The Lantern Day imperial court assembly was the most important ceremony of the year. Cheng Yujin was tormented for half the night, and the next morning, she still had to stand in the imperial court assembly for the entire day while wearing the heavy Nine Emperor Crown Prince Consort Emperor Crown Prince Consort's clothes.
When they returned at night, Li Seung-kyung knew that he was in the wrong, so he obeyed Cheng Yujin. Cheng Yujin glared at him hatefully. She didn't want to talk to this sanctimonious person. Until the next day, Li Seung-kyung still wanted to laugh but didn't dare to. He was very careful about Cheng Yujin.
On the second day of the New Year, it was customary for married daughters to return home. Cheng Yujin was no exception. She was returning to the Marquis of Yichun. As her husband, Li Seung-kyung naturally accompanied her.
The two of them went to the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful and the Palace of Earthly Tranquility to inform the elders. They then boarded the carriage and drove out of the palace. Today, the Marquis of Yichun was particularly lively. The Cheng Family knew that the Crown Princess was coming back and that the Crown Prince would be accompanying her. They were all on high alert as if they were facing a great enemy. In addition to Cheng Yujin, the other married daughters of the Cheng Family, Cheng Min and Cheng Yumo, also brought their husbands' families back today.
Old Lady Cheng was fully dressed early in the morning. She sat upright and still. Princess Qingfu and the Nguyễn Clan were about the same. They all changed into the most proper and luxurious clothes. Cheng Min was entrusted by the Xu Family and came early in the morning. She also brought many of the Xu Family's younger generation. When Old Lady Cheng saw Cheng Min, she was gratified. It was rare for her to see her daughter. As soon as she entered, she pulled Cheng Min and Xu Nianchun to her side and asked them. Although Cheng Min responded, no one in the room felt at ease. They were all secretly paying attention to the movements outside.
Around nine in the morning, a servant suddenly ran in. Before the manservant could say anything, the hearts of the womenfolk in the room thumped and they all stood up.
Even if the servant hadn't said anything, the womenfolk had already guessed that the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess had come. As expected, before the servant could stand still, he hurriedly shouted, "Old Madam, Madam, Second Madam, the carriages of the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess have already left the palace. Marquis asked Madam and Madam to go to the second gate to welcome the carriage of the Crown Princess."
Old Lady Cheng had been waiting for this sentence for a long time. Hearing this, she felt as if a huge rock had been lifted off her shoulders. She was relieved. Now, Cheng Yuan-hsien had become Marquis Yichun, Old Lady Cheng had been conferred the title of Old Lady, and Princess Qingfu had become the official Marchioness. The servants no longer addressed Princess Qingfu as Eldest Madam. Instead, they all addressed her as "Madam".
Old Lady Cheng led everyone to wait at the second gate. After a while, the sound of eunuchs clapping their hands could be heard, reminding the passersby to leave. Old Lady Cheng lowered her head and led the womenfolk to greet Cheng Yujin, "This subject kowtows in salute to the Crown Princess."
After the carriage stopped, many palace maids came forward and escorted Cheng Yujin out of the carriage. After Cheng Yujin came out, she saw Old Lady Cheng kneeling on the ground. She raised her hand and said, "The ground is cold. Grandmother, please get up."
Old Lady Cheng finally stood up shakily with the help of her maidservants. Princess Qingfu knelt by Old Lady Cheng's side. When the Old Lady Cheng stood up, she also stood up to help. Cheng Yujin saw Qingfu and nodded slightly, "Mother."
Princess Qingfu could not respond. She immediately gave Cheng Yujin a proper greeting, "Crown Princess."
"I am unfilial. I actually let Grandmother and Mother wait in the cold for so long. Grandmother and Mother, please come in and talk. "
Old Lady Cheng repeatedly said that she did not dare. She moved aside and waited for Cheng Yujin to enter before following behind. Cheng Yujin entered the room and sat down. She smiled and nodded at Cheng Min, "Auntie, you came early today."
