Time flew by, and soon it was the 16th day of the 12th lunar month.

The day before, Wei Ji had already left the palace to return to the Wei Manor. Although Wei Ji was still young, he had quite a few things to handle for Wei Zhan's wedding. In the palace, Chu Shaoling also had to be busy with Fuyi's affairs. Chu Shaoling had already informed Wang Muhan at the Ministry of Internal Affairs early on. The palace servants in the Ministry of Internal Affairs were tactful and indeed arranged Fuyi's wedding matters perfectly without any omissions.

Fuyi's dowry was personally inspected by Chu Shaoling. Everything was of top quality, and Chu Shaoling added countless precious treasures and playthings, as well as two manors. Chu Shaoling was very generous, and Fuyi's dowry was quite impressive.

The dowry had already been carried to the Wei family the day before. The next day was the auspicious day. At the Mao hour, Fuyi's palace started getting ready. Just dressing Fuyi in the nine-layered auspicious attire took some time. After the grand makeup was done, it was already the Chen hour. Fuyi wore a phoenix crown with precious beads and tassels, holding a gold-painted treasure vase. Led by the auspicious matrons, she first went to Chengqian Palace to bid farewell to the Emperor.

In Chengqian Palace, the Emperor said a few words and then let Fuyi go see the Empress Dowager. Fuyi bowed again and again, supported by the matrons, and went to Ci'an Palace. The Empress Dowager had been waiting for a while. Although the Empress Dowager had not been particularly fond of Fuyi, now seeing her little granddaughter about to get married, her heart couldn't help but feel sour.

She bestowed many more precious treasures and sighed, "You child, you've always had a soft temperament since you were young. Fortunately, you're not marrying far, just right at your own family's doorstep. After marrying into your husband's residence, you must be diligent and restrained. Your husband was chosen by your elder brother, so I suppose there won't be any problems. You just need to live your days well and don't think about the palace."

Fuyi listened to the instructions with her head bowed and solemnly knelt down, "Your granddaughter understands. May the Imperial Grandmother take care of her health in the future. May the years in the pine forest be celebrated and the ancestral line prosper. May the spring breeze on the island bring great fortune to the capital of longevity."

The Empress Dowager nodded, "I know. Now that Empress Ling is no more, forget it. Go see your mother as well. I'm sure Consort Ning also has words to instruct you."

Fuyi hurriedly knelt down again, "Thank you, Imperial Grandmother."

According to custom, when a princess marries and leaves the palace, she first bids farewell to the Emperor and then to the Empress. Now that there was no Empress, the Empress Dowager showed special grace. Fuyi was very grateful in her heart. Led by the matrons, she went to Yanxi Palace.

In Yanxi Palace, Consort Ning had received the news early and had been waiting outside the hall for a long time. Fuyi had been fine bidding farewell to the Emperor and Empress Dowager, but now seeing Consort Ning, before she could say anything, tears started flowing. Consort Ning also felt sorrowful in her heart and hurriedly wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, whispering, "Princess, you mustn't!"

Fuyi tried her best to hold back her tears and said hoarsely, "Now that I'm leaving the palace, Mother Consort must take care of yourself and be careful in all matters." Fuyi's tears fell again and she choked up, unable to speak. The bond and hardships the mother and daughter had shared for more than ten years, relying on each other for survival, only they themselves knew. Consort Ning, afraid of being seen, quickly wiped Fuyi's tears and whispered, "Now that the bitter times have passed, Princess absolutely must not be like this. The Wei family will treat the Princess well. Princess, set your mind at ease. Everything in my palace is fine, don't worry."

Fuyi nodded, tidied her clothes, took a step back, and solemnly knelt down. Consort Ning, after all, had a mother's heart and couldn't hold back her tears. She cried, "Forget it, don't delay the auspicious hour. Go, go."

Fuyi knelt again with tears, got up and boarded the sedan chair.

As the sedan chair reached the palace gate, Chu Shaoling and a thousand accompanying imperial guards, as well as several hundred palace servants from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, had long been waiting. With a thousand-man procession and ten thousand people sending off the bride, Chu Shaoling personally lifted Fuyi down from the sedan chair and carried her all the way to the bridal sedan. Only after everything was arranged did he order the sedan to be lifted. The procession slowly moved forward and directly exited the inner city. The Wei family's wedding procession had long been waiting. Wei Zhan came from the military, and the wedding procession was all young military talents, quite eye-catching.

Wei Zhan dismounted and walked over to pay his respects. Chu Shaoling hurriedly dismounted and helped him up. Today, Wei Zhan was not in his usual armor for a change. Wearing this set of wedding attire, he looked exceptionally handsome. Chu Shaoling smiled, "No need for excessive courtesy. Don't delay the auspicious hour, let's go."

