Chapter 172 The Grand Wedding (End of Main Story)

Chapter 172: The Grand Wedding (End of Main Text)

A month and a half—neither too long nor too short.

Long enough that Xiao Yan felt every day was torture; short enough that Liu Qingci felt there was still so much he hadn't had time to pack up.

On the day of the wedding, the heavens smiled upon them. A late-spring, early-summer breeze brushed against them, neither too warm nor too cool—just right.

The new residence was filled with joy, festooned with lanterns and colorful banners, red silk fluttering everywhere.

There was no bride-fetching ceremony; Xiao Yan and Liu Qingci changed into their wedding robes in separate rooms.

Though only close friends and family had been invited, the main hall and the adjacent banquet hall were filled to capacity with guests, the atmosphere warm and lively.

Liu Wenyuan and his wife, dressed in brand-new ceremonial robes, sat upright at the head of the hall.

Since Prince Yu was getting married, His Majesty naturally had to attend in person.

As the auspicious hour drew near, a figure in imperial yellow, escorted by several eunuchs and imperial guards, stepped inside.

The entire hall held its breath, instinctively rising to bow.

"Today is a family banquet, dear ministers. No need for formalities. Sit down." The emperor raised his hand in a placating gesture, his voice gentle, a kindly smile on his face.

Liu Wenyuan and his wife quickly bowed: "This subject and his wife welcome Your Majesty."

"Rise." The emperor walked over, personally making a gesture to help Liu Wenyuan up, his tone unprecedentedly warm, almost like casual family chatter, "From today onward, we are proper in-laws."

Liu Wenyuan: "Your servant is awestruck..."

The emperor smiled and patted his arm: "The Liu family knows how to raise a son. I greatly favor Qingci. From now on, he is not only your son but also mine! Rest assured, I will never let him suffer."

Ever since these two were to marry, Xiao Qi has grown up so much!

This was all thanks to Liu Qingci!

As the saying goes, a virtuous wife keeps her husband from calamity—though not entirely fitting, the principle is the same.

The emperor secretly chuckled to himself over this marriage...

As they spoke, the master of ceremonies announced loudly: "The auspicious hour has arrived—invite the couple!"

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn.

The emperor stopped speaking with Liu Wenyuan and, smiling, returned to the main seat with them.

The hall fell silent again, all eyes fixed on the entrance.

A flicker of light, and two tall, straight-backed figures in matching crimson wedding robes entered, shoulder to shoulder, treading on the red carpet.

The master of ceremonies stood before the hall, his voice loud and joyful.

Red silk hung in the hall, candles burned brightly, incense smoke curled upward.

Xiao Yan and Liu Qingci stood side by side in front of the hall, each holding one end of a red silk ribbon. A large red flower was tied in the middle of the ribbon, gleaming brilliantly in the candlelight.

Their shadows were cast on the floor by the candlelight, merging together, indistinguishable from each other.

The two walked to the center of the hall.

"First bow to Heaven and Earth—"

Xiao Yan and Liu Qingci turned and bowed deeply toward the outside of the hall.

"Second bow to your parents—"

The two turned and bowed to the elders seated in the hall.

The emperor sat in the center, with Liu Wenyuan and Madam Liu on his left.

"Mutual bow as spouses—"

Xiao Yan and Liu Qingci turned to face each other as custom dictated.

When Liu Qingci turned and directly faced him, Xiao Yan felt all the surrounding noise and light instantly fade away, becoming a void of nothingness.

His entire world suddenly focused, locking irrevocably onto the person before him.

That crimson wedding robe made Liu Qingci appear like a piece of exquisitely carved jade, now fully radiating peerless brilliance under the daylight.

Devastatingly beautiful.

So—he looked this stunning in red too.

This good, this beautiful person—his.

At that moment, those normally crystal-clear amber eyes were fixed unblinkingly on him, reflecting only Xiao Yan alone in his wedding attire.

Xiao Yan's heart pounded heavily and wildly in his chest, each beat accompanied by immense joy and a bittersweet ache.

A scorching heat rushed from his heart to his eyes. Xiao Yan blinked hard, forcing back the tears that threatened to spill.

Liu Qingci saw his moist eyes and the corner of his mouth curved into a smile.

He reached out, his fingertips brushing Xiao Yan's cuff—a tentative gesture, like a touch of reassurance.

"Don't cry," he said softly.

Xiao Yan smiled back at him and even gave him a wink.

Liu Qingci looked at him like that, then simply withdrew the finger that had just touched the cuff and let it fall by his side.

The master of ceremonies' voice rang out again, calling:

"Bow—"

Then, in the hushed expectation of the hall, they bowed low toward the person before them.

One bow for a lifetime.

The ceremony concluded, the feast gradually dispersed.

The clamor of voices and the music of silk and bamboo faded like a tide amid sincere blessings.

At last, only the depths of the new residence remained—a hazy bridal chamber decorated with red candles and "double happiness" symbols.

Liu Qingci stood before the carved canopy bed spread with thick, soft red bedding, his back to Xiao Yan, as if still calming the shyness from bowing and toasting earlier.

Xiao Yan walked over and wrapped his arms around his waist from behind.

He set his chin on Liu Qingci's shoulder, turned his head, and nuzzled his ear.

"Qingqing."

Liu Qingci's lashes fluttered. He placed his hand over Xiao Yan's hand that was wrapped around his waist. "Mm..."

Xiao Yan tightened his arms, pulling him closer into his embrace. Their bodies were pressed together, separated by two layers of wedding robes, yet they could feel each other's warmth.

"I'm really happy today." Xiao Yan's voice came from just behind his ear.

A smile curved Liu Qingci's lips. "Me too."

Xiao Yan buried his face in the crook of Liu Qingci's neck, nuzzling him, and spoke in a muffled voice:

"I like you so much... so much... I think I fell for you even earlier than I knew."

"From the very first moment I saw you."

"I didn't know it was love at first sight. It was only a belated realization that back then, so early on, I already liked you so much..."

Xiao Yan wasn't the type to enjoy reading old-school web novels, but that day, inexplicably, he finished reading a book whose genre didn't really interest him.

Perhaps, even through the words on the page, he had already fallen for Liu Qingci as a person.

"Liu Qingci, right now, I love you so much."

After saying these words, Xiao Yan buried his face even deeper, as if embarrassed, or afraid that Liu Qingci would see his expression at that moment.

The tips of his ears were red, the same shade as the bright red wedding robe he was wearing, glowing under the candlelight.

Liu Qingci remained still in his arms.

"I know..." the one in his arms said softly.

Liu Qingci turned around. He looked up into Xiao Yan's eyes, took his hand, and their jade rings met.

He said, "That unspoken love of yours, I sensed it a long time ago too."

"Xiao Yan, I love you." Liu Qingci lifted his head and pressed a kiss to Xiao Yan's lips.

The long night was not yet over; the red candles burned high.

Time stretched long enough for the youthful infatuation to grow into a love that would last until their hair turned white.

...

—The End—