Chapter 42: Schemes

“Alright, alright,” Qi Chen said impatiently. He put down the teacup and stood up. “Brother Feng can stay here and enjoy the view. Don’t forget to attend my wedding tomorrow.” He left with the housekeeper, leaving Jun Huang sitting there, watching them hurrying away. She shook her head. Such was the way of mortals, always rushing from one place to another.

She put down the teacup and looked up at the sky. Tomorrow would likely be a sunny day.

The next day, before dawn, there were already people bustling about outside. Jun Huang was woken by the noise and felt a little annoyed. The pain in her temples didn’t help either. She had to take some pills to suppress it.

The maid who had been serving Jun Huang brought her a bowl of water and left her clothes on the end table next to her bed. She knew how Jun Huang was right after waking up, so she left the room and waited at the door.

Weddings for marrying concubines weren’t normally this large-scale, but Qi Chen had not been married before, so his first concubine was married the way the principle wife would be. She would receive betrothal gifts and be carried here in a bridal sedan chair by eight people.

Qi Chen left for the Wei Manor on a horse to pick up and lead Wei Lanying back to his manor. Only then did Jun Huang saunter into the main hall. Almost all the sons from important families in the imperial city were present. Who knew, however, how many of them really were here to congratulate the couple, and how many were trying to get on Qi Chen’s good side?

There were many guests wandering about. Jun Huang stayed near the wall, looking at the conversing people with her arms crossed.

Qi Chen got off his horse and started chatting with the guests. The festive wedding outfit made him look different from his usual self. Wei Lanying, with the help of the matchmaker, crossed the threshold, then the pot of fire.

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The red bridal veil she wore was embroidered with a golden phoenix. The phoenix was so lifelike it seemed like it would fly away any second. Her entire appearance was impressive. Qi Chen’s friends cheered and applauded.

Nan Xun didn’t arrive until halfway through the wedding. He spotted Jun Huang at a distance and went straight to her.

“How are you feeling?”

Jun Huang tilted her head to give him a look. “I’m fine now.”

Nan Xun nodded. He followed Jun Huang’s line of sight to the main hall. There, a maid was helping Wei Lanying to the marital bedroom, while Qi Chen invited the guests to take a seat and have a drink. He probably noticed Jun Huang’s absence, and was looking around for Jun Huang. When he spotted her with Nan Xun, he walked up to them with a frown.

“Why didn’t brother Feng come in?”

“I didn’t have much to do, so I stayed here. Happened to run into Prince Nan. We talked a little.” Jun Huang’s face betrayed nothing. She curved up her lips. “Congratulation on your marriage, Your Highness.”

“The banquet has started. Let us go in.” Qi Chen led the two of them into the main hall.

At night, Qi Chen was dizzy with all the alcohol in his system. He might fall asleep any second. The housekeeper nudged him and said, “Lady Wei is still waiting. Please hurry and return to the marital bedroom.”

Qi Chen tilted his head up and threw a glance at the housekeeper. He did have someone waiting for him. He struggled to get to his feet and left for the bedroom with a servant’s help.

When he reached the hallway, it had started to drizzle outside, washing away the usual smothering heat. The breeze cleared his head a little.

After telling the servant to leave, he stood in the hallway for quite a while. Then he walked towards the marital bedroom. There was a red character ofwritten on their backs. All of them crawled towards Prince Chen Manor and stopped at the door. Suddenly more and more people supported Qi Chen to become the crown prince.

Jun Huang was caught completely off guard. People were saying Qi Chen was born to be the crown prince. If she didn’t want to raise suspicion, she couldn’t deny what they said. Without a good solution, she could only let things play out.

“Congratulations, Your Highness, the crown prince’s title is within your reach.” Jun Huang cupped her hands in greeting, smiling. Her gaze, however, was fixed on Wei Lanying.

Feeling like Jun Huang was up to no good, Wei Lanying frowned. She then turned to Qi Chen with a smile. “Who is this gentleman?”