Grand Wedding
The kiss ended.
Jiang Heng scooped up Shen Wenqiu with one hand, lifted him onto the horse, and said in a hoarse voice, "Qiuqiu, I want to hug you."
Shen Wenqiu did not resist. He hooked his arm around Jiang Heng's neck to steady himself. The two were very close, completely ignoring the strange looks from the people around them.
He couldn't care less about anything else; all he wanted was to be with Jiang Heng, regardless of anything else.
So, Shen Wenqiu buried her face in Jiang Heng's chest and mumbled, "Jiang Heng."
Jiang Heng lowered his eyes, stroking Shen Wenqiu's back with one hand and holding the reins with the other, and slowly walked towards Shen Wenqiu's residence, replying, "I'm here."
Upon hearing Jiang Heng's voice, Shen Wenqiu leaned against Jiang Heng's chest, and her heart, which had been pounding with fear, calmed down.
He paused for a moment, and when the horse stopped outside the mansion gate, he gripped Jiang Heng's clothes tightly with both hands, slightly moved his head away from where it was pressed against his, looked up and met Jiang Heng's gaze, and said, "I've thought it through. I like you too. I want to be with you... forever and ever, and never be apart again."
Jiang Heng's breath hitched.
He had already guessed Shen Wenqiu's answer, but when he actually heard it, he still couldn't suppress the excitement in his heart.
"Let's go home, Qiuqiu, let's go home." Jiang Heng's voice was filled with excitement and laughter. He picked up Shen Wenqiu and dismounted, walking quickly into the mansion.
Even after entering Shen Wenqiu's room and placing him on the bed, Jiang Heng's heart still couldn't calm down.
They just snuggled together in bed, doing nothing but talking.
Jiang Heng understood that there were some things he needed to tell Shen Wenqiu himself.
So he recounted the palace coup that day and his efforts to exonerate his mother.
After that, Jiang Heng brought up his future plans.
His gaze was intense as he looked into Shen Wenqiu's eyes.
"I will soon ascend the throne, and at that time, I intend to make you my empress."
Shen Wenqiu was taken aback, recalling what Aunt Qin had said before. She did not refuse, but said to Jiang Heng, "But I still want to make a difference in the court."
Jiang Heng smiled and said, "That's not a conflict. Being an official and being an empress are not conflicting."
Shen Wenqiu's eyes were bright as she looked at Jiang Heng with a smile.
The two stood very close, their conversation carrying a hint of intimacy.
He asked Jiang Heng, "When shall we get married?"
That short sentence felt like countless firecrackers exploding in Jiang Heng's ears.
He looked excitedly at Shen Wenqiu beside him, cupped the other's face in his hands, but just before he was about to kiss him, his movements became very gentle.
Jiang Heng gently placed a kiss on Shen Wenqiu's lips.
It happened in the blink of an eye; before Shen Wenqiu could even feel it, he had already stepped back.
"My lord, aren't you being a little too cautious?" Shen Wenqiu chuckled.
"Qiuqiu is laughing at me." Jiang Heng squeezed Chen Wenqiu's palm and said aggrievedly, then showed an expectant smile, "I want to wait until our wedding day."
Shen Wenqiu blushed at these words; he understood perfectly what Jiang Heng meant.
He understood, and subconsciously looked at Jiang Heng's body.
Although he was sitting, Jiang Heng was significantly taller than Shen Wenqiu.
There's no need to overthink who gets promoted and who gets demoted.
Shen Wenqiu didn't think that Jiang Heng, who always pretended to be wronged to hide his aggressiveness, might be the one below.
Thinking about it this way, his thoughts inevitably drifted to his wedding day.
"Why is Qiuqiu blushing?" Jiang Heng suddenly asked.
"Ah? No... nothing." Shen Wenqiu snapped out of her daze and quickly turned her head away, not daring to look Jiang Heng in the eye.
Jiang Heng had no idea what Shen Wenqiu was thinking, and Shen Wenqiu himself would never say.
Just then, the voices of Jiang Heng's men came from outside the door.
"Your Highness, the investigation has been completed. The assassin was a subordinate of the deposed crown prince. Seeing that all was lost, he fought desperately."
Upon hearing this, Shen Wenqiu turned and exchanged a glance with Jiang Heng.
Jiang Heng squeezed Shen Wenqiu's palm reassuringly before coldly saying to his waiting subordinates, "I originally wanted to spare his life and let the father and son go together. Since he's restless... then blind him, sever his tendons, and throw him back to his father."
Upon hearing these words, Shen Wenqiu was at a loss for words.
If he had no personal relationship with Jiang Heng, he would definitely be afraid to hear these words today.
But now, when he heard Jiang Heng's words, he subconsciously wondered if Jiang Yunyan from his past life had done these things to Jiang Heng.
That's why Jiang Heng hated him.
With this hatred in our hearts, we will retaliate today.
Shen Wenqiu's heart was instantly filled with heartache. He grabbed Jiang Heng's hand and asked, "Were you in pain back then?"
Jiang Heng froze, staring blankly at Shen Wenqiu. He forced a smile and said, "The pain stopped as soon as Qiuqiu asked."
