Chapter 819: Chapter 777: Fetching the Bride (Third Update)

Outside the courtyard, a granny was keeping watch and immediately went inside to report upon seeing Song Yuanbao.

Wen Wan heard that Song Yuanbao had returned, and after greeting the guests, she came out.

The room was filled with women, so Song Yuanbao felt uncomfortable entering and stayed at the courtyard gate.

Seeing Wen Wan, he bowed respectfully, calling out, "Mother."

"Yuanbao?" Wen Wan saw him and was very delighted, "I’ve been so busy today that my feet didn’t touch the ground, I didn’t have time to go out. The servants told me you ranked first in the Imperial Exam and have returned after the horseback parade?"

Recalling the guests’ praise for Wen Wan, Song Yuanbao suddenly smiled and cupped his hands in salute, "That’s all thanks to Mother’s blessings for our family."

Wen Wan was momentarily taken aback by his politeness, then she stepped forward to gently support him, "Everything is prepared at home; we’re just waiting for you to go to the Ye Family to meet your bride. You didn’t sleep well last night, can you hold up? If not, go back to your room for a nap; there’s still plenty of time."

Earlier at Taihe Palace, Song Yuanbao indeed was very sleepy, but later was stirred awake by Zhao Xi. Not wishing to sleep anymore, he glanced around and asked Wen Wan, "Is my father still at the palace?"

Wen Wan nodded, "Yes, not only is it your big wedding day, but also the new emperor’s enthronement and empress coronation ceremonies are happening today. As a Standard Fourth Rank court official, he should be present."

"What if I bring the bride here and there’s one less person for the ancestral rites?" Song Yuanbao was a bit worried.

Meanwhile, the fathers and brothers of the Ye Family couldn’t attend; if there’s one less person from their own side, the bride would surely feel something.

"Don’t worry!" Wen Wan comforted him, "Your father knows his priorities and certainly will find a way to return before the ceremonial rites."

Song Yuanbao nodded, wanting to check out the outer courtyard, when Xu Dengke voiced concern, "I see you’re not in a good spirit; it’s better to rest for a bit, lest something goes wrong when you fetch the bride."

Wen Wan wholeheartedly agreed and also urged, "Yuanbao, today is your big day; you need to be energetic. Go rest now, and I’ll handle everything else."

With both saying this, Song Yuanbao couldn’t refuse repeatedly, "Then I’ll return to my room first. Wake me if there’s anything."

After watching Song Yuanbao walk away, Wen Wan remembered to congratulate Xu Dengke, "Husband told me accurately that you are a pillar of the court, hindered by time. If healed years earlier, perhaps you’d already be at the pinnacle of power."

"Madam overpraises." Xu Dengke humbly smiled, "I owe my today to the favor of the Master and Mistress, being able to excel in studies is already a great gratitude, I don’t seek high courtesies, only to not betray my conscience in service to the court."

Wen Wan had always trusted Song Wei’s judgment. When Xu Dengke first came to the Song family, she never looked down on him due to his personal disabilities, and upon hearing Xu Dengke today, she felt even more that his character was very rare.

With a smile at her lips, Wen Wan spoke, "May you always stay true to your heart, Mister."

...

After Song Yuanbao returned to his room, the young servants in the courtyard automatically retreated, daring not to interrupt him. He slept for over half an hour before Wen Wan sent someone to wake him.

Being served to wash up and change, he donned the big red robe prepared for the wedding.

He stepped toward the front courtyard and ran into Song Wei, who had just returned home.

"Dad." Song Yuanbao called to him.

Song Wei glanced his way, with a slight smile on the edge of his eyes, "This outfit suits you well."

"As well-fitting as it may be, it’s only worn for one day." After joking, Song Yuanbao asked Song Wei, "Was the enthronement ceremony completed?"

"The enthronement ceremony is quite complex." Song Wei honestly replied, "I was granted special leave by Your Majesty to return and attend the rites."

"Your Majesty?" For a moment, Song Yuanbao was not accustomed to Song Wei’s address for Zhao Xi.

"Yes, it was indeed he who let me return." Song Wei repeated.

Song Yuanbao’s complexion darkened, "Earlier in Taihe Palace, when I called him, he ignored me."

"I heard about this." Song Wei said, "In the future, do not tease Your Majesty in public places, understood?"

Song Yuanbao wanted to explain he hadn’t been teasing, that he was sincerely wanting to ask if things had changed between him and Zhao Xi after Zhao Xi became Emperor, whether they still could be friends, his queries were not careless, but spontaneous. However, he decided not to divulge those thoughts.

Indeed, in others’ eyes, his query was untimely.

Enough, enough, there is no such thing as true empathy in this world, why compel everyone to understand his sentiments at that moment.

Murmuring an "Okay," Song Yuanbao obediently nodded, "I understand, I certainly won’t do so in the future. Dad, I’m going to fetch the bride now, you may be busy with your matters."

Song Wei did not depart, watching Song Yuanbao lead the welcoming party out of the residence before letting out a faint sigh.

The Emperor spent a tremendous amount of effort to sever love bonds for the new emperor; the Zhao Xi today is unlike the Crown Prince of old.

Upon assuming the throne, he would only conceal himself further.

It must be said, Yuanbao’s upbringing was so smooth sailing, having never encountered major storms in life, developing an outwardly careless yet essentially loyal and affectionate nature. He isn’t cold-hearted; even if he flips on you this moment, in the next he could be smiling as if nothing happened. Unlike Zhao Xi, he couldn’t possibly act in such manner.

Thinking this, Song Wei sighed again.

Yuanbao’s temperament, who knows if it will be good or bad for the future.

...

Song Yuanbao led the welcoming party to the Ye Family.

Ye Rong wasn’t present; the Ye Family gatekeepers were easily appeased—a single red envelope wouldn’t do, a second would, and if not, a third one would solve it.

Ye Zheng, the eldest son, posed several questions at the gate, but who is Song Yuanbao—a new top scholar and a clever personality with a mind faster than anyone, answering effortlessly, having also prepared a special floral book, knowing Ye Zheng was passionate about flowers. It was originally from Song Wei’s collection. Song Yuanbao spotted it while sorting the study days ago and requested it for today to appeal to his future brother-in-law.

Receiving the rare book, Ye Zheng was ecstatic, losing interest in barring the gate, directly letting them through.

Finding Song Yuanbao entering the inner courtyard easily, Mrs. Yu jokingly scolded, "This rascal, still so early, yet in such a hurry?"

Contrarily, Ye Ling, dressed up and waiting on the bedside, blushed red.

She instinctively raised her eyes to look out the window but hadn’t seen Song Yuanbao before her head was covered, her view blocked.

Mrs. Yu corrected the veil while saying, "After you go to the husband’s home, you’ll have decades to see him properly, for now, sit and wait for him to come pick you."

Ye Ling was embarrassed and shy, "Mother, how could you?"

Mrs. Yu responded coyly, "I’ve told you all you should and shouldn’t hear; what’s still bothering you now? Hurry and give me a grandchild, a grandson I cannot hope for, only you can do it."

Ye Ling’s face was ablaze, quietly murmuring, "Getting more absurd."

Mrs. Yu was an outgoing and unreserved person in speech, but seeing her daughter so embarrassed, almost wanting to hide, she quickly reigned in her teasing, "Alright, I’ll head to the main hall; shortly, your uncle’s wife and aunt will support you. Also, your elder brother is waiting outside to carry you out."

"Okay, got it."

Ye Ling acknowledged, though her mind had already wandered to Song Yuanbao, imagining how dashing he would be today in his red robe parading on horseback..