Chapter 23 Wedding Dress “Tuo Baxiao.” Jiang Congyan silently recited this name in her heart…

Chapter 23 The Wedding Dress "Tuo Baxiao," Jiang Congyan murmured to herself...

He was a bit frustrated that, given his daughter knew so many people, she hadn't considered marriage before. Otherwise, she wouldn't be in this situation today. But then he blamed himself again. Chang Shengnu had been back in Chang'an for two years, and he, as her father, hadn’t shown much concern or inquired about her. How could a young lady choose a husband for herself?

In the end, he blamed himself entirely as a father. Not only could he not protect her, but he also brought her many hardships.

Jiang Congyan noticed the light in her father’s eyes dim and his expression grow more despondent, realizing he was likely feeling guilty again. She had no choice but to deliberately provoke him: "Father, are you making that face because you can't help me?"

"Nonsense!" Jiang Huai scolded lightly. "They’re just two minor positions. Even though I’m not in the court, I can still manage such small matters."

When two states form a marriage alliance and a princess is sent to wed, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices follows specific protocols. What rank of officials, how many people to send, and how much dowry are all predetermined.

The escorting guards are fine; they can return after delivering her to the border of Liang State. However, the officials overseeing the ceremonies must travel to the Xianbei King’s court and can only return after the wedding is complete. The journey is long and perilous, and they must interact with the barbarians. This thankless task is rarely volunteered for.

However, the officials tasked with escorting the bride do receive some benefits. Due to the requirements of the escorting protocol, senior officials from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices or the Court of State Ceremonial, who are responsible for the reception of feudal lords and envoys, must preside over the ceremonies. The highest protocol even demands that a prince personally escort the bride. Therefore, if an official with a low rank is promoted to escort the bride, they could be promoted several levels.

The aristocratic clans have their own privileges and connections, sparing them such hardships, while those from humble backgrounds might strive for it, but they can’t compete with a single word from the aristocratic clans.

Jiang Huai had lived a law-abiding life for nearly thirty years, but he still retained some connections from the Founding Emperor and Crown Prince Zhaowen. As he said, it was indeed not difficult.

"Thank you, Father!" Jiang Congyan smiled.

In this life, heaven had been kind to her, blessing her with a family who truly cared for her.

Jiang Huai gazed at his daughter’s rosy face, more radiant than the brightest pearl, yet she was about to marry. His heart was heavy with reluctance, imagining her marrying alone to a distant land beyond the Great Wall, uncertain of the hardships she’d face. He wished he could do everything possible for her.

"I still have some of the secret guards the Founding Emperor gave me. Take them with you; they’ll offer some extra protection."

Jiang Congyan shook her head, "Father, I don’t need them. Zhang Zheng and the others will accompany me north; that’s enough. Your situation is more precarious than mine; let them stay with you."

Jiang Huai wanted to press further, but when he met his daughter’s resolute gaze, he knew she was unwavering. He didn’t know how his daughter had grown from a small child into such a clever and strategic person, but it surely hadn’t been easy.

Suddenly, Jiang Congyan thought of something and felt she should remind her father, "Father, Zhao Shi and Zhao Zhen seem to have an odd relationship."

She knew Zhao Shi was an informant planted by the Emperor of Liang in the King of Chu’s mansion, but something always felt off.

Jiang Congyan had only meant to alert her father to pay more attention to Zhao Shi, but after saying this, he acted oddly.

Jiang Huai cautiously asked, "How much do you know?"

"Not much, just that before the palace banquet for the Prince of Mobei, I saw her secretly meeting with Zhao Zhen for a while, and her expression seemed off."

Jiang Huai breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Congyan sensed he was hiding something and asked softly, "Father knows?"

"Well—" In front of his daughter, Jiang Huai was too ashamed to speak, afraid of tainting her ears.

However, Jiang Congyan was not willing to let it go easily and insisted on getting to the bottom of it, even threatening, "If Father doesn't tell me, it's fine. I'll just send someone to investigate myself." As she spoke, she stood up.

