Luck Reliant Beauty – CH 110

Chapter 110: Noble Consort

The day the convoy entered Shu State, the sky was a clear, cloudless blue.

Sitting in the carriage, Jiang Mi was startled when she saw the dense crowd outside the East Gate. In fact, she was not the only one taken aback; Prince Kang and Princess Qingyue beside her had not expected such a massive welcoming party.

Instantly, everyone in the convoy became excited. Prince Kang and Princess Qingyue, in particular, looked around with smug satisfaction.

Looking at the sea of ​​heads, Jiang Mi quickly put on her veil.

Gradually, the convoy drew closer.

Just as the convoy reached the East Gate, a cheer erupted from there. Seeing those familiar figures, Prince Kang and Princess Qingyue could not contain themselves and jumped off the carriage, rushing towards them.

Jiang Mi’s carriage was a little behind. She too spotted the Three Mothers, Fan Yuxiu, Zheng Wen, and others standing in the crowd, eagerly peering in their direction.

Although they had only been apart for a few months, Jiang Mi felt as if a lifetime had passed. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she choked back sobs, thinking, “Even if Elder Brother did not want me, so many people still care about me!”

The people of Sichuan were known for their warmth and romance, and warm and romantic people were often less disciplined. This was no exception. Led by Prince Kang and Princess Qingyue, everyone in the convoy rushed towards their loved ones. Jiang Mi hesitated for a moment, then ran towards Fan Yuxiu, who was huddled among the Three Mothers.

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Mi ran up to Fan Yuxiu.

The Three Mothers knew Jiang Mi best; they were the first to recognize her, exclaiming joyfully, “Young Lady, you’re finally back?”

Jiang Mi smiled and nodded, turning to look at Fan Yuxiu.

Since Jiang Mi moved into the Taoist temple, Fan Yuxiu had only seen her twice; now, they had not seen each other for over half a year.

Their eyes met. Fan Yuxiu blushed, stammering, “Ah’Mi, you, you’re back?”

Seeing Fan Yuxiu’s stammering and awkward expression, Jiang Mi rushed over and hugged her.

She hugged her and said happily, “Yuxiu, I’m so glad you came to pick me up.” After moving into the Taoist temple, their contact noticeably decreased. Jiang Mi was heartbroken over their growing distance and had not expected Fan Yuxiu to come out to greet her upon her return, especially standing with the Three Mothers—clearly, she was there for her. Jiang Mi was deeply moved.

At this moment, Zheng Wen, Yu Man, and others also arrived. Jiang Mi released Fan Yuxiu and smiled at them, saying, “Thank you for coming to pick me up.”

Speaking of which, Jiang Mi looked up at Wang Cheng, his daughter Wang Yu, and son Wang Hui, who were striding towards her. Moved, she said again, “I never expected you all to come to pick me up.”

Jiang Mi was overjoyed. The other women, however, felt somewhat awkward. After exchanging glances, Fan Yuxiu hesitated and said, “Ah’Mi, um…”

Just then, Wang Cheng approached. Over the past two years, Wang Cheng had been highly valued by the Emperor of Shu. He was now one of the Emperor’s most trusted and powerful advisors.

Because of his success, Wang Cheng appeared even more imposing. He strode up to Jiang Mi, glanced at her, still wearing a veil, and nodded, saying, “You child, why didn’t you say goodbye before leaving Shu Capital?”

Jiang Mi quickly bowed her head in greeting.

Wang Cheng reached out and helped her up, looking her up and down, saying, “It’s good that you’re safe, it’s good that you’re safe.”

Feeling the old man’s wholehearted care, Jiang Mi’s eyes welled up with tears again, and she choked with emotion, calling out, “Elder Uncle Wang.”

Upon hearing Jiang Mi’s voice, Wang Cheng’s face fell, and he said unhappily, “Child, why are you still calling me Elder Uncle?” To Jiang Mi’s surprise, Wang Cheng said lovingly, “You should call me Father, child. Would you like to be your Elder Uncle Wang’s daughter?”

Jiang Mi never expected that Wang Cheng would publicly accept her as his daughter.

For a moment, Jiang Mi was completely bewildered, staring blankly at Wang Cheng.

Seeing her stunned expression, Wang Cheng sighed, “Child, you don’t want to? I know you’ve suffered a lot these past years, but that will not happen anymore. From now on, Father and the Wang Clan will protect you. Ah’Mi, you can be like other young ladies, someone with a father and a family.”

Wang Cheng’s words, “You can be like other young ladies, someone with a father and a family,” struck Jiang Mi’s most vulnerable spot.

Unconsciously, she choked out, “Father.”

As soon as the words left her lips, Jiang Mi gracefully bowed to Wang Cheng.

