Chapter 92 Chapter 92 Chapter 92

“Miss, please raise your arm a little more.” The older maid whispered respectfully behind her, pulling on the last tie.

Azhi raised her arms in a daze, feeling like a doll, letting the maids adorn her with gorgeous clothes.

………

“The clan needs a matriarch.” The young patriarch lowered his voice, kneeling on one knee before her as if pleading, “If only the situation can be stabilized, I can also give an explanation to my father.”

"This is just a stopgap measure."

Faced with that slapped face, Azhi had no way to refuse.

This was a trap specifically set for her; it wasn't particularly clever, but it was enough.

Ah Zhi has never been a very smart person.

If Ji Guoyansheng asked her "what to do" in such a situation, her answer would be "I don't know," and she truly didn't know what to do.

But now Ji Guoyan has come up with a specific solution for her, listing out what she can do.

Just as he said, it was just a pretense of marriage to stabilize the situation; apart from that, everything else was no different from before.

How could she not help?

If 000 and Yoriichi were here, they would definitely agree. After careful consideration, Aori nodded solemnly.

Jikuni Iwakatsu remained silent, as if he hadn't expected Aori to agree so easily.

After a moment, as if he had thought of something, he looked into A-Zhi's eyes and said, "A fake marriage... Don't tell anyone else about this."

Aori tilted her head in surprise and looked at him: "Can't you even tell Yoriichi?"

Ji Guoyan nodded: "The fewer people who know about this, the better. The more people who know, the greater the risk of exposure."

"Besides, Yoriichi is busy exorcising demons, so there's no need to distract him."

What he said made a lot of sense, and Azhi was immediately convinced.

………

And that's how the fitting happened.

Yesterday, A-Zhi agreed, and today the Jiguo Mansion announced the marriage and set the wedding ceremony for the day after tomorrow.

To outsiders, this seemed very rushed, but within the Jiguo Palace, everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

………

Azhi had never worn such elaborate clothes before. The pure white rupan, the simple dagua, and the gua with delicate family patterns wrapped her up layer by layer.

It took quite a bit of time just to put on all the clothes.

"It fits perfectly."

"Like a celestial maiden..."

"What a perfect match..."

The maids couldn't help but laugh and praise, but those compliments seemed far removed from Azhi.

The clothes were luxurious but heavy. When Azhi wore them, she felt that even breathing became difficult, as if she were being restrained.

She tried to move around a bit, and even though she had deliberately slowed down, she still accidentally stepped on the hem of her clothes after a few steps.

"What if I fall down tomorrow?" Azhi pursed her lips, starting to worry. She was afraid of losing face in front of everyone.

"Miss, there's no need to worry." The maid covered her mouth and chuckled, taking it as the anxiety of a bride before her wedding. "We will be by your side tomorrow."

Azhi was indeed anxious, but her anxiety was different from what the maid said; it stemmed from a deep sense of responsibility within her.

Unlike most brides, she wasn't shy; instead, she was thinking about how to "play" the role of a bride well to help poor Yan Sheng through his difficulties.

When are 000 and Yoriichi coming back?

Whenever she encounters a problem, Azhi can't help but think about them.

Kokunobu Koku didn't miss this charming conversation. A smile played on his lips, and the displeasure he had felt earlier due to the strong opposition from his retainers dissipated.

According to the rules, he shouldn't be here at this time.

However, Kokushiro Iwakatsu had just extricated himself from an argument where his usually self-respecting retainers were arguing like ignorant commoners, their faces flushed, and almost no one approved of his marriage.

But he didn't come to ask for opinions.

He said coldly, "My mind is made up!"

Then, I found myself uncontrollably drawn to A-Zhi, who was indeed trying on clothes at that time.

Jiguo Yansheng did not have anyone announce his arrival, but instead sat down in the outer room, imagining what Azhi would look like in her wedding dress.

That was a white kimono made by the most skilled craftsmen, using high-quality silk and the most exquisite embroidery, and it took four months to make.

