The Demon Lords

Chapter 1075: Chapter 258: Lord Pingye!

The doors of the bedchamber were closed.

A group of eunuchs stood on both sides, led by Eunuch Sun, with Eunuch Zhao following behind.

Eunuch Sun, being a seasoned attendant from the palace who had seen the world, saw Qu Peiluo approaching and immediately shouted:

"Kneel!"

Qu Peiluo knelt down on one knee.

Eunuch Sun continued to shout, "Greet."

Qu Peiluo responded, "Minister, extends greetings to Princess Mingci, wishing the princess a thousand years of blessing and health!"

Mingci is the honorific title of the Fourth Princess, meaning to be wise and compassionate.

The boundary between ruler and subject is the greatest chasm.

Eunuch Sun was asserting authority; even as a future son-in-law before the marriage with the princess, he remained a subject of the royal family, hence must kneel and greet.

The royal family’s marriage will naturally not have customs such as the bridal chamber or door-blocking like those among the common folk, but what Eunuch Sun was doing now was similar to what many fathers do when they send their daughters off to marry, to admonish the son-in-law.

Eunuch Sun turned his head and looked at Zhao Cheng.

Zhao Cheng immediately turned and ran to the bedchamber door, reporting, "Your Highness, General Huwei has arrived."

"Creak..."

The large doors of the bedchamber were slowly opened.

The princess Xiong Liqing, in her full regalia, accompanied by attendants on each side, slowly walked out.

She did not wear the traditional red veil but instead a phoenix crown, with beads hanging down, eyes sweeping below, exuding an aura of royal majesty.

Sigh...

Lord Zheng gently exhaled,

Clothes make the man, just like harness makes the horse, indeed.

Today, the princess’s attire,

not only stunned the soon-to-be son-in-law kneeling below,

even Lord Zheng, the actual son-in-law, was also captivated.

Speaking of beauties, some prefer the Tofu Beauty, while others favor the Lotus Picker Girl from the pond; indeed, such untouched beauties are enchanting. However, despite their natural beauty, they cannot uphold such ceremonial garments from the royal family; should they be forced to wear them, it would appear out of place.

Xiong Liqing is a true princess of Chu, a royal bloodline, cherished by the Chu Emperor since childhood. Even after the emperor’s demise, her regent brother never allowed her to suffer any grievance.

She will forever be the noble one.

At this moment, Lord Zheng finally realized that being a princess is not merely a title, but encompasses her entire being.

When returning, more sets of this attire must be made.

Eunuch Sun paid his respects to the princess before turning to the still-kneeling Qu Peiluo, flicked his feather duster, as Eunuch Zhao personally brought forth a bowl of Mugwort Wine and handed it to Qu Peiluo.

Eunuch Sun raised his voice and shouted:

"A bowl, to ward off sickness and pain!"

This is a custom of the Chu people; back in the days when men from Chu State were frequently summoned by the monarch to follow the emperor into the great wetlands and battle with the Shanyue people over territories.

The ancestors of the Chu believed Mugwort Wine could ward off evil and protect the body from being invaded by miasma.

Qu Peiluo, kneeling on the ground, took the wine bowl and drank it all.

"A bowl, to bring fortune and health."

Eunuch Zhao offered a second bowl of wine, soaked with red dates, symbolizing fortune and health.

Qu Peiluo drank it all again.

"A bowl, inseparable!"

Eunuch Zhao delivered the third bowl of wine, with a stone entwined with a strand of hair from it. The ancestors of the Chu, when going on expeditions, would cut a strand of hair, bind it to a stone, and let their husbands carry it; those who believed in the witch culture of the Chu thought that if one dies in battle, they could rely on the hair laden with the yearning to return home.

Qu Peiluo decisively drank it all.

After three bowls of wine, a complete procedure was done, Eunuch Sun shouted:

"Son of Qu Clan, open your eyes wide and see clearly who you are about to marry!"

Qu Peiluo straightened his body while kneeling and looked forward at the princess standing ahead, saying:

"Your Highness, Princess."

"When a royal daughter marries, how should the son of Qu Clan conduct himself?"

While saying this,

Eunuch Zhao brought out a statue of the Witch God, placing it before Qu Peiluo, to make him swear an oath. The statue wasn’t large, and Eunuch Zhao carried it with ease.

"Naturally, he should protect, respect, and honor her, and wish for a lifetime together till old age!"

Eunuch Sun nodded, maintaining a stern expression, turning to face the princess,

and said:

"Please, Your Highness, instruct whether inside the threshold is royal, outside the threshold is the Qu Family."

This is for the princess to make her choice.

This is the ceremony of welcoming the bride; at this point, the decision of marriage was already arranged long ago. After all, the royal family marrying off their daughters does not allow for such last-minute demands or increases like carrying money or additional dowry.

Lord Zheng watched with keen interest throughout; he missed Ji Chengjue’s wedding and never got to see it, so this was his official first time attending a wedding in this world.

There is a sense akin to watching folk performances in previous lives during outings.

However, in past lives, one had to pay to watch, whereas in this life, one can receive a chest of gold ingots.

This back and forth questioning manner doesn’t feel cumbersome, as even in future weddings, after all, even Western weddings ask: do you, regardless of poverty, sickness, hardship, promise to stand by each other.

The wedding plays with a sense of ceremony; if one were like a savage tribe, directly rushing in with a group to kidnap the woman and take her home, it would be so dull and tedious.

Hmm,

Wait for a moment,

Lord Zheng furrowed his brow slightly,

Why does it feel like he’s scolding himself?

The princess raised her foot and stepped over the threshold of the bedchamber.

Eunuch Sun’s face immediately displayed a flattering smile, hastily running down to help Qu Peiluo up: