My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

18. The Wedding

The 18th day of the first lunar month is an auspicious day for marriage.

Before dawn, the inn was already brightly lit.

A huge red tent was erected at the entrance, with red lanterns hanging on both sides and a long red carpet spread on the ground.

Chen Mo stood in front of the mirror, looking at the person in the bright red wedding dress in the mirror, feeling somewhat dazed.

"How is it?"

He asked the groomsmen around him.

The groomsmen were a group of princes.

Zhu Biao stood at the front, looked him up and down, and nodded.

"good."

Liu Ju leaned closer, smiling gently, "Manager Chen looks very energetic today."

Fusu nodded: "Indeed, it's quite good."

Zhu Gaochi said gently, "The wedding attire fits perfectly."

Zhu Gaoxu patted him on the shoulder in a boisterous manner: "Manager Chen, you'd better do your best today!"

Zhu Gaosui smiled and said, "Don't forget the order of toasts."

Li Chengqian stood to the side and nodded.

"Not bad, he looks presentable enough, he's a good match for my sister!"

"To act all high and mighty is an insult, isn't it?"

"Damn it! I'm talking about you..."

"Do you know how long my mother scolded me after I got home?"

"If it weren't for your wedding today, I would have beaten you up no matter what!"

Although Li Chengqian's insults were very vulgar, he still stepped forward to straighten Chen Mo's collar with a serious expression.

"I won't settle the score with you from before. Just treat my sister well. If you don't, I'll kill you with a knife before even Father has a chance to lift a finger!"

"Don't worry! If that ever happens, you won't even need to lift a finger; I'll just go and die myself!"

Chen Mo said with absolute certainty.

He looked at the group of princes and suddenly smiled.

Thank you all for your support.

He said.

Li Chengqian waved his hand.

"Don't mention it. We're family from now on. It's just a pity I can't be your father, I can only be your brother!"

"It's nothing..."

"Remember to call me when you have kids in the future, I've already prepared a red envelope..."

"Be careful not to drink too much tonight, we're going to have our wedding night."

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside.

"The bride is here!"

Chen Mo's heart skipped a beat.

He took a deep breath and strode outside.

Outside the gate, a large sedan chair carried by eight men was slowly lowered.

The sedan curtain was lifted, and Li Lizhi was helped out.

She was wearing a bright red wedding dress, and her head was covered with a red veil, so her face could not be seen.

But her slender figure and slightly trembling hands made Chen Mo's heart melt completely.

He walked over and gently took her hand.

That hand trembled slightly in his palm.

"Don't be afraid."

He said in a low voice.

A soft "Mmm" came from beneath the red veil.

The two walked side by side into the inn.

A row of emperors stood at the entrance.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled so hard his eyes narrowed into slits.

"Great! We've finally waited for this day! We've seen those two exchanging glances all the time, and now it's finally official."

Liu Che raised his wine cup to them.

Happy Wedding!

Zhu Di nodded slightly, a smile playing on his lips.

Congratulations!

Ying Zheng did not speak, but he stood at the front of the crowd, his gaze falling on the newlyweds, and he nodded slightly.

Li Yuan, supported by Li Shimin, stood to the side, grinning from ear to ear.

"Excellent! My granddaughter is getting married!"

Li Shimin didn't speak, but just watched his daughter's back, his eyes filled with relief, reluctance, and a complex mix of emotions.

Empress Zhangsun stood beside him, her eyes slightly red.

Empress Ma and Wei Zifu stood to one side, both wearing loving smiles.

Little Sizi was being held by Li Chengqian, waving her little hands.

"My sister is so beautiful! My brother-in-law is so handsome!"

Everyone laughed.

The wedding began.

Ying Zheng volunteered to be the master of ceremonies.

Originally, both Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Che wanted to compete for this position.

But when Ying Zheng said something, both of them fell silent.

"I was the first emperor. The First Emperor."

He said this in a casual tone, and even took a sip of his tea.

Zhu Yuanzhang opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Liu Che coughed lightly, picked up his wine cup, and pretended to drink.

Zhu Di said leisurely from the side.

"Dad, Lao Liu, let's admit it. In terms of seniority, we really can't compare."

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him: "Do you need to tell me?"

At this moment, Ying Zheng stood on the temporary high platform, wearing a black robe.

