Chapter 220 · Extra 5
On the day of Achan's wedding, the sun shone brightly in the sky, and there was not a cloud in the sky.
The wedding procession circled most of the capital city before arriving at Chongming Ward. The notoriously fierce and irritable Dragonblood Horse, adorned with a large red flower on its head, trotted along with its small, clumsy steps as it approached the Ji residence.
Riding on horseback, Bai Xiuming wore a bright red wedding robe and had his hair tied up with a golden crown. His usually aloof and indifferent peach blossom eyes were unusually filled with a smile.
The wedding procession stopped outside the Ji residence. Bai Xiuming dismounted, and the princes and heirs behind him, led by the Crown Prince, also dismounted.
There wasn't a single person in sight, inside or outside the gate; only two strings of large red lanterns and the gate adorned with the character for "happiness" indicated that the host family was celebrating a joyous occasion.
The third prince quickened his pace and whispered in the crown prince's ear, "Brother, did this girl come of her own accord?"
Given Bai Xiuming's consistently domineering style, he's not incapable of forcibly taking things from someone else. Maybe the girl will suddenly have the courage to elope today.
It's a pity he didn't know beforehand, otherwise he would definitely have sponsored the travel expenses.
The Crown Prince slapped the Third Prince on the forehead: "Shut up, do you want to be hung from a tree again?"
The third prince grinned. The princes were all around the same age and could be considered to have grown up together. When Bai Xiuming was first sent to study with the princes, he was not well received by them, especially the third prince, who couldn't stand him and often gathered a group to pick fights with him.
So... well... the Third Prince was really bullied quite badly during the years he studied at Bai Xiuming's school.
The third prince touched his reddened forehead, unwilling to shut up: "That was so long ago, I was so young then, if it were now..."
"Now he can hang you up in the sky, do you want to try?" The prince glanced at his foolish younger brother.
Bai Xiuming, who was walking at the front, could naturally hear what the Third Prince said, but he was too lazy to pay attention. He walked up the steps, stepped over the threshold, and as soon as his foot touched the ground, the scenery around him suddenly changed.
The courtyard in front of me spread out like ripples on water, and before my eyes could even get a clear view, I could hear the roar of water.
In the blink of an eye, a huge, deep pool appeared before them, its waters dark and bottomless. Adjoining the pool were steep mountain walls, so steep that it was difficult to see the whole thing from below, which showed how high the mountain was.
The turbulent water cascaded down as if from the heavens, and even the rocks that blocked its path did not slow it down in the slightest, crashing heavily into the deep pool.
The force of the water was terrifying from a distance. If anyone were to venture in, they would likely be crushed and swept to the bottom of the pool, leaving not even a trace of their bones.
"Where is this place?" The Third Prince looked around, wanting to shout for help for his elder brother, but seeing that Bai Xiuming and the Crown Prince in front of him didn't react much, he had to lower his voice.
His cousins behind him also looked on in surprise, for they had never seen such a sight in the Great Xia territory.
The Crown Prince had a vague idea in his mind, and looked at Bai Xiuming with slight hesitation: "Could this be a dragon..."
Before they could finish speaking, the light and shadow in front of them distorted, and Ye Chen appeared out of thin air.
He tucked his hands into his sleeves, gave Bai Xiuming a smirk with a hint of malice: "I've heard that humans compose poems to urge their brides to get ready. This is far too easy for you."
Bai Xiuming raised an eyebrow: "So you brought Longmen here?"
The Azure Dragon Pearl was just retrieved, and the little dragons of the dragon clan haven't even had a chance to enjoy it yet. What right does he have to deserve this?
Ye Chen spread his hands innocently: "It wasn't my idea."
Bai Xiuming believed that Ye Chen would never have come up with such a trick.
"Tell me, what do you want me to do?"
Ye Chen turned to look at the Dragon Gate behind him and smiled: "Climb up with your physical strength. There's a pair of embroidered shoes on top. Whether you can take the bride away today depends on how fast you climb."
Bai Xiuming remained silent for a moment before saying, "The Dragon Gate is nine hundred feet high; there probably isn't enough time."
"What does it have to do with me? Anyway, it's not me getting married." Ye Chen made no attempt to hide his schadenfreude.
Bai Xiuming also laughed: "Unless the White Dragon King has no intention of getting married in this lifetime, otherwise..."
He can't get married smoothly, and neither can Ye Chen.
Before they could finish speaking, their eyes met, as if a flash of swords had just passed between them.
Finally, after weighing the pros and cons, Ye Chen reluctantly said, "There are nine gates to the Dragon Gate. As long as you can get to the third gate, I will let you pass."
"It's a deal."
"But you'd better hurry, or you'll miss the auspicious time."
"No need to remind me."
Bai Xiuming took off his wedding robe and threw it to the Crown Prince, then walked naked into the Dragon Pool.
Although he was not allowed to use his inner energy, his physical strength was enough to withstand the impact of the water, but climbing up the Dragon Gate against the current was by no means an easy task.
