“Chapter 204: The Bridal Procession”

"Chapter 204: The Bridal Procession"

"'My lady, watch your step.'"

"Xiruo supported Lin Yunwan as they set out, with the wedding matron leading the way."

"Outside, with the sound of gongs and drums, Lin Yunwan felt herself drawing closer to the second gate. After passing through the hall and exiting the gate, heading towards the front courtyard to bid farewell to her parents and the old lady, she would leave with the Lord."

"'My lady, the second miss has also arrived!'"

"Xiruo whispered."

"Lin Yunwan said, 'A woman gets married at dusk; of course, she too must heed the hour.'"

"Two wedding matrons led the way, uttering auspicious phrases as they walked."

"Approaching the hall, Lin Yunwan slowed her pace."

"'Xiruo, do you smell something?'"

"Xiruo sniffed and shook her head, 'No, I don’t smell anything.'"

"But she noticed something else, 'My lady, the second miss’s attire… seems identical to yours.'"

"Lin Yunwan was puzzled, 'What do you mean identical?'"

"It wasn’t unusual for brides to wear similar wedding dresses, not something noteworthy for Xiruo to mention specifically."

"Xiruo, trained in martial arts since childhood and attentive to physical stature, explained, 'The second miss isn’t as tall as you, but now, dressed in the wedding attire and covered by the bridal veil, she appears as tall as you. It’s hard to tell you apart!'"

"Upon realizing this, Lin Yunwan smiled, 'If we can’t be distinguished, that’s just right.'"

"She asked Xiruo, 'Are we near the hall?'"

"'Just ahead,' Xiruo replied."

"Lin Yunwan whispered, 'Even though the old lady is there... we should still be cautious.'"

"'Yes,' Xiruo agreed."

"Supporting Lin Yunwan, Xiruo became even more careful."

"As they reached the hall, with the wedding matron leading the way, the moment Lin Yunwan stepped in, a fire broke out inside!"

"'Water, bring water!'"

"A maid shouted."

"The hall was carpeted in red, and there was a strong scent of pine oil."

"The fire quickly spread along the red carpet, sending the two wedding matrons and inexperienced maids into a panic."

"'Quick, put out the fire! What are you waiting for? Hurry, extinguish it!'"

"Madam Fan emerged from somewhere, directing those in the hall to fight the fire."

"The two wedding matrons, encountering such a situation for the first time, were at a loss, staring blankly at each other."

"Xiruo steadied Lin Yunwan."

"With a serious expression, she said, 'My lady, please follow me and retreat.'"

"She was terrified the flames might reach Lin Yunwan's bridal gown."

"'Xiruo, we can’t retreat now,' Lin Yunwan retorted."

"Lin Yunwan sneered, 'Madam Zheng must be planning to use this chaos to send the second miss out first, to take my place and go through the ceremony with the Lord. Once the deed is done, it’ll be too late to reverse it!'"

"'What?'"

"Xiruo widened her eyes in disbelief at the audacity of the plan."

"If the Lord found out about this sordid plot..."

"Sure enough, amidst the chaos, someone was seen helping the second miss through!"

"Xiruo became anxious, 'My lady, it’s not good! The second miss is trying to go ahead!'"

"Although it was a despicable idea, if Madam Zheng managed to pull it off, it would indeed be troublesome."

"With the wall of fire in between, those in the front hall had no idea the bride had been switched."

"Don't worry."

Lin Yunwan was not afraid; such a flawed plan was full of holes.

"Catch the bride's matron. Without her, let's see how she proceeds."

Xiruo hummed in response. Before she could act, Nurse Fan arrived with helpers, all carrying things, and quickly extinguished the fire in the blink of an eye.

"Miss, Nurse Fan is here!"

Hearing the voice, Lin Yunwan noticed the change in the scent outside.

The fire had been put out.

Everyone sighed in relief, except for Mama Fan, who was dumbfounded.

