Wedding dress funeral
"Yes, it's still the mourning period for the Princess. No one is allowed to hold a funeral or mourn at the grave." Tang Feng sat on the bed, appearing very calm, and said softly, "Liu Liu is the child I raised myself. If I can't even die in peace, then I've failed as her brother. Zi Liang, I'm sorry. The wedding will proceed as planned tomorrow. I will attend Liu Liu's funeral." Zhou Zi Liang noticed the dark circles under Tang Feng's eyes and his pale lips, and got up to pour him a glass of water. "Even if you have to attend the funeral, you must take care of yourself. Liu Liu won't be happy if you're like this." Tang Feng held the teacup and forced a smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine, really." "Really..." Tang Feng didn't know if he was saying this to Zhou Ziliang or to himself. Although he had slept last night, it was a hazy, half-awake sleep. His head was throbbing badly, and seeing Zhou Ziliang's worry, he tugged at Zhou Ziliang's sleeve, saying, "Liu Liu can't be buried in the city, and outside the city..." "Don't worry about it anymore. I'll take care of all that. You should rest. You were having nightmares all night," Zhou Ziliang said, helping Tang Feng lie down. "Didn't you say you were getting married tomorrow? There are so many formalities tomorrow, don't overwork yourself. Rest well today, leave everything else to me!"
Although Zhou Ziliang said so, and Tang Feng agreed, he couldn't fall asleep in bed. Listening to the firecrackers outside, he kept remembering watching Qin Liuliu set off firecrackers in Shanghan. Tang Feng lay on his side, curled up in the blankets. Though his face appeared calm, his mind was racing. "Hiss..." Tang Feng pressed his chest, which suddenly ached, and couldn't help but frown. He only frowned briefly before forgetting about it. More than the pain, he felt self-reproach. Tang Feng knew that the one who killed Qin Liuliu yesterday was the Sixteen Riders of Yanshan who had been chasing him in Yanyun. In other words, he had indirectly caused Qin Liuliu's death, or perhaps Qin Liuliu had become his scapegoat. Zhou Ziliang brought a bowl of porridge from the kitchen, which Qin Jiujiu had just cooked. Qin Jiujiu looked at Zhou Ziliang with red eyes and said softly, "You must keep a close eye on Xiaofeng. Make sure nothing goes wrong. Liuliu is gone; Xiaofeng can't be harmed too." Zhou Ziliang held the porridge, looked at Qin Jiujiu, and nodded. "Don't worry, Miss Jiu, I won't let anything happen to Xiaofeng."
Zhou Ziliang returned to the room, assuming Tang Feng was asleep, and deliberately walked quietly. However, he found Tang Feng curled up in bed, clutching his blanket. "Xiao Feng?" Zhou Ziliang went over and patted Tang Feng. "Xiao Feng, get up and eat something!" "No, I have no appetite." Hearing this, Zhou Ziliang helped Tang Feng sit up and placed a pillow behind him. "If you want things to go smoothly tomorrow, eat properly. Otherwise, I'll break the contract." Hearing that Zhou Ziliang was going to break the contract, Tang Feng tried to grab the porridge from Zhou Ziliang's hand, but Zhou Ziliang dodged him. "I'll feed you. You haven't eaten a single bite since last night. If you eat too quickly, you'll feel uncomfortable." Zhou Ziliang scooped a spoonful of porridge, blew on it, and fed it to Tang Feng. Tang Feng ate some, but when it came to the third spoonful, he absolutely refused to open his mouth. "I won't eat anymore, really, I have no appetite... cough..." Seeing Tang Feng suddenly cough, Zhou Ziliang quickly patted his back. "Why are you coughing again? Did you choke just now?"
Tang Feng shook his head. "It's probably from being cold yesterday." Xiling had snowed all night, and the snow on the ground was already ankle-deep. Tang Feng lay on the bed, holding Zhou Ziliang's hand, and suddenly blurted out, "It's so lively outside!" Zhou Ziliang leaned down and gently kissed Tang Feng's forehead, saying softly, "Tomorrow we'll walk down the liveliest street, okay?"
