After welcoming another guest, Minister Lu turned to look at Lu Huai. Seeing his utterly dejected expression, he was furious. Where no one could see, he kicked Lu Huai and warned in a low voice, "Cheer up! If you cause any more trouble, you'll be punished according to family rules!"
"Are you still my father? How could you treat your son like this!" Lu Huai rubbed the spot where he had been kicked, staring wide-eyed at Minister Lu and said excitedly.
"You brat, how dare you talk like that? If I'm not your father, then who is? How could I possibly betray you!" Minister Lu glared fiercely at Lu Huai. "The time has come. You'd better go and fetch your bride properly!"
Lu Huai had no choice but to mount his horse and lead the wedding procession toward the Prime Minister's residence. Although he was dressed in a wedding robe, there was no trace of joy on his face.
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The Prime Minister's Residence.
Prime Minister Qin greeted the guests with a smile, but in his heart he was worried that his daughter would be mistreated after marriage. After asking the steward to receive the guests in his place, Prime Minister Qin went to the outside of Qin Qi's boudoir.
Shu Hua had been helping Qin Qi with his hair and makeup. When she saw Prime Minister Qin, she quickly called out "Uncle Qin." Prime Minister Qin nodded and said, "I've come to see Yizhi."
Qin Xi sat before the bronze mirror, carefully tracing her own features with her gaze. Hearing Prime Minister Qin's voice, she turned her head, but nearly fell off the stool because her legs had gone numb from sitting for so long.
Prime Minister Qin and Shu Hua quickly helped her up. Shu Hua teased, "You're a bride now, why are you still so clumsy?"
Qin Xi smiled shyly. She looked at Prime Minister Qin and said earnestly, "Father, please comb my hair."
Prime Minister Qin paused, his eyes suddenly reddening, and he uttered several "good"s. He took the comb from Shu Hua's hand, gently placed Qin Qi's hair in his left hand, and while combing, he spoke: "One comb to the head, wealth and honor without worry; two combs to the tail, health and peace; three combs to the head, many children and long life; a third comb to the tail, a harmonious and loving marriage..."
Hearing these auspicious words, Qin Xi couldn't help but tear up. Life is unpredictable; who would have thought that yesterday she was still enjoying the company of her parents, and today she would be getting married?
Her hair was combed up, and Shu Hua styled it into a cloud-like bun, then placed a phoenix crown on her head; Qin Qi was wearing a wedding dress that Shu Hua had embroidered herself, every stitch imbued with her heartfelt sentiments.
As she stood up, the gold threads on her skirt shimmered with every step, a beautiful sight. Qin Xi looked at Prime Minister Qin and saw him turn away to wipe his eyes; suddenly, her nose felt a little sore.
At this moment, the butler came in and said, "Master, Miss, the young master has arrived outside the door."
Prime Minister Qin turned around, touched the phoenix crown on Qin Qi's head, then took the red veil from Shu Hua, personally covered her with it, and squatted down in front of Qin Qi, saying to her, "Yizhi, let your father see you off on this journey."
Those few words nearly made Qin Qi stumble, her mind flashing back to the doting love her father had shown her over the years. Years ago, the Prime Minister's wife suffered a difficult childbirth, giving birth to Qin Qi prematurely before passing away. To prevent her from suffering, the Prime Minister never remarried. All these years, her father had raised her alone.
She slowly leaned onto Prime Minister Qin's back, suddenly remembering how her father had carried her like this many years ago.
After getting up, she pressed her face against Prime Minister Qin's back and whispered, "Father, I can't bear to part with you."
Prime Minister Qin paused for a moment, then continued walking forward.
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