Unable to suppress his inner impulse, Shen Wenqiu suddenly hugged Jiang Heng, gently patting his back as if to comfort him, and said in a low voice, "It's all Jiang Yunyan's fault."
Without hesitation, Jiang Heng hugged Shen Wenqiu tightly, feeling the damp fabric on his shoulder, and said to him, "It's okay, don't cry."
Shen Wenqiu hugged Jiang Heng for a while before calming down and letting go of her.
He acted as if nothing had happened and asked, "Have you been very busy lately?"
Jiang Heng nodded and said, "Yes, I will personally handle all the matters related to the coronation and our wedding."
Mentioning the wedding, Shen Wenqiu blushed and asked, "Shall we return to the palace tonight?"
Jiang Heng smiled and said, "Of course I'll accompany you."
Upon hearing this, Shen Wenqiu became happy and pulled Jiang Heng outside, muttering about many kinds of food, wanting Jiang Heng to stay and taste them.
Jiang Heng didn't find it annoying at all, following behind Shen Wenqiu with a doting smile.
News of what happened in the palace spread throughout the capital that very day.
The following day, the imperial decree granting Shen Wenqiu his official position and bestowing upon him the title of Empress arrived directly at Shen Wenqiu's residence.
The Marquis of Huai'an's residence received the news on the afternoon of the day the imperial edict was announced.
The Marquis of Huai'an returned home with a beaming smile, instructing his servants along the way to prepare a feast to celebrate.
Upon entering the main hall and seeing Aunt Yan's gloomy face, he didn't bother with her and just muttered to himself.
“I knew from the beginning that this boy was destined for great things, and I strongly supported him to become the Ninth Prince’s study companion. Now that he has achieved such great success, I, as his father, deserve some credit for it!” Marquis Huai’an muttered as he passed by Aunt Yan.
"Shameless." Aunt Yan rolled her eyes. At this point, she stopped pretending. She knew that once Shen Wenqiu gained power, he would not let her go. As for that old codger, Marquis of Huai'an, who only cared about fame and fortune, he would not protect her either.
Just as the Marquis of Huai'an was feeling happy, someone suddenly came from outside, saying that someone from the palace had come to deliver an imperial edict.
"It must be a reward! Let's go, let's go!" Marquis Huai'an said, leading Consort Yan out quickly.
To their surprise, when they got outside, they saw Jiang Heng instead.
Standing behind Jiang Heng were several old acquaintances from back then, holding in their hands evidence of what happened back then.
The Marquis of Huai'an had not yet realized what was happening; he was filled with unease and hurriedly knelt down.
Jiang Heng looked coldly at the Marquis of Huai'an and said, "I will not say much about the past; you should already know."
The Marquis of Huai'an froze, then raised his head tremblingly and said, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I do not know..."
Jiang Heng revealed a look of disgust and said coldly, "You raped a good citizen, forcibly took her as a concubine, and then framed her. Later, in order to curry favor with the powerful, you didn't hesitate to send your own son to Prince Rui's mansion."
Marquis Huai'an was surprised that Shen Wenqiu was not on his side as her father, but instead used Jiang Heng's power to pursue the past. He asked tremblingly, "Was it Shen Wenqiu... no, was it the Empress who told you?"
Jiang Heng scoffed and said, "You are not worthy to mention his name. He did not tell me about this matter, nor did he know anything about today's events. I investigated and collected evidence myself, waiting for the day when you will be brought to justice."
Aunt Yan, who was standing to the side, suddenly raised her head, looked at Jiang Heng, and then at Marquis Huai'an.
He knew very well that if even the Marquis of Huai'an was being investigated for his past deeds, how could she, who had bullied Aunt Qin and Shen Wenqiu and their son for many years, be let off the hook?
"Your Majesty, just tell me what punishment you intend to give." Aunt Yan didn't want to waste any more words; she just wanted to hear the result, since it was just death anyway.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Perhaps there's still room for negotiation!" Marquis Huai'an angrily pointed at Consort Yan and rebuked her.
“I certainly didn’t intend to let you go, but…” Jiang Heng paused, revealing a sinister smile, “you two do have room for negotiation.”
Both Aunt Yan and Marquis Huai'an were taken aback, not quite understanding Jiang Heng's meaning.
Later, they were taken to a secret room filled with all sorts of murder weapons.
And they were locked up inside.
Jiang Heng meant that one of them had to die within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Otherwise, the two of them would go to the execution ground together.
Jiang Heng then moved a chair and waited outside.
He didn't care about the outcome in the secret room; he only thought about Shen Wenqiu.
Jiang Heng did not tell Shen Wenqiu what he did today.
He planned to tell him after he returned that he had dealt with the Marquis of Huai'an and avenged him and his mother.
As for how to take revenge, the details are unnecessary to know.
Everything here is so dirty.
Jiang Heng looked up at the clouds in the sky, then lowered his head and began to deal with the tedious tasks on his own.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
The door to the secret room opened, and Aunt Yan, covered in blood, threw away the dagger in her hand and walked out of the secret room step by step.
