Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 495 Koi Little Lucky Star 24

At the same time, in the distant capital.

In the study of the Fifth Prince Xiao Hong's mansion, there was a marriage announcement document from the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the desk.

Under the light, the young prince's expression was as sullen as water. His sharp features were devoid of joy, instead shrouded in a sinister frost. His slender fingers gripped the "decree," his knuckles turning white with strain.

"Xiao Kun...good one, Xiao Kun!" He practically gritted his teeth as he uttered the name. He knew his third brother all too well! What about "considerate brother" and "marrying on his behalf"? It was clearly an attempt to force a woman with no connections, from the common people, destined to be of no political assistance, into his side, completely thwarting his hopes of gaining the support of important officials at court through powerful in-laws!

(Although he agreed to marry Lin Fubao, it was only to make her a concubine! He never thought of making her his principal wife!)

"Father..." Xiao Hong closed his eyes. His father, now old and increasingly unpredictable, seemed to still be haunted by the thrilling succession dispute eight years ago.

The former Crown Prince Xiao Rui and the eldest prince Xiao Qing fought to a bitter end, with both sides suffering heavy losses. Ultimately, one of them "died of a sudden illness" (rumors had long circulated that he was murdered), while the other was deposed and exiled, his whereabouts unknown to this day. Since then, the crown prince position has remained vacant, becoming the source of the open and covert strife among all the adult princes.

A hint of cold self-mockery appeared at the corner of Xiao Hong's mouth.

By not appointing a crown prince, is my father condoning or even indulging this kind of struggle?

Testing his sons this way?

So, what role does this prince of humble origin play in this chess game?

Did the emperor really know nothing about this, allowing Xiao Kun to bully and plot against him?

Or... is this part of my father's balancing technique?

Giving him a "harmless" imperial concubine is both a way to appease him and to draw a clear line between them?

The autumn wind outside the window swept across the courtyard, bringing with it a chill, as if foreshadowing that another round of bloody battle for the supreme throne was about to begin.

***

Two years passed quietly between the pages of books in front of Ji Qingyuan's window and the literary gatherings in the capital.

It was the day for the announcement of the results of the spring examination. There was a huge crowd outside the Suzaku Gate in the imperial capital. The names of the new top three were sung out by the eunuchs of the Imperial Household Department in a loud and long voice, and every word struck a heavy note on people's hearts.

"…The third place in the top three, the third place winner—Ji, Qing, Yuan!"

Amidst the resounding clamor, the tall and straight figure in moon-white scholar's robe, whose youthful immaturity had mostly faded from his features, stepped forward steadily and kowtowed to thank the emperor for his grace under heavy gaze.

The sunlight shone on his shoulders, making the egret patch on his newly changed blue Jinshi robe stand out particularly clearly.

The Kaiping compatriots and old friends who had rushed over after hearing the news cheered in the crowd. Someone whispered, "See? That's Ji Juren... No, now it's Ji Tanhua! Kaiping Prefecture hasn't produced any of the top three scholars in how many years!"

Meeting the emperor in the Golden Palace, the newly crowned third place scholar was calm and composed, answering questions fluently.

The emperor's eyes were sharp. When he asked questions about the administration of officials and the people's sentiments, Ji Qingyuan quoted from classics without being pedantic. His words were full of deep understanding of the hardships of farmers, merchants and other people's livelihoods.

What is even more rare is that when he talked about his policy ideas, his pragmatism and compassion, which came from the struggles of the grassroots, made even the emperor on the throne nod slightly and praise him for "having the spirit of the ancient sages and not forgetting his roots."

He was appointed as an editor in the Hanlin Academy, and his future was just beginning with a bright future.

The urgent news of victory, sent over eight hundred miles, had already arrived in Kaiping Prefecture.

When the carriage of the third place winner, dressed in flowers and red, slowly drove into the city gate on his way home, the entire Kaiping city was deserted.

Gongs and drums were beating, colorful silks were flying, and the streets were crowded with excited crowds, vying to catch a glimpse of this young hero who had won supreme glory for his hometown.

"Look! That's Ji Tanhua!"

"So young! Such a handsome fellow!"

"I heard his future wife is the owner of the Yun family rouge shop? They are truly a match made in heaven!"

When the carriage reached the Yun's Rouge Shop, Ji Qingyuan specifically ordered his men to stop. He got out of the carriage and walked firmly towards Yun Chu, who was already waiting at the door.

