Chapter 282: Yun Chu Marries Again
Supported by two wedding matrons, Yun Chu stepped out of her boudoir.
She held a large red round fan that concealed her face, yet through its gaps she could still see the man striding toward her. She had only ever seen him in dark black robes—this was the first time she saw him in bright red. At his waist hung the jade pendant she had gifted him, along with an clumsily embroidered sachet and a sword. Most people’s eyes were drawn to the sword, which accentuated his extraordinary elegance, jade-like complexion, and radiant demeanor.
The matchmaker thrust the large red silk flower from Chu Yi’s hands directly into Yun Chu’s grasp.
Yun Chu accepted the red flower.
Chu Yi bent slightly at the waist before her.
The two wedding matrons helped Yun Chu onto Chu Yi’s back.
Carrying her, Chu Yi walked to the front courtyard, stepped over the Yun family’s threshold, and brought her to the grand red wedding sedan, where he gently settled her inside.
Seated in the sedan, Yun Chu turned to look outside. She saw her mother, Lin Shi, weeping as if her heart would break, while her father held her mother, his own face filled with sorrow.
Her eyes reddened, and tears spilled uncontrollably.
“Young lady, you mustn’t cry,” the matchmaker reminded from outside the sedan. “We in the capital have no custom of crying at weddings. Marriage is a joyous occasion, a truly grand one. Besides, the prince’s manor is just steps away from the Yun residence. You can return home whenever you miss it. Don’t cry now, or you’ll ruin your makeup.”
Yun Chu lowered her head and forced back her tears.
Her weeping wasn’t due to parting from her parents, but a moment of emotional reflection.
She had ultimately embarked on a path entirely different from her previous life; she had finally emerged from the shadows of past entanglements.
From now on, every day would be a brand new beginning.
A smile spread across her face, and she waved her hand outward.
Seeing Yun Chu’s beaming expression, Lin Shi, who had been crying uncontrollably, finally stopped her tears. Clutching Yun Silin’s sleeve, she said, “Husband, our Chu’er will surely be happy this time, won’t she?”
Yun Silin grumbled in a muffled voice, “Of course. If that lad Chu Yi dares to mistreat Yun Chu, I’ll chop him to pieces.”
“Enough of that talk of violence,” Lin Shi chided, glaring at him. “The wedding procession has moved on. Let’s hurry and attend to the guests.”
Lin Shi turned and went inside to receive visitors.
Yun Silin scratched his head and followed her in.
The wedding procession departed from the Yun residence and headed toward the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor.
A month earlier, the betrothal gifts presented by Prince Pingxi to the Yun family had already astonished the entire capital.
Now, as the eldest daughter of the Yun family married, the dowry that followed left every onlooker stunned.
“Heavens, is the Yun family this wealthy?”
“What do you know? This includes Prince Pingxi’s betrothal gifts plus the dowry prepared by the Yun family. Combined, no wonder it’s so substantial.”
“Prince Pingxi gave generous betrothal gifts, and the Yun residence prepared an abundant dowry. All of it will become Miss Yun’s private property—how enviable.”
“Wasn’t it said that Prince Pingxi was unwilling to marry? Why then show the Yun family such great honor?”
“The Yun family has repeatedly achieved great merits. If Prince Pingxi wishes to gain their support, he must treat their daughter well. Isn’t that obvious?”
“Prince Pingxi is probably just putting on a show of face. How could he genuinely care for a twice-married woman?”
“These noble weddings are merely transactions of mutual benefit. Speaking of sincerity is rather laughable.”
“...”Amidst the murmurs of the common folk and the sounds of festive music and firecrackers, the bridal sedan chair swayed all the way to the entrance of the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor.
Since the marriage was settled, under Yin Fei's "pressure," Chu Yi had moved back to the manor with their two children.
The once cold and solemn Prince of Pacifying the West Manor was now adorned with red silk and lanterns, making it look brand new and exceptionally festive and lively.
After the sedan chair stopped, following tradition, a five- or six-year-old girl came forward to lift the curtain and lead the bride out.
