General, Your Wife Is Requesting Your Return Home For Farming Chapter 1467: The Top Scorer's Wedding (2)
Previously on General, Your Wife Is Requesting Your Return Home For Farming...
There was no turning back for him now.
In many ways, she found herself in an identical predicament.
This marked the very first occasion she had defied her mother’s wishes. She had placed a monumental wager with her mother, staking the rest of her life and her marriage on this single choice.
Failure was a possibility, but retreat was not an option.
Shen Chuan had not anticipated her bringing this up so abruptly, and he immediately grasped her underlying anxieties.
He spoke with great solemnity, “It is Qinghe’s true honor to serve as Princess Jingning’s consort.”
Princess Jingning offered no further words but instead gave a bow.
Shen Chuan gazed at her intently before returning the bow.
“The rites are concluded—”
The moment the formal ceremony reached its end, the smiling matchmaker escorted Shen Chuan and Princess Jingning toward the bridal chamber.
Meanwhile, Wei Liulang had found it impossible to stir up any trouble at the Marquis of Zhenbei’s Estate. Consequently, he shifted his strategy and headed straight for the Shen family residence.
He was well aware that his father, Qin Canglan, along with his eldest and second brothers, were all present. Taking them on directly was out of the question.
However, who was he?
He was the most clever member of the Wei family. Surely he could find a way to outmaneuver them.
This time, Wei Liulang didn't bother pretending to be the Master of Ceremony; he simply marched into the Shen family courtyard with a confident air.
Steward Shen greeted him with a wide grin. “Young Master Wei has arrived. Please, come inside!”
“Mm.”
Wei Liulang asked with a serious expression, “Where can I find the old Protector Duke and my father?”
The Shen family steward smiled and replied, “The Old Protector Duke, General Wei, Master Wei, and the second young master are all gathered in the Linglong Pavilion.”
A glint flashed in Wei Liulang’s eyes. “And where exactly is this Linglong Pavilion?”
Steward Shen gestured toward the east. “It’s the courtyard situated behind the parasol tree.”
Wei Liulang gave his shoulder a friendly pat. “Right, I’ve got it. You’re busy, so don't worry about hosting me. Go attend to the others. No need for formalities.”
“Yes, of course!”
Steward Shen quickly nodded in agreement.
Once Wei Liulang had walked away, the steward straightened his posture and let out a sigh. “The Sixth Young Master is definitely plotting something again.”
Wei Liulang prowled stealthily around the Linglong Pavilion.
He and his second brother had been the ones to construct the Princess’s Manor, so he knew the layout by heart.
The little fat girl had forbidden him from creating a scene in the bridal chamber of Hui An and Su Xuan, but surely he could cause a ruckus in Shen Chuan’s bridal chamber. Who would stop him now?
Just as he crossed into the Princess’s Manor, he ran straight into the three little ones.
The three children were standing in a perfect row. Even their stern expressions were identical, as if they had been lying in wait specifically to catch him in the act.
Wei Liulang wasn't about to let his authority as a father slip.
He looked back at them with a grave face. “Dahu, Erhu, Xiaohu, what are you three doing here? Don’t you know that entering the Princess’s Manor without permission is forbidden?”
Dahu replied, “We came in because we didn't know the rules. Why are you coming in when you do know them?”
Erhu chimed in, “Exactly.”
Xiaohu nodded. “Yes.”
Wei Liulang let out a sharp breath and patted Xiaohu’s head. “How old are you now? Do you still think you're only three?”
Xiaohu shielded his head with his hands. “Stop touching my head! It’ll make me lose my wits!”
Wei Liulang teased him, “I’ll touch it, I’ll touch it anyway.”
Xiaohu stomped his feet in frustration. “You aren't allowed to touch it!”
Wei Liulang touched it again.
“Dahu!”
Xiaohu clutched his head and scrambled behind Dahu for protection.
Wei Liulang then reached out to touch Dahu.
