"What's wrong? Is it still about Xia Yunting's disappearance?"
"It's this matter." Xing Jiahui's face was filled with worry. "I just got married, and he vanished without a trace. Now there are already some rumors going around that my father plotted against him. I'm my father's daughter, and yet I'm also his wife. Being caught in the middle is truly distressing. There are also some whispers saying I have a 'hard fate' and that I'm destined to harm him! It's utterly baseless."
Upon mentioning the latter part, Xing Jiahui stamped her foot in anger.
Xiao Yao comforted her, "You are the Prime Minister's daughter, why bother with those common street rumors? From what I see, Xia Yunting has faced countless dangers during his years of campaigning. Even though the General's mansion exploded, his body was never found. He's likely recuperating somewhere and will return once he's healed."
"I'm afraid he won't want to return even when he's healed," Xing Jiahui stared at the swaying chrysanthemums before her and gave a resentful kick.
"You are married by the Emperor's decree, how dare he not return!"
Xing Jiahui glanced around, noticing no one was near. She suddenly pulled Xiao Yao closer mysteriously and whispered, "Actually, I know where he is."
"You know?" Xiao Yao's eyes widened in surprise. "Where?"
Xing Jiahui leaned in and whispered a few words into her ear.
Xiao Yao looked at Xing Jiahui in astonishment, "So many people from the General's mansion couldn't find him, and even the Prime Minister's dispatched men have no news. How do you know where he is?"
"Oh, you're so naive! The people from the General's mansion couldn't find him because they didn't want Xia Yunting to appear. If he truly wanted to hide, who could find him? But even if his hiding skills are formidable, I still have a way to track his movements."
"If that's the case, why don't you ask your father to report to the Emperor and have him brought back?"
Xing Jiahui said, "He and my father never got along. My father wouldn't stoop to provoke him."
She's truly too foolish. If Xiao Yao's family didn't have some influence, Xing Jiahui wouldn't associate with her.
Seeing a hint of indignation on Xiao Yao's face, she deliberately sighed, "I'm already married and confined to the inner chambers, not allowed to show my face. Otherwise, I would definitely go myself and see what this Xia Yunting is up to. After all, I am the Prime Minister's daughter, and to be left waiting in the Imperial City like this, with no regard, what do I mean to him?"
"You're right, this Xia Yunting is truly a scoundrel!" Xiao Yao, with her quick temper, easily got caught up in others' emotions. Seeing her best friend suffer injustice, she naturally felt indignant.
Xing Jiahui felt a sense of triumph. She continued to feign hesitation, "I had wanted to find a capable servant to secretly investigate for me, but on my wedding day, I was set up and someone else took my place. My father believes I was responsible and keeps a close watch on me. My servants no longer listen to me… Besides, even if they were willing to go, with their meager skills, they would likely be easily discovered by Xia Yunting."
"What's the big deal? I'll help you!" Xiao Yao immediately made her decision.
"But… the journey is so long. How can a young lady like you travel so far?" Xing Jiahui appeared hesitant.
Hmph, she's indeed foolish. Just a few words of complaint and she's fallen for it.
"You don't need to worry about that. I have martial arts skills, so I'm not afraid of the long journey. Moreover, my father has been keeping me at home lately, embroidering and studying poetry. I'm bored to death. I've long wanted to sneak out for a trip. This way, I can kill two birds with one stone, go sightseeing, and relax. Otherwise, if I were to truly marry, I wouldn't have this opportunity to travel far."
"But you're going for me. If you encounter any danger, how can I rest easy? Let me send a servant to accompany you."
Xiao Yao waved her hand, "You know, I dislike having those servants follow me. They're restrictive and would only hold me back at crucial moments. It's better if I go alone. Don't worry, I'll leave a letter for my father, and it won't mention you."
Xing Jiahui was finally relieved. If Xiao Yao died out there, it would have nothing to do with her. If by chance she survived, she could also be her informant. Xing Jiahui couldn't wait for her to leave.
"Xiao Yao, you're the best to me." She affectionately linked arms with Xiao Yao, a triumphant smile in her eyes.
After the arrival of autumn, the weather gradually cooled down. In the blink of an eye, it was the day of Liu Hong and Gu Xinlan's wedding.
Originally, Liu Hong was an orphan, and Gu Xinlan only had her mother, Wu Guixiang. The wedding couldn't be a grand affair. However, it was arranged by the village chief. Moreover, Gu Xinlan was the first person to be rescued from the human traffickers. Since her return, many others had gradually returned to the village. Although the villagers knew it was thanks to Xia Yunting, Rong Zhi, and the government, they also attributed it to some extent to superstition, believing Gu Xinlan brought good fortune. Furthermore, wanting a good omen for the return of their loved ones, they spontaneously contributed money to organize the wedding. Everyone in the village came to join the festivities.
Gu Xinlan sat before the mirror, looking at the phoenix coronet, embroidered robe, and precious jewelry laid out before her. She could hardly believe it was her wedding. She had lived on the mountain for a long time and thought her future would be spent there. She never imagined she could have such a glorious wedding.
