Chapter 689: The Grand Wedding (2)
When the wedding procession was still five hundred steps away from the Regent's Mansion, Chen Qing ordered the firecrackers to be lit. It was impossible to tell how thickly they had been laid—the deafening roar drowned out even the celebratory music.
Behind the gates, several servants stood ready with baskets of firecrackers, waiting to launch the second round as soon as the first subsided, followed by a third and fourth, continuing until the procession entered the Regent's Mansion.
In the Great Celebration Dynasty, the greater the commotion, the more it signified the groom's regard. Hua Bolin raised his hand to slow the procession while urging the children to quicken their pace in distributing the wedding candies and Red Envelopes. Though commoners rarely ventured here normally, today there were no restrictions, and the roadside was already packed with onlookers. Fearing disorder might mar this auspicious day, Gu Yanxi had Fu Gang lead the Imperial Guards to maintain order.
Wedding candies and Red Envelopes fell like rain, while laughter and blessings mingled with the firecrackers' din, creating a scene even more vibrant than the Lantern Festival or Qixi Festival.
Just then, attendants from the Regent's Mansion arrived carrying baskets of wedding candies and Red Envelopes. Instead of tossing them by hand, they used large ladles to scoop and scatter them, turning the light shower into a downpour. Yet no one sought shelter—instead, they laughed uproariously, stretching out their hands to catch the offerings. Those hit directly in the face beamed even brighter.
As the wedding procession drew nearer, the celebratory music swelled, and the firecrackers finally ceased. Only then did the crowd notice the groom—who should have been preparing to receive the bride—standing personally at the foot of the mansion's entrance steps.
Hua Bolin stepped forward and bowed, his voice ringing clear: "Brother-in-law."
Gu Yanxi clasped his arms to raise him. The man known for his stoic expression in public now beamed with a gentle smile. This was the first time his brother-in-law had addressed him as such, and he responded with solemn gravity, pressing a Red Envelope into his hand as a customary gift for the change in address.
Hua Bolin accepted it cheerfully and stepped aside to watch the dowry being carried into the mansion, piece by piece.
Having remained by his elder sister's side throughout, witnessing their journey from acquaintance to understanding, all the way to this joyous day, he held more trust in his brother-in-law than anyone else in the family. He believed the Regent—who would willingly give his life for his elder sister—would never bear to break her heart. His sister possessed both softness and strength, content in tranquility yet capable of supporting the heavens. In private, she was warmth personified—never overbearing to the point of discomfort, nor seeking to flaunt authority before family. He knew of no other woman in the world who could compare.
"When my cousin married, I asked her groom if he would treat her well. Today, I feel no need to ask—I know you will treat my elder sister well." Hua Bolin turned to meet the gaze of the man who had also turned to look at him. "I only hope you will treat her even better. If the day ever comes when this devotion fades, please return her unharmed to the Hua family. The Hua family will always have a place for her."
"That day will never come," Gu Yanxi replied without hesitation, his voice firm and resolute. His greatest fear was being separated from A Zhi in this lifetime—no other problem held weight for him.
His grandmother worried about him having no heir, but with A Zhi by his side, that was enough.
Hua Bolin refrained from further dampening the mood. After all, he would prepare for the worst while striving to grow capable enough to earn his grandfather and father's recognition and a voice in family matters. When that day came, if his elder sister returned home, she could live as she pleased, answerable to no one.The dowry procession continued to enter in a lively fashion. The Hua family's "ten miles of red dowry" was no exaggeration—while the head of the procession had already entered the prince's residence, the tail end remained at the Hua family's gate, yet to depart. The crowd marveled at the spectacle, and the more attentive ones even counted the items, thoroughly enjoying the grand scene.
Yet, Hua Zhi's courtyard had grown quiet.
There were still many people around, but with the dowry carried out, this corner had become exceptionally tranquil. The faint clamor from the front courtyard only made the silence more pronounced.
Hua Zhi sat on the large bed, so bored that she held a book to read. Maids moved about softly inside and outside the room, busy with their tasks, but no one disturbed her.
Madam Zhu stood at the doorway, watching the scene, and inexplicably felt a sting in her eyes. She even thought, rather inappropriately, that if it were possible, she would have preferred her daughter to remain leisurely at home—reading books, enjoying her favorite foods, and living the life she desired most—rather than marrying into another household, where she would constantly worry about her well-being.
"Mother." How could Hua Zhi not feel such a gaze? She set down her book and stretched out her arms toward her mother, as if asking for a hug.
Madam Zhu was amused and wiped the corners of her eyes before entering the room and sitting beside her. She handed a small box to Hua Zhi. "I know even less than you do, so there's little I can teach you. Take this back and read it yourself—you'll understand."
Gently stroking her daughter's arm, Madam Zhu sighed. "I know you have a proud nature, and I pray you never lose that pride. But in life, there are times when one must bow their head. You may appear strong and unyielding, but in truth, you have a soft heart. I fear that when the time comes, you might be manipulated and end up wronging yourself. Your father asked me to tell you that if you ever find yourself in a situation where you must endure humiliation for the sake of peace, come home. The Hua family doesn't care whether you're a married daughter returning to her maiden home. If you dared to bring your sister-in-law back, how could we let you suffer?"
Madam Zhu smiled. "Your father cares deeply for you, but as you know, he's a man of few words. He couldn't express it himself, so he asked me to convey this: No matter what, the Hua family will always be your support. You can return whenever you wish, without any hesitation. There will always be a place for you here—your courtyard and all your belongings in this house will remain exactly as they are. This was personally instructed by your grandfather. In the future, the Hua family will be handed over to your brother, so you need not worry about facing anyone's displeasure upon your return. No one would dare."
Hua Zhi smiled as she touched the small box. She knew what was inside—nothing more than some erotic illustrations. It was said that mothers would give such a gift to their daughters upon marriage, to help them understand what to expect on their wedding night and avoid any mishaps due to ignorance.
"Mother, you should have more faith in Yan Xi. He is a man of enduring affection." Hua Zhi set the box aside and looked up, smiling at her mother, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying repeatedly. "Over the past two years, if not for him shielding me, the Hua family might not have remained so stable. He has done many things for me—some I know of, others I don't. He has long since laid his heart bare before me. All the initiative lies in my hands. If I cherish his feelings, he will be happy; if I trample on them, he will endure it. With such a man, what reason do I have not to trust him?"
Hua Zhi's smile bloomed like a flower, radiant and beautiful. "I believe he will not betray me, just as he knows that my heart belongs to him and that I will not let him be unhappy."Madam Zhu turned her head away, then after a moment turned back with a determined nod and a smile. She too wanted to believe that the regent, who appeared as harmless as a tiger with its teeth pulled before her daughter, genuinely cherished her child. Her only concern was how long this affection would last.
She feared her daughter's happiness might be too brief, and prayed that from this day forward, her daughter would be free from suffering, blessed with a smooth and worry-free life.
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