The young general and the prince, who was to be married off, fell in love at first sight!

Chapter 143 Listening to your words is like listening to another chapter.

Lin Shiming truly lacks nothing.

His life can be described as "the dream of hundreds of millions of people," a life of perfect happiness.

He had reached the pinnacle of material wealth, possessing enough money to last several lifetimes; his power and status were virtually unshakeable, with even the royal family maintaining a close and stable relationship with the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion; he could do whatever he wanted; and he lacked nothing in the spiritual pursuits that so many others could only dream of.

Although Lin Yunyue and Zhang Ting were often away from home, they received just as much parental love as he should. Lin Shihe even treated him like his own son. His sister-in-law, Ji Tiao, was gentle and considerate, truly embodying the saying "an elder sister-in-law is like a mother." His little nephew was also very close to this uncle.

Lin Shiming was overflowing with familial love; he was a privileged son of heaven who never lacked love and aroused the envy of many. Even romantic love, in the end, was merely a different kind of emotional value for him, adding icing on the cake to his perfect life.

So he really didn't want anything, or needed Lu Yuxi to do anything for him.

But Lu Yuxi didn't think that way. He was eager to show Lin Shiming his true feelings. He didn't want to be someone who never contributed anything and only enjoyed the benefits Lin Shiming brought to their life.

“I want to give these to you.” Lu Yuxi held Lin Shiming’s hands, her expression earnest and meticulous. “Giving you these will make me happy.”

Lin Shiming was willing to give up so many years of freedom for him, so he wanted to return all of that to Lin Shiming in the future when everything was stable and Lu Tingsong had enough ability, and then be with him as a free and easy "couple".

Power, status, and the well-being of all people were responsibilities Lu Yuxi had resolved to bear for the rest of his life since he was named Crown Prince. But now that Lin Shiming was in his life, he felt that the responsibility should be returned to the person who should take it.

Lu Tingsong was the eldest son of the emperor's elder brother and should have been the undisputed future emperor. The throne had nothing to do with Lu Yuxi.

It would be better to return it to its rightful owner sooner rather than later. Then, Lu Yuxi would be working hard every day to fulfill Lin Shiming's wishes, and only through give and take can a balanced and profound integration take place.

Lu Yuxi smiled, "If you don't like this court, I will definitely take you away."

Lin Shiming wasn't ungrateful. Since Lu Yuxi was so determined to give it to him, he wouldn't stand on ceremony and pretend to refuse.

“Then I won’t stand on ceremony!” Lin Shiming said seriously, his eyes sincere. “I think there are emperors who ascended the throne and ruled in their own right at the age of thirteen.”

Lu Yuxi smiled and said, "Okay, when we get back I'll give Tingsong more homework so he can work harder. Let's try to travel the world in seven or eight years."

"Or we could ask Mr. Nan Gu to prescribe a health regimen for Father Emperor, bypassing us entirely."

Lin Shiming nodded like a chick pecking at rice, "I unilaterally agree."

The two exchanged a smile, and the agreement was reached.

Lin Shiming continued to put on his clothes with his head down and rustling, while Lu Yuxi watched the scene with great interest, occasionally offering her help.

However, being inside a carriage with limited space, even with Lu Yuxi's help, it would be difficult to put on this cumbersome everyday outfit in a short time. Not to mention that Lu Yuxi had hurriedly brought the person out and had accidentally lost a small part.

"It's all your fault!" Lin Shiming stretched out his arms for Lu Yuxi to help him tie his belt, muttering complaints under his breath, "If you hadn't offended my brother, would I be unable to even put my clothes on properly!"

"It's my fault. I'll definitely let you know in advance next time."

Lin Shiming snorted twice, "You should have invited me to come along, how could you 'eat alone'?"

"Okay, next time I'll definitely ask you to stand to the side and watch."

Lu Yuxi's submissive demeanor pleased Lin Shiming, putting him in a good mood. But then he suddenly realized something.

"That's not right!" Lin Shiming suddenly looked up, suspiciously glancing at Lu Yuxi. "My brother has been annoyed by me for over a decade; he's experienced and has seen it all. You only told him about our future plans, that shouldn't be enough to make him so angry that he'd kick us out, right?"

What else did you say to my brother?

Lu Yuxi, who was busy tying Lin Shiming's belt, froze for a moment.

Seeing that Lu Yuxi didn't answer for a long time, Lin Shiming impatiently kicked Lu Yuxi's foot, "Don't play dumb, this matter won't be over if you don't tell me."

Lu Yuxi remained motionless, still looking down at Lin Shiming's belt, which was missing a part.

Lin Shiming urged again, "Hurry up!"

"...My elder brother complained that there were too many things to do and he was too busy. He questioned my father and me, asking why we didn't just let him take over the throne."

Lin Shiming was startled. "What did you say?"

"I agreed."

The air inside the carriage seemed to freeze. Lu Yuxi was still engrossed in studying the belt, but upon closer inspection, it wasn't hard to notice his trembling hands.

