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Eunuch Wu let out a bitter laugh and nodded, turning to leave. Fortunately, Mu Chengjun did not lose his temper. Otherwise, it would have been Eunuch Wu who suffered the consequences. After returning home, Mu Junze wasted no time sending people to prepare the Duke's mansion. He dared not let go of the imperial edict, as if it would be snatched back by Mu Chengjun the moment he did.
In no time, the Duke Beiqin's mansion was bustling with activity. The servants were cheerful and speculated about what kind of person the princess would be. People around them discussed as they watched box after box being moved from the palace to the Duke's residence, all overseen personally by Eunuch Wu.
Seeing this, Mu Junze raised an eyebrow and approached Eunuch Wu with a smile. "Thank you for your hard work, Gonggong. Please take this tea money."
Eunuch Wu pushed his hand away, refusing Mu Junze's silver coins, and replied with a bitter smile, "Your Highness, it is only natural for a servant to share in your joy. However, it seems this time it has caused me some trouble."
"Has my elder brother made things difficult for you?"
"Not really. If the Emperor had not wanted to send these items, he wouldn't have sent me. The Emperor said that Your Highness has worked hard over the years and was worried you might not have enough to prepare for the wedding, so he sent me to deliver some things to you."
Mu Junze understood; he knew that Mu Chengjun was not like those rigid officials. However, he feared that this would still invite gossip from court officials. Even if Xun Yuan Emperor had not allowed such gifts, he was grateful for the trust that came with it.
Seeing that the Emperor had no objections, Mu Junze asked Eunuch Wu to find a nearby date to go to Su Mansion and read the imperial edict. He was eager to proceed and also needed to handle matters regarding Xu Mu; otherwise, given that person's temperament, trouble would surely follow.
After thinking for a moment, he instructed a servant to take a letter to the government office.
On the day of the wedding, firecrackers exploded and drums sounded. Traditionally, welcoming a male spouse should be done cautiously, especially since Mu Junze was a prince; one would expect him to be discreet and hurried. However, he showed no such restraint and instead made quite a grand spectacle.
With the Emperor's blessing for marriage, Three Letters and Six Invitations were presented along with an Eight Bearers Palanquin. Even the ten-mile bridal procession had been moved in advance by Duke Beiqin's mansion. Throughout the journey, Mu Junze frequently turned back on horseback as if afraid that if he looked away for even a moment, the person in the palanquin would vanish.
His smile was uncontainable; even bystanders found it curious and remarked how Duke Beiqin was usually an aloof and handsome man but today seemed as bright as flowers.
Upon arriving at the Duke's mansion, Mu Junze rushed toward the palanquin. Seeing his anxious demeanor made Su Che smile slightly; just as he was about to say something, he suddenly felt something in his hand and heard Mu Junze lean closer.
"I heard you couldn't eat anything this morning. Have something light first; after we finish the ceremony, I'll have someone bring you some food..."
Before he could finish speaking, they were interrupted by the officiant.
"Any private conversations can wait until after the ceremony; don’t delay this auspicious time! Quickly... Bride, watch your step! You must cross over the fire basin later... Hey? Ancestor! What are you doing... Put that down!"
As Su Che listened to the officiant's instructions, he suddenly felt lighter. Coming back to his senses, he saw that Mu Junze had placed a veil on his chest while holding him tightly in his arms as he strode toward the hall.
"What nonsense about crossing over fire basins? Why must only brides do that? Can't grooms cross too? Enough! The auspicious time has arrived; if we don’t hurry up now, there will be penalties!"
The officiant hurriedly followed behind, not daring to say much, simply doing as Mu Junze instructed.
"Bow to heaven and earth..."
"Bow to the high hall..."
"Couple bows to each other..."
"Ritual complete~ enter the bridal chamber..."
With the officiant's loud call, the two entered the bridal chamber one after the other, accompanied by the matchmaker. Traditionally, the bed would be scattered with red dates, peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds, symbolizing early offspring. However, since they had no need for such things, they had previously agreed to use copper coins instead, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.
Su Che held a gourd ladle and noticed Mu Junze's intense gaze, feeling shy and lowering his head. After they took a drink together, a simple meal was served. Once they finished eating, Mu Junze took Su Che to toast at the wedding banquet.
The insincere compliments from the crowd went unnoticed by Mu Junze; he merely nodded in response. He didn’t care for their false pleasantries; this was just social nicety meant to show Su Che that he was there to prevent anyone from bullying him.
Su Che understood his intentions and felt deeply moved. While toasting, he sensed someone watching him. When he turned around, the person had vanished. Turning back, he saw Mu Junze casting a cold glance at someone.
The man wore a brown long robe and bore some resemblance to Mu Junze. His hair was neatly tied back, and his striking eyes were sharp and dangerous like an eagle's. When their gazes met, there was a momentary flicker in the man's expression before it returned to normal.
"Who is he?"
" Worthy Prince, Mu Tingxiu; he's my elder brother but we are not on good terms. I didn't expect him to come today. If you encounter him in the future, try to avoid him; I fear he might make things difficult for you because of me."
Su Che nodded, sensing the danger himself and knowing not to provoke him. Yet that man kept glancing at him with a meaningful look that left him puzzled.
Su Che remained cautious but was taken aback when Mu Tingxiu stood up and walked toward them. Seeing this, Mu Junze positioned himself protectively in front of Su Che, his expression icy and filled with vigilance.
"What an unexpected guest."
Mu Tingxiu scoffed.
"My dear brother, today is your wedding day; naturally, I must come to congratulate you."
"Oh? I thought you were sitting so far away because you were up to something shameful. It's not like you to express such good intentions, Brother Emperor."
Mu Tingxiu did not respond, his gaze shifting with interest to Su Che behind him.
"Is this your sister-in-law? Or should I call her your brother-in-law?"
With a sharp crack, the wine cup in Mu Tingxiu's hand suddenly shattered. Although he reacted quickly, he still cut his hand on the shards.
"Perhaps you should worry about your own hand, Brother Emperor."
After saying this, he led Su Che away. Mu Tingxiu's expression darkened as he watched their retreating figures, gritting his teeth before turning to leave.
Not long after Mu Tingxiu departed, a servant approached Mu Junze and whispered a few words in his ear. He nodded and quietly spoke to Su Che.
Su Che paused for a moment, feeling a bit anxious as he glanced towards the back courtyard. The hand that Mu Junze was holding tightened unconsciously. Noticing his unease, Mu Junze patted his hand reassuringly.
"Don't worry, I'm here."
The two arrived at a courtyard, and with each step closer, Su Che's heart raced more intensely. He hesitated at the door, his palms sweating. Taking a deep breath, he was about to knock when—
With a creak, the door swung open from the inside first. It felt as if a hammer had struck his heart; his mind went blank, and for a moment, it felt like his heart had stopped.
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