By the time they reached the palace, it was already high noon. This time, both Xie Chengrui and Xie Jiuan were getting married. Under the pretext of bringing good luck to the seriously ill emperor, Xie Yuwen simply arranged for the two couples to hold their wedding ceremony in the main hall.
Overshadowed by Xie Jiuan, Xie Chengrui rode his horse absent - mindedly. As a result, Gu Jiangyue arrived at the palace before Gu Zhengwan. As soon as the sedan chair stopped, Xie Jiuan dismounted in one swift motion and walked straight up to it.
He carefully lifted the curtain and reached out his hand, saying softly,
"Be careful, my lady."
His voice was extremely gentle, as soft as the spring water in March.
When Gu Jiangyue placed her hand in his, Xie Jiuan exerted a little force and helped her out of the sedan chair steadily.
Standing side by side, Xie Jiuan held Gu Jiangyue's hand. Gu Jiangyue felt a warm current surging in her heart. Such treatment was something she had never experienced in her previous life when she married Xie Chengrui.
Under the bridal veil, Gu Jiangyue felt as if the palace in front of her was covered with a layer of red blood - like mist.
This was the place where Gu Jiangyue had spent more than twenty years in her previous life and where she had met a tragic end. She was very familiar with the palace. Led by Xie Jiuan, she quickly reached the main hall.
Xie Chengrui and Gu Zhengwan were not so lucky. Xie Chengrui was absent - minded and didn't care about Gu Zhengwan at all. Although he was ambitious, he had never been involved in any cruel imperial power struggles in either his past or present life. Stimulated by Xie Jiuan's words, he was really panicked this time.
Gu Zhengwan was seeing the palace for the first time. She had been living in the place arranged by Xie Chengrui these days. In order not to let others discover her identity, she had hidden herself with great difficulty.
Looking at the magnificent palace, Gu Zhengwan already imagined the scene when she reached a high position. However, it was always cold at the top, and the path she was about to take was bound to be difficult.
The main hall was already full of people. Now, people's attitudes towards Xie Jiuan had completely changed. When they saw him coming, they all stood up to offer their congratulations.
"Congratulations to Prince Jiu and Miss Gu on your marriage."
"You are truly a perfect match."
Words of praise filled the air. Xie Jiuan thanked them all with a smile, but he never let go of Gu Jiangyue's hand. Instead, he held it tightly, as if he was afraid something might happen to her.
After everyone had offered their congratulations, Xie Jiuan and Gu Jiangyue waited on one side. Xie Jiuan scanned the hall but didn't find any suspicious figures. Instead, he noticed Xie Yuwen.
Xie Yuwen was chatting and laughing with the ministers he was on good terms with. Seeing Xie Jiuan looking at him, he walked over and bowed his hands, saying,
"Congratulations, Brother Jiu. Your marriage has fulfilled one of Father Emperor's great wishes."
Seeing Xie Yuwen, Xie Jiuan subconsciously took a step back and asked,
"How is Father Emperor's illness?"
Xie Yuwen snapped open his fan with a flourish. He covered his smile with the fan and whispered,
"The imperial doctor has said there is no hope. So, Brother Jiu, aren't you extremely happy?"
Hearing this, Xie Jiuan forced a smile and said,
"The one who should be happy is you, right?"
Since poisoning the emperor, Xie Yuwen had been too lazy to pretend in front of Xie Jiuan. He laughed heartily twice and then turned away.
Gu Jiangyue noticed that no one from the Gu Mansion had come. According to Zhiyuan, the old matriarch had always been very concerned about her reputation. But this time, she had lost a great deal of face. She was too ashamed to face Gu Yanwu, so she simply took the whole family and left the capital for another place.
This was actually a good thing. It was the most correct decision the old matriarch had ever made. If the people from the Gu Mansion came to cause trouble again, Gu Jiangyue would never show any mercy.
Xie Jiuan looked down at Gu Jiangyue, as if to comfort her.
At this moment, Xie Chengrui and Gu Zhengwan finally arrived late. Looking at the huge palace, Gu Zhengwan became even more arrogant. She looked around and wasted a lot of time on the way.
This made everyone dissatisfied, and they didn't receive many blessings when they entered.
The emperor was bed - ridden, and Xie Yuwen suddenly took out an imperial edict, saying that the emperor had asked him to temporarily manage the court these days. At first, everyone was dissatisfied. What kind of number one scholar who only knew how to read books would only act recklessly in the court.
But Xie Yuwen was more decisive and ruthless than they had imagined. Any minister who tried to stop him had received more or less a warning. So no one dared to speak out.
"The auspicious time is approaching. All the guests, please sit down and wait for the formal ceremony."
Xie Yuwen walked to the front, waving his fan, to maintain order.
He stood still and motioned for Xie Jiuan with his hand, indicating that they should go first.
Xie Jiuan took Gu Jiangyue's hand and led her to the center of the main hall. Applause erupted from the audience below.
Then Xie Yuwen motioned for Xie Chengrui, but this time the applause was much less.
Only a few ministers who had secretly cooperated with Xie Chengrui clapped their hands, but no one else responded. They felt rather embarrassed, and even the sound of their clapping gradually died down.
"Let's go."
Although Gu Zhengwan was wearing a bridal veil, she could imagine everyone's reaction. She bit her lower lip tightly and clenched her hands so hard that her fingernails dug into her flesh without her feeling any pain.
When Xie Chengrui called her, Gu Zhengwan realized that she had been so angry that she had even forgotten to move. She was just standing there stupidly.
Gu Zhengwan snorted and then followed Xie Chengrui. She also stood behind Gu Jiangyue. Why should Gu Jiangyue receive so much applause? She was not convinced. The seed of jealousy was once again sown in Gu Zhengwan's heart.
Xie Yuwen continued to preside over their wedding ceremony, and Xie Jiuan and Gu Jiangyue bowed to heaven and earth.
"Let us tie our hair together as husband and wife, and our love will never waver."
After Xie Yuwen said the last sentence, he motioned for Xie Jiuan and Gu Jiangyue to step aside.
Xie Jiuan held Gu Jiangyue's hand tightly to prevent her from falling due to poor eyesight.
Just as Gu Jiangyue was walking forward, Gu Zhengwan behind her caught up. Gu Jiangyue felt a tug on her skirt. Without thinking, she knew it was Gu Zhengwan who had stepped on it.
Gu Jiangyue tugged at Xie Jiuan's hand and slowed down. Xie Jiuan also noticed her movement. He looked back and sure enough saw Gu Zhengwan's shoe on Gu Jiangyue's skirt.
"Second brother, is second sister - in - law's eyesight not very good?"
Xie Jiuan simply stopped with Gu Jiangyue and didn't move forward.
"Can't you feel or see that you've stepped on my wife's skirt?"
Xie Jiuan forced a smile, and his tone was extremely cold.
When Gu Zhengwan realized that her little trick had been discovered, her heart sank. She wanted to quickly take her foot away to avoid being discovered. But just as she loosened her foot a little, Gu Jiangyue pulled her skirt and took a step forward.
With this step, Gu Zhengwan slipped and fell directly to the ground.