The red box was lifted to reveal a stunningly exquisite, fiery red wedding dress inside. The phoenix crown, rosy-xiapei, gold, silver and jade decorations were all present, utterly conforming to the formalities of a grand wedding ceremony.
As he had said, he truly wanted to give her the best of everything.
Ji Xinhe couldn’t help but lightly stroke the wedding dress. Made from the highest quality Suzhou embroidery and delicate satin, it was silky and soft, making her want to hold it close.
Observing her longing, Mu Houchu lightly laughed, "Why don’t you try it on and see if it fits."
Ji Xinhe smiled, not acting shy at all, and nodded, "Okay."
She clutched the clothes and entered the inner room, methodically putting on each part of the intricate yet dazzling wedding dress. Ji Xinhe also picked up her box of rouge, enhancing the natural color on her cheeks and applying it to her lips.
As she looked at the stunningly beautiful bride in the mirror, she felt a bit startled. She felt both like herself and not herself. Her slender body had improved quite a bit from her care in these few months. She had put on weight and no longer looked slender and pale. The yellowish complexion had changed, revealing smooth, fair, and delicate skin underneath.
A beautiful young sixteen-year-old girl donning a wedding dress presented a form of stunning beauty and allure that was indescribable.
In three days, she will be married. She never thought of this happening, even after two lifetimes. It would happen in three days, yet she felt calm and relaxed. It seemed that she had prepared to marry him since her previous life.
Ji Xinhe grinned at herself in the mirror, radiating a beauty that was beyond words.
Outside the inner room, Marquis Mu was waiting. His usually calm emotions were stirring, carrying a hint of anticipation and childish nervousness. Laughing at himself for this minor uneasiness, he still couldn’t suppress the restlessness in his heart.
Finally, the door to the inner room opened.
She stepped out in her robes, each step blooming like a lotus, graceful and stunningly beautiful. Her crimson lips curled into a subtle, playful and provocative smile, "Do I look good?"
Marquis Mu was momentarily startled, gazing at the woman before him, momentarily dazzled.
"Hm?" Ji Xinhe playfully asked, "Do I look good?"
It was then that Mu Houchu came back to his senses, chuckling softly, "You look beautiful."
He didn’t know she could look so beautiful.
Then, swiftly extending his arms, he pulled her into his embrace, resting his chin on her neck, whispering, "My wife is so beautiful, I don’t want you to be seen by anyone else. How nice would it be if we could spend the rest of our lives in this peaceful countryside?"
Ji Xinhe laughed, "That sounds great. If you’re up for it, I will accompany you. But I’m afraid the Prime Minister might have a hard time giving up the wealth and honor of the capital."
At the corner of his lips, Mu Houchu drew a smile filled with helplessness. He gently shook his head, "If it was the past, I indeed wouldn’t want to give it up. There is no need for me to conceal anything from you, and I don’t mind admitting to you, if not for a strong ambitious heart, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today. But now, seeing you standing in front of me in your wedding dress, even if I were to exchange my kingdom for you, it would be worth it." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Ji Xinhe felt warmth in her heart. She wrapped her arms around his solid waist, resting her head against his chest and softly said, "So if I asked you now to exchange your high position for me, would you do it?"
As she said that, she slowly lifted her head, her clear eyes meeting his.
Mu Houchu chuckled lightly, caressing her face, "I would. Having a wife like you is all I could ask for."
He paused and then said, "There are, however, some things with the Imperial Court that are not so simple to extricate myself from. I have some matters left to handle."
Ji Xinhe laughed, "All I wanted was an affectionate word from you, why did you take it so seriously and think so much about it? As long as you think it’s worth it, I think it’s worth getting married. As for whether or not to abandon everything, I don’t mind. Everything you have worked so hard to achieve, I can never bear letting you give it up."
Yet Mu Houchu replied, "But I am serious. Xin He, I do think this way. The days we’ve spent together in this secluded town have been peaceful, and I’ve grown very fond of such tranquillity. I want to be with you, to live with you here in Lian’an Town, and Yangluo Bay, together till the end of our lives. Is that fine?"
Ji Xinhe felt a surge of emotion, her throat suddenly aching. Never before had she been treated with such care and attention. She’d never thought she was worthy of being cherished like this. But now, the man standing before her was willing to give up everything for her, ready to forsake the fame and fortune that he had struggled to accumulate for over a decade. She didn’t know whether she should thank God for giving her a chance to be loved, and to be loved deeply.
Ji Xinhe managed a smile, her eyes turning slightly red and her voice stuck in her throat. Yet, she nodded heavily.
——
Perhaps due to the approaching wedding, Ji Xinhe was too excited to sleep. Having not slept well the previous night, she slept until the sun was high in the sky the next day because no one woke her.
Only when she woke up, did she find that Mu Houchu had already sent Xiao Bei to the academy early and had also opened their shop in the town. He had instructed not to wake her.
Upon waking up that morning and facing Hong Qin’s cheeky glances, Ji Xinhe seemed to have developed thick skin and was perfectly calm.
So what if my future husband spoils me?
Ji Xinhe felt a sweet sensation stirring within her, the corners of her lips almost curving up to the sky.
Suddenly, she heard an irate voice from outside, "Ji Xinhe! You mean person, come out here now!"
Hong Qin turned pale, "It’s Lady Ding’s voice? What’s this woman’s problem? She can’t seem to leave you alone."
Ji Xinhe was not surprised. Yesterday, Ding family’s home was seized, they were taken to the County Government Office. After enduring fifty whips, they had barely survived. Listening to Lady Ding’s powerful voice, it seemed they had not been whipped severely. It was within her expectation that they would come seeking retribution.
To Hong Qin, Ji Xinhe said, "You all carry on with your work. These people just got a flogging and are restless, I’ll go check it out."
With that, she exited the room.
Outside, she saw a line of four people laying straight in the courtyard.
An amusing sight indeed.
Ji Xinhe couldn’t help but giggle, "What are you doing lying in the courtyard? Sunbathing?"
Lady Ding’s face turned pale with rage. But the pain all over her body made it impossible for her to get up. They had to hire a horse carriage to transport them home after being whipped. Otherwise, they would have been left at the county office, where they would’ve starved without anyone caring about them.
"Ji Xinhe, you little mean person! It was you, wasn’t it? Definitely you! You must’ve told me a fake recipe, it was definitely you!" Lady Ding cursed with gritted teeth, almost about to chew her teeth off.
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