Originally, the bride was supposed to be carried directly onto the bridal sedan chair, but upon hearing the approaching sound of horses' hooves, she immediately stopped in her tracks.
Young Master Shen has come to pick her up...
What is Lord Shen wearing today? He must look incredibly handsome.
I really want to see it! I really want to see it!!
Perhaps guessing her little thoughts, the young man in red riding the white horse smiled and bent down to extend his hand to her.
It was April, springtime, and the wind blew through the pear branches, causing white petals to flutter like snow.
Springtime colors are boundless and tender, bringing a fragrant warmth to the world.
The spirited Grand Tutor Shen rode his horse through the fallen flowers, wearing a black crown adorned with a branch of blooming flowers. He wore a wide-sleeved, cross-collar official robe embroidered with cranes. His face was as handsome as jade, his eyebrows and eyes were smiling, and his expression was extremely gentle. The warm light in his eyes was like a pool of spring water.
The spring breeze stirred, and his clothes fluttered like blooming crabapple blossoms. His eyebrows and eyes were touched by the golden light of the morning sun. His lowered phoenix eyes curved gently, and his dark pupils shone with a striking brilliance.
Holding the reins in one hand, he smiled and deftly bent down, extending his hand directly towards the bride.
"Ah Zhi, come up here!"
That voice, brimming with bright laughter, made anyone who heard it feel light and cheerful.
Through the narrow glimpse beneath the veil, Zhan Xinjia looked at the slender, pale hand reaching out to her. Her previously restless heartbeat gradually calmed down, leaving only overflowing joy.
Little Shen, I like you the most.
Amidst gasps of surprise, the bride took the hand of the smug groom and, surprisingly, abandoned the bridal sedan chair, riding alongside him.
The horses came swiftly, their hooves pounding the fallen petals, and then strolled away leisurely, leaving only their intertwined silhouettes in the spring light.
Looking down at the shy little girl in his arms, Shen Suqing felt a surge of emotion and couldn't help but smile. The white horse passed by the crowd of people who were congratulating him on both sides of Changning Street, and the two of them were covered in colorful ribbons and flowers.
The streets and alleys were packed with people, and the people of the capital flocked to watch Grand Tutor Shen get married.
Some people were loudly reciting auspicious words, and children were scrambling for the scattered red envelopes. This lively and festive scene was unprecedented.
Shen Suqing suddenly remembered that poem.
I was young then, wearing a thin spring robe. I rode my horse, leaning against a slanting bridge, surrounded by red sleeves beckoning from the tower.
Now, with a beautiful woman in his arms, he felt that this was the best moment of his life.
Though her head was covered by a veil, Zhan Xinjia couldn't see what Lord Shen's expression was, but in this blissful atmosphere, the corners of her mouth never left her lips, and she felt that she might burst out laughing if she wasn't careful.
"Master Xiao Shen."
Despite the noise and commotion around him, Shen Suqing could still hear her voice clearly.
He smiled and leaned closer to her.
"What's wrong, Madam?"
The little girl in my arms giggled a few times.
"People often talk about the three great joys—meeting an old friend in a foreign land, passing the imperial examination with flying colors, and the wedding night. Master Shen, how come you have all the good things?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Suqing's smile deepened.
Just as he was about to answer, a spring breeze suddenly arose, snatching away his wife's veil and sending it flying into the distant, cloudless blue sky.
A gentle breeze stirred her loose hair as she looked up at him, her gaze fixed on him.
She still had that fair and innocent face, but today she wore elaborate and gorgeous makeup, with red lips and black hair, as bright as fire.
When she smiled, two enchanting dimples appeared on her cheeks. Her smile was so sweet that the tassels of the gold butterfly hairpin in her hair swayed gently, making a clear, tinkling sound. Her eyes and brows, shimmering with gold, appeared even more lively and vibrant, so beautiful that they seemed to glow with radiance, making her indescribably gorgeous.
"Young Master Shen! Watch where you're going! Watch where you're going! Don't look at me!"
It was only because Shen Suqing was distracted for a moment that the horse's hooves suddenly became disordered, which startled Zhan Xinjia so much that she hurriedly grabbed him.
Shen Suqing coughed lightly a few times, then quickly steadied the reins, feigning composure.
"Don't be afraid, as for the veil..."
"Hahaha, it's just as good that it's gone! You have no idea how much I've been craving it the whole way here, just wanting to see Master Shen's face. Hehe, now I can't take my eyes off him. I like you so much!"
Even the most upright and self-possessed man, like Grand Tutor Shen, would blush when faced with the undisguised admiration in his newlywed wife's eyes.
