During these past few days, Tang Si had been dragging Ji Yinshu around the streets selecting various fabrics, busily making herself a proper wedding dress!

Today they went to the jade shop to pick out a large haul.

Wei Yi, having finished his reading for the day, also went along.

The divine physician of Yuhua Pavilion was taking a wife, causing half the capital to know about it. When the jade shop owner saw that Tang Si had come together with Magistrate Ji, he quickly brought out all the finest items in the shop.

He laid them out one by one on the counter.

“Madam Mo, knowing you’re getting married, look here—these are the finest jades in my small shop. I guarantee your satisfaction.”

The address “Madam Mo” made her heart bloom with joy, her smile unstoppable.

But Houliao people didn’t care much about jade or not jade. When marrying out, they brought weapons and strong liquor, so coming to select jade was just going through the motions.

She glanced at them a few times and pointed at several items. “These will do.”

Extremely casual!

Ji Yinshu quickly said, “This is a wedding, a once-in-a-lifetime event. How can you be so careless and perfunctory?”

“They’re just a few pieces of jade, aren’t they? I don’t even like wearing them. It’s just you Central Plains people who are particular about such things. Otherwise, we could just slaughter a few sheep, drink some wine, and be done with it. Besides, what can jade do? It’s not as practical as a dagger.”

Ji Yinshu: “…”

Actually, there was nothing wrong with this reasoning!

But Wei Yi walked to another counter and picked up a jade bracelet, examining it carefully.

Ji Yinshu noticed and asked, “Do you like it?”

“I’m selecting it for Miss Tang.” He explained, “This is uranite jade, a type of serpentine. It comes in many colors, but generally the semi-transparent blue-green is the best. After polishing, it has a waxy luster—fine, solid texture, and good transparency. It represents favor and cherished love, so selecting this is best. And it’s not expensive either.”

The shopkeeper was amazed. “This young master is an expert!”

“I am not.”

“But generally, unless one specifically works in this trade, one wouldn’t understand these things.”

“I read about it in books.”

The shopkeeper said, “So the young master is a scholar.”

He smiled without confirming or denying.

Tang Si was slightly surprised. She took the bracelet from his hand, looked at it, and said, “Not bad, kid. After reading for just a few days, you even know what kind of jade this is. Alright, I’ll take this one then.”

She tossed it to the shopkeeper to wrap up.

Afterward, she also asked Wei Yi to select a few more items.

Wei Yi then secretly bought a hairpin for himself, tucking it in his bosom without letting Tang Si or Ji Yinshu know.

All items were arranged properly one by one, and finally the wedding day arrived.

Yuhua Pavilion was decorated with lanterns and festive colors, joyous atmosphere everywhere. Outside, gongs and drums resounded, the gates crowded with visitors. Those who came to offer congratulations were of all sorts and types.

Because Muruo’s father had been an imperial physician in his time, many court officials came, as well as friends he had made in the jianghu, patients he had cured in the past, merchants and wealthy families… So many people that it seemed the threshold would break, congratulatory gifts countless, piled like mountains. The young servants didn’t even have time for a sip of water, busy entertaining guests.

In the back courtyard, at least twenty tables had been set up.

Tang Si departed from Prince Rong’s estate in a bridal sedan. She sat inside, wearing a red veil over her head, her hands nervously wringing together on her lap, her palms sweaty. Both nervous and excited, she didn’t dare make a sound. Just like this, she was carried to Yuhua Pavilion. With a “thump” knocking on the sedan door, the curtain was lifted by someone. The matchmaker took her hand to help her down, pressing a section of red silk into her hand.

The other end of the red silk was held by Muruo.

He wore a bright red wedding robe, his face beaming with joy, extraordinarily spirited. Looking at the bride before him wearing a red veil and a full set of bright red wedding clothes, his eyes were full of anticipation.

The matchmaker reminded from the side, “The groom may now lead the bride inside.”

Only then did he carefully lead Tang Si inside.

They crossed over the brazier, were sprinkled with dew water, and arrived at the hall.

Tang Father sat in the place of honor with a face full of joy.

“First bow to heaven and earth.”

“Second bow to the parents.”

“Husband and wife bow to each other.”

The two bowed and kowtowed to each other. Being too close, they bumped heads.

“Ugh!”

Tang Si’s forehead hurt. Just as she was about to lift the red veil, Muruo stopped her and said quietly, “You can’t lift it.”

“It hurts.”

“Bear with it.”

Bear with it then!

“Send them to the bridal chamber.”

The two stood up, and the matchmaker helped Tang Si to the bridal chamber.

The entire Yuhua Pavilion was extraordinarily lively—drinking and playing finger-guessing games, singing for entertainment, composing poetry in pairs, competing in calligraphy…

Merchants began toasting and courting officials!

Minor officials began flattering their superiors!

Common people who came to offer congratulations brought their whole families to eat, eat, eat!

Quite a spectacle.

Muruo was too lazy to toast everyone individually. He simply pulled Jingrong to a less crowded corridor area, brought over several jugs of wine, and began to chat freely.

“I never expected that I would be the first to marry.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

They clinked cups.

Each drained theirs in one gulp.

Jingrong looked up at the bright red lantern hanging overhead, the corners of his mouth gradually forming a smile. “From now on, you and Miss Tang should live well together. Whether you heal and save people, or roam freely under heaven, both are good choices.”

“I fear things won’t go as hoped!”

“Why?”

“You haven’t settled down yet. How could I alone enjoy happiness?”

Jingrong smiled. “Soon.”

In his view, it truly would be soon.

But Muruo suddenly called his name very seriously: “Jingrong.”

“What?”

“If my decision was wrong, will you forgive me?” Muruo asked.

Jingrong: “…”

“I’m talking about… the matter with Jing Xian.”

After a moment of silence, Jingrong extended his foot and kicked his thigh, saying, “What are you talking about! That was my own decision.”

“Then don’t you want to know exactly what relationship he has with Teacher Yu? Why Teacher Yu wanted his student to assist him in court? His illness? His pigeons? Don’t you want to know any of it?”

“What should I know?” Jingrong asked him in return, then drank some wine and smiled. “As long as he can achieve both loyalty and filial piety, what does it matter if I hand over the throne to him?”

He continued drinking!

Muruo’s gaze darkened, but in the end he said nothing more.

…

On the other side, Ji Yinshu was surrounded by several court officials. Everyone praised her enthusiastically while toasting her.

She declined them all one by one, having no choice but to substitute tea for wine!

“Magistrate Ji hasn’t appeared publicly in quite some time, having been busy with the ‘Linjing Case.’ I wonder how the case is progressing?”

“Soon!”

“Magistrate Ji is now the Director of the Bureau of Criminal Justice and deeply trusted by His Majesty and Prince Rong. In the future, we hope the Magistrate will put in a good word for us.”

“You flatter me, you flatter me.”

She maintained a smile throughout.

More and more people crowded around. Just as it seemed she couldn’t extricate herself, a large hand reached out from the crowd, firmly grasping her delicate wrist. With a slight exertion of force, it pulled her out from the crowd.

That tall figure blocked in front of her, clothes flowing elegantly. The gray ribbon tied in his high topknot gently fluttered, occasionally brushing across her face. In some mysterious way, it was as if a force was pulling her to follow that person’s steps continuously forward, while that person pushed aside all obstacles before her, holding her hand, protecting her, bringing her away from this ever-growing whirlpool in front of everyone.

Until they reached a place with no one around and finally stopped!