Firefly Journey

Chapter 288 The Storm is Coming (3)

For dozens of miles west of Danyang City, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, and the trees on both sides of the road were trimmed very neatly and arranged in a pleasing manner.

The city was filled with laughter and joy, every household hung red lanterns, and the shops were all brand new.

Such a grand scene would not be surprising if it were at the end of the year, as it is the traditional Spring Festival of the Chu people, and it is normal to have a festive atmosphere.

But it's clearly not the right time yet; if this phenomenon occurs, it can only be a matter of national importance.

The Crown Prince's marriage was not only a family matter for the Lü family, but also a matter of state for the Chu Kingdom.

Before Lin Yuanran set off, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Works jointly discussed and planned the specific details of the Crown Prince's selection of a concubine.

It wasn't until Lin Yuanran sent back a message saying that the matter was accomplished and that officials from various departments, after obtaining Emperor Zhuang's consent, carried out sweeping reforms in Danyang and the surrounding areas, replanning everything from roads to high-rise buildings. The purpose was not only to demonstrate the importance that Chu Kingdom attached to this matter, but also to leave a good impression on the Crown Princess.

After all, it's only the engagement stage now, and the wedding still needs careful planning. The official marriage will have to wait a while longer. However, since they've already arrived in the State of Chu, it's unlikely that the deal will slip away now.

As the delegation's motorcade drove into the outskirts of Danyang, citizens from the outskirts of Beijing rushed to watch, eager to catch a glimpse of the future First Lady.

Unable to show her face in public, Fine could only hide in the luxurious carriage, listening to the cheers that she couldn't understand. She felt a surge of emotion, as if she had already assumed the role of the Crown Princess of Chu.

Lin Yuanran wasn't one to seek the limelight, but he did want to enjoy the feeling of being noticed, so he told the driver to go and rest while he went to drive the car.

Amidst the enthusiastic welcome of the people of Chu, the delegation returned to Danyang.

The main gate to the west of Danyang is called Chang'an Gate. Outside the gate, Lü Jianming, dressed in white robes, sat astride his magnificent steed, holding a sword in his hand, with the reins in one hand and a whip in the other, looking quite imposing.

In the distance, the Chu flag fluttered in the wind on the beast-drawn carriage at the very front of the delegation. Lü Jianming saw it and was in high spirits.

While I was in a good mood, I was also a little uneasy.

As Lin Yuanran has already said, when he proposed marriage to the Empire, he made it clear from the start that our Crown Prince specifically requested the young girl from the Robert family.

Henry I didn't care, because marrying whom was the same to him. But it was a different story for Robert's family. They had only met once, yet three years later Robert was specifically asking for her hand in marriage through a political alliance. It was hard not to believe it was premeditated, and the methods used were extremely despicable—using state affairs to achieve his goal.

At least that's what Lü Jianming thought, so he was very afraid that the Robert family wouldn't agree. Now that they've already entered Chu territory, it's no longer a question of whether they'll agree or not; after all, they've come this far, how could they not agree?

Agreeing to something is one thing, but living together with someone is another.

It's certain that Lü Jianming likes Fei Nei, but for Fei Nei, it's not necessarily voluntary. Lü Jianming worries that even if they get married and live together in the future, they will only treat each other with polite formality, and their relationship will be as frozen as ice, making it very uncomfortable to be together.

To put it bluntly, he was afraid that Fene wouldn't like him.

Lü Jianming's concerns are quite reasonable.

With these thoughts in mind, Lü Jianming waited quietly for the convoy to approach.

Looking at the Crown Prince of Chu riding a tall horse, Lin Yuanran felt a surge of pride that his son had grown up. As the carriage drew near, he smiled and said:

"I've brought the person to you. Now it's up to you."

Lin Yuanran knew Lü Jianming's personality very well. His chaotic private life in St. Louis was partly due to his spite towards Emperor Zhuang, but in reality, he was someone who didn't like to force things.

If Fene was simply doing this to complete the mission, he would definitely be very upset.

Fortunately, through his previous probing, Lin Yuanran had learned Feney's general thoughts. Whether she liked him or not was unclear, but at least she didn't dislike him, and that was enough. Feelings could be cultivated, a statement Lin Yuanran firmly believed in.

"Okay, I'll treat you to dinner at the East Palace later."

"No." Lin Yuanran smiled happily: "You won't be the only one in the Eastern Palace from now on."

According to the etiquette and laws of the Chu Kingdom, the Crown Princess was to move into the Eastern Palace in advance and be taught royal etiquette by palace ladies. The old Chu etiquette was complex and cumbersome, much like going to school; it would take at least a year and a half to learn it.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lin Yuanran drove the beast-drawn carriage and led the way into Chang'an Gate.

Normally, welcoming the future Crown Princess into the city should only be arranged by the Ministry of Rites. Lü Jianming's high-profile appearance on a tall horse was actually against the rules.

Although the Chu law did not explicitly stipulate that a man and woman should not meet during the period between their engagement and marriage, there was an unwritten custom that the two should try to avoid contact.

This custom must be observed by everyone, from ordinary citizens to royalty.

But who is Lü Jianming? He's the Crown Prince Zhaowen of the Great Chu, the future ruler. So what if I don't follow the rules? Go ahead and impeach me if you dare.

As one beast-drawn carriage after another passed by, Lü Jianming's heart pounded, for even the longest procession eventually came to an end.

Jamie rode a black bear clad in heavy armor, drawing attention as he strode across the land. The beast-drawn carriage beside him clearly carried whoever was inside.

Jamie had known Lü Jianming for a long time and had seen him long ago.

Jamie didn't give him a friendly look as he passed by, deliberately putting on a contemptuous expression and letting out a heavy snort as he went.

Lu Jianming gave an awkward smile; of course he knew why. The family was living a good life before he had arranged their marriage, so it was normal for them to feel resentful. After all, every father-in-law initially dislikes his son-in-law.

Although Jamie wasn't Finney's father, they grew up together and had a deep bond, so he naturally wouldn't give Lü Jianming a friendly look.

Lu Jianming rode his horse here just to see what the timid girl he hadn't seen for many years looked like now.

The carriage windows were tightly closed, and through the thick curtains, Lü Jianming could not see what was inside.

After the carriage had completely passed, Lü Jianming showed a regretful expression, but it quickly disappeared. He didn't care about any rules; once Fene moved into the East Palace, he would immediately go to pay her a visit. As for customs and traditions, to hell with them!

Lu Jianming pulled on the reins, and his white horse immediately started moving, galloping in the opposite direction of the caravan.

Bai Ma took two steps forward, and Lü Jianming, as if possessed, turned back for a glance.

Looking out, one could see a girl with a side braid sticking her head out of the window.

Their eyes met, and they stood locked in a tense standoff for a second. Finney instinctively pulled her head back and then tightly drew the curtains shut.

An unexpected surprise?

Of course not. Lu Jianming came here to see her, but he could not possibly stop the beast-drawn carriage and force his way in, so he could only rely on luck.

Finney peeked out because he knew the convoy had reached the outskirts of Danyang City, and he had also heard his cousin's cold snort.

Jamie had never been so rude to anyone before, so who could be the person who could make him snort like that?

The answer is self-evident.

So this is not a coincidence at all, but rather a deliberate act by both of them.