Chapter 274: Wedding Wine
When Xi Niang heard that the prince had returned, she turned pale with shock. She did not have time to help Meng Xi to the bed. She hurriedly picked up the veil that Meng Xi had thrown on the bed and covered her with it while saying:
"My queen, please don't move anymore, the prince will be here soon"
As they were talking, Xiangping had already restored the messed-up tabletop to its original state. While she was busy, the door opened and Prince Yan walked in with a beaming face. The maids and bridesmaids came forward to greet him and said,
"May the prince and princess live happily ever after!"
King Yan nodded, and was stunned to see that there was no one on the bed. He glanced around and saw Mengxi sitting upright on the chair. He smiled and took the scale handed over by the wedding maid, waved his hand to send away the wedding maid and the maid who were muttering congratulatory words, and gently lifted Mengxi's veil.
Looking at Mengxi in her gorgeous attire, he was distracted for a moment, then said:
"Xi'er is so beautiful today. One glance from her is enough to make the whole city fall in love with her. If I can have Xi'er accompany me, my life is worthwhile."
The low and hoarse voice was full of magnetism. As the King of Yan spoke, he reached out his hand to touch Mengxi. Mengxi's body trembled and she subconsciously dodged backwards. The King of Yan's hand froze, and seeing Mengxi's indifferent expression, he asked unhappily:
"It's a happy day, why isn't Xi'er happy?"
"No, no, Mengxi is just a little nervous"
Seeing that the King of Yan's face had turned cold, Meng Xi hurriedly explained. The King of Yan laughed loudly, leaned over, and whispered in Meng Xi's ear:
"Don't worry, Xi'er, I will be very gentle..."
Mengxi immediately got goosebumps on her skin. Seeing the prince approaching, she quickly said:
"Your Majesty, please take a seat. Mengxi will offer you a drink."
Mengxi picked up the wine pot on the table while speaking. When King Yan saw it, he turned around and sat on the chair on the other side, smiling slightly:
"I was so anxious that I forgot to drink the wedding wine with Xi'er. Come, I will pour it for Xi'er."
As the King of Yan spoke, he took the jade pot from Mengxi's hand, shook it, opened the lid, sniffed for a long time, reached out to take the white jade cup on the table, put it in front of him, raised the wine pot high, filled two cups, picked up one cup and handed it to Mengxi, and said in a low voice:
"Come, Xi'er, let's drink the wedding wine and stay together forever."
Looking at the wine handed over by King Yan, Mengxi's face turned pale. He reached out to take it, and saw that King Yan had already picked up another cup. Mengxi's hand trembled, and he tremblingly met the cup handed over by King Yan and touched it lightly. Just as he was about to speak, the door was suddenly pushed open. King Yan's face turned cold, and just as he was about to shout, Xiao Jun walked in with four guards.
As to why Xiao Jun came just now, it turned out that Xiu'er told the whereabouts of Mengxi yesterday. Xiao Jun was so excited that he quickly calmed Xiu'er while thinking of a way to rescue her. He jumped on his horse and led his men south for a while. They stopped only when they could no longer see Xiu'er's carriage. Xiao Jun immediately ordered people to send messages to other groups of people and inquire about the location of Prince Yan's villa. After making all the arrangements, he took his men back to the inn to plan a night visit to the villa, hoping to rescue Mengxi overnight.
Ouyang Di was the first one to rush over after hearing the news. After listening to what Xiao Jun said, he was worried that Xiu'er could not be so kind and he was worried that he had fallen into Xiu'er's trap. Xiao Jun wanted to kill all the Xiao family, but Xiao Jun was concerned about Mengxi. Even if it was a trap, he had to go and see for himself. This was the only chance. Ouyang Di could not resist and was also worried that his master would fall into the hands of King Yan. The longer the night, the more trouble he would have. So he personally took a few people with Xiao Jun to explore the villa at night.
Unfortunately, Prince Yan's villa was too big, and the two of them could not find where Mengxi was imprisoned. They captured a servant and asked him, and learned that Prince Yan was indeed going to take a concubine the next day, but he didn't know who it would be. Under the guidance of the servant, they came to Prince Yan's courtyard, only to find that there were many guards outside, both visible and hidden. They could not get close at all, and they didn't know whether Mengxi was there. They were afraid of alerting Prince Yan and making him prepared, so they checked the situation and hurried back.
