Chapter 691: The Grand Wedding (4)
During the sedan chair search ritual, Gu Yanxi first bowed to the surrounding guests in a circle, then approached Hua Pingyu and offered a deep bow. As it wasn't yet time to formally address him as father-in-law, he refrained from using any familial terms.
Hua Pingyu gestured a symbolic lift, accepting the regent's bow with dignity - today, he deserved this gesture.
Old acquaintances of the Hua family came forward one after another to offer congratulations, showering them with endless auspicious phrases. Gu Yanxi nodded in gratitude with each blessing, particularly offering a slight bow when others wished them "a lasting marriage till white-haired old age" - this single hope was all he prayed for in his remaining years.
The Emperor, who had been standing discreetly behind, finally revealed his face due to Yanxi's movements. The crowd stared wide-eyed - The Em-em-emperor?! Instinctively, everyone immediately dropped into lower bows!
The Emperor quickly raised his hands, "My esteemed ministers need not be so formal. Today there is no Emperor - I am merely here as the Heir's sworn brother to accompany him for the bride retrieval. I must ask for your lenience to let my sworn brother smoothly bring his bride home."
The crowd hastily expressed they wouldn't dare.
Even without the Emperor's presence, no one would have dared cause trouble under the Regent's formidable reputation. Moreover, as spectators, they genuinely had no intention of making things difficult for this couple. That these two perfect matches could unite was heaven's blessing - who would dare obstruct such destiny?
Had everyone not shared this sentiment, the Regent wouldn't have found it so easy to marry a daughter of the Hua family today, as Daqing tradition was particularly tolerant of wedding mischief.
The Emperor proudly lifted his chin toward the Regent, almost visibly wearing "I deserve credit" on his face.
It was now noon, time for the formal banquet at the bride's family according to tradition. Gu Yanxi naturally attended as host. Being unusually approachable today, and since no one dared tease him, he proactively toasted with several guests. His alcohol tolerance was well-trained - in the harsh valleys, this had been a necessary test.
Instead, it was Hua Pingyu who advised him, "This is your important day, don't let alcohol interfere with the main event."
Gu Yanxi immediately set down his wine cup in compliance, appearing so obedient that it left people astonished.
Hua Pingyu was also momentarily stunned, but quickly realized this was his son-in-law showing respect for his daughter. Unconsciously, some of his worries diminished.
In the quiet family ancestral hall, Hua Yizheng stood silently before his late wife's memorial tablet for a long while. Recently he often visited like this, needing no words, emptying his mind of thoughts, as if that woman - gentle in youth yet never mastering the matriarch's ways in age - still remained by his side.
Hua Pingyang entered, first bowing to his mother's tablet before softly reminding, "Father, the time is almost here."
Hua Yizheng clasped his hands behind his back, murmuring as if speaking to someone, "Our Hua family's eldest girl is getting married. You should... take a look too."
Hua Pingyang's eyes warmed instantly, quickly supporting his father as they left. Today was a joyous occasion - no room for sorrowful thoughts. Tomorrow, he would properly come speak with mother.
In the bridal chamber, Hua Zhi had eaten lightly.
The maids carefully arranged her Wedding Gown, not even neglecting the hem, kneeling to smooth every fold perfectly into place.With the exception of unmarried young ladies, all the female members of the Hua family were gathered in the room. Regardless of any usual disagreements, their hearts were now filled solely with reluctance to part. This was the young woman who had sheltered them for over two years, who had guided the Hua family through a major crisis. She had spared them from displacement and enabled them to emerge unscathed from that calamity. Though the family's pillars of support had now returned, the thought of her marrying into another household still stirred unease in their hearts.
It was almost laughable—in just two years, these elders had grown accustomed to taking refuge behind her.
Fortunately, the man she was marrying was exceptional, which brought them some comfort.
Handing her weeping elder sister-in-law to the third sister-in-law for support, Wu Shi approached the bride and examined her for a moment. "So beautiful."
