Chapter 19 019 The Wedding Day [VIP Notice]

Chapter 19: Wedding Day (VIP Chapter Announcement)

Qiao Wanyue rubbed her wrist, thinking that men were really strong—just a slight touch could leave a red mark. She shouldn't rush into things; if a conflict led to a fight, she'd be the one at a disadvantage.

He wouldn't hit a woman, would he? She'd ask Su Su tonight. If he did, then no matter what, she couldn't marry him.

The young girl's eyes darted around, a glint of mischief in them. "He already wants to boss me around even before we're married."

Her muttering was just loud enough for Qin Yan to hear. A flicker of awkwardness passed over his face, but he quickly returned to his usual expression. She had a point—why should he interfere? They weren't married yet.

Qin Yan coldly dropped two words: "Suit yourself."

Then he strode away, his upright figure quickly disappearing into the darkness. Qiao Wanyue pouted, not caring whether he was angry or not. As for how they'd get along after marriage, that was a problem for later. For now, she would do things her way.

But judging by Qin Yan's meddling nature, he was probably an old-fashioned, rigid, and controlling man who expected everyone to obey him. Hah, dream on.

Qiao Wanyue sat on the railing, leaning against a pillar, and waited a while longer before Lin Susu finally arrived, arriving a bit late. Qiao Wanyue asked with concern about Lord Lin's illness. Lin Susu replied with a smile, "Nothing serious—just caught a chill from enjoying the cool too much. A few doses of medicine and he'll be fine in a few days. Come on, let's go to my place."

"That's good to hear."

It wasn't her first time in Lin Susu's courtyard; she had stayed there for a few days before. The two girls were close, and the elder generations of both families let them be.

Late at night, lying in bed, they started studying Lin Susu's picture album again, engrossed in it. Occasionally they teased each other, and cheerful laughter echoed through the darkness from time to time.

Later in the night, Qiao Wanyue rubbed her eyes, tired and drowsy. Suddenly she remembered something and asked Lin Susu, "Does Qin Yan hit women?"

"No."

Lin Susu said very firmly, "He wouldn't raise a hand. And he was very gentle with my sister—spoke softly. They never had a cross word."

"Were they... close?" Qiao Wanyue asked hesitantly. It was somewhat inappropriate to ask about the relationship between the man who was about to become her husband and his late wife, but she wanted to know anyway.

Lin Susu recalled her sister and brother-in-law's daily interactions. She hadn't seen them after marriage, but before the wedding, they got along well. How to describe it? Natural, with mutual respect, understanding, and tolerance.

"Pretty good," Lin Susu replied.

Qiao Wanyue couldn't help thinking: "Pretty good"—how good was that? Probably better than her mother and Qiao Zhuofan's relationship. No wonder Qin Yan still couldn't forget his late wife.

She didn't know how to describe the feeling—just that her breathing felt off, her chest a little tight. Had Su Su not opened the window? She lifted the curtain and glanced over: the window was wide open, with a slight breeze coming in, so it wasn't too hot. So why did she feel a tightness in her chest?

Lin Susu yawned, also getting sleepy. She put the book away and mumbled, "Yueyue, I'm going to sleep now."

Qiao Wanyue lay down, said "Mm," and fell asleep soon after.

-

In the blink of an eye, it was July, the hottest season. Outside was like a giant furnace, baking everyone until they couldn't take it. Everyone felt lazy, listless, and drowsy all day, as if sleepwalking.

With the heat, Qiao Wanyue didn't like going out; she mostly stayed in the manor. Madame Wang also told her not to go out unless necessary—the wedding was near, and many things needed preparing.

She nodded absently, surprised at how quickly her wedding date had been set. Not long after Qin Yan's betrothal gifts, the date was fixed: the third day of the eighth lunar month, only ten days away. A bit rushed, don't you think?

