Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 727: Grand Wedding (1)
Dugu Chen and Feng Xuxu sat in the main seats, so bored they could have been counting their fingers for amusement, but they perked up at the sound of firecrackers.
After half a moment, five pairs of newlyweds stood in front of them, waiting for the matron of honor to call out, "Pay respects to heaven and earth."
"Bow to the higher-ups."
"The couple bows to each other."
"Escort to the bridal chamber!" With the matron of honor’s final words, firecrackers burst forth in unison.
Huang Yi and several others joyfully held onto the red silk ribbons, while the brides followed behind with furrowed brows and faces of distress. If it weren’t for the bridal veils hiding their faces, everyone might have seen the brides’ ashen complexions.
Feng Xuxu watched them, apparently overjoyed yet struggling to keep smiling, a taxing facade. She quietly laughed to herself and exchanged a glance with her husband, both recognizing the humor in each other’s eyes, yet they remained silent and let things be.
After all the couples had paid their respects, there was nothing left for Feng Xuxu and Dugu Chen to do. The two, along with their three children, boarded the Dragon Carriage and left, and with the departure of the Emperor and Empress, the remaining guests loosened up, clinking cups and discussing their feelings with their colleagues.
Night fell unnoticed. The unveiling of the brides, which normally should have been performed after escorting them to the bridal chamber, was intentionally forgotten by the grooms and rescheduled for the evening, their intentions clearly unspoken.
A slightly tipsy Huang Yi, grinning ear to ear, sat on the bridal bed and reached for the bride’s hand, only to be brusquely brushed off.
"Show some respect," came a cool voice from beneath the veil.
Huang Yi was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing. With a bold gesture, he lifted the matron of honor’s veil.
Zhu Lengqing squinted as her eyes adjusted to the indoor light, angrily scanning the room for her groom. When she finally made out his face, she was so shocked that her mouth fell open and it took a while before she recovered her composure. "How can it be you?" she exclaimed.
"Who were you expecting? Di An?" Huang Yi sat down beside her again, taking her hand and looking at her with displeasure.
Zhu Lengqing glared at him with concern, "Did the Emperor and Empress know about this private switch?"
Huang Yi shook his head, "Even if the Emperor and Empress punish me, I’m not afraid. At least I married the woman I love."
"You...," she couldn’t deny she was moved. Looking into the shining eyes of the man she adored, her last bit of worry flew away.
In another particularly special room, Baihe’s face turned red as she hesitated whether or not to lift the groom’s veil. Although she had ’married’ the man she liked, she really couldn’t bring herself to lift his veil. Finally steeling her resolve, with a trembling hand, she lifted the fiery red veil, revealing the handsome face of the groom beneath it.
Xuefei rose with a playful expression, pulling her hand and looking at her tenderly, "My wife, it’s late. Let’s go to bed."
Baihe lowered her head bashfully, lips curving into a shy smile, and gave a slight nod. The wedding candles glowed brightly, casting a romantic glow in the room.
The night was quiet, with a gentle breeze blowing outside, and the brightly lit Summer Villa bathed in tranquility.
Early the next day, the five couples gathered together. Baihe looked at them, frowning slightly, and then Xuefei pulled her aside and whispered something to her. It dawned on her, and after a hurried breakfast with them, she jumped on a horse and rode at breakneck speed toward the Imperial Palace.
Feng Xuxu, her body aching, rose languidly. As her eyes flickered open, she spotted the senior palace maid beside her and started, then remembered that they had all married the day before and were granted a few days’ leave. They were most likely still enjoying their beds.
