In accordance with the imperial decree and Xiao Qing’s instructions from yesterday’s court session, all civil and military officials were to present gifts not exceeding one hundred taels of silver, to avoid extravagance, and were not required to attend the palace.
Although the officials were puzzled, considering that the royal wedding of the Great Qian Kingdom had always been modest, they did not voice significant objections. After all, even the Minister of Rites, Gu Hong, had no complaints, and those like Du Gū Qún, who had no desire to attend Liang Xiao’s wedding, were happy to avoid the trouble.
The Liang Estate also refrained from grand pronouncements, merely inviting Liang Xiao and Liang Qing’s friends and family. Besides the attendees from Liang Xiao’s banquet a few days prior, Lü Changhé, Yè Qīngyī, Yī Róu, and others were also present this time.
Both the Liang Estate and the Marquis of An’guó’s Mansion had simple external decorations, with guards and staff attending to the citizens who came to offer congratulations. Inside the Liang Estate, however, the halls were filled with esteemed guests, creating a joyous atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the protagonists of the wedding finally arrived at the palace gates. After alighting from the carriage, Liang Xiao casually moved a specially made cart: a simple skateboard at the base holding an iron chest.
“Second Young Master Liang, His Majesty said no betrothal gifts were necessary…” Wang Canghai, who came out to greet Liang Xiao, couldn't help but chuckle upon seeing the iron chest Liang Xiao was pulling.
Liang Xiao smiled faintly and replied, “It’s not a betrothal gift, but it’s something extremely important that they must see.”
Wang Canghai paused, glanced at the iron chest, and seemed to understand without breaking the silence. He merely led Liang Xiao all the way to the Imperial Garden.
Within the Imperial Garden, Xiao Qing, having been meticulously bathed, was clad in a dragon robe. However, her hands resting on the table trembled noticeably. Ning Xuejun and Ding Wuyi stood behind Xiao Qing, while Lü Yi guarded the entrance, filled with anticipation.
When Wang Canghai led Liang Xiao in, Xiao Qing’s breath hitched, and she gazed deeply at Liang Xiao. Liang Xiao surveyed the crowd, then looked at Xiao Qing, “Little Shuangzi, where is Shuang’er…”
Xiao Qing suppressed her nervousness and huffed, “Didn’t you want to see your Shuang’er adorned in red makeup and a wedding dress?” Liang Xiao chuckled, nodding in agreement.
Only then did Xiao Qing’s smile blossom. She took Liang Xiao’s hand and said, “Then, let’s go~” The Four Grand Ministers followed the pair, proceeding to the West Palace Villa.
There was no one there! Ding Wuyi instructed the female shadow guards at the entrance to close the main gate. Liang Xiao’s breathing became somewhat constricted as he looked at Xiao Qing, awaiting the revelation of the answer he held in his heart.
“Little Shuangzi?” Hearing Liang Xiao’s call, Xiao Qing merely glanced back at him. The moment their eyes met, she flinched like a startled deer, quickly turning her head away. She gracefully moved to the dressing table and sat down.
Ning Xuejun approached. To Liang Xiao’s astonished gaze, Xiao Qing removed her crown and untied the ribbon binding her hair, letting her three thousand strands of dark hair cascade over her shoulders. Liang Xiao’s pupils contracted. Little Shuangzi, it truly was…
Ding Wuyi, Wang Canghai, and Lü Yi, who stood by, secretly observed Liang Xiao’s reaction, feeling an inexplicable surge of satisfaction in their hearts. Kid, look at you now! You’ve finally reached this day! This young prodigy, unmatched in this era, couldn’t escape her meticulously laid gentle trap.
Liang Xiao stood there, staring blankly as Ning Xuejun applied makeup to Xiao Qing. At this moment, Xiao Qing’s heart was in turmoil. She clasped her hands on her lap, tightly gripping the hem of her dress. It was only when she saw the astonished Liang Xiao in the bronze mirror that she smiled charmingly.
“I! Won~” Xiao Qing exclaimed inwardly, finally feeling a significant release of tension.
“Second Young Master Liang, does Princess Ning Shuang prefer light or heavy makeup?” Ning Xuejun finally broke the silence in the West Palace Villa. Liang Xiao simply nodded repeatedly, “Both are fine, both are fine. It’s best if she likes it!” Hearing this, Xiao Qing looked at Liang Xiao in the mirror and smiled shyly.
Liang Xiao gazed intently at Xiao Qing’s back, his heart feeling as if heaven and earth had overturned, with raging waves crashing against the moon. I, who have spent years engaged in espionage and decapitation operations, the drug lords couldn't escape my grasp. And yet, I was tricked by a girl… A dark history! Liang Xiao repeatedly replayed in his mind how he had been deceived.
