Chapter 175 The Grand Wedding of the Demon Clan
Chapter 175 The Grand Wedding of the Demon Clan
Upon hearing Lan Ji's words, Xu Xiaoxiao felt her face flush instantly, as if it were being roasted by fire. She sat up abruptly, waving her hands frantically, and tried her best to refute, "Lan Ji, don't talk nonsense! How could I like Senior Brother? I've always treated him like my own brother. He's always taken care of me since we were little, just like an older brother's care for his younger sister. It's not as complicated as you think!"
She spoke very quickly, her words coming out like a machine gun, as if she wanted to end the topic as soon as possible, afraid that Lan Ji would continue talking.
However, as she retorted, her heart began to pound uncontrollably, as if a small deer was running rampant in her chest.
She couldn't explain why, but when she heard Lan Ji say the word "like," Jiang Jingzhi's image involuntarily appeared in her mind. His familiar face, warm smile, and all the care he had given her in daily life all rushed into her heart at once.
To hide her panic, Xu Xiaoxiao lay back down, closed her eyes tightly, and tried to calm herself down.
But her restless heart continued to beat, and she could even hear her own heartbeat clearly, which sounded particularly loud in the quiet night.
She secretly blamed herself for losing her composure because of Lan Ji's words. To her, her senior brother was just an older brother.
Looking at Xu Xiaoxiao's appearance, Lan Ji's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile. She didn't say anything more, but simply said softly, "Alright, alright, I won't say anything more. Go to sleep." Then she turned over and prepared to fall asleep.
But Xu Xiaoxiao could no longer fall asleep. Her thoughts were like wild horses, galloping wildly in her mind. She kept recalling every little thing she had spent with Jiang Jingzhi. Those details that she had once overlooked became incredibly clear at this moment.
She began to doubt whether her feelings for her senior brother were truly just those of a brother and sister. This uncertainty made her feel both confused and somewhat afraid. She was afraid that her feelings would become complicated, and even more afraid that such a change would destroy the pure friendship that originally existed between them.
Lost in these conflicting thoughts, Xu Xiaoxiao gazed at the moonlight streaming through the window, unable to fall asleep for a long time. Her heart was filled with longing for Jiang Jingzhi and confusion about their relationship.
After Xu Xiaoxiao and Lan Ji tirelessly traversed the streets and alleys of the imperial city, exploring every corner of this bustling metropolis, they finally welcomed the highly anticipated wedding day of the demon prince.
At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight fell upon the glazed tiles of the imperial city, the entire city seemed to awaken like a giant beast, instantly becoming bustling with activity. The streets and alleys were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, exuding a festive atmosphere. Red silk ribbons hung from the buildings on both sides of the street, fluttering in the wind like a red ocean. Golden threads embroidered exquisite patterns on the silk ribbons, depicting auspicious dragons and phoenixes, and flowers symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Every stitch and every thread showcased the magnificence and solemnity of the demon race.
Xu Xiaoxiao and Lan Ji arrived at the street early, eager to witness the grand wedding. Crowds surged in from all directions, completely blocking the street. Everyone was craning their necks, looking forward to the appearance of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
Finally, melodious music drifted from afar, a tune woven from various unique instruments, both joyful and solemn. Accompanied by the music, a large wedding procession slowly approached.
Leading the way was a group of demon soldiers dressed in magnificent attire. They stood tall and moved in unison, their weapons gleaming with a cold light, as if demonstrating the majesty of the demon race to the world.
Following closely behind were rows of processions carrying dowries. The dowries were dazzling and overwhelming, including exquisite jade artifacts with a warm luster that seemed to reflect all things in the world; dazzling jewels that shone with iridescent colors under the sunlight, like stars fallen to earth; and various rare treasures, each priceless, showcasing the Peacock Clan's formidable strength. The dowries stretched for ten miles, like a shimmering river flowing through the streets of the imperial city.
Surrounded by numerous dowry items, a magnificent sedan chair carried by more than a dozen people moved slowly forward. The sedan chair was made of golden nanmu wood, with exquisite patterns carved on its body. Every detail was lifelike. A peacock with its tail feathers spread out on the curtain was embroidered, its bright and eye-catching feathers making it seem as if it was about to take flight at any moment. This was the Crown Princess's sedan chair.
