Xie Junlin withdrew his gaze and shook his head with a wry smile.
Enough. Let this misunderstanding end here. He shouldn’t dwell on hearing the child call him Imperial Father earlier. If he kept pondering it and staring at them, he would truly be mistaken for a lustful emperor coveting another man’s wife, and it would be impossible to explain.
Feeling the emperor’s gaze no longer upon her, Shen Yuanwei breathed a sigh of relief.
She obediently followed Xiao Lingzhao in kneeling to pay respects to the elders.
The Old General and Old Madam beamed with joy as they watched their lovely daughter-in-law kneel before them.
They had waited so many years, reaching sixty years of age, and finally their daughter-in-law had entered their household!
At last, they wouldn’t have to die with regrets!
The Old General chuckled as he pulled out a stack of banknotes from his robe and generously handed them to Shen Yuanwei. “Daughter-in-law, your father won’t let you kneel for nothing. Take these banknotes and spend them at your leisure!”
The Old Madam also retrieved a package of large gold bars from her robe and boldly pressed them into Shen Yuanwei’s hands. “Dear daughter-in-law, you are our family’s blessing. Your knees are worth gold too! Since you’ve been so good as to kneel for your mother, I must give you gold. Take it!”
Shen Yuanwei looked at the package of gold bars weighing about five or six pounds that her mother-in-law had placed in her hands, feeling both flustered and honored.
“This…”
Holding her fan in her right hand, she couldn’t possibly grip such heavy gold bars with just her left hand. As her hand began to sink under the weight of the gold, Xiao Lingzhao immediately reached out with his warm palm to support her hand.
She glanced sideways at Xiao Lingzhao, her eyelashes fluttering rapidly, then whispered, “It’s too heavy, I can’t hold it. Will you help me carry it?”
Xiao Lingzhao gazed at his delicate young wife, his eyes smiling.
Who could resist their wife being so dependent on them and acting so coquettishly?
At least he couldn’t.
He gently squeezed Shen Yuanwei’s fingers and replied in a low voice, “Alright, I’ll hold it for you.”
Shen Yuanwei quickly released her grip, transferring both the stack of banknotes and the gold into Xiao Lingzhao’s large hand. His hand was so big and perfect for helping her carry things.
From their seats of honor, the Old General and Old Madam watched this loving scene between the young couple, their faces crinkling with joyful smiles.
Xie Junlin observed the affectionate couple, his eyes darkening slightly.
Their relationship was truly good.
It seemed no one could come between them.
How could a girl so dependent on Ling Zhao and so in love with him bear a child that wasn’t Ling Zhao’s? How could this girl’s child call him Imperial Father?
Xie Junlin lowered his eyes with self-mockery, quickly adjusting his emotions.
Sitting in the position of honor alongside the Old General and Old Madam, who had both given gifts to the bride, how could he not offer anything?
He looked down at himself, then unfastened a jade pendant from his waist and extended it toward Shen Yuanwei.
“This is your gift for kneeling before me.”
Seeing the emperor also presenting a gift, Shen Yuanwei was stunned, and the Xiao family members were equally shocked.
Recovering first, the Old General quickly stood up and bowed—
“Your Majesty! There’s no need for you to give anything! We were just too happy and couldn’t resist giving some gifts to please our daughter-in-law. We certainly didn’t mean to put you in an awkward position or force you to give gifts along with us!”
Xie Junlin turned with a gentle smile.
“I know. The General’s Residence isn’t short of silver, why would you scheme against me? It’s just that since Ling Zhao’s wife has knelt before me, I should show some appreciation. I can’t let this young lady kneel before me for nothing.”
Xie Junlin looked back at Shen Yuanwei. “Take it.”
Shen Yuanwei peeked at the emperor from behind her fan.
The jade pendant was a fine item, but the person wasn’t a good man, and she somewhat didn’t want to accept it.This gift from the Emperor, who was destined to steal another man’s wife, felt like a hot potato in her hands.
Yet the Xiao family remained completely unaware.
After Xiao Lingzhao expressed his gratitude, he whispered to her, “It’s the Emperor’s generous favor, you should accept it.”
Shen Yuanwei had no choice but to set down her fan and use both hands to respectfully receive the jade pendant presented by Xie Junlin.
