The meaning was to let Pang Xiao do as he pleased?

Just then, the sound of gongs, drums, and festive music came from outside, followed by the crackling of firecrackers.

Bingtang ran in and announced from the doorway: “Madam, the prince’s wedding procession has arrived at our gates. Young Master Yu and Second Master Han are blocking the door now. But this servant went around back to look at the main street, and the prince’s wedding procession is simply too spectacular—all sturdy soldiers riding tall horses!”

Bingtang was obviously shocked by the spectacular wedding procession, speaking excitedly with flushed cheeks and words tumbling out like spilled beans.

Sun Shi listened in stunned amazement: “He brought soldiers to fetch the bride? This is too crude—is he here to welcome a bride or abduct one?”

Sun Shi even suspected that if Qin Yu and Qin Han’s door-blocking questions were too difficult, Pang Xiao might directly charge into the manor with his troops.

Although Pang Xiao had once treated Qin Yining so well, and during their time in Great Yan, Sun Shi had witnessed how Pang Xiao courted her daughter.

But he had also once taken liberties with Qin Yining.

Thinking carefully, this was a messy account that couldn’t be straightened out or explained clearly.

But with His Majesty’s marriage decree, no one had the power to refuse.

While Sun Shi worried, Bingtang had already run out again to watch the excitement.

Madam Miao and Ji Yun together helped Qin Yining, arranging her wedding dress properly and preparing the precious vase she would hold while riding in the sedan chair, along with the red veil with dragons and phoenixes in auspicious harmony.

Qin Yining pressed her crimson lips together and gripped her sleeves to absorb the sweat from her palms.

When it truly came time to leave the family, she was still nervous.

Sun Shi inserted the golden phoenix hairpin for her, helped secure the phoenix crown, and grasped Qin Yining’s hands, looking seriously at her daughter and nodding: “Good, good, nothing has been overlooked. Yining, Mother will go outside first. Later, have them help you to the Old Dowager’s room to kowtow and bid farewell.”

“Yes.” Qin Yining nodded.

Sun Shi turned and went out, walking toward the main room while wiping away tears that spilled from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve.

“Miss, Miss!” Bingtang ran in again, smiling: “The prince is too amazing! He could answer both young masters’ questions—they couldn’t stop him and willingly opened the door. The silver ingots the prince gave to the servants are one tael each!”

Bingtang’s words made Qin Yining’s heart pound. Through the swaying tassels before her eyes, she felt all the furnishings in the room begin to seem dazzlingly unreal.

Just then, the firecracker sounds drew near, and the festive music grew more urgent.

A wedding attendant called loudly outside the door: “Welcome the new bride to bid farewell to her honored parents!”

“Miss Qin.” Madam Miao helped Qin Yining stand, arranged her skirt, and smiled: “Come, we should go to the main room.”

From Qin Yining’s side room, they walked along the corridor covered with red carpet, turned a corner, and entered the Old Dowager’s main room.

Many people stood inside. The Old Dowager sat in the place of honor, with Qin Huaiyuan and Sun Shi seated on her left and right. Second Uncle and Second Aunt, Third Uncle and other elders also stood to the side, while around them were female relatives from the guest families the Qin family had invited.

When Qin Yining’s figure appeared in the doorway, the room suddenly fell silent for a moment.

The twinkling lights under the night sky became her backdrop, and the colorfully dressed women around her all paled in comparison.

As she walked gracefully forward, her gently swaying skirt was like a blooming red lotus, the golden phoenix ornaments trembled slightly as if about to take flight, and the ruby tassels sparkled brilliantly in the candlelight.

Such jeweled splendor could not overshadow her beauty in the slightest. She wouldn’t be outshone by the jewels—only made more noble and dazzling by them.

While everyone’s attention was captured by Qin Yining, she had already spotted Pang Xiao in his bright red python robe, spirited and incomparably handsome.

He wore a purple-gold crown with his hair neatly arranged. Below his sword-like brows that swept toward his temples, those usually sharp and stern phoenix eyes now held a smile, brimming with tenderness. Below his straight nose, his thin lips curved slightly upward—the smile wasn’t exaggerated, but one could sense his good mood.

The bright red python robe dressed him like an unsheathed sword.

But the moment he saw Qin Yining, everyone could feel that this prince, known throughout the world for his fearsome reputation, seemed like a sword returning to its sheath, instantly becoming gentle.

Their eyes met, and both smiled.

Qin Yining lifted her skirt and knelt on the brocade cushion that Nanny Qin brought over.

She first paid respects to the Old Dowager, then looked toward Qin Huaiyuan and Sun Shi: “Father, Mother, your unfilial daughter bids farewell to you both.”

Qin Huaiyuan rarely wore a purple brocade outer robe. After being properly groomed, his whole person seemed five years younger, making his handsome features appear even more refined, like an immortal banished from heaven.

The way he looked at Qin Yining showed indescribable affection, his voice gentle: “Yining, leaving home today, from now on you will be a woman of the Pang family. You must be filial to your elders, gentle and respectful, serve your husband, and be a virtuous helpmate. Do you understand?”

“Your daughter understands.”

Qin Huaiyuan nodded.

According to custom, after the father’s instruction, the new bride should be carried to the sedan chair by her brother.

But Qin Huaiyuan stood up and personally helped Qin Yining to her feet, adding: “Moreover, though you are a woman of the Pang family, you remain a daughter of the Qin family, the only precious pearl in this Qin Meng’s palm. No matter what happens, remember that your father and the Qin family will always be your strongest support.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Yining suddenly looked up in disbelief, the shock in her heart beyond what words could express.

Hearing these words, Sun Shi began to cry but also stood up, nodding repeatedly in agreement.

“Father…” Qin Yining found her voice hoarse and quickly cleared her throat: “Your daughter understands.”

The guests invited by the Qin family were dumbfounded.

Was this instructing a daughter or provoking Prince Zhongshun?

Everyone looked at Pang Xiao’s expression in unison.

But they could only see Pang Xiao’s smiling handsome face.

Everyone thought with one mind: Prince Zhongshun truly was loyal to his sovereign and loved his country, able to bend and stretch.

“Your daughter will no longer be able to show filial piety before her parents or bring joy before the Old Dowager. I earnestly hope the elders will take the utmost care of their health.” Qin Yining earnestly instructed.

Qin Huaiyuan’s throat trembled as he nodded silently.

This scene moved even the Old Dowager, who had been unhappy in her heart, to wipe away tears: “Yining, if you live well with your husband, that will be the greatest filial piety to your grandmother.”

Qin Yining smiled and nodded: “Yes, your granddaughter will remember.”

“The auspicious time has arrived!”

Just then, the wedding attendant’s high-pitched voice came from outside. Immediately after, festive music began and firecrackers ignited again.

Pang Xiao performed a bow and left first. Passing by Qin Yining’s side, he saw the tears in her eyes and felt his heart clench. He secretly resolved that in the future he must often accompany Qin Yining back to her maiden home. She had left home at such a young age and hadn’t enjoyed many days of family warmth before having to leave again—no wonder she was sad.