Chapter 98 They Got Married
The auspicious day has arrived; the sky is just beginning to lighten, and the morning light is faint.
The villa where Shen Qingci lived was already covered in a dazzling red. Inside and outside the courtyard, red ribbons fluttered and lanterns hung high, creating a festive atmosphere.
Wanqing helped Shen Qingci sit down in front of the dressing table. Looking at the face in the bronze mirror, which was already stunningly beautiful even without makeup, she couldn't help but sigh softly, "Miss, you look so beautiful today."
Shen Qingci looked at herself in the mirror, wearing a phoenix coronet and a wedding gown as red as fire, the gorgeous embroidery shimmering in the morning light.
Shen Qingci gazed silently at her reflection in the mirror, her heart undisturbed.
The last time she got married, it was to Huo Yunzhan.
Back then, she liked Huo Yunzhan.
At that time, her parents did not tell her that something might happen to the Shen family.
Like millions of women in the world, she was filled with joy and anticipation.
At that time, she naively believed that marrying the person she loved would be the beginning of a lifetime of happiness.
Little did she know, that was the beginning of her descent into hell.
Shen Qingci's eyelashes trembled slightly; at this moment, her heart was filled with only a calm and resolute determination.
This time, this marriage... was something she fought for herself.
She married someone she didn't love.
She was not marrying a man, but rather the immense power he represented—the sharp blade she would use for revenge.
"His Highness has arranged for Lady Quanfu to help Your Highness with your hair and makeup." A clear voice rang out at the doorway.
Shen Qingci looked up and saw a gentle woman dressed in a royal princess-level dress walking in, surrounded by maids. She was Chu Jichen's sister-in-law, Princess Gong.
Chu Jichen should have already told Princess Gong about her identity. When Princess Gong saw her, there was no unusual expression on her face. She only smiled and personally picked up an ivory comb to comb Shen Qingci's long, cloud-like hair, reciting auspicious words: "One comb to the end, two combs to white hair reaching the eyebrows, three combs to a house full of children and grandchildren..."
Shen Qingci sat quietly, letting them put the heavy phoenix crown on her head.
When the red veil embroidered with dragons and phoenixes gently fell, obscuring everything before her eyes, she felt as if she had returned to her wedding day in her previous life.
This time, however, my state of mind was completely different.
"The groom has come to pick up the bride!"
With a loud announcement of good news, gongs and drums resounded outside the courtyard, and firecrackers crackled.
Supported by Wan Qing and Princess Gong, Shen Qingci slowly walked out of the room.
She couldn't see the outside world, but she could clearly feel the overwhelming heat and clamor that seemed to ignite the entire capital.
"The Prince is here! The Prince is here!" Wanqing cheered, then whispered in Shen Qingci's ear, "The Prince looks absolutely handsome in his wedding attire today! He's a perfect match for you, Miss!"
It's such a pity that someone with such a handsome appearance has a crippled leg.
A hint of regret flashed in Wanqing's eyes, but she quickly smiled. On such a joyous day, she shouldn't spoil the fun.
Chu Jichen quickly maneuvered the wheelchair to Shen Qingci and picked her up in his arms.
A burst of laughter and cheers came from the surrounding area.
Chu Jichen carried Shen Qingci into the carriage, and when they reached the prepared horse, he reached out to hold the saddle, and with a leap, jumped onto the tall horse.
This scene is simply divine.
Wanqing thought to herself, but then, remembering that Shen Qingci was wearing a veil and couldn't see, she quickly whispered in Shen Qingci's ear, "His Highness, with one hand on the saddle, leaped directly from his wheelchair onto the horse!"
"Miss, you didn't see it. The prince was sitting on his horse, and you couldn't tell at all that there was something wrong with his legs. He was tall and handsome, and the people watching on both sides were amazed."
She had previously thought that although Chu Jichen was a powerful regent, her young lady was still somewhat wronged to marry him.
But at this moment, I feel that if the Regent had no problem with his legs, he probably would have been married long ago.
