usatvline Chapter 142 Xu Longxiang coughed up blood!
Chapter 142 Xu Longxiang coughed up blood!
At the beginning of the hour of Wei (1-3 PM), in the Imperial Palace, at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
This is the venue for the grand wedding ceremony.
Compared to the solemnity of the morning sacrificial ceremony at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the atmosphere inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony is more luxurious and festive.
The palace was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, with red silk lanterns hanging everywhere. The floor was covered with a scarlet carpet brought from Persia, which was soft and silent underfoot.
Hundreds of sandalwood tables were placed on both sides, and the tables were laden with fine wines and delicacies, including rare and exotic foods.
Civil and military officials, princes, and envoys from various countries have taken their seats according to their ranks.
Qin Mu sat high on the dragon throne, still wearing the black robe with twelve embroidered symbols and the crown with twelve tassels.
Under the bright palace lanterns inside the hall, the pearl tassels reflected a dazzling halo.
Below him on either side, there is a slightly smaller phoenix chair.
Xu Fenghua sat on the phoenix chair on the left.
She had changed out of the bright red auspicious robe she wore for the morning's sacrificial ceremony and into a more luxurious deep purple palace dress with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix.
Her hair was styled anew, and she wore a nine-phoenix crown, with each of the nine golden phoenixes holding a string of pearl tassels in its beak, swaying gently with her movements.
Her makeup was still exquisite, but her face was paler than in the morning, and deep within her amber eyes, it seemed as if a layer of ice had formed that would never melt.
Jiang Qingxue sat on the phoenix chair on the right.
She was wearing a rose-red palace dress in the style of an imperial concubine, which was a grade lower than Xu Fenghua's deep purple dress.
Her hair was adorned with gold hairpins and pearl flowers, and her earrings had been replaced with rubies, which gleamed eerily under the palace lanterns.
She lowered her head, her hands clasped on her knees, her posture dignified, yet stiff as a puppet.
The knuckles of his fingers, gripping the palace fan, turned white, revealing his extreme nervousness.
Inside the hall, the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air, and dancers moved gracefully.
A scene of prosperity and peace, filled with singing and dancing.
However, upon closer inspection, one can see that many people's expressions are not natural.
Li Si sat at the head of the civil officials' seats, holding a cup of wine, but did not drink it for a long time.
His gaze frequently swept over Qin Mu on the dragon throne and over Xu Fenghua on the phoenix throne, his eyes filled with worry and sorrow.
Wang Ben sat at the head of the military officers' seats, drinking heavily and laughing loudly, displaying a carefree and unrestrained demeanor.
Zhao Qingxue sat at the head of the envoys' seats, toying with a jade wine vessel in her hand. Her deep purple phoenix eyes, peering through the pearl and jade tassels, quietly observed everyone in the hall.
Her gaze lingered on Xu Longxiang for a moment.
Xu Longxiang sat in the ranks of the northern vassal kings, drinking wine with his head bowed and his face expressionless.
But his jaw was clenched tightly, his knuckles were white as he gripped the glass, and the wine in the glass rippled slightly from the trembling.
A barely perceptible smile curved the corners of Zhao Qingxue's lips.
Tolerance.
But if you endure too much, you'll create a weakness.
Just then—
"The auspicious time has arrived!"
Minister of Rites Lu Mingyuan loudly proclaimed the rites:
"The newlyweds bow—!"
The music stopped, and the dancers withdrew.
The hall fell silent instantly.
All eyes were focused on the dragon throne and the two phoenix thrones.
Qin Mu slowly stood up.
He walked into the hall and faced the direction of the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
Xu Fenghua and Jiang Qingxue also got up with the help of the palace maids and walked to his sides.
"I bow to Heaven and Earth!"
Qin Mu bowed slightly.
Xu Fenghua and Jiang Qingxue followed suit and bowed.
"Bowing to our parents again!"
Qin Mu turned towards the direction where the ancestral tablets of past emperors were enshrined and bowed again.
