After my whole family overheard my thoughts, they went berserk.

Shi Qingling got married.

The wedding ceremony was quiet and deserted. Apart from the two maids arranged by the Empress Dowager, there were no dowry items.

This was a far cry from her original grand and glamorous life, with its abundant dowry.

"Isn't today Princess Qingling's wedding day? Why is it so quiet and deserted? It's not even as nice as an ordinary girl's house!"

"That's right, there's no money, no wedding candy, and no wedding procession!"

Shi Qingling sat in the bridal sedan chair, tears welling up in her eyes.

Her makeup had been ruined by crying several times already.

She already felt wronged by marrying into the Marquis of Zhongzhen's household, but now she can't even lift her head up.

The groom, Feng Yu, dressed in a red wedding suit, wearing a wedding hat, and adorned with large red flowers, was riding a white horse and was being watched by the crowd.

There was no joy on his face that a groom should have.

Even passersby could sense that this joyous occasion was shrouded in a lifeless atmosphere.

The mansion was filled with the sounds of gongs and drums, extremely festive.

Dozens of tables were set up inside the mansion for a grand banquet, and a long table was placed outside the mansion specifically for wedding candies and cakes.

Everyone who comes to offer their congratulations will receive a gift.

This was all at the behest of Feng Pingliang, the Marquis of Zhongzhen.

The bridal sedan chair landed outside the mansion. The two maids, seeing the state of the mansion, happily comforted Shi Qingling.

"Princess, the Marquis's mansion has not treated you unfairly. Today's celebration was very well done. The neighborhood is packed with people who have come to offer their congratulations."

Hearing the banging and knocking outside, Shi Qingling finally calmed down a little.

However, she ultimately felt wronged.

Sitting in the main hall were Feng Yu's father, Feng Xiu, and his mother, Madam Bai.

Feng Xiu, dressed in a brownish-red robe, wore a broad smile, while Bai Shi beside him forced a smile in front of everyone.

It was clear that she was unhappy.

After the ceremony outside the door was completed, the bride and groom entered the main room and knelt down to pay their respects to their parents.

"Worship heaven and earth!"

"Two thanks to the high hall!"

"Couple greetings!"

"The ceremony is over, let's go to the bridal chamber!"

The people sitting on either side were Feng Pingliang and his wife, Madam Xu. Both of them had kind eyes and happy faces.

Shi Qingling was led into the bridal chamber and sat upright on the couch, with faint sobs escaping her lips.

The two maids who accompanied her in her dowry were named Bailu and Ruyi. They were carefully selected by the Empress Dowager to keep an eye on her and prevent her from acting impulsively.

"Princess, please don't cry. Actually, the Marquis's mansion has treated you quite well," Ruyi said cautiously.

White Dew also soothes.

"This servant saw that the old Marquis and his wife looked very happy. The entire mansion was also very well prepared, showing their care. You can put your mind at ease."

Shi Qingling was unable to calm down.

Marrying into the Marquis's mansion was not her wish, but not being able to enjoy royal etiquette was a disgrace to her for life.

Even if the Marquis's family values ​​her, it is only right. She is a noble princess, and the fact that she is willing to marry Feng Yu is an honor that benefits the Marquis's family.

"Young Madam, the Old Madam was worried you were hungry, so she specially sent me to bring you black chicken soup. She told you to drink it while it's hot so you don't get sick from hunger." A maid knocked on the door to deliver the message.

Ruyi walked over and took the soup bowl from the maid: "My lady is Lady Xie."

"I also told the princess not to be so reserved, as this is her own home."

Upon hearing these words, Shi Qingling felt an indescribable mix of emotions and cried even harder.

Not reconciled!

Bailu and Ruyi sighed.

They finally understood why the Marquis of Zhongzhen's mansion was respected by the Emperor, who was willing to offend the princess rather than embarrass the mansion.

The old Marquis's reputation was certainly not built on hype.

Now that the princess has married into the family empty-handed, any other household would have looked down on her long ago, but the Marquis's family doesn't care at all.

Perhaps marrying into the Marquis's household is a good thing; hopefully, she can come to terms with it.

"Princess, please drink some while it's hot, so as not to disappoint the old lady's kindness," Bai Lu urged her.

The implication is: there's still the old lady to rely on in this Marquis's mansion.

The banquet hall was already full of guests.

According to custom, when a princess gets married, civil and military officials are supposed to have a banquet in the palace, but since no notice was received, the banquet could not be held.

However, the Marquis of Zhongzhen's residence sent out invitations to other residences, inviting them to come and share in the joy.

Marquis Zhongzhen was over sixty years old and had long since retired from officialdom, but the emperor still treated him with respect, and the other officials dared not neglect him.

Today, everyone brought their families to offer their congratulations, making the Hou residence extremely lively.

But with so many people talking, gossip is inevitable.

"Princess Qingling only brought two maids with her when she got married. The Emperor and Empress Dowager didn't make any arrangements for her. Is there some hidden reason?"

"As everyone knows, Princess Qingling was not born to the Empress Dowager and has no blood relation with the Emperor."

Various speculations were made, and everyone had a free rein to express their opinions.

But who would have thought that all of this was a mistake made by Shi Qingling herself?

Outside the banquet hall, distinguished guests arrived one after another.

First, the Crown Prince appeared, followed closely by Zheng Yueyue.

"The Crown Prince and Crown Princess have come to offer their congratulations and present a pair of golden magpies!"

Everyone couldn't help but be surprised.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is truly generous!"

Then, Shi Lingfeng came gracefully, holding a baby in his arms.

"The Second Prince and the Little Princess have come to offer their congratulations and have presented a set of fine jade artifacts!"

"The Fourth Prince has come to offer his congratulations and presents a golden boy and jade girl!"

The arrival of several princes and the little princess brought great honor to the Marquis's residence, and everyone held the Marquis's family in even higher regard.

Although the Emperor neglected Princess Qingling, the princes' lavish spending must have been with the Emperor's tacit approval.

Many people speculated that the fact that she was getting married without a dowry was probably related to Princess Qingling herself.

"The Third Prince and his Third Princess have come to offer their congratulations, bringing two chests of gold and silver jewelry!"

Shi Chenfeng, dressed in a dark red robe, strode calmly toward the banquet hall.

"The Third Prince is even more generous, with those two large chests of gold and silver jewelry."

"Third sister-in-law, I saw my third sister-in-law again!"

Si Wan'er wore a light pink dress and had exquisite makeup. Standing next to the Third Prince, she exuded the aura of a matriarch.

"Third sister-in-law, come here quickly, come and hug me! I missed you so much!"

Si Wan'er looked at Shi Miaomiao and couldn't help but smile. She walked towards the group of people on her own.

"Sister-in-law greets the two imperial brothers!"

Shi Chenfeng also noticed that the Crown Prince brought his younger siblings to the event and did not intend to sit down, but Si Wan'er sat down directly without his permission.

Now, she is no longer as obedient to him as before.

A surge of anger rose in his eyes.

"Wow, my third sister-in-law looks so much prettier lately! It must be my youth-preserving charm that's working wonders!"

"Look how much bigger Miaomiao has become! Here, let your third sister-in-law feed you some candy." Si Wan'er peeled open a gummy candy and put it to her lips.

She struggled to bite down every second, but she was already able to bite things with her gums.

It's a bit tough on your gums though!

"Third Prince!" Feng Yu was even more excited to see Shi Chenfeng than when he was welcoming his bride, and immediately stepped forward to greet him.

cough--