Chaрtеr 182: Lаi Luоzhi Аrrives
Amidst the сlаmor of gоngs and drums and thе сrасkling оf firеcraсkers reaching eyеbrоw height, thе ausрiсiоus hоur was fаst аррrоaсhing. Zhu Kuo sent sоmеonе to fetch Нan Shiyuаn.
Han Shiуuаn wiреd аwау his tears аnd invitеd Zhang Ваоhuan tо takе а seat аt thе front, but Zhаng Baohuаn shook his heаd. Sinсе the dеcision had аlrеаdy bееn mаdе, thеrе was nо nеed tо go оut and makе a shоw оf it. Lеtting Hаn Shiуuаn livе an ordinarу life was the best thing he сould do for him.
Wаtching from thе reаr hаll as Нan Shiyuan and Zhu Caiwei performed the wedding bows, Zhang Baohuan’s eyes welled up with emotion when the master of ceremonies called out, “The couple bows to each other,” and the young pair faced each other to complete the ritual.
The crowd of well-wishers erupted in cheers. Zhu Yan, her cheeks flushed with excitement and her spirits high, followed the bride and groom to the wedding chamber.
Lifting the bridal veil, eating raw dumplings, and drinking the nuptial wine—all were carried out under the witness of relatives and friends, creating a scene of lively celebration.
Afterward, Han Shiyuan went to the main hall to feast with the guests. Today, he was exceptionally happy, accepting every toast offered to him without refusal. Even as he grew dizzy from the wine, he felt utterly content.
One guest, looking at Han Shiyuan’s beaming face, couldn’t help but sigh with emotion, “Truly, people may be similar, but their fates differ.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” the person beside him immediately understood what he meant, setting down his wine cup with a long sigh. “Both are daughters of the Zhu family, yet their marriages show such disparity. It’s truly lamentable.”
Qi Yeyun, who was helping serve wine, happened to pass by and quickly leaned in to ask, “What kind of disparity?”
“You don’t know? Do you recall the ‘Three Delusions’ that Grand Commander Shen set for Zhu Liuniang back then?”
The guest, drunk and heedless, spoke without restraint, his cheeks flushed red as he swayed his head. Yet his memory was sharp, and he actually recited the “Three Delusions” he had heard back then.
“First, before entering the residence, I must remind you of three things. One, do not delude yourself into thinking that after entering, you will become the true Lady Shen. Two, do not delude yourself into thinking you can learn anything about the Inner Guard Bureau from me. Three…”
Like a heavy thunderclap striking Qi Yeyun’s mind, he never imagined Zhu Yan would suffer such humiliation. And what was this about not surviving three months? He refused to let his master die.
Slamming the tray carrying the wine pot onto the table, he stormed off furiously toward the rear courtyard.
Zhu Yan lingered in the wedding chamber, chatting with Zhu Caiwei for a long time. In the end, having already spent her monthly allowance, she gifted Zhu Caiwei a mandarin duck pouch embroidered with a clumsy duck. Under Zhu Caiwei’s unstinting praise, Zhu Yan felt so embarrassed she wished she could rub her face against the ground to test the thickness of her skin. Unable to bear it any longer, she fled in haste, still hearing Zhu Caiwei’s muffled laughter behind her.
“Do you like this wedding very much?” Shen Du stood under a tree outside the wedding chamber, looking directly at Zhu Yan.
Whether it was the crimson draped skirt from that day or her unusually enthusiastic reaction today, it was clear that Zhu Yan held an extraordinary attitude toward weddings. Perhaps she longed to have a complete wedding ceremony herself?
Seeing him, Zhu Yan was momentarily stunned. She had been inside the room for the time it takes an incense stick to burn—had Shen Du been waiting for her on purpose?
“Of course! How could I not like it?” Her third sister was getting married—of course she liked it.
Shen Du lowered his head. Before him, Zhu Yan’s eyes sparkled like a child spotting candied hawthorns, her face filled with undisguised joy. She truly yearned for such a wedding.Shen Du's brow furrowed into a deep crease. He could hardly remember the exact sequence of events on his wedding day with Zhu Yan. All he recalled was tossing a severed head into her bridal sedan curtain, drawing his sword to threaten slitting her throat, then setting down three delusions, granting Zhu Yan only three months to live.