An elderly woman from the village was combing her hair, muttering auspicious phrases like "First comb for a long life together, second comb for white hair until old age, third comb for many descendants." Gu Xinlan felt incredibly moved.
"Xiao Mo, you've bought me so many things. How can I ever repay you?"
After a period of treatment, her voice had fully recovered. While not as melodious as a lark's, it was clear and pleasant. With makeup on her face now, she looked as if she had stepped out of a painting.
Rong Zhi looked at the transformed young woman before her and felt gratified. "How can this be considered too much? A wedding only happens once in a lifetime, of course, it should be grand. You'll have endless happy days after you're married."
"The young lady is right! This is all the good fortune you deserve, why do you still feel it's too much? Both you and Liu Hong are children who have suffered. Now your hardships have finally come to an end."
Gu Xinlan's cheeks flushed, and she smiled shyly.
After her hair was combed, the old woman adorned Gu Xinlan with jewelry. Gu Xinlan stared at her reflection in the mirror, dumbfounded.
"Is this me?"
The old woman smiled kindly, "Isn't it you?"
Just then, the sound of the wedding procession music could be heard from outside, the blaring of trumpets and drums growing louder.
"The groom's party has arrived. Hurry and put on the bridal veil."
The old woman placed the veil over Gu Xinlan's head. Turning to Wu Guixiang, who was sitting beside her, she said, "Guixiang, come, take your daughter to be married."
Wu Guixiang had also changed into festive new clothes today, making her slender frame radiate a certain glow. However, she had been sitting silently beside them since earlier, staring blankly at Gu Xinlan. Now, prompted by the old woman, she came back to her senses, but her eyes were already teary.
"Hurry, it's a joyous occasion, why are you spacing out?" the old woman urged again. Wu Guixiang replied with an "Ah," stepped forward, took Gu Xinlan's arm, and led her out.
Outside, the sedan chair for the bride had arrived at the entrance. Liu Hong, dressed in a red wedding robe with a large red flower pinned to his chest, looked at Gu Xinlan as she emerged with a smile, his eyes filled with unprecedented ease, joy, and anticipation.
He could finally compensate Xinlan properly, for the rest of his life.
The people who had come to escort the bride surrounded the courtyard tightly, their faces beaming. As Gu Xinlan emerged, many gasped in admiration.
In their village, no wedding had ever been so grand. Judging by the quality of the wedding attire and the embroidery patterns, they were undoubtedly expensive. Moreover, even though she was veiled, one could vaguely see that she was adorned with many pieces of jewelry. Gu Xinlan was likely the most radiant bride in Yunshui Village in decades.
"What are you spacing out for, groom? Hurry and carry the bride into the sedan!" the village chief shouted, eliciting laughter from the crowd.
Liu Hong quickly stepped forward, scooped Gu Xinlan into his arms, and hurried to the sedan chair, carefully placing her inside, which again drew a round of cheers.
Xia Yunting stood outside the courtyard, watching Rong Zhi approach from afar. He was helping Liu Hong with the wedding procession today, so he had gone to Liu Hong's house before dawn and hadn't had a chance to see Rong Zhi.
Now, seeing Rong Zhi in a fresh blue dress, her hair styled as a married woman's, her smile had lost some of its heroism and gained more gentleness compared to before, looking more like a lady of a prominent family.
However, that smile on the face of an eighteen-year-old girl still felt somewhat incongruous. Others might not notice, but Xia Yunting was more observant than most and could discern subtle clues. That smile didn't seem like something a girl her age should possess.
"Brother Xia, what are you looking at? Let's go."
The sedan chair had been lifted, and a young villager beside him patted Xia Yunting on the shoulder.
Xia Yunting nodded and joined the procession.
Another unfamiliar face teased, "Not only is the bride beautiful today, but the sister-in-law is just as stunning. No wonder our benefactor's eyes are glued to her."
This was followed by a burst of laughter.
Xia Yunting offered a shy smile. She was indeed beautiful, but comparatively, the feeling of familiarity was stronger.
The wedding procession arrived at the Liu family residence, and the bowing ceremony began. Liu Hong had no parents, so the main seats were occupied by the village chief and his wife, and Wu Guixiang.
As the couple bowed to their elders, Wu Guixiang's tears also fell. She never thought this day would come, that her daughter could have such a glorious wedding.
After the ceremony, Gu Xinlan was escorted to the bridal chamber, and the banquet began. Rong Zhi and Xia Yunting had already taken their seats. As soon as people saw them, they eagerly stepped forward to offer toasts. A torrent of words of gratitude poured out, and Rong Zhi's smile became stiff.
Throughout the banquet, people clinked glasses and talked about this fortunate union, which was otherwise harmonious. Suddenly, someone said, "On such a fine day, Yuan Xiu, as a scholar of our village, why don't you recite a poem to liven things up?"
As soon as the words fell, the crowd instantly quieted down, and all eyes turned to Lu Yuan Xiu.
Rong Zhi then realized that Lu Yuan Xiu was also at their table. However, he had been quiet since taking his seat, rendering him almost invisible.