Qiao Wanyue had originally wanted to marry at the end of the year, but according to Madame Wang, it wasn't Qin Yan who was in a hurry, but Qiao Zhuofan, so they settled on August instead.

Since the date was set, she would go ahead with the marriage.

The wedding dress had been entrusted to the embroidery workshop, and it should arrive in a couple of days. She would try it on first, and if it didn't fit, she could have it adjusted; there should still be enough time.

That day, Qiao Wanyue was taking a nap in her room when Madame Wang came with the wedding dress. Half-asleep, eyes barely open, she was undressed by Hongmei and Zhu Qing, and then they slipped the bright red wedding dress onto her.

The color was auspicious and festive, and the embroidery of mandarin ducks and lotus flowers was exquisite and lifelike, showing excellent craftsmanship. Qiao Wanyue felt the fabric carefully; it was soft. The only downside was the heat—it was summer after all.

The dress was made of the lightest and most comfortable material, but there was no escaping the heat. Sigh.

Once the wedding dress was on, Qiao Wanyue looked down at herself but couldn't see clearly before Madame Wang eagerly called her over.

"Yueyue, come here and let me have a look."

She shuffled forward, with Zhu Qing behind her lifting the hem to avoid dirtying it.

"Mother, does it look good?"

A girl gets married only once in her life, and she was full of anticipation and hope, naturally wanting to look her best on her wedding day.

She pressed her lips together, looking nervously at Madame Wang, waiting for her to speak.

Madame Wang beamed as she looked her up and down, nodding repeatedly, very satisfied. "Mm, it looks good, and the size is just right. Go take a look yourself."

Qiao Wanyue ran to the mirror to check. The red dress made her skin look even fairer and more delicate—she looked simply radiant. At that moment, Qiao Wanyue felt she truly looked beautiful.

After trying on the dress, she took it off, folded it neatly and put it away for the wedding day.

While tidying up her clothes inside, she caught a glimpse of Madame Wang sighing, looking preoccupied, as if she had something on her mind. Qiao Wanyue slowed her steps, sat down, glanced at Madame Wang, and probed, "Mother, is something wrong?"

"I was thinking…" Madame Wang stopped mid-sentence, looking at her with a troubled expression.

She sighed softly. "Mother, just say it."

Yes, they were mother and daughter—why couldn't she just say it?

With that thought, Madame Wang came out with it directly: "You're getting married soon. I was thinking of writing a letter to your grandparents to inform them."

Her father had passed away early, and her mother had long stopped associating with her grandparents. But since she was still part of the Xu family, it was only proper to let them know.

Qiao Wanyue nodded. "Mm, let them know."

She had no objections. Knowing how they were, they wouldn't come looking for her even if they knew about the wedding. So she wasn't worried.

Since Qiao Wanyue agreed, Madame Wang felt relieved and could send the letter she had already written.

Madame Wang stayed for a while, giving her lots of instructions, before finally letting her go.

Once she left, Qiao Wanyue flopped back onto the bed and kept sleeping. After marriage, she wondered if she'd still be able to sleep in? Probably not. Sigh.

Days passed one by one. As the wedding approached, Qiao Wanyue grew more restless, her heart racing with anxiety. Whenever she felt upset, she wanted to go out for a stroll, but with the wedding near, Qiao Zhuofan and Madame Wang wouldn't let her leave the manor, insisting she stay put to avoid any accidents.

Helpless, Qiao Wanyue had to count down the days at home.

Two days before the wedding, she couldn't sleep well two nights in a row, her mind foggy and sluggish.

It wasn't until her wedding day, hearing the loud drums and gongs, that she felt a sense of reality: she was getting married.

Hongmei and Zhu Qing did her hair and makeup, along with an older woman—three people helping her. Madame Wang watched from the side, wiping away tears while smiling, crying happy tears.

Qiao Wanyue forced a smile to comfort her: "Mother, don't cry. You said marriage is a happy occasion, right?"