The two mounted their horses, with Wei Zhan turning his horse to ride half a body length behind Chu Shaoling.

After arriving at the Wei Manor, there was a series of trivial ceremonies. The princess and her husband bowed to heaven and earth together and performed the eight-bow ritual. Chu Shaoling accompanied them until Fuyi and Wei Zhan had completed the cup-sharing ceremony, giving full face to the Wei Manor and Fuyi.

By now, it was already the You hour. Chu Shaoling said a few words to Wei Ming and was about to take his leave. Wei Ming tried to make him stay but didn't dare to persuade him too much and could only pay his respects and respectfully see him off. Chu Shaoling gave Wei Ji, who was not far away, a look. With everyone watching, Wei Ji didn't dare to be too unrestrained and lowered his eyes, not daring to look at Chu Shaoling. Chu Shaoling found it amusing in his heart, turned around, and left with his accompanying guards.

The Wei Manor was busy in various places. Wei Ji had been smiling at people all day and was also a bit tired. Just as he was thinking of returning to his own courtyard to rest for a while, Wang Muhan came back.

Wang Muhan was an old eunuch by Chu Shaoling's side. Seeing him come, everyone hurried to greet him. Wang Muhan smiled and said, "I dare not delay this joyous day, but His Highness suddenly remembered there was a matter he wanted to instruct Young Master Wei about, so he sent me back to invite Young Master Wei."

Wei Ming hurriedly sent someone to call Wei Ji. Wang Muhan smiled, "On such a joyous day for the residence, would calling Young Master Wei away like this delay matters?"

"It won't delay, it won't delay," Wei Ming repeatedly said. "He is originally a person by His Highness's side. It is His Highness's grace to let him return to the residence to handle affairs. Now that there's nothing much left to do anyway, he should indeed go with His Highness."

As they were speaking, Wei Ji had already arrived. Wang Muhan repeated what he had said earlier. Wei Ji thought Chu Shaoling really had some matter for him to handle and hurriedly followed Wang Muhan and left.

It was nearly the Xu hour. In the bridal chamber, Fuyi held a white porcelain treasure vase, feeling apprehensive in her heart. Before long, Wei Zhan pushed the door open and entered. Fuyi tightened her grip on the vase and slightly lowered her head. From under the bridal veil, she saw Wei Zhan slowly approach. Wei Zhan picked up the bridal scale to lift the veil. Fuyi raised her head and only then saw Wei Zhan's appearance. Her face instantly flushed red and she said softly, "Husband..."

Wei Zhan's face was calm but his heart also stirred. Chu Shaoling was right, Fuyi did not have the arrogance of a princess, but instead had a bit more of a young girl's shyness. Wei Zhan could see that Fuyi was nervous, so he personally poured her a cup of tea and said in a low voice, "Princess, have a cup of tea."

Fuyi nodded, raised her hand to take the tea. As their fingers touched, Wei Zhan's heart suddenly softened. He grasped Fuyi's slender fingers and said in a deep voice, "Princess, don't be afraid. I will definitely treat you well."

Hearing this, Fuyi's face turned red. She lowered her head and didn't reply.

On Wei Ji's side, he finally got off the carriage. Looking around, Wei Ji asked suspiciously, "Isn't this the Qin Prince Manor? What did His Highness call me here for?"

Wang Muhan lowered his head and smiled, "Lord Wei, you may not know yet, but the Qin Prince Manor was repaired half a month ago. It's just that the Prince has been busy these past few days and hasn't had time to spare. Now, everything inside has been properly arranged. Since the Prince is leaving the palace today, he wanted to invite Lord Wei to take a look together. If there are any places that are not good or not to your liking, they can still be changed."

Wei Ji felt warmth in his heart and asked, "Where is the Prince?"

Wang Muhan said with difficulty, "This old servant does not know. Lord Wei, please just follow this old servant. Anyway, it's just within this Manor, you'll be able to see him in a moment."

Wei Ji nodded and followed Wang Muhan through the main gate together.

The maids and eunuchs in the Manor had already been properly assigned, each attending to their duties. Everyone lowered their heads and kept their voices down, not making a single sound, very disciplined. As Wang Muhan walked inside, he introduced the scenery to Wei Ji. Even though Wei Ji had been in the palace for these past few years, he felt that the Qin Prince Manor was exceptionally exquisite and luxurious. Just appreciating a few scenes, there were already several astonishingly unique and beautiful sights.

The two walked and talked, and before they knew it, they had already arrived at the main hall. This was Wei Ji's first time entering. Seeing Chu Shaoling's personally written words "Huaji Hall" on the main hall, Wei Ji was slightly lost in thought.