After returning to the inn, Ouyang Di thought of the skills of the people who kidnapped Mengxi last time, and was afraid that they would not be able to handle it with fewer people. If they missed the first attack, King Yan would be on guard, and it would be more difficult to rescue Mengxi. After discussing with Xiao Jun, they decided to wait for the other groups of people to gather before taking action together. This is why it has been delayed until now. Ouyang Di led his men to entangle King Yan's guards, while Xiao Jun led his men straight to the bridal chamber. As soon as they entered the room, they saw the two drinking from the cup of wedding wine, and they breathed a sigh of relief.
He really came. Seeing Xiao Jun again, Mengxi was shocked like an electric shock, and the wine in the glass spilled out. She suppressed the urge to cry, slowly put down the glass, and looked at Xiao Jun. When the King of Yan saw this, he whispered to comfort him:
"Don't be afraid, Xi'er..."
King Yan put down the wine glass in his hand, straightened his body, looked at the few people, and asked in a deep voice:
"Xiao Jun, you brought people into my inner house without permission. What do you want to do? Do you still have the law in your eyes?"
Xiao Jun bowed and said:
" I have come to see His Majesty. I heard that my wife, Li Mengxi, was hiding in His Majesty's inner house, so I came here without permission and disturbed His Majesty. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
King Yan glanced at Mengxi, feeling very confused. The news of his marriage to Mengxi was kept secret, and even the servants in this courtyard did not know Mengxi's background. How could it be spread out? He was secretly shocked, but he did not change his expression and said to Xiao Jun:
"Your wife, Li Mengxi! Ha! Ha! Ha... If I remember correctly, you clearly stated in court that you had divorced Li Mengxi a long time ago."
"Your Highness is right. Li Mengxi was indeed divorced by me, but I married her and consummated our marriage. She is my person in this life and my ghost in death. How can I let her marry someone else?"
As Xiao Jun spoke, he moved closer to Meng Xi seemingly unintentionally.
After hearing this, King Yan narrowed his eyes and said word by word:
"Don't you know, Xiao Jun, that there is really no rule in the Great Qi law that a divorced wife cannot remarry? Xiao Jun, do you think you are still the legitimate son of a noble family, and you demand your woman to be faithful to you? Take a good look at your current status. What qualifications do you have to fight with me?"
After the King of Yan finished speaking, without waiting for Xiao Jun to speak, he slammed the table and shouted angrily:
"You are not worthy enough to compete with me for a woman! Someone come here!"
After shouting for a long time, there was no movement outside. King Yan's face changed, and he stood up suddenly, reaching out to take the sword on the wall. Seeing King Yan's action, Xiao Jun picked up Mengxi and jumped to the side. The four guards flashed and stood in front of King Yan.
When the King of Yan saw this, he took a step back, sat down steadily on the chair, looked at Xiao Jun and said:
"Xiao Jun, you are just a commoner, and you dare to cause trouble in the palace? You want to seize the princess by force. Aren't you afraid that I will report to the king and behead you?"
"Your Highness has misunderstood. I am only dealing with my divorced wife according to the agreement. Your Highness may not know that my wife once swore a solemn oath to leave the Xiao family and never marry another man, otherwise I would let me deal with her. Now that she has broken her oath, I have the right to deal with her."
Xiao Jun casually changed the last sentence of Meng Xi's original oath. After hearing this, King Yan stood up, looked at Meng Xi and Xiao Jun, then sat down again, took a sip of tea, raised his head and asked in a gentle voice:
"Xi'er, is what Xiao Jun said true? Xi'er, don't be afraid. I will take care of it for you."
After King Yan finished speaking, he stared closely into Mengxi's eyes.
Hearing the King of Yan calling him so intimately, Xiao Jun felt veins popping up on his forehead. He also looked at Meng Xi in his arms, only to see Meng Xi break free from his arms, stand firmly on the ground, bow softly and say:
"Your Majesty, Mengxi did swear a solemn oath in order to leave the Xiao family."
