"Marriage ceremony?!"

In Chen Mo’s room, all the women gathered together.

Of course, Zhao Qianyi, Yue Yuxi, Moon Slave, and Xiao Yunxi were not present.

Upon hearing Chen Mo’s words, the faces of the women showed expressions of surprise and excitement.

A moment later, Ye Wanqiu hurriedly said, "No, no, I... I can’t."

After all, she was once Zhao Ji’s consort. On the day of the ceremony, many high-ranking officials and dignitaries would certainly attend. If she were found out, it would be embarrassing. She feared bringing unnecessary trouble to Chen Mo.

Ye Wanqiu’s nervous demeanor immediately drew the attention of the women, Yi Yao and Luo Zhen both furrowed their brows and said with a slightly cold tone, "Wanqiu, why?"

In their view, marrying the master should be a source of joy, yet she was refusing now. Was she disdaining the master?

Ye Wanqiu’s refusal had aroused the displeasure of the two women.

"This... this..." Ye Wanqiu seemed hesitant, unsure if she should speak.

Chen Mo walked over, took Ye Wanqiu’s hand, and said, "Speak, it’s all our own people here, don’t worry."

Upon hearing this, Ye Wanqiu gritted her teeth and confessed, "My real name is Ye Wanqiu, I was originally the late emperor’s concubine, Consort Jing."

After speaking, she quickly lowered her head. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Hearing this, all the women were stunned.

Especially Zhao Jiangning, whose eyes were wide open.

"Father’s concubine, then wouldn’t I have to call her..." This chaotic relationship made Zhao Jiangning feel slightly embarrassed.

"Master, you even brought the late emperor’s concubine out of the palace." Yi Yao initially intended to say ’slept with,’ but felt it was too direct and quickly changed her words, her eyes full of surprise. She then remembered the master’s dealings with the Empress Dowager, wondering if those were also true.

Ye Wanqiu’s face was burning red, and she didn’t dare to look up at anyone. She wished to flee the room, but was held by Chen Mo, so she could only bury her head in Chen Mo’s chest, pretending to be mute.

Fortunately, the women were all surprised but did not blame or reproach her.

The only one having a hard time accepting it was Zhao Jiangning, but on second thought, Consort Jing was just one of his father’s numerous unrecognized consorts, so it didn’t matter much.

"I am of a brothel background; how dare I hope to bow alongside Miss Wu and Her Highness to the master, wouldn’t that tarnish their status?" Ripples said, sneakily glancing at Chen Mo, "As long as the master doesn’t drive me away, I will be satisfied."

"If you don’t leave, I won’t abandon you." Chen Mo promised her.

Then there was Zhang Ru, who had been married before and similarly didn’t dare to hope.

Zhao Jiangning was Chen Mo’s legitimate concubine; this marriage would also make her one of the consorts, so of course, she would not refuse.

Luo Zhen nodded with a red face.

Xu Miaozhen also shook her head, "I was married before, on the day of the ceremony, the guests attending will all be people of eminent status, I won’t embarrass the master."

But Luo Zhen pulled her, asking her to accompany her.

Although Xu Miaozhen was married, she remained untouched.

Under Luo Zhen’s request, Xu Miaozhen nodded with a flushed face.

As a woman, who wouldn’t want to step into the marriage hall with the man they love.

It’s just that due to status, she dared not hope.

Yi Yao glanced at Jiang Ruoqing, and before Yi Yao could speak, Jiang Ruoqing said, "Although Yaoyao and I are both your women now, if we were to bow together, it would truly be unthinkable. Let Yaoyao marry you, and I won’t."

Yi Yao shook her head, "No, marriage is a major event in a woman’s life. Master, how can you delay yourself for my sake? If you’re worried about this, you can expel me from the sect, then it won’t matter."

"..."

"Yaoyao, what nonsense are you talking about?" Jiang Ruoqing said with a blushing face, exasperated.

"Master, I’m serious. Otherwise, you should marry the master. When I entered the house, I secretly bowed with the master." Yi Yao decided to fulfill her master’s wish.

"No, no," Jiang Ruoqing felt it was delaying her disciple’s happiness.

"If master doesn’t marry, then... then I won’t either." Yi Yao stubbornly clung to Jiang Ruoqing.

After some discussion, both eventually decided to do it together.

The two had already shared a bed; if this was considered as such, it had already crossed the line long ago, one more time wouldn’t make a difference.

Chun Lan, Xia Lan, Qiu Lan, and Dong Lan also refused by themselves.

In their view, even Ye Wanqiu, Xu Miaozhen, Ripples, and Zhang Ru had declined, how could they think themselves more noble, how could they have the face.

Zhao Jiangning skillfully said, "Since Wanqiu and the others cannot marry openly, after the ceremony, they can secretly bow to the master, leaving no regrets."

Upon hearing this, Yi Yao, Jiang Ruoqing, Luo Zhen, and others nodded, thinking it a good idea, leaving no one out.

Chen Mo did not interject throughout, letting them decide on their own.

If Chun Lan and the others also wished to join, Chen Mo would have no objections and would discuss with Wu Lu to add a few more.

After the discussion, Chen Mo did not keep them for a daytime romp; he still had to go to Weiyang Palace later.

He had been taking care of himself these past few days and hadn’t visited Yunxi. If he didn’t go now, the Empress Dowager might throw a fit.

...

Luo Zhen pulled Xu Miaozhen back to her room.

With only a little over ten days until the wedding, time felt tight to them.

They hadn’t prepared dowries, wedding gowns, or anything of the sort.

The master didn’t have elders at home, and with so many women, they certainly couldn’t help them. Therefore these matters were up to them to handle.

After Luo Zhen talked about this to Xu Miaozhen, the latter frowned, looking troubled, and said, "I eat the master’s food, use the master’s resources, what spare money do I have to buy a dowry..."

"A dowry is unnecessary; the master shouldn’t lack that. But the attire is a must. On the ceremony day, we must dress beautifully and outshine Yi Yao and the others," said Luo Zhen.

Though their relationships were good, matters like this still called for some competition.

Luo Zhen was confident she could outshine the other women at that time.

"If you don’t have the money, Miaozhen, I’ll lend it to you," said Luo Zhen, who was in charge of the finances at the Chen Mansion.

...

Weiyang Palace.

Inside the bedchamber, the curtains of the Phoenix Bed hung low. In the bedding, Xiao Yunxi lay in Chen Mo’s arms, hugging his neck, her body covered in sweat, as if she had just finished a sauna, or like a freshly steamed white bun, thoroughly cooked.

She secretly glanced at the other side of Chen Mo, where Xiao Qing’Er had fallen asleep, and said, "Though I cannot marry you ceremoniously, you mustn’t wrong Qing’Er. When she gave herself to you, she was pure, and I know her very well. At the time, she’ll enter the doors alongside Xin’Er and Jiangning."

Playing with the large white bundle, Chen Mo smiled and nodded, "I’ll do as you say."