Xiao Yunxi advocated this approach knowing that her relationship with Chen Mo could not be made public, and it was even more impossible to openly marry Chen Mo. Despite the rumors swirling around Bianliang City, if they were to marry, it would become solid proof.

Having Qing’Er wear the phoenix crown and robes was more about having her replace herself to marry Chen Mo, creating a vague sense of participation.

Xiao Qing’Er dared not defy Xiao Yunxi; seeing her determination, Qing’Er nodded slightly.

Raising her hand to touch the phoenix crown and robes on the tray, Xiao Qing’Er’s cheeks flushed. She never imagined she would see the day she got married; previously, she dared not even dream of such a thing.

Although her surname was Xiao, in some sense, she was a "Death Warrior" cultivated by the Xiao Family. Unlike other Death Warriors, she wasn’t fully brainwashed but merely instilled with loyalty to the Xiao Family.

With such an identity, she couldn’t marry.

Let alone marrying the now immensely powerful Prince Zhen Nan.

Xiao Qing’Er no longer harbored resentment towards Chen Mo in her heart.

Sometimes she wondered if she was a wanton woman for not resenting the man who took her against her will...

But now she seemed to understand something. It was out of gratitude towards the Xiao Family and the Empress Dowager. So, after that night’s incident, the Empress Dowager’s consolations led her to regard not holding a grudge against Chen Mo as a form of recompense.

Later on, Chen Mo treated her quite well. Whether it was gifts or anything else, she was always included. Coupled with traditional thinking, since he took her body, she was thus his person.

In this way, resentment gradually dissipated bit by bit.

"The Empress Dowager has already spoken to mother. From now on, you will be her goddaughter. Tomorrow, you will be married to him as my sister," Xiao Yunxi said.

Hearing this, Xiao Qing’Er was startled at first and then knelt before Xiao Yunxi with a thud: "The Empress Dowager’s kindness to this subject..."

"Still referring to yourself as ’this subject’," Xiao Yunxi teased.

"Qing’Er will never forget the Empress Dowager’s kindness," Xiao Qing’Er said respectfully, then tried to kowtow to Xiao Yunxi.

"Don’t..." Xiao Yunxi stopped her.

The reason Xiao Yunxi was doing this was not entirely for her sake but because she knew she could not marry Chen Mo in this life, so she compensated him in this way.

If one were to speak selfishly, Xiao Yunxi regarded Xiao Qing’Er as herself.

"The dowry has already been prepared for you by the Empress Dowager." Xiao Yunxi took a small booklet from her bosom and gave it to Xiao Qing’Er, "This documents the method to activate the Heaven-Burning Furnace. Pass it to him on your wedding night."

...

March 6th, early spring, sunny.

Auspicious day for marriage.

Inside Bianliang City, lanterns and decorations filled the streets. All sorts of officials and influential merchants, whether famous or not, invited or uninvited, went to Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion to celebrate the grand wedding.

Whether or not one could attend the banquet, sending a wedding gift was essential.

If every official around gave a gift, how could you not? Do you have an issue with Prince Zhen Nan?

If the gift impresses Prince Zhen Nan and he remembers your name, wouldn’t you rise to prominence in the future?

Even King Yan of Youzhou and King Mu of Fengzhou sent people to congratulate.

The present emperor personally attended and wrote a congratulatory message.

If Chen Mo hadn’t wanted to avoid causing a scene, Li Weiqiu and others would have proposed a review of the Imperial Guard earlier.

Witch Mansion.

Chun Yan stood in line along the courtyard wall, curiously observing the diverse scenes within the vast mansion.

Inside the mansion, guards and maids moved back and forth, filled with both busyness and cheer.

In the inner chambers, inside Wu Xin’Er’s boudoir, a maid carried a tray laden with wedding gowns and gold and jade jewelry, all of Princess Consort’s specifications.

Wu Xin’Er sat in a bathing barrel, meticulously cleansing her body with a towel, leaving no spot untouched.

Rose essential oil was added to the hot water, allowing the rose fragrance to last a day.

This was her wedding, and Wu Xin’Er didn’t wish to be careless in the slightest; everything had to be perfect.

At that moment, the door knocked and an old woman’s voice came through: "Miss, this old servant is Momo Tian, summoned by Madam to help you dress."

Getting married meant you couldn’t dress as usual; only a nanny who understood the rules could handle it.

"Miss is still bathing, please ask Momo Tian to wait a moment," the maid beside Wu Xin’Er replied.

"Certainly." Momo Tian nodded, "But please hurry, the wedding procession will be arriving soon, don’t miss the auspicious time."

"Understood." Wu Xin’Er replied.

After she emerged from the bath and changed into her underclothes, she let Momo Tian in.

Upon entering, Momo Tian deftly helped Wu Xin’Er dress in a wedding gown with the maid, swiftly styling her hair and applying makeup, all done exquisitely without any cutting corners.

As she applied the makeup, Momo Tian emphasized the three obediences and four virtues to Wu Xin’Er, along with how to manage the household post-marriage.

Wu Xin’Er listened quietly, even though she was already well aware, yet still felt a bit nervous inside.

Once everything was ready, Momo Tian dismissed the maids and quietly said to Wu Xin’Er: "Miss, you likely don’t know how to enter the bridal chamber..."

Speaking thus, Momo Tian produced a small booklet from her bosom, opened it, and handed it to Wu Xin’Er, narrating: "The defloration can be painful, but if you endure, subsequent days will be..."

Looking at the booklet’s exquisite colored illustrations, Wu Xin’Er blushed deeply. The words Momo Tian spoke sounded like seductive whispers, leaving Wu Xin’Er bashful and embarrassed.

Finally, Momo Tian added, "In truth, if Miss doesn’t understand, it’s alright; just lie obediently, and Prince Zhen Nan will know what to do."

...

Just as Wu Xin’Er covered her red bridal veil, outside came the sound of drums and gongs, lively indeed.

The maid’s voice rang from outside the door: "Miss, Miss, Prince Zhen Nan has come to fetch the bride."

By custom, as she was marrying Prince Zhen Nan, Wu Xin’Er was to leave from the mansion in Prince Zhen Nan’s carriage.

However, Chen Mo cared for her, personally entering the mansion and carrying her out in a princess hold, placing her onto the carriage.

After Chen Mo mounted his horse, the festively dressed Gao Zheng smiled and shouted loudly, "Set off the sedan chair."

"Play the music, play the music..." Wu Lu hurriedly urged.

The distance from Witch Mansion to Chen Mansion wasn’t far, but on both sides of the street, every five steps stood an Imperial Guard, keeping the onlookers at bay.

"Here it comes, here it comes, the procession!"

"Can we see the bride?"

The townsfolk stood on their tiptoes, eagerly peering.

As the bridal procession approached, everyone cheered enthusiastically.

Chen Mo wasn’t stingy; he immediately signaled Gao Zheng to start tossing copper coins.

"Catch the good fortune!" Gao Zheng grabbed a handful of copper coins and tossed them above the crowd on the left.