Chapter 650: Then Let Them First Bow and Apologize
After hearing Helian Liluo’s words, the chill in Yue Wang’s voice deepened further.
“So, according to you, your side spoke recklessly and insulted my Princess Consort. In that case, then let them first bow and apologize.”
Hearing Yue Wang reverse black and white in the blink of an eye, Yu Wang silently applauded in his heart.
The Beijiang envoys looked furious. “Your Highness Yue Wang, you are clearly shielding your own Princess Consort!”
Yue Wang narrowed his eyes slightly. “Your princess herself just admitted that, out of excessive worry for that Sixth Prince and because she found the sudden news hard to accept, she spoke without restraint. What is it? Are you saying your princess was speaking nonsense? Or are you saying that you came here deliberately to disrupt my wedding?”
The envoy choked. Was this what people meant when they said Yue Wang was taciturn and poor with words? If a man who could overturn right and wrong with nothing but his tongue counted as poor with words, then the rest of them could only be considered mute.
Helian Liluo blinked. A trace of sorrow flashed through her beautiful eyes, like a magnolia flower touched with morning dew. Her gaze seemed full of tears, while her expression held back what it wished to say.
“Your Highness Yue Wang, I was rash just now, and because of that, the envoys misunderstood matters. I ask Your Highness to forgive us.”
Yue Wang’s words had driven her into a corner from which there was no easy retreat. Whether she admitted it or not, Beijiang would lose face. So she could only avoid the weightier matter and take the blame upon herself. Compared with Beijiang’s honor, the honor and dignity of one woman meant nothing.
Seeing her in such a state, some among the guests suddenly thought they understood. So this Beijiang Princess had actually set her heart on Yue Wang. Alas, the goddess was willing, but the prince had no dream. That must be why she had spoken up earlier, hoping to throw the wedding into disorder. Yet Yue Wang was truly too unromantic—before such a delicate and moving beauty, he remained utterly unmoved.
The other officials merely smiled without speaking. As for how much they believed Helian Liluo’s words, only they themselves knew.
Yue Wang held Mu Yunyao’s hand, his expression cold and indifferent. “Princess Helian ought to apologize to my Princess Consort. It was she whom you slandered.”
Helian Liluo ground her teeth in secret. “Yes... I was rash. I ask Princess Consort to forgive me.”
The moment those words left her mouth, she knew she could no longer use Liu Liang to attack Mu Yunyao. Yue Wang was truly deep in calculation. He had clearly measured her purpose in coming to the Dali Dynasty, and that was exactly why he dared act so unrestrainedly, paying no heed to Beijiang at all.
The curve of Mu Yunyao’s lips was perfect. Her clear gaze rested on Helian Liluo, and her tone carried a hint of deeper meaning. “It is understandable. Princess Helian need not take it to heart. I will not hold it against you.”
Helian Liluo felt her chest tighten painfully, but in the present circumstances, she could only swallow shattered teeth together with blood. “Many thanks, Princess Consort. Then I shall take my leave first.”
To Mu Yunyao’s ears, the title Princess Consort sounded especially pleasing. “Those who come are guests. Princess Helian’s status is noble, so naturally she is an honored guest. Men, arrange seats for Princess Helian and the Beijiang envoys.”
“Yes.”
The atmosphere in the hall quickly became lively once more. Mu Yunyao was escorted to the rear-court bridal chamber to wait, while Yue Wang began offering wine to the guests.
Since her bridal veil had already been lifted in the main hall, Mu Yunyao simply instructed the full-blessing matrons to remove the heavy phoenix crown, pearl hairpins, and dangling ornaments from her head.
The matrons had all seen how deeply Yue Wang cherished his Princess Consort and did not dare disobey. After removing those heavy ornaments, they arranged her hair in a simple trailing-cloud coiffure and secured it with a phoenix-headed gold hairpin. Seeing that nothing looked improper, they withdrew as ordered.
Mu Yunyao sat upon the bridal bed, and when she thought of Ling Wang and Jin Wang, neither of whom had yet made a move, her brows stirred slightly.
