PNB Chapter 151 The wedding date has been set
Chapter 151 The wedding date has been set
The next morning, at the Prince of Beiqin's residence.
Rainwater dripped from the eaves in a continuous line, and mist drifted in from the distant mountains.
The entire palace was shrouded in a layer of misty coldness.
The entire household was bustling with activity, displaying auspicious items, including the wedding dress, sedan chair, and red satin quilts, as if the bride would be welcomed into the household in just a few days.
Strangely, despite the auspicious sign of happiness filling the house, the people in the household did not show much joy.
The entire mansion adorned in red only served to accentuate the somber mood of the sky.
The wind under the eaves was so cold that it made one's fingertips numb. The old woman and Rong'er stood under the eaves, looking at the traces left by Jiang Mian in the past, and could not hide their melancholy.
"Granny, what do you think the Prince is thinking? The position of Princess Consort should clearly belong to Miss Jiang," Rong'er muttered softly.
The old woman didn't reply, only sighed, "These jacaranda trees haven't even bloomed yet..."
Rong'er looked up at the low-hanging sky, where dark clouds pressed down and a chill penetrated to the bone.
She bit her lip and remained silent, feeling a tightness in her chest.
Just as I was feeling sentimental, I suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves outside the door, startling the crows in the mist.
"The prince has returned to the manor!" a servant ran up to report.
Everyone quickly retreated, only to see Xiao Hengzhi step in with a cold expression and furrowed brows, seemingly oblivious to the festive decorations around him.
As he walked, he muttered, "Tear all of this apart."
After saying that, he went straight to Jiang Mian's bedroom.
The door was unlocked, so he pushed it open.
The furnishings inside remained the same, even the round fan he had personally chosen for her that day was still leaning against a corner of the bed.
Everything was still there, except for her.
Xiao Hengzhi stood quietly, when suddenly he felt a tightness in his chest, as if something was choking him.
A moment later, he suddenly turned around and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
The wind picked up, and the rain poured down harder on the eaves, causing the vermilion lanterns to sway gently.
As soon as he entered the front hall, palace eunuchs came in.
The man, cloaked and holding a red silk-wrapped, gold-embroidered invitation, spoke in a high-pitched yet steady voice:
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince and Miss Chi's wedding has been arranged. The wedding date is the beginning of spring. He has specially ordered me to deliver the wedding invitation."
Xiao Hengzhi didn't move his eyebrows or eyes, but simply lowered his head to accept the wedding invitation.
The document bears the names of Ning Zhi and Chi Yu, and their wedding date is set for the day of Lichun (the beginning of spring).
His lips slowly curved upwards, but his smile was devoid of any warmth.
“The Beginning of Spring…” he murmured, “It really is an auspicious day.”
He stood with his hands behind his back on the steps, letting the cold wind and drizzle blow on his face.
"Jiang Mian".
"This is the Crown Prince you've longed for in both your past and present lives. In your past life, you buried your heart for him, and in this life, he still intends to marry someone else..."
Lost in thought, the eunuch standing to the side suddenly stepped forward, smiling obsequiously and bowing obsequiously, saying, "This servant has heard that the Empress Dowager is also choosing an auspicious date for the Prince... The Prince and Miss Wen Yin are a match made in heaven, and this servant is also sharing in the joy today..."
As soon as he finished speaking, you could hear a pin drop in the courtyard.
Xiao Hengzhi's mockery had not yet faded, but his expression gradually changed.
That bit of sarcasm he had for Jiang Mian completely collapsed at this moment.
He said Ning Zhi had let her down.
But how good is he himself?
The wind picked up, and raindrops fell one by one onto the wedding invitation in his palm, leaving ripples.
Xiao Hengzhi looked at the eunuch and said coldly, "Are you saying all this to try and get some benefits from me?"
The father-in-law was a little embarrassed by the bluntness of the words.
"This servant is Prince Hexi, and dares not ask for any benefits."
"Congratulations?" Xiao Hengzhi's face darkened. "When did I ever need your congratulations?"
The rain in the courtyard was slightly heavy, and the cold wind carrying frost swept past the red lanterns. Xiao Hengzhi's face was as gloomy as if a messenger from the underworld were coming to claim his life.
Seeing the situation was turning sour, the eunuch knelt down with a thud: "This servant is bad at speaking, I will punish myself! Your Highness, please forgive me!"
He started slapping himself as he spoke.
But Xiao Hengzhi was already displeased and ordered, "Go to the side courtyard and give the eunuch a good slap."
"Yes, Your Highness." Several guards stepped forward and dragged the eunuch towards the backyard.
"Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me!" the eunuch struggled, "I am His Highness the Crown Prince's man!"
Xiao Hengzhi ignored him, turned and left, leaving only the sound of rain falling on the ground, which masked his emotions.
He took a few wedding invitations, brushed off the raindrops, and then called over his attendant, whispering, "Send them to the General's Mansion."
The cry of "General's Mansion" was neither too loud nor too soft, drifting away in the wind, disappearing into the deep mountains along with the mist.
……
Deep in the mountains and forests, the sky grew even colder.
Mist lingered in the forest, drizzle dampened the branches, and white frost had already formed on the eaves.
Jiang Mian didn't sleep all night. She stood by the window, dressed in her robe, feeling increasingly uneasy.
The group of heavily pregnant women she saw last night, and the fact that A-Yun mostly downplayed the seriousness of the matter, made her feel that something was hidden here.
Is it related to the Spring Bitter Powder? Or is there some other secret?
Just then, a knock came at the courtyard gate—
"dong dong"
Jiang Wan snapped out of her daze, walked to the door, and asked softly, "Who is it?"
A man's voice came from outside the door, low and husky: "Miss Jiang, the master wants to see you."
"understood."
She got up and opened the door. A man was standing outside, dressed the same as the managers from yesterday.
“Where?” she asked.
"It's in the side hall. The road here is secluded, and the weather is bad today, so the owner sent me to guide you, young lady."
Jiang Wan hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and followed.
She walked unhurriedly, her eyes subtly surveying her surroundings.
The villa was secluded and secluded. Today, the mist and rain had not yet dissipated, and even the long corridors were damp with moisture. There was no one on either side, not even the usual patrolling servants.
The further we walked, the more secluded it became.
"This isn't the way to the side hall, is it?" Jiang Wan frowned slightly and asked tentatively.
The man didn't turn around, but said only, "The master has something important to tell you, young lady, just follow me."
He didn't stop walking; instead, he quickened his pace.
Jiang Mian subconsciously sensed something was wrong and was about to call for them to stop when the man suddenly stopped.
Jiang Wan asked warily, "Why have you stopped?"
The man didn't turn around, but simply replied in a low voice, "We've arrived."
"arrive?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the figure in front of her suddenly turned around and delivered an elbow strike to the side of her neck.
Jiang Mian felt a sudden darkness before her eyes, the sound of the wind in her ears vanished abruptly, and she collapsed onto the wet, muddy ground.
The man squatted down, checked her pulse, and after confirming that she had fainted, took out a piece of oilcloth from his sleeve.
The rain hadn't fallen, but the wind had already risen.
Inside the villa's inner courtyard, at the end of the long corridor, there was already a half-closed iron gate. Behind that gate, the sounds of beasts roaring and cheering rose and fell.
The abyss lies hidden somewhere unknown.