Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

173 Yuchan Yunli's Wedding

(Yongshou Palace)

The fifth day of November.

Yuchan was wearing a pure scarlet wedding dress, which was finely embroidered with gold and silver threads. It was a masterpiece that was created by the ingenuity of the people in the Imperial Household Department who had worked day and night on it.

On the wedding dress, the pattern of mandarin ducks playing in the water is lifelike, symbolizing the harmony between husband and wife, while on the side of the lapel, a few sparkling rubies are dotted like stars, adding a bit of luxury and joy.

The kingfisher feather headdress she wore in her hair was as gorgeous as that of the former Concubine Hua Nian Shilan. The teardrop-shaped gem hanging on her forehead was crystal clear, like morning dew.

On both sides are bright red agate tassels, gently swaying by the ears, adding a touch of gentleness and agility to this beauty who is about to embark on a new life.

She sat upright in front of the dressing mirror, her demeanor hinting at the composure and grace of a woman who was about to become the mistress of a royal palace.

Zhen Huan put the last exquisite golden hairpin on her with her own hands, and said softly with a smile on her face: "You are so beautiful, you look so charming."

Yuchan heard this, her eyes sparkled with gratitude, and she said softly: "Yuchan is grateful for the careful arrangements made by elder sister. Yuchan will remember this kindness in her heart."

"You are about to become the mistress of the palace. As the prince's legitimate wife, you will have to personally handle all the affairs of the palace. You need to be dignified yet kind. You need to weigh the pros and cons when handling affairs to ensure that everything is in safe and orderly order. You are not only the second lady of the Zhen family, but also the younger sister of the imperial concubine. Don't underestimate yourself." Zhen Huan warned earnestly.

Yuchan's eyes were slightly wet, and her voice was slightly choked: "Eldest sister, I'm sorry, I..."

"Today is a happy day. There is no need to say the word 'sorry'." Zhen Huan's eyes also slightly reddened and she interrupted her.

"I know you are sad that you can no longer be with me as often as before." Zhen Huan continued, "Don't worry, you will feel at ease with Liu Zhu by my side. I am satisfied when I see you happy."

Zhen Huan gently stroked the back of Yu Chan's hand and said softly, "You and the prince have a deep affection for each other. Your long-cherished wish has finally come true. This is such a happy event. Go, my sister, be a virtuous wife, serve the concubine well, and let the prince have no worries."

Yuchan nodded with tears in her eyes and said firmly: "Eldest sister, please rest assured, I will do my best to be a good wife to the prince and be filial to the concubine, and live up to your expectations."

Outside the door, Xiao Yunzi announced loudly: "The auspicious time has arrived, everything in the palace is ready, and the second young lady can set off now."

Yuchan bowed deeply for the last time and said to Zhen Huan, "Zhen Yuchan, farewell to Imperial Concubine Xi."

Zhen Huan gently covered her with a red silk veil, symbolizing that the curtain of a new life was about to be raised.

With the careful support of Shuilian and Huapei, Yuchan slowly stepped into the bridal sedan. As the bearers lifted the sedan, festive sounds of gongs, drums and firecrackers rang out all around, creating a lively atmosphere that added a touch of festivity and solemnity to the wedding.

The moonlight was bright, sprinkling gently on the earth like a trickle of water. Zhen Huan quietly watched Yu Chan leave, her heart filled with reluctance and blessings.

Her eyes inadvertently swept to the side and found Ye Lanyi standing quietly in the corner. She was wearing a rose-red cheongsam today, looking particularly beautiful and charming. It seemed that she was silently blessing this wedding in her own way.

Zhen Huan opened her red lips and asked with a hint of smile: "Ms. Ye, are you here today to congratulate my sister on her marriage?"

Ye Lanyi nodded slightly, her eyes fell on the direction where Yuchan left, and said lightly: "The younger sister of the imperial concubine is really blessed. I just noticed that the coral bracelet on her hand is particularly unique. It must be a rare treasure."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan smiled even more and explained, "That bracelet was given to me by Prince Guo. I am very pleased. Prince Guo has a deep affection for my sister and it has not changed over the years. It is said that this bracelet is Prince Guo's favorite. Now that it can be worn on Yuchan's hand, it can be regarded as a good story."

When Ye Lanyi heard this, her heart was moved. She thought to herself, "Your Majesty, is your heart so deeply attached to her? And I... that's all. Now that I am the emperor's concubine, any more thinking will only cause more trouble."

She suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and managed to maintain a calm face. She casually bowed to Zhen Huan and said softly, "Your Highness, I will take my leave first and return to the palace."

After saying this, she turned and left, with an imperceptible heaviness and loneliness in her steps.

After returning to her palace, Ye Lanyi sat alone in front of the window, looking at the moonlight outside, feeling mixed emotions.

She knew that she and Prince Guo had long been two parallel lines that could never intersect. No matter how much she missed and yearned for him, she could only bury it deep in her heart and turn it into a silent sigh.

-

The morning light is just breaking, and there is a slight chill in the air, which seems to indicate that winter is approaching quietly.

Some time has passed since Yuchan married into the palace. Without the familiar companionship in her daily life, Zhen Huan can't help feeling a sense of emptiness and loneliness in her heart.

Fortunately, there is my younger sister Yu Rao by my side, and her laughter adds a bit of warmth to this cold day.

After Yinzhen finished his morning court session, he hurried over to have lunch with Zhen Huan. When he entered the room, he saw the two sisters whispering and talking to each other, which was warm and intimate.

"Eldest sister seems to be in a bad mood?" Yu Rao was the first to notice and asked with concern.

Zhen Huan smiled slightly, but her eyes could not hide a trace of loneliness: "It's just because Yuchan got married, I can't help but feel sad. We grew up together and were as close as sisters. Now that she's gone, our home seems to be much quieter."

Yu Rao heard this and gently took Zhen Huan's hand and comforted her: "Second sister's marriage is a happy event. She can spend her life with the one she loves. This is a blessing that many people wish for. Although Yu Rao has not achieved this, she is also envious in her heart."

Zhen Huan looked at Yu Rao's innocent face, and her heart moved. She couldn't help but teasingly said, "Look at you, do you have a lover?"

Yu Rao's cheeks flushed when she heard this, and she said shyly, "Elder sister~"

After saying that, she threw herself into Zhen Huan's arms and started acting coquettishly.

Yinzhen's deep and magnetic voice came from the door, calling softly, "Huanhuan."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan immediately put down the teacup in her hand, took light steps, bowed, and said gently, "Your Majesty, I greet you. May your Majesty be well."

Yinzhen walked quickly forward, reached out his hand and gently helped her up, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Your Majesty, your humble servant greets you." Upon seeing this, Yu Rao quickly put down the gardenia in her hand and bowed. Her voice was clear and pleasant, revealing a bit of the innocence and unruly nature of a girl.

Yinzhen looked at Yurao with a smile, waved his hand, and motioned her to excuse herself. Then he asked with a hint of amusement in his eyes, "Your name is Yurao?"

Yu Rao did not raise her head, but just fiddled with the tender green leaves of the gardenia beside the table and replied calmly: "Your Majesty is asking even though you already know the answer."

Yinzhen did not get angry about this. Instead, he turned around and stared at the green bamboo shadows outside the window, as if he was savoring something.

After a long while, he slowly said: "Rao is often described as charming and frail. Although beautiful, it does not match your light and refined temperament."

Upon hearing this, Yu Rao raised one eyebrow slightly, a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, and she asked in return: "Your Majesty, do you mean that I am too arrogant and have lost the gentle demeanor that a woman should have?"

Her tone was calm, but it had a power that could not be ignored.

Yinzhen couldn't help laughing when he heard this, and turned his gaze to Zhen Huan, saying with a smile: "People say that your sister is more thoughtful than Bi Gan, and now it seems that your sister is also quite thoughtful."

Zhen Huan gently scooped up a spoonful of Tremella soup, put it into her mouth and savored it carefully, then smiled slightly and said gently: "Your Majesty's words are always thought-provoking, even I can't help but think a little more."

Upon hearing this, Yinzhen looked at Zhen Huan deeply, then turned to Yurao. After a moment's silence, he said, "Although the word 'Rao' is beautiful, it cannot fully reflect your temperament. After thinking about it, I think the word 'Wan' is more suitable for you, so I will give you a new name - Yuwan, how about it?"

When Zhen Huan heard the word "Wan", her heart skipped a beat, as if a sensitive nerve had been touched, and she almost lost her composure.

She knew very well how honorable it was to be named by the emperor. This grace was enough to make any subject happy and there was no reason to refuse.

However, this word carries too many complex emotions and memories for her.

When Yu Rao heard this, a hint of surprise and anxiety flashed across her face. She couldn't help but look at Zhen Huan, trying to find the answer from her elder sister's eyes.

