Chapter 17: A Marriage with Phnom Penh

The housekeeper quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, "It's common for Fourth Young Master to act recklessly. It's my fault for not informing him of the rules in advance."

Gu Chaobei shrugged, "So I can't show my dissatisfaction? Sorry, sorry, I didn't know in advance. I didn't mean to embarrass the Shen family. Should we put this gift list back up?"

Madam Shen's face turned green, and there was laughter outside, with many people pointing and gossiping about the dowry piled on the side of the Shen family. Twenty boxes were actually quite a lot, but with Fourth Young Master Gu causing a scene, many bored people gathered together to mock the Shen family's dowry.

Mr. Shen's expression was not good either, and the veins on his neck were almost popping out. Gu Chaobei bowed to them, returned the torn gift list to Madam Shen, and then acted as if nothing had happened, going to welcome the bride.

"Housekeeper, come with me!" Madam Shen stomped her foot in anger and called the steward to return to the courtyard where the dowry was piled.

"Add ten more boxes, whether it's brocade or red silk, it's up to you. Get thirty boxes ready and have them carried out one by one at the door!" Madam Shen exclaimed.

The steward was taken aback, "Madam, now? The house doesn't have that much stuff..."

"Then go to my storage room and get it!" Madam Shen's eyes turned red, "The Shen family has never lost face like this before. Later, the master might even vent his anger on me. This Fourth Young Master Gu is really infuriating, not only is he rude and embarrassing himself, but he also wants to drag our Shen family down with him."

The steward sighed and, knowing best how much was in those twenty boxes, went to Madam Shen's storage room and added ten full boxes of items to Shen Guiyan's dowry.

Shen Guiyan was assisted by the matchmaker to bid farewell, and Madam Shen was so angry that she didn't say a word, only Mr. Shen sighed and said, "You must be obedient and filial, serve your in-laws well, and raise children. It's not in vain for me to teach you."

After completing a series of rituals, she was led away by Gu Chaobei and helped into the bridal sedan chair.

With her head covered, Shen Guiyan walked carefully with each step, but Gu Chaobei's palm was warm, and he held her firmly.

"Don't worry, I won't let you fall," Gu Chaobei whispered.

Shen Guiyan really felt relieved and followed him out of the Shen residence's gate and into the bridal sedan chair.

The wedding procession returned to the Gu residence from another route, and the ladies, including Madam Wu, were waiting at the gate. The dowry was carried out one by one, very clearly visible. Madam Wu even counted them one by one and was surprised to find there were thirty.

Madam Shen stood at the gate, feeling a bit sorry for the dowry, but when she saw Madam Wu's speechless expression, she felt happy and proudly flipped her hairpin in the air.

Madam Wu chuckled lightly, called a few ladies to get into their sedan chairs, and went to the Gu residence for the wedding banquet.

This wedding was not as grand as Gu Chaodong's, partly due to the rushed time and partly because Gu Chaobei was just a illegitimate son. The surrounding people felt a bit sorry for Shen Guiyan.

"The first wedding was so grand, with over eighty tables set for the banquet. But it was snatched away by her own sister."

"That's right. Gu Eldest Young Master is so good, but he ended up marrying Shen Guiyan. Alas..."

Sitting in the sedan chair, Shen Guiyan didn't feel anything was wrong. Whether the wedding was grand or not was just a momentary glory, and the key was who she was marrying.

Today, the Prime Minister specially ordered thirty tables to be set for the banquet, just to gather some relatives and friends. Madam Gu and the other aunts didn't care about this, as everyone's focus was on Shen Guiya's pregnancy.

What's wrong with the fourth son getting married? He's just a nobody. But Gu Chaodong is different, the legitimate eldest son with a promising future. His pregnant wife is much more eye-catching than the new bride.

Shen Guiya was wearing a peony-patterned golden-lined jacket and was sitting in a chair, looking at the door. During her days in the residence, she had thoroughly explored every room and courtyard, and most people in the residence liked her. Shen Guiyan's arrival was destined to be under her control.

The greater the contrast between this wedding and hers, the happier she felt. Shen Guiyan was just a pretty face, wasn't she? She couldn't stand such people, thinking that being good-looking could get them everything?

Gu Chaobei, such a charming man, how could he be wasted on an ancient feudal woman? He's so unrestrained, he should have more to say to her.

Shen Guiya smiled brightly, propping her chin and waiting for the newlyweds to enter.

Gu Chaobei's wedding procession had just reached a street near the Gu residence when the crowd in the distance suddenly became agitated, and then for some reason, the people on both sides of the street all knelt down.

"What's going on?" Gu Chaobei frowned and asked the housekeeper beside him.

The housekeeper frowned, his face suddenly changed, "The Emperor is traveling incognito."

