124 Royal Wedding VIII
After Yang Ning was warmly welcomed by the court ladies and the concubines, she was brought to the bride’s waiting room which was arranged for her to take a rest until she was called to the Main Hall for the procession of the wedding ceremonies.
While she came to the bride’s waiting room, Chang Ah and Yang Luoyang went to the Main Hall along with their son, Yang Jian to greet the other ministers who will be present for the tea ceremony.
It was a good thing that she will not need to face Yang Luoyang before the ceremonies again. She cannot bear to look at his face without frowning.
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“Woah! This room is so pretty.” Yang Ning squealed in excitement to find such a stunning room. The room was spacious and had enormous windows in the room through which the sunlight was coming inside the room, brightening the chamber. She could also see what was happening outside which was a plus point to it.
The main window also has a view of the beautiful flower garden and the pond which could make anyone stare at it in a daze.
” Looks like they put so much care into decorating this room.” Yang Ning exclaimed in surprise as she examined the beautiful chamber.
Anyone could tell that the bride’s waiting chamber has been decorated with much care. There were so many decorative pieces in the room and there were also candles, lanterns, and flowers, adoring the beauty of the room.
There was a huge mirror in the room with a golden frame for her to touch up her makeup before she was called to the main hall for the wedding ceremonies.
.....
While Yang Ning was sitting at a table, Xiaowei was fixing her hair bun which had become messy due to the long travel. Yang Ning started the conversation and asked her, “Xiaowei, for how long do we have to wait here?”
“I am feeling sleepy!” Yang Ning yawned tiredly as she wanted to jump on the soft and comfortable bed in the room and take a nap.
Xiaowei looked at her lady, feeling bad for her, and said, ” Just a little more, Milady. Soon the wedding processions will start. You just have to wait until then.” She lied to her.
She was feeling bad for Yang Ning since she woke up early in the morning and her eyes were getting droopy because of the tiredness.
However, it wasn’t the time to get tired. The wedding rituals haven’t started yet and there is a long day ahead of them.
After the tea ceremonies, there are many events that Yang Ning needs to attend and stay awake for them.
Now she can take a rest only at night, not before that.
“Can I not lie on this bed for a while? I want to take a power nap before doing anything.” Yang Ning urged.
The bed was calling her and if she didn’t take a nap, she would get a headache once again.
Xu Nuan looked at her questionably and asked her, “Po...power nap? What is it, Milady?”
Yang Ning sighed as she was too tired to explain the words of her world, ” I mean, I want to take a rest before doing anything. Is it possible?” She asked again.
“Ah!” Xiaowei exclaimed when she understood what she was talking about. She pursed her lips and hesitantly shook her head, rejecting her suggestion. ” You cannot do that. If you lie on the bed, you will mess up your hairstyle and the silk skirt will get wrinkled as well.” She said while looking at her apologetically, through the reflection of the mirror.
Yang Ning’s expression dimmed at Xiaowei’s straight rejection. However, she still hasn’t given up.
She was running her head and wanted to find a way to lie on the bed without ruining her hairstyle and wrinkling her skirt. Before she could find a way to take a rest and straighten her back on the comfortable mattress, a court lady came along with Lady Yu Ling to escort Yang Ning to the Main Hall.
“Lady Yang Ning, it’s time for the tea ceremony. You should come with us.” Yu Ling said.
As soon as Yang Ning heard this, her heart started to beat faster than normal. Her throat became parched and was feeling breathless due to the nervousness.
She never felt this much pressure and nervousness before any competition. She glanced at her hands which were now icy cold and took a deep breath to calm her racing heart.
‘Calm Down Fang Li. Everything will be fine. You’re just getting married and not getting killed.’
‘It’s alright. It’s not a big deal. She repeated this in her heart and followed Yang Ning and the other court ladies out of the chamber after they helped her adjust her dress and the veil which was covering her face.
Xiaowei held her with one hand, meanwhile, Yu Ling was supporting her from the other side as she could barely see anything due to the veil covering her face.
It was a net material veil but she still needed to focus on her steps to not trip and fall while handling this long silk skirt.
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-The Main Hall-
The liveliness of the Main Hall came to a halt when His Majesty arrived and took his throne along with the Empress.
Yang Luoyang and Chang Ah greeted the Emperor and Her Majesty and exchanged a few pleasantries before taking their seats as well. Their seats were closer to the throne and were distinct from the other ministers.
Yang Luoyang pursed his lips as his eyes fixated on the Empress who was giving him a cold shoulder. Earlier, she did not come to the entrance gate to welcome them, nor was she properly responding to his greetings when he went further to exchange greetings with His Majesty and Her.
Why is she suddenly acting coldly to him? What did he do to make her upset with him? He wondered.
___
The low whispers erupted in the main hall when Zheng Liang appeared along with his guard Gu Lan and court lady Zhu. He greeted His Majesty and the Empress before moving on to Yang Ning’s family and greeted them as well.
Chang Ah’s face lit up to see Zheng Liang who came to greet them at their seats. She was meeting him for the third time and whenever she looked at him, she was reminded of the time when he appeared at the Yang Household without anyone knowing and scolded them for not taking care of Yang Ning.
Although she was aware that this royal wedding was beneficial for their family and Yang Luoyang’s status in the royal court, she was still feeling jealous of Yang Ning.
There is nothing special about her yet she managed to become the first wife and will get the title of the Crown Princess of the Zheng Empire.
The girl who has eaten their leftovers in meals for years will be treated like royalty? Hah! It’s all because of Yang Luoyang, otherwise, she would have gotten married to an old man who would treat her like an animal rather than his wife.
She deserves that kind of fate only!
After Zheng Liang took his position and stood in the center of the hall in front of the throne where His and Her Majesty were sitting, the guard standing at the entrance of the hall announced the arrival of Yang Ning, the bride.
Zheng Liang’s lips dried when he heard the announcement. He wanted to turn around and look at her. He will be seeing her for the first time after a month-long period.
He saw her the last time when she came to the palace to ask him for a promise to not have any consorts or concubines in the future. How interesting!
As he was waiting for her and everyone’s eyes were on him, he couldn’t turn around to take a glance at her.
Otherwise, his actions will be called inappropriate.
Due to his curiosity, his ears perked up and he tried to listen to what people were talking about Yang Ning. As expected, the people couldn’t help but sing praises about her ethereal beauty.
“Minister Yang Luoyang’s daughter looks like a goddess in a red wedding dress. No doubt His Majesty agreed to his suggestion without any further question.” Someone whispered in a low voice.
“Right? Even though we couldn’t see her face properly, the aura coming from her was suiting her title as the Crown Princess.” The other minister pinched in.
Yang Ning had her head held down and was walking in small steps toward the center of the hall, her heart was beating faster as she could feel everyone’s eyes on her.
She never felt this nervous in her past life when everyone’s eyes and the cameras used to be on her during the matches. However, this moment was making her lose her senses.
From the side, Yu Ling was instructing her and reminding her to walk properly, like a lady.
“You can do it.” Yang Ning whispered under the veil.
“Don’t talk.” Yu Ling warned her to not utter any word and stay silent.
Yang Ning zipped her lips and focused on her steps, she should walk slowly and elegantly.
Like a lady!