Chapter 924 The Grand Wedding (Part 2)
"Is that your son-in-law?"
The bride suddenly stood up, and the veil in Madam Sun's hand suddenly fell off.
Madam Sun composed herself and said to Gu Jinyu, "Miss Gu, please sit down. The young master shouldn't be here so soon, right? The auspicious time hasn't arrived yet."
Realizing her lapse in composure, Gu Jinyu slowly sat back down in her chair and said, "Chunliu, go and take a look."
"Yes, Miss." Chunliu turned and left.
She returned quickly, her face pale, clutching her handkerchief tightly, head bowed and silent.
Gu Jinyu's movement just now messed up the phoenix crown, and Madam Sun is putting it back on for her.
She glanced at Chunliu and asked, "What's wrong? Just say it, don't beat around the bush."
The sounds of gongs and drums grew louder and louder. Chunliu whispered a report, but it was quickly drowned out by the noise outside.
Gu Jinyu reminded herself that today was her wedding day, and she should be happy and not angry.
“Speak louder,” she said to Chunliu.
Chunliu braced herself and raised her voice slightly to repeat, "It's not Third Master Quan from outside... it's... it's Young Marquis Zhaodu."
Indeed, a son-in-law did arrive, but it wasn't the second son-in-law; it was the eldest son-in-law.
Gu Jinyu clenched her fingers tightly.
There's still at least an hour before departure. Did Xiao Heng make a mistake?
They couldn't have come so early on purpose, being silly.
They've already been husband and wife in the countryside, is it necessary to act like they've never been married?
"Miss Gu, please don't move." Madam Sun's warning came a step too late. Gu Jinyu trembled with anger as her phoenix crown caught on her hair, causing her to gasp in pain.
Lady Sun had been a perfect woman for so many years and had never encountered such a situation before. Although it was not serious, it was still not a good omen.
She naturally didn't dare say it aloud, but smiled and said to Gu Jinyu, "Your hair is loose, let me comb it again for you, Miss Gu."
Gu Jinyu knew that she had lost her temper and couldn't blame the perfect woman. She took a deep breath to suppress her anger and said to Chunliu in a normal tone, "By the way, didn't you go to call my father just now? He hasn't gotten up yet?"
Chunliu dared not tell him that the Marquis had already been captured by the old Marquis.
"Go and urge Father on his way, I'm almost done here," Gu Jinyu said, gazing at the stunning beauty in the bronze mirror.
Chunliu hesitated for a moment, but still braced herself and confessed: "...The old Marquis and the Marquis have both left the manor, and the heir, the young master, and the two young masters have also gone out."
"What?!" Gu Jinyu's expression changed!
This time, Madam Sun reacted very quickly and stopped in time, avoiding getting her hair caught.
"Where did they go?" Gu Jinyu asked coldly.
Chunliu lowered her head and said in a voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz, "The old woman guarding the gate said that the old Marquis and the others... went to the Duke's mansion."
Enraged, Gu Jinyu ripped off her phoenix crown and slammed it onto the dressing table!
The people inside the room were so frightened that they didn't dare to utter a sound.
Madam Sun suddenly regretted taking on this job. She had been very lucky all her life, sending off so many brides, but this was the first time she had encountered something like this.
All the sons in the family went to attend the eldest daughter's wedding, showing no mercy to the second daughter at all.
She couldn't interfere in other people's family affairs, so she could only put on a smile, take the phoenix crown, and say to Gu Jinyu, "Don't be angry. Today is your wedding day, so you should be happy. You're about to marry into your husband's family."
At that time, there will be no need to have too much contact with the bride's family.
She swallowed the last sentence.
“You’re right. Once I’m married, I’ll have nothing to do with the Marquis of Ding’an’s mansion anymore.” Since she had already made a fool of herself in front of Madam Sun, she might as well be more nonchalant and save some face for herself. “After the wedding, I will leave the capital and go to my fiefdom with Third Master. Third Master is the Marquis of Changping’s most beloved son, so I’m sure my life won’t be too bad.”
Even with Madam Gu's trusted confidante, Granny Zhang, still inside the room, she dared to speak like that, which shows she was deliberately trying to spite her.
Granny Zhang smiled but didn't say anything.
"Madam Sun, am I beautiful?" Gu Jinyu looked at herself in the bronze mirror.