This robe was specially brought from Da Qin by him, saying that "the master of ceremonies should act like a master of ceremonies"—he was holding a piece of paper covered with writing, which was the "master of ceremonies' speech" that Chen Mo had prepared for him in advance.

He glanced at it, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Who wrote these words?"

Chen Mo whispered from below.

"I...I wrote...What's wrong with it?"

Ying Zheng remained silent for a moment.

"Your handwriting is really ugly."

Chen Mo: ...

The audience below the stage laughed and joked.

Li Lizhi's face was obscured by a red veil, but her slightly trembling shoulders betrayed her—she was suppressing a laugh.

Chen Mo coughed lightly and said in a low voice, "You'll have to make do with this... or you can do whatever you want?"

Ying Zheng glanced at him, then at the paper in his hand, and finally put the paper aside.

"Okay. Feel free to do as you please."

He cleared his throat and looked at the crowd below the stage.

"Today," he began, his voice not loud, but the entire room fell silent, "is a day of great joy."

"Chen Mo and Li Lizhi are now husband and wife."

"I am the First Emperor, I have seen many things. But what about today—"

He paused.

"I've never seen it before."

Another burst of laughter erupted from the audience.

Ying Zheng remained unfazed and continued, "Chen Mo is from a later era, while Li Lizhi is a princess of the Tang Dynasty. It's not easy for them to come together across a thousand years."

"so--"

He looked at the newlyweds, his gaze becoming serious.

"Live life well."

We must support each other.

"want--"

He paused, seemingly considering his words.

"I want to have a bunch of kids."

The audience burst into laughter again.

Chen Mo blushed.

Li Lizhi's face also turned red under the red veil.

It was so red it looked like it was dripping blood.

Ying Zheng remained calm, as if what he had just said was just an ordinary remark like "The weather is nice today."

He continued, "Now, let's begin the wedding ceremony."

"Bowing to Heaven and Earth—"

Chen Mo, holding Li Lizhi's hand, turned around and bowed deeply to the blue sky and white clouds outside the door.

"Bowing to the parents twice—"

The two turned around and bowed again to Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun, who were sitting in the main seats.

Li Shimin's eyes reddened.

He held back his tears.

Empress Zhangsun could no longer hold back and gently wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

Li Yuan sat to the side, smiling with satisfaction, but his eyes were slightly red.

"Husband and wife bow to each other—"

Chen Mo and Li Lizhi stood facing each other.

They couldn't see each other's faces because of the red veil separating them.

But they both knew the other was laughing.

The two bowed deeply.

Ying Zheng watched this scene, a slight smile curving his lips.

"The ceremony is complete—"

He shouted.

"Send them to the bridal chamber—"

The cheers from the audience were deafening.

Zhu Yuanzhang was the first to rush forward, patting Chen Mo on the shoulder: "Good lad! Good lad!"

Liu Che also came over, holding a wine cup: "Come, come! Let's have a drink first!"

Zhu Di walked over with a smile and raised his cup in greeting.

Zhu Biao, Fusu, Liu Ju, Li Chengqian, Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaosui—a group of people gathered around, offering their congratulations in a cacophony of voices.

Surrounded by people, Chen Mo smiled and agreed, but his eyes kept following Li Lizhi as she was helped into the bridal chamber.

The figure under the red veil was the greatest fortune of his life.

Ying Zheng stepped down from the platform and walked up to him.

Chen Mo quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, First Emperor."

Ying Zheng waved his hand and looked at him.

"Treat them well."

He said.

Chen Mo nodded vigorously.

"I will."

Ying Zheng nodded and turned around.

The wedding banquet began in the courtyard.

The round tables were packed full.

The emperors were still seated at one table, while the young people sat at another.

At the young people's table, Huo Qubing and Zhu Gaochi were at it again.

"Come on! Let's have another drink!"

"Fine, I'll drink! Who's afraid of who!"

Liu Ju chimed in from the side, "Go, Qu Bing!"

Zhu Gaosui also shouted, "Second Brother, don't back down!"

Fusu helplessly advised, "Drink less, drink less."

Zhu Biao smiled and shook his head.

Zhu Gaochi leisurely ate sunflower seeds, looking completely at ease.