Earlier, Cheng Yujin had only spoken with Old Lady Cheng and Princess Qingfu at the second gate. As an auntie, Cheng Min did not have the honor of being excused by the Crown Princess. It was only after entering the room that Cheng Min and Cheng Yujin spoke.
Cheng Min was flattered. She immediately smiled and said, "You flatter me. I miss Mother and wanted to come early to welcome the Crown Princess, so I specially woke up early. "
After Cheng Min finished speaking, she immediately pushed the juniors beside her, "You guys, why aren't you coming to greet the Crown Princess?"
This time, Cheng Min not only brought the Xu Family's young ladies, but also the Xu Family's young masters. The youths were all at the front to welcome the Crown Prince. The strange thing was that Xu Zhixian was nowhere to be seen. Cheng Min explained, "That debt collector of mine is currently being forced to attend school by his grandfather and father. His father plans to send him into the bureaucracy next year. He is always indecent. It's fine if he stays at home, but what if he goes to the yamen? His father is anxious and keeps him at home to study. He is not allowed to go out. "
Cheng Yujin nodded. She smiled and said, "It's a good thing that the Second Young Master is attending school." She did not ask any more questions. When Cheng Yujin had just started mourning, Xu Zhixian had loudly said that he wanted to marry her. No matter why Xu Zhixian did not want to see her, whether it was the Xu Zhixian's own idea or the Xu Family's incitement, Cheng Yujin was now the Crown Princess. It was better to avoid these melon fields and plum fields.
Cheng Min led the girls to greet Cheng Yujin. Cheng Yujin smiled and nodded. She let Lian Qiao give each of them a greeting gift. The Xu Family's young ladies were curious and in awe of Cheng Yujin. When they were greeting Cheng Yujin, they only dared to look at her out of the corner of their eyes. After receiving the Crown Princess' greeting gift, they could not help but hold it in their hands and look at it.
The pouch wrapped on the outside was exquisite and elegant. Not to mention the things inside, just the pouch itself was not an ordinary item. Moreover, the Xu Family's young ladies, regardless of whether they were of the first wife or concubine, all had the same pouch. From the outside, it was impossible to tell whether they were noble or lowly. However, if one secretly tested the weight in their hands, there was probably a difference inside.
Cheng Min sighed inwardly. Cheng Yujin was indeed worthy of being the Crown Princess. After entering the palace, she did things more flawlessly. Cheng Min accompanied Cheng Yujin to talk and slowly asked about Shu Fei. Cheng Yujin did not delay. She let the Dugeaux pass the package that Shu Fei niangniang had asked her to bring out to Cheng Min.
Shu Fei was different from Cheng Yujin. Shu Fei did not have the status to casually summon her family into the palace. Therefore, if she wanted to pass something to her family, it was particularly troublesome. Of course, Shu Fei's things could be passed through the eunuchs. However, one, it would cost money. Two, it would attract attention. There was no harm in having Cheng Yujin take the opportunity to pass it out.
And Cheng Yujin agreed to this matter. Of course, she had the intention to strengthen her relationship with Shu Fei and the Duke House of Chang. The exchange of favors was the exchange of favors. Only then could the relationship become closer.
Princess Qingfu and the Nguyễn Clan watched as Cheng Yujin and Cheng Min discussed matters in the palace. Their mouths were full of Shu Fei, the Empress, and the Empress Dowager. She even handed a package to Cheng Min in front of everyone. The Cheng Family looked at each other. They all felt a trace of awkwardness from being left behind.
When Cheng Min received Imperial Concubine Shu's letter and package, she beamed with joy and was very satisfied. She personally handed Imperial Concubine Shu's letter to her mother-in-law and sister-in-law. In the Xu family, this was naturally a matter of great honor. Because of this, Cheng Min smiled even more warmly at Cheng Yujin.
Cheng Min had just put away the package when a sound came from outside. The Nguyễn Clan stood up and almost knocked over the teacup. "Mo'er is here!"
