On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The twilight is closing, and the lanterns are starting to turn on.

The palace was brightly lit and bustling with people.

The attic of Baifu Hall, where the family dinner was held last night, was once again decorated solemnly and festively.

A huge octagonal glazed palace lantern hangs high, illuminating the building as bright as day.

The air was filled with the aroma of delicious food, the rich fragrance of precious sandalwood, and a solemn atmosphere with a sense of ritual that was different from yesterday.

Dozens of maids and servants dressed in brand new clothes were busy shuttling inside and outside the attic, like well-trained worker ants.

They were carrying steaming hot and fragrant delicacies, or holding crystal clear seasonal fruits, or carrying warm jade pots of fine wine, and they walked briskly and orderly, delivering all kinds of treasures into the main hall of the attic like a stream of water.

There was a hint of nervousness and excitement on everyone's face.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince accepted a disciple, which was a rare major event in the royal palace in recent years!

In the center of the main hall of the attic, the huge rosewood round table from last night was still there, but it was not filled with dishes at this moment, leaving only enough space in front of the main seat.

The table was covered with a bright yellow brocade tablecloth, and several plates of exquisite snacks and fruits were neatly placed on the table.

At the deepest part of the hall, facing the main door, a temporary and extremely solemn altar for apprenticeship was set up.

A large and luxurious rosewood armchair was placed in the center.

Lin Zhen sat upright on it, his posture straight and his expression solemn.

He did not wear his usual clothes today, but instead changed into a dark blue brocade gown embroidered with dark cloud patterns, appearing particularly calm and reserved.

A warm white jade ring is worn on the thumb of his left hand, which adds a touch of elegance and majesty.

Behind him was not an ordinary landscape screen, but a small and exquisite rosewood Buddhist shrine.

The deity enshrined in the shrine is not the Buddha or Bodhisattva, but a statue of Emperor Wenchang with a clear face and holding a scroll, symbolizing the prosperity of literature!

In front of the statue, three slender sandalwood incense sticks burned quietly, with curls of green smoke rising up, emitting a calming fragrance, enveloping the entire altar in a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

With Lin Zhen at the center, his wives and concubines sat on both sides, also wearing formal yet gorgeous clothes and with solemn expressions.

Murong Yan sits in the first seat on the left.

Today she had taken off the dark black phoenix robe that symbolized the emperor, and wore only a moon-white palace dress embroidered with golden phoenix patterns. Her hair was also combed in a more homely style, and she only wore a red gold and kingfisher feather hairpin in her hair.

She looked relaxed, with a hint of laziness from returning home and the gentle smile of a master's wife.

Below her were the cool and aloof Chu Xiling, the elegant and quiet Sima Chunlei, and Concubine Ning Gu Zhen, who was still dressed simply and had a very low presence, but had straightened her back because of the special occasion.

The first person on the right is Shangguan Wan'er, the mistress of the palace.

She was dressed in a bright red palace dress with a golden phoenix and peony pattern. She had a dignified demeanor and a gentle expression with a hint of the majesty of a mistress.

Below her are the smart and capable Zhang Li, the charming Yue Wu, the gentle Huanbi, the bright and beautiful Qingwen, and the heroic Qingxia who is dressed in dark green.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the entrance to the hall.

After a moment, the attic door was gently pushed open.

After bathing and changing his clothes, Xiao Hanzhou walked in slowly, led by two servants.

He changed into a brand new indigo-colored scholar's robe, made of high-quality Hangzhou silk, with a well-fitting cut that made his posture look even more upright.

His jet-black hair was carefully combed and neatly tied on top of his head, fixed with a jade hairpin, revealing his smooth, full forehead and handsome face.

His face was devoid of any unnecessary expression, only a solemnity and awe that bordered on piety. He walked steadily, each step measured, as if he had measured it, toward Lin Zhen, who sat before the statue of Wenchang Emperor in the center of the altar.

The entire hall was silent, with only the slight sound of his boots stepping on the polished gold bricks.

Finally, he walked and stopped three steps away from Lin Zhen.

He took a deep breath and looked firmly at Lin Zhen who was sitting upright. Then, he bent his knees and knelt down without hesitation and extremely solemnly!

The knee hit the gold brick, making a dull and clear "dong" sound!

He raised his hands flat in front of his chest, palms facing up, stacked as per the ritual, then bowed deeply, his forehead hitting the cold floor tiles heavily!

"Disciple Xiao Hanzhou, I pay my respects to Master!"

The voice was clear and resonant, echoing in the silent hall with great respect and piety.

After performing this solemn kneeling ceremony, Xiao Hanzhou did not stand up immediately.

He remained in a bowing position, waiting for his master's response.

Lin Zhen sat upright on the armchair, looking calmly at the young disciple kneeling at his feet.

He did not speak immediately, but nodded slightly to indicate that he accepted his gift of apprenticeship.

Xiao Hanzhou then slowly stood up, still kneeling. He tilted his head and gestured slightly to the servant boy standing beside him, also wearing new clothes and holding a mahogany tray.

The servant immediately stepped forward and raised the tray above his head.

On the tray was a cup of freshly brewed, steaming celadon tea bowl.

Xiao Hanzhou stretched out his hands and picked up the cup of tea with great respect and caution.

The teacup was warm, just like his excitement at the moment.

He turned around and his eyes subconsciously went to Murong Yan, who was sitting in the first seat on the left.

He held the teacup in both hands and was about to kneel down in front of Murong Yan again, preparing to offer tea to "Master's Wife" first.

"stand up."

Murong Yan's clear and gentle voice sounded, with a hint of unquestionable meaning.

Xiao Hanzhou paused and looked at Murong Yan in confusion.

