"Who is your master, what is his business, and why are you so insistent on seeing the Crown Princess?"
"I... My lord, my master's identity cannot be revealed, but he means no harm. He implores the Crown Princess to show mercy."
After speaking, she and Han Ziwen knelt on the ground, resorting to emotional blackmail.
"This young man is truly shameless. Is the Crown Princess someone he can simply demand to meet?"
"Yes, what if he's an assassin? It would be better to gain everyone's sympathy first, then seize an opportunity to approach the Crown Princess."
"Crown Princess, you absolutely must not see him!"
"That's right, Crown Princess, please return to your residence quickly. We will block him for you."
The crowd immediately surrounded the two of them. Han Ziwen felt extremely panicked. He tightly held his bamboo hat and hid near the maids, afraid of exposing his identity.
Zhao Zhuoru: "Thank you for your concern, everyone. No need to be nervous. We are outside the Crown Princess's residence, and I doubt any villain would be so bold. As for the young gentleman on the ground, I do not know you. If you have grievances or difficulties, please report them to the yamen."
"The Crown Princess is right. Must everything be brought before the Crown Princess? How busy she must be."
"Yes, yes. Young sir, what exactly happened to you? Speak up, and perhaps we can all help you figure something out?"
Listening to the noisy questions from everyone, Han Ziwen deeply regretted his rashness. The maid, receiving his instructions, quickly shouted.
"We will not see the Crown Princess anymore. Please make way!" She then led Han Ziwen to break through the crowd.
"Hey, don't push! You're stepping on me, stepping on me!"
"Is this person crazy? Does he have something to say or not? Why is he running?"
Shui Wa: "Looking at his pathetic state, I want to laugh. Where does he get the nerve to think he can marry Zhuo Zhuo?"
Jun Jiuli: "Confidence."
"..."
Han Ziwen and the maid took many turns and twists before finally returning to the Prime Minister's mansion. As soon as Han Ziwen entered his room and changed his clothes, his father came to find him.
Seeing his appearance, he immediately guessed that he had been out. He reached out to fix his slightly disheveled hair and applied a light layer of powder to his face.
"Father, what is this about?"
"The Empress's decree is arriving soon. Let's go to the front hall to receive it together."
"Father, I... I..."
The Prime Minister's husband patted his hand, "Child, life cannot always go as you wish. You have enjoyed wealth and status within the household, so you cannot shrink back when it's your turn to contribute."
"Son understands."
"Good child."
Her Majesty the Empress decreed a marriage between Han Ziwen and the Second Princess, scheduled for October of this year, two months after Zhao Zhuoru's.
"I offer my congratulations to the Prime Minister, his husband, and their son."
The Prime Minister's husband immediately handed the eunuch a purse. After a few pleasantries, the eunuch left with his men.
As soon as they left, Han Ziwen's face immediately fell. The Prime Minister frowned upon seeing this.
"Ziwen, come to my study."
"Yes."
The Prime Minister's husband was very worried about his son but dared not disobey the Prime Minister. He returned to his courtyard with a smile.
"From today onwards, you must completely forget the Crown Princess. Your future wife is the Second Princess. Do not let anyone suspect anything is amiss."
"Son understands."
"You don't seem to understand. Do not cause any trouble for me. Remember, you are not alone."
"Son remembers. In the future, I will serve my wife well and will not burden the Prime Minister's mansion."
"I know you are unwilling, but the Second Princess is also a good choice. Once an opportunity is missed, it is missed. One must choose the method that is most beneficial to oneself, rather than regretting the past and yearning for things that can never be obtained."
"Thank you for your teachings, Mother."
"You may go back." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Yes."
Zhao Zhuoru revealed the incident on the street to the Empress. The Empress developed a three-point dissatisfaction with her future second son-in-law.
When did a minister's son dare to be picky with a princess? She summoned the Left Prime Minister to the palace for a scolding.
The Left Prime Minister's legs were weak when he left. Upon returning, he immediately placed Han Ziwen under house arrest. He could only stay in his room daily, embroidering his wedding clothes, while the Prime Minister's husband prepared his dowry.
The court was calm. Soon, it was the eighth day of the eighth month, the day the Crown Princess married her primary husband.
The streets of Yuecheng, big and small, were covered in red cloth, and red silk hung from high places. Wherever the wedding procession passed, silver coins, fruits, and small cakes were scattered.
The common people watched from both sides of the street, cheering loudly. Auspicious words flowed like water.
People scrambled for the scattered items. Everyone was doing it for good fortune, and no one dared to cause trouble on such an important day.
Therefore, after someone snatched an item, the crowd would disperse, and some would continue to search, hoping to pick up leftovers, while the rest continued to follow the main procession in an orderly manner.
"This scene is truly magnificent. It's the first time I've seen anything like it in my life."
"Hahaha, who said it wasn't? It's all thanks to the Crown Princess."
"My luck is truly great today. I managed to grab quite a few pastries. When I go back and share them with my husband and children, they'll surely be happy."
Several women nearby looked at her with envy.
"Sister Liu, you're really fast. I didn't even react before you snatched them all. Share some with your sister, won't you?"
"No, no. If you want some, go and snatch them yourself."
...
He Yuexuan, tired from the day, finally breathed a sigh of relief when he was seated in the bridal chamber. Sweat beaded on his palms, and he tightly clutched the apple in his hand.
Thinking of Zhao Zhuoru's appearance, a faint smile played on his lips, but he felt an inexplicable tension.
He was truly married now, married to someone he knew very well, and whom he considered the most formidable person.
Zhao Zhuoru, carrying a slight scent of alcohol, gently pushed open the door. Guided by the matchmaker, she lifted He Yuexuan's red veil.
He Yuexuan looked up and met Zhao Zhuoru's eyes. Even though he had seen this face countless times, his face still couldn't help but blush.
Zhao Zhuoru found his appearance incredibly endearing, but with outsiders present, she couldn't tease him.
She cooperatively and quickly completed the subsequent rituals. The matchmaker and a few maids left.
Zhao Zhuoru plopped down beside He Yuexuan. He Yuexuan prepared to get up and help her undress.
Zhao Zhuoru grabbed his hand, her fingers delicately caressing the back of his hand for a moment, acting like a lecherous wolf.
He Yuexuan's voice trembled slightly with shyness, "Crown Princess."
"Yuexuan, what should you call me now?"
"Wife."
"Very good. Did the Prince Consort teach you what to do next?"
He Yuexuan's face turned even redder. He stammered, "He taught me."
After speaking, he reached out to unfasten Zhao Zhuoru's sash. Zhao Zhuoru immediately caught his jade-like hand.
"Silly boy, can you see if you close your eyes?"
"I... I..."
Zhao Zhuoru reached out, pinched his cheek, and pulled him towards the bathroom.
Shui Wa: "Treasures, it's time to retreat ฅ(̳•◡•̳)ฅ."