Chapter 174 - 174 Benwang has done it before Part I

174 Benwang has done it before Part I

Today, Da Yang first witnessed the fight for the beauty that was known throughout the capital as ‘Meihua Lady’s love triangle.’ It was the story of Miss Bai Yu and the two princes who held opposite power within the court: Ouyang Mingxian and Ouyang Feilong. It was such a popular tale that the theatres took the story and added more details to make it more entertaining, essentially creating a new play for the masses to enjoy.

Right now, every person in Da Yang knew well how an uncle and a nephew were fighting each other for a woman. In the morning, Empress Dowager’s decree came to Bai Mansion’s doorsteps, bestowing her marriage with Qin Wang.

In the afternoon of the same day, the former emperor’s decree was revealed. He had bestowed a marriage between the first daughter of the Bai family and Rui Wang.

This was the first time in the history of Da Yang that a woman was bestowed with two royal marriages on the same day. In terms of the hierarchy of authority, the empress dowager’s words could never compare to the former emperor’s. Normally, this kind of situation would not happen no matter how much their opinions differed, as it was inappropriate for the royals to clash in public. But why should a man like Ouyang Feilong care?

The royal decree that Ouyang Hongxian had given to Bai Yu before she left for the border was announced by the emperor’s personal eunuch, who had received the order from Ouyang Feilong to do so as soon as Bai Yu returned to Bai Mansion.

In the afternoon of the same day which Empress Dowager Wei’s decree came, it seemed as if lightning had struck in front of Bai Mansion. Those who were ready to congratulate them no longer dared to make a move. Everyone understood that this marriage would mean choosing a side of the Bai family’s choice, which would result in the next emperor of Da Yang.

In the end…the emperor was the son of heaven. His words were still absolute, even through death.

As a result, Miss Bai Yu was forced to marry Rui Wang and became the commander general’s Wang Fei, even though she had been in love with Qin Wang for over a decade and was so devoted to him to the point of daring to refuse Taizi Fei’s proposal. The people of Da Yang all imagined a miserable story about the first miss of the Bai family to gossip among themselves.

Miss Bai Yu and Qin Wang’s love, which had been fostered for many long years, was eventually put to an end by the decree left behind by the former emperor. Unwillingly, Miss Bai Yu had to marry the Black Dragon of Da Yang.

.....

What an unfortunate fate she had in love…

The most eligible young lady of Da Yang, perfect in beauty, ability, and birth, had a grim love life. She had to marry a man whom she had never seen even his face before, not even on her wedding day. The groom, Ouyang Feilong, still had his usual black mask over his face. His expression under it had no sign of joy. The groom’s red figure rode on his horse, leading the bride’s palanquin with a menacing air.

Still, the elegance and intimidation that could be felt by the general made the crowd feel both happiness and pity for Bai Yu at the same time.

Ouyang Feilong was a man among men. Apart from her doomed love, the title ‘Rui Wang Fei’ was indeed most suitable for Miss Bai Yu.

What no one knew was the true feelings of the bride, hidden within the palanquin carried by eight men, heading to Rui Wang Palace. Contrary to others’ thoughts, she was overjoyed, not sorrowful. Other than Bai Yu and Ouyang Feilong, only those within her family and his men knew of the relationship between them.

But no matter how immense their love for each other was, Bai Yu felt no concern about rectifying the rumor that she was forced to marry Ouyang Feilong against her will and her feelings for Ouyang Mingxian by the former emperor’s decree. She did not want to open up any weaknesses for Ouyang Feilong. This marriage meant that her groom would soon sit on the dragon throne. He must be an impeccable emperor with no weak points to be found.

Bai Yu did not wish for him to become the kind of emperor that was so entranced by a woman that the courtiers on Ouyang Mingxian’s side found a way to ceaselessly trouble him with it.

Though she was born in an era where a woman had no more value than an accessory of power and a broodmare, Bai Yu still hoped that she would be able to support her husband to the best of her ability. And the first step would be to pretend to not love Ouyang Feilong.

The sounds of firecrackers and drums could be heard from inside the bride’s palanquin. The atmosphere was full of liveliness, as expected from an auspicious occasion, easily putting smiles on the faces of those who laid eyes on the procession. It was still within the mourning period for the former emperor; however, his decree that dictated the marriage to be arranged three days after the announcement had livened up the street with red, the lucky color that was suitable for the grand event associated with Rui Wang.

The groom was a close relative of the former emperor, the one holding the title of Rui Wang ever since the last reign, the commander-general who had protected the border for many years, including leading the army to war and vanquishing the coup, making a name for himself.

At the same time, the bride was the daughter born of the first furen of the senior chancellor, who came from a major family. She was the royal protector general’s granddaughter and the Meihua Lady, the number one beauty of Da Yang. There was no one more deserving of the title of Wang Fei than she. The bride’s procession was made considerably long by the hundreds of chests sent from the Bai family as her dowry. It was the most visible indicator of the bride’s family’s wealth and power.

Since her childhood, Bai Yu had always been able to enter and exit freely through the front gate. She lived her life gracefully and arrogantly as the Bai family’s first daughter. She was proud to be born as the first furen’s daughter. And now, she was in a palanquin reserved only for the first consort while being in front of the palace’s gate. There, various beauties were waiting, but none could get through the front gate like her. This was the highest level of honor and prestige that every woman yearned for.

“We’re here, miss.”

“We’re here, royal consort.”

Her two maids said, only loud enough for the person within the palanquin to hear. The latter was Xiao Chang, while the former was Xiao Xi, who had practiced using a royal address for quite some time, yet, in the end, could not get used to it when Bai Yu was finally becoming Wang Fei.

Red lips from rouge hid a smile under the red veil of the bride. Bai Yu extended her hand outside the palanquin, waiting for a person to help her get out of it. Shortly, the warmth from the hand of her groom came to support her movement.

Ouyang Feilong squeezed her hand once when he felt the sweat on her palm. He conveyed his encouragement through the contact between their hands before letting go, leaving her to stand with Xiao Xi and Xiao Chang’s support. The weight of the phoenix accessories in her hair was so much that the bride feared she might not be able to carry them until the end of the ceremony.

Bai Yu and Ouyang Feilong walked side by side into Rui Wang Palace under the joyful gaze of every royal and aristocrat who came. Even Ouyang Mingxian and his courtiers were here, standing calmly. This was the sign to indicate the person most fitting for the dragon throne.

Bai Yu’s pace was slow because of the weight on her head. Happiness made her heart pound fast and her lips loose. She could not suppress a smile from appearing on her face. Luckily, the red veil could conceal her expression, preventing the guests from realizing that she was the most fortunate woman, the person happiest with this marriage, not a poor young lady who had her love thwarted, as the rumor said.

Ouyang Feilong’s steps today were much slower than usual. The man in the red attire that matched his bride intentionally dragged his pace to stay at the same pace as his first consort. His enchanting beauty was hidden behind a half mask. A smile never touched his lips, though his golden eyes glimmered brightly with joy that when their gaze met through the veil, the bride could not control herself from feeling shy.

Bai Yu could not believe she would be able to have this day, the day she married Ouyang Feilong.