# Chapter 300: The Princess Marries
Early morning had just arrived, and the Cangfeng Imperial City was already bustling with activity. The large and small streets within the city were packed with crowds of people, all craning their necks to gaze into the distance. Because today was the day the royal family's only princess was to be married, and at this hour, the Fen Tian Gate's wedding procession had already entered the city gates, advancing in a grand and mighty manner toward the direction of the Cangfeng Imperial Palace.
Indeed, the scale of Fen Tian Gate's wedding procession truly deserved the description "grand and mighty." Fen Juecheng rode atop a massive horse whose mane blazed like fire, a smile on his face as he gazed calmly ahead. Behind him was an eight-person palanquin carved with dancing fire phoenixes, and surrounding it, fully two thousand over Fen Tian disciples dressed in blazing red wedding robes formed a long procession. Viewed from above, it looked like a fire dragon slowly crawling toward the imperial palace. These Fen Tian disciples had all been carefully selected—each was extraordinary, with the lowest among them being at the Spirit Xuan Realm, and those with higher profound strength reaching the mid-stage Earth Xuan Realm. Such a spectacle was extremely rare throughout the entire Cang Feng Empire, even astonishing. Clearly, after the setback and loss of face in the ranking battles, Fen Tian Gate seemed intent on using this opportunity of marrying the princess to once again display their might to the world.
According to custom, Fen Juecheng's father, Fen Duanhun, would naturally not accompany the procession. However, the senior figures who did come were all renowned across the land. There were as many as eight Heavenly Xuan Realm experts, and the two leading them had even reached the late stage of the Heavenly Xuan Realm—they were two of Fen Tian Gate's top ten powerhouses. These eight wore even more conspicuous blazing red robes and floated evenly spaced above the wedding procession... The entire procession exuded a heart-shaking aura of might, creating a suffocating pressure even from afar.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that this was a procession capable of leveling the entire Cangfeng Imperial City.
"Look! Fen Tian Gate's wedding procession is coming!"
With someone's loud shout, the crowd began to stir. Everyone stood on tiptoe, gazing at the Fen Tian Gate wedding procession growing closer in the distance.
Normally, when watching a wedding procession, the crowd would be boisterous and lively. But now, under the astonishing pressure of Fen Tian Gate, no one dared to shout loudly. As the procession passed before them, the unparalleled oppression nearly made their hearts leap out of their chests. Even those with considerable strength and courage only dared to whisper among themselves.
"The legendary Mystic Void Crossing... and eight people at that! Could all eight of them be at the Heavenly Xuan Realm?"
"Of course. The two at the front: the one on the left is called Fen Duancang, the younger brother of Fen Tian Gate Master Fen Duanhun and the head of the Fen Tian Gate's Li Huo Pavilion. It's said his profound strength has reached Level 8 of the Heavenly Xuan Realm! The one on the right is Fen Tian Gate's Thirteenth Elder, Fen Moran, at Level 7 of the Heavenly Xuan Realm! These are both extremely high-level figures even within Fen Tian Gate. I never expected them to accompany the young master's wedding procession!"
"Fen Juecheng is the future Fen Tian Gate Master. Such a spectacle is not at all exaggerated."
"In my entire life, I've only ever seen one Heavenly Xuan Realm expert—the headmaster of the Cangfeng Mystic Palace. And today, eight appear at once! My heavens... no wonder it's Fen Tian Gate!"
"I heard about Fen Juecheng's pursuit of Princess Cang Yue years ago. But then Princess Cang Yue was taken by Yun Che..."
"Pity that Yun Che fell. Otherwise... otherwise, Yun Che might not have been able to contend with Fen Juecheng anyway. No matter how powerful Yun Che was, he was just one man with no backing from any faction. Behind Fen Juecheng stands the vast Fen Tian Gate."
"That's not necessarily true! Although Fen Juecheng is a dragon among men, what kind of person is Yun Che? He was a dragon among dragons, a legend of our Cang Feng! Back then, Fen Juecheng's father, Fen Duanhun, also pursued Chu Yuechan, but he couldn't even meet her face-to-face—and she was taken by Yun Che! If Yun Che hadn't died, the only way Fen Juecheng could have competed with him would have been to rely on Fen Tian Gate's strength to assassinate him secretly. But Yun Che had the Bing Yun Fairy Palace behind him! Both of his women were from the Bing Yun Fairy Palace—one was the foremost of the Ice Cloud Seven Immortals, and the other was the future palace master. If Fen Tian Gate wanted to make a move, even with a ten thousand percent certainty of success, they'd have to weigh the consequences. Even if Fen Juecheng dared, Fen Duanhun might not have the guts."
Amidst the crowd's watching and whispers, Fen Tian Gate's wedding procession drew closer and closer. At the exact moment of the Chen hour (7-9 AM), they stepped precisely before the gates of the Cangfeng Imperial Palace. After brief verbal exchanges, the procession continued forward as drums and gongs sounded, eight lions danced, and they headed straight for Lanyue Palace, where Princess Cang Yue resided.
**The Imperial Bedchamber.**
"Your Majesty, Fen Tian Gate's wedding procession has entered the palace gates. They will reach Lanyue Palace in another half-quarter of an hour." Cang Wanhe's personal eunuch reported to him with utmost respect.
