IHOEAYSTTTIW Chapter 67

Chapter 67: Bound as Husband and Wife, Loving Each Other Unquestioningly

Gu Zhan wanted a lively wedding for Cheng Que, wanting everyone to know that he had married the *Ge’er* he had always yearned for. So he made a list longer than the betrothal gifts, and sent invitations to acquaintances, strangers, those whose names he could remember, and those whose names he vaguely recalled… to everyone.

According to Gu Zhan’s plan, it would be good if a quarter of these people actually came. But on the wedding day, Gu Zhan truly saw what it meant to be “as crowded as a marketplace.”

The servants of the Gu family were so busy that their feet barely touched the ground. Fortunately, these esteemed guests who came to the banquet didn’t need their assistance at all. The moment they were about to go forward to help, guests would already come forward to greet them: “Oh, Uncle is here too, long time no see.”

The old man waved his hand at the servant and walked inside with the young man who had come to greet him, “I’ve been feeling a bit better recently, so I came to take a look.”

The young man casually echoed, “It’s really been hard on you.”

The old man took a seat, and immediately a servant brought tea. The old man picked up the teacup and examined it carefully, his attention clearly not on the meal. He looked outside, and seemingly casually asked, “I heard that His Highness Prince An will also be coming today?”

“Indeed,” the young man’s voice was filled with envy that even a three-year-old could hear, “The Gu family has now formed a relationship with Prince An’s House, things are different now than they used to be.”

“I don’t see Prince An here yet,” the old man looked outside again, but still didn’t see the person he wanted to see. He turned his gaze back and looked around the room, discovering that while there were many people, several familiar faces were missing. The old man pointed a finger at the young man, his voice a little hoarse, “Wasn’t your Second Uncle very close to their family before? He hasn’t shown up yet either?”

“Second Brother isn’t coming today,” an old man with gray hair stroked his beard, cupped his hands towards the sky, and lowered his voice slightly, “The Second Brother’s family is famous for not taking sides, only loyal to *that* one.”

The young man darted from one side to the other, pestering the man from before to explain clearly, “Fifth Uncle, what do you mean by that?”

The two old men looked grave, shaking their heads and sighing, neither of them answering the young man. The young man patiently waited for a long time but didn’t get a clear answer, so he could only try to make things explicit, “Are you saying that Prince An’s position…”

“These words can’t be said carelessly, this old man has never heard of it, much less said it.”

“Young people these days, really.”

The two old men immediately jumped up from their seats and moved to a position one table away from the young man. The speed made the young man feel a little dazed.

Weren’t these two in poor health? When did they become so agile?

Before the young man could figure it out, the courtyard suddenly became lively, with a group of people shouting that they had arrived. The servants in the room also rushed out to greet them. The young man could barely see through the crowd that there were two figures dressed in extremely luxurious clothing in the courtyard, besides the newlyweds.

This was probably the Prince An and Princess An they were talking about.

“Your Highness Prince An, Your Highness Princess,” Gu Zhan and Cheng Que knelt to pay their respects.

As soon as they knelt, the people around them also knelt down, even the two elders of the Gu family were among them.

“Rise, everyone,” Yun Qi waved his hand, and Lin Yan even took the initiative to help Cheng Que up.

Today was the auspicious day of Gu Zhan and Cheng Que’s wedding. Cheng Que was wearing a semi-transparent red veil, and only because Lin Yan was close could he barely make out his attire for the day.

Through the hazy veil, Cheng Que’s eyebrows and eyes were even more captivating, eyebrows like distant mountains, eyes like autumn waters, skin as white as snow, a touch of vermilion lips with a delicate shyness. Since that day, Cheng Que had never worn those long earrings again. Today, he only wore a pair of small, exquisite pearl earrings. The pearls were also of the highest quality, round and full, accentuating his gentle and elegant demeanor.

Lin Yan leaned close to Cheng Que’s ear and praised in a low voice, “Cheng Cheng, you look really beautiful today. It reminds me of a poem: ‘Like jade among men, a peerless gentleman in this world.'”

Cheng Que’s face instantly turned as red as a small tomato. As for not having heard of the poem, he hesitated for a moment, then decided not to dwell on it.

A group of people welcomed Yun Qi and Lin Yan in, respectfully offering them the seats of honor: “Please, Your Highness Prince An, Your Highness Princess, take your seats.”

Lin Yan stepped back and respectfully greeted Master Gu and Madam Gu: “Father, Mother.”

Everyone was at a loss for a moment. Those who reacted first looked at Yun Qi with trepidation, afraid of seeing displeasure on his face.

Yun Qi was very calm, even returning the greeting with Lin Yan.

Lin Yan turned around and bowed to Gu Zhan and Cheng Que: “Elder Brother, Sister-in-law.”

“This…”

“Today is Elder Brother’s auspicious day, there’s no reason to steal the limelight. Besides, it’s really inappropriate for a younger sibling to sit in the seats of honor when Elder Brother is getting married,” Yun Qi said, winking at the master of ceremonies who was presiding over the wedding.

The master of ceremonies immediately understood, smiling as he led Master Gu and Madam Gu to the seats of honor: “You two quickly take your seats, the hour is approaching.”

The two reluctantly sat down, still looking at Yun Qi anxiously, only to hear the master of ceremonies clear his throat and announce: “First bow to Heaven and Earth.”

Gu Zhan and Cheng Que slowly turned around and bowed deeply to the ancestral tablet.

“Second bow to the parents.”

The two turned to face the two elders of the Gu family and respectfully kowtowed. Master Gu’s eyes were a little red, and Madam Gu had already started wiping the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

“Husband and wife bow to each other.”

Gu Zhan and Cheng Que stood facing each other and bowed.

“The ceremony is complete! Escort them to the bridal chamber!” As the master of ceremonies announced, the sound of gongs and drums immediately rang out, and Cheng Que, surrounded by the crowd, was escorted to the inner chamber.

Gu Zhan watched Cheng Que’s figure disappear around the corner, before reluctantly turning his attention back to toasting the people at the table.

The first person he toasted was naturally Prince An. Gu Zhan led the two who were preparing to slip away to the table: “The dishes are already prepared, the two Highnesses…”

Yun Qi stopped the wine cup that was being handed to Lin Yan and drank it all in one gulp.

He slammed the cup down with a “thud,” cupped his hands to Gu Zhan, and said, “There are still some matters at the palace, we’ll be heading back first.”

“This body isn’t convenient, we’ll go back first.” Lin Yan leaned close to Gu Zhan and explained in a low voice. He pointed to the table and his lips curved upward like crazy, “I specially asked Luo Mu to make two dishes for you, make sure you eat them all.”

Gu Zhan saw the two of them off, and the people around them also got up to pay their respects, until the sound of their carriage could no longer be heard, only then did the bustling atmosphere gradually return.

Yun Qi and Lin Yan returned to the palace, took off their official robes, changed into ordinary clothes, disguised themselves, and returned to the Gu residence.

Lin Yan seemed very familiar with the Gu family’s courtyard, turning left and right. Yun Qi followed Lin Yan trustingly, turning left and then right, feeling that the path was becoming increasingly strange.

Yun Qi followed Lin Yan through another courtyard, and finally couldn’t help it, he whispered, “Are we still going to the front to eat the banquet?”

“You’re not full?” Lin Yan thought of the two large bowls of noodles Yun Qi had just eaten at home, and scratched his head in confusion.

“No…”

Lin Yan stuffed a piece of pastry into Yun Qi’s mouth, and handed the paper packet to Yun Qi, “Eat two pieces of cake to tide you over, I’ll take you to eat candy.”

Yun Qi smacked his lips, stuffed the second piece of cake into his mouth, and asked vaguely, “Eat candy?”

Lin Yan “mm” sounded, buried his head and walked bitterly.

Yun Qi walked into another courtyard, and quickly grabbed him after seeing the plaque: “Big Brother, if we go any further, we’ll be at the bridal chamber.”

“Yes, I know.” Lin Yan made a gesture to be quiet, looking at the bridal chamber with shining eyes, “This is the candy.”

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