Chapter 1250: Chapter 679: First Bow to Heaven and Earth (Double-Length) (2)
He was familiar with this process, the wedding wine, with the couple each taking half, crossing arms to drink the wedding wine, symbolizing the joining of two into one, facing joys and hardships together.
People rarely get married even once a year, and Chen Yi wanted everything, even if not perfect, to be as complete as possible. Even on the wedding night, he would try to be gentle, like treating the Little Fox gently, even more gently, to ensure the wedding would end smoothly.
Now, just need to wait.
Just quietly wait,
that prophecy will dissipate like smoke.
.........
Meanwhile, a figure darted through the streets and alleys, sweeping past the varied rooftops of Dragon Tail City.
The figure was dressed in tough clothes, with a long sword strapped to the back and a blade on the waist, face full of anger, eyebrows furrowed, moving like lightning in the twilight glow, as the lanterns began to light up. The shadow was continuously lengthened by the festive Prince Mansion.
Before long, Min Ning had rushed into a narrow alley outside the Prince Mansion, the lively Prince Mansion was right in front, but she stopped abruptly as a silhouette silently blocked the entrance to the alley.
Min Ning spoke no words, thrusting out her sword.
The sword wind was fierce, aimed directly at the opponent’s throat, yet the shadow did not accept it hard, moving like flowing water, using gentle force to resolve the strike. The light veil on the face was torn by the Sword Qi, gracefully falling to the ground.
Under the light, a gentle face was revealed.
Zhu E raised her hand, gently brushing her cheek, confirming there was no wound, then looked up at Min Ning, sighing, "Heroine Min, so it is you, no wonder some unsavory rumors have quietly spread in Dragon Tail City these days, saying the Prince forcibly took a civilian girl, stole someone’s love... I was wondering who had such ability and courage."
Min Ning withdrew her sword and stood, seeing clearly who it was, sneered, "The Princess personally blocking the way to greet, truly a considerable courtesy."
Zhu E ignored her sarcasm, asked, "Heroine Min, since you decided to let go and wander the Jianghu, why have you returned? What is your intention now?"
"I want to see him." Min Ning said word by word, "I want to ask him a question myself."
"Ask him what?" Zhu E softly questioned, "Ask him why he didn’t choose you? Ask him why he married someone else?"
Min Ning’s anger intensified between her brows, her right hand pressing on the blade handle.
Zhu E stepped forward, her voice still calm, "When you chose to leave, you should have known this day would come, the Prince did not betray you, it was you who wanted to leave."
These words seemed to pierce Min Ning’s sore spot, her eyes burning with anger, "Let go? I want to let go myself, not have someone press my head forcing me to!"
From outside the alley came the sound of gongs and cheers, highlighting the deathly stillness in the alley.
Min Ning suddenly laughed, a mocking laugh, asked, "The other Princess, at what stage are they? Have they paid respects? Drunk the wedding wine?"
Zhu E’s gaze slightly lowered, silent for a moment, only said, "Miss Min, please go back."
"What if I don’t go back?"
"Then I cannot let you pass."
Min Ning’s long sword sounded with a clang as it fully emerged from the sheath, the tip pointing directly at Zhu E, the cold light was chilling.
"Then, please Princess, personally try."
............
Everything was normal.
Chen Yi had been waiting in the bridal chamber for a long while, but according to the rituals, it was not too long.
Qin Qingluo spoke of halving the rituals, but still laid out a grand wedding banquet, with ten-mile red makeup and eight palanquins, truly welcoming him through the door as the rightful Princess, she seemed to not want him left with regrets, perhaps, also compensating for her own regrets here.
After waiting for a long time, Chen Yi’s mind had returned to calmness, thinking it thoroughly, there wasn’t much to fear, Gongsun Guan showed no signs, the Demon Sect had also been silent following the demise of the heresy. The Great Yin, Xiao Niang, and the Stupid Girl couldn’t oppose this marriage, the official puppet hadn’t been found, but he was still there, she was about to enter the Third Rank, and... Min Ning had already left, no more variables were left.
Although Chen Yi didn’t want to be in a half-hearted celebratory mood, it seemed unavoidable under such circumstances.
Creak.
The sound of a door being pushed open.
In the bridal chamber, typically, there was only the bride alone, in ordinary middle-class families, the bride usually waited until she was half asleep to wait for the drunken groom to enter, but Chen Yi wasn’t even slightly drowsy when the tall eight-foot figure pushed the door open.
