Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 567: The Grand Wedding (Part 1)

It was probably because Jiang Shaohua had been too engrossed in the booklet the previous night, and her dreams were continuous and restless; she woke up before the fifth hour.

Fortunately, she was young and healthy, so an occasional sleepless night didn’t affect her much. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, her face remained fair and rosy.

"Warm water is ready, Commandery Princess, please take a bath."

Yin Zhutu Bai cheerfully assisted their master in bathing and dressing.

The best wedding maid in Nanyang County had long been invited to stay in the Prince Mansion. Now was the time for the wedding maid to showcase her skills.

This wedding maid, in her thirties, was skillful and clever; she first cleared Jiang Shaohua’s face and then carefully cleansed and powdered it.

Jiang Shaohua instructed, "The makeup should be subtle, without being too heavy."

Used to reserved and speechless brides-to-be, the wedding maid was taken aback by such instructions and instinctively replied, "A bride’s makeup should be elaborate and thick to look especially beautiful when the veil is lifted."

It was only after speaking that she realized her mistake.

Jiang Shaohua was no shy maiden awaiting marriage; she was going to ride a horse to welcome her husband today. Heavy makeup would melt under the sun, which was indeed unsuitable.

The wedding maid, realizing her mistake, felt a pang of anxiety and hastily knelt down to plead, "This commoner spoke out of turn, please forgive me, Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "No need to panic, get up." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Subsequently, the wedding maid dared not speak further and delicately applied a light bridal makeup for Jiang Shaohua. Afterward, when Jiang Shaohua changed into a wedding dress similar to a commandery princess’s attire, Chen Jinyu marveled, "The Commandery Princess looks truly beautiful!"

Yin Zhutu Bai nodded in agreement, while Mrs. Zhang beamed with pride, unable to contain her grin.

Present to join in the excitement, Aunt Mei and Lu Ruohua, both mother and daughter, exclaimed in awe.

Since attending school in Ye County, Lu Ruohua had become more lively and cheerful, and her brows held an air of heroism. At ten years old this year, she was taller than girls her age and exuded a budding charm, "Sister, you look truly beautiful today. This wedding dress is also exceptionally unique."

Aunt Mei softly laughed, "This wedding dress is similar to the Commandery Princess’s attire, enhancing the Commandery Princess’s elegance."

Indeed!

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes sparkled brilliantly, and dressed in a gown-style wedding attire, her elegance was even more pronounced. She turned smilingly to the crowd, "The guests are coming in droves; I must go out to greet them. Only when the auspicious time arrives will I go to welcome the groom."

Lu Ruohua was full of aspirations and declared, "When I grow up, I want to welcome a groom, like sister."

The women in the room all laughed.

Aunt Mei felt flush with embarrassment for her daughter’s bold words and quickly glared at Lu Ruohua, "Do you think everyone is qualified to welcome a groom? Hush, don’t speak carelessly."

Lu Ruohua responded confidently, "I know I’m far from being like my sister. However, I study diligently now, and when I’ve learned well in the future, I will seek a proper official job from my sister, working earnestly for my living. Even if I marry, I want to be like Chen Sheren, doing official duties even after marriage. Otherwise, I’d rather not marry at all."

Chen Jinyu smiled gently, "Miss Ruohua’s grand ambition is commendable and worthy of congratulations."

Aunt Mei was so anxious that sweat appeared on her forehead, "Ruohua, hush quickly."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Aunt Mei, don’t worry. Sister Ruohua has ambition and spirit, which is very good in my opinion. Once she matures in her studies, I’ll certainly arrange a position for her."

Jiang Shaohua makes promises sparingly, but once given, her words are as good as gold.

Aunt Mei’s initial fear and anxiety instantly turned to joy, and she repeatedly expressed her gratitude.

Lu Ruohua joyfully approached, "Thank you, sister, for having my back."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "I will back not just you, but all ambitious women in Nanyang County."

Such domineering words!

Lu Ruohua gazed in admiration as her elder sister left the boudoir, then turned to Aunt Mei, "Mother, I also want to be like Chen Sheren and others, working as a female official for the Prince Mansion, serving the Commandery Princess."

Aunt Mei was in a great mood and gently touched her daughter’s soft face, laughing softly, "Your ambition is good. However, you are still young and must study diligently. Don’t embarrass the Commandery Princess."

Lu Ruohua beamed with pride and confidence, "Certainly. In school, my studies are always among the best. Apart from Lu Zhen, no one surpasses me." Then she added quietly, "What if Father stops me from going to work in the future?"

Aunt Mei whispered, "Don’t fear him. Within and outside the Prince Mansion, it is the Commandery Princess who has the final say. As long as she agrees, he cannot stop you."

...

Sneeze!

Lu Xuan, busy greeting distinguished guests, suddenly sneezed.

Who knew who was talking ill of him behind his back?

Today was Jiang Shaohua’s wedding day, and the guests who came to congratulate seemed almost to break down the mansion’s threshold. Chief Historian Chen, Chief Historian Feng, and other officials were all busy entertaining guests. Lu Xuan, as the father of the Commandery Princess, naturally needed to stand out on such an occasion.

Many guests from afar, unfamiliar with the situation, were particularly warm towards Lu Xuan. Lu Xuan felt again the long-lost joy of being admired.

"The Commandery Princess is here!"

The guests surged forward to greet her.

The Nanyang County Princess, in a beautiful red wedding dress like a heavenly being, greeted and conversed with the crowd with a smile.

Such a scene would be unimaginable on a typical day but felt perfectly natural at the Nanyang Prince Mansion. This was the profound influence brought by status and power and formidable strength.

Even officials like Governor Xue and Governor Fang saw nothing inappropriate in the Commandery Princess’s actions.

Unwilling to be neglected, Lu Xuan thickened his skin and moved forward, publicly praising his daughter’s beauty, wisdom, and decisiveness as unparalleled.

As a father, such flattery bordering on sycophancy of one’s daughter was a pathetic decline of paternal authority.

The crowd did not think so. If they had a daughter like Jiang Shaohua, they would bend lower than Lu Xuan.

As long as Lu Xuan behaved, Jiang Shaohua was willing to give him some face. Disrespect for one’s elders doesn’t earn a good reputation; as long as the relationship isn’t completely severed, it’s no harm playing the act in public.

"Commandery Princess, the auspicious time for the wedding procession has arrived."

As the Chief Steward, Ma Yaosong, tirelessly managed the affairs inside and outside, "Please, Commandery Princess, proceed to welcome the groom."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and nodded slightly, and surrounded by the crowd, she exited the Prince Mansion, mounted her steed, and proceeded to the Cui Mansion to welcome her groom.

A hundred tall and sturdy trusted aides led the way, and another hundred robust and mighty trusted aides brought up the rear. The procession of welcoming the groom was grand, and the young woman on the steed was beautiful and dazzling, her presence extraordinary.

Such a wedding procession was indeed unprecedented in history.

On the Cui Mansion’s side, the main gate had long been opened. When the trusted aides arrived at the Cui Mansion, the Cui Family began to set off firecrackers, which continued until the entire welcoming procession arrived, never ceasing.