Chapter 156: The Wedding Banquet and Foreign Envoys

February 2nd was undoubtedly the liveliest day in Jingzhou City since its founding—a day when the entire city celebrated with empty streets and joyous crowds.

From the entrance of the Xie Mansion to the Xuan Prince’s residence, the streets were already packed early with Jingzhou’s townsfolk eager to witness the spectacle. As the wedding procession of the Xuan Prince’s household slowly approached under the gentle early spring sunlight, the crowd erupted in cheers.

At the forefront rode a man clad in resplendent red brocade, his white hair casually tied back, exuding both handsome features and an imposing aura.

“Greetings, Prince Xuan!” The spectators along the street knelt in unison, paying their respects.

“No need for such formalities,” came a low, clear voice, imbued with inner strength so that every word reached the ears of the crowd distinctly.

When the procession reached the gate of the Xie Mansion, the crowd had swelled into a sea of people, with some even climbing the two large trees flanking the entrance, all eager to catch a glimpse of the new rulers of Jingzhou City on their wedding day.

The Xuan Prince’s bridal procession was grand and majestic, matched only by the equally impressive entourage sending off the bride from the Xie Mansion. Outside the gate, six elegant and distinctive young men stood in a line. Leading them was the refined and ethereal Young Master Mingyu, followed by two young men from the Mo family: Mo Ye, stern and authoritative, and Mo Yang, heroic and dashing. Then came Xie Mingfeng, handsome and debonair, and Baili Xiao, equally fresh and spirited. Each possessed their own charm, delighting the watching crowd.

The bride emerged from the mansion, supported by Leng Aoshuang and Lv Zhu. Under the sunlight, her phoenix brocade wedding dress shimmered brilliantly, dazzling all who saw it.

“Miss, the Xuan Princess’s wedding dress is so beautiful!” Nearby, a young maid in blue stood speechless, turning to a charming young woman dressed in pale pink beside her, exclaiming in awe.

That woman was Jiang Xiaolian, known as the “Most Beautiful Woman of the Northwest.”

Standing quietly at the edge of the crowd, Jiang Xiaolian’s gaze was fixed on Shen Qianmo’s dazzling wedding attire, her eyes filled with deep envy.

She knew well how precious and rare phoenix brocade was. Every woman in the world dreamed of wearing such a dress on her wedding day, but few ever had the chance.

As far as she knew, since the founding of the Great Sheng Dynasty, only the imperial empresses and the revered Grand Princess, favored even by the late emperor, were qualified to wear garments made from phoenix brocade. It seemed the Xuan Prince’s household truly held no regard for the imperial court.

Beneath this auspicious veil was a woman who possessed the complete love and sincerity of the finest man in the world—a fortune that could only inspire envy.

The bright red wedding veil was also crafted from phoenix brocade, with a circle of golden tassels that shimmered brilliantly with each step Shen Qianmo took. Hidden beneath the veil, she relied on the support of Leng Aoshuang and Lv Zhu, bowing her head as she moved forward until a slender, perfectly shaped hand appeared before her eyes.

She smiled faintly beneath the veil and placed her hand into his palm, which he grasped firmly.

That grasp was gentle yet resolute, a solemn promise never to let go of the woman before him.

Shen Qianmo smiled knowingly, her fingers moving within his palm, intertwining tightly, symbolizing their lifelong companionship and unwavering devotion from this moment on.

Meng Yuanheng understood perfectly. Looking at the veiled woman before him—the only woman he loved and the only wife he would ever have—his gaze was tender enough to drip with emotion.

In the next moment, Shen Qianmo felt herself lifted into the air. Amid the cheers and clamor of the crowd, she allowed Meng Yuanheng to carry her gently and carefully lay her on the soft cushions inside the sedan chair.

Beside her, his familiar low, deep whisper sounded: “Mo’er, let’s go home.”

That day, the usually quiet Xuan Prince’s residence was filled with guests and an air of joyous festivity. Every member of the household, including the ever-serious secret guards and the stoic Chang Dong, wore smiles of genuine happiness.

The spacious main hall, meticulously prepared by Steward Mu, was decorated in a sea of festive red. Generals of the Meng family army stationed across the northwest, the Flying Cloud Cavalry officers, local civil and military officials, as well as envoys and dignitaries from various nations invited to the wedding banquet, all took their places according to rank, filling the grand hall to capacity in a spectacular sight.

In truth, foreign dignitaries had arrived in Jingzhou City half a month earlier. Since rumors spread that treasures from the previous dynasty and the national jade seal were connected to the Mo family, the northwest had become a hub of excitement. Even more so when it was rumored that the treasure lay within the northwest itself—containing not only countless gold and the unparalleled national jade seal but also the military treatises left by the founding emperor of the former dynasty.

The founding emperor was a legendary figure, renowned for his divine command in war that unified the realm—a feat so miraculous it was hard for ordinary people to imagine. His military writings were more precious than gold and beyond any monetary value. How could such news not stir the hearts of foreign powers?