The Princess smelled of alcohol yet still radiant, she held a balance scale, stepping in leisurely.
Chen Yi took a deep breath, quietly waiting for her to use the balance scale to lift the red veil, this meant it was satisfactory.
However, Qin Qingluo stopped in front of him for a moment.
The balance scale in her hand lowered slightly, then, she placed it in his palm.
Chen Yi was slightly surprised, not yet having time to react, the red veil on his face was already lifted from the Heavenly Spirit Cover, Qin Qingluo’s snake-like eyes staring at him, and she quickly released the red silk from her head, the red veil hanging down, still able to see the curve on her cheek.
"... Stunned?"
For quite a while, she indistinctly asked.
Chen Yi was taken aback, unable to suppress his surprise, and said, "Prince, you..."
"No need to say more."
Without waiting for Chen Yi to finish, she coldly interrupted.
Chen Yi composed himself, but couldn’t restrain the flicker in his eyes. This Princess, known for her fierce temperament, lowering her stance was a rare occurrence in the world, yet now she was willing to make such a move.
Their once shaky little home had become this stable?
The red candles burned silently, the layers of melted wax accumulating on the candlesticks.
The pair of exquisite wedding cups stood side by side, awaiting good news.
Chen Yi slowly regained his composure, his fingertips still tingling with the coolness of the scale bar and the slight itch from when she swiftly lifted the veil, inadvertently brushing his hair tips.
Qin Qingluo seemed slightly uneasy under his gaze, her serpent-like pupils shifted momentarily but quickly forced themselves back, meeting his gaze across the red silk.
"The ceremony outside is for others to see." She paused, speaking slowly, "...here, you and I will bow to heaven and earth once more."
The Princess’s tone was undeniable.
"This time," she looked into his eyes, speaking clearly and unmistakably, "you are the husband, I am the wife."
Chen Yi hesitated almost again, even hurriedly agreeing, "Alright."
He stood up immediately, moving so swiftly it caused a slight breeze, stirring the candle flame. He stood firmly in front of Qin Qingluo, his gaze intense, shedding all his casualness and calculations, leaving only pure seriousness.
Seeing his reaction, the last trace of doubt in Qin Qingluo’s eyes quietly vanished.
She nodded slightly, turning first to face the pair of burning dragon and phoenix candles in the room, which now served as witnesses to heaven and the ancients.
There was no Ceremonial Officer, no noisy guests, only the red glow in the room and the clearly audible sound of each other’s breathing.
Chen Yi stood beside her, the two bowed in synchrony.
First bow to heaven and earth...
Second bow to the ancients...
Husband and wife...
The two slowly turned, about to bow down,
"Do not bow!"
A surge of Sword Qi shot into the wedding room, pushing the tight room wide open with immense force.
The Sword Qi extended over ten feet, scattering the candle flames like dry grass.
Sudden change.
Chen Yi turned sharply, an unexpected figure appeared before him, anger brewing between the eyebrows that were once full of spirit, furrowing with worry.
"Min Ning?!"
Bang!
Amid the loud bang, the Sword Qi was caught by Qin Qingluo’s hands, vibrating frantically until the Princess suppressed it with her True Qi, extinguishing it. The red veil fluttered up, then slowly fell.
Her serpent-like pupils dangerously narrowed,
"Min Yuechi...what is your purpose here, haven’t you left?"
Min Ning stepped forward slowly, her face showing neither joy nor sorrow, ignoring Qin Qingluo’s words, she faced Chen Yi directly.
Chen Yi regained his composure, despite the sudden change, his heart pounding like a drum.
He remained calm on the surface, curved his lips into a faint smile, and said, "Min Yuechi? Why did you...return? Are you...looking for me?"
Min Ning stopped a few feet away, her aura icy, her clothes as red as blood, starkly visible amid the sea of red.
She stared at Chen Yi, calmly responding, "That’s correct. I’m looking for you."
Chen Yi’s heart sank, following her words to ask, "You’re looking for me...for what?"
Min Ning suddenly raised her right hand, not to draw a sword, but to grab the wedding cups, causing the wine to splash.
Her gaze locked onto Chen Yi, word by word,
"Chen Zunming, aren’t you the Yin Official?
Today, I shall beat the drum and cry my grievance, accusing the Prince of Annan, Qin Qingluo, for stealing my beloved and forcibly taking my fiancée!
You, Yin Official, will you accept or not?!"
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