Xu Fenghua and Jiang Qingxue followed suit and bowed.
As Jiang Qingxue bent over, her body swayed almost imperceptibly, and she nearly fell.
Fortunately, the palace maid beside her caught her in time, and she was able to stand up with difficulty.
"Husband and wife bow to each other—!"
Qin Mu turned around and faced the two concubines.
Xu Fenghua and Jiang Qingxue also turned around to face Qin Mu.
The three stood facing each other.
A smile played on Qin Mu's lips as he glanced at the two concubines through the jeweled tassels.
Xu Fenghua remained expressionless, her eyes filled with a deathly stillness.
Jiang Qingxue's face was deathly pale, and her eyelashes trembled violently.
Then, all three bowed at the same time.
The pearls and jade on the crown clinked together, making a crisp sound.
"The ceremony is complete!"
Lu Mingyuan's voice resounded throughout the hall:
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Consort Hua! Congratulations, Consort Xue!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Consort Hua! Congratulations, Consort Xue!"
The officials inside the hall responded in unison, their voices forming a torrent that echoed throughout the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Xu Longxiang also spoke, but his voice was dry and hoarse, and every word seemed to be forced out of his throat.
He stared intently at the three figures standing opposite each other, at the scene of his sister and Qingxue bowing to the tyrant, and his vision blurred.
"puff--"
He finally lost control, and a mouthful of blood welled up in his throat.
But he clenched his teeth and forced the blood back down.
The taste of blood filled his mouth, and the rusty, sweet-smelling taste almost made him vomit.
"Your Highness..." Sikong Xuan, who was beside him, noticed his unusual behavior and reminded him in a low voice.
Xu Longxiang slowly closed his eyes.
When he opened his eyes again, all he saw was a cold, lifeless stillness, with only a flame burning deep within his pupils, a flame powerful enough to incinerate everything.
"I'm fine," he said in a low voice, his voice hoarse as if sand were grinding against each other.
Then, he picked up the wine glass in front of him, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.
The liquor was strong, burning my throat, but it couldn't suppress the bone-deep hatred in my heart.
Qin Mu...
The humiliation of today will be repaid a hundredfold in the future!
I will definitely kill you!
Definitely!
........
After the ceremony, the banquet continued.
The music resumed, and the dancers re-entered the hall, their wide sleeves fluttering and their skirts swirling.
Fine wine and delicious food, toasts and laughter.
It was as if the absurd "couple's bowing" that had just taken place was merely an insignificant interlude.
Qin Mu sat back on the dragon throne, resting his chin on one hand, his posture languid.
He would occasionally pick up his wine glass and take a sip, and occasionally chat and laugh quietly with the concubines beside him, completely immersed in the joy of his new marriage.
Xu Fenghua sat upright on her phoenix chair, responding expressionlessly to the noblewomen and relatives who came to offer their congratulations.
Her response was polite yet distant, and the polite smile on her lips was icy cold.
Jiang Qingxue lowered her head and barely spoke.
When a noblewoman came to offer her congratulations, she merely nodded slightly, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.
Halfway through the banquet, Qin Mu suddenly spoke:
"Consort Hua".
Xu Fenghua slightly raised her eyes: "Your Majesty."
"Your brother is here today too." Qin Mu's gaze swept over the Northern Border Kings' procession. "Aren't you going to see him?"
Xu Fenghua stiffened almost imperceptibly.
She slowly stood up, faced Qin Mu, and bowed in greeting:
"Your Majesty, I... obey your command."
Then, led by a palace maid, she slowly stepped down from the phoenix throne and walked towards the procession of the northern vassal kings.
Every step was taken steadily.
But only she knew that her heart was pounding wildly at that moment.
.......
Xu Longxiang watched his sister walk towards him, and his breathing suddenly became rapid.
He forced himself to calm down and slowly stood up.
Xu Fenghua stopped three steps in front of him.
The brother and sister stood facing each other.