Jiang Heng turned around and saw the Marquis of Huai'an lying on the cold floor of the secret room, his body riddled with holes, his expression unchanged.
"You can leave now. From this point on, we will not care whether you live or die." Jiang Heng coldly uttered these words before leaving with his men.
Aunt Yan looked up at the blinding light in the sky and smiled.
The day before the Emperor and Empress's wedding.
Inside the Funing Palace.
Aunt Qin... should be called Lady Qin.
When Jiang Heng dealt with everyone in the Marquis of Huai'an's residence that day, he also removed her from the household; she was no longer the Marquis of Huai'an's concubine.
Qin Niangzi was happily dressing Shen Wenqiu in her newly made wedding dress, her eyes glistening with tears of joy.
Looking in the mirror at herself in her red dress, Shen Wenqiu couldn't help but blush with embarrassment.
As his wedding day approached, the shyness in his heart grew stronger day by day, making him blush and lower his head whenever he thought of it.
Seeing Shen Wenqiu like this, Qin Niangzi didn't tease him at all. She simply straightened his new clothes, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
When Jiang Heng entered Funing Palace, this was the scene of harmony and joy he saw.
"Qiuqiu, Madam Qin," Jiang Heng called out.
Qin Niangzi and Shen Wenqiu looked towards the source of the sound at the same time and saw Jiang Heng. Their expressions were different.
Lady Qin was still smiling, but there was a hint of fear of the emperor in her eyes.
Shen Wenqiu was only happy. He and Jiang Heng were too familiar with each other, and now that they were going to get married, there was nothing to be afraid of.
He stepped forward, took Jiang Heng's hand, and asked, "Is it pretty?"
Jiang Heng smiled and nodded, saying, "Qiuqiu looks good in anything."
Shen Wenqiu sensed there was some unspoken meaning, but didn't say it aloud.
He guessed that Jiang Heng must have something else to say, so he asked, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Jiang Heng pulled Shen Wenqiu to sit down, and then gestured for Qin Niangzi to sit down before saying, "I took some time a few days ago to visit the Marquis of Huai'an's residence and settled many old matters. The Marquis of Huai'an is dead, and Aunt Yan was only supposed to be banished from the capital, but she encountered a natural disaster after leaving the capital and was found in a terrible state."
Shen Wenqiu was taken aback. He knew that Jiang Heng had gone to settle scores with the Marquis of Huai'an's mansion, but he didn't know the details, let alone the outcome.
He couldn't help but feel a little emotional, realizing that the cycle of cause and effect is sometimes really hard to predict.
Aunt Yan has committed countless evil deeds. Even if she survives by sheer luck at the last moment, she will still have to pay the price in the future.
Shen Wenqiu then thought of his adopted younger brother and asked, "What about her son?"
When Jiang Heng brought up these matters, his eyes remained unmoved. He calmly said, "I heard that because of the affair between Marquis Huai'an and Concubine Yan, his descendants were not allowed to take the imperial examinations. He went mad at the academy, then lost his footing and tumbled down the mountain. When he was rescued, he was only half alive and struggled for a few days before passing away."
Shen Wenqiu sighed, but tomorrow was his wedding with Jiang Heng, and Jiang Heng had been extremely busy lately. He didn't want to use this almost stolen time of tenderness to talk too much about these people.
So, Shen Wenqiu hugged Jiang Heng, leaned on his shoulder, and said, "Your wedding is coming up soon, are you nervous?"
Jiang Heng turned his head and kissed the top of Shen Wenqiu's head, smiling as he said, "I'm nervous, but also very happy."
Shen Wenqiu smiled and said softly, "I hope time passes quickly, so that we can get to our wedding soon, but I also hope time slows down, so that we can spend our lives together more slowly."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Heng was even more moved. He cupped Shen Wenqiu's face and was about to place a kiss on her.
The two men noticed that Madam Qin was still in the room. They looked over and found her stiff and awkwardly standing there, unsure of where to stand.
Seeing the two looking at him, he didn't even bother to come up with a reason before hurriedly leaving Funing Palace.
Shen Wenqiu blushed deeply, nestled in Jiang Heng's arms, and weakly pounded her chest with both hands, saying, "Mother saw it!"
Jiang Heng smiled and whispered in Shen Wenqiu's ear, "Mother knows perfectly well."
Shen Wenqiu didn't say anything more, but blushed and snuggled into Jiang Heng's arms, hugging his waist tightly.
The next day was the wedding of Shen Wenqiu and Jiang Heng.
Early that morning, Shen Wenqiu, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, arrived at Qingning Palace surrounded by a crowd.
Kneeling on both sides were the officials, while waiting below the steps was Jiang Heng, also dressed in red.
Shen Wenqiu quickened his pace and walked forward, while Jiang Heng also walked towards him step by step.
From a distance, the two reached out their hands to each other.
The moment their fingertips touched, they gripped each other's hands tightly and turned to look up at the steps.
Hand in hand, they climbed the steps, one by one.
The officials knelt at the foot of the steps, shouting "Long live the Emperor and Empress!"
Shen Wenqiu looked into Jiang Heng's eyes.
He doesn't want eternal life; he wants only one person for life.
-The End-
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