The Prince's Beloved Little Wife

The retired emperor slowly took his seat, his composed posture seemingly exuding an invisible majesty. Only after he was seated did the others take their seats in order of their respective status and rank.

Once everyone was seated, the Emperor Emeritus gently picked up his chopsticks, and the others followed suit. The banquet was a dazzling array of delicious dishes, their aromas filling the air. As they savored the food, they chatted happily, sharing anecdotes from their lives.

Yongle was exceptionally lively; her mouth was like a cheerful little bird, chattering incessantly. She enthusiastically recounted the amusing incidents at school—the embarrassing moments of her classmates, the teachers' admonitions—all described vividly and interestingly, eliciting bursts of laughter from everyone. Not only that, she also vividly described all sorts of interesting things happening in the capital, from novelties on the streets and alleys to bustling scenes at the market, and even anecdotes from a nobleman's mansion. Her words flowed like a stream, continuously bringing joy and surprise to everyone.

The other princes and princesses smiled, looking at Yongle with doting eyes. Their eyes were full of love and affection for this little sister, as if her happiness was their greatest joy. In this warm atmosphere, Yongle's words were like leaping musical notes, adding a touch of liveliness and joy to the entire banquet.

Chen Mengyao sat to the side, eating while watching Yongle with envious eyes. Her heart was filled with emotion; this harmonious scene made her deeply feel the warmth and strength of family. She couldn't help but think of herself, constantly searching for her family, wondering when she would finally find her own warm harbor.

She thought to herself: It feels so good to be with family. If I find my family, will it be like this? Do I have any older or younger brothers or sisters? What kind of people would they be? Would my family be easy to get along with? Her heart was filled with anticipation, looking forward to that day, looking forward to reuniting with her family.

Ouyang Han noticed Chen Mengyao's emotional shift. He saw the envy and longing in her eyes, and sensed her unease and anticipation. He quickly took her hand and gently comforted her, "Don't worry, you'll definitely find your family." His voice was gentle yet firm, as if possessing an invisible strength that gave Chen Mengyao courage and confidence. Chen Mengyao felt the warmth of Ouyang Han's hand. She looked up into his eyes, her gaze filled with gratitude. She nodded, the gloom in her heart seemingly dispelled by Ouyang Han's words.

At this lively banquet, everyone had their own story and emotions. The Emperor Emeritus's majesty, Yongle's liveliness, the princes and princesses' doting affection, Chen Mengyao's expectations, and Ouyang Han's comforting words all combined to create a heartwarming scene. And everyone in this scene, at this special moment, felt the importance of family and the power of kinship.

The meal was enjoyed in this warm and inviting atmosphere. Laughter and cheerful conversation filled the room, creating a harmonious ambiance. Soft lighting illuminated everyone's faces, reflecting a glow of happiness. The Emperor Emeritus wore a satisfied smile, his eyes revealing his delight at this harmonious scene.

The Emperor Emeritus and his entourage returned to the main hall and sat down. The hall was spacious, bright, and exquisitely decorated, exuding a solemn yet warm atmosphere. Everyone found their seats, their eyes filled with anticipation, seemingly waiting for the discussion to begin.

Chen Mengyao took out some fruit from her spatial storage. The fruit was brightly colored and emitted an enticing aroma. She quietly instructed the servants to wash and cut the fruit and take it out. The servants respectfully responded and carefully carried the fruit to the kitchen. Chen Mengyao watched the servants' departing figures, smiled slightly, and then followed them out of the hall.

Soon, plates of sliced ​​fruit were brought out and placed on the table in front of everyone. The fragrant aroma of the fruit filled the hall, making everyone feel refreshed and relaxed. While enjoying the delicious fruit, everyone began to discuss the Yongle Emperor's coming-of-age ceremony.

King Wen gestured to his servants to show the document he had brought to the Retired Emperor and his other brothers and sisters. This document detailed all the arrangements for Yongle's coming-of-age ceremony, including the ceremony's flow, guest invitations, venue setup, and so on. The servants respectfully handed the document to the Retired Emperor and the others, who then carefully perused it.

The Emperor Emeritus carefully examined the contents of the document, nodding occasionally. His eyes revealed his approval of the document, while he also pondered whether there were any areas that needed improvement. His other siblings were also reading the document attentively, sometimes frowning in thought, sometimes exchanging whispers, all offering suggestions for Yongle's coming-of-age ceremony.

After a while, the Emperor Emeritus put down the document, cleared his throat, and said, "This document is generally very good, but I think we could add some young people of similar age to Yongle to the guest list. This would make the ceremony more lively." Everyone nodded in agreement.

King Wen then said, “What Father says is absolutely right. I will have someone supplement this part of the list as soon as possible.” After saying that, he made a mark on the document.

At this moment, Prince Duan said, "I think we can add some elements that Yongle likes to the venue, such as her favorite flowers, which will make her happier." Everyone agreed with this suggestion, and Prince Wen made a note of it on the document.

