Chapter 73 Wedding Joy characters, mandarin ducks, intertwined branches.

Chapter 73: Marriage

Double Happiness, mandarin ducks, intertwined branches (symbolizing marital union).

Zhong Yao had always felt that, although she could be infuriating at times, she was generally likable. When she was little and visited her parents’ ancestral home, people often praised her as a little fairy child beside the Bodhisattva.

As she grew older, though she knew those words carried some flattery, before her reputation went downhill, most people who interacted with her found her amusing and enjoyed talking to her.

Only Xie Chi was the exception. For a long time, Xie Chi genuinely disliked her.

Was it because she kept crying when they first met, getting on his nerves?

Later, bound by a debt of gratitude, they started interacting, and perhaps out of habit, they could somewhat be considered friends. After that, they traveled together to Wuyin Mountain, where Xie Chi kept going crazy...

No, not going crazy—he started buttering her up, hoping to marry her.

It was Song Xi who tipped her off about Xie Chi’s feelings back then, but the exact reason... She'd figured it was because of her good nature and beauty that Xie Chi gradually fell for her...

Now, thinking back...

Could it be that Xie Chi had to settle for her because she kissed him in a daze and ruined his innocence again?

Zhong Yao thought that made perfect sense.

Recalling the past, when she accidentally caught a glimpse of Xie Chi naked, he was so mad his face went ice-cold. If it weren't for Xue Fang's meddling and the favor he owed her, Zhong Yao figured Xie Chi might've actually killed her back then.

Zhong Yao wanted to ask Xie Chi if she really had taken liberties with him and what his true thoughts were, but with just three days to go till the wedding, they weren't allowed to see each other.

She went to ask her little brother, but he'd cut ties with her as siblings the day before and ignored her.

She went to ask Song Xi, who said, “Are you an idiot?”

“I’m not.” Zhong Yao shook her head and reasoned gently, “Don't always project yourself onto others. I’m different from you—I’m the smartest, the prettiest...”

Before she could finish, Song Xi twisted her arm and pinned her down on the bed.

“I was wrong, okay?” Zhong Yao whined and apologized, “I’m the idiot, and you're the gorgeous one...”

As she apologized, Zhong Yao thought that no matter why Xie Chi was marrying her, he was a good man.

—When he disciplined her, he didn't hit as hard as Song Xi!

With no one to see and no answers, Zhong Yao could only wonder if she was too sinful for taking advantage of Xie Chi while she was out of it, while also doubting why he ever liked her in the first place.

Sometimes, she'd shyly and regretfully wonder what Xie Chi’s lips tasted like.

Why did she have to forget that part...

The days passed with Zhong Yao lost in her wild thoughts until the big day arrived.

When Song Xi got married, Zhong Yao showed up early. By the time she got there, Song Xi was already dressed, poised and waiting for the old lady to comb her hair.

Song Xi had told her that getting married was a pain, but Zhong Yao didn’t believe it until it was her turn. She realized Song Xi was absolutely right.

She was woken before dawn, spun around and fussed over endlessly, and even had to ask her mom for a sip of water.

By the time she was nearly ready, the guests had arrived.

On a day like this, even families with minor beefs with the Zhong family held their tongues, especially since she was marrying into the Yong'an Marquis's family.

Amid all the compliments, Zhong Yao sat at the vanity as Old Madam Li combed her hair.

She was one of the few old ladies in the capital blessed with nobility, long life, health, wealth, many kids, and a spotless reputation. Having her comb the hair was meant to pass that perfect life on to Zhong Yao.

As the combing went on, someone sang, “One comb to the end, two combs for gray hair and matching brows...”

Zhong Yao listened and at first found it funny.

It felt unreal, like playing house when she was a kid, but when she looked up and saw her mother’s dazed expression in the mirror, her eyes suddenly stung, and she almost cried.

Afraid of being made fun of, she quickly looked down to hide it.

After the combing and the phoenix crown were done, the bridal veil was put on, and the guests chatted a bit before leaving, leaving mother and daughter alone to chat.

“Mother...” Zhong Yao lifted the veil, her voice choked up, but was cut off.

“I've been thinking, and I still need to put her in her place.”

Madam Zhong’s voice was sorrowful but firm. “Yaoyao, when you pay respects to Old Madam Xie tomorrow, it’s best to go before dawn. She’ll surely still be asleep. The mornings are still cold this season—pretend to get sick from the cold while waiting to pay respects... If the new bride gets sick on the first day, she'll lose face and never dare to do it again...”

Pausing, Madam Zhong frowned worriedly. “No, pretending to be sick might get you criticized for being frail... How about this, Yaoyao? Before the morning visit, trick Heir Xie into wearing thin clothes and freeze him till he gets sick. Then you pretend to feel bad but still take care of him, catching a cold from him...”

Zhong Yao never expected her mom to be scheming like this!

She said, “Heir Xie is very sturdy. Even washing in cold mountain streams doesn’t give him a chill.”

Madam Zhong thought about Xie Chi’s build and nodded. “True, tall, long-legged, narrow-waisted—that physique looks tough.”

Then she paused, her eyes flickering, and changed her mind. “...Forget it, tomorrow night. Tomorrow night, pretend to have nightmares and pull the covers off, freezing him all night. Let him get sick, and then you pretend to be sick too.”

Zhong Yao didn’t notice her hesitation and said, “But the day after, we have to visit the Marquis at Xuanxiao Temple.”

Xuanxiao Temple was renowned. Decades ago, before the late emperor ascended the throne, he had studied under the old abbot there, making it arguably the foremost temple in the world.

