Chapter 131 Wedding
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The entire Ying Wang’s mansion was adorned with splendid decorations, and the room where Mingzhu resided was even more extravagant, with gold and jade everywhere. Mingzhu’s eyes dazzled as she calculated that she would have to rearrange everything according to her preferences when she had the chance. Just as she was thinking, a palace maid came in and respectfully said, “Your Highness, it’s time for the bridal ceremony.”
The people in the entire room became nervous, and Mingzhu was also a bit tense, but she pretended to be calm, looking down on Su Lan and the others: “Why panic? Haven’t seen the world.”
Su Lan agreed with her, immediately displaying the authority of her position as the chief maid, calmly directing the maidservants to tidy up Mingzhu’s clothes and jewelry. Seeing that the rouge on Mingzhu’s lips had faded a bit due to eating pastries, she carefully reapplied it.
Mingzhu felt a bit melancholic. Although it wasn’t the same marriage proposal, the current situation was similar to when she married Yuwen You. Unlike common marriages among the common people, royal weddings were elaborate and strict, with officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Court of the Imperial Clan responsible for all the details. It had been several days of hustle and bustle before arriving at this moment.
During the bridal procession, Yuwen Chu’s carriage was in front, while her bridal sedan followed behind. She hadn’t seen him at all until the worship at the ancestral temple, where she finally laid eyes on him. He was dressed in a full set of prince’s attire, with a cold and solemn expression, making every gesture meticulously, not even sparing her a glance. If it weren’t for the moment when she accidentally stumbled, and he promptly reached out to help her, she would have thought he had reached a state of complete detachment.
Mingzhu had thought that Yuwen Chu probably had some liking for her, but now she wasn’t so sure anymore. Even on the day of their marriage, Yuwen You, reluctant as he was, had a relaxed expression, unlike him, who seemed so aloof, as if he was about to transcend into an immortal.
Mingzhu silently criticized him, not expecting the attendant in front to have stopped, quickly following suit, and discreetly glancing at Yuwen Chu walking towards them. Seeing his impeccable attire and extraordinary demeanor, she had intended to praise him a few words, but upon seeing his solemn and unswerving expression, she couldn’t help but feel resentful, putting on a cold and dignified appearance herself, refusing to look at him.
Inside the hall, two seats had already been arranged separately, with wine cups and joined cups on the central table. After they both paid their respects, they finally took their seats, following the rules of eating and drinking, exchanging wine cups in turns. Mingzhu was extremely impatient, thinking Yuwen Chu wouldn’t be able to endure this. Sure enough, she stole a glance at him again, only to be caught by his gaze. Startled, she was about to look away when she saw him smile faintly at her, his originally cold eyes softening, causing her heart to flutter.
It’s a sin, she had seen handsome men before, so why was she affected like this?! Mingzhu cursed silently, lowering her eyes and following the attendant’s guidance to complete the joining ceremony. After the ceremony, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Yuwen Chu, with his solemn demeanor, arrogantly glanced at the attendants.
The palace maid quickly stepped forward to invite Mingzhu, “Please, Your Highness, Your Royal Highness, rest.”
Mingzhu immediately tightened her sleeves, feeling breathless, and anxiously turned to find Su Lan, only to see Yuwen Chu standing beside her quietly, looking at her with a kind of understanding and faint mockery in his eyes that she couldn’t understand. It was as if he was saying, “Is this all you are capable of? Even afraid of this, yet still want to protect your family?”
Taking a deep breath, Mingzhu forced herself to smile at him, her lips curling up, but it looked quite miserable.
Yuwen Chu’s gaze slightly darkened as he stepped forward, bending down to look at Mingzhu. He was close, and the faint scent of agarwood fragrance immediately enveloped Mingzhu, making it even harder for her to breathe. Even though she had applied makeup, she couldn’t hide the paleness and fear on her face.
Yuwen Chu sighed softly, reaching out to hold her hand. Mingzhu stubbornly kept her hand hidden in her sleeve, tightly gripping the cuff and refusing to let go. He gradually pried open her fingers, inserting his own fingers into hers, interlocking them.
Mingzhu’s hand was icy cold, while his hand was warm and dry, carrying a comforting warmth. Mingzhu nervously licked her lips, about to shake off his hand, when he looked at her, his eyes dark and compelling, making her inexplicably frightened and timid, unwilling to be willful.
She was like a child who had just learned to walk, being led by him, step by hesitant step, into the inner room, her eyes filled with fear, yet she dared not escape.
“Am I that scary?” Yuwen Chu waved away Su Lan and the others who followed, placing his hand on Mingzhu’s shoulder, forcing her to sit in front of the mirror, whispering, “Look at yourself, trembling with fear. Does this look like a new bride to you?”
In the mirror, she saw herself, eyes wide with panic, face pale, and the rouge on her cheeks seemed like a ridiculous attempt to conceal her fear. Mingzhu wanted to laugh, but her upper and lower teeth kept clashing, making her angry.
She closed her eyes angrily, biting her teeth, and squeezed out a few words from between her teeth, “I’m not afraid of you! I’m just cold.” Yes, she wasn’t afraid. The Yuwen You who had been tormenting her in every possible way had already been defeated by her. In this life, he was her defeated enemy, and there would be no chance for him to torment her again. She wouldn’t allow anyone to deceive and humiliate her like that again!
“Look at me.” Yuwen Chu held Mingzhu’s face, forcing her to look up at him, his tone gentle, “Be good, open your eyes and look at me.”
Mingzhu opened her eyes, and under the candlelight, Yuwen Chu’s eyes were deep and dark, but they seemed to sparkle with countless stars. She thought it was probably because there were too many shiny things in the room, reflecting into his eyes like that. Otherwise, there were no stars outside…
Yuwen Chu sighed softly, speaking softly, “Aren’t you supposed to be fearless? How did you end up like this? I’m your husband, not a villain. I will treat you well and not bully you. You have to believe me.”
Mingzhu felt that it was probably because she had drunk too much earlier, making her a little drowsy, which unexpectedly made her somewhat moved, suddenly believing his words to be somewhat true. It was probably because the agarwood fragrance on Yuwen Chu had a calming effect, gradually stopping her trembling, even though the makeup couldn’t hide the paleness and fear on her face.
Yuwen Chu stared at her for a while, then suddenly smiled.
Mingzhu blushed with anger, “What are you laughing at? What’s so funny?”
“Nothing….” Yuwen Chu looked down at her eyes, softly saying, “Just wanted to laugh.”
“Am I that amusing?” Mingzhu was somewhat angry. “Well, I’m truly honored then, to bring Your Highness such joy.”
“Yeah. I’ve been holding back for so long, it’s been quite challenging.” Yuwen Chu lowered his head, gently nibbling on Mingzhu’s lip. “The night is bitterly short, let’s not waste this good time.”
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