Chapter 574: On the Eve of the Wedding

Chapter 574: The Eve of the Grand Wedding

The entire surgical procedure was extremely grueling and lengthy, requiring immense care and patience.

It took her a full four shichen (eight hours) before the operation was finally complete.

Ji Yuntang let out a sigh of relief. She opened the door and walked out of the operating room, where Hua Feixue and Xie Liuzheng were both waiting outside.

Upon seeing her, Hua Feixue immediately stepped forward. "How is my father?"

Ji Yuntang removed her cap and mask and said, "Don't worry, the surgery was a success. Once your father rests for two shichen (four hours), I can move him outside."

Hua Feixue let out a relieved breath. "Can I go in and see him?"

Ji Yuntang replied, "Of course, just keep it quiet."

While Hua Feixue went in to see Emperor Chu, Ji Yuntang asked Xie Liuzheng, "Have the funeral arrangements for Yuanchao been taken care of?"

Xie Liuzheng's face was clouded with sorrow, his mood somewhat heavy. "Everything has been arranged. We're just waiting for the burial tomorrow."

Ji Yuntang comforted him, "Brother, try to look on the bright side. If Yuanchao's spirit is watching from above, he wouldn't want to see you grieving."

"Once Hua Feixue and Miss Shen are married, we'll return to the Dongchen Kingdom."

Xie Liuzheng looked at her and nodded. "Alright, I'll do as you say."

The next day, Ji Yuntang set about arranging the grand wedding for Hua Feixue and Shen Shiran.

The news that Empress Dowager Yuan had committed heinous crimes—deceiving with counterfeits, seducing her own married cousin, and conspiring to rebel—sent shockwaves through the streets and alleys of the Xishu Kingdom.

The common people could not have imagined that the gentle, wise, and respected Empress Dowager Yuan, whom they had loved and revered, was actually such a person behind closed doors.

She had seduced her own married cousin and personally killed the Late Emperor and numerous princes and princesses—she was utterly insane.

A person like that did not deserve pity; no one would sympathize with her.

The Five Great Families were wiped out within a single day, and rather than feeling regret, the people cheered.

For years, the Five Great Families had controlled most of the economic industries outside. Things like rice, flour, cooking oil, and other staples were sold at inflated prices, causing widespread resentment. However, none dared voice their complaints openly.

Now that the Crown Prince had wiped out the Five Great Families, prices for these goods had returned to normal.

As they reflected on this, the people also felt a growing fondness for Crown Prince Chu Yi.

No one had expected that the Crown Prince, rumored to be dead, was actually still alive.

And Emperor Chu, who had been imprisoned and tortured by Empress Dowager Yuan in the underground chamber for two years, had now been rescued from her grasp by the Crown Prince.

This meant the Chu imperial clan could carry on, and the people felt an inexplicable sense of reassurance.

That afternoon, a startling piece of news came from the palace.

Crown Prince Chu Yi would ascend the throne in three days. He would also marry Shen Shiran, the legitimate daughter of the Grand General Zhenguo, as his Empress. The entire nation rejoiced, and all subjects of the Xishu Kingdom would have their taxes reduced for three years.

For the common people, anyone who could keep them fed, clothed, and free from want was a qualified emperor.

Hua Feixue's announcement of a three-year tax reduction eased their burden considerably, and they praised him, saying that he would surely become an outstanding emperor.

Yuan Jiuan looked at Hua Feixue approvingly and said to him, "Your Highness, the people outside are all praising you now. Your reputation has been improving."

Back then, because of Empress Dowager Yuan, Hua Feixue's reputation in the Xishu Kingdom had been dismal, and no one had held him in high regard as Crown Prince.

But now, he had become a pillar of strength in the hearts of the people.

Hua Feixue bowed with clasped hands to Yuan Jiuan and said respectfully, "Uncle, the reason I was able to successfully get my revenge is entirely thanks to your support and assistance."

"If there is ever anything you need from me in the future, I will not hesitate to repay you."

Yuan Jiuan smiled and held up a hand to stop him.

"Don't say such things. You were born to be the Crown Prince. It is only natural for subjects to serve you—how could it be the other way around?"

"Empress Dowager Yuan harbored treacherous ambitions. Even if you hadn't returned this time, I would never have allowed her to seize the throne."

Hua Feixue gave him a grateful smile. "To have a vassal prince like you, Uncle, is a blessing for the Xishu Kingdom and an honor for the Chu imperial clan."

Yuan Jiuan took a sip of tea and then thought of Ji Yuntang. He said to Hua Feixue, "Princess Ye is remarkably capable, and her husband is equally formidable. Once you become emperor, you must never make enemies with that couple, understand?"

"Otherwise, even I might not be able to help you."

Hua Feixue nodded. "Rest assured, Uncle. Princess Ye has shown me great kindness—there's no way I would ever make enemies with them."

He already knew that Ji Yuntang came from the future and had such formidable weapons at her disposal. How foolish would he have to be to provoke her?

After taking his leave of Yuan Jiuan, Hua Feixue immediately headed to the Grand General Zhenguo's residence.

Dressed in an ink-black embroidered silk robe, he had delicate features and eyes as bright as stars. He rode a white horse through the main street, his bearing elegant and noble without equal, drawing the gazes of women on both sides.

It was only then that the women realized just how handsome the Crown Prince was.

What made them even more envious was the long procession of betrothal gifts behind Hua Feixue, stretching roughly two hundred meters.

Over a hundred guards each carried a betrothal gift—large golden nanmu chests bound in bright red silk—making for a dazzling sight.

The women all envied the legitimate daughter of the Grand General Zhenguo's residence for her good fortune—marrying the Crown Prince meant she would ascend directly to the top and become the ruler of the imperial harem.

Shen Shiran sat in her room, allowing Ji Yuntang to do her makeup and help her dress. When she heard these rumors, she dismissed them with a faint smile.

"For me, as long as I can marry Chu Yi, what does it matter whether I'm Empress or not?"

"What I love has always been the man himself, not the ultimate power."

Ji Yuntang inserted a golden hairpin into her hair and said with a smile, "Miss Shen, it's truly rare to maintain such a pure heart. No wonder the Crown Prince is so devoted to you."

Hua Feixue had just walked in from outside when he overheard their conversation. A smile curled at the corners of his rosy lips.

"A Ran, I'm back!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Shen Shiran immediately turned around and jumped up excitedly.

Without hesitation, she threw herself into Hua Feixue's arms and hugged him tightly.

"Chu Yi, I missed you so much."

Heaven knew how worried she had been over the two days Hua Feixue led his troops against Empress Dowager Yuan.

Thankfully, he had not let her down—he had returned safely, her father had returned safely, and everyone had come back without incident.

They had won. They had defeated that arrogant noble clan.

Hua Feixue looked down at the young woman in his arms, his gaze full of affection, and gently stroked Shen Shiran's head.

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