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s reward.”
As she spoke, she raised her head to look at the Emperor.
The moment she lifted her head, her stunning beauty forcefully invaded Xie Junlin’s vision.
The her that Xie Junlin had seen before was either half-hidden behind a fan or showing only her profile with her back turned. Now finally seeing her true appearance, Xie Junlin’s eyes couldn’t help but freeze.
No wonder Ling Zhao had secretly admired and remembered her for years…
No wonder Ling Zhao wanted to marry her into his chambers this very evening, just after arriving at the General’s Residence at noon—so impatient he couldn’t wait another day…
So she actually possessed such peerless beauty.
Not inferior to even the Imperial Concubines in the rear palace.
After a moment of astonishment, Xie Junlin instantly concealed his emotions, using two fingers to place the jade pendant in Shen Yuanwei’s palm without any physical contact.
Remembering how he had been caught staring at Shen Yuanwei earlier, and not wanting her to misunderstand him, he added, “You and Ling Zhao are a match made in heaven. I wish you early arrival of children and eternal marital bliss.”
Meeting his gentle gaze, Shen Yuanwei smiled gracefully, “Thank you, Your Majesty. My husband and I will certainly remain a couple forever, exactly as Your Majesty has blessed us—eternally united, never to part.”
Xie Junlin’s fingers paused.
His dark eyes looked at Shen Yuanwei with amusement.
This girl truly misunderstood him, didn’t she? Otherwise, why would she deliberately flaunt their affection to him? Was she afraid he might develop improper intentions and secretly covet her?
Unnecessary, really unnecessary.
Xie Junlin signaled to Xiao Lingzhao, “Rise, Ling Zhao. Help your wife up.”
Xiao Lingzhao nodded.
He held Shen Yuanwei’s arms with both hands and assisted her to her feet.
Seeing the couple standing properly, the Wedding Matchmaker cheerfully called out again, “The couple bows to each other—”
Shen Yuanwei and Xiao Lingzhao turned to face each other, exchanged a smiling glance, and prepared to bow.
Unexpectedly, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the hall, followed by a sharp cry—
“You cannot perform the wedding ceremony!”
“……”
The sudden appearance and voice left everyone in the hall stunned.
All eyes simultaneously turned toward the main entrance.
The person standing at the doorway was none other than Song Suihuan, the Successor of the Ghost Doctor.
Dressed in pure white with no makeup, she appeared elegantly transcendent, possessing a kind of ethereal, cold beauty as if untainted by worldly matters.
She stood at the entrance, her cool eyes fixed intently on Xiao Lingzhao.
She had been waiting at home all day for Xiao Zhen to commit suicide, but dusk arrived without any sign of him. Just as she was beginning to think Xiao Zhen was a coward afraid of death, a servant rushed in to inform her that Xiao Lingzhao was getting married—holding the ceremony that very night!
She refused to believe it.
She thought the servant must have been mistaken.
Xiao Lingzhao’s life was in her hands—only she could save this man. Since he clearly knew she loved him, how could he secretly marry and break her heart?
If he hurt her, the Miracle Doctor, she would no longer offer treatment, effectively sealing his own fate…
Yet the servant insisted it was true, even mentioning that the Xiao residence had already hung red lanterns, filled with joyous atmosphere throughout.
So she decided to come to the Xiao family herself to verify the situation.Standing at the entrance of the Xiao residence just moments ago, gazing at the glaringly red lanterns, she had confidently told her maid it was impossible—Xiao Lingzhao couldn’t possibly be getting married. She would rather believe the Old General was taking a concubine in hopes of a son than accept that Xiao Lingzhao was taking a bride!
But now, standing here, seeing Xiao Lingzhao in his wedding attire, she had no choice but to believe it.
Xiao Lingzhao…
Had truly married behind her back.
The crimson wedding robes stung her eyes. Xiao Lingzhao’s betrayal turned her earlier confidence into a colossal joke!
Overwhelming grief and fury surged through Song Suihuan’s heart.
Suppressing the turbulent emotions within, she stepped across the threshold, fixed her gaze on the tall, handsome groom, and asked with difficulty, “Xiao Lingzhao, how dare you marry? Do you no longer intend to beg me to save you? Are you… tired of living?”