She hadn't even cried yet.

Madame Wang said "Ah," wiped her tears, and came over. "You've grown up and are getting married. From now on, be more careful in everything. If you're wronged, don't be afraid—come back and tell me. When dealing with your husband, don't throw tantrums; be more patient and tolerant. You listening?"

She closed her eyes, simply because she hadn't slept well in two days and was too tired.

It wasn't that she wasn't listening to Madam Wang; it was that Madam Wang had said those words so many times that she could recite them by heart.

"I heard, I heard. I remember very clearly."

"Just remember that."

Her complexion was poor, so Zhu Qing applied a bit more rouge, and her complexion instantly improved a lot. Qiao Wanyue lifted her chin to look in the mirror, smiling slightly—bright eyes and white teeth, a captivating young lady.

She heard the clamor; it was probably the wedding procession arriving. Before long, she was led out by the matchmaker. A red cloth covered her head, so she couldn't see the way and could only follow. After a while, the matchmaker stopped and handed her over to the groom.

From beneath the bridal veil, she saw a large hand reaching toward her, slightly cupped in invitation. Qiao Wanyue hesitated for a few moments, then placed her hand on it.

His palm had light calluses, prickling her skin a little. She moved her hand a few times, and the man's fingers tightened, gripping her more firmly.

All around, there was noisy laughter and flattering talk, but Qiao Wanyue heard Madam Wang's choked voice, barely holding back tears. Her nose stung, and she felt like crying.

She blinked back her tears. Only when she got into the sedan chair did tears start to fall. Once she left the Qiao residence, she was truly married – she was now a wife.

Even though she knew this day would come, Qiao Wanyue's emotions were still indescribably complicated. She sniffled and pulled herself together as the sedan chair jolted along.

She was so sleepy she wanted to sleep. She had just dozed off for a bit when they reached the Qin residence gate. Qin Yan helped her out and said considerately, "Watch your step."

"Mm."

During the bowing ceremony, it was much quieter, and the surroundings were calmer.

As the ceremony concluded, Qiao Wanyue let out a long sigh of relief. Finally, it was over. Exhausted and sleepy, all she wanted was to go to the bridal chamber and rest.

She and Qin Yan went hand in hand to the bridal chamber. As she sat on the edge of the bed, the man bent down and whispered in her ear, "Wait for me."

Qiao Wanyue was so exhausted that her head was spinning, and she nodded in agreement.

"Okay, hurry up."

There were so many guests waiting for Qin Yan to entertain; if he didn't go, his colleagues wouldn't let him off the hook.

The door creaked shut, and Qiao Wanyue immediately fell back on the bed, exclaiming, "Ouch, I'm dead tired. Let me sleep a bit."

Hongmei glanced at the door and came over to pull her up. "No, it's not good if someone sees us. They'll say we have no manners."

"No one's coming," she said, closing her eyes, too tired to move. "Call me if someone comes."

Hongmei couldn't persuade her, so she gave in. Zhu Qing kept watch at the door, while she stayed by the bed. Neither of them dared to relax for a moment.

The noise from the Qin residence gradually faded, then settled into silence. The splendid mansion was enveloped in dusk, with big red lanterns hung high, swaying in the wind.

Zhu Qing spotted someone coming and immediately told Hongmei, who then tried to wake her. But Qiao Wanyue hadn't slept well for days and had been tired for half the day, so no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't wake her.

When Qin Yan entered, reeking of alcohol, Hongmei was sweating with anxiety, stood up awkwardly, flustered, and bowed.

"Marquis, the lady is too tired, so..."

"Leave us."

Qin Yan waved his hand, and the two immediately left. He frowned at the woman on the bed, clearly dissatisfied.

"Qiao Wanyue, wake up."

"Huh? Who's here?" Just now they couldn't wake her no matter what, but now she was wide awake. Opening her eyes and seeing the person beside her, she sat up with a start.