Qi Ning presided over the seizure of the Huainan Prince's Mansion yesterday and spent all his time there. After all, the preparations for the emperor's wedding had nothing to do with him and he didn't care much.
The procedures for the emperor's wedding were extremely cumbersome. Even if someone wanted to explain to Qi Ning, Qi Ning had no intention to listen. Today, as the honor guard came out of the palace to greet the queen, he thought he would return to the palace immediately after receiving the queen, but he didn't expect half a word. To give birth to such a moth.
However, Duan Shao, the crown prince of the Eastern Qi Dynasty, seemed to have heard about this for a long time. He followed the queue and did not show too much disgust.
On both sides of the road leading to Sima Mansion, there were no overcrowded scenes like before. Obviously the people in Beijing knew very little about this matter, but there were still guards standing guard on both sides of the road, which showed that everything had been prepared in advance.
After walking for more than half an hour, Qi Ning finally arrived at the long street where Sima's Mansion was located. Qining saw from a distance that both sides of the street were already covered in red and colorful decorations. Countless large wooden poles were erected on both sides, with red lanterns hanging on them. Although it was a clear day and the sky was clear, all the lanterns were lit, and bright red silk cloth covered the walls on both sides. The whole street seemed to be burning in a fire.
The ground was also covered with red silk, and it was a festive scene. Qi Ning frowned slightly, thinking that Sima Lan's move this time was really not small. At least judging from the scene in front of him, the extravagance and ostentation exceeded Princess Dongqi.
There was still some distance from the main entrance of Sima Mansion. The golden jade chariot in which Princess Tianxiang was sitting stopped immediately. Not far ahead, there was the sound of loud gongs and drums. Qining knew that the noise must be caused by Sima Mansion, and he couldn't help but He moved to the side and looked over from a distance. In front of him, in front of the main entrance of Sima Mansion, there was also a jade chariot. It was resplendent and magnificent, but its luxury and nobility were not inferior to those of Princess Dong Qi.
Su Zhen also approached Qin Ning and looked forward, saw the jade chariot, frowned slightly, glanced at Prince Dong Qi in the crowd, lowered his voice and said: "Is the Sima family too ostentatious? The jade they prepared How can the chariot outshine the queen?"
Qi Ning sneered inwardly, secretly thinking that Sima Lan was originally a cautious person, but this time he showed off so brazenly, perhaps because he wanted to let the world feel the power of the Sima family.
At this time, Sima Lan had already taken the lead towards Sima Mansion, and Yuan Lao Shangshu also followed. Seeing this, the other officials looked at each other and could only follow behind. Su Zhen hesitated for a moment and then said: "It's better to go over and have a look." Okay." He went straight over, Qining also wanted to see what else the Sima family would do, so he followed him.
The front of Sima's Mansion was filled with red, and there were hundreds of people in the ritual and music team. They were beating gongs and drums with all their strength. In front of the door of the mansion, Sima Changshen, who was dressed in rich clothes, was leading the people up and down the Sima Mansion to wait. When he saw Sima Lan leading the people, When the officials came over, Sima Changshen immediately came forward and knelt down first.
Sima Lan looked solemn and said loudly: "By decree, we welcome Sima Wanqiong to the palace!"
Sima Changshen led the young man to bow three times, then turned around and waved. Soon, a group of female officials came out of the mansion, surrounded by a bride with a phoenix crown and a beautiful dress. Qining knew that it was Sima Wanqiong, although her face was red. She was covered with silk, and her body shape was also covered by the wide Xiapei, but looking at her height, she was quite slim.
Sima Wanqiong, led by the female officer, bowed three times to Sima Lan and three times to Sima Changshen, and then slowly walked towards the jade chariot, led by the female officer.
Sima Lan took two steps forward and said loudly: "Kneel down!" He knelt down facing Sima Wanqiong.
The officials behind him were about to kneel down when they suddenly heard a voice saying: "Wait a minute!" This voice was quite abrupt. Although there were noisy gongs and drums all around, this voice was very powerful and could be heard by everyone present.
Everyone followed the sound and looked over, only to see Jin Yihou Qi Ning walking up from behind. They didn't know what Qi Ning was going to do, but they saw Qi Ning walking directly in front of Yuan Lao Shangshu and asked: "Old Shangshu, Lord Zhen Guo" Let us kneel down, but who do we want to kneel down?"
His voice was very loud, and many people could hear it clearly. Sima Changshen, who was not far away, naturally heard it clearly. His face changed slightly, and there was anger in his eyes. He said loudly: "Of course I want to kneel to the imperial concubine. Why ask knowingly?"
Qi Ning turned to look over and said with a smile: "The imperial concubine? But I don't know who the imperial concubine Zhongyi is talking about?"
"Bold!" Sima Changshen said sternly: "Don't you know who the imperial concubine is?" He raised his hand and pointed to Sima Wanqiong: "Of course she is the little girl."
Qi Ning shook his head and said: "That's not right. There was an imperial edict to greet the Queen before, and everyone could hear it clearly. The Queen is the mother of a country, and as a minister, she should pay homage to her. But I never heard the imperial edict. An imperial edict was issued to confer the title of imperial concubine. Forgive me for my deafness, did all the gentlemen present hear it?"
Sima Lan had already knelt down at this time, but he didn't want Qining to get into trouble. The corners of his eyes gleamed slightly, but he didn't say anything.
