Chapter 391: Zheng Jinyu’s Wedding to Xie Peiyu

Chapter 391: Zheng Jinyu's Wedding to Xie Peiyu

It was not because they had risked their lives to switch the children and then lived well without repaying them, making it seem not worth it.

The execution supervisor looked at the sky, calculated that it was about time, and ordered someone to take Fang Sanbao away.

Two executioners, dragging their large cleavers, approached them. They spat into their palms, rubbed their hands together, and gripped the handles tightly.

Only when their heads were pressed onto the bloodstained boards did they realize how terrified they were.

Before the blades even fell, they turned pale with fear and screamed incessantly.

It wasn't until the execution supervisor announced, "The time has come, proceed with the execution," that their terror reached its peak.

But this was not the most devastating part.

What truly broke them was that the official deliberately made them face each other, watching as the dull blade landed on the other's neck, failing to sever it in one blow, leaving a gruesome wound from which blood gushed, causing agonizing screams.

Even after two blows, the heads still hadn't fallen off, and their screams grew louder.

Yet, the crowd below cheered.

The third blow shattered the bones, the sound of which brought them unprecedented terror, yet they remained alive and conscious.

Their screams intensified, becoming incoherent.

One must admit, the executioner had some skill. If he had misjudged the angle or force, the first blow might have killed or knocked out the prisoners, diminishing the effect of the torture.

After the fourth blow, Zhao Zhaodi died.

Fang Dachuan watched her head fall before him, hanging by a mere piece of skin.

Another blow severed the last piece of skin, and the round head rolled several times before stopping.

Fang Dachuan lost his life with the next blow.

Zheng Ji, hidden in the crowd, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The two culprits who had destroyed their family were finally dead.

He glanced at Cui Qingqing, also hidden in the crowd, nodded once, and turned to leave.

Chunmei ran back to tell Zheng Jinyu about it, almost recreating the entire execution process.

In fact, she had gone to see it herself, but secretly.

She was getting married soon, and traditionally, a bride-to-be should not go out, especially to witness such an ominous event.

So she could only go secretly.

She saw with her own eyes the two culprits who had tormented Zheng Jinyu for over a decade meet their end, feeling much relieved.

The following days were busy, as preparing the dowry was a major undertaking.

Moreover, ancient customs placed great importance on weddings, with complex rituals and steps that couldn't be wrong.

Zheng Jinyu eventually agreed to let Auntie He help.

She used to work closely with the old lady, and when Lady Zheng married into the family, Auntie He had been a capable assistant in managing the household.

Lady Zheng wanted to personally oversee Zheng Jinyu's wedding preparations, but unfortunately, Lord Zheng was as stubborn as a mule, refusing to let her enter no matter how many times her brothers tried to mediate or Cui Yongnian came to drink with him.

"Hmph, she can forget it. Jinyu has everything arranged; if she comes in now, all the credit will go to her? Pah, there's no such thing."

Cui Yongnian nodded in agreement but then remembered he was here to support his aunt, so he quickly corrected himself, "That's not quite right. Auntie is Jinyu's mother, and having a concubine manage the wedding isn't appropriate."

"Who said I'm letting a concubine manage it? I'm doing it myself. I've already taken leave."

"Ah? You took leave again?"

"What? Is it wrong for me to take leave for my daughter's wedding?"

"But I heard someone impeached you, saying they want to demote you. You worked hard to become a Senior Counselor; don't get demoted back to a Junior Counselor. It's hard to climb higher at your age."

Pouring cold water on a happy day, Lord Zheng's face darkened, "If you're here to help, welcome. But if you're just here to say these things, please leave."

He always respected Cui Yongnian as a teacher, but due to Lady Zheng's infuriating behavior, he couldn't help but speak harshly.

"Favoring a concubine over a wife can affect your career. Not letting my aunt in while favoring a concubine might make people think you're neglecting your wife."

Lord Zheng glared, "Neglecting my wife? I've been too good to her, that's why she doesn't understand. Go, go, go, you go too. I don't see any good in your Cui family."

Cui Yongnian intentionally provoked Lord Zheng, and as expected, he was carried out by two servants.

Lady Zheng waited nearby and hurried forward when she saw Cui Yongnian, "How did it go? Why did they kick you out?"

Cui Yongnian sighed, "Auntie, you see now, I got kicked out trying to support you. It's not that I didn't help."

"But... why did he kick you out too?"

"Because I spoke up for you. He said there's no good in our Cui family."

Lady Zheng clenched her teeth in anger, "This old man, they say couples shouldn't hold grudges overnight, but he's been angry for so long."

"Don't say that. The more you say it, the angrier Uncle gets, and he won't let you in."

Lady Zheng spat in frustration, "Old and bad-tempered, who wants to deal with him?"

"Then why did you ask me to go and persuade her?"

"I wanted to see my daughter, but this old man locked her up. By the way, have you seen Jinyu? How is she?"

Cui Yongnian helplessly shook his head. "My cousin is doing well, but she's busy with the wedding preparations and hasn't had time to talk much with me. Aunt, let's go back."

Lady Zheng wiped her tears sadly. "Which girl gets married without her mother making arrangements? That bastard Zheng Ji actually asked a concubine to handle it. If people find out, how embarrassing it would be."

"Don't worry about that. Uncle personally took charge of everything."

...

Finally, the day of Zheng Jinyu's wedding arrived.

In these days, Lord Zheng was as stubborn as a mule. No matter who came to persuade him, he wouldn't budge. He insisted that Lady Zheng not enter the South Courtyard or get involved in anything related to Zheng Jinyu.

Both sons, Cui Yongnian, and two brothers-in-law were all chased away by him.

On the day of her wedding, he surprisingly dismissed the guards at the gate and allowed them to enter.

Lady Zheng finally got in. She wanted to see her daughter one last time before the wedding, so she hurried into her daughter's room, only to find her already covered with a veil.

The traditional wedding ceremony usually involved a fan, but few used a veil. Today, however, she chose the veil.

Lady Zheng understood her daughter's intention and burst into tears.

"Jinyu, you're getting married, yet you don't even want to see your mother?"

The person under the veil spoke slowly, "Mother, once a bride's veil is on, it cannot be removed."

Lady Zheng understood the logic, but why did she choose the veil? Was it because she didn't want to see her?

Lady Zheng was heartbroken.