Chapter 65: The Grand Wedding (Part 2)

Zhao Han laughed heartily at this, playfully scolding, "Go on, go on, don't you go frightening my bride."

The senior matron stepped forward with a smile, picked up a pair of scissors tied with red silk from a rosewood tray, and snipped a lock of hair from the heads of the newlywed couple.

She wound the two strands together, bound them securely with a red cord, and tucked them beneath the pillow while chanting auspicious verses: "Bound as hair, husband and wife; in deep love, with never a doubt."

"I wish the newlyweds a hundred years of harmony, a single heart forever, and early blessed sons!"

Zhao Han smiled faintly and said, "Many thanks for your auspicious words, Madam. You may all go and collect your rewards!"

Upon hearing this, the maids and matrons bowed in unison to express their gratitude.

Gu Tingye threw an arm around Zhao Han's shoulder and urged, "Chengyuan, stop dawdling and come with me to the front hall!"

"If I don't get you so drunk that you can't even find your own nuptial chamber tonight, I won't quit!"

An Imperial Academy colleague chimed in immediately, "Indeed, Master Zhao, Lord Hai is still waiting for you."

"If you want to spend tender moments with the bride, there will be plenty of time tonight!"

Zhao Han glanced back at Hualan, whose cheeks were flushed, and, urged and surrounded by the crowd, had no choice but to head toward the front hall.

***

In the front hall, goblets were exchanged amidst a continuous stream of laughter and chatter.

Many in the imperial court were well aware that Zhao Han enjoyed the high favor of the Emperor. As long as he did not lose his wits and ruin his own prospects, his future was bound to be limitless.

For today's wedding banquet, every single person Zhao Han had sent invitations to arrived right on time.

The moment he stepped into the front hall, he felt dozens of gazes fall squarely upon him.

Knowing he could not escape this ordeal, Zhao Han braced himself and began offering toasts, starting with Hai Ning, who sat in the seat of honor.

Shortly after, a dozen Imperial Academy colleagues quietly gathered around, each wearing warm smiles on their faces.

Standing at the very front, Gu Tingye held a large earthenware bowl of unknown origin and said with a grin, "Chengyuan, today is your great wedding day. You simply cannot refuse my wine later!"

"Lord Zhao, we serve in the same court together; you most certainly cannot refuse to drink with me."

"Quite right, let's start with the Second Young Master of the Marquis of Ningyuan's household! We'll take turns!"

Before Zhao Han could even respond, the small wine cup in his hand was forcibly replaced with the large earthenware bowl.

Seeing Zhao Han in such a predicament, Hai Ning stroked his beard and smiled.

After three rounds of drinks, the front hall remained lively with laughter and clinking goblets when a sudden commotion broke out outside.

Before anyone could react, a page shouted aloud, "The Prince of Yan's Mansion sends a wedding gift: a carved screen of golden-thread nanmu! Wishing Lord Zhao flourishing prosperity and a soaring career!"

As the words fell, the hall plunged into silence as several attendants from the Prince of Yan's Mansion slowly carried the gift inside.

Hai Ning immediately withdrew his smile, his brows knitting slightly.

Several neutral Imperial Academy colleagues exchanged glances, thinking to themselves: For the Prince of Yan to show favor so blatantly is truly audacious!

Just as Zhao Han was pondering how to handle this hot potato of a wedding gift, another voice rang out beside everyone's ears.

"The Prince of Qi's Mansion sends wedding gifts: a pair of white jade Ruyi scepters, and a gilded tripodal cauldron with twin dragon-patterned ears! Wishing Lord Zhao a hundred years of harmonious union!"

Zhao Han's gaze darkened slightly. The two princes had sent their gifts one after the other, timing them with such precision.

It seemed that every move he made these past few days had been watched by their people.

Consequently, deciding to offend neither, he smiled, cupped his hands in greeting, and instructed the page to accept both gifts.

