Chapter 95 The Grand Wedding (Long Chapter, Complete)
Three months later, at the Princess's residence.
Shen Shu looked at the reflection in the bronze mirror and felt a sense of disorientation.
Am I really going to marry Lin Wei?
The woman in the mirror had eyebrows like distant mountains and skin like solidified cream, but her eyes held a complex emotion that was hard to describe.
Shen Shu gently stroked her cheek, as if trying to confirm whether all of this was real.
When the matchmaker saw Shen Shu about to touch it, she hurriedly stopped her.
"Miss, please don't touch it. Today is your big day, you mustn't ruin your makeup."
Shen Shu was slightly taken aback, but still withdrew her hand.
Just then, a lively commotion came from outside the door.
A young maidservant rushed in, her face beaming with joy, and reported, "Second Miss, the wedding procession has arrived at the gate!"
While busily tidying up Shen Shu's wedding dress, the matchmaker kept babbling auspicious words.
"The Second Miss is truly as beautiful as an angel today. When she meets the Marquis later, he will surely be unable to take his eyes off her."
"Second Miss, please put the veil on."
The matchmaker whispered a reminder.
No rush.
Pei Jiming came in from outside the door and stopped the matchmaker.
When the matchmaker saw Pei Jiming enter, she was immediately taken aback.
Although he was Shen Shu's nominal older brother, it was unreasonable for him to come in at this time.
Moreover, the matchmaker had also heard that Young Master Pei did not like this adopted sister very much.
When the princess held a banquet to recognize Shen Shu's relatives, the eldest son of the Pei family used the excuse of going on a trip, but it was obvious to everyone that he did not approve of Shen Shu.
With her wedding imminent, is Young Master Pei coming at this hour to cause trouble for the Second Miss?
The matchmaker flattered, "Young Master, today is, after all, the Second Miss's wedding day. The auspicious time is almost here. Why don't we put the Second Miss's veil on first?"
Pei Jiming ignored the matchmaker's words and focused his gaze on Shen Shu.
Shen Shuren, standing before the bronze mirror, was more beautiful than any flower, yet she did not marry him.
Pei Jiming lowered his eyes, concealing the desolation within them.
He slowly walked up to Shen Shu and said softly, "Today you are getting married. From now on, take good care of yourself in the Lin family."
Shen Shu nodded slightly and replied softly, "Brother, don't worry, I will."
Pei Jiming paused for a moment, then took out an exquisite box from his sleeve and handed it to Shen Shu.
"This is a gift I prepared for you. I hope you like it."
Shen Shu took the box, somewhat surprised, as she hadn't expected Pei Jiming to give her a gift.
Seeing that the atmosphere had eased, the matchmaker quickly smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "Young Master is so thoughtful. Second Miss, please open it and take a look."
Shen Shu hesitated for a moment, then slowly opened the box. Inside was an exquisite jade hairpin, its body carved with lifelike flowers that shimmered with a warm luster in the sunlight.
Shen Shu's heart stirred, and she looked up at Pei Jiming.
For a moment, I didn't know what to say.
Just then, a voice urging came from outside the door. The matchmaker hurriedly said, "Second Miss, the auspicious time has arrived. Put on the veil and go to bid farewell to the Princess."
The matchmaker was about to put the veil over Shen Shu's head.
“I’ll do it,” Pei Jiming said.
The matchmaker was taken aback; this... was against the rules.
But Pei Jiming snatched the veil away, his gesture carrying an air of undeniable authority.
He stood behind Shen Shu and slowly lowered the veil, covering her eyes which held complex emotions.
Through the veil, Shen Shuneng could vaguely see Pei Jiming's hands, long and steady, unlike the playful and teasing Pei Jiming of the day.
"Let's go." Pei Jiming's voice rang out from above.
Since he couldn't spend his life with her, he would personally escort Shen Shu to her wedding.
Shen Shu nodded slightly, letting him help her up.
Pei Jiming helped Shen Shu walk step by step toward the front hall, each step feeling as if it were treading on Shen Shu's heart.
It felt like he was going to marry her.
Shen Shu closed her eyes, erasing the unrealistic thoughts from her mind.
Outside the door, Lin Wei had been waiting for a long time. As he watched the "brother and sister" walk in together, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.
He knew that Pei Jiming's attitude towards Shen Shu had always been somewhat ambiguous, but he never expected that at this crucial moment, he would personally escort Shen Shu out of her marriage.
Lin Wei stepped forward, his gaze lingering for a moment on Pei Jiming's hand supporting Shen Shu, before he smiled and said, "Thank you, brother-in-law."