The next day, the first day of the Lunar New Year, the wedding between the Tang and Zhou families proceeded as scheduled. Tang Feng sat in front of the dressing table, letting Qin Jiujiu style his hair and dress him up. Tang Feng had been feeling drowsy for the past two days, and whenever he closed his eyes, he would see Qin Liuliu, making it difficult for him to sleep at night. At this moment, his temples were throbbing, and the dull pain in his chest was even stronger than yesterday. Qin Jiujiu looked at Tang Feng's pale face and felt a pang of pain in her heart. Everyone was looking forward to this day, but fate had been unkind, causing the wedding to coincide with a funeral. It was a cruel twist of fate. Qin Jiujiu took the cinnabar from Liu Yiwan and applied it to Tang Feng's forehead with a brush. She then said, "Xiao Feng, today is your wedding day... Cheer up. Liu Liu wouldn't want you like this, right?" Tang Feng forced a stiff smile. "Sister, don't worry, I'm fine. Ziliang will come to marry me soon... How could I not be happy?" Since Qin Liuliu's death, Tang Feng hadn't cried or made a scene. Everyone was afraid he'd bottling it all up, but Tang Feng remained clear-headed and showed no intention of venting his emotions. Liu Yiwan, calculating the time and listening to the commotion outside, said to Tang Feng, "Young Master... It's time for the ancestral worship ceremony. Let me help you up." Tang Feng pushed away Liu Yiwan's hand, then slowly rose, supporting himself on the table. "Today is different. I want to walk to Ziliang's side myself. Don't help me... cough... don't help me." Tang Feng knelt down at the doorway, taking the cinnabar from Liu Yiwan. The incense sticks were lit, and the prayer slip read, "Today I marry, I dare not presume to do so. Through the four seasons and eight festivals, I offer incense continuously, informing the gods, hoping for their mercy. Our love is mutual, a natural consequence, may there be good fortune... cough... may there be celebration, may we both be blessed, free from calamity and hardship, and live a long and happy life, like fish in water... cough cough... sweeter than honey." Having said this, Tang Feng bowed deeply. Seeing that Tang Feng was struggling to rise, Liu Yiwan quickly went over to help him up before letting go. Tang Feng turned to look at the worried-looking Master Tang standing outside the door, and heard... The matchmaker said, "Farewell to your parents, kneel! Tang's son is marrying today. May he find happiness in his new home. The young master is ready, awaiting his beloved to arrive with the wedding feast. Bow again!" Master Tang looked at Tang Feng kneeling below and sighed, saying, "Feng'er, let bygones be bygones. Your mother couldn't see you married; if she were still here today, she would be overjoyed." Tang Feng knelt on the ground, his voice trembling, and bowed deeply, saying, "Father's words are etched in my heart. Tang Feng... Farewell, Father."
"We cordially invite the newlywed son-in-law, Young Master Zhou, to come and perform the welcoming ceremony. We will personally welcome him with a banquet." Seeing Zhou Ziliang arrive, Qin Jiujiu quickly helped Tang Feng, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet and put a veil on him. "Little Feng, Ziliang is here! Go on! I'll see you off here." Tang Feng nodded and was helped out by Qin Jiujiu. He saw Zhou Ziliang standing at the door. Tang Feng was wearing the wedding dress that Qin Liuliu had brought back that day. The craftsmanship of Lingyue Manor was indeed excellent; the hem was embroidered with subtle acacia flower patterns, neither too flashy nor too plain. The cuffs were also double-stitched, with water patterns and koi fish incorporated with colorful threads, the stitches dense. Zhou Ziliang saw Tang Feng come out, took Tang Feng's hand, and was about to leave when Qin... "Xiao Feng is stubborn. Everyone is heartbroken that Liu Liu is gone. But Xiao Feng seems to be struggling with himself. He didn't rest all day yesterday, and I just heard him coughing... You mustn't let anything happen to him." Just as she finished speaking, the matchmaker shouted, "The plum blossoms are fragrant for miles, the beautiful woman in red dresses in February, the crabapple blossoms bloom in pairs outside, a perfect match for life, the Old Man of the Moon ties the red thread, entrusting the lover to his beloved, may they live in harmony, may their happiness be as long as the water, the auspicious time has arrived, lift the sedan chair! Enter the Zhou residence!" Tang Feng sat in the sedan chair, looking at Zhou Ziliang riding Hongdou in front of him through the gauze curtain. Before Zhou Ziliang left yesterday, he said that Qin Liu Liu's body was hidden under the seat of the sedan chair, in case someone came looking for trouble. Tang Feng's face was ashen. For some reason, he felt a dull ache in his chest. He pounded his chest, forcing himself to catch his breath, and coughed twice. The road to the Zhou residence wasn't long; they arrived in less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick. Zhou Ziliang helped Tang Feng out of the sedan chair, but he stumbled. Zhou Ziliang quickly supported him, saying with concern, "Otherwise..."
