Ning Dao Covered with Snow

Chapter 302 Wedding
Yan Ciwan also took out a melon, opened her mouth and took a big bite, the sweet juice spreading in her mouth.

She squinted her eyes and revealed a rather enjoyable smile.

The two ate and waited, and as the sun set, they suddenly heard the sound of drums.

The drum towers in the city have begun to beat their drums, which means that the day is coming to an end and night is approaching. Usually, the gates of each neighborhood would be locked at this time, but today is the special day of the Crown Prince's wedding. The Emperor has specially decreed that there will be no curfew in the city tonight, and the East and West Markets will not be closed. The people of the city can celebrate for three consecutive days.

In the distance, the Mingde Gate slowly opened, and a ceremonial guard composed of Jinwu Guards entered the city. At the very center of the procession was a luxurious carriage.

Because of the distance, Yan Ciwan could not see the people inside the carriage clearly, but could only see two figures. They must be the protagonists of today's event, Crown Prince Li Cunxing and Yan Tingyu, who is about to become the Crown Princess.

The sunset on the horizon was incredibly beautiful, and musicians played the melody of "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate," the music drifting on the wind and reaching the ears of the people in the city.

The people all gathered near Zhuque Street, but because of the guards, they could not get close to Zhuque Street. They could only crane their necks to look, but the whole street was covered by red cloth and they could not see anything.

However, when the procession approached Kaihua Ward, the local people were ordered by the Imperial Guards to kneel down, and even through the red cloth, they were not allowed to look directly at the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

At this moment, Yan Ciwan unexpectedly saw Li Chengge in the wedding procession.

She was surprised: "How did Li Sanlang get in too?"

Xiao Wang said, "It must have been the Crown Prince who invited him to accompany the prince. Of the four princes, he has the best relationship with the Crown Prince."

Yan Ciwan thought for a moment and asked, "Is it because Li Sanlang was adopted out and can no longer compete for the position of crown prince?"

"That is indeed the main reason. Secondly, it is because Li Sanlang has a relatively easy-going personality and is not aggressive, so the Crown Prince feels more comfortable when he is with him."

Yan Ciwan recalled Li Chengge's lazy demeanor. In an ordinary family, such a personality might be seen as a lack of ambition, but in the royal family, it was actually an advantage.

Because the distance had narrowed, she could clearly see the two people sitting inside the carriage; they were Li Cunxing and Yan Tingyu.

Yan Tingyu wore a gorgeous red brocade palace dress, her black hair was styled into a high bun, and the phoenix hairpin swayed slightly with the carriage. Her face was covered with thick powder, her lips were painted as red as blood, her eyebrows were thin and long, and a red hibiscus flower adorned her forehead.

This was the first time Yan Ciwan had seen her dressed so elaborately, and at first glance, she seemed like a complete stranger.

It's as if the older sister I've known for the past seventeen years and the bride in the wedding car are two different people.

Beyond Kaihuafang lies the Vermilion Bird Gate, which is now fully open, and the honor guard is entering the gate in an orderly fashion.

Sitting upright in the car, Yan Tingyu seemed to sense that someone was watching her. She suddenly turned her head and looked towards the rooftop in the distance.

Yan Ciwan did not dodge; her gaze met Yan Tingyu's in mid-air.

She noticed a moment of surprise on Yan Tingyu's face; Yan Tingyu probably hadn't expected to reunite with him in this way and under these circumstances.

They were sisters, but they felt no sisterly affection for each other; all they felt was hatred that wished they could kill each other.

Yan Tingyu quickly remembered her current identity, she looked away and turned to look at the man beside her.

Yan Ciwan saw Yan Tingyu's lips moving; she must be talking to Li Cunxing, but because they were far apart, Yan Ciwan couldn't hear anything.

Li Cunxing held Yan Tingyu's hand, as if to comfort her.

Just before the carriage entered the Vermilion Bird Gate, Yan Tingyu turned her head and glanced at Yan Ciwan in the distance.

His eyes were cold and venomous, with a hint of smugness, as if he were showing off or provoking.

Xiao Wang thought Yan Ciwan would say something, but instead she finished the last sip of tea, put the cup back in the food box, and said, "We should go."

She stood up to leave, and Xiao Wang couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you angry?"

Yan Ciwan knew he was asking about Yan Tingyu impersonating her, and she said frankly, "Of course I'm angry, but I'm very busy right now and don't have time to deal with her. I'll settle the score with her later when I'm done with my work." Xiao Wang looked at her expression and found that she showed no sign of disappointment or resentment.

This means that she has no expectations of becoming the Crown Princess.

His mood immediately improved.

"Give me the food box."

Yan Ciwan didn't stand on ceremony with him and immediately handed him the food box. Then, she skillfully reached out and put her arm around his waist.

Xiao Wang was carried down by her. By this time, the sun had already set, and the moon was peeking out from behind the clouds. The bright moonlight fell on the two of them, as if coating them with a layer of soft watery light.

He looked at her profile, and no matter how long he looked, her face was always so beautiful.

Suddenly, a loud bang was heard, and a burst of fireworks exploded in the night sky.

Yan Ciwan looked up and saw that fireworks were being set off inside the palace, probably to celebrate the Crown Prince's wedding.

Before the first cluster of fireworks had even faded, the second and third clusters rose in succession, followed by two loud bangs as they exploded simultaneously in the night sky, bursting into colorful bursts of light.

After landing with Xiao Wang, Yan Ciwan did not leave immediately.

She looked up at the dazzling fireworks filling the sky, while the people around her kept watching her.

Yan Ciwan's eyes reflected the dazzling fireworks, and she exclaimed sincerely, "So beautiful!"

Xiao Wang stared at her intently, as if she were the only thing he could see.

"It is indeed beautiful."

Yan Ciwan withdrew her gaze and turned around: "It's getting late, we should go."

Xiao Wang asked, "Aren't you going to take another look?"

"We're not watching anymore, Uncle Jiu and the others are still waiting for us."

Yan Ciwan walked forward without looking back, and Xiao Wang followed her with long strides.

The two walked back along the same path, fireworks still blooming in the night sky behind them, but neither of them looked back again.

They found Uncle Jiu, Dongli, and Qiushuang near Zhuque Street.

At this time, the red cloth on both sides of Zhuque Avenue had been removed, and the flowers, plants and carpets had been moved away, but the palace lanterns and red silk on the trees were still there. The Jinwu Guard announced that the blockade had been lifted and the people could pass through Zhuque Avenue as usual.

Riding horses was not allowed on Zhuque Avenue, so Yan Ciwan, Xiao Wang, and the others walked there on foot, leading their horses.

After crossing Zhuque Street and entering Tonghua Ward, the group remounted their horses.

There is a very famous post station in Tonghuafang called Duting Post Station.

During the day, this area is bustling with people and vehicles, but because it is nighttime and the inn is closed, the area has become exceptionally quiet.

They quickened their pace, passing through Tonghua Ward and entering Chang'an County. They then passed through Tongyi Ward and Guangde Ward, finally seeing the West Market.

Fu Bai and Yue Jin, who had been waiting near the West Market, came forward to meet Yan Ciwan.

Yan Ciwan turned to Xiao Wang and said, "You can leave it here."