Qian Yuanbao looked disheveled, a far cry from his earlier spirited demeanor. After finally stopping his vomiting, he was so weak he could barely stand.
“We need to hurry, or we’ll miss the auspicious hour!” Madam Wang urged, as delaying the auspicious time would be unlucky.
Gu Sinian helped Qian Yuanbao up, while Li Zheng stepped forward to carry Li Nuan. As Li Nuan’s brother, it was his duty to carry her to the bridal sedan chair today.
The wedding attendant helped Li Nuan onto Li Zheng’s back. Li Zheng channeled his energy and lifted her.
Although Qian Yuanbao was still feeling unwell, he could manage to endure it. He nodded at Li Zheng, signaling that he could carry her outside.
However, what no one expected was that as Li Zheng carried her closer to Qian Yuanbao, he couldn’t hold back any longer. His stomach was already empty, and he could only retch painfully.
If the groom couldn't walk, the bride couldn't leave first.
Qian Yuanbao waved at Li Zheng, “Stay away, stay further away. The scent is wrong.”
Scent? What scent? Once the bride was on his back, she couldn’t be put down until she reached the sedan chair. Li Zheng was confused, unsure of what to do.
“Sister, did you change your incense?” Li Rou asked, puzzled. Those close to Qian Yuanbao knew about his condition. Her sister had specifically instructed her attendants to change to the incense she personally blended, precisely to avoid such a situation. So, this shouldn’t be happening.
Li Nuan, on Li Zheng’s back, didn’t answer Li Rou. She urged, “Didn’t you say the auspicious hour has arrived? Don’t delay, it will be bad if we miss the auspicious time.” Her voice was a little hoarse. Earlier, when Li Rou had asked, Li Nuan had said it was because seeing Li Qing had brought back many memories, causing her to cry for a while.
Li Zheng looked from Qian Yuanbao to Madam Wang, waiting for someone to give a definitive answer.
“Yuanbao, are you alright? If you can walk, let’s carry her to the sedan chair first? Once she’s in the sedan chair, you can ride your horse outside. You won’t smell anything, and when we arrive, tell Nuan girl to bathe quickly and wash off the scent. This girl, really, she told us all not to use any perfume casually, yet she forgot herself,” Madam Wang said helplessly.
Qi Zhenzhen felt increasingly that something was wrong. She exchanged a look with Li Rou, seeing confusion in each other’s eyes.
Based on their understanding of Li Nuan, she wouldn’t have remained silent without a word of concern when Qian Yuanbao was vomiting so violently. Even with all the pre-wedding etiquette, there wasn’t any rule stating the bride couldn’t show concern for the groom.
“Sister Nuan, brother-in-law is very weak right now, I’m afraid he can’t walk,” Qi Zhenzhen said.
“No, no…” Li Nuan’s voice was stiff. “Hold on, finish the ceremony, and then you can rest well.”
Li Rou suddenly stepped forward and lifted Li Nuan’s veil.
Li Nuan shrieked, “What are you doing? The veil cannot be lifted casually. Hurry, hurry, put it back on me.”
Li Rou held the veil, staring intently at Li Nuan. She indeed looked like her sister, but the feeling was very strange. Her sister was always calm and composed, no matter the situation, but all she saw on this person’s face was panic and fear.
“She, she’s not A Nuan,” Qian Yuanbao said, his breathing labored and speaking with difficulty. “A Nuan isn’t like this. Tell me, who are you? Where did you take A Nuan?”
Qi Zhenzhen took a deep look at the person on Li Zheng’s back. She suddenly stepped forward, reached under her chin, and gently pinched. With a slight pull, a thin layer of facial skin was peeled off. This was clearly not Li Nuan! Looking closely, it wasn’t a stranger either, but Li Qing, who had just been helped down by Madam Bai to rest.