The eldest princess gracefully smoothed her sleeves and gently suggested, "Why don't we ask the Grand Tutor's wife to comb Yongle's hair? She is not only the most respected elder in the court, but she has also presided over important ceremonies for many members of the royal family. Her technique is skillful and her words carry profound meaning." As soon as she finished speaking, everyone in the hall nodded in agreement, clearly quite in favor of the suggestion.

Chen Mengyao gently adjusted the embroidered handkerchief in her hand and said softly, "The coming-of-age ceremony dress and headdress prepared for Yongle should be lightweight and comfortable. Especially the phoenix crown and dress for the grand wedding; if they are too elaborate and heavy, they might exhaust her. After all, from morning dressing to the wedding night, a whole day of ceremonies, if she wears too much, I'm afraid she'll get worn out."

Upon hearing this, Princess Yongle's eyes flashed with gratitude, and she said softly, "Third Sister-in-law is truly thoughtful. I really don't want to wear such heavy attire for my coming-of-age ceremony and wedding. After all, such days should be filled with joy; if I'm burdened by cumbersome clothing, it loses its original meaning."

Next, Princess Yongle enthusiastically told her second brother, Prince Wen, the names of all the peers she wanted to invite, counting them carefully with an expectant smile on her face. She particularly emphasized which flowers she preferred for the decorations, especially her beloved peonies and orchids, hoping these flowers would adorn the entire venue at her coming-of-age ceremony, adding a touch of elegance and vitality. The Minister of Rites and Prince Wen listened attentively, their pens flying across the paper, meticulously recording every detail. Their expressions were focused and serious, clearly showing how much importance they attached to this grand upcoming ceremony.

Since Yongle's mansion was not yet fully completed, Ouyang Han made a clever suggestion—to hold the coming-of-age ceremony at his Prince Jing's mansion. He proposed inviting all the ministers of the court, members of the merchant guild, and major families to the ceremony, making it not just a private celebration, but a grand social event.

To provide guests with a richer experience, Ouyang Han suggested a buffet lunch, allowing everyone to freely choose their favorite foods while avoiding the formality of traditional banquets. In the evening, he proposed a unique barbecue feast, enabling guests to enjoy delicious food and socialize in a relaxed atmosphere.

To make the banquet even more lively, Ouyang Han suggested inviting teachers and students from the academy, artists from the art gallery, members of the research department, and all the staff of the princes and princesses to attend. He envisioned this coming-of-age ceremony not only as Princess Yongle's private celebration but also as a grand event for cultural and intellectual exchange. He even proposed that chefs from various princely residences, ministerial residences, and merchant guild member residences come to Prince Jing's residence to help ensure a rich variety of dishes with unique flavors. Furthermore, he planned for servants from each residence to collect various delicacies from the city's major restaurants and food stalls, ensuring the banquet would present the most authentic flavors of the capital.

To make the banquet even more special, Ouyang Han and Chen Mengyao decided to return to the modern world and purchase some contemporary delicacies, allowing their guests to taste novel foods from the future. They planned to have the chefs arrive at Prince Jing's residence a day in advance to ensure every dish was presented perfectly at the banquet. This suggestion excited everyone present, and Princess Yongle clapped her hands in approval, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

King Wen and the Minister of Rites sat to one side, their pens never ceasing. Their expressions were focused and serious, as if they were recording a momentous historical event. The atmosphere in the hall gradually became lively and warm amidst the discussions. Each suggestion was like a piece of a puzzle, gradually piecing together the complete picture of this coming-of-age ceremony. King Wen would occasionally look up at Yongle, his eyes filled with doting affection and satisfaction; the Minister of Rites would nod from time to time, indicating his approval and support for the suggestions.

As the discussion deepened, more and more details were brought to the agenda. Some suggested arranging a cultural performance during the banquet, inviting the most famous musicians and dancers from the capital to entertain; others suggested setting up a flower wall in the venue, creating a dreamlike backdrop with Princess Yongle's favorite flowers, making her the center of attention at her coming-of-age ceremony. Every suggestion was full of creativity and heartfelt intention; clearly, everyone wanted to create an unparalleled coming-of-age ceremony for Princess Yongle.

As time went on, the arrangements for Princess Yongle's coming-of-age ceremony were gradually perfected. From the banquet menu to the venue decorations, from the guest invitations to the event arrangements, every detail was carefully considered and discussed. Everyone hoped that this coming-of-age ceremony would become an important milestone in Princess Yongle's life, so that she could still feel full of happiness and warmth when she recalled this moment in the future.

As the discussion drew to a close, Princess Yongle stood up and bowed deeply to everyone present to express her gratitude. Tears welled in her eyes, and her voice trembled slightly as she said, "Thank you all for preparing so much for me. I will cherish this moment and remember every bit of your kindness." Her sincerity moved everyone present, and they all stood up to offer her their blessings.

Thus, thanks to everyone's joint efforts, all arrangements for Princess Yongle's coming-of-age ceremony were finally finalized. It is believed that this grand ceremony will be held smoothly in the near future, opening a new chapter in Princess Yongle's life.

Next, everyone resumed their discussion of Yongle's wedding. The group sat together, the atmosphere warm and lively. Minister of Rites, Lord Mu, stroked his beard and said slowly, "The princess's wedding dress and phoenix crown must be light and elegant, displaying both royal majesty and graceful beauty. I have already ordered several designs to be drawn; the princess will review them before making a final decision."

