Chapter 456: 456 The Day of the Grand Wedding_1

Under Wei Qingwan’s anxious gaze, Wei Yichen extended his hand.

Seeing his hand grip the handle of the food box, joy welled up in Wei Qingwan’s heart.

But the following scene caused Wei Qingwan’s expression to freeze instantaneously.

Wei Yichen unceremoniously threw the food box into the pool next to them.

With a “plop”, the resulting splash that accompanied the food box – and the osmanthus cake within it – sank into the depths of the water.

Watching the pool, Wei Qingwan’s face turned pale when Wei Yichen’s cold voice echoed beside her.

“You should be grateful you have the imperial/royal marriage agreement.”

Having said that, Wei Yichen ignored the surprised Wei Qingwan and quickly Departed.

Not too far off, Wei Ruo had witnessed these events unfold.

She hadn’t intentionally followed anyone here; she had just happened upon them coincidentally.

When Wei Yichen passed by Wei Ruo, he slowed his pace and cast his gaze downward towards her.

Their eyes met, but neither of them spoke a word.

After a silent moment, Wei Yichen resumed his departure.

Since Wei Yichen’s success as the top scholar, Wei Ruo had never taken the initiative to seek him out or congratulate him.

This encounter did not see her break that habit either.

Once Wei Yichen walked away, Wei Ruo noticed Wei Qingwan staring at her. Qingwan’s gaze was sharp, like a knife aiming to pierce her body.

Wei Ruo gave a soft smile, before casually walking past Wei Qingwan.

Wei Qingwan clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into the palm of her hand, leaving behind streaks of red lines.

###

Time swiftly brought them to May.

The Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence was still very busy, as Wei Ruo’s wedding was drawing near. Even Wei Mingting, who should have been busy with wartime matters, was given special permission to return to the capital to give his daughter away in marriage.

At this time, Xiu Fengyuan visited the Loyal and Righteous Duke Residence once more, where Wei Yichen received him in his study.

“Brother Yichen, be honest with me, did you hold back during the provincial examination?” Xiu Fengyuan asked.

“I wasn’t skilled enough at the time.” Wei Yichen responded.

“Now that you’ve become the top scholar, there’s no need to hide anything, right?” Xiu Fengyuan didn’t believe Wei Yichen’s explanation.

“Brother Xiu, I’m sure that you didn’t come here to ask me about that,” Wei Yichen diverted the topic.

Xiu Fengyuan gave a helpless laugh, then said, “Actually, I don’t even know why I came here today. It seems like there’s no real reason, yet I felt like I needed to come.”

As he spoke, Xiu Fengyuan turned to look out of the window, as if surveying something in the distance.

“Brother Xiu, some delusions should be let go when it’s time to do so,” Wei Yichen said, his face devoid of emotion.

“I guess I still can’t hide anything from you. I remember what you told me before the exam. I know I can’t change anything now, but there are some things I simply can’t let go, so I found myself here at your place.”

Wei Yichen stood up and took a bottle of liquor from the shelf to hand to Xiu Fengyuan.

Upon seeing the bottle of liquor, Xiu Fengyuan paused in surprise, then gave a bitter smile. “You’ve started stocking liquor in your study?”

“It was prepared for you.”

“Hm? You anticipated my visit?”

Wei Yichen didn’t reply, but instead poured liquor into a cup and offered it to Fengyuan.

Looking at the cup of liquor, Xiu Fengyuan gave a bitter smile and accepted it, draining the cup in one swig.

The liquor burnt his throat, amplifying the bitter smile on his face.

“Brother Yichen, I’ve been curious about what you went through during that difficult time. I’ve always wanted to ask but feared it might be a sore subject for you.”

Everyone could sense the change in Wei Yichen after that incident, but as close friends, everyone tacitly agreed not to ask for details.

Not until today did Xiu Fengyuan finally bring it up.

“Having experienced a brush with death, I realized how much of a pampered life I led previously, and how I oversimplified matters, failing to anticipate the danger. I also realized my limitations and that even if I harbor grudges, I have to hold my peace.”

Wei Yichen’s face was calm as he spoke.

Listening to him, Xiu Fengyuan didn’t feel calm, “You have suffered.”

“The experience may not be entirely negative, one learns from one’s mistakes.”

As he spoke, Wei Yichen filled Xiu Fengyuan’s wine glass again: “In life, eight or nine out of ten things will not go as planned; therefore, Fengyuan old pal, you need to let go of what needs letting go.”

Xiu Fengyuan forced a bitter smile and shook his head, and then emptied his glass once again.

“In that case, Brother Yichen, you’ll have to indulge me in a drunken escapade tonight!” Xiu Fengyuan proposed.

“Alright,” Wei Yichen agreed.

Xiu Fengyuan then got drunk in Wei Yichen’s study. His steps were unsteady as he left, supported by his two attendants.

Before leaving, he left a brocade box for Wei Yichen to deliver to Wei Ruo.

It contained the wedding gift he wished to present her.

Being a man, it was improper for him to personally give her the gift, so he entrusted Wei Yichen with the task.

###

May 8th.

The day had finally arrived.

The Duke Residence, which was serene for just a few days, came alive again.

Red lanterns were hung high, horse whips and gongs echoed.

The door was filled with guests, the residence packed with noble friends.

Within Changchun Garden.

Wei Ruo donned her bridal attire with the help of the nurses sent by the palace.

The phoenix crown of pure gold was exquisitely crafted and appeared as a masterpiece; one couldn’t tell it was hastily made.

Several big, round pearls were inlaid on top, the largest one in the center was about the size of a bayberry, which was quite rare.

Wei Ruo’s bridal attire was made of Shu Brocade, embroidered with gold threads, and had been hurriedly prepared day and night by eleven sewing women.

The phoenix pattern on it was lifelike, as if it could fly off the clothes and soar into the clouds at any moment.

The necklaces, bracelets, and rings she was wearing were all made of gold and top-grade Hetian jade. Each piece was heavy and exquisitely crafted.

These were not Wei Ruo’s own jewelry, but gifts from the palace.

Wei Ruo had fine jewelry of her own, but as she wasn’t sincerely wishing to get married, she naturally wouldn’t invest time, energy, and money to prepare her wedding trousseau.

What she didn’t expect was that the palace had prepared all of these for her with meticulous care.

From these details, it was clear that the palace greatly valued her marriage to King Rui.

After Wei Ruo finished dressing, Madam Yun came in.

Upon entering the room, Madam Yun was momentarily lost for words as she looked at her dazzlingly beautiful daughter, who looked as delicate as a blooming peony.

Madam Yun looked at Wei Ruo; her eyes were watery for reasons unknown.

After a long pause, she slowly voiced out, “Ruo, you look very beautiful today.”

With a calm expression, Wei Ruo turned to the old nurse and asked, “When do we leave?”

The old nurse standing by, whose name was Jin, looked embarrassed: “Miss, it’s still early. You still have some time, why not have a good talk with Madam?”

Wei Ruo glanced at Madam Yun, before turning her gaze back to her reflection in the mirror.

Madam Yun walked up, and took the comb from the old nurse’s hand. “Let mother comb your hair.”