The servant girls also came out to greet her. They opened the curtains and passed the message to each other. "It's Second Miss."
The Nguyễn Clan quickly walked to the door. The others in the room slowly stood up. Although they showed a welcoming posture, they did not go out to greet her like the Nguyễn Clan did. The Nguyễn Clan missed her daughter very much. However, the others were all older than Cheng Yumo. There was no reason for them to go out and greet Cheng Yumo. As for Cheng Yujin, she sat firmly in her seat and turned her gaze to the door. She was already giving Cheng Yumo face.
Cheng Yumo entered the room. When she saw the Nguyễn Clan, her eyes immediately turned red and she called out, "Mother." She and the Nguyễn Clan entered the warm room hand in hand. When she saw the people inside, she greeted them one by one. "Mo'er pays respect to Grandmother, Eldest Aunt, and Aunty. Your humble servant pays respect to the Crown Princess. "
Old Lady Cheng secretly frowned. Cheng Yumo's words were rude. How could she put the Crown Princess behind her? Old Lady Cheng secretly looked at Cheng Yujin. She found that Cheng Yujin was smiling gently and had no intention of punishing her. She could only suppress her worry and not mention it.
Everyone present had a higher status than the other. Cheng Min was a married daughter and it was not easy to recruit her. Princess Qingfu could only replace Old Lady Cheng and greet Cheng Yumo. "Second Miss is here. It's cold today. Did Second Miss catch a cold on the way here? "
"Not really. Thank you for your concern."
Princess Qingfu responded and asked, "I was too lazy to go out this winter. I haven't seen the Huo family's Old Madame in a long time. How is Old Madame Huo? "
Hearing the Huxue Clan's name, Cheng Yumo's face stiffened. She nodded slightly and said, "Mother-in-law has always been in good health."
Everyone in the Cheng Family knew about Cheng Yumo's miscarriage. Now that the Huxue Clan was suddenly mentioned, the atmosphere became awkward. Cheng Min quickly smiled and tried to smooth things over. "Okay, okay. Mo'er just came in and hasn't taken off her cloak yet. The warm room is hot and cold. Be careful not to catch a cold. "
Everyone smiled and agreed. Cheng Yumo breathed a sigh of relief. With the help of a maid, she took off her cloak and revealed the casual clothes inside. During this time, an old woman brought in an embroidered stool. Cheng Yumo was supported by a maid and sat next to the Nguyễn Clan.
Cheng Yumo's cloak was thick and heavy. It made people feel tired just by looking at it. Perhaps to make her complexion look better, Cheng Yumo deliberately wore a red jacket and skirt. The red jacket was pressed against the red pleated skirt, and the collar and cuffs were decorated with gray mouse fur.
This outfit was extremely eye-catching. However, she was too thin. Her hands were so thin that only bones were left. Although her face was white, it was not a healthy greenish-white color. Her blood vessels could be faintly seen. After wearing the red dress, it did not make her complexion look rosy. Instead, it made her look especially smart and thin. She almost could not hold up her clothes.
Being illuminated by the bright red dress, she looked as if she had just recovered from a serious illness and was weak.
When Cheng Min saw this, she could not help but sigh in her heart. Cheng Yujin was also wearing red today, but when Cheng Yujin wore it, she looked more delicate than a flower. When it was changed to Cheng Yumo, it looked like the long jacket was dragging and the clothes were pressing down on the main body.
Everyone pitied Cheng Yumo because she had just had a miscarriage. No one mentioned that her complexion was very poor. Everyone sat and chatted for a while. Then, a wave of greetings came from outside the courtyard. Among them were greetings to the Crown Prince. Cheng Yujin immediately reacted. It was Li Seung-kyung, Cheng Yuan-hsien, and the others.
The womenfolk in the room all stood up. They originally planned to respectfully greet the Crown Prince at the door. However, halfway through, Li Seung-kyung had already lifted the curtain and walked in. When everyone saw this, they hurriedly squatted. Li Seung-kyung just casually waved his hand and said, "Old Lady Cheng and Marchioness do not need to be so courteous. Please rise."