Upon hearing this, King Wen nodded in agreement: "Lord Mu is absolutely right. My younger sister has never liked complicated things since she was a child. If the wedding dress is too heavy, it will make her uncomfortable. I have noted this down and will arrange for the craftsmen to begin making it later."

Chen Mengyao smiled slightly and continued, "After the Princess's residence is renovated, I will have people decorate it according to Yongle's preferences. I will have people prepare her favorite orchids and peonies to adorn various parts of the residence. As for the bridal chamber, I will have people select several bolts of fine silk and prepare to embroider them with her favorite peony patterns."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wei's eyes flashed with gratitude. He cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness. The Princess's residence is the perfect venue for the wedding, since Yongle's family is all here. We should let her family witness her happiness. Once the wedding date is set, I will inform my parents, elder brother, and elder sister, and ask them to come to the capital as soon as possible to attend the wedding. After the wedding in the capital, I will take Yongle back to our hometown to hold another ceremony to celebrate with our relatives and friends."

The Emperor Emeritus coughed lightly and looked at Zhao Wei with kind eyes: "Zhao Wei, you have considered things very thoroughly. Although I do not like extravagance, Yongle is my most beloved daughter, and her wedding should be grand yet dignified. It is only reasonable for you to hold another one in your hometown."

Upon hearing this, Princess Yongle blushed and said softly, "Father, I will follow your arrangements. However... I am worried that Zhao Wei's parents will have a long and arduous journey. It would be inconvenient for them to come to the capital."

Zhao Wei smiled slightly and gently comforted her, "Yongle, don't worry. I've already decided that after the wedding in the capital, and after you return to your parents' home three days later, we will set off for our hometown. If Third Brother can send a car to take us there, it will save us a lot of time on the road. When I go back to check the betrothal gifts in a few days, I will take the cell phone that Third Sister-in-law gave me back to my parents and brothers, and teach them how to use it so that we can contact each other at any time."

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Han laughed heartily and said, "What's so difficult about that? I will arrange for the technology team to drive you back."

Chen Mengyao gently patted Yongle's hand, her eyes full of tenderness: "Yongle, don't worry, I will personally take care of all the wedding arrangements. You just need to focus on getting married, and leave the rest to us."

The Emperor Emeritus nodded and turned to the Minister of Rites and the officials of the Imperial Observatory: "You must carefully choose the date of the wedding. It should avoid a time when the country is busy, and you should also allow enough time for preparation. I hope that this wedding will become the most beautiful memory of Yongle's life."

The Imperial Observatory official, Li, quickly rose and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I understand. I will calculate several auspicious days as soon as possible for the Emperor Emeritus and the Princess to choose from. To ensure everything goes smoothly, I suggest setting the wedding date two or three months from now, so that there will be ample time for preparations."

Upon hearing this, King Wen smiled and said, "That's excellent. We also need to hurry up and arrange my sister's coming-of-age ceremony. After that, we can focus all our efforts on preparing for the wedding."

Princess Yongle pursed her lips slightly, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes: "Thank you for your concern, Father, brothers and sisters-in-law, and elder and brother-in-law. I will follow your arrangements."

Seeing this, Zhao Wei felt a warm glow in his heart and said softly, "Yongle, don't worry, I will do my best to make this wedding a complete success. Whether in the capital or my hometown, I will make our wedding the most beautiful memory."

Chen Mengyao smiled slightly and looked at Zhao Wei: "Zhao Wei, you're quite responsible. We're all relieved to have Yongle in your care." Then she said to Yongle, "I'll arrange for the technology team's camera crew to take photos and videos of your coming-of-age ceremony and wedding, so you can keep them as souvenirs." Yongle was deeply moved and hugged Chen Mengyao tightly, saying, "Third Sister-in-law, thank you."

The Emperor Emeritus nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand: "In that case, everyone should go about their preparations. The Minister of Rites and the Imperial Observatory should set the wedding date as soon as possible, and others should also lend their assistance if they have the time. I hope that this wedding will become a celebrated event in the capital."

Everyone responded in unison, and the atmosphere in the hall became even more joyful. King Wen stood up and said with a smile, "Royal sister, you can rest assured and wait for your marriage. Leave the rest to us. After your coming-of-age ceremony, we will do our best to prepare for your wedding."

Princess Yongle smiled slightly, her eyes full of gratitude: "Thank you, Second Brother, thank you, Father, and all my brothers, sisters-in-law, sisters and brothers-in-law for your concern."

Zhao Wei also stood up and said solemnly, "Yongle, don't worry, I will do my best to make this wedding a complete success."

The laughter and chatter of the crowd mingled in the hall, creating a warm and beautiful scene. Princess Yongle gazed at everything before her, her heart filled with anticipation and happiness. She knew that this wedding would be the most beautiful memory of her life, and that her story with Zhao Wei would begin a new chapter.

As night deepened outside the Prince Jing's mansion, the princes and princesses inside the hall rose to prepare to leave, their hearts filled with anticipation and longing.