The wet nurses, female officials, and little maids from Yuxuan were all stunned, marveling at the sight.
At this moment, a young maid’s voice could be heard from outside the door: “Greetings, Your Highness.”
It turned out that the Yun Princess Consort had arrived. Everyone in the room lowered their heads and stood to the side.
Yun Xiao sat at her dressing table and turned to look back.
She saw the Yun Princess Consort dressed in festive attire, exuding grace and nobility.
Although forty years old, she was still full of charm. Her serene and open heart bestowed a touch of kindness upon her brows, and her eyes were clear. She appeared even more captivating than when they first met.
Since her return to the princely estate, she had treated Yun Xiao with genuine openness, fulfilling her duties as an elder.
Yun Xiao’s reservations had also diminished considerably, and she respected her greatly. Seeing her come in person now, she knew there must be something to impart, so she waved her hand, signaling for everyone to withdraw.
Wanwan led the group out and stood guard outside the door. The room suddenly became quiet.
Yun Xiao rose and welcomed her to sit on the couch on one side of the room, then spoke softly, “Why has esteemed elder sister come?”
The Yun Princess Consort smiled at her, feeling a surge of emotion. Thinking about what she had done in her youth, she realized that if she had been more understanding back then, she might have had a daughter.
But ultimately, many things had been missed. A cascade of thoughts stirred in her eyes, and she reached into her sleeve, taking out an exquisite, long rectangular box and slowly opening it.
Inside, a lustrous and radiant pearl necklace lay. While not a peerless treasure, it was clearly very valuable. Each plump pearl emitted a soft glow, illuminating the brocade box.
The Yun Princess Consort gently caressed it, as if seeing yesterday before her eyes.
“Xiao’er, this is the necklace my mother personally fastened around my neck when I married. I have no daughter. Although I treated Xiao’er poorly in the past, at least I can personally fasten this necklace around you when you marry. This also represents our bond. Furthermore, I promise you, in front of you, that I will treat your father and your brother well. So you can be at ease in the palace.”
The Yun Princess Consort sniffled, her voice catching. She knew Yun Xiao’s forgiveness was due to the Prince and Yun Zhen. Her deep affection for them stemmed from their profound love for her, which in turn made her love them.
And she finally understood that some things, once lost, can never be regained. But she would try to make amends.
Yun Xiao had intended to refuse, but upon hearing the elder sister’s final words, she froze. For her elder sister was undoubtedly the kindest person to her father and brother in this world.
And like her, she wished for these two men to be well. Because of this shared desire, they had a common goal, which was also a form of fate. Thus, she slowly turned her body.
The Yun Princess Consort’s fingers trembled. She had feared Yun Xiao would refuse. She never expected her to finally agree to wear her gift for her wedding. Her wish was fulfilled. With trembling fingers, she picked up the pearl necklace and fastened it around Yun Xiao. Once adjusted, she smiled and spoke.
“Xiao’er is getting married. Elder sister has only one piece of advice for you.”
“Please speak, esteemed elder sister.”
Yun Xiao looked at her, a hint of tenderness rising in her heart. At least someone was giving her advice on her wedding day. The reconciliation between them was also a form of happiness.
“It is not wrong for a woman to love a man, but never forget to love yourself as well.”
This was the lesson she had learned throughout her life. Because she loved her man too much, she forgot to be kind to herself. Even with love, a woman should not forget herself, never forget herself.
If love causes one to lose oneself, if love is so humble, then such love is not worthy of a man’s affection.
“Thank you, esteemed elder sister. Xiao’er understands.”
These words truly touched Yun Xiao. Her elder sister must have been thinking of her own experiences. Indeed, this woman was also pitiable; everything was due to love.
But in the end, she finally realized that there was not just one kind of love in this world; there were many. Grasping any one of them was enough to live.
“Xiao’er is the most beautiful bride,” the Yun Princess Consort said, carefully appraising Yun Xiao. Her white attire made her look exquisitely charming.
On her delicate, lotus-like face, a blush of rouge was lightly applied. Her dark hair was elegantly styled into a cloud-like coiffure, with strands of loose hair falling from her ears, further softening her features.
A white silk veil cascaded from above her head, bestowing an ethereal and otherworldly aura upon her entire being, as if she had alighted from the heavens. She truly seemed more than human.
The Yun Princess Consort marveled, “I have never seen such attire before! It is truly beautiful. Xiao’er’s mind is truly brilliant.”
The two held hands and shared a knowing smile. At that moment, the Yun Princess Consort’s maid’s gentle voice was heard from outside the door: “Your Highness, many female guests have arrived. His Highness requests that you attend to the female guests.”
“Mm, I understand,” the Yun Princess Consort replied, then released Yun Xiao’s hand and stood up. “Elder sister must go and greet the guests.”
Yun Xiao nodded, watching the Yun Princess Consort walk away. As she neared the screen, she called out, “Esteemed elder sister.”
The Yun Princess Consort stopped and looked back. Yun Xiao said softly, “Thank you.”
Tears welled up in the Yun Princess Consort’s eyes. She hurried out, her heart aching more the longer she stayed, lest she begin to resent her past cruelty.
Inside the room, Yun Xiao took a deep breath. She was thanking her for entrusting her father and brother’s future to her, which brought her great peace of mind.
Wanwan, the maids from Yuxuan, and the two wet nurses and female officials entered, and the room became crowded again. The wet nurses meticulously checked the items, and only when everything was accounted for did they finally breathe a sigh of relief.
It was now the last quarter of the afternoon. Firecrackers erupted outside the estate gates, and the melodious strains of silk and bamboo music drifted from afar.
Several agile figures came running swiftly toward the courtyard gate, calling out as they ran, “Miss, Miss, they’re here, they’re here!”
Wanwan went out and asked excitedly, “Has the imperial carriage arrived?”
“Yes, it has arrived! His Highness, Her Highness, and all the guests have gone to the gate to welcome them. I heard the Emperor himself has come to escort her.”
Wanwan gasped and fell silent. It seemed the Emperor truly doted on their mistress, as she had never heard of an emperor personally escorting a bride.
While it was a common custom for marriage, the Emperor was the Son of Heaven, the supreme ruler.
Throughout history, every Empress had been escorted into the palace by officials from the Ministry of Rites, and the Emperor would greet her at the Zhengyang Gate, receiving the homage of all the officials. She never imagined that this time, the Emperor himself would come to greet her—a precedent never before seen.
Yun Xiao, in her room, had already heard the commotion outside. A gentle smile bloomed on her face, deepening the blush on her cheeks.
In fact, she knew why Shangguan Yin had come to escort her himself. He was worried about her, because on this wedding day, there was something everyone feared: the escape of the convicted criminal Ye Jingyi. Would he choose such a day to abduct her?
Or perhaps the Xishan Skeleton Blood Bandits would appear and kill her.
He did not wish to wrong her, nor did he want her to be harmed. That was why he had personally come to escort her.
As Yun Xiao pondered this, she faintly heard the sound of orderly, rapid footsteps approaching from a distance. Wanwan rushed in from outside.
“Miss, young master is coming, along with the ceremony officials and eunuchs.”
As Wanwan finished speaking, the ceremonial officials in the long corridor outside announced in a steady, resonant voice: “The auspicious hour has arrived.”
As the ceremonial official’s words faded, Yun Zhen strode in from outside, smiling at Yun Xiao. A faint trace of melancholy flickered in his eyes, but he extended his hand, saying, “Xiao’er, this is the last journey I accompany you on as your brother.”