The Crown Princess, dressed in a noble red wedding gown, sat gracefully in the bridal sedan chair. The gown was made of the finest silk and inlaid with countless rubies and pearls, shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.
She wore a phoenix crown, the gems and pearls on it shimmering. The beaded curtain swayed gently, revealing glimpses of her delicate face. Her eyes held a hint of shyness and anticipation, and her elegant posture exuded a noble air.
As the bridal sedan chair passed by, the people cheered and offered their best wishes: "May the Crown Princess be blessed!"
"Wishing the Crown Prince and Crown Princess a long and happy marriage!" Cheers rose and fell, echoing throughout the entire imperial city. Children ran and laughed among the crowd, waving colorful paper strips, adding a touch of childlike innocence and joy to the wedding.
Xu Xiaoxiao and Lan Ji were also caught up in the lively atmosphere. Xu Xiaoxiao jumped up excitedly, wanting to see more clearly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and surprise.
"Lan Ji, look at this wedding, it's so spectacular! I've never seen so many beautiful things or such a grand scene."
Lan Ji couldn't help but exclaim, "Indeed, the Peacock Clan is a great clan among the demon races. Their pomp and circumstance are truly extraordinary. Moreover, the Crown Princess looks so elegant, just like a goddess from legend."
They followed the wedding procession with the crowd. The pavilions on both sides of the street were filled with demons watching the wedding. Some of them threw flower petals down, and pink and white petals fell like snow, scattering on the wedding procession and the street, as if draping the whole world in a dreamy veil. Others cheered and shouted from the pavilions, sending their most sincere blessings to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
As they passed a tall pavilion, a clear, melodious song suddenly rang out from it. The song was like a nightingale singing in a valley, gentle and graceful, as if telling the love story of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
It turned out to be a group of girls from the Peacock Clan, dressed in colorful dance costumes, dancing gracefully on the pavilion. Their dance was light and beautiful, as dazzling as a peacock spreading its tail feathers, echoing the wedding procession below and creating a stunning scene.
Xu Xiaoxiao and Lan Ji were completely absorbed in the lively wedding atmosphere, and Xu Xiaoxiao couldn't help but say, "I wish I could have such a grand wedding in the future." As soon as she said it, Jiang Jingzhi's image involuntarily appeared in her mind, and her face flushed slightly.
Lan Ji smiled and glanced at her, teasingly saying, "Oh, it seems someone is already dreaming about their wedding. Maybe they'll actually be able to have an even grander wedding with their beloved in the future."
Xu Xiaoxiao quickly retorted, "I... I was just saying, but this wedding was truly unforgettable. It felt like every detail was full of heart."
As the wedding procession toured the imperial city, the grand wedding gradually came to an end. Although Xu Xiaoxiao and Lan Ji were still reluctant to leave, their hearts were filled with blessings for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
They knew that this wedding was not only a joyous occasion for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, but also a grand event for the entire demon race, symbolizing the unity and prosperity of the demon race.
"Xu Xiaoxiao, let's hurry to the palace for the wedding banquet." Lan Ji took Xu Xiaoxiao's hand and carefully avoided the crowd as they headed towards the palace.
When Lan Ji arrived at the palace with Xu Xiaoxiao, they saw a long queue already formed in front of the palace, with a dense crowd of demons who had come to attend the wedding banquet.
They were dressed in their finest attire, the jewels and embroidery on their clothes shimmering with an eerie light in the sunlight, and their conversations filled the air, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
Joy radiated from everyone's face, as if this was not just a wedding banquet, but a festival celebrated by the entire demon race.
Lan Ji held Xu Xiaoxiao's hand tightly as they carefully weaved through the crowd. As they walked, she whispered to Xu Xiaoxiao, "Stay close to me, or we'll get separated in this crowd."
Xu Xiaoxiao nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with curiosity and excitement, but also with a hint of nervousness.
Finally, they arrived at the palace gates. Guards, dressed in imposing armor, stood solemnly on both sides, checking the invitations of each guest.
Lan Ji took out the invitation card received by the Jiaoren tribe from her bosom and respectfully handed it to the guard register. Then, she took out a carefully prepared gift, a box of fine South Sea pearls.
Once the box was opened, the round South Sea pearls radiated a soft luster. Each pearl was full and uniform in size, clearly indicating their high value.
