"Hmph! Truly, is he sincere about marrying a wife, or sincere about taking a concubine? No one knows!" Zhao Wu scoffed coldly.
Zhao Yuzhen frowned, "Father, how do you know all this? Have you met him before?"
Zhao Wu shook his head, "He's no good, just like you. His intention to marry this time is definitely not pure!"
"Father, please don't underestimate Haoyue. He truly likes Sister Wenjun."
"Is that so? Then why doesn't he take Wenjun back to the capital?"
"Because they are marrying by imperial decree."
"Marrying by imperial decree? Haha! That excuse is too absurd! Haoyue has no background whatsoever, where would he get an imperial decree for a marriage arrangement!"
"Father, this is indeed true! Haoyue's birth mother was a palace maid, and he was born to her and General Zhao. Therefore, his marriage is entirely up to his father to decide."
"Very well!" Zhao Wu laughed in anger. "Since that's the case, I will fulfill your wishes."
With that, Zhao Wu stood up and called out, "Someone!"
Soon, a servant entered. "Master, please give your orders!"
Zhao Wu asked, "Where are Haoyue and that third Miss Zhao?"
The servant was taken aback, "Master, aren't Young Master Haoyue and Miss Wenjun at the Zhao residence?"
"Nonsense! They are clearly in the carriage, how can they be at the Zhao residence? Hurry and take me there!"
"Yes!" The servant quickly ran out.
A moment later.
Zhao Wu followed the servant to the Zhao residence.
"Father!" Zhao Yuzhen hurried to meet him.
"Hmm! Our Zhao family's third miss is truly beautiful."
"You flatter me, Father." Zhao Wenjun said charmingly. She then turned to Murong Haoyue and said, "Haoyue, hurry and get married. You haven't forgotten, have you?"
Murong Haoyue nodded.
"Then why are you still waiting!" Zhao Wenjun urged.
"Coming, coming!" Murong Haoyue and Zhao Wenjun arrived at the entrance of the Zhao residence and were then surrounded by a crowd as they entered.
"Brother Haoyue, you said we're getting married today. Will you marry me as your wife?" Zhao Wenjun asked, holding Murong Haoyue's arm.
"Of course, I will marry you as my wife." Murong Haoyue nodded, a hint of indulgence appearing in his eyes.
"Then Brother Haoyue, you will always treat me well, won't you?"
"Of course, I will always treat you well." Murong Haoyue promised solemnly.
"That's good." Zhao Wenjun's face was filled with a bright smile. She was already eager to marry Murong Haoyue. She wanted everyone to know that Zhao Wenjun was his legitimate wife, and the name Zhao Wenjun was destined to advance and retreat with her.
Murong Haoyue and Zhao Wenjun arrived in the center of the hall. Zhao Yuzhen held a wine cup, her face beaming with a smile. "Come, Haoyue, today is your joyous day. Drink this cup of wine."
"Thank you, Uncle." Murong Haoyue drank it down in one gulp.
"Oh! Sister Wenjun, you should drink quickly too! You must drink this cup of wedding wine. You are a distinguished guest of our Zhao household!"
"Thank you, Second Sister!"
"Hehe! You are our savior, how can we neglect you!" Zhao Yuzhen said with a kind smile, but her eyes flickered with malicious intent. She hated this slut. If not for her, Zhao Wenjun would have died long ago. She wished she could tear this slut to pieces!
"Someone! Take the wedding wine to Miss Wenjun's room!"
"Yes, Madam!" A servant holding a cup of wedding wine walked over.
"Zhao Wenjun, this cup of wedding wine was personally ordered by His Majesty the Emperor. You must drink it!" Zhao Yuzhen said with a cold smile.
Zhao Wenjun looked at the cup of wedding wine, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes.
"Miss Zhao, aren't you afraid this cup of wedding wine is poisoned?" Murong Haoyue said with a cold smile.
"You're talking nonsense! How could I be afraid of poison? I'll drink it!"
"Hehe! That's right!" Zhao Yuzhen said with a sly smile, then picked up the cup of wedding wine and drank it down.
Zhao Wenjun watched the cup of wedding wine go down, a cold glint in her eyes. She subtly glanced at Murong Haoyue and thought to herself: Let's see how you escape this time!
"Come, let's continue toasting Sister Wenjun!" With that, Zhao Yuzhen poured another cup of wedding wine. Zhao Wenjun picked up the cup and drank it.
"Good! Hearty!" Murong Haoyue couldn't help but praise, and then he also drank a cup of wedding wine.
Zhao Yuzhen's lips curled into a sinister smile.
"Come, everyone drink up! Tonight, we brothers will celebrate properly!"
"Yes, yes, yes!"
"Haha! Let's have a good time tonight!" The people of the Zhao family chattered while drinking.
Murong Haoyue and Zhao Wenjun were arranged in a courtyard, and Murong Haoyue went to the guest room to rest.
"Miss, the old servant just heard that the Zhao family has sent people to deliver betrothal gifts."
"Is that so? So soon?" Zhao Wenjun's face showed a hint of surprise.
"Yes! Miss, should we..."
"You don't need to worry about this matter. You can leave now. I'm tired and need to rest."
"Yes, Miss." The maid left.
Zhao Wenjun sat by the table, holding an embroidered handkerchief and drawing patterns on it.
Soon, there was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?"
"Miss! The master has sent people to give you and the young master betrothal gifts."
Zhao Wenjun was startled, then quickly put down the embroidered handkerchief. "Good! Go and tell them I'll be there shortly."
The maid took the order and left. Zhao Wenjun sat by the table, looking at the pile of gold, silver, jewelry, and clothing placed on the table, and a strong sense of joy surged in her heart. She had finally successfully married into the Murong family and become the noble heir's wife.
Half an hour later.
Zhao Wenjun, dressed in a red dress and with a simple hairstyle, arrived at the front courtyard.
"Oh! It's so lively today!"
"Miss Zhao has arrived? Please be seated quickly!" Zhao Yuzhen quickly rose to greet her, but Zhao Wenjun ignored her and walked directly to Murong Haoyue's side and sat down. "Brother Haoyue, I'm here."
"Wenjun, come, sit down!"
"Oh!" Zhao Wenjun sat down, her heart filled with excitement.
Murong Haoyue turned his head and looked at Zhao Wenjun beside him. She was wearing a magnificent red wedding dress, looking incredibly beautiful. He smiled slightly, "Wenjun, I really have to thank you this time."
"No need to thank me! Brother Haoyue, don't be so polite! I'm doing this for the alliance between our two families, aren't I!"
"You're right, our two families' alliance is indeed a win-win situation. We don't need to be suspicious of each other anymore, after all, from now on, we are on the same boat, and naturally, we shouldn't be suspicious of each other."
"En!"
"Wenjun, what would you like to eat? We will host you well today and drink until we're drunk!" Murong Haoyue raised his wine cup and said heartily.
"No, I can't hold my liquor. I don't want to spoil everyone's mood."
"How can that be! You are the most honored guest of our Zhao family, how can you not hold your liquor?"
"Don't mind me, I just need to be able to drink."
"Then, today, why don't we not talk about anything else, but instead, discuss poetry and prose, and paint and draw?"
"Poetry and painting? Great! I like it!" Zhao Wenjun exclaimed, clapping her hands.