Wang Muhan looked up, smiled and said, "This plaque is carved from top-quality rosewood, gilded three times. The Prince said, anything else is fine, but only this main hall plaque must never decay or deteriorate."

Wei Ji felt warmth in his heart. He lowered his head without responding. Wang Muhan led Wei Ji around, but they did not see Chu Shaoling. Wang Muhan smiled, "The Prince has probably already left. Lord Wei, please go with this old servant to other places."

Wei Ji nodded, turned to take a look, and then followed Wang Muhan out of the main hall. After descending the stone steps with carved cloud and dragon patterns, Wang Muhan headed straight east. After passing through the corridor, there was Yaoguang Pond. The pond was dotted with exquisite lanterns, the candlelight flickering, a sight of incomparable beauty. Wang Muhan led Wei Ji across the bamboo bridge and chuckled, "Lord Wei, take a look, do you like it here?"

This was Wei Ji's first time seeing so many lanterns. He nodded and said with a smile, "I like it."

Wang Muhan lowered his head and smiled, "These nearly one thousand lanterns, could it be that one person set them up?"

Wei Ji didn't quite hear what Wang Muhan said, and Wang Muhan didn't explain. He continued leading Wei Ji further in.

After crossing the bamboo bridge was the lake pavilion. In the center of the lake, a high platform was built, and a three-story small building with a copper body and gold-plated treasure roof was constructed. The small building had doors open on all four sides, and the upper floor used golden colored glass windows, inlaid with five-colored luminous stones. The gold cups and green tiles, set against the flickering candlelight by Yaoguang Lake, shone brilliantly.

Wei Ji was almost transfixed as he unconsciously followed Wang Muhan into the small building. Inside, the spiral staircase was covered with thick red gold-embroidered felt rugs, soft and thick. Wei Ji almost couldn't bear to step on them.

Wang Muhan raised his hand holding a bright tile lantern and said in a low voice, "The Prince said, Lord Wei used to stand guard outside the palace and suffered from the cold before, afraid of leaving behind the root of a cold-related illness. After coming here, wherever rugs can be laid, they should be laid. In this way, in such cold weather, Lord Wei won't feel that his feet are cold, right?"

Wei Ji didn't expect this to be Chu Shaoling's thoughtfulness. His heart felt even warmer as he followed Wang Muhan upstairs. Wang Muhan led Wei Ji to stand by the window, bowed and opened the window, saying softly, "The view of Yaoguang Pond is best from here. It's late today, but if it were bright during the day, you could see straight to the main hall from here."

Wang Muhan looked at Wei Ji's expression and said softly, "The Prince also wrote words for this place, calling it the Lifelong Companion Building. This old servant doesn't understand much, but I heard it means 'Wishing to gain one person's heart, never to part until our hair turns white.'"

Wei Ji's heart stirred, and his eyes reddened a little.

Wang Muhan lowered his head and smiled, saying, "The Prince should be in the bedchamber by now. Lord Wei, please come with this old servant."

Wei Ji followed Wang Muhan down from the small building. This time they exited from the west side. After crossing the bamboo bridge and walking the distance of an arrow shot, they walked along the painted corridor. Turning past the hanging flower gate, what was originally dim suddenly became bright before their eyes!

From Wei Ji's feet, on both sides of the painted corridor, two-finger thick carved dragon and phoenix red candles were lit, thousands of flickering candlelights, all the way leading to the bedchamber! The flickering red candlelight swayed slightly in the night, tranquil and warm. Wang Muhan lowered his head and said, "The Prince is waiting for Lord Wei in the bedchamber. My lord, please go." With that, he turned and walked down from the corridor.

Wei Ji slowly walked along the red candles. The further in, the more red candles there were. The corridor was also covered with thick red felt rugs. Stepping on it, that kind of thickness and warmth seemed to be able to seep into Wei Ji's heart. Wei Ji kept thinking about what Wang Muhan had just said, wishing to gain one person's heart, never to part until their hair turns white.

Today, seeing his elder brother and the princess getting married, Wei Ji thought, if Chu Shaoling were the princess, he would definitely go to the frontier to establish merit and achievements. When he succeeded, he would return with honors, and also want to gloriously win Chu Shaoling's hand in marriage. It's just that they were both men, and Wei Ji no longer sought any glorious status, only wishing to be able to often accompany Chu Shaoling by his side and protect him completely.

Now it seemed, was Chu Shaoling making up a grand wedding for him?

On the gold-plated plaque of the Qin Prince Manor main hall, "Huaji Hall" was written in a righteous and bright manner. Wei Ji recalled that when they first wanted to build the Manor, Chu Shaoling had said, regardless of whether he was the Qin Prince or whatever in the future, as long as it was a place belonging to Chu Shaoling, there would be a position for him, Wei Ji, in the main hall.

