As the wedding date approached steadily, the entire capital seemed to awaken each morning with renewed excitement everywhere.
Only twenty-nine days remained before the grand wedding between Crown Prince Xu Chen and Yue Ning finally arrived.
Throughout the capital, merchants decorated storefronts with crimson silk while discussing the upcoming imperial wedding enthusiastically every day.
Storytellers in teahouses entertained listeners with tales describing the future Crown Prince and Crown Princess affectionately together.
Meanwhile, inside the imperial palace, preparations continued relentlessly as ceremonial officials reviewed schedules repeatedly without resting properly.
The Ministry of Rites became extraordinarily busy because every detail required perfection for such a significant occasion ahead.
Senior officials frequently visited Phoenix Hall carrying reports while the Empress personally supervised wedding preparations throughout each day.
The wedding robes finally reached completion after months of dedicated craftsmanship by the finest artisans within the empire.
When displayed beneath sunlight, golden dragon and phoenix embroidery seemed almost alive upon the magnificent ceremonial garments.
Even experienced palace servants gasped quietly when they first witnessed the completed robes intended for the wedding.
Meanwhile, Xu Chen remained occupied handling state affairs while simultaneously attending countless meetings regarding upcoming ceremonies regularly.
Although palace officials expected frustration, the Crown Prince displayed remarkable patience whenever discussions involved the wedding preparations.
Han Wei noticed immediately that mentioning Yue Ning somehow improved Xu Chen's tolerance toward lengthy ceremonial conversations considerably.
Within the Yue Mansion, activities became equally chaotic as servants continuously transported dowry items between storage courtyards daily.
The old matriarch reviewed inventories repeatedly while ensuring every contribution from Yue Ning's brothers remained properly recorded.
Despite her efforts, additional gifts continued appearing almost every day from relatives wishing blessings upon the marriage.
Yue Ning eventually stopped questioning new additions because resistance proved completely ineffective against her determined family members.
Every morning, different relatives arrived carrying gifts while offering congratulations and expressing excitement regarding her future.
The mansion remained crowded from sunrise until evening because visitors seemed endless during the final month beforehand.
Yue Tao somehow transformed himself into an unofficial wedding advisor despite possessing absolutely no relevant experience whatsoever previously.
His suggestions frequently horrified responsible family members while amusing Yue Ning and several younger cousins greatly instead.
One afternoon, he proposed releasing thousands of lanterns shaped like phoenixes throughout the capital during celebrations afterward.
The old matriarch rejected the proposal immediately because several lanterns would inevitably crash into important government buildings accidentally.
Yue Rui found the rejection unfortunate because he genuinely believed the idea sounded impressive and memorable enough.
Yue Liang spent considerable effort preventing his brothers from creating additional problems during already complicated preparations every day.
Meanwhile, Yue Ming quietly handled practical matters ensuring the family maintained dignity despite surrounding chaos and excitement.
Several times each week, Xu Chen visited the Yue Mansion whenever responsibilities allowed sufficient opportunities for brief meetings.
These visits became expected enough that servants rarely appeared surprised whenever the Crown Prince suddenly arrived unexpectedly.
The Yue brothers still teased him constantly, though their respect and affection gradually increased with each passing week.
Xu Chen tolerated their behavior calmly because he understood their protectiveness originated entirely from love toward Yue Ning.
One evening, Yue Tao boldly asked whether Xu Chen felt nervous about the upcoming wedding finally approaching rapidly.
The entire courtyard became silent because nobody expected anyone to ask such a direct question openly.
Xu Chen considered carefully before answering honestly while Yue Ning watched him from nearby beneath lantern light.
"A little," he admitted quietly, surprising everyone present because such honesty remained unusual from the Crown Prince.
The Yue brothers immediately looked shocked while Yue Ning stared at him with visible surprise and curiosity.
Yue Rui recovered first before laughing because hearing Xu Chen admit nervousness felt genuinely unbelievable and unexpected altogether.
Xu Chen remained composed despite reactions because his concern involved ensuring Yue Ning enjoyed every moment completely throughout.
