Although Xie Junlin had doubts in his heart, he had no evidence after all. Seeing that Shen Yuanwei refused to reveal anything, he didn’t press further.
Maintaining his composure, he told Shen Yuanwei, “This promise of mine applies to anyone. As long as she can cure my illness and ensure the continuation of the imperial lineage, what would be the harm in me conferring the title of King with a different surname upon her?”
Shen Yuanwei committed these words to memory.
She felt somewhat pleased.
Being able to become a Queen consort in the future would be much more impressive than being a general’s wife.
However, even if she became a Queen consort, she would still protect her good general.
Shen Yuanwei looked up and smiled at Xiao Lingzhao with curved eyes.
Xiao Lingzhao couldn’t help but curve his lips upward as well.
He said softly, “No one will disturb us now. Shall we continue the wedding ceremony? We still have the final bow left—”
Shen Yuanwei nodded.
Xiao Lingzhao signaled the Wedding Matchmaker to continue.
The Wedding Matchmaker, who had been watching the earlier excitement with wide eyes and was extremely thrilled, quickly composed herself when she heard Xiao Lingzhao call her. Smiling, she announced loudly—
“Please let the groom release the bride’s arm and stand facing each other for the couple’s bow!”
“…”
Xiao Lingzhao silently released Shen Yuanwei’s arm and glanced at the Wedding Matchmaker, thinking there was no need to remind him so loudly to let go of Yuan Wei.
He turned his gaze back to Shen Yuanwei, and they both bowed simultaneously.
This time, no one caused any trouble. Under the witness of their parents and the Emperor, they completed the ceremony of bowing to heaven and earth, finalizing the wedding rites.
The Wedding Matchmaker called out loudly, “The ceremony is complete! Escort the couple to the bridal chamber!”
The Wedding Matchmaker happily moved to support Shen Yuanwei, but Xiao Lingzhao stepped in front of her. “I’ll do it.”
Xiao Lingzhao once again held Shen Yuanwei’s arm firmly. After paying respects to the Emperor, he smiled and led his new bride away.
Watching the young couple gradually walk into the distance, the Old General and Old Madam beamed with joy.
The Old Madam said, “Oh my, our daughter-in-law has finally entered our home. Looking at how deeply Ling Zhao adores her, might we soon be holding a grandchild?”
The Old General also grinned widely. “As long as Ling Zhao is capable, we might hear good news as early as next month!”
Right after saying this, the Old General suddenly realized his mistake.
He stiffly turned his neck and stole a glance at Xie Junlin.
Coincidentally, Xie Junlin, who had been watching the young couple depart, shifted his gaze to the Old General.
Their eyes met, and the Old General was instantly terrified, flustered and at a loss!
He really deserved death!
How could he say such things in front of this Emperor who had worked hard for over a decade without producing an heir? To the Emperor’s ears, wouldn’t his words imply that the Emperor was incapable?
Should he kneel and beg for forgiveness now, or pretend nothing happened?
If he didn’t kneel, and everyone avoided mentioning it, the Emperor would be less embarrassed. But if he immediately knelt to seek pardon, the Emperor wouldn’t be able to pretend he hadn’t heard the words “incapable”!
“…”
The Old General stood rigid, uncertain whether to kneel or not.
Xie Junlin cast a faint glance at the Old General.
The Old General’s words had upset him deeply.
While this young couple would likely have children soon after their wedding today, he, being incapable and advanced in years, could only watch others have children with envy. How could he not feel distressed?
Yet, seeing the Old General’s panicked and helpless state, he found it somewhat amusing.
Forget it, there was no need to get angry. Wasn’t it true that he was incapable?Even if no one whispered it in his ear, he knew that all the commoners of the Great Yong Dynasty were secretly saying he was useless—after eighteen years, he still couldn’t produce even a fart of an heir.
He had long accepted his fate and made peace with it. If he flew into a rage over every few words he heard, countless people would have perished under his imperial authority.
Xie Junlin stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and chuckled lightly.