Zhen Huan's eyes moved, and there was both depth and tenderness in them, just like the rippling blue waves in spring.

She spoke slowly, her voice melodious and gentle: "The word Wan is of course very good, but I dare to ask, is there any special reason why the emperor gave this name? After all, the emperor's grace is extraordinary, and there must be a beautiful meaning, so that the third sister's kindness will not be in vain."

Yinzhen was slightly stunned when he heard this, then smiled and said, "To praise her graceful beauty and cherish her tender feelings, this is indeed a beautiful sentence from Zhang Hua's "Eternal Love", which is very appropriate to describe a beauty. I was just in a momentary mood and borrowed flowers to offer to Buddha."

Yu Rao heard this and a naughty smile appeared on her lips. She opened her red lips and chanted: "The beauty of a beautiful woman, because of her longing, she is so charming that she is overwhelmed by the city——"

After she finished reading, her eyes sparkled with intelligence, as if a butterfly flapped its wings gently, bringing up a gust of fresh breeze.

She stood up and said in a playful manner, "I know that I am plain-looking, how dare I call myself a beauty? Moreover, this "Eternal Love" is a poem of mourning, and I am standing here peacefully. Isn't your words a curse on me?"

After saying that, she didn't forget to secretly roll her eyes, her look was speechless and a bit coquettish.

Yinzhen couldn't help laughing when he saw this. He realized that he had made a mistake and coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment: "I just said it casually and didn't mean anything else. You are such a sharp-tongued girl."

Zhen Huan stood aside, always maintaining a dignified demeanor, but there was a hint of playfulness in her eyes.

She tilted her head slightly and looked at Yinzhen, and said with a slightly joking tone, "You have shown me great kindness and made me like-minded. Our friendship is strong and our love is deep. Every word in Zhang Hua's "Eternal Love" is full of deep affection. If the emperor really used this poem to describe people, then doesn't it imply that he wants to marry Yurao?"

When these words were spoken, Yinzhen and Yurao were both stunned, then they smiled at each other, and the atmosphere suddenly became subtle and warm.

Yinzhen saw Zhen Huan's gloomy expression, and his heart tightened. He quickly explained: "I didn't mean that. I just... mentioned it casually without thinking about it."

Zhen Huan bowed slightly, a trace of worry and tenderness flashed in her eyes. She slowly said, "I know that I am unlucky and have no virtue. I am very lucky to be favored by the emperor. I am willing to be a concubine and serve the emperor for life. My second sister was fortunate to be favored by Prince Guo for many years, so she was able to become the legitimate wife and enjoy all the honors. My third sister Yu Rao has a proud personality. If she gets married, she will not be willing to be inferior to others. She insists on not marrying anyone other than the main wife."

Yinzhen's expression softened when he heard this. He whispered to comfort her, "Although you are a concubine, you are a noble concubine. In my heart, you hold an extraordinary position, second only to me and above all others."

He turned to look at Yu Rao, with some admiration in his eyes, "If your sister can have this honor, it will not be a waste of her talent and pride."

Zhen Huan's nose felt sore when she heard this, and tears sparkled in her eyes. She tried to hold back her tears and said softly, "I have no desire to be the queen, but as a daughter of the Zhen family, I don't want to see all the daughters of my family become concubines and be looked down upon."

Yinzhen felt sorry for her when he saw her. He quickly held Zhen Huan's hand and said gently, "I was inconsiderate. It's just a small matter of giving a name, but it made you sad. Since the word 'Wan' doesn't suit your mind, let's not mention it anymore. Your sister is still young and has a long time to live. I will definitely find a suitable family for her and will never let her down."

Yu Rao was standing aside. Seeing her elder sister worrying so much about her, she was touched and determined. She smiled and said, "Elder sister, you worry too much. Although Yu Rao is not talented, she knows your feelings. It is enough for the emperor to have a sweetheart like you by his side. Yu Rao would rather die than marry someone other than the principal wife. If that day comes and you enter through the side door, I will die to show my determination and never compromise."

Her tone was firm, and after she finished speaking, as if everything was settled, she clapped her hands as if nothing had happened, picked up a cup of tea and drank it leisurely.

Yinzhen looked at Yurao, feeling helpless and admiring. He sighed and said, "Your sister is really quite temperamental."

Afterwards, he seemed to have no mood to continue eating, and hurriedly got up and left, leaving the sisters Zhen Huan and Yu Rao to smile at each other, understanding each other tacitly.