Although he said this, his eyes did not look at Old Lady Cheng and the others. Instead, he walked straight to Cheng Yujin and held her hand to help her up.
When Li Seung-kyung arrived at the rear residence, naturally, he was accompanied by the men of the Cheng Family. At this moment, all the husbands entered together. Only Li Seung-kyung walked directly to Cheng Yujin. In front of so many people, he personally helped Cheng Yujin up. His movements were natural and unrestrained.
The other husbands and wives all stood with their hands crossed. When they saw this scene, they all lost their voices.
Princess Qingfu stood up, trembling. Her eyes landed on the Crown Prince's hand. She simply did not dare to believe it. Normal men had to put on the airs of a lord in front of outsiders. Speaking to his wife was like condescending. However, Li Seung-kyung was the Crown Prince. He actually went to such a step for Cheng Yujin?
Before Princess Qingfu's thoughts were finished, Cheng Yuan-hsien cupped her hands and called out, "Mother." Princess Qingfu withdrew her thoughts and greeted Cheng Yuan-hsien. Cheng Yuan-hsien only nodded in response. Her posture was very good.
The other husbands and wives were in a similar state, especially Cheng Min and Princess Qingfu. They were an old married couple and had slept in separate rooms for many years. Greeting each other when they saw each other was already giving face to the main wife. Physical contact had long been gone.
At this time, Li Seung-kyung was still holding Cheng Yujin's hand. He touched her forehead and asked in a low voice, "Does your head still hurt?"
Last night, Cheng Yujin could not avoid drinking. When she woke up this morning, she had a slight headache. However, it was not serious and did not affect her daily movements. Cheng Yujin shook her head and said, "I'm fine a long time ago. I'm not made of porcelain. How can I be so delicate?"
The two of them spoke in a low voice. When the others saw this, they were speechless. In the end, it was Cheng Min who smiled and said, "Your Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess have such a good relationship. We are an old married couple. We can't compare to you youngsters. Newlyweds have such deep feelings. "
These words were full of ridicule. Cheng Yujin's cheeks turned slightly red. She was too embarrassed to respond. It was Li Seung-kyung who smiled and agreed, "Her alcohol tolerance is not good. Once she drinks, she always has a headache the next day. Yesterday, she drank a lot of wine. If I didn't look, she would definitely say it was fine. "
Everyone in the room laughed. Cheng Min looked at Cheng Yujin and said, "The Crown Princess has always been like this since she was young. No matter what happens, she will take care of it by herself. She is never willing to tell the truth to adults. Now, there is someone watching over you. "
Men seemed to be naturally thick-skinned. Cheng Yujin could not smile and agree like Li Seung-kyung. She could only lower her head and avoid Cheng Min's teasing gaze.
Old Lady Cheng sighed in her heart. What a familiar scene. Old Lady Cheng remembered that when Li Seung-kyung was still in the Cheng Family, he often reminded Cheng Yujin to drink water and tea. At that time, Old Lady Cheng thought that the two of them really looked like husband and wife. In the end, they really did become husband and wife.
Moreover, their actions were very much like the perfect family in the world's imagination. The template of husband and wife in the world should be carved according to these two people.
Old Lady Cheng coughed and said, "The Crown Prince is so attentive and considerate to the Crown Princess. This old one is really gratified to see it. Don't just stand there. Let's talk inside. "
Everyone agreed in unison and courteously walked inside. Without a doubt, Cheng Yujin and Li Seung-kyung became the center of everyone's attention. After the two of them entered the room, the main hall seemed to become quiet with a whoosh.
Cheng Yumo stood at the back. Her lips were pale and her face was devoid of color. Even the best quality rouge could not hide it. Cheng Min just said that they were an old married couple and were not as intimate as a young married couple. However, Cheng Yumo and Huo Changyuan were also a young married couple.
