The setting sun of late spring slanted across the red blossoms in front of the Jinlan Manor plaque. Wen Qingyu’s carriage, adorned with pearl-inlaid peacock plumes, shimmered with the brilliant light reflected from twelve pairs of gilded palace lanterns.
Although not as grand as the eight-bearer phoenix carriage reserved for a primary Princess Consort, the peacock feathers on the carriage curtains had long since surpassed the entry rites stipulated for the side consorts of other princes. Imperial Noble Consort De had specifically ordered palace-contributed blue peacock tail feathers to be split into fine threads and sewn into the curtains of her bridal sedan.
"Lower the carriage!" Following the ceremonial eunuch’s chant, Wen Qingyu, draped in phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, stepped out and headed straight for the vermilion threshold of the main gate.
Chapter 19