Yun Chu was not dressed up today. She wore a newly tailored willow green spring gown, which was simple, elegant and fresh. She only pinned the twin bamboo hairpins he had given her two years ago diagonally in her hair. The warm white jade hairpins shone with restrained brilliance in the sunlight, and the thin gold threads wrapped around the bamboo roots were even more dazzling.

Two years had not changed their view of each other. Ji Qingyuan had been calm and composed all the way, but the moment he saw her, all that turned into burning tenderness in his eyes.

And Yun Chu, after two years of experiencing a change of identity, the emotions that had been deliberately suppressed had long since melted into support and trust in her heart. Now, looking at him returning in glory, her eyes were filled with clear joy.

There is also the calmness and pride that comes with maturity - this is the boy she watched grow up, who has gritted his teeth all the way to where he is today, every step he takes is solid, and every bit of glory is well-deserved.

Their eyes met, and a thousand words were expressed in just one smile and one look. "Sister Yun, I'm back." Ji Qingyuan's voice was still clear, but with a bit more quiet power.

Yun Chu smiled and nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Qingyuan." Needless to say, that tacit understanding was better than any exaggerated celebration.

The warmth of the Qionglin Banquet from the Palace Examination was still lingering when the wedding date, personally appointed by the Emperor, was set. This was not only a lifelong event for the third-place winner, but also the most grand and joyous event Kaiping Prefecture had seen in recent years.

It was an auspicious day, the morning light was dim. Inside Kaiping City, the Ji and Yun families' mansions had already been decorated with lanterns and colorful lights, red silk paved the streets, and incense and candles filled the air.

Ji Qingyuan was dressed in a bright red auspicious robe with tall green bamboo patterns embroidered with gold thread, and a black gauze hat with double wings on his head, which made his face look like a crown of jade and his bearing look dignified.

He sat upright on a tall horse, with the mighty Kan Hanlin ceremonial guard and the welcoming team of relatives and friends behind him. The sound of drums and music filled the air as they arrived at the Yun Mansion.

The door of the Yun family mansion was wide open and firecrackers rang out.

Yunbai and Wang stood on the steps with smiles on their faces, looking at the third place winner who already had an official aura but still treated them with great respect as a son-in-law, their eyes full of satisfaction and reluctance.

After going through many formalities, Ji Qingyuan finally knocked on the door of Yun Chu's boudoir.

A soft but clear voice came from inside the door: "What do you want?"

Ji Qingyuan said in a loud voice: "I want to marry the one my heart loves, and we will keep our promise in this life!" As soon as these words came out, the people around cheered.

The door slowly opened.

When Yun Chu, dressed in gorgeous clothes, was supported by the matchmaker and appeared in front of everyone, even though Ji Qingyuan had imagined it a thousand times, he still held his breath for a moment.

She wore a bright red wedding gown, embroidered not with elaborate auspicious dragons and phoenixes, but with clusters of twin green bamboos, each leaning against each other and sharing the wind and rain, woven with exquisitely crafted gold and silver threads. From the hem of her skirt to her shoulders, the bamboo joints were strong and the leaves stretched out, a lifelike image.

The interplay of red and green is both dignified and majestic, and it also implicitly matches her bamboo-like temperament and the steadfast love between the two.

The red gold and kingfisher phoenix coronet on her head was priceless, but the white jade and bamboo hairpins at her ears were still quietly hidden under the pearly light. They were a token of their love, a testimony to their journey through wind and rain.

He took her hand, and the slight warmth and firm strength coming from his palm through the red silk dispelled the last trace of uneasiness in Yun Chu's heart caused by the sudden change of identity.

In front of the Yun residence, a grand wedding procession stretched through the streets. Yun Chu was carefully helped onto an exceptionally ornate sedan chair, carried by eight men and adorned with colorful silk. She was lifted off amidst tearful instructions from her parents and a shower of colorful confetti.

Drums and music blared along the way, and the people lined the streets cheering. When the sedan chair arrived at the Ji Mansion (the Kaiping prefect personally assisted the Ji family in purchasing and renovating a new house), deafening firecrackers echoed through the sky, and red confetti rained down like raindrops of blessings.

Worship heaven and earth, worship high hall, husband and wife worship each other.

Every bow was solemn and pious.

When the song of "Sending her to the bridal chamber" sounded, Ji Qingyuan gently lifted a corner of the red veil, just to confirm that it was her.

Their eyes met again, and amid the blessings of the guests, it seemed as if there were only the two of them in the world.

Ji Qingyuan's eyes were shining with the stars of a long-cherished wish being fulfilled, and Yun Chu's face was flushed with the gentleness of finally settling down peacefully after years of hard work.