Daybreak was gradually lighting up the sky, with the pale glow of dawn spreading in the east.
On the gate of Feng Mansion, several strings of red lanterns hung high, strikingly conspicuous.
Inside Feng Mansion, both the main and the second branches were brimming with joy.
Feng Zhanlian, whose reputation was pierced by Feng Bailing at the Xia He Banquet, seemed to have a completely different demeanor today.
His face beamed with happiness, the fine satin garment accentuating the rosy hue on his cheeks.
Just thinking that today Feng Bailing would have to admit in front of everyone that she stole his poetry, Feng Zhanlian felt an overwhelming surge of excitement.
Aunt Xue too was all smiles, temporarily putting the matter of Feng Ruoyan’s marriage out of her mind.
Aunt Xue had been busily arranging everything since early morning; Feng Mansion was short-staffed with just a few servants, and the large marriage affair was hectic. Fortunately, as soon as the marriage rites were over, the nanny sent by Noble Princess Consort Xiao from the palace would take over to facilitate the Seventh Prince’s arrangements.
In the south wing, Feng Xiangxue was adorned with the phoenix crown and bridal attire. She looked into the copper mirror at her reflection, her face as delicate as peach blossoms, which looked even more charming against the backdrop of her red gown.
"How are things in the north wing?"
Feng Xiangxue glanced at the north wing.
"Who could compare with the Second Miss? You are to be the Princess Consort, while she is merely a concubine. Even if she gets married, she is there to serve you. Tonight, the Seventh Prince will only be in the bridal chamber with you, the Second Miss."
The nanny spoke with a smile.
At the mention of the bridal chamber, Feng Xiangxue secretly clenched the packet of pig’s blood hidden in her arms.
She had her personal maid purchase it secretly from the market.
Premarital loss of virginity was a serious matter.
Fortunately, during the wedding night, the Seventh Prince was bound to drink a lot of alcohol.
Feng Xiangxue thought to herself that as long as she took advantage of Dongfang Li’s drunken haze and spilled the pig’s blood on the white cloth, she could deceive everyone.
As the nanny spoke, she adjusted the phoenix crown.
"Don’t touch my hair – get out."
Feng Xiangxue’s expression subtly changed as she reprimanded, forcing the nanny to sheepishly leave the room.
A maid pushed the door and walked in, and Feng Xiangxue asked.
"How are things I tasked you with?"
"Miss, rest assured, everything is arranged, and the payment has been given to the sedan chair bearers from the Princess’ Mansion."
A faint smile appeared in Feng Xiangxue’s eyes.
She had always had the upper hand over Feng Bailing since childhood.
This time, as she was getting married, she would do so splendidly. Feng Bailing’s concurrent marriage would only serve to highlight her own.
"Daylight is approaching, the Seventh Prince must have already been horseback riding around the city. He will come to fetch the bride soon. Go and make sure that little slut Feng Ruoyan doesn’t try anything."
Feng Xiangxue sent away the maid.
At that moment, someone entered the room.
Seeing that it was Lady Nan Feng, Feng Xiangxue greeted her with a slight nod, a bit of arrogance in her demeanor.
Before her marriage, she had been very respectful to Lady Nan Feng, relying on her money and connections.
But once she became the Princess Consort to the Seventh Prince, she would be of the Royal Family, and regardless of how wealthy Lady Nan Feng was, she was no more than a madam of a brothel in Feng Xiangxue’s eyes.
Lady Nan Feng noted the change in Feng Xiangxue’s attitude, and a cold laugh echoed in her heart.
"Second Miss really looks stunning, no wonder the Regent King is so smitten with you."
She strolled up to Feng Xiangxue, lavishing praises with a tsk.
Feng Xiangxue’s complexion turned ashen upon hearing this; she rose in alarm, her face stricken with terror.
"Aunt Nan, what are you blabbering about?"
"Second Miss, you’re quite forgetful, aren’t you? Have you forgotten that night of the Xia He Banquet? A single moment in a spring night is worth a thousand gold pieces."