An official from behind stepped forward and sneered: "Jin Yihou, today is a big day, are you trying to cause trouble on purpose?" Qi Ning glanced at it and recognized that the speaker was Chen Lanting, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Sima Lan. The confidants under his command frowned and said: "Chen Lanting, I am talking here, when will it be your turn to make noises like a mere minister?"
Chen Lanting was startled and said angrily: "Master Hou, we all have been ordered to welcome the bride, and we cannot delay the time. If you are messing around here, aren't you deliberately delaying the auspicious time?"
"Is it a nonsense?" Qi Ning laughed and asked: "Chen Lanting, although you are from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, you should not know anything about the court's etiquette. I am asking you to ask you to surrender to an inexplicable person. Are you willing to kneel down and worship?"
Sima Changshen heard from behind and said angrily: "Qining, who do you think is the inexplicable person? Do you know what the crime is when you insult the imperial concubine?"
"Honor Zhongyi, don't you understand what I'm saying?" Qi Ning looked sternly: "Let me ask you, who is the imperial concubine? What is the emperor's will? Before the canonization, as a minister of Chu State, of course, you cannot do whatever you want. Kneel down.”
"The emperor already has the intention to confer the imperial concubine." Sima Changshen said loudly: "But the edict will not be issued until she enters the palace."
Qi Ning smiled and said: "That's it. Issue the edict after entering the palace. That's what happens after entering the palace."
However, Sima Lan had slowly stood up, coughed twice, and said calmly and calmly: "I am confused. I heard in the palace that the emperor wanted to canonize Sima Wanqiong as the imperial concubine, so I regarded Sima Wanqiong as the imperial concubine. What Jin Yihou said is that the emperor's decree has not yet been promulgated. Sima Wanqiong is not considered the emperor's concubine. As a minister of the imperial court, there is no need to pay homage." He bowed his hands to the officials and said: "I am old and confused. I hope you all can do it. Don’t be offended.”
All the officials handed over their hands, but did not dare to say anything.
Qi Ning said with a smile: "Don't be offended, old Duke. I'm worried that if the courtiers kneel down here to worship for no reason and spread the word, I'm afraid people will say that we Chu State officials are all a bunch of fools."
"Jin Yihou reminded you in time that we didn't miss anything important. It's too late for me to be grateful. How dare you be offended?" Sima Lan looked at Yuan Lao Shangshu with a smile on his face: "Old Shangshu, I will apologize to the emperor for this matter later."
Mr. Yuan Lao Shangshu said hurriedly: "This is also a momentary negligence of the old prince, and it is not serious. Old prince, can we set off?"
Sima Lan nodded slightly, and then Yuan Lao Shangshu waved his hand and said: "Let's go!"
The two jade chariots were lifted up at the same time, but the honor guard did not move for a while. Yuan Laoshang came to his senses, hesitated, and then asked Sima Lan: "Old Duke, which way are we going?"
Qi Ning also saw the trick at this time.
Princess Tianxiang's jade chariot has stopped before it reaches Sima Mansion. If we continue to move forward at this time, then Sima Wanqiong's jade chariot will go in front. If we return along the original route, Princess Tianxiang's jade chariot will naturally go in front. , but in this case, if Princess Tianxiang turns back, the omen will be very bad.
Even when ordinary people welcome a bride, the route will be agreed upon in advance. Once the bride is carried out, there is absolutely no turning back.
Sima Lan was calm and composed, and said with a smile: "Everything will be arranged by the old minister."
Old Shangshu Yuan was suddenly in a dilemma and hesitated. At this time, everyone was waiting for Old Shangshu Yuan to issue an order. Naturally, Old Shangshu Yuan did not dare to let Princess Tianxiang turn back, but if she continued to move forward, Sima Wanqiong's jade chariot would Walking in front is also very inappropriate in terms of etiquette.
He had thought better of it beforehand and directly carried Princess Tianxiang's jade chariot to the front when the wedding procession passed by Sima's house. When starting, Sima Wanqiong could follow behind. However, when he arrived just now, he found that Sima's house A huge jade chariot had been prepared and placed in the middle of the street, and it was surrounded by ritual music and drummers. Princess Tianxiang's jade chariot could not pass by at all.
Just now, Mr. Yuan Laoshang felt that something was wrong. When the jade chariot set off, he knew that trouble was really coming.
Chen Lanting knew it well, but deliberately reminded him: "Old Minister, with all due respect, you must not let the Queen's jade chariot turn around and go back and spread the word. It will damage the reputation of the imperial court."
Yuan Lao Shangshu nodded, sweating on his forehead. Qining knew that this old Shangshu followed the rules and was a good man. Seeing him, he sweated anxiously. He sighed, knowing that the Sima family had deliberately set a trap. Now, The old minister was in a dilemma. He coughed and stepped forward and asked: "Old minister, what Mr. Chen said is absolutely true. After the queen left the cabinet, she naturally couldn't turn back, so there was only one choice. Keep going and cross this street. Take a detour.”
Mr. Yuan Laoshang nodded and said: "It should be so, but...!"
"Is the old minister worried that the queen's jade carriage will be left behind?" Qi Ning did not hide it and said with a smile: "Such a trivial matter can be solved with just one sentence. In the world of mother-in-law, there is no one in the world whose carriage can be as big as Pass the Queen's Jade Chariot, clear the road ahead, and wait until the Queen's Jade Chariot passes by."
Chen Lanting heard this and sneered, saying: "Jin Yihou, but you don't know how to clear the road?"