Chapter 171: The Grand Finale

Chapter 171 The Final Chapter

September arrived in the capital, and the ginkgo trees along Chang'an Street were a sea of gold.

Today was A Yuan's wedding day, and the front of the general's residence was abuzz with activity.

Though she and Wei Xun already had three children, the wedding ceremony and its grandeur were carried out with full ceremony.

The palace had sent gifts early, with Empress Zhang and the crown princess both contributing to her trousseau.

A Man wore a pomegranate-red dress, bustling about.

The two children were also dressed in red swaddling clothes, looking like two festive little dolls of fortune.

"Mistress, the marquis's bridal sedan has arrived. The general is ready to escort you to it," Chun Tao said with a smile as she entered, addressing A Yuan, who was already fully arrayed in her bridal finery.

The woman was dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered bridal robes, her delicately arched brows, her nose delicate, and lips red. A golden floral adornment graced her forehead, making her appear even more enchanting.

When she looked up, Chun Tao was nearly blinded by her radiance.

"...Mistress is truly beautiful."

They say brides are the most beautiful, and indeed, it was no lie.

"When the marquis sees you, he won’t be able to look away."

A Yuan blushed and shot her a reproachful glance. "When did you learn to be so glib?"

"Hehe," Chun Tao grinned. "This maid only speaks the truth. Mistress is the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen."

"I think Chang Yuan has corrupted you."

A Yuan was too shy, so Chun Tao stopped teasing her and fetched the bridal veil embroidered with mandarin ducks to cover her head.

When the bride was ready to leave, her brother carried her to the bridal palanquin. Xie Zheng waited at the entrance, and when he saw his sister in her wedding attire, his eyes welled up instantly.

"Maybe you shouldn’t get married. Your sister-in-law and I can provide for you always."

After all, Qing Shuang got along well with his sister, and the general’s residence was spacious enough for her and the three children.

A Yuan choked out a laugh through her tears, the sadness of leaving home fading slightly.

"Brother, what nonsense are you saying?"

"I just can’t bear to let you go."

As he spoke, Xie Zheng’s voice cracked with emotion.

His sister had suffered much in the first half of her life. She had only just returned home and enjoyed a few years of peace before leaving again to marry.

Even if she was marrying into a marquis’s household to become a marchioness, how could it compare to the comfort of her own home?

Xie Zheng blinked, forcing back the tears in his eyes. "I’ll always have your back. If you’re ever unhappy at the marquis’s residence, come home. I’ll take care of you."

"Okay." A Yuan’s tears spilled over suddenly.

"Now, now, alright, alright. The bride shouldn’t cry on such a joyous day. Hurry into the sedan, or we’ll miss the propitious hour."

The bridesmaid coaxed them from the sidelines, and Xie Zheng composed himself before bending down to give A Yuan a piggyback ride.

The walk from the inner courtyard to the outer courtyard took a quarter of an hour, yet the time flew by for Xie Zheng. When they reached the gate and saw Wei Xun dressed in wedding attire, his eyes were still red.

"If you dare mistreat A Yuan, I will march my troops to level your Marquis of Anning's estate!"

Young General Xie had always been true to his word. Wei Xun’s expression turned solemn, filled with respect. "Brother, rest assured. In this lifetime, I will never fail A Yuan again. If I break this oath, may I be struck by lightning!"

"Good. Remember your words."

Xie Zheng spoke gravely before handing his sister over.

Wei Xun carefully received her, cradling her carefully in his arms.

Through the wedding veil, A Yuan saw her brother’s reluctant face.

Her heart ached. Her brother had been both father and mother to her—after their parents passed, she was fortunate to have her brother protecting her.

The wedding palanquin rocked as it made its way into the marquis’s estate. Wei Xun carried her down, headed straight for the wedding hall.

For their marriage ceremony, Madam Wei was also present.

After months of house arrest, she had aged considerably.

She had known about Zhao Wan’s lie, claiming she was gravely ill to lure A Yuan back to the estate.

Originally, she had despised A Yuan—even if she was Xie Zheng’s sister, Madam Wei still disliked her.

If Zhao Wan could have rid them of that fox spirit, she would have welcomed it.

Yet once again, Zhao Wan and Shen Qiuyu failed, leaving A Yuan unharmed.

Madam Wei was furious upon learning this and had even railed against Zhao Wan behind closed doors several times.

But when she discovered A Yuan had given Wei Xun two sons, her attitude completely changed.

Wei Xun, at his age, had finally been blessed with two children. If anything had happened to them, she would have had Zhao Wan drawn and quartered.

Even though nothing had happened, she still resented Zhao Wan.

So when Zhao Wan, imprisoned and seeking her help, came pleading, Madam Wei wouldn’t even see her.

Now, though she still disliked A Yuan, for the sake of her two grandsons, she wouldn’t give A Yuan any trouble.

The wedding ceremony proceeded smoothly. After the couple bowed to each other, A Yuan was led to the wedding chamber.

Having lived in the marquis’s estate for five years, A Yuan was familiar with every nook and cranny in the Jade Purity Courtyard. Even with the bridal veil covering her head, she immediately sensed they were heading in that direction.

Once inside the chamber, when the veil was lifted, A Yuan’s eyes showed a flash of confusion at the familiar surroundings.

Wei Xun’s fingers curled slightly, a twinge of nervousness rising in his heart.

"I had them expand and redecorate the courtyard, keeping its original layout. Since you’ve lived here for so long, you might be more comfortable. But if you dislike it, I can have another courtyard prepared."

"No need. This place is fine."

Compared to the main courtyard, which was full of bad memories, A Yuan actually liked it better here.

"Where are the children?"

A mother’s eyes never leave her children, especially since she’d risen early to get ready and hadn’t laid eyes on them in over three hours.

Wei Xun shooed away the wedding attendants and maids, sitting down beside A Yuan.

He rarely wore red, but the vibrant hue accentuated his refined features, making him more captivating than any seductive spirit from folklore.

Wei Xun lowered his gaze, a hint of hurt lingering in his eyes.

"Darling, tonight’s our wedding night."

Under the hazy candlelight, A Yuan’s heart gave a little flutter, as though she’d committed some unforgivable crime.

"I’m just worried about the children..."

Wei Xun leaned closer, entwining his fingers with hers. "The nannies and servants have them well in hand. They won’t cry or fuss."

"A Yuan, won’t you show me some tenderness?"

"...But, but don’t you need to attend the guests?"

Helpless against his pleading, A Yuan turned her face slightly away.

"No."

Wei Xun refused without hesitation. This spring night’s every moment was precious—he’d finally gotten his bride home and wouldn’t dream of wasting time on toasts.

Besides, he already had someone covering the drinking for him.

In the front courtyard, Zhou Yan had already done his circuit of toasts.

He couldn’t hold his liquor well, but with the groom absent, the poor soul stuck deflecting toasts had no choice but to suffer through round after round.

Zhou Yan silently cursed his luck. After all, he had a favor to ask—winning Dan Yang required Wei Xun’s help.

"Come, drink!"

...

The wedding chamber was warm, heavy with whispered intimacy.

In the end, A Yuan couldn’t refuse her husband’s pleas. As the red bed curtains fell, soft sounds soon drifted through the room.

Wei Xun wrapped an arm around her waist, his lips wandering from her brow to the edge of her lips.

The crimson drapes dimmed the candlelight outside but brought their bodies even closer.

A Yuan could feel the rapid beating of his heart and the growing warmth between them under the curtains.

Wei Xun kissed her lips, slow and savoring.

"Thank you for giving me another chance."

In this lifetime, he would never fail her again.

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