Chapter 170 A Mid-Autumn Festival Extravaganza: A Series of Joyful Events
Chapter 170 A Mid-Autumn Festival Extravaganza: A Series of Joyful Events
On the morning of Mid-Autumn Festival, as dawn broke, the streets and alleys slowly awoke from their slumber. A thin mist hung over the cobblestone streets, and vendors began to set up their stalls. Fresh fruits and vegetables looked tempting, and the aroma of pastries filled the air. Everywhere was a scene of bustling activity as preparations for the festival began.
Pedestrians came and went, their expressions hurried but unable to hide the joy of the festival in their eyes. Children laughed and played, chasing each other in the morning light, holding colorful paper lanterns.
Inside the palace, golden glazed tiles shimmered in the morning sun, and palace maids and eunuchs busied themselves in an orderly fashion.
Inside the prince's mansion, the vermilion gates were wide open, and servants were meticulously sweeping the courtyard. The garden was secluded and winding, with osmanthus trees in full bloom. Exquisite palace lanterns hanging from the eaves swayed gently in the breeze. The steward directed the preparation of the banquet, where delicacies and fine tableware were laid out, exuding an air of opulence.
Today is not only the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunion, but also the wedding day of Zhao Xiong and Su Yao'er.
On the street, Zhao Xiong, dressed in a red silk wedding robe and wearing a golden crown, sat dashingly astride a tall horse. His expression was radiant, his face beaming, a smile brimming from his eyes. He stood tall and straight, waving frequently to the enthusiastic crowds on either side. His hand gripped the reins tightly, his gaze fixed firmly on the direction of the Su residence.
The wedding procession followed closely behind, a grand and imposing sight. Musicians played cheerful tunes, the sounds of gongs and drums filled the air, and the crisp notes of suonas filled the air, filling the entire street with a festive atmosphere. The crowd thronged around the Su residence, striding towards it, as if to spread this joy to every corner of the city.
Inside the Su residence, Su Yao'er sat gracefully before her dressing table. In the bronze mirror, she wore a phoenix coronet and wedding gown, the exquisite jewels trembling slightly as if whispering of joy. Beside her, the wedding attendant carefully adjusted her clothes and gently helped her to her feet.
With graceful steps and the help of the wedding attendant, Su Yao'er walked slowly and delicately into the hall. Each step was taken with utmost care, her skirt trailing on the ground like flowing clouds, the gold embroidery on her wedding dress shimmering in the candlelight, like stars fallen to earth.
Her eyes were red and brimming with tears, revealing her reluctance to part. She bowed gracefully, her voice slightly choked with emotion: "Daughter greets Father and Mother!"
Su's mother hurried forward, gently cupped her face in her hands, her fingertips caressing it, her eyes filled with longing and reluctance, tears streaming down her face as she covered her face and sobbed, "Get up quickly!"
Father Su turned his back, frowned slightly, and tried his best to suppress his emotions, but he could not hide his reluctance in the end. He sighed, turned around, and said in a low and trembling voice, "Yao'er, today you are getting married. From now on, you can't be willful anymore..." Before he could finish speaking, he couldn't help but sob.
At this moment, Su Yao'er deeply felt the sorrow of "leaving home and being separated from family". She pursed her lips, sobbed again, and then slowly knelt on the ground, kowtowed heavily, and cried uncontrollably: "Your daughter is unfilial and cannot stay by your side often. I hope that Father and Mother will take care of their health and not worry about their daughter."
Seeing their daughter like this, Su's parents felt as if they had been struck by a heavy hammer, and their eyes instantly reddened. Su's father quickly reached out his broad but slightly trembling hands, and Su's mother also hurriedly lent a hand. The two of them carefully helped Su Yao'er up, and the three of them embraced. In this festive yet parting atmosphere, they were reluctant to part for a long time, every minute and every second filled with deep affection and reluctance.
At this moment, the joyous music outside the mansion grew louder and louder. Zhao Xiong, dressed in a red robe, strode into the Su mansion with an imposing air.
He bowed to Su's parents with his hands clasped, and said earnestly, "Father-in-law and mother-in-law, rest assured, I will definitely protect Yao'er."
At this moment, Su Yao'er was covered by a red veil, so she couldn't see what the groom looked like, but she felt that his voice was familiar, though she couldn't quite place it. But she didn't think too much about it and, with the help of the matchmaker, gracefully boarded the bridal sedan chair.