The Yong'an Marquis lived there in seclusion, cultivating.

After the marriage was settled, Xie Chi had sent word to the temple, stating that on the second day, he would bring his new wife, grandmother, and younger brother to visit his father.

After all, though the Marquis had left worldly affairs, his only son’s marriage warranted a meeting to acknowledge the new bride.

“Then the third day...”

“The third day is for the return visit.”

Madam Zhong was unwilling. “Then the fourth day...”

Zhong Yao laughed, saying between giggles, “But being sick is uncomfortable—I wouldn’t want that...”

“What’s there to be reluctant about? What’s wrong with a big man being sick for a bit?” Madam Zhong was dismissive and a bit angry. “The mother-in-law relationship is the man’s problem to handle. If he can’t manage it, isn’t it right for him to suffer a little?”

Zhong Yao thought her mother was biased—just last year, she wouldn’t let her out for a few coughs, but for Xie Chi, being sick was no big deal.

Still, she was happy her mother favored her.

Zhong Yao lifted the veil onto the phoenix crown and hugged her mother, leaning against her.

Madam Zhong patted her hand and added, “Besides, doesn’t he love you? In those romance stories, lovers always prove their feelings by nearly dying. We’re just making him sick to deal with his grandmother...”

While the two were scheming against the old lady, Old Madam Xie, chatting with guests elsewhere, suddenly shivered. She looked around, asked the time, and, to be safe, sent someone to fetch Xie Chi.

Xie Chi was talking to the Crown Prince in the rear side hall.

The Crown Prince had come early to congratulate Xie Chi on his marriage and used the chance to ask him a few things.

“That hallucinogenic drug from Misty Hidden Mountain—you sure it works?”

Xie Chi: “?”

If it didn’t work, would he have lost his mind?

“You tested it?” he asked.

“The day before yesterday, Fourth Brother cried in front of Father, saying he genuinely loves your soon-to-be wife…” The Crown Prince spoke, watching Xie Chi’s expression. Seeing he wasn’t mad, he was pretty surprised. “You’re not pissed?”

“My wife’s super charming; it’s only natural people like her, right?” Xie Chi, dressed in bright red wedding clothes, looked stunning, with starry eyes and a jade-like face, so handsome it was blinding.

He said coolly, “Besides, I’m not that small-minded. Last year, Xu Su introduced her to three hundred eligible bachelors, and I didn’t do a thing to him, did I?”

The Crown Prince couldn’t help laughing. Once he stopped laughing, he wanted to bring up that “three hundred” young men thing and also ask if Xie Chi would ever do anything to Xu Su in the future. After thinking it over, he finally said, “Aren’t you worried Father might lose his head for a second and go along with him?”

People always get confused sometimes, especially when they get older. And when a powerful old man gets confused, that’s the most dangerous thing.

In a few years, the Emperor might actually do it.

But from what Xie Chi knew about him, not now.

And even if he did, wasn’t the Crown Prince in front of him?

If one day the Emperor really went along with Fourth Prince’s craziness, the Crown Prince should be the first to smell the danger.

Xie Chi figured he’d either force the Emperor to step down or kill Fourth Prince.

“Can Your Highness let him do whatever he wants?” Xie Chi asked.

The Crown Prince said, “No way.”

After that, he picked up where he left off. “Father didn’t agree. Then Fourth Brother said he missed his dead mother and wanted to visit the Consort’s mausoleum, asking Father to send guards to escort him…”

The Consort’s mausoleum was on a green hill outside the city, a place for burying imperial family. Leaving the palace, of course, needed an escort.

But once Fourth Prince had men under his control, he’d never stay put.

“Father didn’t say yes outright. Instead, he called me in to handle it.” The Crown Prince looked irritated, tossing his cup on the table. “I don’t mind keeping him around, but he’s so annoying—either hanging on me calling me ‘big bro,’ or faking fainting, or cutting himself with glass to play the victim…”

The Crown Prince looked disgusted. After a long pause, he said darkly, “Yesterday, I wanted him to have a fit in the palace, so that…”

So that what?

The Crown Prince didn’t say it outright, but the listener understood.

Xie Chi said, “That drug fears wind and water; it’s better used in a confined space.”

“It was used in a hall with doors and windows tightly shut. The guards watching outside were all breathing heavily, but Fourth Brother, inside it, showed no effect.”

Fourth Prince could never have such strong willpower.

Xie Chi, most familiar with the drug’s effects, frowned along with the Crown Prince.

Yet this matter was truly hard to understand.

The hall fell silent for a moment. The Crown Prince wondered, “Could it be that he’s always in a state of madness, so the hallucinogen shows no abnormality in him?”

Xie Chi: “…”

He actually found that somewhat plausible.

In the mutual silence, footsteps of a guard came from outside.

“Young Master, the Old Madam says it’s almost time. Please go to the front first, so as not to delay the wedding procession.”

Xie Chi sent the guard away and said to the Crown Prince, “Your Highness, forgive me, I’ve got things to do and need to go.”

The Crown Prince, still troubled over how to deal with Fourth Prince, waved his hand weakly.

Xie Chi didn’t stand on ceremony.

He stopped thinking about other things, straightened his lapels, adjusted his cuffs and hem, confirming that his demeanor and posture were flawless, then strode out to the festive front hall, adorned everywhere with characters for joy, mandarin ducks, intertwined branches, and paired birds.

Then, facing the warm spring breeze, he set off on the journey to pick up Zhong Yao.