The drums and gongs grew louder, and the horse leisurely circled the capital three times before finally heading towards that small courtyard.
Most of the guests today are familiar faces, including Wen Jijiu from the Imperial Academy, Qiaoqiao and her parents who came from Qin County, Su Yun from Linshui Village, and General Qu and his sister...
Not to mention the royal family, not a single one was left out.
The Emperor and Empress, the Crown Prince, Princess Caixia, Prince Hong, who had recently returned to the capital to get married, and his wife, and even the disabled Prince Yan, were all present, giving the event a grand reception.
Zhan Xinjia was never good at handling such situations. After dismounting, he obediently followed Lord Shen, being led by the hand and walking closely beside him.
The noise and commotion continued until dusk, when the sky was tinged with a beautiful golden-red glow, and the wedding officially began.
In reality, Zhan Xinjia's head was completely fuzzy and her mind was floating as if she were on cloud nine. Forget about the ceremony procedures; if it weren't for Master Shen constantly reminding her, she probably would have been too dizzy to even complete the wedding ceremony.
When it was time to pay respects to the parents for the second time, in addition to the Zhan couple, an empty chair was added to the high seat according to Zhan Xinjia's wishes.
She smiled, pursing her lips.
No matter what, her master was also like a parent to her...
After the ceremony, the banquet began, and the group of people started laughing and joking again.
Amid the chaos, a strange voice rang out, "How wonderful!"
Zhan Xinjia was exhausted and hungry all day. While the groom, Lord Shen, was toasting the guests, she was surrounded by Qiao Qiao, A Yue, Cui Wanzhao, and Sister Su Yun as they returned to the bridal chamber.
However, the group didn't linger for long. After teasing her a few times, they left hand in hand, leaving Zhan Xinjia staring blankly at the dragon and phoenix candles, grinning foolishly.
Later that evening, the groom, who was seven-tenths drunk, finally managed to escape.
His phoenix eyes were slightly narrowed, misty with tears, and his originally fair and handsome face was tinged with a faint blush due to the slight intoxication.
Under the candlelight, she looked even more radiant, as if her whole being was glowing.
They drank the nuptial wine from the same cup, then smiled at each other.
Lazily lying down on the wedding quilt embroidered with red phoenixes and mandarin ducks, Zhan Xinjia almost cried out from the discomfort. When she reached down, she discovered that the quilt was covered with dried fruits such as longan, red dates, lotus seeds, and peanuts.
Shen Suqing, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh for a while.
Silly child...
He lovingly held her in his arms, letting her sit on his lap and rest against his shoulder. Shen Suqing lowered his eyes and casually picked up a longan from the wedding bed, peeled it, and naturally fed it to her.
"Ah Zhi must be exhausted today."
Zhan Xinjia chewed, and as soon as she moved her cheek, he reached out and caught the pit she spat out.
She wasn't really tired, but she felt so happy that she wanted to pinch herself to see if it was a dream.
Although she has pinched it many times today.
With a thousand words in her heart, she could only foolishly utter one sentence in the end—
"I admit you're somewhat attractive, but wait, how did you actually manage to marry me?"
You idiot, you silly lady.
Shen Suqing's heart softened beyond measure. He gently tucked a few stray strands of hair that had fallen across her face behind her ear with his fingertips. He leaned down to kiss her, but a muffled thud outside the window interrupted their actions.
Walking to the window, Shen Suqing looked closely and saw that it was Azhi's old strange orange cat that had returned, carrying the red veil that had been blown away by the wind.
It had clearly come back from a long journey, its body covered in dew and fallen petals, soaking wet and disheveled, but the red veil it was carefully carrying was spotless and without the slightest damage.
With its head held high and chest out, Jide lowered the veil, licked its fur, and looked down at others with eyes full of pride and smugness.
Ha, humans, can this family really do without me?
"Young Master Shen, what happened?"
A sweet, clear voice came from behind me.
"It's nothing."
Shen Suqing's voice contained a smile.
Never mind, I won't tell Azhi yet. I'll give her a surprise when she wakes up tomorrow at noon.
Upon receiving this strange answer, Zhan Xinjia didn't think much of it. She swept the dried fruit on the bed aside, then comfortably lay down, sinking into the soft, fluffy quilt that had been sun-dried all day.
With her eyes slightly curved and the faint fragrance of ink painting as her pillow, she closed her eyes in peace.
Never mind, no matter what messy things happen in the future, we'll have Lord Shen here!
A gentle breeze carries tidings, which may be sent to this mortal world.
—End of text—
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