As he climbed up the mountain wall, his figure was immediately obscured by the cascading water. Apart from Ye Chen, all the princes and heirs present were in a daze.
The third prince murmured, "Is getting married really that dangerous?"
The crown prince, unusually, did not refute his foolish younger brother, but muttered to himself that he had no idea what his sister-in-law's background was. The fact that the Dragon King blocked the door on their wedding day was simply an unprecedented event.
At this moment, in the main courtyard of the Ji residence, Achan, who had already changed into her wedding dress, sat in front of the dressing table. Huiniang was styling her hair, while Lin Sui and A Mian were choosing a phoenix crown. Achan was holding a water mirror and watching with great interest. The image of Bai Xiuming was clearly reflected in the mirror.
He had already passed the second gate of the Dragon Gate. The water flow was slightly slower here, and he could barely see Bai Xiuming's back. He was hanging on a protruding rock with one hand. The muscles in his arm and back were taut from the exertion, and his shoulders and back were noticeably red from the impact of the water.
However, this did not seem to affect him. He moved quickly but did not appear impatient. The third level of the Dragon Gate was only a matter of time for him.
Achan poked at the reflection in the water mirror, then turned the mirror upside down on her lap, letting Chen Hui put on the phoenix crown that A-Mian had just chosen.
After Achan finished dressing and sat back on the couch, the noisy voices of people finally came from outside the courtyard.
Chen Huicai helped Achan cover her head with the veil, and then there was a knock on the door.
As soon as the door opened, Bai Xiuming looked at A Mian, who had opened the door for him, and nodded slightly to her, his attitude exceptionally friendly.
There was nothing he could do; she was his wife's younger sister. Even if she pushed open a dragon gate to block his way on his wedding day, he would still have to greet her with a smile.
A-Mian returned the smile, as if the trouble she had caused Bai Xiuming earlier had nothing to do with her.
After a friendly, silent exchange, Bai Xiuming took Achan's embroidered shoes and went into the inner room. As soon as he entered, he saw Achan sitting on the couch in her wedding dress, but her head was covered with a veil, so only her silhouette could be seen.
At this moment, Bai Xiuming only had Achan in his eyes. He walked towards Achan, stopped in front of the bed, knelt down in front of her, lifted her feet, and put her embroidered shoes on for her.
Watching the groom so eagerly carry the bride away, the matchmaker chased after him, panting. Although she had been instructed beforehand that today's wedding ceremony didn't need to adhere to strict formalities, this was still far too unconventional.
Bai Xiuming only stopped when he reached the bridal sedan chair.
He placed Achan in the sedan chair, and after she was seated, he did not leave. Instead, he rested one hand on the seat next to Achan and lifted a corner of her veil with the other.
Achan looked up at him, but before she could speak, he leaned in and stole a kiss on her lips.
Achan had already heard the matchmaker's suppressed gasps. She calmly extended a finger and pressed it against Bai Xiuming's chest, slowly pushing him away.
"Are you relieved?"
Bai Xiuming smiled and kissed her again; it was undoubtedly Achan.
After stepping out of the bridal sedan chair, Bai Xiuming glanced at the wedding attendant, who seemed hesitant to speak, wiped the rouge from his lips with his thumb, and mounted his horse. The joyous music resumed, and the wedding procession, having picked up the bride, began its return journey.
Inside the Bai residence, numerous guests who had come to witness the ceremony had been waiting for a long time.
King Ming, dressed in a dark red python robe, sat on the high hall, watching his son and Achan walk side by side amidst the sound of firecrackers.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, how fast time flies! In the blink of an eye, his son was already married and had even married Xi Jing's daughter.
If Xijing were still alive, today's wedding would surely be even more lively, but what a pity...
No matter, he and Ye Chen will keep an eye on Xi Jing.
Amidst the powerful and penetrating shouts of "Bow to Heaven and Earth" from the attendants on either side, Achan and Bai Xiuming knelt before the hall and kowtowed.
Then they bowed to their parents, followed by the couple bowing to each other.
Amian stood quietly to the side watching Achan and Bai Xiuming get married. Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind and touched her face.
With her view blocked, A-Mian slapped the outstretched hand in annoyance and muttered under her breath, "What are you doing?"
Ye Chen, who had arrived unnoticed, stood behind A Mian and whispered, "I thought you were going to cry again."
The human wedding was very lively, but the excessive ceremony would definitely give A-Mian the feeling that her older sister had been taken away.
In the past, she would have cried for a while, but at this moment the sun was shining brightly outside, and there wasn't a single dark cloud in sight.
"I won't," A-Mian scoffed.
Hearing the best man say, "The ceremony is complete, escort them to the bridal chamber," a group of people joyfully escorted the newlyweds to their new home. A-Mian and Ye-Chen walked behind, and she then said to the people beside her, "I'm very happy."
"Hmm?" Ye Chen looked at A Mian in surprise.