Lin Shiming: ... ...

No wonder! The father and son were desperately pushing all the work onto themselves, the Crown Princess! They had been planning to slack off all along!

Lin Shiming: "I don't want to see you anymore. Please get out of the car immediately and go back to the East Palace."

A moment later, the esteemed Crown Prince of Changping was scrambled off his carriage in a disheveled state, and stood by the roadside exchanging bewildered glances with the few guards whom Lin Shiming had "kindly" left to protect him.

The others in the Crown Prince's entourage should not raise their heads and should pretend that they know nothing.

"go!"

From inside the carriage came Lin Shiming's command, which was like a cuckoo taking over a magpie's nest. The Crown Prince's entourage slowly started moving again and soon disappeared around the corner of the street, leaving only a cloud of dust for Lu Yuxi.

The streets were quiet for a long time.

One of the guards swallowed hard and mustered his courage to speak, "Your Highness, shall I go and find you a carriage?"

Lu Yuxi raised her hand and rubbed her face, removing a layer of dirt.

"How dare you disobey the Crown Princess's orders?"

The guard shook his head vigorously, "Of course I wouldn't dare!"

"I am the same."

Lu Yuxi flicked her sleeves and strode toward the palace not far away.

*

April 29th, court meeting.

Unable to persuade Lin Shihe, Lu Yuxi had to spend another afternoon getting his father, the emperor, to come out and resolve the matter.

A group of courtiers argued back and forth, creating quite a lively scene.

Unfortunately, Emperor Longyun was already annoyed after being forcibly dragged out of the Phoenix Palace and didn't want to deal with these matters. He simply waved his hand and left the words "Everything as usual" before adjourning the court.

"No," Lin Shiming stared in disbelief, "They're leaving already? Everything as usual? The investiture ceremony can indeed proceed as usual, but what about the Prince Ping's residence? Will the restrictions be lifted or not?"

"Shouldn't you understand?"

"Then how should we mourn Princess Ping?"

"It didn't say that you couldn't attend the funeral."

Lin Shiming: "... ..."

Listening to the Lord's words is like listening to the words.

A strange sight on the street on April 30th.

A group of ministers dressed in plain clothes set up a shed in front of the Prince Ping's mansion. They stood apart from the guards of the Imperial Guards and cried out to the open gates to mourn the Princess Ping.

The surrounding villagers looked at each other, and finally couldn't help but ask, "Are all the people in this mansion dead?"

The ministers cried out, "Waaah! Princess Ping..."

The people were dumbfounded.

Lin Shiming stood on a lookout platform not far away, leaning against the window and craning his neck to watch, taking the time to interact with Lu Yuxi behind him, asking for praise.

"How's my plan? I made them wail at the gate without lifting their confinement, and I also made them properly mourn Princess Ping!" Lin Shiming smacked his lips and added, "It's just that the distance is a bit far. I wonder if Princess Ping's soul can hear me."

Lu Yuxi was stunned and speechless.

On the first day of the fifth month, the ceremony for bestowing titles upon the Crown Prince took place.

Apart from Prince Ping, who was still under house arrest, and the Empress Dowager, who was feigning poor health, all the members of the Changping imperial family and the court who held some rank participated in Lu Tingsong's investiture ceremony.

Emperor Longyun and Bai Qiongzhu sat on the high platform, watching Crown Prince Huamin's only child walk over step by step with his still somewhat immature steps.

Everyone patiently waited for Lu Tingsong to ascend the steps one by one and stand before Emperor Longyun. Emperor Longyun personally handed him the imperial edict of investiture for his grandson, bestowed upon him the imperial seal and ribbon, and then gently patted Lu Tingsong's head.

"When we get to Fengxian Hall, kowtow to your father and mother more often."

Lu Tingsong nodded emphatically, like a little adult.

Bai Qiongzhu had a big smile on his face, but tears in his eyes.

On the third day of the fifth lunar month, the sixth prince was married.

*

In Changping, apart from the crown prince who entered the court to participate in politics at a young age, other princes could only enter the court after their wedding. Therefore, marriage was a very important ceremony for the princes.

Three days before the wedding, the sixth prince, Lu Yuyang, moved out of the palace and into his princely residence, as was customary. His wedding was also to be held at the princely residence.

At the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), Lu Yuyang, dressed in his well-fitting princely robes, kowtowed to his birth mother, empress, and emperor in order at Zhaoping Palace, Fengyi Palace, and Huangji Palace. He then went to Fengxian Hall to offer incense and sacrifices, informing his ancestors that he was getting married today.

As the only elder brother of the Sixth Prince who is still able to go out, Lu Yuxi should naturally go to the Sixth Prince's residence to accompany Lu Yuyang to complete today's wedding ceremony.

Logically, Lin Shiming, as the Crown Princess, should have been in charge of entertaining and handling etiquette for the female relatives today, as the "eldest sister-in-law." However, he was completely clueless, so the Crown Princess had to be called upon to come and help.

Eldest Princess: I'm like a brick. I'll be moved wherever I'm needed.