At this moment, Su's mother was already sobbing uncontrollably, but because there were so many people present, she couldn't spoil the mood, so she subconsciously turned away and secretly shed tears. Su Xia forced a slight smile and repeatedly said goodbye to his new son-in-law.
Zhao Xiong then bowed respectfully and quickly mounted his horse. The wedding procession set off, accompanied by the sounds of suona horns and drums, slowly making its way towards the palace.
Meanwhile, the warm Mid-Autumn Festival sun shone on the streets of the capital, and the Fourth Prince Murong Che, dressed in a magnificent wedding robe, rode his horse to the Fifth Prince's residence.
His throat bobbed slightly, as if he were swallowing a thousand flavors with difficulty, his heart feeling as if a thousand-pound boulder was pressing down on it, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. Yet, he still forced himself to remain expressionless, his cold, stern face as frosty as ice.
Xue Xiang, adorned with a phoenix crown and a wedding robe, radiated a dazzling light, appearing even more magnificent than Su Yao'er. Unable to conceal her pride and joy, a smug smile played on her lips as she, supported by the wedding attendant, gracefully moved to Murong Che's side.
Fifth Prince Murong Han looked solemnly at Murong Che with his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed and his eyes piercing. He said solemnly, "Fourth Brother, today I entrust Xiang'er to you. I hope you will not mistreat her in the future."
Murong Che did not respond, but slowly lowered his head and fell into deep thought, his tightly pursed lips seeming to lock away a thousand thoughts.
Xue Xiang, however, was radiant, her eyes filled with anticipation for her future life as a princess. She gently took Murong Che's arm, urging them to set off.
Afterwards, Xue Xiang gracefully boarded the bridal sedan chair, while Murong Che mounted his horse, his posture upright like a pine tree.
The wedding procession was grand and impressive, heading towards the palace.
Today, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, Beijing is filled with joyous celebrations and bustling activity. Lanterns and decorations adorn the streets and alleys, creating a festive atmosphere. One happy event after another has taken place, immersing the entire city in a sea of joy.
Before long, the lively atmosphere on the street reached its peak. The streets and alleys were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and the red lanterns swayed in the breeze, resembling a festive red sea.
Shops along the street hung up congratulatory banners, and shopkeepers, forgetting about their business, crowded at their doorways to watch. Children excitedly weaved through the crowd, waving colorful flags, their laughter and shouts echoing throughout the room.
The sounds of gongs, drums, firecrackers, and joyful music mingled together, creating an atmosphere that stirred the blood. The air was filled with the smell of gunpowder from firecrackers and the sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, adding even more liveliness and sweetness to this joyous Mid-Autumn Festival.
Not far away, the Third Prince Murong Lin and the Third Princess Ye Zhilan, holding their adorable and lively son Murong He, the family of three beamed with happiness as they followed the wedding procession to the palace.
Murong He's eyes sparkled like two black gems as he excitedly looked around. Pointing his little finger at the bustling street, he exclaimed in a clear voice, "Daddy, Mommy, look! It's so lively! Hehehe, I want a sugar figurine!!!" With that, he broke free from his parents' hands and tried to rush towards the sugar figurine stall.
Ye Zhilan's expression tightened, and she hurriedly called out, "He'er, don't run around!" She turned her head, looked at Murong Lin with a smile in her eyes, and said softly, "Your Highness, these successive happy events are truly delightful."
Murong Lin affectionately put his arm around Ye Zhilan's waist, his eyes full of love, and nodded in response, "Yes, that's right." Then he raised his voice and called out to Murong He, who was running away, "He'er, don't run anymore, or you'll get lost!" After saying that, the family of three quickened their pace and merged into the bustling crowd.
The Seventh Princess, Murong Qing, walked side by side with her gentle and refined husband, Chen Shuyu. On the other side, the Eighth Princess, Murong Lin, and her elegant husband, Su Jinran, accompanied each other. The four chatted and laughed all the way, creating a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.
The Ninth Prince, Murong Yi, with his imposing presence and wearing a brocade robe, left the Ninth Prince's residence together with the lively and cheerful Ninth Princess Lin Qianqian and the gentle and beautiful concubine Su Wan'er.
Behind Lin Qianqian, the aloof Wuming and the clever, curious Xiaodie followed closely. Beside Su Wan'er, Huan'er stood respectfully. The group merged into the festive crowd, following the main entourage towards the palace.
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