Dahu remained perfectly still, allowing the touch.
However, that silent, piercing stare gave Wei Liulang the unsettling feeling that he wasn't touching Dahu at all, but rather Wei Xu.
Wei Liulang pulled his hand back sheepishly.
“Your grandfather is calling for you,” Wei Liulang claimed.
The three of them didn't budge.
Wei Liulang acted surprised. “Are you really going to ignore your grandfather?”
Dahu stated, “Grandpa told us to stay here and wait for you, just in case you tried to cause trouble.”
Wei Liulang was momentarily speechless.
Erhu added, “So we’re just waiting.”
Wei Liulang grumbled, “Is this how you wait? You’re clearly acting as guards for your father’s sake!”
He then said with faux gravity, “I am your flesh-and-blood father, and you are my sons. Is there no basic trust between us?”
Erhu opened his hands wide. “As a father, you simply aren't reliable.”
Wei Liulang whispered under his breath, “Don’t make me give you a smack.”
“Leave, hurry up!” Xiaohu began pushing him away, determined to prevent any mischief.
Wei Liulang gave a snort.
If these little brats thought they could actually stop him, they were dreaming.
Wei Liulang grabbed one in each hand and tucked the third under his arm, marching them out of the area.
Xiaohu struggled against him. “You can't trap me under your armpit!”
Erhu produced a small peachwood mirror and looked at Wei Liulang. “Sixth Uncle, your glabella is looking quite dark. We should leave quickly, or misfortune will find you.”
Wei Liulang scoffed. “I’d like to see what kind of bad luck could possibly happen.”
In that instant, he came face-to-face with Wei Xu.
“Dad… wait, I can explain…”
On the day Princess Jingning and Shen Chuan wed, Wei Liulang ended up tied into a tight cocoon by his father and left swaying from the branches of the parasol tree.
–
Inside the bridal chamber of the Princess’s Manor.
Shen Chuan and Princess Jingning sat in a heavy silence.
Palace servants stood in rows on either side. Princess Jingning had been surrounded by such formality since childhood and was accustomed to it, but Shen Chuan felt a wave of unease.
However, regardless of his discomfort, he was determined to carry out the necessary rituals now that they had entered the room.
Steeling himself, he addressed the Princess. “Princess, Qinghe is about to lift your veil.”
Princess Jingning gave a slight nod.
A palace maid stepped forward, offering the jade scepter.
Shen Chuan took the implement and slowly raised Princess Jingning’s veil.
A stunning face was revealed to him.
He stared, momentarily dazed, his very breath catching in his throat.
Princess Jingning asked with a neutral tone, “Does my appearance leave you disappointed?”
She was aware that her looks were not considered extraordinary, certainly not when compared to the breathtaking beauty of Hui An.
Shen Chuan spoke up quickly, “In the eyes of Shen Chuan, the princess possesses a celestial beauty that is beyond compare. Qinghe only fears that his own appearance is plain and his skills unremarkable, making him unworthy of the princess.”
Princess Jingning observed Shen Chuan’s remarkably handsome features and recalled his status as the new top scholar. She replied earnestly, “The Consort is quite excellent.”
Once the ceremonial wine was finished, the time came for Shen Chuan to attend the banquet.
Princess Jingning called out to him before he could leave, “This marriage was forced upon us. I acted out of selfishness and have dragged you into this. If there is a woman you truly love, you may bring her into this residence and let her bear your children.”
Shen Chuan’s grip tightened, his knuckles turning white. “And what about Princess Jingning?”
She hesitated before saying, “You may visit my chambers on the first and fifteenth of every month. That way, my Mother will be satisfied with the arrangement.”
Shen Chuan let out a laugh and suddenly came to a halt.
Princess Jingning watched him with a puzzled expression. “Is something wrong?”
Shen Chuan replied, “Today happens to be the first….”
Princess Jingning was left completely speechless.