The sound of gongs and drums filled the air, firecrackers popped incessantly, and the auspicious hour was approaching. Zhu Kuo sent someone to fetch Han Shiyuan.
Han Shiyuan wiped away his tears and invited Zhang Baohuai to sit in the front, but Zhang Baohuai shook his head. Since the decision had already been made, why make a fuss? Let Han Shiyuan live an ordinary life; this was the best thing he could do for him.
Watching Han Shiyuan and Zhu Caiwei bow at the ceremony from the back hall, Zhang Baohuai’s eyes reddened with satisfaction as the officiant called out, “Husband and wife, bow to each other.”
The crowd of onlookers erupted in cheers. Zhu Yan, too, was excited, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling as she followed the newlyweds to the bridal chamber.
Lifting the veil, eating dumplings, drinking the ceremonial wine – all took place under the witness of family and friends. The scene was lively and joyous.
After the ceremony, Han Shiyuan went to the front hall to host the banquet. He was especially happy today, accepting toasts from all who came to offer congratulations. He drank until he was unsteady on his feet, but he felt elated.
A guest, looking at Han Shiyuan’s beaming face, couldn’t help but sigh, “How different people’s fates can be.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” The person next to him immediately understood what he meant, putting down his wine cup with a long sigh. “Both are daughters of the Zhu family, yet their marriages turned out so differently. It’s truly lamentable.”
Qi Yeyun, who was helping to serve wine, happened to pass by and eagerly asked, “How are they different?”
“You don’t know about this? Surely you’ve heard of the ‘three delusions’ that Grand Commander Shen set for Sixth Miss Zhu?”
This guest, drunk on wine, spoke without restraint, his face flushed red as he swayed his head. His memory was surprisingly good, and he recited the “three delusions” he had heard before.
“First, before entering the household, I need to remind you of three things. One, don’t delude yourself into thinking you’ll become the true Madam Shen upon entering. Two, don’t delude yourself into thinking you can learn anything about the Imperial Guard from me. Three…”
Like a thunderbolt striking Qi Yeyun’s mind, he never imagined Zhu Yan would suffer such treatment. And what was this about not living past three months? He didn’t want his master to die.
Slamming the tray with the wine pot onto the table, he stormed off to the back courtyard in a rage.
Zhu Yan had lingered in the bridal chamber, chatting with Zhu Caiwei for a long time. Having spent all her monthly salary, she gave Zhu Caiwei the mandarin duck purse she had embroidered (which looked more like a duck out of water). Under Zhu Caiwei’s lavish praise, Zhu Yan felt so embarrassed she wished she could sink into the ground. Unable to bear it any longer, she fled, hearing Zhu Caiwei’s muffled laughter behind her.
“You enjoyed this wedding?” Shen Du stood under a tree outside the bridal chamber, looking directly at Zhu Yan.
Whether it was the crimson dress from that day or her particularly enthusiastic reaction today, it was clear that Zhu Yan had an unusual attitude towards weddings. Perhaps she wanted to have a complete wedding ceremony herself?
Zhu Yan was a bit stunned to see him. She had been in the room for the time it took to burn an incense stick. Had Shen Du been waiting specifically for her?
“Of course! How could I not enjoy it?” It was her third sister’s wedding; of course, she enjoyed it.
Shen Du looked down. The Zhu Yan before him had bright, shining eyes, like a child who had just seen a candied haw stick, her face full of undisguised joy. She did long for such a wedding.
Shen Du’s brows furrowed into a frown. He could barely remember the proceedings of his wedding to Zhu Yan. He only recalled throwing a severed head into Zhu Yan’s sedan chair, drawing his sword to threaten her, and setting the “three delusions,” giving Zhu Yan only three months to live.
This, well… ahem…
“There will be a change in the future.”
Zhu Yan looked up, stared at Shen Du for a while, then lowered her head. “Mm.” Her voice was weak.
Yes, Shen Du was already eagerly imagining a wonderful wedding scene with his future wife. Did this mean she could divorce him and leave soon? Or was she about to die?
“Master, let’s go!”
Qi Yeyun’s angry voice suddenly rang out, startling them both.
They turned to see Qi Yeyun glaring fiercely at Shen Du, his eyes filled with hatred as if looking at his father’s murderer. Shen Du was confused, but Qi Yeyun didn’t bother to explain. He grabbed the bewildered Zhu Yan and started to leave. “I’ll find you another husband, disciple. Anyone would be better than your brother-in-law… no, that hypocrite!”
This Qi Yeyun was getting too bold, trying to find another husband for Zhu Yan right in front of him.
Catching up to Qi Yeyun in a few strides, Shen Du casually tossed him to Jing Lin. “Take him to the Hongwen Academy. Let him be educated alongside Zhu Mojie!”
“On what grounds?” Qi Yeyun protested, flailing his arms as he was held by the back of his collar. But he was no match for Jing Lin in strength or size and could only be dragged away.
Zhu Yan smiled, about to speak out of pity when Shen Du said coolly:
“The teachers at Hongwen Academy are all from the Hanlin Academy. Qi Yeyun is still young; he should learn more principles. It’s perfect timing for him to keep Zhu Mojie company.”
Was the White King of Hell… explaining himself to her?
At that moment, a servant approached: “Grand Commander, Sixth Miss, Official Lai from the Court of Judicial Review has arrived.”
Shen Du’s dark eyes narrowed as he lifted his robe and left.
“Oh my, it seems I’ve arrived at an inopportune time. Is the wedding ceremony already coming to an end?” Lai Luozhi swept his gaze around, his smile not reaching his eyes. The guests at their seats gradually stood up, their expressions a mix of wariness and fear. Their strong reactions to his arrival made his smile a bit more genuine.
Zhu Kuo, as the head of the household, went to greet him, exchanging pleasantries. Lai Luozhi’s interest waned as his gaze searched the crowd, finally meeting the eyes of Shen Du, who had just arrived. His smile remained cold as he picked up a cup of wine from the nearest table and raised it towards Shen Du. “Grand Commander Shen’s move in court was truly masterful. It taught me quite a lesson. This cup is to you.”
Shen Du’s attitude remained cool: “It was merely putting learning into practice. Today’s wedding protagonists are not me. Official Lai, you’re toasting the wrong person.”
He didn’t raise a cup in response. Lai Luozhi raised an eyebrow, turned his palm, and poured the wine from the white porcelain cup towards the ground. Before it could hit the floor, Lai Luozhi casually spread two fingers, and without support, the cup crashed to the ground, shattering instantly with a loud bang.
The sound was like a boulder striking a calm lake surface, disturbing the tranquility of the entire hall.
Amidst the alarmed looks of the crowd, Lai Luozhi drew close to Shen Du. His scarlet lips, as if stained with fresh blood, slowly curled into a smile before Shen Du’s face. “Grand Commander Shen, once a person has a weakness, they are doomed to die!”
Only those without weaknesses can remain calm and clear-headed. Once you have a weakness, you lose all sense of proportion. Lai Luozhi was waiting, waiting to see Shen Du lose his rationality and go mad for Zhu Yan.
As if envisioning Shen Du’s downfall, Lai Luozhi laughed recklessly.
“Where does he have a weakness?” Zhu Yan rushed over from the back courtyard, standing beside Shen Du. She looked at Lai Luozhi with her beautiful eyes, as if waiting for his answer.
Lai Luozhi sneered coldly. What was Shen Du’s weakness? The entire court knew.
Zhu Yan seemed to suddenly realize: “Official Lai, you can’t possibly think it’s me, can you?”