No one had expected that the girl lifting the curtain would be the Little Commandery Princess of the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor—the little girl known to everyone for her peculiar temperament and inability to speak.
The little girl was dressed in bright red clothes, with her hair styled in two buns and rouge applied to her cheeks, making her look particularly festive.
She looked just like a New Year painting doll.
She reached out, lifted the sedan curtain, and took Yun Chu's hand.
Yun Chu grasped her daughter's small hand tightly. The little hand was trembling, and she knew Changsheng was very nervous.
Originally, she had not agreed to let Changsheng take on this role, but the little girl had insisted on doing it herself, unwilling to let any other princess or commandery princess take her place.
Chu Changsheng could feel many eyes fixed on her. In her heart, she told herself, "These people are just radishes—red radishes, white radishes, black radishes... all big radishes. I love radish soup the most, so I'm not afraid of big radishes."
After this mental preparation, the little girl's smile grew even brighter.
She placed Yun Chu's hand into Chu Yi's hand.
"Thank you, Changsheng."
Chu Yi patted his daughter's head and then took Yun Chu's hand.
The man's large palm was extremely warm, with the thick calluses characteristic of a military general, tightly enveloping Yun Chu's hand.
The two walked toward the manor's main gate, stepping over the fire basin and officially entering the manor.
"Proceed to the ancestral temple ceremony, play the music!"
As the officiant shouted, ceremonial music resounded through the manor. The music was grand, magnificent yet elegant, celebrating marriage without losing its dignity. The sound of the music traveled beyond the manor's high walls.
Outside the high walls of the manor, a group of people arrived on foot.
An old woman held a child in her arms, accompanied by two boys, while another youth followed at a distance.
"Wei Ge'er, let it go." Yuan Shi pulled Xie Shiwei, who was charging ahead. "Chu'er has long had nothing to do with the Xie family. What are we doing here now?"
Xie Shiwei tightly clutched a wooden carving: "I want to give this to Mother as a wedding gift."
He still remembered, a few months ago, when he and his concubine went to pay respects to Mother, he saw her fondly stroking a wooden carving, looking very pleased with it.
He had specifically searched for wood on the outskirts of the capital and slowly carved it into its current form with a carving knife. He thought Mother would surely like it.
He had originally intended to deliver the gift to the Yun residence, but he arrived too late—Mother had already been escorted to the manor.
So, he had no choice but to hurry and follow.
Xie Shiyun spoke up as well: "I also prepared a gift."
In his hand was a plain silver hairpin, which his concubine had secretly slipped into his hand before she died. He had been afraid of his elder brother finding out, but he also knew his brother would discover it someday. It was better to give it to Mother now—perhaps she would accept him again...
Yuan Shi sighed.
These two children were so thoughtful, making her seem like a heartless person.
Fortunately, she had a bracelet on her wrist. If she could see Yun Chu later, she would give it to her as an additional wedding gift.She turned to look at Xie Shi'an, who was lagging behind at the very end: "An Ge'er, have you prepared anything?"
Xie Shi'an pursed his lips: "Yes."
He hadn't prepared anything, because there was no need.
What kind of place was the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor? People like them couldn't even get through the door, let alone present gifts.
Even if they were lucky enough to get in and see their mother, would she accept such unrefined things from them?
Knowing full well he wouldn't see Yun Chu, he didn't understand why he had come along.
Just as the group reached the manor's entrance, they happened to see Chu Yi holding Yun Chu's hand as they stepped through the main gate of the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor.
Xie Shi'an's expression was indescribable. Six years ago, when Yun Chu married into the Xie family, he and He Shi had also stood at the Xie family's entrance, watching the newlyweds perform their wedding bows...
The feeling from six years ago was so similar to this very moment.
He hated this feeling, hated that he could only watch, unable to do anything.
At that moment, his gaze fell upon a little girl at the manor's entrance. From the guests' discussions, he knew this little girl was the Little Commandery Princess of the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor.
"Is that her?" Xie Shiyun suddenly spoke up, "She's the Little Commandery Princess?"
Xie Shi'an's expression darkened: "Have you seen her before?"
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