Chapter 23 Fortunately—
As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, and finally, as the last rays of sunlight disappeared into the distance, the wedding procession returned to the Duke's mansion.
The place was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the sound of gongs and drums filled the air. The mansion was already packed with guests.
When Shang Ruyi stepped down from the bridal sedan chair and looked up at the bustling mansion, she was momentarily dazed.
This is the Duke's Mansion.
It became her home for the rest of her life.
Suddenly, the bright lights before her blurred, and everything became indistinct through the semi-transparent fan. She seemed to see the light of the mansion faintly transform into a long dragon, soaring straight into the sky!
Just then, another burst of lively gongs and drums rang out, pulling her consciousness back.
It's time to go to the mansion.
Yuwen Ye, who was beside her, had already raised his head and stepped inside. Shang Ruyi followed him into the Duke's mansion.
Inside the mansion, distinguished guests filled the room.
Shang Ruyi's ears were almost filled with the deafening sound of gongs and drums, but when she looked up, she saw two figures sitting in the high seat in front of the main hall.
The tall, dark-skinned man was none other than Duke Sheng, Yuwen Yuan. He had changed into a festive robe and had a jade pendant hanging at his waist. His murderous aura had completely faded, and he looked like a wealthy old man.
Beside him sat a slender figure.
That was his wife, Yuwen Ye's birth mother—Guan Yunmu.
This official's wife was in her early forties, and because she had been bedridden for many years, she looked older than her actual age. Even so, her haggard face and slightly sickly expression could not hide her elegance and poise. She must have been a stunning beauty in her youth.
Upon seeing her, Shang Ruyi's breathing tightened again.
Previously, in the Shen family, she had managed to get past Yuwen Yuan, her future father-in-law. But as everyone knows, the hardest thing for a daughter-in-law to get past is her mother-in-law. Even Madam Yu told her that this official's wife was not often seen and that her temperament and character were still unknown, so she had to be very careful in dealing with her.
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi's steps became even heavier.
However, after looking around, she noticed that someone seemed to be missing from the hall.
Yuwen Qian... seems to be absent.
Did he intentionally avoid it? That's for the best; at least it avoids embarrassment.
Just then, the two of them reached the center of the hall, where cushions were placed in front of them. The emcee stood to the side and shouted, "The newlyweds have arrived! Bow to Heaven and Earth!"
The two turned around and bowed to heaven and earth.
The emcee then called out, "Second bow to the parents!"
The two then turned around and bowed deeply to Duke Sheng and his wife.
"Get up! Get up!"
Yuwen Yuan and his wife Guan Yunmu quickly reached out to help the two up.
Yuwen Yuan was already extremely pleased with the daughter of his old friend. Just as he saw the newlyweds walk in, his second son was tall and handsome, and although his daughter-in-law was holding a fan to cover her face, she could still be seen to be dignified and graceful. Her elegant steps showed the demeanor of a lady from a prominent family, and they were a perfect couple.
Yuwen Yuan smiled smugly and said, "Look at my wonderful son and daughter-in-law, they are a match made in heaven."
Everyone agreed, saying, "Of course."
Yuwen Yuan said smugly, "Fortunately, back then—"
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, but somewhat urgent.
"Father!"
Shang Ruyi subconsciously turned her head and saw Yuwen Ye standing next to her. She wondered if it was just her imagination, but although Yuwen Ye still had a faint smile on his face, his gaze was as cold and stern as when they first met.
The atmosphere in the wedding hall seemed to freeze instantly.
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