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Chapter 21 The Wedding

Li Xiao was Song Song's golden supporter. Staying with Li Xiao, he could obtain everything he missed in his previous life. This was the main reason why Song Song agreed to leave with Li Xiao that night.

But he never thought Li Xiao could say that kind of thing to him. No matter how he thought about it, it didn't seem real. Song Song knew that he was the medicine to cure Li Xiao's illness. Although he didn't know the reason, but this really happened, there was no way he could deny it.

However... what Li Xiao just said, he really didn't know how to respond.

He tried to compose the words in his head for a moment, only then did he say somewhat emotionally: "Thank you, your highness."

Li Xiao paused, his pitch black eyes squinted together slightly. He let go of Song Song's hand. The latter instantly withdrew his hand, fingers curling around where Li Xiao kissed. He looked into the other's pitch black eyes, smiled again and said: "I also like your highness."

He wasn't very used to this atmosphere. Palm stroking over his stomach, he took a deep breath, was just about to speak when he heard Li Xiao say: "Today, Song Guogong probably went into the palace to request for an edict."

"An edict?"

"To restrict this king from entering the Song estate before the wedding according to customs." His tone was indifferent, but Song Song's heart squeezed. All these years Li Xiao lived like this, everyone who saw him was scared of him. He opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but Li Xiao continued: "However, in exchange, my father will tell him my conditions."

Song Song didn't know what he was talking about, until Li Xiao sent him back to the Song estate, did he realize what the other did.

Madam Song was making an unreasonable scene: "The matron of this family is me! That Fu Xiang is only a merchant's daughter. How can she be mentioned on equal terms as me? I won't believe that the emperor wants you to raise her status from a concubine to a main wife. I won't allow her to enter the ancestral hall! I won't allow it!!"

Song Guogong already saw Song Song enter. He opened the imperial edict in his hand, and said to Song Song with a frown: "The emperor already passed a decree. Your mother's memorial tablet will be placed in the ancestral hall. Tomorrow, I will invite the clan chief to add her name into the family records. From now on, you're the son of a main wife The mad king won't be coming to live here in the future right?"

Song Guogong's name was Song Hong. When he was young, he was known far and near as a pretty boy, or else madam Song wouldn't have rushed to be married to him. But it was also because of this that caused Fu Xiang's sad story. She clearly married over as main wife, but her position was stolen by another with power.

(Note: Didn't mention before but Guogong is the title of a government position, not his name. I'm trying to keep everyone's name consistent so you won't get all confused. )

Song Song looked at his own father, saw his face full of unwillingness, then saw madam Song's expression of hatred, suddenly couldn't resist laughing: "I see."

He turned to go, but Song Guogong was extremely uncomfortable: "You don't have anything you want to say?"

"Say what? Thank you?" Song Song looked to the side, between his brows carried some deliberate arrogance: "I'm about to marry Ping wang. From now on, whatever I obtain, you can ride on a little of the glory. If you quietly rely on me, you'll naturally receive plenty of benefits."

Madam Song was so pissed off by his high and mighty attitude that her eyeballs were bulging out of their sockets. For once, she couldn't hold back from charging at him. Bai Yan, who was next to Song Song, immediately reached out and hit her on the shoulder with his palm, hard enough to return her back to Song Guogong's side. He cupped one fist into the other respectfully and said: "Wangye's orders. The future wangfei cannot have any accidents. Excuse me, you two."

Madam Song was unable to accept that she was no longer unique and unmatched, leaned against Song Guogong and started bawling. Song Guogong watched Song Song's figure leave, for a moment feeling all sorts of complicated.

This son of his, how did he change into something like this? Before he was so obedient. When he talked, he was afraid to speak loudly. When seen, he called with the sound like a mosquito 'dad dad' and forever used an admiring and worshiping expression to look at himself. But look at him now. Back straight, when his eyes swept over, it faintly carried a high and aloof disdain, as if he considered his family as ants and moles.

Perhaps he realized that this situation was irreparable. The second day, Song Guogong ordered someone to give Song Song the dowry list of everything Fu Xiang brought into the Song estate when she married over. All of the many boxes that were carried over that year were recorded on paper so it was hard to create fraud. However, some of the things changed forms, others turned into land or territories. Song Song looked over the list once, knew in his heart that Song Guogong didn't really return the entire dowry, but didn't force it. He said to that person: "My dowry, just arrange it following this list."