At the women's table, the three empresses and Wei Zifu were chatting enthusiastically.

Empress Zhangsun would occasionally glance in the direction of the bridal chamber, her eyes filled with both satisfaction and reluctance.

Empress Ma patted her hand: "Sister, don't worry. It's a joyous occasion that our daughter has married well."

Wei Zifu nodded: "Manager Chen is a good person, we will treat her well."

Empress Zhangsun nodded and smiled gently.

"I know."

Little Sizi ate with gusto in Li Chengqian's arms.

She would occasionally look up and ask, "Big brother, when is older sister coming out?"

Li Chengqian smiled and patted her head: "She'll be out in a bit."

Little Sizi nodded and continued eating.

"Thank you all for coming to my wedding with Lizhi."

Chen Mo walked over and raised his glass.

Everyone raised their glasses.

"Thank you everyone," he said. "Today is the happiest day of my life."

Zhu Yuanzhang opened his loud voice.

"Don't mention it! There's more to come!"

Liu Che nodded.

"Yes, there's still a long way to go."

Zhu Di smiled slightly.

"I am waiting to drink your full moon celebration."

Ying Zheng did not speak, but he nodded slightly.

Li Yuan looked at him with a smile.

"Boy, treat my granddaughter well."

Li Shimin didn't speak, but simply raised his wine cup and swirled it at him.

He suddenly realized that fate was truly a wondrous thing.

He picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"Yes, it will," he said. "It definitely will."

After a few drinks, Old Zhu came over and pulled a large red envelope from his sleeve.

"This is our congratulatory gift!"

Chen Mo took it, opened it, and saw—

It was a stack of Ming Dynasty banknotes.

Face value... 100,000 strings of cash.

Chen Mo: ...

Old Zhu chuckled as he looked at his expression.

"Don't rush!"

A gift list was also attached to the side.

"One hundred taels of gold, one thousand taels of silver, ten chests of silk, and ten chests of jewelry."

Chen Mo glanced at Old Zhu.

Old Zhu grinned.

"How about that? We really went all out!"

Just as Chen Mo was about to speak, Liu Che walked over, took out a large red envelope, and handed it to Chen Mo:

"My congratulatory gift."

Chen Mo opened it—

It's a jade pendant, bigger than the last one, with the words "May you have a happy marriage for a hundred years" engraved on it.

A gift list was also attached to the side.

"A thousand taels of gold, a hundred bolts of silk, ten chests of jewels, and fifty fine horses."

Chen Mo's hand trembled.

Zhu Di stepped forward and presented a red envelope as well:

"My congratulatory gift."

Chen Mo opened it—

It was written on the gift list.

"One hundred taels of gold, one thousand taels of silver, one hundred pieces of porcelain, and one thousand bolts of silk."

Chen Mo: "..."

Ying Zheng silently stepped forward and handed over a box.

Chen Mo opened it—

Inside was a jade seal the size of an imperial seal, with four characters engraved on it.

A match made in heaven

Ying Zheng said calmly:

"This was newly engraved at my request. It is one of a kind."

Chen Mo was stunned.

"Thank you, Brother Zheng!"

He said his voice sounded a little hoarse.

Ying Zheng nodded slightly and stepped aside.

Li Yuan was helped over and handed Chen Mo a red envelope with a smile.

"My congratulatory gift. It's not much, just a small token of my appreciation."

Chen Mo opened it—

Inside is a land deed.

In the best location in Chang'an, there was a large mansion with three courtyards and three entrances.

"You should go to Chang'an for a while when you have time. After all, you're married now, you can't just not visit your parents' home, can you?"

Li Yuan said leisurely.

Li Shimin was the last to step forward.

He stood in front of Chen Mo, his gaze complex.

"My dowry is too much to fit in your courtyard, so I'll leave it with the Tang Dynasty for now. You can retrieve it anytime you need."

Li Shimin looked at Chen Mo and gave him further instructions.

"Treat Lizhi well."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Chen Mo said, enunciating each word with utmost seriousness. "Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Li Shimin nodded.

He stepped back and picked up his wine glass.

"Come, let me offer you a toast."

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

The courtyard erupted in cheers once again.

Empress Ma and Empress Wei Zifu also sent congratulatory gifts—all brocades they had embroidered themselves, each stitch a token of their heartfelt wishes.