Lady Nan Feng spoke with an undertone of innuendo.
Who exactly is Xiao Junci, that he would permit his woman to climb into another man’s bed?
He has always been the one to bed other men’s women; never has another man bedded his woman.
Just as Feng Xiangxue was about to speak, she saw Lady Nan Feng raise her sleeve.
Feng Xiangxue felt the world spinning and then fainted.
Lady Nan Feng clapped her hands.
A woman who was roughly the same size and had a similar voice to Feng Xiangxue entered the room.
She changed into Feng Xiangxue’s wedding attire and put on the phoenix crown and wedding veil.
When the maidservant entered the room again, "Feng Xiangxue" sat properly on the bed.
"Second Miss, the auspicious time is nearly upon us."
The maidservant helped "Feng Xiangxue" to her feet.
Around the same time, Chun Liu and Nanny Zhang were supporting Feng Bailing out the door.
"The Commandery Princess looks truly beautiful today. This wedding attire seems custom made for you. Among the Royal Family, no one can compare. The Prince’s taste is really good too."
Nanny Zhang saw that Feng Bailing was properly dressed, the vast expanse of red bringing out the woman’s slender figure, standing tall and straight, emanating an indescribable natural elegance.
"Nanny flatters me; I’m just of humble grace. The prime example of the Royal Family should be Crown Princess Consort Nalan."
It was indeed a coincidence that the wedding dress Lady Dugu made for her had almost never been modified.
It traced the curves of Feng Bailing superbly, and its embroidered craftsmanship was unparalleled.
"True beauty lies in one’s character, not just skin-deep. To this old servant’s eyes, the Commandery Princess possesses a grace of ice and jade bones that even Crown Princess Consort Nalan cannot match."
Though Nanny Zhang felt some regret that Feng Bailing’s face was ordinary, indeed, the bright wrists revealed by her wedding dress were as white as jade, enviable even to women.
"The auspicious time is upon us; we cannot lag behind Feng Mansion."
Ouyang Chenchen was getting fired up.
"Let’s get this straight; today we’re here to welcome the bridal procession, not to start a fight."
Outside, the sound of firecrackers and Suona already began to fill the air.
Although it was not long after dawn, the outside of the Princess’ Mansion and Feng Mansion were already swarming with people.
The citizens of Chu City had heard that both the Princess’ Mansion and Feng Mansion were marrying off daughters today.
One family was marrying off to Dugu Wu, the Ninth Prince, and the other to the Seventh Prince of the current dynasty.
These were affluent and noble characters, and both were from Chu City’s well-known families.
Especially, the Princess Feng of the Princess’ Mansion was somewhat of a legend.
Originally an ugly, fat, and simple-minded woman, rumored to be promiscuous, having birthed an illegitimate child, hence the Seventh Prince broke off their engagement.
Yet somehow, this Feng Sanwu, lacking in talent, appearance, and virtue, turned around and married Dugu Wu, the Ninth Prince, with her illegitimate child in tow.
Speaking of Dugu Wu, the Ninth Prince, he’s an even more conspicuous figure.
He married three Princess Consorts, and all of them died, notoriously known as a husband killer, he is also a cripple.
By comparison, the match of Feng Mansion’s two young ladies to the Seventh Prince was quite different.
He was handsome and affectionate, of noble status.
And the two young ladies of Feng Mansion were both talented and beautiful.
One side was a cripple marrying an ugly freak.
The other was a talented man marrying two delicate beauties; even before the auspicious time arrived, the differences were starkly apparent.
Although in terms of the woman’s family status, the Princess’ Mansion was higher, the crowd surrounding the Feng Mansion was vast and lively.
In contrast, the spectators outside the Princess’ Mansion were few and far between, like a couple of stray cats at most.
At the street corner, the wedding music began to play, followed by the sound of horse hooves.
Dongfang Li, the Seventh Prince, in his red attire on a tall horse, stood out with his upright and exceptionally handsome figure, earning praises from the surrounding crowd.