Strangely enough, when Jiang Mi did this, the surroundings quieted down considerably. Countless people turned to watch Wang Cheng acknowledge his daughter.

Wang Cheng stood there, accepting Jiang Mi’s respectful bow, before stepping forward to help her up. Then, he took Jiang Mi’s hand and walked towards Wang Hui, smiling, “He’s your elder brother, Wang Hui. Quickly call him Elder Brother.”

Jiang Mi quickly bowed to Wang Hui and called out, “Elder Brother.”

Wang Hui stepped forward and helped Jiang Mi up.

As he helped Jiang Mi up, Wang Hui’s smile was somewhat forced, and his gaze involuntarily lingered on her veil.

Strangely enough, despite the momentous occasion of Wang Cheng recognizing his daughter, Jiang Mi had maintained her veil throughout the entire ceremony without a single objection. Even now, Wang Hui could only involuntarily look at her face beneath the veil.

After recognizing Wang Hui, Wang Cheng introduced Wang Yu and several other members of the Wang clan. Then, he patted Jiang Mi’s hand, gesturing for the Elder Brothers to play together, before turning to greet Prince Kang.

After recognizing her father, Jiang Mi was still a little dizzy. After exchanging a few words with the Wang elder siblings, whose expressions were quite complex, she spotted Fan Yuxiu and ran over, cheerfully calling out, “Ah Xiu!”

Fan Yuxiu, who was talking to Zheng Wen, turned around upon hearing her call.

Just then, a female’s puzzled voice came from behind Jiang Mi: “Big Sister, why isn’t that Big Sister taking off her veil?”

Taking off her veil? Jiang Mi was startled. She had gotten so used to wearing a veil lately that she hadn’t realized until now that she had been bowing and speaking to people while wearing one.

Just as Jiang Mi blushed and reached out to remove her veil, she heard another woman say, “That Big Sister is a noblewoman; a noblewoman’s face cannot be easily seen by outsiders.”

Jiang Mi blinked in confusion upon hearing this.

She glanced at the two women before turning back to look at Fan Yuxiu and the others.

As she watched, Jiang Mi’s face darkened. She swallowed hard and whispered, “Yuxiu, has something happened?”

Fan Yuxiu was still looking at her with that complicated expression. Hearing Jiang Mi’s question, she glanced around to make sure no one objected, then turned to Jiang Mi and stammered, “His Majesty… His Majesty said he really likes you because you’re talented and virtuous. His Majesty even had Official Wang acknowledge you as his daughter, and then… and then…”

She trailed off for a long time.

Jiang Mi’s face grew paler, and she asked in a hoarse voice, “Then what?”

Fan Yuxiu looked at her sympathetically and said softly, “Then, choose a day to enter the palace!”

Jiang Mi did not understand. She stammered back, “Choose…choose a day to enter the palace. What does that mean?”

Zheng Wen walked over, bowed to Jiang Mi, and said, “Congratulations, Ah’Mi! His Majesty has issued a decree, saying he wants to take you as his Consort.” After a slight pause, she continued, “His Majesty values you highly. Look, you’re still out there, but they’ve already given you the title. Now, you’re His newly appointed noble consort!”

What? Consort? Married to the Emperor of Shu? Or some noble consort?

Jiang Mi’s face turned pale instantly, and she involuntarily took a few steps back.

Jiang Mi was as overjoyed as she was now filled with dread. She thought uncontrollably, “I thought Lord Wang Cheng truly loved me! It turns out it was the Emperor of Shu who issued the decree!”

Then she thought again, “Where’s Cui Zi Xuan? No, I must tell Cui Zi Xuan! I must tell him that Cui Zi Xuan is so intelligent and powerful; he can definitely help me find a way to prevent this!”

For Jiang Mi, her understanding of marriage came from Lady Huarui and Li Wu’s father. In other words, she always felt that a true marriage should be like Mother’s, having a husband who loves and cherishes you wholeheartedly, sharing joys and sorrows… In Jiang Mi’s subconscious, she never imagined marrying an Emperor with a harem, even though the Emperor of Shu had taken her to Shu Capital only to send her to Southern Tang for a political marriage!

In her fear and dread, Jiang Mi instinctively turned to Cui Zi Xuan. But where could she find them?

Just then, several of her friends noticed that Jiang Mi’s expression was off. Fan Yuxiu stepped forward, about to take her hand, when suddenly, the ground shook!

The shaking was accompanied by a commotion, and everyone involuntarily turned to look in the direction of the sound!

In the distance along Official Road, a large and imposing procession appeared.

As the procession drew closer, and everyone recognized its banners, several people exclaimed simultaneously, “It’s the Southern Tang!”