The Demon Lords

Chapter 1077: Chapter 258: Lord Pingye!

This is indeed to be expected. Who would dare to act against the royal family? Naturally, everyone comes here to support the princess, even the Qu Clan does not dare harbor any contrary thoughts.

Over there,

The princess stands on the ceremonial platform, greeting delegate after delegate.

Here,

According to custom, the Qu Clan must arrange for the "literary, martial, witch, and noble" to first enter the ceremonial platform to settle the sedan, a practice called "settling the sedan" among the common folk.

Of course, it doesn’t mean you enter and move along with the platform; rather, it’s a formal gesture where you go in, have a cup of tea, and then exit.

In the customs of the Chu people, on such auspicious days, there can be ill omens, especially with wedding sedans. The lonely spirits are most averse to earthly celebrations and might seek revenge upon seeing a marriage, so the aura of "literary, martial, witch, and noble" is needed to suppress them.

Among the common folk, ’literary’ might refer to the literate in the area, ’martial’ could involve finding a military figure or in their absence, even a butcher might suffice. For ’witch,’ nearly every village in the Chu State has shamans who host festivals and help with healing. ’Noble’ refers to someone considered to have the highest status or best fortune in the village.

Eunuch Sun and Zhao Cheng, after some arrangements with the eunuchs in the ceremonial platform’s grand pavilion, Eunuch Sun came out, gave a wave of his whisk, without calling out, but merely gestured for people to come settle the sedan.

The reason for not calling out is that this matter of warding off mischievous spirits is not something to be proclaimed; it risks ill fortune. Moreover, the princess was still receiving wave after wave of noble delegates’ formal congratulations.

Simultaneously, at Eunuch Sun’s sign, the settling sedan process began; first, over came a group of shamans draped in black robes, faces painted, carrying long banners.

With about two hundred of them, they surrounded the ceremonial platform and began the prayer ceremony.

This attire is an absorption of Shanyue sacrificial culture after the Chu people entered the Chu region. Of course, it doesn’t involve wild dancing of spirits; the praying shamans slowly moved with their long banners, warning evil on the roads not to intrude and sending blessings to the newlyweds.

First to go up was an elderly Witch Master, who had retired and once served in the Ing Capital City. He was in charge of sacrificial duties and in the specialized field of Witch Master, he was a literate figure.

The elderly Witch Master, supported by two Qu Family members, made his way up the ceremonial platform aided by Eunuch Sun.

After a moment, he shakily came down again, being supported upon descending the platform.

At this time, one of Qu Peiluo’s uncles, also titled General Qu Yinglun, approached Lord Zheng and softly said:

"Mr. Su, could we ask Mr. Su to help settle the sedan later?"

"Have the younger generation settle the sedan?"

"Yes, I wonder if Mr. Su is available."

"Certainly." Lord Zheng readily agreed, yet he pointed at the drawing board in front of him, saying, "Could I wait for a bit more, just a little left."

Qu Yinglun glanced at the drawing board, which depicted the princess standing on the ceremonial platform, vividly lifelike.

"Of course, thank you Mr. Su for your favor, my Qu Clan is deeply grateful."

For the Qu Clan, in terms of "literary," no one is more suitable than Su Mingzhe, Master Yao’s high disciple. Moreover, the Qu Clan knows even the Regent Prince praises Su Mingzhe’s talent, so naturally, they passed over the original choice for "literary" to settle the sedan.

As for Lord Zheng, this was like a pillow given when dozing off, for he was going to settle the sedan regardless, now it was even more natural.

Thus, not only Qu Peiluo but the entire Qu Clan are good people.

Next was a centenarian who went up; she is like the matriarch of the Tian Family, long-lived, and additionally, she had fourteen sons, all reaching adulthood without a single premature death.

The Qu Clan choosing her also had another reason; as it’s impossible to find someone with a higher status than the princess to help settle the sedan, they chose a different path.

There are those with higher status than the princess, such as the Regent Prince, or the Imperial Consort or Empress Dowager in Ing Capital City’s palace, but could you really have them come?

The Regent Prince himself, the Qu Clan didn’t see appear today, actually, after they saw the royal guard appear, many noble clans guessed the Regent Prince must have been here, though none saw him in person, none dared inquire.

Why ask for the Regent Prince’s whereabouts, are you plotting against the sovereign?

Actually, Lord Zheng felt the Fan Family’s elder matriarch would be the most suitable noble, but knowing the Fan Family matriarch’s temperament, she certainly wouldn’t have dared come today.

That centenarian lady came down, walking shakily; the whole affair and formal attire with makeup likely exhausted her, but with Qu Clan’s orders, the Tian Family dared not disobey.

For martial, they chose a veteran who once followed Qu TianNan, the father of Qu TianNan, into battle. Though aged and no longer leading troops, his experience in warfare in the Qu Clan is unmatched, hence he went up.

After he came down,

Qu Yinglun again approached Zheng Fan.