Once the attendants from the two princely estates departed with their tips while wearing insincere smiles, Gu Tingye stepped to Zhao Han's side and murmured, "Chengyuan, you may accept all comers and take in every gift today, but I fear you won't have such good luck next time."

Zhao Han offered a wry smile, realizing that being targeted by these two princes was hardly a blessing.

"We shall cross this bridge when we come to it." He patted Gu Tingye's shoulder and turned back to greet the guests.

Before long, the sound of stringed and wind instruments resumed in the front hall.

Although the laughter and cheerful voices quickly returned, anyone with a discerning eye could tell that the atmosphere had subtly changed.

As dusk gathered, many guests rose one after another to take their leave.

However, Gu Tingye and a few familiar colleagues remained relentless, surrounding Zhao Han to toast him again and again.

They refused to stop until the moon was high in the sky and they could barely stand steady on their feet.

Having no other choice, Zhao Han feigned drunkenness and, supported by Changqing, stumbled crookedly toward the inner courtyard, deliberately mistaking the kitchen for the nuptial chamber.

Seeing this, Gu Tingye and the others finally wore satisfied smiles and departed for their respective homes.

"Have they left?" Zhao Han asked in a low voice halfway there.

Changqing nodded repeatedly, "They've gone, they've gone."

Hearing this, Zhao Han immediately straightened up and could not help raising a hand to massage his brow.

"Young Master, it's truly baffling. How is it that the civil officials of the Imperial Academy all have such legendary capacities for liquor..."

"They looked so quiet and unassuming, yet they drank cup after cup."

"Especially Lord Yu; with such a frail physique, he actually downed four or five flagons without changing his expression!"

Zhao Han let out a wry smile, "Who knows? Those civil officials are always more unfathomable than the last."

Inside the resplendent nuptial chamber, where red candles burned brightly,

Hualan wore a dark green cloud-brocade wedding gown threaded with gold, her head adorned with pure gold and kingfisher-feather hair ornaments. Holding a round silk fan, she sat gracefully on the edge of the bed, occasionally glancing toward the door with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

"How much time has passed? Why is the groom still tied up out front?" The personal maid Caizan stood nearby, muttering softly under her breath.

Yet no sooner had her voice trailed off than the mistress and maid heard footsteps drawing near from a distance.

Hualan hastily straightened her posture, holding the round fan with proper decorum.

The moment Zhao Han pushed the door open and stepped inside, her body trembled imperceptibly, and her breathing quickened involuntarily.

"Guye," Caizan hurriedly curtsied in greeting.

Zhao Han glanced at her and asked gently, "Has the Madam partaken of her evening meal?"

Caizan shook her head repeatedly, "Reporting to Guye, according to the rites, the bride may not consume food until the unveiling ceremony is completed."

"The Madam has not eaten a single grain of rice since she began her makeup at the Hour of Mao."

"That simply won't do." Zhao Han frowned slightly and immediately instructed a maid outside the door to fetch some easily digestible food from the kitchen.

Hearing this, Hualan's heart fluttered. She gently moved the round fan aside by half an inch, revealing a pair of apricot-blossom eyes brimming with watery light.

Cuichan stepped forward and gently reminded, "Guye, you should drink the nuptial wine with the Madam first. The proper rites must be completed above all else."

"Very well," Zhao Han replied, walking into the inner chamber.

As his footsteps drew closer, Hualan's chest heaved slightly, and her slender fingers gripping the round fan tightened unconsciously.

Looking at Hualan, whose shoulders were delicately sculpted and whose posture exuded a slender grace, Zhao Han's gaze softened. He sat down beside her, gently took her hands that held the fan, and pushed the fan away.

A hibiscus-like face glowing with a lustrous sheen gradually emerged from behind the fan.

In the candlelight, Hualan's cheeks were flushed, her long eyelashes fluttered lightly, and her shifting gaze held a mixture of tenderness and shyness.

"Hua'er..." Zhao Han called out softly, his voice as warm as jade.

Hualan pressed her lips together, lowered her eyelashes, and murmured softly, "My lord..."