Sludge suction system

Three days before the winter solstice, Hua Xiang was to marry the Fourth Prince, Lan Feng. Touching her belly, she hesitated, unsure whether to side with the child's father or her beloved. "That bitch Hua Yu! She knows perfectly well that the Fourth Prince is my fiancé, yet she deliberately puts on a show of deep affection and tenderness in front of me. It's utterly disgusting!" Hua Xiang's eyebrows furrowed in anger, her beautiful eyes wide, her pretty face slightly distorted with rage.

At this moment, Hua Xiang was like an enraged lioness. She put her hands on her hips and cursed incessantly: "This shameless little slut dares to openly seduce my man! She's got a death wish! But soon enough, I will become the rightful Fourth Princess! Then, I'll see what you, Hua Yu, can do to fight me! Hahahaha..." Hua Xiang became more and more smug as she spoke, and finally, she couldn't help but burst into wild laughter. The laughter was sharp and piercing, echoing throughout the room, instantly filling the originally luxurious and elegant boudoir with a strange and frenzied atmosphere.

Just then, a fluttering sound suddenly came from outside the window. A pure white carrier pigeon darted in like lightning and landed steadily on the windowsill. Hua Xiang's heart skipped a beat when she saw this, and she quickly stepped forward to remove the bamboo tube tied to the pigeon's leg. However, when she gently shook the bamboo tube, a small, exquisite, and extremely delicate white porcelain bottle unexpectedly fell out.

Hua Xiang was slightly taken aback at first, but quickly recovered and slowly unfolded the letter to read it carefully. It turned out to be a secret letter from His Highness the Crown Prince. The letter detailed his plan to launch a coup on his wedding day, and specifically instructed Hua Xiang to secretly mix the poison in the porcelain bottle into Lan Feng's drink during the wedding, causing his immediate death. This would eliminate Lan Feng's biggest rival for the throne, ensuring the Crown Prince's smooth ascension to the throne.

After reading the secret letter, Hua Xiang's face turned deathly pale, and her delicate body trembled uncontrollably. She stood there blankly, her eyes vacant and lifeless, her mind a jumbled mess. Should she obey the Crown Prince's orders? Or should she disobey them to save the life of her beloved? For a moment, Hua Xiang was caught in a deep dilemma and agony, completely unsure of what to choose.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Today is the wedding day of the Fourth Prince Lan Feng and Hua Xiang. Various forces are secretly eyeing the wedding, and today is destined to be a day of great unease.

As dawn broke, the long streets of the capital of the Great Fish Kingdom were swept spotless, the stone pavement gleaming with a cool light. Red lanterns hung from the vermilion buildings and green-tiled roofs along the street, their red silk ribbons swaying gently in the morning breeze, as if whispering tales of an upcoming joyous occasion.

The Fourth Prince's wedding procession stretched out of the palace like a long dragon. At the very front were two rows of royal guards dressed in bright yellow brocade robes and carrying golden maces and axes. Their steps were perfectly synchronized, each step seemingly shaking the earth. Their majestic and solemn aura was overwhelming, causing passersby to give way while also glancing sideways.

Following him was the Fourth Prince, Lan Feng, riding a snow-white steed. He stood tall and straight as a pine tree, clad in a bright red robe embroidered with gold for auspicious festivities. The gold threads on the robe shimmered in the morning light, outlining patterns of auspicious dragons and phoenixes. He wore a jade crown, his hair neatly tied back, and beneath his sword-like eyebrows, his starry eyes were filled with smiles and anticipation. His thin lips were slightly upturned, and his handsome face appeared even more spirited in this festive attire. His steed moved with light steps, its mane fluttering in the wind, seemingly also imbued with the joyous atmosphere.

Following the prince were eight men carrying stacks of vermilion-lacquered, gilded gift chests, their copper locks gleaming in the sunlight. Inside were countless treasures: large, round pearls from the South China Sea, their luster warm and lustrous; translucent, emerald-green jade from the Western Regions, exquisitely carved; and silks and satins, all woven from the finest threads, their embroidery delicate and their patterns intricate, each piece priceless. Behind them came a group of musicians, dressed in colorful robes, their gongs, drums, and suonas gleaming in the morning sun. Suddenly, joyous music filled the air, its cheerful tunes echoing through the long street, drawing crowds from their homes to gather along the roadside.