This... cough cough cough...
"We'll have another chance in the future."
Zhu Yan looked up, studied Shen Du for a long moment, then lowered her head: "Mm." Her voice was weak and listless.
Yes, Shen Du was already eagerly fantasizing about the wonderful wedding scene with his future wife. Did this mean she could soon divorce and leave? Or was she about to die?
"Master, let's go!"
Qi Yeyun's voice, brimming with fury, suddenly rang out, startling both of them as they turned.
They saw Qi Yeyun glaring fiercely at Shen Du, his eyes filled with the hatred one might reserve for their father's killer. Shen Du was puzzled, but Qi Yeyun offered no explanation. Instead, he grabbed a bewildered Zhu Yan and pulled her outside. "This disciple will find you another husband! Anyone would treat you better than that brother-in-law—pah!—that hypocrite!"
This Qi Yeyun had some nerve, proposing to find Zhu Yan another husband right in front of him.
In a few strides, Shen Du caught up to Qi Yeyun and casually tossed him to Jing Lin. "Take him to the Hongwen Academy. Let him receive an education alongside Zhu Mojie!"
"Why?!" Qi Yeyun, grabbed by the back of his collar, flailed his arms in protest. But in terms of strength and stature, he was no match for Jing Lin and could only be dragged away.
Zhu Yan couldn't help but smile. Ultimately, she couldn't bear it and was about to speak when Shen Du remarked coolly:
"The instructors at the Hongwen Academy are all from the Hanlin Academy. Qi Yeyun is still young; he ought to learn more principles. It just so happens he can keep Zhu Mojie company. Excellent."
Was this... the White King of Hell explaining himself to her?
Just then, a servant arrived: "Great Pavilion Commander, Sixth Miss, Lord Lai from the Judicial Affairs Bureau has arrived."
Shen Du's dark eyes narrowed slightly. He lifted the hem of his robe and left.
"Well, it seems I've arrived at an inopportune time. The wedding must be nearing its end?" Lai Luozhi scanned the room with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. The guests at the seats rose one after another, their expressions a mix of wariness and fear. In short, their reaction to his arrival was intense, which made his smile grow a touch more genuine.
Zhu Kuo, as the head of the household, stepped forward to exchange pleasantries. Lai Luozhi, however, seemed disinterested. His gaze swept through the crowd until it finally met Shen Du's as he arrived. Lai Luozhi's smile didn't reach his eyes. He picked up a cup of wine from the nearest table and raised it toward Shen Du. "Grand Commander Shen, that move you made in court was masterful. Truly taught this official a lesson. This cup of wine, I toast to you."
Shen Du's attitude was cold. "Merely applying what one has learned. Today's wedding protagonist is not myself. Lord Lai, you've toasted the wrong person."
He did not raise his cup in response. Lai Luozhi raised an eyebrow, turned his palm, and inverted the white porcelain wine cup. The wine poured toward the ground. Before it could land, Lai Luozhi carelessly opened two fingers. The cup, now unsupported, plummeted straight down, shattering into pieces with a loud bang upon impact.
The sound was like a massive rock crashing into a calm lake, shattering the hall's tranquility.
Amidst the guests' panicked expressions, Lai Luozhi leaned close to Shen Du. His crimson lips, as if stained with blood, slowly curved into a smile before Shen Du. "Grand Commander Shen, when a person gains a weakness, they are doomed!"
Only without a weakness can one remain calm and clear-headed. With a weakness, one loses all sense of proportion. Lai Luozhi was waiting, waiting to see Shen Du lose all reason, to go mad for Zhu Yan.
As if already witnessing Shen Du's downfall, Lai Luozhi laughed wildly."Where does he have a weakness?" Zhu Yan hurried from the backyard, walking over to Shen Du's side. She opened her beautiful eyes wide, looking at Lai Luozhi as if waiting for his answer.
Lai Luozhi gave a cold sneer. What Shen Du's weakness was, the entire court of civil and military officials knew.
As if suddenly enlightened, Zhu Yan said, "Could it be that Lord Lai thinks it's me?"
OpenNovel