Initially, due to the problem of his Adam’s apple and beard, she was mistaken for a clean-shaven young eunuch? Later, she became his most beloved sworn brother, Little Shuangzi, and he was blinded by brotherly affection… And then, upon seeing Princess Ning Shuang, he distinguished the two based on their attire and scent. But what truly led him astray was that Crown Prince Xiao Qing and Princess Xiao Shuang were indeed two different people, seen by many.
Regardless, I miscalculated! Liang Xiao roared in his heart, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. But then, his eyes filled with affection as he walked towards the girl at the dressing table. Xiao Qing’s heart pounded, daring not to ask what he intended to do.
Liang Xiao simply brought over a chair and sat down, then gave a knowing glance to the three Grand Ministers. The three understood and quietly took their seats. Today, there was no need for excessive formality.
Through the bronze mirror, Xiao Qing saw Liang Xiao looking at her with such tenderness, and her heart filled with even greater joy and emotion. She had once wondered what Liang Xiao would like about her. Now, she finally understood: what he liked was the way she liked things. All is well!
Liang Xiao’s gaze remained fixed on Xiao Qing, unable to tear himself away. Ning Xuejun’s eyes were slightly red as she silently continued to groom Xiao Qing. The Four Grand Ministers all secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t seem angry about being deceived, only full of tender concern.
“Second Young Master Liang, back then…” Ding Wuyi confessed the truth of what happened that year to Liang Xiao. Liang Xiao watched Xiao Qing from beginning to end, occasionally nodding, occasionally sighing. Little Shuangzi has truly grown up, becoming much stronger than when they first met.
Xiao Qing merely pursed her red lips, gazing at herself and Liang Xiao in the bronze mirror, her eyes flickering. Seeing his pained expression, she also felt an inexplicable heartache. After a long while, Xiao Qing finally mustered the courage and said softly, “If Brother Xiao had never met Little Shuangzi in this life, perhaps he wouldn’t have had to work so hard…” Her words were filled with shame. It was I who, for my own selfish reasons, led him into officialdom!
Liang Xiao replied without hesitation, “A life without meeting you would be utterly dull.” Hearing this, Xiao Qing finally shed tears, and the Four Grand Ministers collectively sighed. What tenderness, what doting!
“Oh dear, your Brother Xiao is right here,” Liang Xiao said, looking distressed. “Mm~” Xiao Qing then wiped away her tears, gazing at Liang Xiao in the bronze mirror with deep affection.
About half an hour later, Xiao Qing’s light makeup was finally finished. She was precisely as she had been in her past as Princess Ning Shuang, Xiao Shuang. Breathtakingly beautiful! Xiao Qing then turned around and murmured, “Didn’t Brother Xiao want to personally see me put on my wedding dress…?”
Liang Xiao was momentarily stunned, but then Ning Xuejun beckoned him. He then stood up and followed the mistress and servant to behind the screen. A wedding dress, vibrant as fire, and a phoenix coronet, majestic and noble. Beside them was also a groom’s outfit.
Under Liang Xiao’s gaze, Xiao Qing, blushing, removed her dragon robe and unbound the chest-binding. Her beauty was peerless, her figure voluptuous. Seeing Liang Xiao staring at her in a daze, Xiao Qing trembled and whispered, “Brother Xiao, will you help Shuang’er put on her wedding dress?”
“Yes…” Liang Xiao solemnly agreed and personally helped Xiao Qing put on the wedding dress and place the phoenix coronet. When he looked again, the bride was incredibly radiant, a beauty of a thousand autumns! Jian Qinwan’s bridal attire was stunningly beautiful, carrying a hint of maturity and cold elegance, with an indescribable contrasting charm when she was shy. This one, however, possessed a gentle and moving beauty, exceedingly soft. Each had their own merits.
Xiao Qing wanted to help Liang Xiao change into his groom’s attire, but Liang Xiao smiled and said, “Later.” Liang Xiao then took the shy bride’s hand, and the three of them walked out from behind the screen.
Upon seeing Xiao Qing, the three Grand Ministers offered their congratulations. “Congratulations to Your Highness (His Majesty) for finding a good match!”
“Thank you all for your earnest assistance.” Xiao Qing gratefully bowed to each of the Four Grand Ministers. The Four Grand Ministers then moved aside, watching Liang Xiao and Xiao Qing.
Ning Xuejun softly said, “Second Young Master Liang, don’t you have anything you wish to say to Your Highness?” Everyone looked at Liang Xiao with anticipation, hoping to hear the most beautiful love words in the world from the foremost scholar of this era.
Xiao Qing lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze. Liang Xiao snapped back to reality, looked at the shy bride, and laughed, “Little Shuangzi, I treated you as a brother, and you actually wanted to sleep with me.”