No amount of imagination can compare to the amazing sight of reality.

Azhi was reminded that Kokushiro Iwakatsu had been waiting for a long time, so she slowly moved to the outer room. Although she was being helped, she still looked at the path under her feet with some worry.

The hem of her dress brushed against the wooden floor, making a rustling sound, and a pure white figure walked towards him.

Snow waves rolled at her feet, the belt outlined the curve of her slender waist, the satin jacket shone with a lustrous sheen, the layered sleeves fluttered slightly, and the family crest outlined in silver thread flowed across them.

Every detail speaks volumes about the value of this outfit.

Her long, jet-black hair was not yet tied up, but hung loosely down her back. The intense black hair contrasted with her snow-white skin and wedding dress, and the most striking feature was the touch of red on her lips.

Her eyes were lowered, her features were delicate and beautiful, and the pure white wedding dress on her exuded a kind of pristine holiness.

In a fleeting moment, the girl suddenly raised her lowered eyes and looked at him with a sparkling gaze.

It's absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.

Ji Guoyan paused for a moment, and after a long while, he finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse: "Very beautiful."

He should have used elegant poetry to praise his wife, but when the words came to his lips, only these two simple words could express his truest feelings.

Yes, his wife, his lady.

Tomorrow, A-Zhi will officially take another surname and become "Jikoku-Zhi".

In A-Zhi's eyes, it was a fake wedding, but in the eyes of others, A-Zhi was indeed the wife he married after Guo Yansheng.

From this point on, Aori and Yoriichi Tsugikuni will have no connection whatsoever; he can even make them... never see each other again.

The maids withdrew silently.

"Does the dress fit you?" Jiguo Yansheng walked closer, coming to a position very close to Azhi, as if he really wanted to ask if the wedding dress was suitable.

“It fits perfectly.” Aori raised her arm to show Tsugikuni Iwakatsu, the wide hem of her skirt swirling slightly with the movement. “But…it’s so heavy!”

She mumbled something, but her voice was soft, as if she were being coquettish.

This simple movement, combined with her slightly tilted head, creates a beautiful, delicate yet captivating curve in her neck.

Ji Guoyan wanted to feel her delicate skin with his fingertips and leave an indelible mark on her slender neck with his teeth, so that she would only have Ji Guoyan as her husband from now on.

His gaze swept over the girl's body, which was wrapped in a pure white wedding dress, inch by inch, from her slender shoulders and neck to her tiny waist, and finally rested on her feet, which were covered by white socks.

As far as the eye could see, even the air became hot and viscous.

Before Azhi could notice, Jiguo Yansheng had already regained his calm and composed demeanor. He chuckled softly, his expression more tender than usual.

"Just bear with it."

◇◇◇◇◇◇

The veil hanging from the white hat blocked the view, making everything outside blurry and distant, with only the increasingly rapid heartbeat becoming more and more obvious.

Before dawn, Azhi was shaken awake from her warm bed, and everyone was busy around her.

She donned her magnificent and elaborate wedding attire once again, her black hair was styled up, and a horn and white hat covered most of her face, revealing only her crimson lips and delicate chin.

Such a grand spectacle made Azhi's "pretending" feel heavy again. She didn't regret it, but she began to doubt whether she could really do it well.

Azhi even became careful with her breathing. Her heart was pounding, and her eyes were filled with confusion. Her fingers were tightly gripping the soft fabric of her ruban (a type of traditional Chinese dress).

They were quickly reminded that this was impolite.

"The time has come, please move forward, Madam."

The wedding ceremony officially began. Azhi took a deep breath and slowly walked forward with the help of her maid.

The main hall was solemn and dignified, arranged according to the strictest etiquette. The relatives and retainers of the vassal state, as well as the envoys of neighboring friendly daimyo, were all dressed in formal attire and sat upright to watch the ceremony.

Ji Guoyan was also dressed in wedding attire. His gaze pierced through the crowd and was firmly fixed on the figure that was gradually approaching, watching her being brought to him step by step.

