuan sat upright in the main seat, watching his daughter bow, his eyes slightly reddening.

He took a deep breath and nodded vigorously.

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

The three faced each other and bowed deeply.

"The ceremony is complete! Lead them to the bridal chamber!"

Applause erupted again, and cheers were deafening.

Murong Yuan stood up, raised his hand and gestured for everyone to be quiet.

His gaze swept across the entire room, finally landing on Wang Long, and he slowly began to speak.

"My daughter is now in your hands."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to everyone present.

"I'll say it again: if you dare to bully her or let her suffer even the slightest injustice..."

He paused, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

"I will not spare you!"

Wang Long clasped his hands in a respectful salute, his voice solemn.

"yes!"

Luo Hanyi looked at Wang Long with complicated emotions.

"Minglan is now in your hands..."

Wang Long looked at Luo Hanyi; she was his first woman.

He also wanted to marry Luo Hanyi, but some things could only be thought about.

If the two were forced into marriage, Luo Hanyi would be overwhelmed by public criticism.

Wang Long is not yet strong enough to ignore everyone in the Great Qian Dynasty.

The two stared at each other for a long time.

"Madam, let me offer you a toast to thank you for your care over the years!"

Wang Long picked up a glass of wine and looked at Luo Hanyi with a smile.

Luo Hanyi picked up her wine glass and took a small sip.

The wine is sweet.

But a bitter feeling lingered in her heart.

Luo Hanyi took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in her heart, put down her wine glass, and once again adopted that aloof and noble demeanor.

She was the mistress of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion and a first-rank imperial consort.

She couldn't lose her composure.

At least……

We mustn't lose our composure here.

Night falls.

The Prince's mansion was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful lights, and red candles shone high in the sky.

The guests gradually dispersed, and the noise subsided.

Wang Long stood at the door of the new house, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.

Inside the room, red candles flickered.

The two brides sat side by side on the edge of the bed, their red veils still on, their hands on their knees, their backs ramrod straight.

Upon hearing the door open, both of them stiffened slightly.

Wang Long walked up to them and stopped.

He looked at the two brides with red veils covering their heads, his cloudy old eyes filled with tenderness.

He reached out and gently lifted the red veils of the two brides.

"Husband...jun~"

Murong Qing called out shyly, her voice sweet and tender.

"My...my husband!"

Qin Minglan was a little nervous.

"Ladies, it's time for us to rest."

"Hmm~"

"Okay~"

Soon, the room was filled with a harmonious blend of water and milk, creating an intoxicating atmosphere.

In the dead of night, the moonlight was as clear as water.

Murong Qing and Qin Minglan had fallen into a deep sleep, curled up in Wang Long's arms, breathing evenly, with satisfied smiles on their lips.

Wang Long, however, was not sleepy.

He stared at the roof beams above him, his mind replaying the look Luo Hanyi had given him during the day.

Wang Long gently moved Murong Qing's head away from his arm.

He then gently placed Qin Minglan's hand, which was resting on his waist, back down.

He tucked the blankets in for the two of them before quietly getting out of bed.

He got dressed and pushed open the door.

The night breeze, carrying the coolness of early autumn, swept over him, invigorating him.

Wang Long stood at the door and glanced in the direction of Luo Hanyi's courtyard, where the lights were still on.

Without hesitation, he strode over.

The gate to Luo Hanyi's courtyard was ajar. Wang Long pushed the gate open and immediately saw Luo Hanyi sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard.

She changed into a moon-white nightgown, her black hair loose and untied, just draped over her shoulders.

On the stone table in front of me were several small dishes and a pot of wine, the wine cups of which had been emptied several times already.

Luo Hanyi held a wine glass in her hand, slightly lost in thought.

That usually aloof and detached face now bore a look of weariness and desolation that she had never seen before.

Wang Long stood at the courtyard gate, watching her back as she walked away, his heart feeling as if something had gently tugged at it.

He walked over and sat down opposite her.

"Madam, it's late."

Luo Hanyi snapped out of her daze, saw Wang Long, and was slightly taken aback.

"you……"

Her voice was a little hoarse, with a hint of barely perceptible panic.

"Why are you here? Tonight is your wedding night; you should be with Minglan and the princess."

Wang Long looked at her without answering, reached for the wine pot on the table, poured himself a cup of wine, and drank it all in one gulp.

The liquor was strong, spicy on the palate, and burned the throat.

He put down his wine glass, raised his head, and looked at Luo Hanyi.

"Madam."

"Um?"

"You are just as important to me as they are."