Pei Jiming released his hand, his expression indifferent: "You're too kind, Lord Marquis. Today is my younger sister's wedding day, and as her elder brother, it is only right that I see her off."
Lin Wei nodded slightly, about to take Shen Shu's hand.
Pei Jiming stepped forward and blocked him.
"If you dare to treat Shu'er badly, I will definitely take her home."
Despite the threatening words, Lin Wei surprisingly didn't get angry.
"Brother-in-law, don't worry, Shu'er will never have the chance to go home with you in this lifetime."
Pei Jiming looked away, but eventually let go of his hand.
Amidst the cheers and entourage of maids and servants, they arrived at the front hall.
Lin Wei bowed to the princess seated above him.
"Your son-in-law, Lin Wei, greets Your Majesty, Mother-in-law."
The princess looked at the perfect couple before her with eyes full of satisfaction. She gently raised her hand, gesturing for Lin Wei to stand up.
"My lord, I entrust Shu'er to you today. You must treat her well from now on."
Lin Wei nodded solemnly, "Mother-in-law, rest assured, your son-in-law will protect Shu'er for the rest of his life and never let her suffer the slightest grievance."
The princess looked at Shen Shu again, a hint of reluctance flashing in her eyes.
“If the wedding date hadn’t been set so early, your mother would have really wanted to keep you for a few more years.”
The princess wiped away her tears: "However, fortunately, the groom is a good boy, so it's not a bad thing for you to marry him. Shu'er, although you are getting married today, you must remember that you will always be the eldest daughter of the princess's mansion, and this place will always be your home."
As she spoke, the princess took off the gold lock from her own neck and put it around Shen Shu's neck.
"This gold lock was given to me by your maternal grandmother the year I got married. Now, I give it to you. From now on, you must be a good wife and mother, and live a harmonious and peaceful life with Lin Wei."
Shen Shu's eyes were slightly red, and she curtsied, saying, "Mother, rest assured, your daughter will keep your teachings in mind."
Lin Wei said earnestly, "If my mother-in-law is reluctant to let us go, after the wedding banquet, Shu'er and I will move into the Princess's residence."
The princess was taken aback: "You're willing?"
Lin Wei smiled slightly, his expression sincere: "Of course."
Upon hearing this, the princess's smile deepened, and she patted Shen Shu's hand, saying, "That's wonderful, that's wonderful."
At this moment, the master of ceremonies shouted loudly, "The auspicious time has arrived, the newlyweds bid farewell."
Shen Shu and Lin Wei knelt down together and performed three deep bows to the princess.
After the ceremony, Lin Wei helped Shen Shu up, and amidst the blessings of the crowd, they slowly walked out of the Princess's residence.
Outside the mansion gate, the bridal sedan chair had been waiting for a long time. Lin Wei carefully helped Shen Shu into the sedan chair, then mounted his horse and led the wedding procession towards the mansion in a grand procession.
Along the way, the sounds of firecrackers, drums, and laughter mingled together, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
The 180 dowry items that followed were even more dazzling to the onlookers.
"My goodness, this is the kind of grandeur you'd expect when marrying off a princess!"
Meanwhile, inside the Princess's residence, Pei Jiming stood alone, watching the departing bridal sedan chair, motionless for a long time.
Only after the bridal sedan chair had completely disappeared from sight did he turn around and silently return to his residence.
...
The Marquis of Dingyuan's residence.
Princess Xie Mingzhu was already waiting outside the mansion gate. When she saw the bridal sedan chair arrive, she hurriedly went to greet it.
"Don't move, all of you. Let me, the princess, personally come and help my cousin-in-law out of the sedan chair."
She lifted the sedan curtain and reached out to help Shen Shu.
Shen Shu was somewhat surprised: "How could a princess, of such noble birth,..."
Xie Mingzhu interrupted, "You are my cousin-in-law. I would be happy to help you out of the sedan chair. Besides, there's no need for us to be so formal."
As Xie Mingzhu spoke, she helped Shen Shu out of the bridal sedan chair without saying a word.
Those around her couldn't help but chuckle softly at the sight of the Ninth Princess's enthusiastic demeanor. Shen Shu, supported by Xie Mingzhu, felt a warmth fill her heart.
Upon arriving at the main hall, it was already packed with distinguished guests, creating a lively atmosphere.
On the main seat is the memorial tablet of Princess Lin Wei's mother, while the other side is an empty space.
Lin Wei's biological father married his childhood sweetheart less than a year after the death of the eldest princess.
In Lin Wei's heart, he no longer regarded his so-called biological father as his own father.