She hadn't yet managed to send the second young lady out!

Nurse Fan, unconcerned about her, approached Lin Yunwan, "Eldest Miss, the auspicious hour is near, please hurry over!"

"Ah!"

Mama Fan panicked, saying, "This... the red carpet is scorched. Miss, be careful not to dirty your dress."

Nurse Fan looked at her coldly, "Dirty or not, we must prioritize getting the eldest miss across first. We can't keep the prince waiting."

Someone behind her laid a fresh, clean red carpet.

Xiruo, assisting Lin Yunwan, stepped onto the new carpet, leaving the chaos behind as they proceeded out of the hall with the wedding matron.

Mama Fan was completely stiff.

This was the second blunder she had made!

If the madam found out, she would be skinned alive.

Nurse Fan urged the wedding matron, "Aren't you going to escort the second young lady to bid farewell to her parents?"

Lin Yunjiao's matron snapped back to reality and led Lin Yunjiao away.

Only then did Nurse Fan go to confront Mama Fan, smiling amiably, her dimples making her appear very approachable.

Mama Fan was too frightened to move.

"Nurse Fan..."

The quick resolution of the fire indicated that Nurse Fan knew everything!

"Nurse, you... you..."

"How did you know?"

Nurse Fan said indifferently, "Go tell the second madam that if she can play dirty in the main house's garden, can't others do something in her courtyard?"

Mama Fan opened her mouth but couldn't utter a word.

This meant the old lady knew about the second madam's conspiracy from the start – knew everything!

The second madam is finished now!

In the main hall of the front courtyard.

Xiruo helped Lin Yunwan to bid farewell to her parents and the elderly lady.

Mrs. Zheng sat at the front, nervously fidgeting, clutching her handkerchief, forcing a smile.

This was her last chance. Once everything was settled, no one could change it!

The title of Princess Huan and all the dowries were meant for her darling child, and the stepdaughter could suffer in the Wen family!

"'Everyone, please rise!'"

"Old Lady Lin urged Qi Lingheng and Lin Yunwan to stand."

"After all, he was Lord Huan; it wouldn't be appropriate to kneel to them for too long."

"The wedding matron helped Lin Yunwan to her feet, and following the sound, she approached Old Lady Lin to kneel and bid farewell."

"'Old Lady, thank you...'"

"Although Old Lady Lin always prioritized the family's interests and had her biases, she had helped her considerably."

"Lin Yunwan remembered this kindness."

"Old Lady Lin smiled warmly, 'Good child, just come and visit this old woman more often in the future.'"

"'I will,' Lin Yunwan promised softly."

"As the two whispered, the loud gongs, drums, and firecrackers outside made it impossible for others to hear their conversation."

"But Madam Zheng was stunned."

"Her Yunjiao would never have a private conversation with the old lady like this!"

"'This...'"

"This wasn't right!"

"Could it be that under the bridal veil was not her darling daughter?"

"'What are you doing?'"

"Madam Zheng stood up, but Lin Huabin tugged at her. She was in a daze."

"The wedding matron, urging 'The bride to exit,' led Lin Yunwan away, the gongs and drums clearing the way. The eldest grandson of the main house carried Lin Yunwan out the door and onto the grand bridal sedan."

"Lin Yunjiao also followed the wedding matron."

"Madam Zheng, hearing a faint, tearful 'Mother,' nearly dropped her teacup..."

"This was her darling daughter!"

"What on earth was happening!"

"'What's wrong with you?'"

"Lin Huabin caught the teacup, steadied Madam Zheng's wrist, and scolded her discontentedly, 'So many relatives are watching, and the child is offering you tea!'"

"Madam Zheng, like a zombie, drank the tea, forgetting to speak, and watched her daughter leave before rushing back to find Madam Fan."

"But she was met by Madam Fan instead."

"'Second lady, let's go see the old lady,' Madam Fan suggested."