"It's alright! I'm fine," Tang Feng straightened up, tightening his grip on the red silk ribbon in his hand, and said, "Let's go, don't keep Aunt and the others waiting."
Seeing Tang Feng's unsteady steps, Madam Zhou knew he had suffered these past two days. She wanted to stop him from kneeling, but Zhou Wuhai stopped her, saying, "Don't go! This is the child's wish. Just endure it! Otherwise, he won't be at peace."
"Auspicious clouds and springtime grace us, phoenix robes adorn the hall. Precious incense burners and silver candles illuminate the hall, phoenixes sing in harmony with the sun, moon, and stars. Our two hearts are united in marriage today. Please, newlyweds, come forth to perform the wedding ceremony! Bow! Prosper!" Tang Feng knelt on the ground, cold sweat pouring down his face. Biting his lip, he bowed deeply. "By the grace of Heaven, in accordance with the harmony of Earth, and following the wishes of our families and the couple, today is our wedding day, the ceremony is complete!" Tang Feng took the teacup from Liu Yiwan and offered it to Zhou Wuhai and his wife. "Father, Mother, please... cough... please have some tea."
"Alright, alright, get up! Don't kneel! Ziliang, help him up quickly."
Zhou Wuhai looked at Tang Feng seriously and asked, "Are you really going to do this?" Tang Feng knelt down again and whispered, "I know this is absurd, but I really can't keep the body in state for half a year. Please forgive me, Father." Zhou Wuhai patted Tang Feng's head. "Forget it... don't take it too seriously. Ziliang said he hasn't slept or eaten much. That won't do! He'll eat something when we get back from the military camp."
"Thank you for your concern, Father." Tang Feng and Zhou Ziliang went outside and saw a young man in a red robe among the guests. He had gentle features, his hair was tied up high with a tuft of hair in front that partially obscured his eyes, and his skin was fair. He held a folding fan in his hand and exuded the air of a scholar. Tang Feng didn't know who this person was. He didn't think he had invited him. But then he thought, this is the Zhou residence after all. What if he is a friend of Zhou Ziliang?
Tang Feng got into the sedan chair, slumped against the side, panting heavily. He didn't know why, but his chest was hurting more and more, probably because he hadn't slept well for the past few days. Tang Feng haphazardly pounded his chest. Liu Yiwan walked outside the sedan chair and asked in a low voice, "Young Master, are you feeling unwell?"
"No," Tang Feng said, but the sedan chair stopped abruptly. Xu Chang'an's voice rang out from outside, "Congratulations, Young Marquis, on your happy marriage!"
"What brings you here?" Zhou Ziliang asked coldly, looking down at Xu Chang'an from his horse. "Young Marquis, I, Xu Chang'an, have naturally come to seek good fortune. The Zhou and Tang families are both wealthy and powerful, and they've actually set the wedding for the first day of the Lunar New Year. Two joyous occasions colliding are bound to bring either great happiness or great sorrow. I heard that the Tang family has lost their adopted son, so I've come to inquire after the young master's well-being."
"Xiao Feng's family affairs are none of your business."