However, none of the guests dared to mention it at this moment, since no one wanted to offend Marquis Dingyuan on such a joyous occasion.
The master of ceremonies stood to one side, loudly chanting the wedding ceremony.
"Bowing to Heaven and Earth!" Lin Wei and Shen Shu turned around hand in hand and bowed deeply towards the outside of the hall.
"Second bow to our parents!" The two bowed respectfully to the memorial tablet of the eldest princess.
"Husband and wife bow to each other!"
As they sang in response, Lin Wei and Shen Shu slowly faced each other, their eyes meeting as if they had a thousand words to say.
They bowed gently, completing this final bow.
A burst of enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted in the hall: "Send them to the bridal chamber!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Xie Mingzhu greeted her with a smile and helped Shen Shu walk towards the backyard.
Shen Shu felt uneasy and subconsciously pulled Lin Wei back.
Lin Wei gently patted Shen Shu's hand and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, I'll be there in a bit."
Shen Shu nodded slightly, then let go of Xie Mingzhu's hand and allowed her to walk towards the backyard.
Along the way, Xie Mingzhu kept chattering, and Shen Shu's initially tense mood gradually relaxed.
Upon arriving at the new house, Xie Mingzhu helped Shen Shu to sit down on the bed and instructed the maids to bring various snacks and tea: "Sister-in-law, please eat something to fill your stomach first, there are still many procedures to follow later."
A moment later, footsteps were heard outside, and Xie Mingzhu's eyes lit up.
"It must be my cousin."
Before he could finish speaking, Lin Wei walked in.
"Please lift the veil, Your Excellency."
The matchmaker, her face beaming with joy, held up the wedding scale and handed it to Lin Wei.
Lin Wei took the ceremonial scale and gently lifted the veil from Shen Shu's head.
In an instant, Shen Shu's beautiful face was fully revealed, her brows and eyes carrying a hint of shyness and coquettishness, making her even more charming in the candlelight.
Lin Wei looked at the person in front of him, his eyes filled with tenderness and love, and for a moment he was lost in thought.
Xie Mingzhu covered her mouth and chuckled, "Cousin, look at you, you're completely captivated by your cousin's beauty."
Lin Wei snapped out of his daze, a blush creeping onto his face. He coughed lightly and sat down next to Shen Shu.
At this moment, the matchmaker brought out the nuptial wine and said with a smile, "Please, Lord Marquis and Lady, drink this nuptial wine together. From now on, may you live in harmony and grow old together."
Lin Wei and Shen Shu exchanged a smile, each picked up a glass of wine, intertwined their arms, and slowly drank the wine.
After drinking the nuptial wine, the matchmaker brought out scissors, cut off a lock of hair from each of them, tied them together with red silk thread, and put them into a brocade box.
The matchmaker shouted, "We are bound together as husband and wife, our love unwavering."
After doing all this, the matchmaker led the maids out of the bridal chamber, leaving only Lin Wei and Shen Shu behind.
The room fell silent, save for the occasional crackling of the candlelight.
Shen Shu lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushed, and her hands unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes.
She recalled the book the princess had shown her the night before her wedding. Actually, she didn't need to read it; she had already experienced it all in her past life.
However, her past life was too tragic, and Shen Shu still felt lingering fear.
How have couples throughout history managed to endure such excruciating pain?
Looking at her like this, Lin Wei gently took Shen Shu's hand and said tenderly, "Don't be afraid. I know about your dream. I won't force you."
"I will wait until the day you are willing."
Shen Shu was slightly taken aback. She raised her head and met Lin Wei's gentle yet firm gaze. The unease and tension in her heart gradually dissipated.
She gently bit her lower lip and whispered, "My lord... I..."
Lin Wei gently raised his hand to stop her from speaking further. He smiled and said in a softer voice, "No need for further words. Now that we are husband and wife, we have a long life ahead of us."
Shen Shu nodded slightly, but her eyes reddened.
On their wedding night, Lin Weijing was able to consider her feelings.
Lin Wei gently raised his hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, his movements as gentle as if he were handling a rare treasure.
He slowly approached and placed a kiss on Shen Shu's forehead.
But the next second, Shen Shu looked up.
Her eyes held a mixture of trepidation and anticipation as she kissed him.
Lin Wei was taken aback for a moment, then his deep eyes filled with endless tenderness and joy. He gently responded to the kiss, slowly wrapping his arms around Shen Shu's waist and pulling her closer to him.
Lin Wei bent down and pulled the curtains by the window with his large hand.
The spring night is too short. Since Shen Shu chose this herself, she has no choice but to stay tonight.
The End.
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