2.2 || Virtuous To One's Husband

                                    

                                          
Along this line of thought, Liu Qirong's mind was also reminded of Hou Feihong's household. From the news she had gathered and heard, the Prince of Ping manor already had four formal concubines and three lesser concubines who used to be his bed-servants and personal maids.
                          
How could this Prince of Ping's manor befit what its name meant to be? Tranquility and peace would most likely be a luxury for Liu Qirong in her later days. Even the groom himself was not willing to give her any face. Although the Liu residence was full of scarlet banners and the wedding band already played their marching song, the onlookers could not miss the absence of the handsome Prince on his steed.
                          
"Prince Hou did not fetch the youngest lady of the Liu clan? What... is this arrangement?"
                          
"Hush! Do you want to die? His Majesty the Emperor himself decreed this marriage, Prince of Ping must have an inexplicable reason to be missing on his big day."
                          
"Ah, now that I think about it, my oldest brother who has a friend who works at the manor said that the manor has been in state of unrest due to some big matter. If the date has not been set, I think he would want to delay or even cancel the marriage."
                          
"What big matter?"
                          
"Do you think commoners like us would know?"
                          
"Aiii~ But look at the bride. Although I have not seen the youngest lady of the Liu clan ever since she passed her early childhood, she was an adorable looking child. She must have grown into a beauty. For a beauty to be treated like this... it's truly... ."
                          
"The Liu Fourth Miss will still live better than all of us! You might not know, but my family dabbles in textile. Those golden threads on her wedding robe are more expensive than your and my lives combined!"
                          
The chatters continued on, but the commoners could only see and gossip from afar. Liu Qirong was about to step onto Liu Muyan's stretched hand, when she paused and turned her head towards a certain direction. The crowd that was still noisy before immediately halted when they noticed the scarlet robed bride facing their way.
                          
"She... did she hear our chattering?"
                          
"Oh no! What if she takes offense? Liu clan is the Phoenix clan after all."
                          
Liu Qirong could only see a jumble of blurs from behind her veil, yet there was something that pulled her to that direction. If she lifted the veil, she was certain she would see...
                          
She would see who?
                          
Liu Bahe coughed lightly, reminding her to proceed with the custom. Restraining down her curiosity and confusion, she was finally carried on Liu Muyan's back towards her palanquin. 
                          
While she was restraining the urge to lift the sedan's curtain to sneak a peek - perhaps at her father, perhaps at her Empress elder sister, perhaps at the inexplicable existence she had been attracted to - the palanquin was lifted by four strong men. The songs continued to resound along the street, and a fair share of firecrackers were lit. The commoners joined in the festivities, wishing the bride good tidings and happy marriage ahead. 
                          
Behind her sedan, the trailing bridal party, and the bustling commoners, were two handsome horses with their riders on top. The horses were hidden behind the far end of Liu residence's stonewall. Even if someone would lay eyes on the two riders, they would just think the two men were some noble masters who were out on a stroll.
                          
One of them had an honest yet heroic face. Combined with his somewhat stocky stature and the sword hanging on his waist, he looked every bit the martial type. He addressed the the other man with respectful tone, 
                          
"Master, you have been frequenting the Liu residence lately. Are you concerned that the Phoenix clan will impede your plan? After all, the youngest lady is going to enter Hou Feihong's manor and Liu clan will be his greatest backing."