There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 477 Newlyweds

Laughter and shouts of encouragement rose in waves, interspersed with well-meaning whistles.

Even Cheng Zhian, unusually, smiled and raised his glass in greeting along with everyone else. Li Lingxiao even jumped over, pretending to push Xiao Xiuyuan out.

"Brother Xiao, go quickly! Leave this to us!"

Xiao Xiuyuan's ears burned from the commotion. He tried to remain calm, but couldn't hide the smile in his eyes. He could only apologize repeatedly.

"Please forgive me, everyone. Xiuyuan... excuse me for now."

Having said that, almost tipsy and eager, he turned and left his seat, leaving the lively and noisy room behind.

The corridor leading to the new house was adorned with red gauze lanterns, casting a warm and tranquil glow that seemed to separate the bustling front yard from the restless activity there.

Xiao Xiuyuan's steps were initially quite quick, but as he approached the vermilion door adorned with the double happiness character, he involuntarily slowed down.

She straightened her already impeccably dressed clothes, took a deep breath, and the air, mixed with the smell of alcohol, seemed to be tinged with her faint, lingering fragrance from the courtyard.

Standing before the door, he raised his hand to knock, his fingertips trembling almost imperceptibly.

Even though their hearts were already connected, and they had overcome many obstacles to finally become a couple, when they truly stepped behind this door—the starting point of their lifelong commitment—a mix of immense joy, profound responsibility, and boundless love and tenderness still overwhelmed them like a tidal wave.

"Knock, knock knock"

He knocked gently on the door.

A maid's soft reply and footsteps came from inside.

The door creaked open, and a warm candlelight mixed with a rich fragrance wafted out.

The maids curtsied, smiled, and quietly withdrew, leaving the newlyweds alone.

Xiao Xiuyuan stepped over the threshold, gently closed the door behind him, and enveloped the hazy warm light and tranquility behind him.

His gaze quickly drifted towards the inner room.

The dragon and phoenix wedding candles burned brightly, dripping brilliant candle tears.

Amidst the room's opulent splendor, his bride sat quietly beside the couch draped with a large red brocade quilt adorned with mandarin ducks.

She was still wearing that magnificent wedding dress incorporating the imagery of wisteria blossoms, and her head was completely covered by a blood-red veil embroidered with a pattern of a hundred sons and a thousand grandsons.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the red hue with dazzling brilliance, accentuating her slender, graceful figure and filling her with a breathtaking, serene anticipation.

There was no sound except for the occasional soft crackling of the candle wick.

Xiao Xiuyuan stood there, gazing at the red silk. All the sounds and words from the banquet seemed to vanish in an instant, leaving only this splash of crimson before him, and beneath the silk, the woman he was about to spend his life with, his beloved.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his palms were even slightly sweaty.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating the crimson veil.

Xiao Xiuyuan composed himself, picked up the jade ruyi tied with a red ribbon that had been prepared beforehand, and walked steadily with a hint of barely perceptible tension to the bedside.

He took a deep breath, slowly raised his hand, and gently lifted the red silk with one end of the jade ruyi.

The red silk slipped down, revealing Gu Ziying's meticulously made-up face.

Beneath her phoenix coronet and jeweled ornaments, her brows furrowed with shyness, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes, like pools of water, were slightly raised as she gazed at him with tender affection.

That one glance seemed to pierce through all the waiting and twists and turns, reaching the softest corner of each other's hearts.

Xiao Xiuyuan felt his breath catch in his throat, his mind and eyes filled only with her image.

The two looked at each other, their silence speaking volumes.

According to etiquette, the two performed the nuptial ceremony.

Their arms were intertwined, their eyes locked, and they slowly drank the wine in their glasses.

The wine was slightly sweet, but it paled in comparison to the affection in each other's eyes.

"Shall we rest?" Gu Ziying asked shyly.

Xiao Xiuyuan seemed to have made up his mind, and turned to leave.

Gu Ziying was slightly taken aback, then saw him take out an inconspicuous sandalwood box from a hidden compartment by the bedside.

He gently placed the wooden box in Gu Ziying's hands, his expression more solemn than ever before.

"Ying'er, these are the deeds, ledgers, and keys to all my properties, estates, and shops, along with a warehouse inventory, and... all the silver notes I've accumulated over the years."

Gu Ziying's eyes widened in surprise: "Xiuyuan, this..."

Xiao Xiuyuan held her hand, his gaze earnest.

“I know you don’t care about these things, and the Gu family has never shortchanged you in anything, but this is a token of my appreciation. From now on, this family, everything I own, will be under your management. I trust you more than I trust myself. With you here, this manor can truly be considered a home.”

He smiled, a hint of self-deprecation in his expression. "Besides, Miss Li and the others' warnings from today are still ringing in my ears. If I don't hand over all my possessions, I'm afraid I can't demonstrate my sincerity."

Gu Ziying smiled at his words, feeling deeply moved.

She knew that this was not just a box of wealth, but also his complete trust and entrustment.

"I...I will certainly not fail you," she said, hugging the wooden box tightly as if it were their shared future.

******

Newlyweds, in perfect harmony

Xiao Xiuyuan treated Gu Ziying with utmost care and consideration, and everyone in the Prince's mansion held this new mistress, who came from a noble family, had a generous dowry, and was favored by the Emperor and Empress, in high esteem.

Gu Ziying was naturally intelligent and perceptive, and in a cheerful mood, she quickly managed the affairs of the Prince's mansion with great efficiency, her eyes radiating a gentle and warm glow.

A few days later, Li Shuchen visited the Prince's residence. Seeing Gu Ziying's rosy complexion and smiling eyes, and the natural intimacy and tacit understanding she displayed with Xiao Xiuyuan, he was finally relieved. He then secretly winked at Gu Ziying.

"The prince is sensible; he has handed over all his possessions to show his loyalty. From now on, you will be the leader."

Gu Ziying gently punched her, but her heart was filled with sweetness.

The spring breeze seemed to ignite the flower fields of Thousand Flower Manor and Hundred Flower Manor overnight.

Roses, jasmine, osmanthus, gardenias... all kinds of flowers bloom in competition, their fragrance spreading for miles.

Li Shuchen had already prepared the manpower. Following Grandpa Lin's instructions, he led Lao Ba, Lao Jiu, and the hired workers to work day and night, picking, distilling, and purifying the flowers to carefully produce the first batch of Happiness Flower Fragrance Essential Oil.

She had long since replaced the containers for essential oils with glass bottles inlaid with various gemstones, the patterns matching the colors of the gemstones.

At this time, the "Friendship City" of Zixing and Boyu Kingdom, originally a trade market between the two countries, was officially named by the imperial court to commemorate the friendship between Li Shuchen and others and King Zuoya.

It had already taken shape, attracting merchants from all over the world to exchange goods and services, and even drawing merchants from other countries.

Caravans from afar had a great demand for spices, essential oils, and other goods from the Central Plains.

Li Shuchen's essential oils are of superior quality, with a pure and long-lasting fragrance, and became an instant hot commodity upon their release.

Not only did noblewomen in the capital flock to buy them, but astute merchant caravans also placed bulk orders for them, which were then sold to the north and even further west.

"Miss! Another two hundred bottles have been ordered! The warehouse is almost empty!"

Grape held the ledger, her voice trembling with excitement.

Li Shuchen stared at the rapidly rising numbers on the abacus, his eyes shining like gold ingots.

"Uncle Xu, tell the caravan we're cooperating with that reservation is fine, but they need to pay a 30% deposit first!"