Madam Sun said, "Beautiful, of course it's beautiful."
Gu Jinyu then asked, "How does it compare to my sister?"
Madam Sun was taken aback.
To be honest, she had met that young lady before. Last month, when she went to Miaoshoutang to get medicine, she overheard a servant calling her "young lady." After inquiring, she learned that she was the rumored adopted daughter of the Duke of Anguo.
She is also the true daughter of the Marquis of Ding'an.
She shook her head and smiled, saying sincerely, "Second Miss, your beauty far surpasses that of the Eldest Miss."
Gu Jinyu touched her flawless face and said calmly, "No matter how much she tries to please her grandfather and brothers, she is still just an ugly duckling."
Madam Sun disagreed with this.
The young lady's appearance was flawed, but it wouldn't be accurate to say she was ugly. She possessed a unique, aloof, and detached air about her.
...
At the Duke's mansion, Gu Jiao was ready to depart.
According to the customs of Zhao Kingdom, Gu Yan and the others could have blocked Xiao Heng's door, but Xiao Heng had already bribed his brothers-in-law.
The problem facing them now is not preventing the groom from taking the bride away, but rather who will carry the bride onto the bridal sedan chair.
Inside the flower hall, Gu Changqing and several others engaged in a very heated debate.
“I’m the eldest brother, so of course I should carry him,” Gu Changqing said without hesitation.
Unexpectedly, his proposal was opposed by everyone, including Gu Yan.
—Except for Gu Chenglin.
In the past, Gu Yan would not have competed with him for it, but since it concerned his sister, Gu Yan actually joined the competition.
"She and I are twins! We're the closest! I'll carry her on my back!"
Gu Xiaoshun, who is usually the most unassuming and easygoing person, was not to be outdone today: "My sister and I grew up together! It's my duty to carry my sister to the bridal sedan chair!"
Gu Changqing, Gu Chengfeng, and Gu Yan turned to look at him and said in unison, "You've memorized it once already, haven't you!"
In the countryside!
Gu Xiaoshun touched the bridge of his nose: "N-nothing..."
Gu Chenglin opened his mouth: "That..."
The other four: "Shut up!"
Gu Chenglin shut his mouth, looking aggrieved.
As the brothers argued heatedly, Gu Changqing suddenly sensed something was amiss. He looked around and found that only the expressionless Lord Gu remained on the chair in the flower hall, while his grandfather, who should have been waiting with Lord Gu in the flower hall, was nowhere to be found.
"Where is Grandfather?" he asked Gu Chenglin.
They were arguing so fiercely, but Gu Chenglin was the only one who didn't join them.
Gu Chenglin said, "Grandfather went out. I think he went in the direction of the courtyard you mentioned."
Gu Chengfeng also looked at him: "Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Gu Chenglin pouted: "What I wanted to say, you all told me to shut up."
Gu Changqing and Gu Chengfeng exchanged a glance, their hearts skipping a beat. Their grandfather had gone to carry their younger sister on his back!
"How could I forget that Grandfather is that girl's 'sworn brother'..." Gu Chengfeng gritted his teeth, "That's going too far, Grandfather!"
Gu Changqing flashed out!
"Hey! Wait for me!"
Gu Chengfeng followed closely behind!
Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun quickly followed after them.
Gu Chenglin glanced at them, then at his father who was still lost in thought, and stretched out his hand towards the door: "...Wait for me!"
The group of brothers pulled and tugged at each other, each trying desperately to leave the other behind. When they arrived at the courtyard where Gu Jiao was to be married, they were quite surprised to see their grandfather's back.
Huh?
Why didn't you go in?
"Grandfather, what are you daydreaming about?" Gu Chengfeng stepped forward, asking as he followed his grandfather's gaze into the courtyard. Then, he too was stunned.
On the path draped with red silk, Duke Anguo sat quietly in his wheelchair, facing the direction of Gu Jiao's boudoir.
Everyone around him watched him nervously, with Xuan Yuanqi and Liao Chen staring at him intently.
People outside the courtyard couldn't see his expression, but they could feel the immense strength he was exerting.
He braced himself on the armrests of the wheelchair with both hands and slowly stood up.
It was clear that he had exerted tremendous effort, but even so he did not immediately sit back down. Instead, he stubbornly took a step forward.
Then, two steps, three steps...