The procession arrived at the Hua Mansion's gates, where the two vermilion doors were already wide open, and red lanterns hanging above the gates swayed gently in the breeze. Inside, the courtyard was deep and filled with blooming flowers, yet a heavy atmosphere of farewell permeated the air. The Fourth Prince dismounted and steadily stepped into the Hua Mansion.

In the main hall of the Hua Mansion, red silk and wedding candles shone brightly, yet the air was thick with melancholy. The Fourth Prince, with his handsome figure and magnificent robes that accentuated his nobility, stood respectfully before Minister Hua. Beside him, Hua Xiang, adorned in a phoenix coronet and wedding gown, her beautiful face filled with reluctance.

Minister Hua, dressed in casual clothes, his usual imposing presence replaced by a sense of desolation, gazed deeply at his daughter. His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to offer some words of advice, but the sorrow of parting choked his throat. After a long while, he finally managed to speak with difficulty: "Xiang'er, you have been spoiled since childhood. From now on, in the Prince's residence, you must be careful in your words and actions, and treat the Prince with the utmost respect." Hua Xiang's eyes were already brimming with tears. She knelt and bowed, sobbing uncontrollably: "Father, your daughter is unfilial, unable to stay by your side often."

Beside her, Aunt Hua's makeup was smudged with tears. She clutched tightly in her hand a parting gift prepared for Hua Xiang—a meticulously embroidered sachet adorned with vibrant twin lotus blossoms. She stepped forward and placed the sachet in Hua Xiang's hand. "Xiang'er, this sachet will stay with you. Don't forget the Hua family, don't forget your aunt." Hua Xiang turned and hugged Aunt Hua, sobbing, "Aunt, how could Xiang'er forget your love?"

Seeing this, the Fourth Prince bowed slightly and said sincerely to Minister Hua and Concubine Hua, "Father-in-law and Concubine, rest assured, I will cherish Hua Xiang and not let her suffer any grievances."

Amidst cheers and jubilation, the wedding procession departed the Hua residence. The Fourth Prince, holding Hua Xiang's hand, carefully led her to the exquisitely decorated bridal sedan chair. The chair, painted vermilion, was intricately carved, adorned with colorful tassels and a dazzling array of pearls and jade, shimmering mesmerizingly in the sunlight. The Fourth Prince gently lifted the curtain, and Hua Xiang, with delicate steps, stepped into the sedan chair, her body filled with shyness and anticipation.

With a loud shout of "Lift the sedan chair!", the wedding procession marched grandly toward the Prince's mansion. At the head of the procession was a guard of honor carrying the royal banners, which fluttered fiercely in the wind, displaying supreme majesty. Behind them were guards on tall horses, their figures agile, their expressions solemn, their hands gripping the reins tightly, vigilantly scanning their surroundings.

The Fourth Prince then boarded a magnificent golden carriage, its sides inlaid with various gemstones and its interior covered with soft brocade. Hua Xiang sat inside, the Fourth Prince holding her hand tightly, his gaze gentle yet firm, as if telling her of a bright future. The carriage moved slowly forward, its wheels making rhythmic sounds as they rolled over the stone pavement.

People flocked to the streets to witness this grand spectacle. Children jumped and danced excitedly, pointing at the bridal sedan chair and carriages with cheers; adults smiled, praising the newlyweds' good looks and offering blessings. Shops along the road hung red banners and festive lanterns to celebrate.

The Prince's mansion was already brightly decorated, a scene of joyous celebration. A huge red archway spanned the gate, adorned with golden "囍" (double happiness) characters. Under the porch, servants stood in neat rows, holding flowers and trays, ready to welcome the newlyweds.

As the wedding procession arrived at the Prince's mansion, the deafening sound of firecrackers filled the air, and the air was thick with the festive atmosphere. The Fourth Prince alighted first from his carriage, then turned and gently lifted Hua Xiang from the bridal sedan chair. Hua Xiang's phoenix coronet and wedding gown fluttered in the wind as she nestled tightly in the Fourth Prince's arms, blushing with shyness. Surrounded by guests, they slowly walked down the red carpet and into the mansion. A lavish banquet had already been prepared in the courtyard, and the guests rose to their feet, applauding and cheering, offering their sincerest blessings to the newlyweds.

Little did they know, this wedding was the beginning of a nightmare.