Сhарtеr 180: Тhе Grand Wedding
Тhе рulsе wаs faint, stronger оn thе left and wеaker оn thе right, with а subtlе hint оf instаbility.
"It's fading! Тhe substance on Liu Niang’s nесk is diminishing!"
Zhu Kuо eхсlаimеd eхсitеdlу. Нeаring this, Shen Du quickly turnеd аround, tоok Zhu Yan from Zhu Кuo’s trembling hаnds, and loоkеd dоwn tо sее thаt the transраrent, thrеаd-likе substanсe wаs nо longer sееping frоm Zhu Yan’s fair and smоoth neck. Нis nоsе tingled with еmotion, and hе hеld Zhu Yаn evеn tightеr, wishing hе соuld еmbed hеr dirеctlу into his bоdy so shе cоuld nеvеr aсt sо rесklessly agаin.
The scene stirrеd a commоtion. Thе offiсiаls werе astonished, craning their necks to get a better look at Zhu Yan, eager to witness what "returning from death" truly looked like.
Shen Du pulled Zhu Yan closer, pressing her face against his chest to shield her from the prying eyes of others. This drew amused smirks from the onlookers. Wasn’t she just the Commander of the Zhu Capital? They had seen her perfectly fine many times before, yet now they weren’t even allowed a glance. Perhaps he should just tuck her into his pocket from now on.
However, the main event in the hall was not focused on the two of them. The Empress spoke leisurely from her dragon throne, steering the conversation back to Lai Luozhi and Lai Luofu.
As the Lai siblings openly discussed matters related to cultivation, the officials harbored mixed thoughts.
Commander Zhu had been revived, but whether the medicine Lai Luozhi provided was an antidote or a spiritual elixir remained unclear. Thus, they maintained their rationality, leaning more toward the idea that it was an antidote that had cured Commander Zhu’s poisoning. As for Lai Luofu, none of those present had ever met the original Lai Luofu, so they had no way of verifying the authenticity of the person before them.
Although skepticism prevailed, their convictions wavered, largely because the Lai siblings spoke with such sincerity and passion, especially Lai Luofu. When she mentioned the profound and mysterious Daoist arts and immortal techniques, her face was filled with reverence and fervor, clearly a result of fanatical belief. Surely, there must be some truth to it for her to be so impassioned, right?
The Empress looked down from above, observing the officials’ expressions clearly. She furrowed her brows, interrupting the Lai siblings’ discourse, and resumed discussing state affairs with the officials.
Half an hour later, after handling the nation’s important matters, the officials dispersed, leaving only Lai Luozhi with the Empress.
Casually, she brought up the topic of cultivation methods. "I’ve heard that Master Yuan, in his pursuit of immortality, abandoned all worldly distractions and secluded himself in the deep mountains, devoting himself entirely to the study of Daoist arts. I wonder how effective his efforts have been and whether he has glimpsed the path to immortality."
"Your Majesty, it is said that the Dao of immortality values life and seeks to transcend the mortal realm. By distancing oneself from worldly affairs, abandoning distractions, and engaging in self-cultivation and Daoist practices, one can achieve immortality, ascend with the physical body, and reach the three realms of purity and emptiness. If Master Yuan is sincere in his heart, immortality is no mere castle in the air!"
The Empress’s eyes were filled with longing as she asked, "Master Yuan was born with a connection to the Dao, but most people in the world are dull and ignorant. Can this Dao… be practiced by anyone?"
Master Yuan was the one who had prophesied that the infant Empress would one day achieve unparalleled nobility, earning the deep trust of the previous Empress. Unfortunately, he was so devoted to cultivation that he disdained officialdom, refusing even the title of State Preceptor.
Lai Luozhi looked at the Empress with an air of profound mystery. "The Dao gives birth to all things. Heaven and earth are the greatest among them, and humans are the wisest. Naturally, anyone can practice it! Even immortals crave longevity and life—how much more should we mortals cultivate the Dao and seek immortality!"
Lai Luozhi lavishly praised the wonders of Daoist arts and emphasized how Lai Luofu had returned from death. As he spoke, his expression grew fervent, his eyes blazing with intense light.The Empress was inwardly moved, nearly losing her composure, but for some reason, her expression turned cold: "The Great Zhou promotes Buddhism, not Daoism. Minister Lai, your conduct contradicts state policy. It would be better to keep a lower profile."
