Chapter 339 Joy for the Rest of My Life
After handing over the money for road and ancestral hall repairs to the village head, and secretly leaving some money for Xiaoshan's family, Qiuheng and Xuehan rode northwards amidst the villagers' farewells.
When they returned to the capital, it was New Year's Eve.
The Spring Festival couplets, the firecrackers, the smiles on people's faces, the sweet aroma in the air... the festive atmosphere is everywhere.
"Sixth Miss!" The disciple turned and ran, shouting as he ran, "Sixth Miss is back! Sixth Miss is back!"
Upon receiving the news, the old lady strode out, and Master Qiu ran even faster.
"Heng'er, you're back! Waaah, I thought you didn't want your daddy anymore!"
The old lady roared, "It's the New Year! If you cry again, I'll break your legs!"
Master Qiu immediately fell silent, looking pitifully at Qiu Heng.
"Now that you're back, go wash up and rest. We'll have our New Year's Eve dinner tonight," the old lady said gently to Qiu Heng.
It's not that I don't want to act like a grandmother, it's just that I don't dare to.
Fortunately, this girl is getting married.
Because of her departure from the capital, Qiu Heng's wedding date was finally set for April, a month later than Qiu Fu's.
On the day Qiu Fu got married, Xue Quan scolded Xue Han.
"It's so hard to even find a wife, I've really wasted my time raising you."
He had already planned to get married in November, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, there should be good news by then. At the latest, he would be able to hold his grandson by the end of this year.
As a result, one ran away from Beijing, and the other also ran away from Beijing. They didn't return until New Year's Eve, and they still haven't gotten married.
As the wedding date approached, Xue Quan grew increasingly anxious, until the day of the wedding, when he finally felt at ease.
Great, those two idiots didn't cause any trouble at all.
The wedding procession set off from the Marquis of Anping's residence, accompanied by the sounds of gongs and drums, and headed towards the Earl of Yongqing's residence.
In the Yongqing Marquis's mansion, Qiuheng, dressed in a light green wedding gown and wearing a phoenix crown, came before a group of elders to listen to their teachings.
The old lady looked at her granddaughter dressed up in her finest attire and was filled with emotion.
She watched several of her granddaughters get married, and each time the feeling was different.
Her eldest granddaughter, Qiuhe, was forced into the palace, leaving her heartbroken and powerless. Her second granddaughter, Qiuxuan, married her childhood sweetheart, a source of secret joy for her. Her third granddaughter, Qiuyun, married a high-ranking official much older than her as his second wife, a move that angered her with her lack of ambition. Her fourth granddaughter, Qiufu, married a handsome and virtuous scholar from a poor family, a union that left her with mixed feelings of happiness and sorrow.
Now, it's time for my granddaughter Qiuheng to get married.
It must be admitted that this was probably the marriage she was most satisfied with.
The grandson-in-law holds a high position of power and is young and promising; he never hides his affection for his granddaughter.
Put her at ease and make her proud.
She's just that kind of vulgar old lady.
"Heng'er, you are the one your grandmother trusts the most. Just keep that attitude once you get to the Marquis's residence."
They let others suffer losses and humiliation, while keeping the good fortune and glory for themselves.
"Heng'er—" Uncle Yongqing wanted to say a few words, but when he met his granddaughter's indifferent gaze, he smiled awkwardly, "Keep it up, keep it up."
Let's forget about grandfather's airs and get rid of this big shot as soon as possible.
"Heng'er, you must come back to see your father often." Master Qiu cried again.
On this joyous day, the old lady held back from scolding her son: "Heng'er is going out, Third Brother, you should say a few words."
Master Qiu wiped away his tears and recited the words he had memorized for a long time: "Be cautious and respectful, and never disobey your parents-in-law's orders day and night."
What utter nonsense! No wonder it took him so long to memorize it.
Next, the bride's mother should have spoken, but since Master Qiu had not remarried since his first wife passed away, the old lady spoke instead.
The old lady personally straightened Qiuheng's collar and said in a deep voice, "Be diligent and respectful, and never violate the etiquette of a young lady."
Qiu Heng kowtowed in response, took the round fan handed over by Master Qiu, and walked outside with Qiu Ying's help.
With tears welling in his eyes, Master Qiu muttered softly, "Heng'er wouldn't have taken those words seriously, would she?"
The old lady rolled her eyes in exasperation: "Don't worry, Heng'er won't take it seriously even if you do. Besides, she doesn't have a mother-in-law."
Master Qiu immediately laughed: "That's right, Heng'er doesn't have a mother-in-law."
The two sisters-in-law, Zhao and Lan, exchanged a glance, their expressions unusually speechless.
Xue Han, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, waited in the front hall. He was stunned for a long time when he saw Qiu Heng covering her face with a fan. He only came to his senses amidst the laughter. His fair cheeks turned even redder than his wedding gown.
He finally married Aheng.
