Volume One, Chapter Nine: The Grand Wedding Held Behind Closed Doors

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Qing’an Palace.
The Sixth Prince’s grand wedding!
As the wedding of the Sixth Prince of Daning, the court officials only sent their congratulations superficially.
But today...
The grand wedding was far less lively than imagined!
Not completely deserted, but compared to the weddings of other princes, it was extremely quiet.
Such is the way of the world; after all, the Sixth Prince was not favored!
Qin Yuan was escorted into Qing’an Palace.
The maidservants supported the princess as she entered the palace, but the grand wedding scene they expected was nowhere to be seen.
At most, the matchmaker came to greet them...
Afterwards, only the palace’s servants and maids remained inside.
Seeing such a quiet courtyard, a maidservant complained, “Miss, he’s still the Sixth Prince, so why are there so few people to welcome him?”
“Can this really be called a grand wedding?”
On the way straight to the main hall, besides the household’s servants, there were barely any notable court figures.
Those smirking faces belonged only to some opportunists, insignificant at court.
The maid kept grumbling, “Princess, this Sixth Prince really doesn’t care about you!”
In truth, the status of the Sixth Prince determined how the princess would be treated upon marriage.
Everyone knew the Sixth Prince’s standing was low; how could they expect a grand display?
Yet people habitually thought that since he was a prince, even if unloved, the wedding should be at least somewhat grand.
Silent…
Boring…
Not lively at all!
Even their footsteps seemed louder than this palace.
Under the bridal veil, Qin Yuan had long expected this.
She just hadn’t imagined that Xie Zheng would fare this poorly; not even the emperor had come to his wedding, so naturally, few attended.
But Qin Yuan didn’t mind...
It was just that he hadn’t come out to greet her yet.
Wasn’t he supposed to like her?
Why was he nowhere to be seen at this important moment?
...
The quietness of Qing’an Palace did not mean there was no reaction elsewhere. All the officials who mattered at court were waiting at home.
“Any news yet?”
This was the most common question asked by the officials to their servants.
But the servants shook their heads: “No news from the palace.”
The masters waited anxiously, brows furrowed.
They weren’t unwilling to go to Qing’an Palace; they were waiting for the palace’s signal. Once someone important set out, it would carry meaning.
So, as soon as that happened...
These officials had already prepared gifts and speeches, ready to openly congratulate the prince.
But...
No news came!
...
At this moment, Xie Zheng was still secluded in his room.

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Ning Zhuo’er was nearly in tears from anxiety.
She almost shouted, “Big Sister! Today is the young master’s wedding! If he doesn’t come out soon, he’ll miss the auspicious time!”
“Sis, can’t you interrupt him?”
Ning Zhuo’er was anxious for the princess who had entered the palace, but since her young master had begun practicing the “Gou” Scripture, he had been deeply absorbed, determined to break through a crucial stage within three months.
Because of this, it had been three months since Ning Zhuo’er had seen him...
But today was the wedding; no matter what, he had to come out once. Otherwise, the bride’s wedding would be a laughingstock without the groom’s presence.
“The young master is at a critical stage. A single mistake could ruin all progress. Unless he finishes, we cannot disturb him!”
Ning Ling was helpless.
But the young master’s breakthrough today was critical; interruption would harm his foundation, and resuming training later would be nearly impossible.
The “Gou” Scripture’s most terrifying trait was...
Complete failure!
“But big sister, the princess is already in the main hall. If the young master doesn’t show himself, he’ll become a joke in the capital!”
The young master’s reputation might be ruined without consequence, but the princess’s reputation was crucial.
“But the young master’s matter is more important!”
Ning Ling was resolute.
Ning Zhuo’er understood that in her sister’s heart, even under pressure from the Marquis of Anyang’s house, her priority was the young master’s well-being.
“Alright, alright, I’ll go to the main hall and handle it as best I can!”
Ning Zhuo’er didn’t want to interfere too much.
As she turned to leave, she looked up toward the courtyard gate. Qin Yuan, dressed in a red robe, was walking toward her. Ning Zhuo’er immediately called out,
“Princess?”
Qin Yuan’s maid’s face darkened with displeasure.
“Is this how Qing’an Palace treats guests? Closing the doors on a wedding day is utterly absurd!”
Faced with the accusation, Ning Zhuo’er felt awkward.
She said nothing, watching as the princess lifted her bridal veil and told her maid,
“Ling’er, no gossip!”
“Miss, the bridal veil?”
Ling’er was startled and tried to help cover the princess again, but the princess refused to follow tradition any longer.
“They say weddings are tiring and full of rituals. I thought today would be exhausting, but it’s surprisingly easy!”
“Princess, what about my young master?”
Ning Zhuo’er wanted to explain, but Qin Yuan smiled and walked to a nearby table to pour herself some tea.
“What’s your name?”
Qin Yuan looked up at Ning Zhuo’er, the sudden change of topic surprising her.
“Ah? … I am Zhuo’er, at your service, Princess!”
Qin Yuan asked again,
“Such a pretty maid surely isn’t from the palace, right?”
The princess’s question left Ning Zhuo’er unsure of her intentions.
“Yes!”
Ning Zhuo’er answered honestly.
She expected more questions about her origin and had prepared answers, but the princess didn’t ask.
“Good. Then what’s the name of the one guarding the door?”
There were so many breaches of etiquette today.
Among them was a maid even more beautiful than Zhuo’er, whose presence puzzled Qin Yuan.
Ning Ling hadn’t offered the proper greeting!