Jin Lan and Jin Qiao came in smiling, carrying food, and even their form of address had changed. “Princess Consort, this is something Wang Ye especially ordered us to prepare for you. He said you had hardly eaten since morning and that you should quickly eat a little to steady your stomach, lest you go hungry.”
Mu Yunyao nodded. Once the excitement of finally marrying Yue Wang had settled somewhat, her mind became crowded with many thoughts. “Is everything all right on Liu Liang’s side?”
“Replying to Master, Liu Liang is fine. He has been staying quietly within Yue Wang’s residence.”
Mu Yunyao ate a little, then leaned half against the bridal bed and waited patiently for Yue Wang to return. Because her emotions had been running too high, she had not slept well the night before, and she had risen especially early this morning. Before long, leaning there against the bedhead, she drifted drowsily into sleep.
She did not know how long she had slept before a sudden unease in her heart jolted her awake.
“Jin Lan?”
Jin Lan came in quickly. “Princess Consort, this servant is here.”
“Has Wang Ye not yet returned?”
“Replying to Miss—” Jin Lan caught herself and hurriedly corrected, “Replying to Princess Consort, the round of toasts has not yet ended.”
“I see...” Thinking of the sudden palpitating unease she had just felt, Mu Yunyao rubbed her chest. What exactly was going on? Why had that sense of panic come over her so suddenly?
“Has Poison Lady still not returned?”
“Replying to Miss, no.”
Mu Yunyao felt a thread of worry rise in her. “Something must have happened to delay her. I only hope nothing has gone wrong. And what about Yu Wang’s Princess Consort and Su You? Were special dishes prepared for them according to my instructions? One is with child, and the other is frail; both must be treated with particular care.”
“Please forgive this servant, Princess Consort... I did not keep close watch over that. I will go to the front court at once and check.”
“Go.”
Before long, Jin Lan came hurrying back. “Miss—” Again, she corrected herself, “Princess Consort, the food was all specially prepared. However, Yu Wang’s Princess Consort was feeling somewhat unwell and left early to return to the palace. Miss Su is quite all right.”
“Yu Wang’s Princess Consort returned to the palace early—what of Yu Wang?”
“He is still in the front court helping Wang Ye fend off the wine.”
Mu Yunyao’s brow moved slightly. For some reason, hearing this only made the unease in her heart grow worse. “How long ago did Yu Wang’s Princess Consort leave?”
“At this point, no more than the time it takes to drink two cups of tea.”
“Have Liu Liang take men and go after her. Make sure Yu Wang’s Princess Consort returns safely to the imperial palace.”
After giving the order, Mu Yunyao still did not feel reassured. She summoned Wei Jiu. “Go help Liu Liang.”
Wei Jiu immediately answered, “Yes.”
Once she was alone in the room again, Mu Yunyao could not help knitting her brows. She had expected Ling Wang and Jin Wang to make their move during her wedding. She had even prepared herself for the possibility that the wedding might not be completed. Yet all that had happened was that the Beijiang Princess and envoys had come to make a disturbance—and even that had been easily dealt with.
The sky gradually darkened. Suddenly, a burst of noise rose outside the door and startled Mu Yunyao awake again.
A crowd of people had escorted Yue Wang to the entrance of the bridal chamber. Eunuch Cheng quickly stepped forward to block them.
“What are you all making a fuss for? Is Princess Consort someone you may disturb? Hurry and let Wang Ye go in alone. The rest of you, go back. Tonight is Wang Ye’s wedding night—if anyone dares interfere, I’ll have him serve under me from now on.”
Those men who had come to tease the bridal chamber were all Yue Wang’s close confidants. After finally finding such lively excitement, they had been unable to suppress their curiosity and had all come hoping for a glimpse of Princess Consort. But the moment they heard Eunuch Cheng’s words, they scattered in every direction. What a joke. They still wanted wives, children, and a warm bed at home. If they ended up serving under Eunuch Cheng for the rest of their lives, what pleasure would there be left in anything?
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