Chapter 121 Shen Jiao's Wedding
As soon as these words came out, the air around them seemed to freeze.
The rustling of leaves in the wind and the faint chirping of insects in the distance disappeared at this moment.
Guyu was so frightened that he held his breath. He looked at Shen He, whose face was calm but every word he said was shocking, and then at Xue Minglan, whose face turned pale in an instant. He didn't dare to breathe.
The astonishment on Xue Minglan's face quickly faded, like the solid ice revealed after the tide receded. A thick layer of frost covered his eyes again, making him feel cold.
He looked at Chen He coldly, with a hint of sarcasm at the corner of his lips. That arc contained strong self-mockery, as well as a hint of anger and shame after being completely seen through.
"Chen He."
He pronounced her name word by word, his voice low and hoarse, as if squeezed out from between his teeth, and every syllable was tempered with ice.
"Are you pitying me now?"
Shen He met his icy cold gaze without flinching, her eyes clear and firm.
Xue Minglan let out a short, suppressed chuckle, which was filled with offended sarcasm and almost uncontrollable anger.
He suddenly shook her hand off with such force that Shen He stumbled for a moment before she could regain her balance.
He took a step back, instantly putting distance between himself and her, as if she was something that would burn him.
"It's not that I won't tell you."
He stared at her intently, his eyes were extremely complicated, with pain, resentment, unwillingness, but more of a deep disappointment and desolation that could be seen to the bone.
"But you, Chen He, have never heard me say a word!"
His voice suddenly rose, carrying long-suppressed anger and grievances, howling like a wounded lone wolf.
"In your eyes, in your heart, from beginning to end, there is only one Xiao Jingren!"
"When have you ever...when have you ever truly looked at someone else?!"
Xue Minglan's roar echoed in the silent night, carrying with it the sorrow and despair of a lone wolf. Every word he uttered was like a heavy hammer, hammering down on Shen He's heart.
The air around him seemed to be torn apart by this extreme grief and anger.
Guyu was so frightened that his face turned pale. He huddled to the side and even forgot to breathe.
Chen He looked at him quietly, at his red eyes, and at his body trembling slightly due to extreme emotions.
After a long time, in Xue Minglan's almost fiery gaze, she said something softly but very clearly.
"sorry."
These three words are as light as a feather, yet as heavy as a thousand pounds.
The anger and grief on Xue Minglan's face seemed to have been paused, and they froze in an instant.
He suddenly opened his eyes wide, and his bloodshot eyes clearly reflected Shen He's calm but serious face.
For the first time, that handsome face that always showed paranoia and cruelty revealed complete, unbelievable... shock.
"What did you say?"
His voice was dry and hoarse, as if he couldn't believe his ears.
Shen He did not repeat.
She just looked at him, her eyes frank and clear, with a hint of guilt that she herself was not aware of.
That was her apology to Xue Minglan in her previous life, who had also secretly sacrificed for her but was completely ignored by her.
Xue Minglan's Adam's apple rolled violently, and his fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force.
He seemed to want to say something, to question, to mock, but in the end, all the words were stuck in his throat, turning into a complex and indescribable silence.
He never thought that one day he would hear these three words from Shen He's mouth.
Especially after his outburst.
A hint of paleness gradually appeared in the eastern sky.
The dawn light dispelled the chill of the night and reminded them that time was running out.
The bloodshot in Xue Minglan's eyes was still obvious, but the madness that almost devoured people had quietly receded a little, leaving only deep fatigue and a trace of confusion.
He took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress the emotions surging in his chest.
"It's almost dawn." His voice was still low, but less sharp than before. "I should go."
Shen He nodded.
Xue Minglan's gaze fell back on her, and that stubbornness surfaced again: "Down there...what on earth did you see?"
Even at this moment, what he cared about most was still the secret in the stone chamber.
Shen He met his gaze.
This time, she didn't evade the question or give a direct answer.
Her eyes were calm, yet held a hint of indescribable depth, like a silent agreement, or a hint that only the two of them understood.
That look was both soothing and firm, as if to say, "We'll discuss this later. I know what to do."
Xue Minglan looked at her steadily, seeing the unmistakable message in her eyes.
After a few breaths, his tense jawline seemed to relax slightly.
He understood.
Some things are not the time to ask.
This woman seems really different.
He said nothing, but just looked at her deeply, then turned around abruptly. In a few rises and falls, his tall figure disappeared in the dim light before dawn, as if he had never appeared.
The days passed quickly, and soon it was the day for Chen Jiao to get married.
On this day, before dawn, the door of Jingsi Garden, which had not been opened to outsiders for a long time, was pushed open from the outside.
Chen He's aunt, Chen Liqin, dressed in a simple yet classy brocade dress, walked in, surrounded by several maids.
"He'er," Chen Liqin's voice was emotionless, as dignified and steady as ever, "Come out."
"Today is your sister's wedding day. Although you are still reflecting on your past, the Queen Mother has granted you permission to attend the ceremony."
Chen He stood up quietly and let Guyu do her simple makeup and change into a simple light green dress.
She was not wearing any jewelry or ornaments, and her face was plain, but it was hard to hide her elegant and refined appearance.
The grandeur of the wedding was even greater than anything Shen He had seen in his previous life.
The ten-mile red wedding dress stretched from the Shen Mansion all the way to the Third Prince's Mansion. The sound of drums and music and firecrackers almost shook half of the capital.
The child in Chen Jiao's belly is the "child of destiny", and the auspicious news of the arrival of the "heir of God" has already spread throughout the streets and alleys.
Countless people poured into the streets, vying to witness this once-in-a-century spectacle, and surrounded the wedding procession.
Everyone's face was filled with excitement and curiosity, as if being able to witness this marriage with their own eyes would bring them a sense of good fortune.
Chen He sat in the viewing booth in a remote corner, watching all this with cold eyes.
Looking at Chen Jiao wearing a phoenix crown and bridal robe, supported by Shan Zhuyu, she walked out with a beaming face, accepting everyone's envy and blessings.
The hatred from her previous life, like a lurking poisonous snake, caused a dull pain in her heart.
The auspicious time is approaching.
Suddenly, there was a commotion among the crowd.
"His Royal Highness is here!"
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has come in person to congratulate you!"
Everyone craned their necks to look.
I saw Crown Prince Xiao Jingyu, dressed in bright yellow crown prince's uniform, walking slowly under the protection of the guards.
In his hand, he held a bright yellow imperial edict.
However, the handsome face of the prince, which was always known for its gentleness and generosity, was now so gloomy that it seemed like water could drip out of it. His eyes swept over the joyous people in the Shen Mansion with a barely perceptible coldness.
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