That person didn't dare to say anymore and returned quickly to report.

When the prime minister's daughter married, her dowry didn't even compare to Fu Xiang, the daughter of a merchant. This time, Song Song managed to divide over some Song estate property. Who knew how much pain the Song family will feel.

After Fu Xiang's name was added to the family records, her memorial tablet was quickly moved into the Song family ancestral hall. When Song Song heard, he went to pay his respect. Kneeling on the praying mat, he wondered if his mother was watching over him.

When he died, for a long time, he was a ghost floating all over the place. Occasionally, he was even able to see faint shapes of other ghosts, but never saw Fu Xiang's ghost, perhaps she had left long before.

He stayed in the ancestral hall for a while then stood up to return to his courtyard. During this time, Li Xiao followed his promise and did not come. When Song Song had the time, occasionally he would recall the days when he was a ghost.

Back then, Song Song could somehow feel that Li Xiao knew Song Ge wasn't him. In that past life, after Li Xiao bestowed the title of empress to 'Song Song'. The imperial harem only had 'Song Song' as its sole member. However, he rarely visited 'Song Song.' Even if Song Ge called for him, he never stayed the night. Of course, all of these were something Song Song heard about. He really didn't want to spend all his time staring at the person who had stolen his face. Instead, he spent most of the time accompanying the little prince.

It just happened, Li Xiao also liked the little prince very much. He remembered when the little prince just entered the palace, he suddenly got a cold and became very weak. That little guy laid on the bed, big round eyes staring straight at him. At that time, Song Song asked him: "Can you see me?"

Song Song figured out later that it's because the little guy's body was too weak, so he was able to see himself. After that he didn't dared to appear too much. Even if the child couldn't see him, that's okay. As long as he was healthy and well.

Back then, the people in the palace also knew that the one that the emperor loved most was the little prince. Therefore, when the kid fell sick, the information very quickly reached his father. When Li Xiao heard, he immediately put everything aside and hurriedly went to see him.

Song Song hid behind a pillar, watched him sit at the bedside, eyes warm as he talked with the little guy. Small kids couldn't hide anything, and said to him cutely: "Just now I saw daddy."

Li Xiao looked questioning to the side, the servant there shook his head: "The empress has been praying for your majesty. He's still in the Buddhist hall chanting scriptures."

Not long after the little prince entered the palace, Li Xiao ordered him to be taken from the empress. He specifically built a sleeping hall for a child to stay in, and ordered a group of people to take meticulous care of him. The entire time, Song Song couldn't understand why he didn't just let the little prince stay with Song Ge.

Li Xiao received his answer from the eunuch, then asked the little prince: "Could it be possible that you saw wrong?"

The little guy shook his head continuously, and promised he didn't. He even raised his tiny hands: "Daddy kissed."

Song Song indeed kissed him.

That day, Li Xiao stayed with the little prince all the way until he fell asleep. Song Song also went quietly to look at his son's sleeping face. The man abruptly looked up, as if he could really see him.

However, he quickly laughed at himself, shaking his head, and waved away the image as a hallucination.

Song Song often sat next to him asking: "Can you see me?"

But no one answered.

The feeling of being seen by Li Xiao, was most distinct when Li Xiao had his episodes. Many times, he even held his sword and walked straight towards him. When his body traveled through Song Song, he would immediately act crazier, as if he were a ferocious beast who suddenly gained an intense realization.

In terms of whether or not Li Xiao really saw him in the previous life, the answer was still unknown.

Song Song took a long breath of the winter cold air. Suddenly he heard a voice from the side: "Song Song. Why haven't you died yet?"

Song Shi.

Song Song turned and saw the young man who was wrapped in a grey overcoat. From the other's surprised expression, he understood quickly that madam Song did not inform him about his marriage with Li Xiao. Who knows. Maybe to comfort Song Shi, she might have lied to him and said he was already killed by the mad king.

Song Song said considerately: "Not only am I not dead. In two days, I'm getting married to wangye."

Song Shi was completely stunned.

Song Song no longer bothered with him, and increased his footsteps towards his courthouse. Expectantly, very quickly came the sound of Song Shi's roar: "I don't believe it! Song Song. Stop right there! Explain yourself!"

But with his injury, how could he chase down Song Song. He even hacked out a mouthful of blood from the sudden excitement.