Little Sizi ran over, holding up a small red envelope, and handed it to Chen Mo.

"Brother-in-law! This is Sizi's gift!"

Chen Mo crouched down, opened it, and took a look—

There was a painting inside.

In the painting, two people are holding hands and standing in front of a small house.

The house is labeled "Time Hotel". There is a sun, clouds and birds in the sky.

A few words were written crookedly next to it:

Wishing my sister and brother-in-law happiness every day!

Chen Mo looked at the painting, and his eyes suddenly felt a little sore.

He picked up the little girl and kissed her on the cheek.

"Thank you, Sizi. My brother-in-law likes it very much."

The little ox chuckled.

The courtyard was filled with laughter.

The boxes were piled higher and higher.

Gold and silver jewelry, fine silks and satins, antiques and paintings, rare treasures—

It filled half the yard.

I don't know how many drinks I drank, nor how many congratulations I received.

By the time Chen Mo returned to the bridal chamber, it was already past midnight.

In the bridal chamber, Li Lizhi sat on the edge of the bed, her red veil still on.

She listened to the noise outside, the laughter, the clinking of glasses, the shouting, and a slight smile curved her lips.

Her hand rested gently on her knee, clutching the corner of the red veil.

My palms are slightly sweaty.

The door suddenly opened.

Footsteps approached.

Step by step, we get closer.

Then, a steelyard rod gently lifted her red veil.

The candlelight came into view.

She looked up and met Chen Mo's smiling eyes.

Those eyes shone like stars in the candlelight.

"Are you tired?" he asked.

Li Lizhi shook her head.

Chen Mo smiled.

He sat down beside her and gently took her hand.

That hand trembled slightly in his palm.

"Don't be afraid," he whispered.

Li Lizhi looked at him, her eyes slightly red.

"I'm not afraid," she said.

Chen Mo smiled, a very gentle smile.

"Then why are you shaking?"

Li Lizhi lowered her head and whispered, "I...I don't know either..."

Chen Mo gently pulled her into his arms.

Her body stiffened slightly, then softened and she leaned against his shoulder.

The two sat there without saying a word.

Only their breathing could be clearly heard.

a long time.

Li Lizhi spoke softly.

"Chen Mo."

"Um?"

"Thank you."

Chen Mo was stunned for a moment.

"What are you thanking me for?"

Li Lizhi leaned on his shoulder and whispered.

"Thank you... for letting me meet you."

Chen Mo remained silent for a moment.

Then he laughed.

"How silly!" he said. "I should be thanking you."

He paused, then spoke even softer.

"Thank you for agreeing to marry me."

Li Lizhi remained silent.

She just hugged him even tighter.

"Alright, it's time for a drink."

Chen Mo walked to the table and poured two glasses of wine.

He held up a cup and handed it to Li Lizhi.

"The nuptial wine," he said.

Li Lizhi took it and looked at him.

The two men crossed their arms and each drank the wine from their cups.

The wine went down my throat, leaving a warm feeling.

Li Lizhi kept her head down and didn't speak.

Chen Mo looked at her and suddenly smiled.

He took her hand and sat down beside her.

The noise outside the window seemed to be veiled, hazy and indistinct.

Only their breathing could be clearly heard.

a long time.

Li Lizhi leaned gently on his shoulder.

"Chen Mo."

She said softly.

"Um?"

"I'm so happy."

Chen Mo smiled.

He pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"Me too."

He gently took her hand.

"Li Lizhi".

He called her.

She looked up at him.

Those eyes shone like stars in the candlelight.

"From this day forward," he said slowly and earnestly, enunciating each word clearly, "you are mine."

Li Lizhi was stunned for a moment.

Then she laughed.

Her smile was gentler than candlelight.

"You're mine now too."

she says.

Chen Mo smiled.

Looking at her face illuminated by the fireworks, at her sparkling eyes, at the gentle smile on her lips—

"It's so beautiful."

Chen Mo said.

He gently lowered his head and placed a kiss on her lips.

It's very light and soft.

Like a feather brushing across the water.

Li Lizhi's eyes widened slightly, then slowly closed again.

"It's late, my husband, it's time to rest."

……

While Chen Mo was in dire straits, the Changsun family was also in dire straits.