It was fortuitous that the Xuan Prince chose this moment for his grand wedding. Those who received invitations naturally would not miss the opportunity, and even those who did not sent spies and secretly infiltrated the northwest to seek their own fortunes.

Upon arrival, these envoys promptly paid respects to Meng Yuanheng at the Xuan Prince’s residence. Meng Yuanheng welcomed all visitors with courtesy, whether they were the Prince of Beidi, the Duke of Xiliang, or the Princess of Nanzhan. After accepting their gifts, he arranged for them to stay in city villas and paid no mind to their covert operations in the northwest.

Due to previous conflicts, many wealthy merchants had fled the northwest for the interior, causing a decline in commerce. However, the Xuan Prince’s wedding and the treasure rumors had brought a remarkable recovery to the region within just two weeks.

Inside the main hall, silk and bamboo music accompanied lively dances. Guests drank and enjoyed the performances, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bride and groom.

The steward had already informed everyone that the prince and princess would pay respects to their ancestors in the ancestral hall before coming to greet the guests in the main hall, requesting patience and calm from all.

As dusk deepened into night, the main hall remained brightly lit, filled with the clinking of glasses and lively conversation.

Several foreign dignitaries sat together, toasting and exchanging polite words. Growing impatient at the prolonged absence of the bride and groom, a few began whispering guesses and speculations.

Suddenly, a powerful shout rang from outside the hall.

“The prince and princess have arrived!”

The noisy hall fell silent. All turned toward the entrance and were slightly taken aback upon seeing the couple entering hand in hand.

Meng Yuanheng wore a magnificent red brocade robe, his silver-white hair simply tied back with a silver ribbon, cascading over his shoulders. Tall and slender, his handsome features were sharp and majestic, his gaze calm yet piercing like the coldest ice atop the highest snow-capped mountain, inspiring awe and fear.

Beside him walked the woman whose veil had been removed, her hair elegantly styled in a high bun. Her beauty was delicate and refined, moving with grace and composure. The phoenix brocade wedding dress gleamed under the hall’s bright lights, enhancing her radiant charm.

All eyes followed the perfect pair as they strode along the thick red carpet laid down the center of the hall, ascending several steps before coming to a halt at the main seat.

The Meng family generals and civil officials rose and bowed in unison.

“Greetings, Prince and Princess,” they said respectfully.

“No need for such formalities. Please be seated,” Meng Yuanheng said cheerfully, waving his sleeve with an easy confidence befitting a true sovereign.

“Congratulations, Prince Xie and Princess,” the foreign envoys stood and cupped their hands in salute, offering their felicitations.

Meng Yuanheng nodded and then raised his wine cup, proclaiming loudly, “Thank you all for traveling thousands of miles to Jingzhou for this wedding banquet. The princess and I toast you. May you enjoy the night to the fullest—no one leaves until drunk.”

Standing beside him, Shen Qianmo lifted her cup with a gentle smile and returned the toast. Because she was pregnant, Meng Yuanheng had already replaced her wine with fresh fruit juice.

After the toast, the banquet continued, and the withdrawn musical performances resumed.

The richly adorned Princess Yongle of Nanzhan glanced toward the imposing man seated in the main position. Despite her consort sitting beside her, she could not help but admire aloud, “Prince Xuan truly has a commanding presence. In this world, only the princess is worthy to match him.”

Without a doubt, Shen Qianmo was a beautiful woman, her features delicate and exquisite. Yet beside a man like Meng Yuanheng, even the most stunning women of the realm would easily become mere adornments. But Shen Qianmo was not.

She sat calmly beside him, her lips curved in a gentle, refined smile, her visage pure and serene, her eyes quiet yet confident. Her composure radiated an effortless elegance and grace, much like the golden peony embroidered on her wedding gown, embodying beauty, dignity, and natural majesty.

“Peonies lack the charm of the lotus or the allure of the lotus in the pond, but only the peony holds true national beauty, stirring the capital when in bloom.”

Yet who said the peony must be ostentatious and flamboyant? This poised, gentle, and serene Xuan Princess was a perfect embodiment of the queen of flowers’ grace.

“Princess Yongle speaks truly. I’ve long heard of the Xuan Princess’s exceptional grace; seeing her today confirms she is truly extraordinary, worthy of her reputation!” The sixth prince of Beidi, Wanyan Ping, large and rugged with thick brows and bold eyes, laughed as he looked at the pair. “I recall that on the wedding night, women of Great Sheng would shyly sit in their bridal chambers, waiting for their groom to lift the red veil. Haha… This wedding of the Xuan Prince’s household is indeed quite something.”

Having finished his jest, Wanyan Ping turned his gaze to the silken-robed man beside him, who had been silently drinking alone. He patted the man’s shoulder with a sigh of regret, saying, “General Xiao, in terms of presence, you’re no less than the Xuan Prince. Unfortunately… you lack a remarkable woman like the Xuan Princess by your side.”