He nearly fell while going up the steps, which startled Manager Zheng so much that he gasped.
Both Xuanyuan Qi and Liao Chen twitched their fingers.
He raised his hand to indicate to everyone that he was alright and didn't need to come over.
After regaining his balance, he took steps that were ten times more difficult than those of an ordinary person and slowly climbed the steps.
When she saw him appear at the door of her boudoir, Yao was so shocked that she couldn't speak.
Gu Jiao heard slow but firm footsteps. She blinked under her veil, and a slender hand reached out to her: "Jiao Jiao, your father is sending you off to your wedding."
...
In the Xuanyuan family, there is a custom of the father carrying his daughter on his back when she gets married. When Xuanyuan Zi married Anguo Gong, who was then the Prince of Jing, it was Xuanyuan Li who carried her onto the bridal sedan chair.
He had promised Azi that one day he would personally carry their daughter onto the bridal sedan chair and hand her over to a man she could entrust her life to.
Three years in a vegetative state tormented him to the point of being unrecognizable. He managed to recover somewhat, but he still couldn't compare to a normal person.
His legs were sore and weak that he could barely support himself, let alone carry someone on his back.
However, although he walked very slowly, he walked very steadily.
He can fall countless times when he's alone, but when he's carrying his daughter, he can't fall even once.
Gu Jiao lay on his thin back and could clearly feel the muscles in his body straining, his legs trembling slightly with every step he took.
His journey was difficult.
He was already covered in sweat after just a few steps.
"How about we..." Gu Chengfeng couldn't bear to watch any longer and wanted to step forward to help, but Gu Changqing pulled him back.
Gu Changqing shook his head slightly at him.
Gu Chengfeng sighed, "Alright."
Duke Anguo carried Gu Jiao to the gate.
Xiao Heng and Xiao Jingkong were surprised to see that it was he who carried the bride out.
Xiao Jingkong even forgot to say "bababa".
With Gu Jiao on his back, Duke Anguo solemnly instructed Xiao Heng: "From today onwards, I entrust my daughter to you. Do not let her suffer any grievances, nor let her shed a single tear."
Xiao Heng solemnly agreed: "I promise you, Father."
Although he is my godfather, he is more like my biological father and deserves to be called my father.
Duke Anguo escorted Gu Jiao to the bridal sedan chair carried by eight men.
Black Wind King accompanied them.
Today is Gu Jiao's big day, and it is wearing a big red flower.
Inside the mansion, Madam Yao, holding Gu Xiaobao's hand, watched from afar as Gu Jiao left in a bridal sedan chair, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.
Liao Chen, Xuan Yuanqi, the old Marquis, and Gu Changqing all came to the main gate to personally see Gu Jiao off.
After greeting everyone, Xiao Heng mounted his horse.
Little Jingkong hadn't quite mastered his children's saddle yet, and couldn't unfasten the buckle, so he could only sit on the horse and wave to everyone: "I'm leaving! Goodbye, Godfather! Goodbye, Great-Uncle! Goodbye, Master! Goodbye, Big Brother! Goodbye, Brother Chengfeng! Goodbye, Brother Yan! Goodbye, Brother Xiaoshun! Goodbye, Brother Chenglin! Goodbye, Brother Yan's Grandfather!"
Saying goodbye to so many people, my little hands are so tired from waving.
Everyone: Hurry up and leave, little guy, your horse is almost blinding you!
Horse King strode away with light, triumphant steps.
It hopped and skipped over to the Black Wind King.
Black Wind King, wearing a big red flower on his head, looked disgusted: Stay away from me.
The sounds of gongs and drums faded into the distance, and the long street, after the commotion, became unusually quiet.
Gu Chengfeng gave a few instructions to the guard beside him, and the guard understood and went to the Marquis of Ding'an's residence to bring over a spacious carriage.
He walked down the steps to the carriage. Not hearing any movement behind him, he turned around and glanced at the crowd: "Hey? What are you all standing there for?"
"What are you doing?" Gu Yan asked him.
He grabbed the reins, inspecting the two horses pulling the carriage as he said, "It's a joyous occasion, don't you think? Of course we're going to the Marquis of Xuanping's residence for the wedding banquet! There's no rule saying the bride's family can't attend! If you don't want to go, that's fine, I won't force you. Don't wait for me to come back tonight, I won't get drunk—"
Before he could finish saying "return," he sensed something was wrong and quickly turned his head away!
