Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Wedding

Mo Nian-nian and Jiang Hu’s wedding was originally set for the sixteenth of August, just five days away, but Jiang Hu, the scoundrel, took charge of every single detail.

He assumed responsibility for the entire process, arranging everything in just a day and a half.

Mo Nian-nian was led off in a daze, barely realizing she was being whisked away to be dressed and prepared.

It was her first marriage; at first, she was a little interested, but she hadn’t expected the wedding rites to be so complicated. The styling alone took her more than two hours.

She was so drowsy she nearly fell asleep.

“Miss, we’re finished.” The matron of honor placed the headdress on Mo Nian-nian, her eyes full of admiration.

Mo Nian-nian jolted awake, blinking in confusion at her surroundings and rubbing her eyes. “Finished? Then let’s go.”

She lifted her foot to step outside.

The matron grabbed her arm. “Oh my, Miss, wait! The auspicious hour hasn’t come yet.”

“Can I take a nap first?” she asked hopefully.

She truly was exhausted; being dragged up at dawn to be groomed was inhuman.

The matron hesitated—this wasn’t according to custom—but faced with her mistress’s look, she couldn’t refuse.

Before the matron could answer, Lady Mo entered.

Her eyes were filled with complicated emotion, a mix of reluctance and pride.

“My Nian-nian has grown up in the blink of an eye.”

She spoke with a tinge of regret. “It’s all your father and I’s fault, being too busy to watch you grow up.”

Lady Mo chatted fondly with Mo Nian-nian, who felt awkward and out of her depth.

Taking advantage of the moment, Lady Mo slipped her a small box, mysterious as can be, instructing her to open it that evening.

Curious, Mo Nian-nian lifted a corner and glimpsed an illustrated album inside, with several large figures depicted.

Oh my, wasn’t this just an ancient version of those racy spring palace paintings?

She was tempted to take it out and study it, but with so many people around, she had her dignity to consider.

The Prince Regent came in as well, face drawn and sorrowful, and promptly began to sob as he embraced her.

“Nian-nian, I can’t bear to part with you. You’re my only daughter! If you leave, what will your mother and I do?”

Mo Nian-nian could only sigh inwardly. “I’m not leaving for good.”

Once she dealt with that wretched male lead, wouldn’t she be free to go wherever she pleased?

“It’s not the same. Just thinking of you leaving with another man breaks my heart, wuwuwu…”

She couldn’t understand how a man nearly six feet tall could cry so easily.

Not knowing how to comfort him, she simply let him hold her and weep.

Jiang Hu strode in, his gaze instantly locking on Mo Nian-nian, pupils contracting sharply.

Then his eyes shifted to the Prince Regent, growing cold.

“Master.” Jiang Hu stood beside Mo Nian-nian, dropped to one knee, and performed the highest ceremony. “Your servant has come to fetch you.”

The Prince Regent could see nothing pleasing about Jiang Hu. If not for Mo Nian-nian’s repeated assurances that she was willing, he would never have agreed to let her marry him.

“Why are you here so early?” the Prince Regent snapped.

“I’ve come to take my master home.”

At that, the Prince Regent’s jealousy flared again. “What’s the rush? Nothing’s ready yet, go wait outside.”

“Master.” Jiang Hu ignored the Prince Regent, turning determinedly to Mo Nian-nian.

She was so sleepy she didn’t care when she left; deciding to just do her duty, she laid her hand in Jiang Hu’s.

“Let’s go.”

The Prince Regent broke down again, sobbing.

Jiang Hu lifted Mo Nian-nian in his arms and covered her completely with the ceremonial veil, allowing no one even a glimpse of her face.

At last, his master was his.

Jiang Hu’s heart pounded fiercely, beat after beat.

His arms encircling Mo Nian-nian grew ever tighter.

His eyes darkened with intensity.

Outside, the courtyard was full of honored guests.

After all, it was Mo Nian-nian and Jiang Hu’s wedding, and anyone who could come in the capital, did, their wedding gifts more lavish than the last.

A great many commoners came of their own accord to see Mo Nian-nian off as well.

Rumors in the capital had twisted the story into Mo Nian-nian sacrificing herself for the sake of Nanming by marrying Jiang Hu.

Thus, her reputation was thoroughly cleansed, and she earned great favor among the people.

The crowds escorting her stretched from the East Gate to the West Gate.

The dowry prepared by the Prince Regent’s household was extravagant beyond measure—Mo Nian-nian finally understood what a “ten-mile bridal procession” meant.

The head of the procession was nearly out of the city while the tail was still at the Prince Regent’s mansion.

As for the bride price Jiang Hu brought, Mo Nian-nian could only say it was even more impressive.

She half-feared he’d plundered the treasury of some small nation.

Jiang Hu carried her out the door, ignoring the crowd waiting to catch a glimpse of the bride.

He mounted a horse with her and paraded around the capital twice.

He longed to hurry home to the new house he’d prepared especially for her.

But his master deserved only the best.

He would give her the highest honors.

It’s said that day was the liveliest the capital had ever seen, the festivities stirring every soul.

Mo Nian-nian could hear the well-wishers weeping and shouting blessings from inside her carriage.

It was all a misunderstanding—she wasn’t nearly so noble.

After endless rituals, the wedding finally concluded.

Jiang Hu’s new home was just outside the city.

He had bought up the entire surrounding area, built a small estate, and designed every detail to Mo Nian-nian’s tastes.

Everything she loved—a bamboo bed, a pavilion, gardens—was there.

Even the arrangement of objects matched her habits, some of which she hadn’t even noticed herself, but Jiang Hu had thought of everything.

She was genuinely pleased with this new home.

“Where’s the bedroom? I need a nap.”

Jiang Hu scooped her up. “Allow me to take you, Master.”

His eyes and brows were alight with obvious joy.

His blood was boiling with excitement.

Mo Nian-nian settled happily in his arms.

His heart beat so close to her ear, it felt odd and somehow comforting.

She nearly drifted off to sleep again.

The little estate was festively decorated, red everywhere she looked.

He carried her into the bridal chamber and placed her on the bed.

At the sight of the bed, she thought of nothing else—she lay down immediately.

Marriage was exhausting; she never wanted to do it again.

Jiang Hu took her wrist and gently pulled her up. “Master, we haven’t drunk the nuptial wine yet.”

“Still not finished?” Her head ached from all the ceremonies.

“No.” Jiang Hu took two cups from the table and handed her one.

His gaze lingered on her, growing deeper and more intense.

“Then let’s get it over with.” She took the wine from him and downed it in one go, not caring for the custom at all.