The guard took the invitation and gifts, examined them carefully, and after confirming that everything was correct, nodded and stepped aside to let them in.
"Please come in. I hope you two have a pleasant time at the wedding banquet," the guard's voice was deep and powerful.
The moment Xu Xiaoxiao and Lan Ji entered the palace, they were both stunned by the sight before them. The palace stood majestically, with flying eaves and intricate carvings, every detail showcasing royal grandeur and luxury. The floor was paved with massive jade stones, smooth as a mirror, reflecting the palace's image. The palace walls were inlaid with various rare treasures, which, under the sunlight, emitted a dazzling array of colors, as if telling the glorious history of the demon race.
"Wow, it truly lives up to its reputation as a royal palace! It's so big and magnificent!" Xu Xiaoxiao couldn't help but exclaim, her voice filled with awe.
Lan Ji couldn't help but sigh, "Yes, although I am a Jiaoren, this is my first time attending such a grand banquet at the palace. I must be careful."
The two dared not move around casually, but obediently followed the palace servants along the palace road. On both sides of the palace road, there was a guard standing at intervals. They were upright and vigilant, making people dare not relax in the slightest.
Along the way, they saw many exotic flowers and plants. Some flowers were as big as washbasins, and their petals were as soft as silk. Some flowers and plants emitted a strange fragrance that made people feel refreshed. These flowers and plants swayed gently in the breeze, as if welcoming the guests.
Soon, they arrived at the back garden where the banquet was being held. The sight before them once again amazed them. The back garden was brightly lit, with rows of tables and chairs neatly arranged, laden with all kinds of delicious food and precious wines. Red lanterns, painted with auspicious dragon and phoenix patterns, hung all around the garden, swaying gently in the breeze and making the whole garden look exceptionally festive.
Lan Ji led Xu Xiaoxiao to their seats. As soon as they sat down, Xu Xiaoxiao curiously looked around at the people from the various families who had arrived.
Some people were dressed in magnificent robes embroidered with various mysterious runes, clearly nobles among the demon race; others were tall and robust, exuding a powerful aura, presumably skilled warriors; still others had delicate features and elegant demeanor, displaying graceful manners in every gesture, likely young masters and ladies from prestigious families.
"Lan Ji, look over there!" Xu Xiaoxiao suddenly pointed to a spot not far away and whispered. Lan Ji looked in the direction she pointed and saw a group of people dressed in white robes slowly walking over. Their robes were embroidered with silver patterns that shimmered under the light. Each of them had an exquisite sword at their waist, with gemstones inlaid on the hilt, exuding a mysterious aura.
“Those are people from the White Tiger Clan,” Lan Ji explained softly. “The White Tiger Clan is known among the demon race for its bravery and skill in battle; their strength should not be underestimated.”
Xu Xiaoxiao nodded thoughtfully and continued to observe the people around her. At this moment, another group of people entered the garden. Their clothes were colorful, as gorgeous as peacock feathers. Each person wore a magnificent headdress, which was inlaid with various gemstones and was dazzling.
"These must be people from the Peacock Clan. Their clothes are so beautiful!" Xu Xiaoxiao exclaimed.
Lan Ji smiled and said, "That's right. The Peacock Clan is famous for its beauty and elegance. Today, the Crown Princess is from the Peacock Clan, so naturally they have to dress up in their finest attire."
At this lively banquet, Xu Xiaoxiao and Lan Ji felt the diversity and power of the demon race. They sat quietly in their seats, waiting for the banquet to begin.
The afterglow of dusk gently fell like golden gauze upon every inch of the palace grounds, adding a touch of mystery and romance to the grand wedding banquet. The banquet hall was brightly lit and bustling with activity.
Laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air as one delicious dish after another was served, filling the air with the aroma of food and a festive atmosphere.
Today is the Crown Prince's wedding day, which should have been the happiest day for the King of Thailand. However, he is unable to attend due to serious illness, and the King of Thailand has to preside over the wedding banquet on his behalf.
The King of Thailand, dressed in a black robe with a python pattern embroidered with gold thread that shimmered coldly under the lights, strode up to the high platform, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below, and announced in a loud voice that the banquet was about to begin.
The concubines from each palace also attended in their finest attire. Dressed in gorgeous clothes and adorned with precious jewelry, they gracefully entered the banquet hall, creating a dazzling and radiant atmosphere.
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