Yue Ning understood immediately because she knew Xu Chen cared deeply about details whenever her happiness became involved.
The following days passed quickly as wedding invitations reached influential families across the empire through official channels.
Nobles from distant provinces began arriving within the capital while securing accommodations before ceremonies officially commenced there.
The Emperor received countless messages containing congratulations from governors, generals, scholars, and respected officials throughout regions.
Many viewed the marriage positively because both Xu Chen and Yue Ning possessed excellent reputations among influential circles.
Within Phoenix Hall, the Empress occasionally summoned Yue Ning for discussions regarding future responsibilities and expectations ahead.
These meetings remained surprisingly pleasant because the Empress genuinely treated Yue Ning with warmth and affection always.
Xu Yue frequently attended these conversations despite contributing little besides excitement and endless enthusiastic questions throughout.
The young princess constantly discussed future plans involving her beloved sister-in-law joining palace life permanently afterward soon.
Her enthusiasm amused everyone because she appeared more excited about the marriage than the bride herself often.
Meanwhile, Xu Zeyan and Xu Zelin prepared gifts intended specifically for Yue Ning before the wedding celebrations.
Although approaching fourteen years old soon, both princes remained eager regarding their future sister-in-law's arrival permanently thereafter.
Xu Zeyan selected rare books carefully while Xu Zelin secretly commissioned decorative ornaments reflecting Yue Ning's preferences perfectly.
Several days later, the completed wedding robes arrived officially for final inspection before the ceremonies commenced properly.
When Yue Ning finally saw her bridal robes, even she remained momentarily speechless before their breathtaking craftsmanship entirely.
Golden phoenixes flowed across crimson silk beautifully while intricate embroidery reflected extraordinary skill developed through generations previously.
The old matriarch immediately became emotional while several female relatives openly cried after seeing the robes themselves.
Yue Ning felt helpless watching their reactions because she had merely tried on clothing during fitting sessions.
News spread quickly afterward that wedding preparations were entering their final stages before the grand celebration.
Throughout the capital, anticipation increased noticeably because citizens eagerly awaited witnessing history unfold before their eyes.
Street vendors sold commemorative decorations while children played games pretending to reenact upcoming wedding ceremonies playfully.
Even common families discussed potential celebrations because the entire empire seemed invested within the marriage somehow.
As days continued passing, the distance between present and wedding day gradually became shorter than ever.
Twenty days remained.
Then fifteen.
Then ten.
The realization finally settled upon everyone that the long-awaited wedding would arrive very soon indeed.
Within the Yue Mansion, emotions became increasingly complicated despite continuing excitement surrounding preparations and celebrations there.
The old matriarch frequently stared at Yue Ning quietly while remembering countless memories from childhood years together.
Old Master Yue occasionally sighed unexpectedly because his granddaughter would soon begin another chapter entirely afterward.
Even the usually energetic brothers became slightly quieter whenever discussions focused upon Yue Ning leaving home permanently.
Although the imperial palace remained nearby, they understood life would inevitably change after the marriage significantly.
Yue Ning noticed these changes clearly yet chose spending additional time with family whenever opportunities appeared naturally.
She joined meals regularly, accompanied relatives during walks, and listened patiently to countless repeated stories lovingly.
Meanwhile, Xu Chen continued balancing court responsibilities while counting remaining days more often than expected personally.
Han Wei noticed this immediately but wisely avoided mentioning observations because embarrassing the Crown Prince seemed dangerous.
Nine days remained before heaven's chosen date finally arrived upon the imperial calendar awaiting everyone patiently.
Then seven.
Then five.
The entire capital practically vibrated with excitement because anticipation reached unprecedented levels throughout every district there.
At last, only three days remained before the wedding destined to unite two extraordinary lives forever afterward.
Neither Xu Chen nor Yue Ning expressed nervousness openly, though both quietly recognized the approaching significance completely.
Soon the waiting would end.
Soon the ceremonies would begin.
Soon heaven's chosen day would finally arrive.