Chapter 154: Rites of Passage

Chapter 154

Qin Shi coldly snorted and gave a resentful glance at Zhao Changdu. With things reaching this point, she had no choice but to compromise and lead her son back to the guest seats.

The joyful bride regained her happiness, and both Yanzhi and Yin Lan resumed smiling.

The previously chattering guests fell silent, astonished by Zhao Changdu's concern for the woman in the hall.

A low-ranking legitimate daughter of an unfavored Earl's residence had managed to capture the attention of the highly esteemed heir.

Some of the onlookers, who had come expecting a spectacle, were now filled with confusion.

They believed that after being called away by Miss Huo, Zhao Changdu would not return. They never expected him to come back so quickly.

Gu Ying's eyes were tinged with a faint blush as she slightly lifted her head and looked at the tall and upright man before her.

Before she could speak, she saw him take the wedding veil from her hands and place it back over her headdress.

The veil cascaded down, completely blocking her view with its vibrant red color, shielding her from the mocking faces outside.

All she could feel was the faint scent of musk as he pulled her into his embrace, and the low, hoarse voice saying, "I won't abandon you, Ah Ying."

Gu Ying's heart skipped a beat, and from that point on, she felt as if she were in a hazy and surreal state.

When her ears cleared again, she found herself being escorted into the bridal chamber by a crowd.

Xi Niang's voice rang out, loud and jubilant, offering blessings for their everlasting happiness and a life spent together until old age.

Men and women, maids and servants, gathered at the doorway of the new room.

Xi Niang sang the wedding congratulations, and the maids calmly brought in the prepared wine, fragrant sachets, and other items.

They drank from the same cup, symbolizing a lifetime of togetherness.

Xi Niang cut a small section of their newlyweds' hair, placed it in a sachet embroidered with mandarin ducks, and tucked it under the pillow.

With the ceremonies complete, the groom was led out to meet the guests.

Every aspect of the etiquette was carried out meticulously, with generosity and liveliness.

The door to the bridal chamber suddenly closed, and Gu Ying finally realized that the seat beneath her was covered in uncomfortable peanut, longan, and jujube shells. She had been so busy that she hadn't eaten all day, and her stomach growled with hunger.

What was worse, the heavy phoenix crown on her head pressed against her neck, causing it to ache and throb.

During the marriage ceremony, she had truly prepared herself to return to her Earl's residence. She was well aware that she wasn't the person Zhao Changdu loved, so if he had chosen Miss Huo Qiyun today, she wouldn't have blamed him.

But now, sitting in this unfamiliar and spacious bridal chamber, she felt an indescribable sense of unreality.

A chance encounter from a past life, a twist of fate in this life.

"Why are you asleep?"

A low voice of a man reached her ears.

Gu Ying moved her stiff body, still half-asleep.

In her dream, she always felt someone choking her neck, and she struggled hard but couldn't catch her breath.

Suddenly, the scene changed. It was a scene from her childhood, when she went with her mother to the temple to burn incense.

Her mother went for an outing with a few close friends.

She was young at that time, carefree and playful, so she left Yanzhi behind and went to climb the mountain alone to explore.

The road on the mountain was covered in thick snow, but the scenery was incredibly beautiful.

Growing up in seclusion, she had never seen such a picturesque snowy landscape before. So she mustered up her courage and climbed up to the snowy forest above.

Halfway up the mountain, she discovered a hot spring, emitting steaming hot air, and in the misty haze, she saw the figure of a young immortal.

She worried that the young man had accidentally fallen into the hot spring, and she quickly called for him to come up.

But he didn't make a sound. She was extremely worried, so she jumped into the water to save him.

Amidst the hazy glow and the mist, she didn't know how to swim, so she grabbed onto the young man's shoulder and held him tightly.

"Don't be afraid! I'll save you!"

"Who asked for your help."

"Sob, sob, sob. The water is so deep. Am I going to die? Don't worry, young man. When my mother finds out I'm missing, she will come to save me and save you as well."

"Little fool!"

Instead of drowning, the young man leaped out of the water and wrapped his long arms around her waist, lifting her out of the water in one swift motion.

Amidst countless splashes, she struggled to open her eyes and saw a pair of distinct, jet-black eyes gazing at her coldly.

Gu Ying trembled all over, abruptly awakening from her dream.

The room fell into silence, and before her were a pair of cloud-patterned silk boots.

She stared blankly at the shoes, feeling as if someone had lifted the veil from her head.

Her vision quickly cleared.

She lifted her head, and before her was a stunning face that could overturn the world. With a strong nose bridge and picturesque eyes, his thin lips were exquisitely chiseled like those of a divine being, radiating a warm and gentle color.