Chapter 439: Visiting the Church

Lin Changning's fair complexion was made even more apparent by his bright red robe. He held the lovely Yue'er in his arms and sat upright on his tall horse.

As the horse's hooves lightly trotted the ground, the hem of her robe swayed slightly with the horse's body, revealing the delicate cloud patterns on the top of her boots.

Lin Changning was afraid of disturbing Yue'er, so he slowed down his pace a bit. He held her steadily with both arms, leaned forward slightly, spoke in a very soft voice, and even the smile in the corner of his eyes was tinged with a hint of doting.

The crisp sound of horses' hooves clattering over the bluestone slabs mingled with the distant sound of suona horns, startling a few sparrows from under the eaves. The sparrows circled around the horse's head, their reflections illuminating the gentle features of the rider.

Before long, they arrived at the gate of the Lin residence. Lin Changning was the first to get off the horse, then picked up Yue'er with both hands, held her steadily in his arms, and turned to walk towards the bridal sedan chair.

The matchmaker hesitated when she saw Lin Changning holding the child: "The couple is about to have their wedding ceremony. It's not proper for them to bring a child along."

As she spoke, she hesitated and looked at Lin Changning. Suddenly, Li Mingshu in the bridal sedan chair spoke up: "Yue'er, be good, go find your eldest uncle and second uncle first."

As Li Mingshu spoke, she bent down and got off the bridal sedan chair. The matchmaker beside her, very perceptive, helped Li Mingshu up.

Looking hesitantly at Yue'er in Lin Changning's arms, she asked, "Young Miss, would you like to?"

Before he could finish speaking, Lin Changning interrupted him.

"It's alright, I can hold Yue'er with one hand. There are a lot of people today, so I can just hold her."

Qi Rong and Li Mingxiu had just dismounted when they saw the little incident and hurried over to help Yue'er down.

Lin Changning gently shook his head at the two of them, holding Yu'er in one arm and pulling the red silk with the other, leading Li Mingshu outside.

Led by the matchmaker, a large group of people followed Lin Changning and Li Mingshu into the Lin residence.

Because Lin Changning's father had passed away, the three uncles and Lin's mother were seated in the main hall, as the elders.

Inside the wedding hall, red candles were burning, and wisps of smoke were suddenly dispersed as the crowd moved. Offerings were placed on the octagonal table, and incense smoke curled from the small incense burner. Everyone in the hall was waiting for Lin Changning and Li Mingshu to formally perform the wedding ceremony.

Lin Changning, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, stood tall and straight. The sharpness in his eyes was softened by the joy in his heart. Beside him, Li Mingshu, in a phoenix coronet and wedding gown, was graceful and gentle under her red veil. The two stood side by side in the hall, and all the guests said that they were a perfect couple.

Once inside the hall, Lin Changning could no longer hold Yue'er. He bent down to put Yue'er down, patted her shoulder, and nodded to his mother in the hall.

"My dear Yue'er, go to Grandma's first. Daddy and Mommy are about to have their wedding ceremony."

Yue'er was put down from Lin Changning, nodded heavily to him, and ran into her mother's arms.

Lin's mother smiled broadly, and then Yue'er, who had run over from Lin Changning's side, picked her up and placed her on her lap, then nodded slightly to the matchmaker beside her, indicating that the formal ceremony could begin.

The third uncle, sitting in the armchair, stroked his white beard, a smile of satisfaction hidden in the corners of his eyes. He had watched Lin Changning grow from a farm boy to where he was today.

From a sickly child who could read and write, he gradually became a capable general under the King of Chu, and now he has married the King of Chu's daughter and become the King of Chu's son-in-law. He has already achieved great success.

Now, looking at this child, I like him more and more. Changning is getting married, and in three days it will be the wedding of his Shilang.

Anyone who sees this will surely say it's a double blessing.

After the two had stood still, the emcee announced loudly, "First bow to Heaven and Earth—"

Following etiquette, Lin Changning and Li Mingshu knelt down side by side. Under the red veil, Li Mingshu's movements were somewhat reserved, and Lin Changning quietly patted Li Mingshu's arm gently.

Seemingly in a silent attempt to comfort each other, the two gently tapped their foreheads together. The moment their foreheads touched the prayer mats, the noise in the wedding hall involuntarily grew louder.

Li Mingxiu and Li Mingde, their eyes beaming with smiles, led the way in cheering.

Qi Rong also had a smile on his face as he looked at the two of them.

"Bowing to the parents for the second time..."

The emcee's loud voice rang out again.

This time, Lin's mother got up in a hurry as soon as the two of them knelt down and started to touch her.

"Oh dear, oh dear, good children, all good children, get up quickly, get up quickly!"

He then stepped forward to help Li Mingshu up.

Li Mingshu moved slightly and, with the help of Lin's mother, stood up.

After seeing the two of them stand still, Lin's mother took another step back, took Yue'er's hand, and looked at the two well-matched people in front of her with a smile in her eyes.

A sigh of emotion welled up in my heart.

If only his youngest daughter were a boy, she would be overjoyed. Now, seeing how well the two of them match, she couldn't help but feel delighted.

But I couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

It's a pity that Changning was born with the wrong gender. If she had been a boy, the two of them would probably have lived a happy and harmonious life together.

"Husband and wife bow to each other..."

Lin Changning and Li Mingshu stood up together. Li Mingshu, being pulled by her maid, seemed to accidentally step on the hem of her skirt and stumbled.

Lin Changning reacted quickly and grabbed Li Mingshu's arm, supporting her to prevent her from falling.

Seeing that Li Mingshu seemed a little lost, Lin Changning gripped Li Mingshu's arm tightly.

He said in a low voice, "Don't be afraid, I'm here to support you."

A soft response came from beneath the red veil.

After the couple bowed to each other, they heard the master of ceremonies announce that they were being led into the bridal chamber.

At this moment, everyone in the courtyard and the main hall, young and old, began to cheer and crowd around the two of them, preparing to go to the bridal chamber.

The noise from the wedding hall hadn't subsided yet. Lin Changning held Li Mingshu's arm with one hand and steadily pulled the red silk ribbon with the other. The two stood side by side, led by the matchmaker, and slowly walked towards the bridal chamber.

Red ribbons fluttered in the air as the matchmaker led the way, scattering peanuts, red dates, and longans while chanting auspicious wishes for "early birth of a son." Children chased after the fruit scattered on the ground.

"There are steps ahead, so be careful."

"Um……"

Lin Changning looked at the road while helping Li Mingshu and giving her reminders.

After Li Mingshu followed Lin Changning across the threshold, she was slowly led into the bridal chamber.

After the matchmaker lifted the quilt, revealing a large, bright red bed covered with peanuts and longans, Li Mingshu was led directly to sit on the edge of the bed.

Lin Changning was also pushed to sit next to Li Mingshu.

This was clearly her second marriage, but for some reason she was even more nervous this time than the last. Li Mingshu nervously clutched the handkerchief in her hand.

The bride looked at the perfect couple sitting on the bed with a beaming smile.

"The bride and groom enter the bridal chamber..."

As she spoke, the matchmaker grabbed melon seeds, peanuts, and longans from her hands and sprinkled them on the two of them.

May your family be reunited and may you have a son soon...