After hearing this, Xiao Jun let out a long sigh. King Yan sat there with a changing expression, and remained silent for a long time. Xiao Jun clasped his fists and said:
"Your Majesty, I have something important to do today, so I'm sorry I can't accompany you."
After Xiao Jun finished speaking, he winked at the guards. Just as the guards were about to step forward, the King of Yan suddenly laughed and said:
"Ha! Ha! Ha... Xiao Jun, do you know the difference between a lie and an oath?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned and looked at King Yan in unison. King Yan continued:
"How pedantic! What's the difference between a solemn oath and a lie? It's just that one is taken seriously by the speaker, and the other is taken seriously by the listener. How can you use a few words without any evidence to confront them in the Golden Palace? Xi'er has already married me today, and there is the blessing of the host and the guests in the room as proof!"
Seeing that Prince Yan disregarded his oath and wanted to use force, Xiao Jun and Mengxi were both stunned. Mengxi's face turned pale instantly. Prince Yan was so powerful that the Xiao family had been defeated long ago. If Xiao Jun really took her away today and Prince Yan reported her to the Golden Palace, the Xiao family would be destroyed.
Thinking of this, he bowed to Xiao Jun and said softly:
"Second Master, Mengxi has indeed married the Prince of Yan. Please forgive Mengxi for not being able to leave with you. The Prince is broad-minded and will not embarrass you for your recklessness today. Please leave, Second Master."
After Mengxi finished speaking, she stopped looking at Xiao Jun and turned to walk towards King Yan.
After hearing this, Xiao Jun felt a sharp pain in his heart. He grabbed Mengxi and stared at her. Feeling Xiao Jun's body trembling, Mengxi's heart ached as if it was cut by a knife. She didn't want to hurt him anymore. She wanted to tell him that she loved him too, but they were not in a stronger position now. The result of his tough attitude was tantamount to hitting a rock with an egg. She didn't care if she died, she just hoped that he would live well.
Just as he was about to break free from Xiao Jun, he heard King Yan say:
"Xi'er is right. Today is my great wedding day. Xiao Jun is here to ask for a glass of wedding wine. I welcome you. I won't blame you for being reckless. Xi'er will not go with you. Xiao Jun, please stop being stubborn."
Forcefully embracing Mengxi in his arms, Xiao Jun laughed at King Yan and said:
"Ha! Ha... Your Highness really loves to joke. Could it be that Your Highness has forgotten that on August 11 this year, His Majesty issued an imperial decree to inform the world that people should wear plain clothes for three months and stop playing music for three months to show their piety to the Heaven and to seek to change the Heaven's favor..."
Xiao Jun paused for a moment, looked at King Yan and said word by word:
"Your Majesty, are you really willing to take today's incident to court with me?"
After hearing this, the Prince of Yan turned pale. He married a concubine today, which really violated his father's edict. If he really wanted to argue, he really didn't dare to admit it in front of his father. If he couldn't admit Mengxi's identity as a concubine, then Xiao Jun's crime of forcibly stealing the princess would not be established...
As he was hesitating, the sound of fighting outside came in. The corners of King Yan's mouth slightly raised, and he drank his tea peacefully. Xiao Jun's face changed, and he said to King Yan:
"Your Majesty, I am new to your house and I am not familiar with the roads. Please escort me out of the house."
I don’t know you! How did you get in?
After hearing what Xiao Jun said, the King of Yan was startled, put down his teacup, and leaped towards the door. Xiao Jun was prepared, and kicked the King of Yan. The King of Yan rolled backwards to avoid it, and the table of wine and food was instantly overturned to the ground. The King of Yan also slipped on the food and almost fell down. Before he could stand firmly, several guards had already flown up, and several swords were placed on the King of Yan's neck at the same time. Xiao Jun stepped forward and pressed the acupuncture points, and then said:
"My Lord, I am sorry."
After saying this, he asked the guards to escort Prince Yan, and he followed behind with Mengxi in his arms. When he opened the door, he saw maids and old women lying all over the floor, obviously having been acupunctured.
Several people walked through a long corridor and came to the door. Seeing several guards lying there, King Yan frowned.
Just as Xiao Jun's guard was about to push the door, it was banged open from the outside and two guards covered in blood rushed in.
