Chapter 692: The Grand Wedding (5)
After the couple completed their kowtows, the matron of honor stepped forward to assist the bride to her feet. Hua Bolin once again crouched before his elder sister and carried her on his back.
The sound of weeping echoed behind them, causing Hua Zhi's heart to ache. She resisted the urge to look back. Although the Daqing dynasty had a tradition of bridal weeping, the Hua family had initially intended only a perfunctory display to avoid gossip. However, the Regent Prince himself had intervened, explicitly forbidding such customs to prevent undue distress to the Grand Tutor. The Hua family was more than willing to comply, and even Madam Zhu, who was as tender-hearted as water, had restrained herself until this day.
Yet once the tears started, they seemed endless. Her eyes were already swollen beyond recognition. Hua Zhi felt a pang of compassion for her mother. Perhaps she was fragile, submissive to her husband, and the epitome of a traditional woman, but she was also a devoted mother. Over the past two years, she had pushed herself to grow and take charge of household affairs. Unbeknownst to herself, she was no longer the helpless Madam of the Hua family who could only weep without any resolve two years prior.
Hua Zhi had protected many people, most incidentally, but a select few out of necessity. Yet, without realizing it, she too was being shielded. Though the protection might not have been sufficient to truly safeguard her, the sincerity behind it was undeniable.
Her grandfather, despite grieving the loss of his wife, never showed a hint of sorrow, fearing she would blame herself. During her convalescence, he returned to the court with unprecedented determination, striving to shield her from all potential storms. He never openly expressed his affection for her in front of the family, yet he visited her daily without fail, discussing court affairs with her unreservedly. Through his actions, he affirmed her standing within the Hua family.
Her father, who had never raised his voice in half a lifetime, would loudly rebuke those who insinuated—intentionally or not—that he was inferior to his daughter. He even declared that if his presence hindered her, he would willingly retire from office. To secure an auspicious dowry for her, he parted with his most treasured private collection.
Her brother, though still a youth, already bore the responsibilities of a man, striving to mature and become the pillar supporting her.
"Hua Hua!"
Resting on Berlin's shoulder, Hua Zhi smiled through her tears. And then there was this simple-hearted girl she had known for just over two years yet felt like a lifetime, who entrusted her with complete trust and reliance. How fortunate she was to have so much in this life.
Shaoyao appeared somewhat disheveled—her tied-up hair slightly disheveled, her clothes torn in several places, and her shoes stained with mud. Clutching a bundle, she excitedly ran over and shouted, "Hua Hua, I found the main ingredient! You'll be better soon..."
"Shaoyao!" Gu Yanxi's stern voice cut her off.
Shaoyao halted abruptly, grinning foolishly and looking pleadingly at Yan Ge. She hadn't forgotten the significance of the day; she was simply overjoyed. She and her master had studied an ancient prescription that would greatly benefit Hua Hua's health, but the main ingredient was exceedingly rare. She had ventured to search for it and, to her surprise, succeeded. In her exhilaration, she had momentarily lost her composure.
Gu Yanxi glared at her. "Hurry back now."
Obediently, Shaoyao left the courtyard.
The onlookers stifled their laughter. It was difficult to dislike a girl like Shaoyao—she was genuine, wholeheartedly kind to those she favored, and even her occasional mishaps only made her more endearing.
The wedding proceedings resumed.
Amidst the celebratory music, Hua Bolin carried his elder sister to the bridal sedan. The matron of honor lifted the curtain, and as ceremonial chants filled the air, she guided the bride into the sedan.Before stepping back, Hua Bolin whispered, "Elder Sister, Berlin will always be behind you, always."
Hua Zhi closed her eyes and smiled, responding equally softly, "Elder Sister knows."
With red-rimmed eyes, Hua Bolin retreated two steps. The bridal sedan curtain fell, concealing the bride who now appeared no different from any ordinary woman. From this day forward, it would be his duty to shield his elder sister from wind and rain.
