Masquerade in Bridal Attire and Marry the Prince

107. Leaving

Translator: Antonia

Zhao Zheng’s wedding was held on by princess’s rituals. Despite her damaged reputation, she was given due decency as the representative of the imperial family. Not only escorting officials, even the dowry girls were not few. Judging from this configuration, she would be believed as a beloved princess.

For the sake of its face, the Zhao family also provided Zhao Zheng with a good dowry. These stuff actually meant little to the Zhao family, but to the shrewd calculating Zhaos, it was already very uncomfortable when, even though it wasn’t very much, the wealth spent on a Turkic prince wouldn’t make any returns.

Many Zhaos attended the wedding, including Zhao Zheng’s brother. In three mere days, he saw his favorite sister turned from a spoiled little princess into someone like this, he hated Yuxing Tianrui and Du Chuxuan no lesser than his sister. Only that he was better at concealing.

No one could tell how much of the miles of wedding decorations was for the sake of this country’s decency. However, the commoners just came to enjoy the grandeur and meanwhile envied that if they had born to such a family, supposedly they would also have had this fate. Seeing Zhao Zheng escorted to the Emperor and the Empress, the ritual official spoke.

“It’s the auspicious time. Princess Yuanning, please greet His and Her Majesty. First, kowtow to heaven and earth!” The ritual host was acted by the Minister of Rituals personally, and every procedure was prepared based on the conventions for a princess, which the Turkic Envoys couldn’t pick fault with. With servant girls, Zhao Zheng walked to the hall step by step.

She bowed to the Emperor and the Empress. A beauty bowing was truly a nice thing to watch, even her slender neck looked so pleasant. The Emperor was pleased by her good etiquettes, which added to glory in Shenglan, so he rewarded she more to make the ceremony more splendid.

“Second, kowtow to the Emperor!” Turning around, Zhao Zheng bowed to the Emperor and the Empress again, as biding farewell to her parents. At this moment, Master and Madam Zhao didn’t have the opportunity to accept the kowtow. Afterwards, Zhao Zheng stood up and served tea to the Emperor and the Empress respectively.

“Third, kowtow to the country!” The political marriage had a wedding different from normal ones. This kowtow was to let Zhao Zheng remember forever that she was a Shenglan person, alive or dead. Whatever might happen in the future, she must take the side of Shenglan.

After the three kowtows, Ashina Fei walked out. He also wore a red wedding suit, looking quite handsome. A trace of satisfaction in his eyes, he slightly bowed to help Zhao Zheng get up. The two standing together looked pretty much like a loving couple. Many on-looking commoners applauded and cheered for them.

Yuxing Tianrui, now Zhao Zheng’s ‘brother’, certainly should ride a horse and walk Zhao Zheng out of the city gate. The eldest and third princes also came along. The team of people advanced along the most prosperous street in the city, which looked very spectacular, and the commoners made way for them.

At this time, there was nothing for Du Chuxuan to do. Because of the previous incidents, the nannies reported everything to the Empress and suggested to decrease as many as possible the people Zhao Zheng met before she set off. Therefore, the congratulations and blessings between females were all canceled, but nothing was mentioned expressly. Everything still appeared showy and harmonious.

“Your Highness, His Highness ordered us to stay by your side. He said if you wanted to take a rest, you might follow me to leave from another corner gate.” Ada quietly approached Du Chuxuan when no one noticed. Du Chuxuan took a glance at the Emperor and nodded to show that he had heard him.

At the corner gate, Yuxing Tianrui was long ready. Jiu Dengdan had left the palace three days ago and stayed in a hotel thirty miles away from the city. He was alone and left without alerting anyone. Du Chuxuan could only sneak out today.

Time pressing, Du Chuxuan instantly took Dongxiang back to the East Palace. Dongxiang, as his close guard, must stay in the palace this time with Ada and the others, who had to, after helping Du Chuxuan out through the corner gate, stay and try their best to help the fake crown prince and princess to spend the following days peacefully.

“Your Highness, I’ve packed everything for you.” The luggage had been packed up long ago, all was food that Dongxiang specially prepared for Du Chuxuan to his taste. Although Du Chuxuan had enough money on him and the support of Sect Luo at any time, the chefs outside wouldn’t be as good as those in the palace.

Cracking a laugh, Du Chuxuan patted Dongxiang on the shoulder, “Good job. Work hard, and when I’m back, I’ll promote you to the chief steward of the East Palace.” Seeing Dongxiang grinning and forgetting all the sorrow of separation, Du Chuxuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Watching the time, Luo Yi tapped gently on the roof tile, and Ada took Du Chuxuan, already changing his clothes, to walk towards the back gate of the East Palace.

“Just follow me, Your Highness, for the rest of the way.” A man in the eunuch uniform stood at the back gate and said in a low voice. At this moment, everyone’s attention was on Zhao Zheng’s wedding, and this side of the streets were vacant with few people.

Hearing his words, Du Chuxuan knew that he must be a disciple of Sect Luo and instantly followed up. Behind him, Ada carefully closed the back gate, pulled up the treaded grass so as not to leave any traces of people passing by.

Since the palace was built, there had been too many emperors, and countless hidden passages had been constructed. The man tapped and knocked all the way to open paths which couldn’t be discerned at all. Du Chuxuan followed along, shocked with fright.

If those with malicious intentions knew these paths, he was afraid the whole imperial city would be thrown into chaos in a minute! The man seemed to sense Du Chuxuan’s fear and smiled, “Don’t worry, master. Even the Emperor doesn’t know all these paths. They’re exclusive to Sect Luo.”

He said it with pride, and Du Chuxuan heard it clearly, his admiration towards Yuxing Tianrui growing more. The loyalty of these excellent people was already a testimony to Yuxing Tianrui’s ability.