He was well aware of A-Mian's possessiveness towards A-Chan. The two sisters had grown up together since childhood and only had each other. Even when they were separated, they always longed to find each other. They would always be the most important person to each other.
Looking at the road leading to the new house, A-Mian said softly, "A-Chan doesn't like being alone. If I can't be by her side, I hope someone can always be with her."
She still didn't like Bai Xiuming, who had taken away A Chan's life, but since A Chan liked him, then he was good.
Of the two sisters, it was actually Achan who feared loneliness more.
But as they grew up, they had to live apart, leading different lives. Yet she would always love Achan and hoped Achan would always be happy.
As dusk fell, the entire mansion was brightly lit. In the court, the courtiers and imperial relatives, who had always been at odds, sat together drinking. Even the Ming Prince was forced to drink several cups.
Half of the princes who had been shielding the groom from the drinking had already been carried away, and Bai Xiuming was finally able to escape.
Upon arriving at the new house, I lingered for a moment on the large red "double happiness" character pasted on the door before opening it.
Ah Chan had just seen Ah Mian and Chen Hui off and was sitting in front of the dressing table taking off her phoenix crown. It was easy for her mother Hui to put it on, but who knew it would be so troublesome to take it off, as she could easily get her hair caught.
She was still entangled with the magnificent phoenix crown when Bai Xiuming appeared behind her without her noticing.
The mirror reflected their figures. Achan paused for a moment, then leaned back instinctively and looked up, saying, "You're back."
Bai Xiuming grasped her slender wrist, leaned down, pressed his face against hers, and looked at A Chan in the mirror, whispering, "She's very beautiful, don't take her clothes off."
Achan's eyes were filled with confusion.
Bai Xiuming didn't explain, but simply picked her up and placed her on the dressing table.
He stood before Achan, his fingertips lifting her delicate chin, his handsome face slowly drawing closer. Though they didn't actually touch, his burning breath was full of suggestive intent.
Achan licked her dry lips, her tongue tip red and moist.
“Achan…”
"Hmm?" Achan's eyes were glazed over.
Bai Xiuming's hand slid down her back and around her waist, his voice gentle and tender: "Let's settle this now. You married me just to see your sister."
Her long eyelashes fluttered twice, and Achan suddenly opened her eyes wide, her consciousness returning in an instant.
How did he know?!
Bai Xiuming's eyes held a smile, but the hand gripping her waist had a strength that made it impossible for her to break free.
Achan gave up struggling and leaned softly against him, offering her lips to Bai Xiuming. Bai Xiuming did not refuse; he parted his lips slightly, letting her take the initiative to please him.
However, Ah Chan was not patient enough. After trying twice without getting a response, she was about to end the conversation hastily when her tongue was hooked and she was entangled with Ah Chan for a while.
When Bai Xiuming finally released her, she gasped for breath for a while, her eyes slightly red, and even the tip of her tongue felt a little numb, but thankfully she didn't forget the important matter.
After calming down a bit, she spoke: "If I said I was just trying to comfort her, would you believe me?"
Bai Xiuming smiled and deftly untied her belt: "What do you think?"
“I think…you definitely won’t be fooled.” Achan put her arm around Bai Xiuming’s shoulder and said with utmost sincerity, “I’m marrying you, of course, because I love you.”
"Yeah?"
"Of course, don't you believe me?" Achan took the initiative.
"I believe you." Bai Xiuming helped her remove her elaborate and gorgeous outer garments, then picked her up and carried her to the bed.
He turned and sat on the bed, placing the person on top of him. The bed curtains fell, faintly revealing their intertwined figures and his increasingly deep voice: "So tonight, A-Chan certainly won't mind personally proving to me how much you like me, right?"
Bai Xiuming gathered the strands of hair that fell in front of him for A Chan, buried his head in her neck, and then slowly moved down along her delicate collarbone.
Ah Chan tilted her head back slightly, her hand loosely grasping his robe, letting his kisses travel down her body.
The red skirt was crumpled and draped over Bai Xiuming's body onto the bed, the jeweled pendant on the phoenix crown swaying violently, reflecting the bright, flickering candlelight.
As dawn approached, Bai Xiuming carried Achan, who had just finished bathing, back to the bed.
Achan's body was still trembling slightly, not yet calmed down, and the bathroom in the side room was left with water stains all over the floor.
Finally satisfied, the man gently patted her back and patiently coaxed her, "Aren't you sleepy? Go to sleep."
With her last bit of strength, Achan held her eyelids open, making sure to promise, "Don't bring up the past again."
She paid a heavy price for those words she used to appease Ah Mian, and there will definitely be no next time.
Bai Xiuming chuckled and kissed her eyelids: "Okay."
Having received an answer, Achan finally closed her eyes in satisfaction and fell into a deep sleep. Bai Xiuming pulled her into his arms and slowly closed his eyes as well.
From this day forward, his Achan will finally belong to him completely.
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