Murong Yan had a gentle smile on her face and waved her hand gently at him, "Han Zhou, there's no need for this. Since I returned to this palace today, I've become your master's wife, your master's wife. When paying respect to a disciple, the master should be given the highest respect. How can you offer tea to the master's wife first? Go, offer tea to your master first."

Her tone was calm and natural, like that of an ordinary mistress. She had no imperial airs at all, but she had a convincing power of her own.

A warm feeling surged in Xiao Hanzhou's heart, and he quickly responded, "Yes! Thank you, Master's Wife!"

He stood up, holding the teacup, and turned to Lin Zhen again.

This time, he knelt on his knees again without any hesitation, raised the celadon teacup in his hand high above his head, and spoke with great respect and excitement:

"Master! Disciple Xiao Hanzhou offers you tea! Please have some tea!"

Lin Zhen looked at the young man in front of him with clear eyes and a pious attitude, and a relieved and gentle smile appeared on his face.

He stretched out his hand and steadily took the cup of tea that was filled with the disciple's love.

It tastes warm and has a delicate tea aroma.

He opened the lid of the cup, took a symbolic sip, and then put the cup down.

His eyes became deep and serious as he looked at Xiao Hanzhou who was kneeling in front of him. His voice was low and clear:

"Han Zhou, I'm delighted to have you as my disciple. You are gifted and intelligent, with lofty ambitions. You are a gem in the rough. But..."

He changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of warning:

"The path to greatness is not an easy one. Practical knowledge cannot be acquired through mere talk. True knowledge requires hard work. The journey to Shanghai County will be challenging and the tasks will be complex, far from the comforts of the capital. You must be willing to endure hardships, be indomitable, and have the courage to put your ideas into practice! Do you understand? Are you ready?"

Xiao Hanzhou raised his head and met Lin Zhen's gaze. There was no trace of retreat in his eyes, only incomparable firmness and determination. He bowed his head again, his voice sonorous and powerful:

"I will always remember Master's teachings! I am not afraid of hardship! I am willing to follow Master, practice what I preach, and never give up! I will definitely live up to Master's expectations!"

"Okay!" Lin Zhen nodded with satisfaction, "Get up."

Xiao Hanzhou then stood up, feeling his knees a little numb, but his heart was full of strength.

Next, we will serve tea to all the masters’ wives.

Xiao Hanzhou did not dare to neglect the tea. He took the newly offered teacup from the servant and, following the seating order, walked to Murong Yan first. He knelt again and respectfully offered tea: "Disciple Xiao Hanzhou, I offer tea to Master's wife!"

Murong Yan took it with a smile, took a symbolic sip, and gave a few words of encouragement.

Then came Shangguan Wan'er, Zhang Li, Yue Wu, Huanbi, Qingwen, Qingxia, Chu Xiling, Sima Chunlei, Ning Fei Gu Zhen... Xiao Hanzhou offered tea to each of them with a respectful attitude and full etiquette.

Each lady also took the tea cup gently, either gave a few words of encouragement or nodded with a smile.

When Xiao Hanzhou offered tea to Chu Xiling, Xia Zhu, who was standing in the shadow behind Chu Xiling and almost blending into the background, looked at the solemn and warm scene in front of her, looked at Xiao Hanzhou's respectful posture, looked at the expectations in Lin Zhen's eyes for his disciples, and the indescribable loss and bitterness in her heart surged up again.

She subconsciously clenched her hands hidden in her sleeves, and her fingertips turned slightly white.

Physically, she is already Lin Zhen's woman.

The lingering feeling of that night and the bone-eroding sensation still linger in her dreams.

But Lin Zhen never gave her any status, and never even acknowledged her existence in public.

Now, he solemnly accepted this top scholar as his apprentice and gave him a legitimate identity and status, but what about himself?

She was still just an insignificant female official, a criminal who didn't know when she would be able to go to Wuqing.

"Oh..." A barely audible sigh, like falling autumn leaves, escaped from Xia Zhu's lips.

That sigh was filled with self-pity, unwillingness and a hint of resentment.

Chu Xiling seemed to hear this sigh.

She had just taken the tea from Xiao Hanzhou and had not yet put it down when she turned her head slightly and her eyes fell accurately on Xia Zhu who was in the shadow behind her.

The look was complicated, with a hint of understanding, a hint of helplessness, a hint of anger, and even a hint of imperceptible encouragement.

She didn't say anything, but conveyed silent messages with her eyes.

When Xia Zhu met Chu Xiling's gaze, her heart trembled violently, as if her thoughts had been seen through.

She hurriedly lowered her head, her cheeks flushed red instantly. She no longer dared to show any abnormality, but buried her head even lower, as if to hide herself completely in the shadows.

After the apprenticeship ceremony, the atmosphere became relaxed.

Everyone moved to the huge round table and sat down.

The table was already filled with a sumptuous dinner, and the aroma filled the air.

As a new disciple, Xiao Hanzhou naturally had no qualifications to sit at the same table with his master and mistress.

He stood respectfully behind Lin Zhen, like the most loyal guard, ready to be ordered at any time.

Murong Yan sat in the first seat on Lin Zhen's left, looking relaxed.

She picked up the silver chopsticks and naturally picked up a piece of steamed sea bass belly that Lin Zhen liked and placed it on the jade plate in front of him. Her movements were skillful and natural, just like an ordinary wife.

As she watched Lin Zhen eat gracefully, she asked:

"Husband, when we go to Hu County this time, should we ask the Imperial Astronomical Observatory to calculate the date? After all, this is a big event, so we must hope for a good start."

Lin Zhen put down the silver chopsticks, picked up the silk handkerchief to wipe the corner of his mouth, and nodded: "Okay, I'll send someone to invite him later and we'll settle the bill tomorrow."