"Don't!" Jiang Huai hurriedly stopped her.

Jiang Congyan then sat back down, calmly watching him.

Jiang Huai's expression changed several times, his eyes drifting far away, looking at the window and the ground, but not daring to meet his daughter's gaze. His fair skin even turned red, and finally, he helplessly said, "They... are involved in an incestuous relationship." His voice was as timid as a young bride’s.

Jiang Congyan was momentarily stunned before realizing the nature of Zhao Shi and Zhao Zhen’s relationship. Weren’t they cousins?

But she wasn’t particularly shocked. Recalling their behavior that day, it was indeed overly intimate. If not for their familial ties, one might have mistaken them for a couple.

“So you just let them…” Jiang Congyan murmured, her eyes wide.

Now that the truth was out, Jiang Huai spoke more freely. He said, “I’ve never been close to Zhao Shi. We both knew why this marriage came about, so I don’t care what she does. In fact… Zhao Shi was also my pawn.”

Zhao Shi was sent to monitor Jiang Huai, but she wasn’t sharp enough to see beyond the obvious. Jiang Huai could even use her to reassure the Emperor of Liang. After learning about her improper relationship with Zhao Zhen, he didn’t expose it, allowing it to continue. Otherwise, if the Emperor were to lose his informant, it would be more troublesome to replace her.

But now, she dared to plot against his daughter, and that was unforgivable.

A sharp glint flickered in Jiang Huai’s eyes, disappearing so quickly it might have been an illusion.

Jiang Congyan thought that since her father knew, she wouldn’t meddle further. Although Zhao Shi’s scheming annoyed her, if her father still found her useful, she would let it be for now.

The father and daughter didn’t linger on this awkward topic. After discussing their plans, Jiang Congyan returned to her courtyard.

In the evening, Ruo Lan came back and said everything was settled—Zhang Fu was willing to accompany her north.

Jiang Congyan nodded, feeling a bit more at ease.

Soon, it was mid-March. Tuo Baxiao had been in Chang’an for over half a month. Now that the marriage candidate was decided and the alliance treaty with Liang State was finalized, the Xianbei couldn’t go long without a king, and the entire Liang State was anxious for him to depart. Thus, all arrangements progressed quickly.

The day after the marriage decree was issued, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices sent someone to take Jiang Congyan’s measurements.

The princess’s wedding dress had already been prepared; only slight alterations were necessary.

The day before departure, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices delivered the accompanying palace maids and the dowry chest to the residence of the King of Chu, allowing Jiang Congyan to try on the wedding dress.

The embroiderers’ craftsmanship was excellent. The wedding dress, tailored to her measurements, fit perfectly and required no further adjustments.

By then, the residence of the King of Chu was already decorated with lanterns and colorful silks, and even luxurious flowers and trees had been transplanted, making the once-quiet palace bustling for the first time in seventeen years.

Zhao Shi seemed particularly enthusiastic about the event, her face lit up with smiles. An outsider might have thought she was genuinely happy for Jiang Congyan.

Jiang Congyan leaned on the lattice windowsill, casually draped in a plain robe, her slender wrist supporting her cheek as she gazed quietly at the bright moon hanging from the treetops.

Pure and flawless, its light bathed everything.

Li Bai once said, “People today do not see the moon of ancient times, but this moon once shone on the ancients.”

Yet she, a “modern” person from a thousand years later, was now seeing the “ancient” moon of a thousand years ago.

This moon was no different from the one she had seen in her future. The world had changed, but the people on this land were the only ones who had transformed.

From a macro timeline perspective, everyone was destined to fade into the dust of history. The rise and fall of a short-lived dynasty might not seem so significant, but now that she was truly part of it, she couldn’t help but care.

The faces she had seen were so vivid, the experiences she had gone through so real, and the affection she had felt was so deeply cherished… She couldn’t just watch as future tragedies unfolded. She wanted to flap the butterfly’s wings, to shift the course of history even by the slightest margin.

“Tuo Baxiao,” Jiang Congyan silently repeated the name in her heart. This destined falling star—could she alter his fate?