All of these children that madam Song gave birth to, were all born green-eyed, their jealous personalities were very strong. If it were someone normal was better than them, it wouldn't be as bad. However, someone like Song Song, who had been stepped below their feet since he was young, now suddenly flipped above their heads. How could they calmly accept such a change?

However, no matter what Song Shi thought, what was meant to come still came.

November 15, with snowflakes falling through the air, Song Song, as the son of a main wife, married Li Xiao. When people stood outside the Song estate to watch the commotion and grab a little good luck from the joyous atmosphere. They saw the marriage sedan being carried out from inside, followed by a row of people and a long line of wedding gifts. Boxes and boxes of red colored chests with the word 'happiness' imprinted in gold continuously flowed out. The entire procession made a circle around the capital city. It wasn't until the marriage sedan reached and was lowered in front of the king's estate entrance that the last of the chests of dowry gifts finally left the Song estate doors.

This kind of incomparable and imposing wedding procession made people unable to turn their eyes.

"Who knew that the Song family could be so extravagant!"

"What do you know? The king's betrothal gift is included in that too. A few days ago, he already sent quite a bit. Today, there were even more."

"That's still a lot His highness is sure lucky that wangfei is extremely wealthy."

"Did you forget the day Fu Xiang married into the Song family? Her dowry circled the entire capital twice. Such a big clan like the Fu family, now only has this one grandson left. If the wedding gifts are not given to him, then who would they be given to. However, if I have to say, all of this that we see today They're definitely only leftovers from after the Song family took a big piece."

"The big fire at the Fu family that year, do you think."

"Today is a happy occasion. What a bad thing to say."

In the middle of all the jubilation, Song Song felt the palanquin be lowered to the floor. The chair then tilted forward. Someone opened the curtains and he bent down and walked out from inside. Led by a hand, he walked past the blazier, then passed the tall king's estate doorstep, and entered the inner halls.

Although there were quite a few people in the estate today, other than the loud excitement outside, inside wasn't particularly rowdy. Especially in the places where Li Xiao appeared, even if there were people, it was still extremely quiet. No one dared to speak casually.

The wedding announcement, therefore, was especially clear.

"One bow to worship the heaven and earth---"

"Second bow to honor the parents---"

"Third bow between husband and wife---"

Song Song followed instructions. On the last bow, he calmly bent his back, and waited for Li Xiao to straighten first.

When the husband and wife bowed towards each other, there's an unwritten rule. The first one who raised has the higher position. That's why during every wedding, the bride will lower her head much longer than the groom. This was to represent that in the days after the wedding, the wife will listen to the husband.

Yet, Li Xiao looked like he had no plan to rise.

"Xiao-er?"

When this voice sounded, Song Song almost had goosebumps. The emperor actually came in person!

With this sound, Li Xiao slowly stood straight. Song Song subconsciously followed him and stood straight as well, his head was a complete mess for a moment.

When the kings wed, usually the emperor would send some gifts. On the second day, the bride would enter the palace and pour the emperor a cup of tea out of respect. After all, the emperor was a busy man. He couldn't attend all of the wedding ceremonies one by one, the only exception would probably be if the crown prince had a big wedding.

No wonder when they completed the wedding ritual, the room was so quiet. Not only was it because of Li Xiao's reputation, there's also a bigger mountain present.

He suddenly thought about what the emperor had said again, 'His literary skills can settle the country. His strength can , the world will be in my son's palm.'

That year when he said this with high spirits. The amount of hope he had back then for his son to succeed in life, now unfortunately all changed to heartbreak.

Sure enough, the emperor really loved Li Xiao the most.

Letting his thoughts run wild, Song Song was brought into a room. A matchmaker trembled uncontrollably as she gave some auspicious wedding speech. Li Xiao glanced at her and said: "You can put it down."

A few maids hastily placed a tray down and ran out of the room. Li Xiao picked up the wedding scale on it and used it to carefully lift open the red veil.

(Note: it translated to a scale but it's really just like a stick that's used to lift wedding veils. To be official and all that.)

This time Song Song was raised well. His originally sunken cheeks were now rounded and full. Contrasted by the bright red clothes, his face looked even whiter. His facial features looked even more exquisite. Every inch looked like it was made for Li Xiao's tastes.

Song Song was most afraid of Li Xiao using this gaze to look at him. He looked away and said: "The emperor is still outside. You should hurry and go."

"I want a little token of good luck before I go." Li Xiao leaned close and said: "Will Song-er give it to me?"

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The writer has something to say:

Song Song: . Can't afford to give.