Perhaps this is fate?
Shen Qingci was amused by Wan Qing's description, although she had always felt that she had no expectations for this marriage.
But when I heard Wanqing say that, my heart skipped a beat for a moment.
Some even wanted to disregard everything and lift the veil to see for themselves.
The wedding procession stretched from one end of the alley to the other, with ten miles of red bridal procession, its grandeur even surpassing that of a royal princess's wedding.
The crowd of onlookers nearly blocked the entire street, while at that moment, in a quiet alley not far from the main wedding street, a figure staggered to the gate of the courtyard that Shen Qingci usually used as cover to enter and exit, and kept banging on the gate.
It was... Huo Yunzhan, who had been deliberately released by Chu Jichen.
Huo Yunzhan was disheveled, his face still swollen, but his eyes were flashing with crazy excitement.
His Majesty still took action, and even brought him some new clues, which were related to Shen Jingxuan and Shen Qingfeng.
With those clues, he only needed to find Shen Qingci to use the information to threaten her and force her to hand over the private army's troop deployment order.
As long as he obtains the troop mobilization order, His Majesty will reward him handsomely!
Even if he can't get the troop mobilization order, it doesn't matter. Shen Qingci will definitely decide to enter the palace because of the news he brought.
Once Shen Qingci entered the palace, she fell completely into their scheme.
It's only a matter of time before the troop deployment order is obtained.
He knocked on the door for ages, but still no one answered.
What happened? Is Shen Qingci not here? Where did she go?
Just then, a deafening commotion erupted from the main street outside, causing him to frown in annoyance.
"What's all the noise about?" He turned his head and saw the wedding procession: "Who's getting married? Such a big fuss?"
He cursed inwardly, but couldn't help feeling curious, so he peeked towards the street corner.
He was stunned at first glance.
At the very front of the wedding procession, sitting atop a horse, was none other than the Regent Chu Jichen, whom he now hated with a passion.
Huo Yunzhan rushed to the street corner and stood outside the crowd, peering out. A look of astonishment and disdain flashed across his face: "Chu Jichen got married?"
"In this capital city, are there really any noble families blind enough to marry their daughters to Chu Jichen, a cripple who can't even be a man?"
A morbid sense of pleasure welled up inside him.
What good is Chu Jichen's power? Isn't he just like me, a cripple who can't even have sex and can't continue the family line?
No, they're not the same.
He was just drained of his life essence by that vixen Liu Ruolan. He'll recover once he takes good care of himself.
But Chu Jichen is different; he will never get better.
He asked the onlookers beside him in a low voice, "Do you know which family's daughter the Regent is marrying today?"
The passerby didn't even turn his head, his eyes filled with excitement: "Who knows? I heard she's not from a prestigious family, and I haven't heard of His Majesty issuing a decree for the marriage. But who cares who she is? To marry the Regent is a blessing that takes several lifetimes to accumulate."
Not from a prestigious family? And without an imperial decree of marriage?
Huo Yunzhan's displeasure vanished instantly.
It makes sense. With Chu Jichen's physique, which respectable family would be willing to marry their eldest daughter off to a life of widowhood? They would probably just marry a woman of low status to bring good luck or to cover up their true intentions.
Thinking of this, he finally felt a little better, ignored the noisy crowd, and turned to leave.
Just then, the bridal sedan chair arrived at the alley entrance.
A gust of wind blew by, gently lifting a corner of the sedan curtain embroidered with exquisite phoenixes.
Huo Yunzhan glanced at it subconsciously.
Inside the sedan chair sat a bride wearing a phoenix crown and a wedding gown. The red veil concealed her face; he could only see the shimmering embroidery on her wedding dress and her dignified and serene posture.
He didn't pay much attention, only feeling that the bride's figure seemed somewhat familiar.
But the thought only flashed through his mind for a moment before he dismissed it.
He withdrew his gaze, straightened his slightly disheveled clothes, and strode past the magnificent bridal sedan chair.
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