Everyone got into the carriage!
Even Gu Xiaobao sat obediently on Gu Yan's lap.
He stared in disbelief: "Seriously? At least leave me a seat—"
...
They walked for a full hour before the Quan family's wedding procession finally arrived.
Gu Jinyu was carried onto the bridal sedan chair by the matchmaker.
The person welcoming the bride was a man dressed in a dark blue brocade robe. He smiled gently and said, "I am the second brother, and I have come to welcome the bride on behalf of my third brother."
Chunliu, standing beside the bridal sedan chair, couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't the Third Young Master come in person?"
The man smiled and explained to Gu Jinyu in the bridal sedan chair, "My third brother injured his foot last night, please forgive him, sister-in-law."
Gu Jinyu clenched the handkerchief tightly and said in a normal tone, "I understand, thank you for your trouble, Second Brother."
On a street, two brides are getting married.
In fact, the wedding procession of the Marquis of Changping was quite lively, with over a hundred people, but it paled in comparison to the grandeur of Gu Jiao's wedding.
The Ghost-Faced Army, the Black Wind Riders, the Shadow Division, and the Gu Family Army marched in a grand procession, escorting the bridal sedan chair down the long street.
Those in the know say it's a marriage alliance between two countries, while those who don't might mistake it for a military parade.
Xiao Jingkong woke up too early and was drowsy on the way back to the Marquis's residence.
The adorable little groom sat on his little saddle, sometimes pecking at rice like a chick, sometimes sprawling out on his back, drooling all over, making the people along the way laugh.
The future war god's indescribable sleeping posture was thus witnessed by the entire city, adding another undeniable dark chapter to his history.
Xiao Heng glanced at the little guy with amusement, picked him up, and placed him on Gu Jiao's bridal sedan chair.
He was fast asleep and completely missed the wedding ceremony.
Upon arriving at the residence, the maid carried Xiao Jingkong away.
Xiao Heng took Gu Jiao's hand and helped her down from the bridal sedan chair.
The matchmaker handed over a red silk ribbon, giving one end to each of the newlyweds.
The two entered the mansion holding red silk ribbons.
The sound of firecrackers filled the entire street.
The mansion was bustling with noise.
Xiao Heng whispered to her, "Don't be nervous."
Gu Jiao: "Mm."
The matchmaker reminded her, "Please have the bride step over the fire basin."
Gu Jiao stepped over it with ease.
The matchmaker smiled and said, "Please, bride, step on the tiles."
Gu Jiao asked Xiao Heng in a low voice, "Should we crush it or not?"
The matchmaker heard this and said with a smile, "Crush it. The finer the better."
The last sentence was a slip of the tongue; actually, it's enough that it was just a blurt.
As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Jiao stomped down on the tile, turning it into dust.
Xipo: "..."
Xiao Heng: "..."
The two entered Mingguang Hall.
Marquis Xuanping and Princess Xinyang sat in the main seats.
Today is his son's wedding day, and Marquis Xuanping has unusually refrained from causing trouble, sitting quietly from morning till now.
Xiao Heng and Gu Jiao stepped across the threshold and walked in.
Matchmaker: "First bow to Heaven and Earth—"
Xiao Heng and Gu Jiao turned around in unison and bowed towards the door.
Matchmaker: "Second bow to the parents—"
The two turned around again and bowed to the Marquis of Xuanping and Princess Xinyang seated on the throne.
Princess Xinyang's eyes glistened with tears.
Marquis Xuanping did not look at her, but simply gently took her hand.
There is absolutely no ambiguity involved.
Princess Xinyang felt even more like crying, and she didn't understand why.
Matchmaker: "Husband and wife bow to each other—"
Xiao Heng and Gu Jiao faced each other.
Without many words or vows, the two gazed deeply into each other's eyes through their bright red veils.
Four years have passed, and we've finally waited for this moment.
The two bowed deeply to each other.
Thank you for marrying me.
Thank you for marrying me.
Please take care of me for the rest of my life.
Princess Xinyang's tears finally fell with a soft thud.
Marquis Xuanping tightened his grip on her hand.
The matchmaker raised her handkerchief, beaming, and said, "Lead them to the bridal chamber—"
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com