It looked like a carefully prepared offering.

His face finally lost its coldness and instead showed the smugness of a young man.

Azhi was led to a position slightly behind Jiguo Yansheng. She knelt on a prayer mat. Although she could not see the faces of the guests, she could feel countless gazes falling on her as if they were real.

With scrutiny and curiosity, perhaps even disdain, or perhaps other subtle emotions...

Azhi couldn't tell the difference; she only felt her breathing become labored again, and her hands, which had been demurely placed on her knees, involuntarily tightened.

Just then, Ji Guoyan turned his head slightly, his warm breath brushing against him, and his deep voice sounded in his ear: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

At the same time, his well-defined knuckles gently patted the back of her hand.

Azhi calmed down a bit and nodded. She just needed to follow the procedure; she could do it.

The priest raised the sake cup and respectfully poured sake into it. Tsugukuni Iwakatsu drank it down in three gulps, his gaze never leaving the nervous little face behind the thin veil.

"Madam, please have a drink."

The wine glass was respectfully presented to Azhi.

Azhi knew that drinking was involved, and Yansheng had already explained all the procedures to her yesterday.

She imitated Ji Guoyansheng, holding the wine glass with both hands. The crisp aroma of the wine instantly filled her nose, and she slightly parted her lips to let the cool liquid enter her mouth.

—It tastes awful!

The spicy and bitter liquid slid down her throat, bringing a burning sensation. Azhi's face scrunched up as she suppressed a slight cough, her eyes reddening.

Then comes the interactive sipping.

Ji Guoyan remained upright and composed throughout, his posture impeccable. Only in the brief moment of exchanging wine glasses did a fleeting, indescribable glint flash in the depths of his eyes—finally!

He had been planning for so long that his patience was almost exhausted, but now he had finally gotten what he wanted.

The solemn drumming never stopped.

After the lengthy cup-crossing ceremony ended, Azhi was somewhat numb, but it seemed that there was nothing more for her to do next.

Because the schedule was very tight, Azhi didn't feel particularly stressed about the time.

She was also a little happy, feeling that she had completed the task perfectly, and that she had done it all by herself, which was something everyone should praise.

Ah Zhi happily got up with the help of her servants, preparing to step onto the corridor and return to her bridal chamber.

Ji Guoyansheng grabbed her wrist and said the last two words very solemnly: "Wait for me, Madam."

Azhi smiled with her eyes narrowed, not thinking too much about it: "Okay."

The new house was also decorated very lavishly, with ornaments that symbolized good fortune, but Azhi had no time to appreciate it; she was feeling a little dizzy.

The maid's voice seemed distant and indistinct. There was the sound of a door closing, and then she was left alone in the vast space.

The smell of burning candles mingled with expensive incense, so dense it almost enveloped you, making it hard to breathe.

She looked at the lights beside her; the light was like wisps of hazy mist. She shook her head, trying to see clearly, but it only became more indistinct.

For some reason, she felt increasingly dizzy and her cheeks grew hotter and hotter. Despite this, she was careful not to take off her white hat, and only slightly tugged at her collar.

Yesterday, Ji Guoyan only briefly explained the general process of the wedding ceremony, which did not include what happened after returning to the bridal chamber. Moreover, he seemed to have said just now that he should wait for him.

Azhi was dazed for a while, then sat obediently waiting for Jikuni Iwakatsu to return.

………

Inside the main hall, Ji Guoyan sat in the main seat, raising his glass in response to the guests' laughter and compliments. He suppressed his emotions, his mind no longer on the lively conversation before him.

We still have to deal with this for now.

Tsugikuni Iwakatsu suddenly turned his head, his sharp gaze piercing into the depths of the Tsugikuni residence—

In the direction of the inner courtyard, above the area that should have belonged to the new house, flames soared into the sky.

-----------------------

Author's Note: Yan Sheng: Crazy base raid! [Thumbs up]

Let's guess if we can steal it successfully! [Let me see]