83. As the Wedding Unfolds

Morning at the Prince Jun Residence

Today, the entire Prince Jun Residence was adorned with red silk and festive red characters for double happiness, as it was the day Princess Sijou was to be wed. The groom was unexpectedly Hui Qinghui, the eldest son of the Hui Family Security Agency. This pairing left the common folk baffled, not to mention the wedding had been arranged with remarkable haste. Usually, a wedding required at least a month of preparations, but the Prince Jun Residence had barely announced their daughter's engagement to Hui Qinghui before the wedding festivities commenced. Such haste only drew more attention to the event.

Zhao Chengxian had already reported Sijou’s impending marriage to Xuanyuan Ren, though he omitted the details. During Sijou’s disappearance, the residence had claimed she was visiting her maternal grandmother, thus avoiding the spread of rumors. Xuanyuan Ren simply sent a few gifts and thought little more of it.

The sound of firecrackers from the wedding procession had already reached the gates of the Prince Jun Residence. Hui Qinghui rode a white horse to fetch his bride. Among the procession was a scarred-faced girl. Upon arrival, Hui Qinghui leapt off his horse and entered the hall, where he knelt before the Dowager Princess and Zhao Chengxian, paying his respects.

The Dowager Princess, not entirely pleased, said, “Rise. Remember to cherish Rou’er from this day forth.”

Her displeasure was not due to Hui Qinghui’s status, but rather her lingering resentment over their elopement.

Hui Qinghui raised his head, looking earnestly at the Dowager Princess and Zhao Chengxian. “Mother, Elder Brother, please rest assured. For the rest of my life, I will treat Rou’er well and never let her suffer the slightest grievance!”

He knew that, if not for Sijou’s pregnancy, their marriage would never have proceeded so smoothly. He also owed thanks to Yue’er for changing Zhao Chengxian’s mind; without her, this wedding might never have happened.

Zhao Chengxian stood and helped Hui Qinghui to his feet. “Enough. Remember well the promise you’ve made today. If you ever wrong Rou’er, I, as her elder brother, will not let you off lightly!” In the Kingdom of Jiaoyang, when a commoner married a princess or higher, he could not take concubines, while a prince could still do so. Though seemingly unfair, it was a form of protection for the women.

Hui Qinghui nodded. “Elder Brother, rest assured. I will keep my promise for a lifetime!” Zhao Chengxian smiled and waved his hand. Sijou emerged, her face veiled in red, supported by the bridesmaid. Hui Qinghui stepped forward and carried Sijou away amid cheers, taking his bride home. Zhao Chengxian and the Dowager Princess accompanied them to the gate, watching them depart into the distance.

Zhao Chengxian exchanged a glance with the scarred girl who had followed the wedding procession. Both were filled with envy for the wedding, wondering when they might have such happiness themselves. It was not hard to guess—the scarred girl was Yue’er. Never had Yue’er imagined that, even attending her brother’s wedding, she would have to remain in disguise—how ironic.

Consort Yu sensed something amiss—why did Zhao Chengxian keep staring at that scarred girl? These past months, Zhao Chengxian had kept his distance from them, which made Consort Yu suspicious. Noticing the bracelet on the girl’s left wrist—the same one she’d seen at the Serene Study—she decided to investigate this girl’s identity; she would not allow anyone to threaten her position in the Prince Jun Residence.

In the vast sea of people, to spot that one person at a glance—what profound understanding must there be?

Morning at the Hui Family Security Agency

Laughter and joy accompanied the wedding procession to the Hui Family Security Agency. Hundreds and thousands of martial artists had come to offer their congratulations, making the usually spacious practice ground seem crowded.

The bride, supported by the groom, went through the series of traditional rituals—stepping over the fire basin, treading on tiles—before finally reaching the main hall for the wedding ceremony. With the master of ceremonies announcing in a booming voice, “Kneel! First bow to Heaven and Earth—may the couple’s wishes be fulfilled. Second bow to the elders—may mother-in-law and daughter-in-law be as close as mother and daughter. Husband and wife bow to each other—may your love endure forever. Escort the bride to the bridal chamber—may your descendants be many!” The auspicious words concluded the ceremony. All came forward to congratulate the groom, while the bride, supported by the bridesmaid, withdrew to the bridal chamber. The wedding rituals had ended.

At the banquet, the scarred girl Yue’er approached Hui Qinghui to offer her congratulations. “Brother, congratulations! At last, your wish has come true—you’ve married a beautiful bride!” She didn’t know if she and Zhao Chengxian would ever have such a day. Their circumstances could not be resolved by personal feelings alone.

Hui Qinghui smiled. “Thank you. You, too, will surely marry the man of your dreams!” He truly wished happiness for his sister.

Others came to toast Hui Qinghui. Yue’er could only watch from the sidelines. In the past, she would have stepped in to help her brother fend off the toasts, but now she could not reveal her identity as his sister and could only observe as a bystander, watching her brother drink himself tipsy. Apart from the groom’s drunkenness, the wedding had otherwise proceeded smoothly—a perfect celebration.

Ladies and gentlemen, young and old, those neither old nor young—hurry and shower me with your gold medals, red envelopes, and gifts! Show no mercy; let the storm rage on with even greater force!