What? Gu Chaobei's mouth twitched. This was called traveling incognito? The people knelt down when they saw him. How was that incognito?

The wedding procession quieted down for a moment. Gu Chaobei looked ahead for a while, then turned and smiled, "Let's continue back to the mansion. Don't stop playing your horns and suona."

The crowd gradually came to their senses and continued walking forward.

The current emperor rarely left the palace, so it was unexpected for him to suddenly have the interest to take Noble Consort Nian out to explore the capital. Coincidentally, they stumbled upon the celebration at the Prime Minister's residence, prompting an impromptu decision to join in the festivities.

Once the news reached the Gu Family, chaos ensued. Fortunately, Prime Minister Gu took charge and calmly redecorated the hall, preparing to receive the imperial visit.

"Why is the Emperor interested in the marriage at the Prime Minister's residence?" Noble Consort Nian smiled alluringly, "Wasn't it agreed to accompany someone to the eastern part of the city?"

The emperor cast a deep glance at her, and embraced her waist, saying, "There hasn't been a joyous occasion in the palace for a long time. I wanted to join in the fun and also see what the Fourth Young Master Gu, whom Danwen talks about every day, looks like."

Noble Consort Nian pouted, "You know that I have always been at odds with Prime Minister Gu, and yet you purposely brought me here to the Gu Family."

"What's wrong with taking a look?" The emperor chuckled and led Noble Consort Nian into the Gu Family.

With the emperor's presence, the wedding instantly became extraordinary. All the female guests retreated, leaving only Lady Gu and Lord Shen kneeling in the hall to receive the imperial visit. The entire mansion was quickly tidied up, and the kitchen made even better dishes.

When Gu Chaobei led Shen Guiyan inside, they found the emperor and Noble Consort Nian seated at the main position, while Prime Minister Gu and Lady Gu sat on the side, and the other ministers' wives stood politely in the courtyard.

Frowning, Gu Chaobei glanced at the emperor above, a man in his thirties or forties, with a wise and gentle gleam in his eyes. The woman beside him was enchanting, her face seemingly layered with powder, and her eyes were seductive, despite being around thirty years old, she appeared quite youthful.

The wedding celebrant's voice was trembling, "...kowtow to heaven and earth."

Gu Chaobei naturally turned and kowtowed towards the door, and Shen Guiyan followed suit.

"Kowtow to the parents."

The two turned around, and Gu Chaobei frowned at Prime Minister Gu, who subtly shook his head and pointed to the emperor and Noble Consort Nian.

Kowtow to them? Gu Chaobei snorted, but still went ahead and kowtowed. They were the most prestigious individuals in the country, more important than his own parents.

"Kowtow as a married couple."

Shen Guiyan clutched her red silk, her mind blank, and kowtowed in Gu Chaobei's direction. As a result, her floral headdress made a loud thud against the head of the person across from her.

Gu Chaobei gasped, and Noble Consort Nian couldn't help but laugh.

What's so funny! Gu Chaobei glanced at her; her smile was malicious and really displeasing.

"The ceremony is complete, escort the bride to the bridal chamber." The wedding celebrant hurriedly came to support Shen Guiyan and hurriedly led her away.

"Why did the Emperor and Noble Consort Nian come?" Shen Guiyan asked once seated in the bridal chamber.

Bao Shan stood by and whispered, "Nobody can guess the Emperor's thoughts, but Noble Consort Nian has always been at odds with Prime Minister Gu. It is said that Prime Minister Gu even petitioned the Emperor to depose Noble Consort Nian."

However, with the Emperor's visit today, this marriage, which was originally an ordinary affair, had turned into a royal wedding. Tomorrow, the entire capital would likely be talking about it, and who knew if Fourth Young Master Gu would rise up because of this wedding?

Shen Guiyan was taken back to the East Courtyard, and the nearby Jade Comb said discontentedly, "Who would have thought that the Emperor would show up at this time? Doesn't it benefit Third Miss?"

"It's nothing special." Shen Guiyan sneered, "She won't have an easy time."

Jade Comb looked at her in confusion, but Shen Guiyan waved her hand for her to leave, "Find the herbalist and bring her to see me."

"Yes," Jade Comb agreed.

Rubbing the bottle in her hand, Shen Guiyan lightly hummed. What did it matter if the Emperor visited? It only meant a boost for Gu Chaobei. It had nothing to do with her, Shen Guiyan. She only relied on her looks to be arrogant in this place anyway. So let's ruin her face and see if Gu Chaobei truly loves her.

Her reflection in the mirror looked somewhat distorted, and Shen Guiyan immediately wiped her face. She wasn't a bad person; she just believed in looking out for herself. It's not as if bad people aren't punished, right? She was only fighting for what she wanted.