He had said, in this vast world, only a place with Wei Ji was home.

Wei Ji desperately held back the tears in his eyes. In this life, with what virtue or ability did he gain Chu Shaoling's deep affection like this.

Wei Ji slowly walked through the winding and twisting corridor, following the thousands of red candles all the way to the bedchamber. The bedchamber was now decorated like a wedding chamber, with red curtains, gold-plated lanterns, and slightly swaying dots of candlelight. Wei Ji looked at the festive atmosphere filling the entire chamber. He dazedly turned past an eight-panel carved, hollow, large folding screen.

Behind it, Chu Shaoling was just finishing lighting the last few red candles with a lantern in his hand. Chu Shaoling turned his head and smiled, "I finally managed to light them all before you returned."

Wei Ji stared blankly at Chu Shaoling and said hoarsely, "Your Highness lit all these lanterns yourself?"

"Yes." Chu Shaoling put down the lantern, walked over and took Wei Ji's hand, saying softly, "Did Wang Muhan already show you around?"

Wei Ji nodded, desperately suppressing the choking feeling in his throat. He was afraid that if he wasn't careful, he would cry.

Chu Shaoling smiled, took the bright tile lantern from Wei Ji's hand and put it aside, saying softly, "Do you still remember, before the Mid-Autumn Festival, we went to Donghua Temple together?"

Wei Ji nodded, and tears fell. Chu Shaoling raised his hand to wipe away Wei Ji's tears and continued, "The abbot of Donghua Temple told me that two years ago, someone went to their temple and lit a long-lasting lamp for me. When I heard it at the time, I felt very moved by his kindness. Although I also lit a lamp for him, it was still not sincere enough."

Chu Shaoling held Wei Ji's hand and chuckled lightly: "I have done evil deeds all my life, and I'm afraid no gods would favor me if I made a wish so easily. So I had to light ten thousand lamps for you myself, silently chanting 'Namo Amitabha' with each one. With the gods above and the underworld officials below, Heaven have mercy, can it be considered that my heart is sincere?"

Chu Shaoling looked into Wei Ji's clear eyes, and at this moment, thousands of spring flowers were fluttering in his heart. For the first time, Chu Shaoling's heart was so clear. With his honor as Prince Qin, he personally lit ten thousand lamps to pray for one person's peace and happiness. Gods of heaven and earth, would you be willing to agree?

Wei Ji turned his head away, unable to hold back his tears in the end, which trickled down. Chu Shaoling held Wei Ji in his arms and coaxed softly: "Don't cry, today is our happy day, how can you cry?"

Wei Ji tried his best to hold back his tears and said hoarsely: "Your Highness..."

Wei Ji wiped the tears from his face and choked out: "Two years ago, when I entered the palace with my father for the first time, I passed by Bitao Palace. The palace servants said it was the residence of the legitimate prince. I didn't understand anything and didn't know the rules. When I heard this, I turned my head to take a look, and happened to see Your Highness standing under a peach blossom tree in the distance. The peach blossoms were falling all around. Your Highness raised your hand to brush the fallen petals from your shoulders. Somehow, when I saw that scene, I could never forget it..."

Love comes from an unknown source, but goes deep. In Wei Ji's short life, time just stopped at that moment.

To live for him; to die for him.

"I begged my father and spent some effort to finally enter Bitao Palace," Wei Ji continued with a choked voice. "But I couldn't see Your Highness every day. Occasionally when I did, I would be happy for a long time. If I didn't see you for a few days, I would worry. I thought I would have to keep watch like this for the rest of my life, but I never expected..."

Wei Ji choked up and couldn't speak. But Chu Shaoling understood everything. He also rarely had tears in his eyes. This was the first time Wei Ji had opened up to him so candidly about the past, about how Wei Ji had silently watched over him for those years without him knowing.

Wei Ji wiped away his tears and choked out: "What virtue or ability do I have..."

"Shh..." Chu Shaoling kissed Wei Ji's brow and said hoarsely, "At least for today, don't address me so formally. My good Wei Ji, just call me Shaoling."

Wei Ji looked at Chu Shaoling, almost unable to speak. After choking up for a while, he cried out: "Shaoling..."

Chu Shaoling's heart felt both comforted and pained. His Wei Ji, the one he thought of constantly, the one he missed at all times...

Chu Shaoling kept lightly kissing Wei Ji's brow and ears. Although still choking, Wei Ji also responded slightly to Chu Shaoling. Chu Shaoling held Wei Ji's slender waist and pressed him down onto the ebony bed with the big red wedding quilt.

In the spring bed's soft curtains, before the red window under the night moon, a piece of red candle swayed slightly.