“Young Marquis, this is not right. It is currently the mourning period for the Princess. His Majesty has always been very fond of her. Now that she has passed away, Xiling is in a state of mourning, and a funeral procession is not permitted. Yet, Young Marquis… why are you leading the wedding procession out of the city?” Xu Chang’an, ignoring Zhou Ziliang’s attempts to stop him, directly lifted the curtain of Tang Feng’s sedan chair. Tang Feng sat alone inside. He lifted the veil over his head and said coldly, “Xu Tejin, what an arrogant official you are! My husband is a nobleman, how dare you be so presumptuous! We are leaving the city because my husband has guarded the border for many years and is like a brother to the soldiers there. His marriage is a joyous occasion, and you, who were not invited, are trying to bring good fortune. I am bringing joy to the soldiers and ensuring their safety on the border. What is wrong with that?” Seeing that Qin Liuliu’s body was not in the sedan chair, Xu Chang’an could only bow and apologize, “Young Master, please don’t be angry. I am only acting on His Majesty’s orders.”
"Your Majesty? Is it His Majesty's order or Prince Cheng's order? Xu Chang'an, do you think I, Tang Feng, am a fool! Tell Li Yunheng that my marriage to Zhou Ziliang was personally arranged by His Majesty. I am marrying by imperial decree, and it is none of his business how I want to behave!" Xu Chang'an took two steps back, waved his hand, and signaled the soldiers on both sides to clear the street. "Cough cough cough," Tang Feng coughed as soon as the curtain fell, his head resting against the window frame, panting heavily, waiting to leave the city.
Chen Ke was already waiting outside the city. Seeing Zhou Ziliang and the others arrive, he quickly dismounted and stepped forward, saying, "Young Marquis, everything is ready. We're on the mountain." Zhou Ziliang nodded, handed the riding whip to Chen Ke, and then dismounted. "Xiao Feng, we've arrived." Tang Feng stepped out of the sedan chair and saw that snowflakes were falling again. He then removed the veil from his head and instructed Liu Yiwan, "Wait for me down here." The path up the mountain wasn't steep. Chen Ke knew how important Qin Liuliu was to Tang Feng, and had even consulted a feng shui master overnight to find this auspicious location. Although the mountain path was easy, Tang Feng was still panting heavily. He hadn't rested well in the past few days and hadn't eaten much. Now, he was suffering from severe chest pain, dizziness, and blurred vision. Holding Zhou Ziliang's hand, he seemed to be struggling to keep up with his pace. Zhou Ziliang gradually stopped, looking at Tang Feng's pale face and cold sweat on his forehead, and couldn't help but say, "Let me carry you!"
"No... I can."
Tang Feng sat in the snow, watching Qin Liuliu's coffin being laid to rest, watching the tombstone being erected, and watching the last of the helpers disperse. Zhou Ziliang held Tang Feng's hand, icy cold, and couldn't help but frown. "Get up quickly, you're so cold, you'll get sick when you get back." Seeing that Tang Feng didn't react, Zhou Ziliang waved to Chen Ke standing beside him. "You take the people down first, we'll go back in a bit." Seeing the crowd disperse, Tang Feng threw himself into Zhou Ziliang's arms, tightly clutching the fabric of Zhou Ziliang's chest. Zhou Ziliang saw Tang Feng's trembling body and knew that Tang Feng was crying. He gently patted Tang Feng's back without saying a word. Tang Feng cried until he was almost speechless, as if the calm and composed person from the past two days was not him at all. "Ziliang... he shouldn't have died... if I hadn't... let him go get the wedding dress, if I had let Liu Yiwan..." "Go with him. If I hadn't... gotten married today, would things have turned out this way?" Zhou Ziliang didn't know how to comfort Tang Feng after hearing his words. He just felt heartbroken seeing Tang Feng trembling with tears. "Xiao Feng, it's not your fault. Don't blame yourself too much." At this moment, Tang Feng in his arms suddenly coughed. Qin Jiujiu had reminded him that Tang Feng had been coughing a bit lately when they left. Perhaps it was because he was cold that night. He wanted to soothe him, but the cough only got worse. Suddenly, Tang Feng's body trembled in his arms. Zhou Ziliang felt a warm sensation in his chest, and a bloody smell filled the air. Zhou Ziliang quickly helped Tang Feng sit up to check on him. Tang Feng's eyes were tightly closed, his forehead was covered in cold sweat, and his mouth and chin were covered in blood, which dripped onto the snow like the red spider lilies blooming on the banks of the River of Oblivion.
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