"The sedan lifts!"
Amidst the crackling of firecrackers, the bridal sedan was steadily raised. Behind it, led by Hua Bolin, followed all the young men of the Hua family. This time, it wasn't just the younger children—every male of this generation in the Hua family wore the distinctive deep blue scholar's robes of the Hua family as they followed. Yang Suian and Zeng Han were among them, having come to escort the Hua family's eldest daughter to her wedding. This was the younger generation's own decision, and not a single elder of the Hua family stopped them.
While the Hua family had always adhered to the doctrine of the mean, in this matter they were willing to make an exception for extravagance. They wanted everyone to know that the men of the Hua family were the eldest daughter's staunch supporters.
Hua Zhi couldn't see any of this. She quietly lifted her red veil and raised a corner of the window curtain to watch the familiar scenery slowly recede, gradually imprinting itself into her memory. She was getting married. From now on, this place would be her natal home, and whenever she returned, she would be a guest.
A guest—what a bittersweet word. Hua Zhi suddenly felt a pang of sorrow. She didn't want to be a guest in the Hua family; this was clearly home, the home she had worked so hard to protect.
Only now did Hua Zhi realize how much she would miss it. She couldn't bear to part with every person in this household, with every blade of grass and every tree. Even the wooden stump in the courtyard where the maid sat to wash and sprinkle water, she couldn't bear to leave behind.
But she still had to marry. Compared to these attachments, she couldn't bear the thought of leaving Yan Xi alone.
Letting the curtain fall, Hua Zhi gently stroked the jade ruyi scepter on her lap and smiled. A guest then, so be it. If she visited often enough, she'd become a regular.
The grand procession emerged from Hualin Alley, taking the same route as the dowry procession on the return journey. It was customary for the wedding procession not to retrace its steps, which was why the road was even more crowded than before. People laughed, their faces showing no trace of hardship, a scene of peace and prosperity.
"May the Prince and Grand Tutor share a harmonious union for a hundred years!"
Someone started this cheer, and like a floodgate opening, the words gathered into a roaring wave that filled the sky. Gu Yanxi was visibly moved, sitting tall on his horse and cupping his hands in salute to both sides.
Hua Zhi couldn't show herself, so the several senior maids accompanying the wedding sedan continuously curtseyed as they walked. Behind them, the Hua family men, regardless of age, returned the gestures with scholar's bows. Those offering blessings were sincere, and those returning the courtesy were equally genuine.
The Emperor watched and smiled. The era of peace and stability that his Grand Tutor had so fervently hoped for was now within reach. The smiles on the common people's faces were the best gift for the Grand Tutor.
Just then, someone appeared beside him. He turned to look—it was Shaoyao. He chuckled, "Didn't I tell you to go back first? Since when does the groom's sister come to greet the bride?"
"Well, there's even an Emperor here to greet the bride, so what's a little sister-in-law?" Shaoyao retorted cheerfully. "Besides, who said I'm here to greet the bride? I'm clearly here to escort the bride. I'm seeing Hua Hua from the Hua family to the Prince's residence, and then we'll go home together!"
The Emperor laughed heartily at her unreasonable words.
At the front of the procession, Gu Yanxi heard this and could only sigh in resignation. He glanced back at them with a warning look. Couldn't they at least keep such talk to a lower volume?The two of them chuckled in unison, ignoring the bridegroom completely as they turned their gazes to take in this rare and lively spectacle. The Emperor thought to himself that he would have the court historians record this universally blessed wedding into the annals of history, ensuring that future generations could never question the Grand Tutor's happiness in any way.
PS: The backend system gave me trouble—I couldn't log in at all last night. This morning I ended up revising it further, so there's still one more chapter to finish... I made an error earlier: after checking references, I found there's no such thing as a ten-pole sedan chair. I'll go back and correct the previous part. The reason I write slowly is because I get dizzy from all the fact-checking.
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