After leaving the palace during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Huo Changyuan really did marry Su Ke Er off. No matter how much Su Ke Er and the Huxue Clan cried and complained, he was determined and did not give them any face. Cheng Yumo thought that once the third party who intruded on their marriage left, they would return to normal. However, feelings were like porcelain. Even if they returned to normal and looked as bright as before, the crack would always be there.
Cheng Yumo felt that perhaps Huo Zhangyuan had become like this because they had accidentally lost a child and he held a grudge against them. It was okay. She was still young. When they had another child, Huo Changyuan would definitely change back.
Cheng Yumo encouraged herself. However, at this time, she realized that she and Huo Changyuan basically did not communicate at all. Because he had just been reprimanded by the palace, Huo Changyuan could not take concubines and could only continue to sleep in her room. However, even if the two of them were in the same room, they often did not speak a word.
Cheng Yumo felt scared. Wasn't this the marriage model of her aunt, Princess Qingfu, and Cheng Yuan-hsien that she despised the most in the past? In the past, she was respectful and reverent towards Princess Qingfu. However, in private, she did not care at all. She even thought maliciously that Princess Qingfu was old and fierce, like a tigress. It was no wonder that men were not willing to touch her. At that time, Cheng Yumo was young, lively, and beautiful. She was pampered by her brothers and cousins. She was full of confidence that when she married in the future, she would not be like this.
She looked down on the elders around her who were as calm as water and who were completely struggling to get married. She also thought that these women had no charm and could not capture a man's heart. At that time, she never thought that one day, she would become one of them.
Cheng Yumo panicked and began to think of ways to get closer to Huo Changyuan. She really felt that as long as they were pregnant with another child, all of their problems would be easily solved. However, at this time, Cheng Yumo discovered that she was no longer attractive to Huo Changyuan.
Huo Changyuan looked at her calmly and patiently. It seemed that he was enduring, but it also seemed that he was exhausted. He no longer put on the airs of Marquis in front of her. He was not afraid to show his worst side in front of her. Cheng Yumo felt that this was a good thing. It meant that Huo Changyuan saw her as one of his own and did not want to waste any more energy. However, Huo Changyuan no longer looked at her with admiration, sizing her up, or lust. He also did not pay attention to her clothing and appearance. He clearly did not treat the other servant girls like this.
He no longer looked at her as if he was looking at a woman.
It was as if the hot summer had fallen into a cold cave. Cheng Yumo's mind was blank. Why was it like this? Why did Huo Changyuan also become like this?
Cheng Yumo was depressed for a long time. In the end, she told herself that this was the only path that husband and wife had to go through. It was the final destination of marriage. Passionate love was like a fire. Once it was completely burned away, it would return to a life as plain as water.
Cheng Yumo had always convinced herself like this. She and Huo Changyuan had a foundation of feelings. It was already much better than those couples who had a blind marriage and ended up as resentful couples. They did not speak to each other now only because they were following the rules of marriage.
However, today, Cheng Yumo saw with her own eyes that the Crown Prince naturally reached out to support Cheng Yujin. Cheng Yujin was also standing beside the Crown Prince. Hearing everyone's teasing, she smiled and lowered her eyes. She naturally hid behind the Crown Prince. When they talked about being drunk, Cheng Yujin even secretly glared at the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince glanced at her and only smiled.
Their actions were daily and trivial, as if they were a normal couple living their lives. However, the tension in their actions was completely different.
Love could not be hidden from others. Similarly, not loving was also the same.
Cheng Yumo's mood suddenly fell into an abyss. The weak excuse she found for herself could no longer deceive others. These small actions were not eye-catching, but they definitely could not be faked. No matter how good their acting was or how loving they pretended to be, the actual interactions between husband and wife could not be deceived.
Why? Cheng Yujin was clearly so boring. Cheng Yumo couldn't help but think that she was more lively and interesting than Cheng Yujin. She was also more likable than Cheng Yujin. She and Huo Changyuan had even saved his life. Why had she and Huo Changyuan reached this point?
Had she really married the wrong person?
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