The wedding procession stretched for miles, with red bridal decorations and seemingly endless lines of people eager to watch.
In a restaurant facing the street, Lingyun sat by the window, watching the bridal sedan chair carrying the bride disappear into the distance. He raised his wine glass in a toast from afar and drank it all in one gulp.
Ah Heng kept her word and didn't invite him to her wedding. So here's wishing Ah Heng a lifetime of joy and all the best.
The Marquis of Anping's residence was brightly decorated and filled with a joyous atmosphere.
The newlyweds bowed to their ancestors and then to their maternal grandparents and uncles in front of the incense table in the central hall.
"The bride pays respects to her maternal uncle—"
Xue Quanqiang suppressed the upward curve of his lips and adopted a solemn expression: "Rise."
After the ceremony ended, Xue Quan felt a little regretful.
I should have married a wife, so that my new daughter-in-law wouldn't have a "aunt" to worship.
Noticing Xue Quan's regretful expression, Xue Han's lips twitched slightly. If it weren't for this occasion, he would have liked to tell his adoptive father that there was no need to prepare so thoroughly.
Afterwards, Qiu Heng was sent to the bridal chamber, while Xue Han, accompanied by Hu Si and other young people, toasted the guests at the wedding banquet.
There were so many people attending the banquet that the tables stretched from the main hall to the courtyard. Xue Han didn't miss a single table and walked out.
Three people sat around a long table in the courtyard: Tao Da, Liu Er, and Chen San. Nie San Niang had also arrived and was with the female guests.
"I never expected to be able to attend Sixth Sister's wedding banquet." Chen San clinked glasses with Tao Da and Liu Er.
Xue Han came over to offer a toast.
"Thank you to my three brothers for coming to my and Ah Heng's wedding."
Tao Da cupped his hands in greeting: "Congratulations, Your Excellency."
Chen San said with a smile, "My lord, you must treat our sixth young lady well."
If they betray the Sixth Miss, and she decides to kill the unfaithful man, they will help her.
Xue Han smiled slightly: "Brother Chen, rest assured, I will be good to Aheng for the rest of my life."
As Xue Han walked toward the other guests, Chen San lowered his voice and said, "This Marquis is quite humble."
Tao laughed: "That's because of the Sixth Miss."
"That's even better, it proves that the Sixth Miss didn't marry the wrong person."
"Yes, that's wonderful. It hasn't been easy for Sixth Sister." Tao Da raised his glass to Liu Er and Chen San.
Finally, the banquet ended and the guests left. Xue Han couldn't contain his excitement and rushed to the bridal chamber. When he saw Qiu Heng sitting on the bridal bed with her face covered by a fan, he couldn't help but tear up.
The man standing nearby, Quanfu, was utterly astonished.
This young and powerful marquis actually cried.
The female companions and maids in the room laughed at this.
Xue Han didn't feel embarrassed at all, and didn't even notice that there were other people around. He looked at Qiu Heng and asked softly, "Aheng, are you tired of holding the fan?"
Seeing that the bride was about to move the fan away, the man with the best fortune quickly said, "Groom, please recite the poem about removing the fan!"
Xue Han then remembered that there was this ceremony.
Qiu Heng silently held up her round fan.
Xue Han finished reciting the poem he had prepared in advance and watched Qiu Heng slowly move the round fan away.
Even though they were so familiar with each other, even though they had spent every day together, at this moment he could still hear his own heart pounding like thunder, so fast it felt like it was about to leap out of his chest.
The wine he drank instantly turned into a heat wave, making his cheeks flush red.
Upon seeing this, Quanfu quickly presided over the wedding ceremony, scattering red dates, peanuts, longans, and other items onto the bed curtains before leading his entourage out of the bridal chamber.
Xue Han sat next to Qiu Heng.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Qiu Heng turned her head to look at him.
"Something seems unreal, like a dream. The moment I open my mouth, the dream ends," Xue Han said softly.
Just like the dream he had many times.
It was a beautiful dream, and a nightmare. When I woke up, I was filled with confusion and anxiety.
He never told Aheng that he was constantly plagued by anxiety and uncertainty. He was afraid that Aheng's promise of a two-year period was just to appease him, and that he would ultimately not be able to marry Aheng.
If he couldn't stay with Ah Heng forever, he didn't know how he would spend the rest of his life.
Qiu Heng raised her head slightly, her eyes reflecting the other person's image.
"Xue Han, this is not a dream. No moment has been more real than this."
Those burdens, those shackles, have all been lifted. From now on, she will live a life that truly belongs to her, a life she will spend with Xue Han.
Xue Han hugged Qiu Heng tightly, finally regaining his confidence.
It wasn't a dream; it was the woman he could reach, the little girl who gave him red bean cakes when he was at his weakest and most vulnerable, and the wife with whom he would grow old together.
Red candles burned brightly, filling the room with fragrance, and the brocade curtains were gently lowered.
(End of article)
(End of this chapter)
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