Chapter 581: 666 Fallen Cao Xiyue
The group was moving very slowly because for the sedan chair to be comfortable, it couldn’t go too fast.
Cao Xiyue sat inside the sedan chair, occasionally lifting a corner of the curtain to sneak a peek at the silhouette of the man riding ahead, feeling as though she had tasted honey in her heart.
According to the arranged plan, she was to wait until she arrived at the Capital, where the Prince Zhen Nan’s wedding party would welcome her at the docks.
And due to her status, Prince Zhen Nan wouldn’t personally come to receive her but would send someone under him.
However, now not only did Prince Zhen Nan come to receive her personally, but he also came early to the docks at Qingshan Town to greet her. What an honor this was!
How she was treated made Cao Xiyue feel that even if she were to die now, she would have no regrets.
At this moment, she was completely enamored with Chen Mo.
The procession was grand and impressive; even Cao Xiyue’s maid, Qing’Er, felt exalted, and she even felt superior to others. Along the way, she constantly spoke of Chen Mo’s virtues, making Cao Xiyue more infatuated with him.
In the evening, the group stayed at the inn, and just after Cao Xiyue had finished washing and changed into her night attire, the maid came in to inform her that Prince Zhen Nan had arrived.
Cao Xiyue’s delicate face turned slightly red, her breath slightly quickened, and she couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing visiting so late.
After all, they weren’t married yet, and this was obviously against the rules of etiquette.
Yet, moved as she was during the day, Cao Xiyue didn’t feel this was improper and hurriedly asked Qing’Er to invite Chen Mo in.
When Chen Mo came in, Qing’Er, being perceptive, took her leave.
Chen Mo had already removed the red flower from his attire and, upon entering the room, courteously said, "Miss Xiyue, sorry to disturb you."
"You’re too polite, Prince."
Cao Xiyue was dressed in a simple green outfit without any adornments, making her look clean and elegant, with her skin glowing white. Her plump chest and slender, flexible waist made her figure long and graceful, showcasing a very Jiangnan lady style.
"Prince...Prince, is there dirt on my face? You’re...you’re staring at me like that."
Chen Mo’s gaze made Cao Xiyue’s face flush, and she unwittingly wrung her hands together before belatedly inviting him to sit.
"I came over so late mainly to discuss something with you," said Chen Mo.
Cao Xiyue personally poured tea for Chen Mo, and after hearing his words, she hesitated for a moment before kneeling beside him and softly said, "Prince, please go ahead."
But at that moment, Cao Xiyue felt her hand being held by Chen Mo, which made her instinctively pull back her hand. She then realized her reaction was a bit exaggerated, worrying it might displease him, so she placed her hand back and lowered her head, not daring to look at Chen Mo.
Chen Mo found her a bit adorable and smiled: "In a few days, you’ll be entering the manor, and you and I will be husband and wife, so there’s no need to use such formal language anymore; it makes us seem distant."
Cao Xiyue nodded with a blushing face but still did not lift her head.
Chen Mo played with her jade-like hand and said, "It’s nothing too important, but I still wanted to mention it to you in advance, so you won’t be displeased. Entering the manor with you will be two others, one is Princess Huixian from the Wan Kingdom, and the other is Qi Nichang..."
Chen Mo did not mention Qi Nichang’s status.
Being a scholar and also a female scholar, she understood that society prioritized men. Any wealthy or powerful person would have multiple wives and concubines; it was even more so for Chen Mo, being Prince Zhen Nan. Cao Xiyue didn’t mind this, but the fact that Chen Mo told her in advance made her happy. She nodded slightly, showing she understood.
"Do you have anything you’d like to say?"
Chen Mo thought that given Cao Xiyue had read so many books, she might have her own opinion or thoughts on this matter.
Cao Xiyue spoke, "I will certainly serve the prince well alongside the sisters."
"Silly girl." Chen Mo pulled Cao Xiyue into his arms and kissed her forehead gently.
Cao Xiyue’s delicate body trembled slightly. She looked up at Chen Mo, thinking he couldn’t resist wanting to consummate the marriage early, so she said, "Please, Prince, be gentle."
If not for the day’s events, she would have slightly resisted, saying such an action was improper. But now, her heart had already fallen, and even if Chen Mo wanted to do more, she wouldn’t object.
Chen Mo raised his hand to caress her tender face, and the softness of her skin made him afraid to use any force, feeling as though his touch might damage her skin. His fingers slipped down her face and gently lifted her chin.
Her lips were full and glossy. Chen Mo couldn’t resist and lowered his head to kiss her lips, savoring the moment.
Cao Xiyue clutched her clothes tightly, her eyelashes fluttered, and she didn’t resist, letting Chen Mo do as he wished.
Fortunately, Chen Mo released her after just a brief kiss and said: "I was a bit out of line, you should rest early, I’ll leave now."
With that, Chen Mo left Cao Xiyue’s room.
He knew Cao Xiyue was filled with anticipation, so he wanted to give her a perfect wedding. To take her now would be as though to mar a blank sheet of paper with a splatter of ink.
...
Three days later, the wedding procession finally arrived at the Capital.
The timing was planned early, so it didn’t miss the auspicious hour, and according to the time, the grand wedding was to be held the next day.
Cao Xiyue, after all, was not Wu Xin’Er, and such an elaborate celebration as the previous one was impossible.
Even if Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion found no trouble with it, the Wu Family would not agree. After all, the scale of weddings had to match one’s status and family background.
On Wu Xin’Er’s wedding day, Bianliang City streets were full of red lanterns, but Cao Xiyue didn’t receive such treatment.
The red lanterns on Vermilion Bird Avenue were hung in favor of Princess Huixian.
Cao Xiyue understood this, but she was already very content and not at all displeased.
On the contrary, Chen Mo gave her a big surprise.
She actually met her parents at Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion.
It turned out that shortly after Cao Xiyue left, Cao Benyuan also set out on his journey. Because he sold off the family’s properties, there wasn’t much to pack. After packing a few clothes and riding a fast horse given by the Wu Family, his speed was faster than by water.
Though he set off later, he actually arrived at the Capital a day earlier than Cao Xiyue.
After learning the details, Cao Xiyue found out her father had been promoted and came to the Capital to be an official.
It was obvious that this was arranged by Prince Zhen Nan.
Cao Xiyue was moved to tears.
What great deeds had she done in her past life to deserve meeting him?
There was no one better in this world than him.
She lay on the bed, hugging the quilt, a faint smile on her face. She closed her eyes and inhaled the scent on the quilt, just like she gently smelled Chen Mo’s robe that day, savoring his scent.
If it truly was a fateful blessing cultivated in a previous life, then she must also do all the good deeds she can in this life, hoping in the next life to meet him again, to be together with him, hand in hand.