At noon, Lu Yuyang returned home for lunch, changed into his wedding attire (a bright red robe embroidered with gold thread), and washed and prepared. Lu Yuxi followed along with the ceremony, while Lin Shiming hid in a corner, indulging in a hearty meal.

At noon, the groom set out on a tall white horse, led by his entourage, accompanied by his elder brother and members of the imperial clan, with officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department in attendance, slowly making his way to the bride's house. Lin Shiming swaggered behind Lu Yuxi, feeling sleepy after a good meal, and couldn't help but yawn.

At Shenshi (3-5 PM), the groom arrived at the Cui residence, where the bride's family and friends blocked the door. Lu Yuyang racked his brains to deal with the bride's family, while Lu Yuxi also did her best as the main force. Lin Shiming watched the show from the back, occasionally chiming in to make his presence known and prove he wasn't just slacking off.

At the hour of Shen (3-5 PM), with the help of everyone, Lu Yuyang overcame numerous obstacles and finally brought the bride out of her boudoir. The bride's brother carried her to the main hall to bid farewell to her parents.

The master of ceremonies announced the ceremony one by one according to the procedure. The bride and her mother cried until their eyes were red and their tears flowed. Other relatives in the family were also filled with mixed emotions of joy and tears. Even Cui Zhuo, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the father, had tears in his eyes.

Lin Shiming watched with amazement, but was also moved by the scene and felt a pang of emotion. After all, women in this world are different; marriage means leaving home, unlike himself, who can come and go as he pleases and can't even shed a tear.

At dusk, Lu Yuyang and his bride, dressed in a light green wedding gown and wearing a veil, each held one end of a red silk ribbon and stepped out of the room. The bride was escorted to the bridal sedan chair, and Lu Yuyang nimbly mounted his horse. With the master of ceremonies' cry of "Lift the sedan chair!", the noisy procession set off again, preparing to circle the city before heading to the Sixth Prince's residence.

The so-called "circling the city" is essentially the same thing. In other smaller cities, going around wouldn't be a big deal, but the capital city is so vast that if they went around it, they wouldn't even need to have a wedding ceremony; they'd jump straight to the wedding night. Therefore, everyone tacitly agrees that taking a short walk along Zhuque Avenue counts as circling the city.

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), the wedding procession finally returned to the Sixth Prince's residence, where the newlyweds' relatives and friends had also arrived. The bride alighted from the sedan chair and, supported by her dowry maids, entered the main gate of the prince's residence.

Lin Shiming glanced curiously at the two women kneeling at the door, then leaned close to Lu Yuxi's ear and asked, "What are they doing? Why are they kneeling there?"

"It should be the two palace maids who taught the sixth prince how to handle affairs; they should kneel to greet the mistress."

"There's such a thing?!" Lin Shiming's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.

"Normally, before a man gets married, respectable families would not arrange for him to have a concubine to appease his future wife. But the bride's family always needs to know if the groom has any diseases. So usually the bride's family would send two maids to teach him about human affairs as proof."

"However, the princes are a bit special. To avoid some problems, the servants and maids are not sent by the bride's family, but are directly bestowed by the Empress."

"However, the Empress Dowager was not willing to do such a thing, so the servants and maids of the sixth prince and his family were all given to them by their mother. After the wedding, the bride will either give them a title or simply send them away, which can also be considered as establishing the authority of the Empress Dowager."

Lin Shiming was utterly disgusted and curled his lip, "What if the groom wants a lifelong, monogamous relationship?"

"It is also possible to have a doctor or imperial physician examine and diagnose the pulse. However, most men believe that it is too shameful for a doctor to examine them, as it would damage their male dignity. Therefore, except for some brides whose families are very insistent, most men will still choose to have a maidservant as a witness."

Pshaw, they're all just trying to enjoy the best of both worlds, and they even lose face! They're hypocritical.

Fortunately, Lu Yuxi promised to only have... for the rest of her life.

Wait a minute, Lin Shiming seized on the key point, "And what about you? What did you choose?"

Lu Yuxi blushed. "Don't you know whether I have a personal maid or not?"

I don't think I've seen him! This wasn't the case when he entered the Eastern Palace. Lin Shiming was satisfied and nodded to himself with a smug look.

"So you summoned the imperial physician?"

Lu Yuxi blushed and said, "The Empress Dowager doesn't like people being put in children's rooms, so my elder brother and I both invited imperial physicians."

What Lu Yuxi didn't mention was that when he invited the imperial physician, Lin Shihe was also present as a "family member" to witness the event. The whole process was extremely humiliating, comparable to some modern medical examinations.

Oh ~

Lin Shiming stared meaningfully at a certain part of Lu Yuxi for a long time, and then, without thinking, he blurted out something.

"This imperial physician's medical skills are quite good."

Lu Yuxi: "... ..." She needs to be taught a lesson!

Lu Yuxi: "They're about to hold the wedding ceremony inside, let's go quickly." We'll settle things with him when we get back.