“Ling Zhao and his bride have finished their wedding ceremony. It’s getting late—I should return to the palace. Old General, would you see me off?”
The Old General looked up at the calm and gentle emperor, feeling the tension in his heart suddenly ease.
What a truly good emperor this was!
He wasn’t the least bit harsh toward his subjects!
The Old General felt as if he’d been granted a great reprieve. He rose and bowed with cupped hands. “Your Majesty attends to numerous affairs of state. This old subject dare not detain you with humble wine and delay your matters. This old subject respectfully sees you off—please proceed, Your Majesty—”
Xie Junlin nodded and walked ahead.
The Old General followed respectfully, limping slightly.
As they exited the courtyard, Xie Junlin glanced back at the main hall.
He thought to himself, he probably wouldn’t be visiting this General’s Residence again anytime soon.
Unless his ancestors manifested their power and made him dream again tonight of that little child who called him “Imperial Father” in a milky voice…
…
In the bridal chamber.
Shen Yuanwei sat on the bed, surveying the room.
Though preparations had been rushed, the essentials for the wedding were largely in place. Large red double happiness characters were pasted on the windows, Dragon and Phoenix Wedding Candles were placed in the room, plates of dried fruits and pastries were piled high, and even the several quilts stacked on the bed were bright red Wedding Quilts, embroidered with patterns of Mandarin Ducks Playing in Water and Flowers Blooming on One Stem.
Shen Yuanwei reached out and gently touched the soft silk quilt cover, then asked Xiao Lingzhao:
“We didn’t invite any guests today, so you don’t need to go out and entertain anyone. So… what should we do now?”
“…”
Xiao Lingzhao stood by the bed, looking down at his smiling bride.
The tips of his ears turned red.
What to do now? He wanted to do improper things with his bride—he’d been thinking about it ever since Yuan Wei kissed him earlier…
But it wasn’t dark yet, and he couldn’t be so shameless. So they could only sit down and chat.
Xiao Lingzhao glanced at the wine pot on the table and said to Shen Yuanwei, “Shall we drink the Nuptial Wine?”
Shen Yuanwei smiled, teasing Xiao Lingzhao even while refusing: “No. After drinking wine, my mouth would smell awful. Even rinsing couldn’t cover the alcohol scent. If you reek of wine later, I won’t want to kiss you.”
Xiao Lingzhao was slightly taken aback.
He looked back at Shen Yuanwei, then silently retracted the step he had just taken.
His Yuan Wei was so direct, so passionate, so hard to resist…
He couldn’t let himself become so smelly that Yuan Wei wouldn’t want to kiss him.
With red ears, he gently lifted his robe and sat down beside Shen Yuanwei, saying in a husky voice, “Then let’s not drink for now. We can drink tomorrow morning.”
Shen Yuanwei hummed in agreement. “Okay, then I’ll put down the fan? Holding it up is so tiring—my hand has gone soft.”
Xiao Lingzhao glanced sideways.
Under his dark gaze, Shen Yuanwei slowly lowered the fan, revealing her beautiful nose, her rosy lips, her lovely chin…
This face blessed by the heavens was completely unveiled before Xiao Lingzhao’s eyes.
His eyes were filled with awe, filled with adoration.
Even though he had already seen his wife’s uncovered face earlier, seeing it again now, he still couldn’t help but be captivated, enchanted…
He reached out his fingers and began massaging Shen Yuanwei’s tired wrist.After a few moments of silence, he said, “Yuan Wei, you truly resemble a celestial maiden descending to the mortal realm.”
Shen Yuanwei smiled while gazing at his handsome face. “You also look like a heavenly deity descended to earth. It’s just that I wonder…”
He perked up upon hearing this. “Hmm?”
Shen Yuanwei lowered her voice and enunciated each word deliberately, “It’s just that I wonder if your body is as pleasing to behold as your face?”
Xiao Lingzhao froze.
The next instant, his throat tightened, and he abruptly fixed his intense gaze on Shen Yuanwei!