"Of course," Hua Zhi lifted her chin, a smile spreading across her face.
Wu Shi gently touched her still somewhat thin face. "You are such a clever girl. Fourth Aunt believes you will surely find happiness in the rest of your life and live the comfortable life you've always wanted."
"Yes, I will."
"Come back whenever you miss home. Pay no mind to the taboos about married women. No one in this family will ever think you visit too often." As she spoke, Wu Shi's voice grew choked with emotion. "Make sure to inform the people at the Regent's residence. Fourth Aunt will visit you often."
"Don't worry, I have authority there. You can come anytime, Fourth Aunt. Don't be afraid of gossip or worry about disturbing me. As long as I'm home, you're welcome anytime." Hua Zhi glanced toward her mother, who was sobbing with trembling shoulders. "Bring my mother with you."
"...Alright."
The commotion outside grew closer. Liu Xiang hurried over to remind them, "The groom will be here any moment."
Wu Shi quickly wiped her tears and personally placed the red wedding veil over Hua Zhi's head. Meanwhile, the two sisters-in-law swiftly attended to Madam Zhu, though her tears continued to flow uncontrollably.
Beneath the red veil, Hua Zhi closed her eyes and listened to the faint sounds of crying. This time, she didn't offer comfort. She knew her mother in this life was crying out of reluctance—her tears were proof of that love.
Only at this moment did she truly feel she was getting married. Not as a desperate measure during critical illness, but through proper matchmaking and betrothal gifts, with the groom coming to lead her to the next chapter of her life.
How fortunate she was to have avoided an arranged marriage, to have met Yan Xi, grown to understand and cherish him. They had navigated obstacles together, overcome crisis after crisis, even survived life-and-death trials, finally arriving at this day when she became Yan Xi's bride.
And her groom was right outside the door.
She had found her Great Sage Equal of Heaven, and he was coming to marry her riding colorful clouds.
Hua Zhi couldn't suppress the smile curling her lips as she heard the door open, listened to the teasing remarks of the aunts guarding the final barrier, and sensed the man's footsteps drawing nearer.
"A Zhi, I'm here."
Hua Zhi wanted to laugh, but inexplicably felt her nose sting. She softly acknowledged with an "Mm" and nodded, causing the red veil to sway.
According to tradition, the bride needed to be carried out of the house by a male family member. Hua Bolin had long claimed this duty, diligently training his strength for over half a year for this very purpose.
He would never let his elder sister fall!
Like a young rooster, Hua Bolin came before his elder sister and crouched down with his back to her. Ying Chun and Bao Xia helped their mistress onto the sixth young master's back while supporting her from both sides.
Gu Yanxi restrained himself from snatching her away to carry her himself, instead bowing respectfully to the other women in the room.At this time, Madam Zhu had already been supported by her matron and gone to the main hall. Hua Yizheng occupied the seat of honor, with the opposite seat left vacant, while Hua Pingyu and his wife sat in the lower positions.
Hua Bolin carried the person over, and Gu Yanxi immediately stepped forward to help her kneel on the prayer mat. He then knelt beside A Zhi, and together they performed the farewell bows and the ceremony of addressing elders with new titles.
After Gu Yanxi called out "Grandfather," Hua Yizheng took a jade ruyi scepter from his youngest son and handed it over, saying, "May your lives be as smooth and fortunate as this ruyi."
"Thank you, Grandfather."
The couple then bowed to the parents. Hua Pingyu's lips moved slightly, his voice so strained it hardly seemed his own: "Wishing you well, always and forever."
"Yes, Father, rest assured. Your son-in-law would never dare let A Zhi suffer even the slightest sorrow."
PS: It seems one more chapter is needed to finish... Dear readers, please don’t worry about who surpasses Cherish Hua Zhi, and don’t promote Cherish Hua Zhi under other books. If fate allows, they will naturally discover the book. If not, let it be. Let’s all be magnanimous readers, shall we?
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