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She was here to ensure the young master wouldn’t be disturbed by any accidents. Naturally, her vigilance remained as the princess entered.
But etiquette was etiquette...
After being mentioned by the princess, Ning Ling naturally returned the courtesy.
“I am Ling’er, greetings, madam!”
Her greeting drew a muttered complaint from Ling’er beside Qin Yuan.
“We haven’t had the wedding ceremony yet, why call her madam?”
Ling’er’s words caused Ning Ling to frown.
Seeing this, Ling’er stepped forward, “What? Can’t say anything? The Sixth Prince’s Highness is so rude and neglects our princess. Our princess is at least a ‘princess’ granted by the emperor. According to Daning law, a princess is no lesser than a prince.”
“Today, the Sixth Prince shut the doors and showed disrespect; even the palace maids refused to bow to the princess. Is it…”
“In accordance with protocol?”
Ling’er’s words were not wrong.
But her remarks made Ning Zhuo’er quickly glance at her big sister’s expressionless face, which concealed a coldness beneath.
Her sister’s pride was not easily crushed; aside from the young master, anyone trying to threaten her for any reason would face retaliation.
At this moment...
Ling’er was doomed!
Qin Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, her pretty face growing serious.
Thinking of something, she immediately stood and blocked Ling’er behind her.
“Since you are the Sixth Prince’s maid, you must protect your young master. If my maid doesn’t understand the rules, I hope your young master will not hold it against her!”
“Li...”
Qin Yuan shook her head, her expression grave.
Seeing her mistress like this, Ling’er immediately fell silent; it was the first time she’d seen her show such a look.
Qin Yuan understood very well!
This ‘Ling’er’ and ‘Zhuo’er’ were not ordinary maids. Could they be courtesans from Yichun Tower? Or orphans from the previous dynasty’s noble clans?
“My young master is at a critical moment. I hope the princess understands!”
Ning Ling’s tone softened somewhat but she still stood her ground.
Qin Yuan was surprised, “He... is practicing the ‘Gou’ Scripture?”
Ning Ling replied, “Yes!”
Qin Yuan nodded approvingly, “He truly is more diligent and gifted than I imagined. In just three months, he’s reached a breakthrough. His talent in martial arts is impressive!”
For Qin Yuan to say ‘impressive’ meant Xie Zheng still had her regard.
As a martial artist herself, Qin Yuan knew well that a “breakthrough” was a crucial stage in martial cultivation, one that should not be disturbed, or all progress would be lost.
“Then indeed, he should not be disturbed!”
Qin Yuan’s words made Ning Ling think this woman was sensible.
But what she said next was even more surprising.
“The auspicious time has arrived; etiquette is still etiquette!”
“This is the time for the last of the three bows: entering the bridal chamber!”
“Then I shall go in and wait for him, to simplify things and complete this step!”
Saying this, Qin Yuan moved toward the room.
Ning Ling blocked her, her reaction surprising Qin Yuan, but the princess still smiled,
“What? Won’t let me in? Afraid I’ll harm your young master?”
Originally gentle, Qin Yuan’s expression suddenly turned cold.
“Ling’er, isn’t this going too far?!”