Xu Fenghua looked at her younger brother, seeing the undisguised pain and hatred in his eyes, and felt a pang of heartache.
But her face remained calm, and she even managed a polite smile.
"Longxiang," she began, her voice gentle yet carrying a deliberate distance, "it's been a long time."
Xu Longxiang stared intently at her, at the dazzling deep purple palace dress she wore, at the nine-phoenix crown on her head, and at the cold smile on her lips.
He wanted to ask: Sister, why did you enter the palace? Did Qin Mu force you? Do you have your reasons?
He wanted to say: Sister, I'm sorry, it's my fault, I couldn't protect you.
He wanted to yell: Qin Mu! I'm going to kill you!
But in the end, he couldn't say anything.
He could only bow deeply, his voice dry and hoarse:
"Your subject... pays respects to Consort Hua."
He spoke the words "Your Majesty" with extreme difficulty, as if they weighed a ton.
Xu Fenghua's eyes reddened slightly, but she quickly lowered her head to hide it.
"Rise," she said softly. "Today is the joyous occasion of His Majesty's and my wedding. I am very pleased that you could come."
She spoke very slowly, each word seeming to be squeezed out from her heart and lungs.
Xu Longxiang straightened up, looked at his sister, and after a long while, slowly said:
"Your Majesty, I offer my congratulations."
"Yes." Xu Fenghua nodded, paused, and added, "The northern border is bitterly cold, you must... take care of yourself."
"Your Majesty, I understand." Xu Longxiang lowered his eyes. "Your Majesty... please take care."
A brief silence fell between the two.
I have so much to say, yet I can't utter a single word.
Even though we're so close, it feels like we're worlds apart.
After a long silence, Xu Fenghua said softly:
"I...should go back now."
"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, respectfully see you off."
Xu Fenghua slowly turned around and, led by a palace maid, walked back to the phoenix throne step by step.
Her back was straight and her steps were steady, as if the brief meeting just now was nothing more than a casual greeting between siblings.
But Xu Longxiang saw it clearly—
As she turned away, a tear silently slid down her cheek, quickly disappearing into her hair.
Xu Longxiang clenched his teeth so tightly that blood seeped from his gums.
He slowly sat back down, picked up his wine glass, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.
The liquor was strong, burning my throat, but it couldn't suppress the excruciating pain in my heart.
elder sister……
He roared silently in his heart:
I will definitely get you out!
Definitely!
........
The banquet lasted until late afternoon before gradually dispersing.
Qin Mu, leading his two concubines, left the Hall of Supreme Harmony and headed towards the inner palace, escorted by officials and envoys.
As night deepened, the palace lanterns lit up one by one.
The imperial city was bathed in a festive red glow, as if the daytime hustle and bustle had not yet subsided.
But many people know that this absurd wedding was just the opening act of a grand drama.
The real undercurrents are quietly brewing in the darkness.
Xu Longxiang stood outside the palace gate, watching his sister and Qingxue being led by Qin Mu and gradually disappearing into the depths of the palace, his eyes flashing with a cold light.
Zhao Qingxue stood in the envoy's line, gazing in the direction Qin Mu had gone, her deep purple phoenix eyes gleaming with unfathomable light in the night.
Li Si stood in the ranks of civil officials, gazing into the depths of the palace, his eyes filled with worry and exhaustion.
Wang Ben stood in the ranks of military officers, gazing towards the palace gate, his fists clenching silently.
Meanwhile, most of the people in the capital had already returned home, counting the reward money they had received that day and planning for tomorrow's livelihood.
For them, the wedding was a joyous occasion, a blessing, and a real benefit.
As for the origins of that Consort Hua, and whether the marriage was absurd or not... in the face of basic needs, they all seem to become less important.
Human nature is just that realistic.
The night was darker.
The lights of the imperial city gradually went out, leaving only the eternal lamps in the palace, which continued to emit a dim and persistent light in the deep night.
But deep within the palace, a new storm is quietly brewing.
Tomorrow will be another new day.
But some things have changed forever.