Cang Wanhe's complexion was now so poor that barely a trace of healthy color remained. His eyes were deeply sunken, his hair half-white, and his face covered with wrinkles. If Yun Che were to see him now, he surely wouldn't recognize the Cang Wanhe he had met two years ago. In just two years, he seemed to have aged several decades. Even each breath he took was as difficult as that of an old man on the verge of breathing his last.
His flame of life was on the brink of extinction.
Cang Wanhe had not slept a wink all night. Hearing the eunuch's voice, he struggled to open his eyes and said in a hoarse voice: "Help me up, prepare the imperial carriage. I must go to Lanyue Palace in person... cough... cough cough cough..."
After just a few words, Cang Wanhe was coughing uncontrollably, his complexion turning even more frightening.
"This..." The eunuch quickly patted Cang Wanhe's back, his face full of hesitation: "Your Majesty, it's still early, and the wind is chilly. Your dragon body cannot endure such hardship. The princess specifically instructed yesterday that when Fen Tian Gate's wedding procession arrives, she will directly go to the palanquin without any complex ceremonies. Your Majesty need not be present at all."
"No... I must go." Cang Wanhe shook his head, struggling slightly, making as if to get out of bed: "Yue'er, back then, in order to avoid Fen Juecheng, she did not hesitate to stay far away from the imperial city. How could she be... willing to marry him... Yue'er has always been obedient, but only in this matter has she refused to tell me the reason... I have a feeling... if I don't go this morning, perhaps... I will never see her again... Quickly... help me there."
"Alas!"
A long sigh came from above. Then, a middle-aged man in gray robes, with a scholarly countenance and a bookish aura, landed: "Since Your Majesty's mind is made up, let this old minister accompany Your Majesty."
"Lord Dongfang!" Seeing this suddenly appearing scholarly young man, the eunuch quickly stepped back two paces, showing no surprise, and said respectfully: "With Lord Dongfang accompanying, Your Majesty will surely be safe... This old servant will prepare the imperial carriage at once."
**...**
Lanyue Palace was now brightly lit, with lanterns and red carpets everywhere. Even the ponds were filled with bright red ribbons. All of this was arranged personally by the third prince, Cang Shuo. He had long awaited the marriage of Fen Juecheng and Cang Yue, hoping for it for many years, so he naturally put his full effort into this matter.
For this wedding procession of Fen Tian Gate, Cang Shuo had been waiting early at Lanyue Palace. As soon as he saw the Fen Tian Gate procession arrive, he immediately scurried forward to greet them. After exchanging greetings with Fen Juecheng, he personally led the way at the front of the procession.
Fen Juecheng wore a red robe with a red flower on his chest, flame patterns on his shoulders, and a crimson fire-feather crown on his head. He was exceptionally handsome and possessed an extraordinary aura, far outshining even the prince Cang Shuo, causing the maidservants' hearts to race.
Fen Tian Gate's wedding procession arrayed itself before Lanyue Palace. All the invited guests had also arrived, but the number of guests was pitifully small. A single glance revealed only a few dozen maidservants and over a dozen eunuchs, along with a handful of people from the Cangfeng Mystic Palace—Qin Wushang and Qin Wuyou were among them, and another was an old man with the surname Mu from the Black Moon Merchant Guild, who specialized in medicinal herb transactions.
At Cang Yue's instruction, Lanyue Palace had prepared no complex welcoming ceremony. Fen Tian Gate's procession had arrived and was ready. Next came the wait for Princess Cang Yue to appear.
"The Emperor arrives!"
With a long, drawn-out cry, a golden dragon imperial carriage slowly arrived, escorted by dozens of golden-armored guards, and stopped before the Fen Tian Gate procession. Fen Juecheng leapt down from his horse and quickly strode to the carriage, bowing: "Juecheng pays respects to Imperial Father."
"Hmph!" Cang Wanhe did not draw aside the curtain, letting out a faint, cold snort: "Today is merely the wedding procession. You and Yue'er have not yet performed the nuptial ceremony. This title of 'Imperial Father' is a bit too early."
Fen Juecheng showed no anger at all, instead replying with a calm, unhurried smile: "Imperial Father's lesson is well taken. Juecheng was too hasty."
Just then, the doors of Lanyue Palace slowly opened. Princess Cang Yue, adorned with a phoenix crown and a bridal veil, walked out slowly, supported by two maidservants. Dressed in red, she was as radiant as the rising sun, instantly stealing away all the colors of heaven and earth, drawing every gaze of amazement.
"Ha ha ha ha!" Seeing Cang Yue appear, Cang Shuo laughed loudly first, gesturing to Fen Juecheng: "Young Master Fen, please go ahead."
Fen Juecheng nodded, a smile on his face, and walked gracefully toward Cang Yue. He stood before her and extended his hand.
Since this was a wedding procession, Fen Juecheng was supposed to assist Cang Yue into the palanquin. But Cang Yue showed no reaction at all, as if she hadn't even seen his outstretched hand. She said coldly: "The Burning Soul Flower I asked for?"
Fen Juecheng smiled slightly, clapped his hands, and said: "Present the betrothal gifts."
Over thirty Fen Tian disciples stepped forward at once, each carrying a huge chest. The chests were lined up side by side, then opened simultaneously. Instantly, the dazzling brilliance of jewels and the rich fragrance of high-grade medicinal herbs filled the air above Lanyue Palace. A wave of exclamations arose, and even someone like Qin Wushang showed a gleam in his eyes... Fen Tian Gate's betrothal gift was truly priceless! Even for marrying a princess of the imperial family, it seemed somewhat excessive.
...