Chapter Sixty-Three: Thank you, Third Brother
The mansion was bustling with carriages and guests, all of whom were the most powerful and influential people in the capital.
Everyone wore standard, warm smiles and uttered auspicious blessings, yet a scrutinizing gaze and even schadenfreude lurked beneath the festive facade.
Li Bao'er was helped down from the bridal sedan chair, and before her eyes was still that swaying red.
Her hand was stuffed into one end of a red silk ribbon, while the other end was held in Mu Cenlin's hand.
As expected, the Emperor and Empress were absent. However, what was different was that in the main hall of the Prince's Mansion, an elderly woman dressed in a peony-patterned court dress, with graceful bearing, was sitting in the main seat. She was none other than the current Empress Dowager.
Her personal presence as officiant undoubtedly added a layer of significance to the wedding; the Emperor and Empress did not attend, but the Empress Dowager did.
Below the Empress Dowager, Li Xiangyuan, Wang Qingzhi, Wang Zheng, and others had already taken their seats. Wang Qingzhi looked at the doorway with tears in her eyes, nervous and expectant.
As the newlyweds entered, the Empress Dowager's slightly aged but spirited voice rang out: "Let's begin."
The ceremony officially began with the high-pitched and long chant of the master of ceremonies.
"First bow to Heaven and Earth"
The two turned around, faced the heaven and earth outside the hall, and bowed down.
"Bowing to the parents twice"
"Husband and wife bowing to each other"
The two turned around and stood facing each other.
Mu Cenlin looked at the woman in red who was bowing deeply before him. In that instant, a faint sense of bewilderment flashed through his mind: [Husband and wife? Do we even qualify as husband and wife in this state?]
As she stood up, through the red veil, Li Bao'er could feel a penetrating gaze falling upon her.
Among the guests, the Third Prince Mu Yuan held a wine cup, maintaining a gentle and proper smile on his face, watching the newlyweds, dressed in bright red wedding attire, complete the ceremony.
However, the smile didn't reach his eyes, and the knuckles of his fingers holding the wine glass turned slightly white.
Especially when he saw Li Bao'er and Mu Cenlin bowing to each other, he felt that the red color was extremely glaring and his chest felt tight.
The regret and resentment of having something that originally belonged to him taken away, and the fact that he had not cherished it, entwined his heart like a poisonous vine.
He tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp. The wine was spicy, but it couldn't suppress the bitterness in his heart.
Li Qing, who had been following Xiao Han closely, fearing he might do something shocking today, was surprised to find that Xiao Han was unusually calm and showed no signs of sadness. Strange? Even though he felt a little reluctant to see his childhood friend get married, Xiao Han was so composed.
How strange! It's just that the crimson clothes he's wearing today are a bit too eye-catching…
However, only Xiao Han knew that in order to force himself to accept the fact that Bao'er was about to get married, he had soaked himself in the cold pool all night, but no pain could be greater than seeing his beloved marry someone else today.
"The ceremony is complete; escort them to the bridal chamber!"
As the resounding chants subsided, the drumming reached its peak once more, filling the entire hall with a festive atmosphere.
Yuan Ting watched intently from the side until a faint sob was heard from beside him, at which point he snapped out of his reverie and looked at Zhu Zhi with surprise.
"Hey?" Yuan Ting nudged him lightly with his elbow, lowering his voice, "What's wrong? On this joyous day..."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhi couldn't help but wipe his eyes, his voice trembling, "It's nothing... I'm just so happy, Your Highness finally has your own home."
Feng Li, who had been standing with his arms crossed and a cold expression, twitched almost imperceptibly at the corner of his eye upon hearing this. He gave Feng Li a look as if he were looking at an idiot, his tone full of disdain: "Look at you, so pathetic. Anyone who didn't know better would think that a prince had married into the family, and you're crying and wailing like this, as if you were giving away your daughter. Shut up, you're making a fool of yourself."
The matchmaker stepped forward, preparing to lead Li Bao'er away from the main hall.
Just then, the Empress Dowager, seated in the main seat, slightly raised her hand, exuding an unquestionable majesty that caused the surrounding noise to subconsciously pause for a moment.
All eyes were on the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager didn't look at anyone else; her gaze, gentle yet firm, fell on Mu Cenlin. She gently beckoned to him, her voice low but carrying the unique kindness and unyielding authority of an elder:
"Lin-ge'er, come to me."
Mu Cenlin's tall figure paused almost imperceptibly; this was the name his grandmother often called him when he was a child.
Mu Cenlin stepped forward as instructed, walked to the Empress Dowager's seat, and bowed slightly: "Grandmother."
The Empress Dowager scrutinized his face closely, as if she could see the blurry shadow of another person through his current cold and austere features.
“Good child,” the Empress Dowager said slowly, her voice carrying a barely perceptible sob, which she controlled well, “Now that you have a family, you are a true adult. I see you today… very well.”
She paused, her gaze deepening, and her tone becoming more serious, "That child Bao'er, I think she's a good one, with bright eyes and a clear mind. Now that you've married her, you must treat her well. Husband and wife are one, sharing both honor and disgrace. No matter how much turmoil there is in this world, having someone who understands you and truly accompanies you is better than anything else."
"I've heard about what happened to her before. Everyone has moments of confusion, but as a man, you shouldn't get stuck on things. This is a gift for that girl. Please give it to her for me." As soon as she finished speaking, the Empress Dowager gestured to her aunt to take out a sandalwood box and handed it to Mu Cenlin.
The Empress Dowager's words were pointed; they were not only about how newlyweds should get along, but also a reminder to him not to be blinded by hatred and power, and to not overlook the warmth and sincerity that might exist around him.
"Your father is a muddle-headed man, but don't bear it all alone anymore. Although I live deep in the inner palace all year round, if you are bullied, just come to me. I'm getting old, don't always make me worry about you."
After saying that, she gave Mu Cenlin a deep look, said nothing more, and gently waved her hand, indicating that he could leave.
Mu Cenlin stood rooted to the spot, his jawline slightly tense, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he simply lowered his eyes further, concealing all emotion, and respectfully bowed.
"Grandson...will remember the teachings of His Majesty."
Then, he turned around, glanced at Li Bao'er who was standing quietly waiting to the side, and gestured for the matchmaker to continue the process.
As the chanting subsided, the drumming and music reached another climax, and the Empress Dowager's face revealed a gratified smile. Wang Qingzhi's tears finally fell, a mixture of joy and reluctance.
Wang Zheng's expression was solemn, but he also cast a grateful glance at the Empress Dowager. Li Xiangyuan, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief, and his smile became much more genuine.
Led by the matchmaker, Li Bao'er prepared to leave the main hall. As she passed the family members' seats, she paused almost imperceptibly.
She could feel her mother's and uncle's gazes, and even imagine that Li Yu must be eagerly waiting.
Mu Cenlin did not leave immediately; he needed to stay and entertain the guests. But as Li Bao'er turned around, his gaze lingered on her back for a moment, and through empathy, he caught the surge of sorrow she was trying so hard to suppress.
He frowned almost imperceptibly, gave Yuan Ting a few instructions, and then Yuan Ting disappeared from the hall.
Bao'er followed the wedding attendant to the bridal chamber, at which point 001 appeared: "The wedding was so beautiful! You two are such a perfect match!"
[This makes me want to get married!]
Li Bao'er: "You have a gender?"
001 stared wide-eyed, incredulously saying, "[I'm such a handsome guy, can't you tell???]"
Li Bao'er looked closely at the white ball in her mind and hesitated, "A white dough ball, where did this handsome guy come from?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com