Lai Luozhi's brow twitched slightly as he discreetly observed the Empress. Though her expression was stern, her eyes held no strong reproach. Reassured, he cupped his hands and replied, "I shall heed Your Majesty's guidance and act accordingly."
Outside the main hall, Zhang Baohuan encountered Princess Yong'an and Princess Chaoyang. His eyes flickered briefly before he hurried forward to bow. His movements were impeccable, yet an inexplicable sense of differing attitudes toward the two princesses was palpable.
Feeling slighted, Princess Yong'an sneered, uttered a few sarcastic remarks, and left without looking back.
"Minister Zhang need not take it to heart. Yong'an was discussing some unpleasant matters with me earlier and was not targeting you."
Having served the Empress for many years, Zhang Baohuan understood perfectly—especially since he was the instigator. He smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Of course, of course. This humble official would not dare question His Highness the Prince of Ying."
Princess Chaoyang gave a slight nod, brushed past him, and her slender hand inadvertently touched the back of his hand before she calmly walked away.
Zhang Baohuan withdrew his hand, frowned, pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the spot, and then departed.
Zhu Residence.
Before noon, Zhu Yan slowly awoke amid everyone's anticipation. Her eyes opened, her consciousness still hazy, and in her daze, she saw several faces beaming with tears of joy: "Father, Mother, Shen Du..."
Her voice was slightly hoarse. Shen Du turned to pour tea, his long, slender hands moving swiftly. Before Zhu Yan was fully awake, he skillfully helped her sit up, letting her lean against his chest, and brought a cup of warm tea to her lips.
Zhu Yan took small sips, finishing the cup. Her eyes widened in disbelief: "I'm alive?"
"Zhu Liuniang!" At this, Jin Shi's willow-like brows shot up. Heaven knew how many gray hairs this reckless fool of a girl had caused her. Hands on her hips, she pointed at Zhu Yan and scolded angrily, "How heartless you are! Taking such poison on your own, abandoning your parents in their old age—do you want to take us all with you?..."
Jin Shi's harsh words and flying spittle filled the air. Zhu Kuo and Ru Shi, among others, tried to hold her back and calm her. The clamor instantly pulled Zhu Yan back into this vibrant, living world. Leaning against Shen Du's chest, she smiled broadly. The harsher Jin Shi's scolding, the more real it all felt.
I'm alive!
In the end, seeing Zhu Yan's foolish, grinning face, Jin Shi could no longer bring herself to scold. Instead, she hugged her tightly and burst into loud sobs.
After calming Jin Shi, Zhu Yan gradually regained her strength. Feeling Shen Du's warm body pressed closely behind her, she quickly shifted away, her ears tinged pink. Glancing around, she noticed Zhu Caiwei was not there and looked up to ask, "Where's Third Sister? Is she almost recovered too? Let's go watch over her."
"Ah?" Zhu Kuo slapped his forehead. "Look at my memory—I was so focused on waiting for you to wake up that I completely forgot about Third Daughter."
Ru Shi, Jin Shi, and the others also looked remorseful. Seeing Zhu Yan recover had absorbed all their attention, leaving Zhu Caiwei neglected.
Seeing this, Zhu Yan hurriedly asked about the antidote. Shen Du informed her that one dose remained. Unaware of the odd expression on Shen Du's face, Zhu Yan quickly led everyone to find Zhu Caiwei.
As they entered the room, Han Shiyuan was gently wiping Zhu Caiwei's hands. Seeing Zhu Yan awake, he eagerly took the antidote and fed it to her.In less than half an hour, Zhu Caiwei awoke, and Han Shiyuan could no longer restrain himself. The eight-foot-tall man knelt on the ground, holding Zhu Caiwei as he wept uncontrollably.
Perhaps rain was approaching, for a cool breeze swept through, rustling Han Shiyuan's increasingly loose robes and accentuating his ever-thinning frame. Between sobs, he said to Zhu Caiwei, "Let us marry, let us marry at once! From now on, we shall share life and death, never to part again!"
Zhu Caiwei was naturally overjoyed. Seeing Han Shiyuan weeping so uncontrollably, Zhu Kuo and Ru Shi also raised no further objections.
Since it was a marriage where the groom would join the bride's family, many formalities could be omitted. The wedding day was set for the nearest possible date.
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