Princess is Glamorous in Modern Day Chapter 1611 Grand Finale: Extravagant Wedding
Previously on Princess is Glamorous in Modern Day...
Darkness descended upon the land. The moon hid behind clouds, carried by the soft spring breeze, while the stars seemed infused with peach blossom scent.
Within a secluded spot in Beijing, the pair sat facing one another in the modest courtyard. Wisps of steam rose lazily, veiling their line of sight.
"I didn't expect it to be you." The cup's base clinked crisply against the stone table, shattering the night's hush and the quiet tension between them.
Silently, Lin Qingyuan gazed at the long-overlooked Lin Qingdai across from him. Murderous intent briefly surged in his eyes, only to subside as he regained composure.
During the decade when Jun Shiling and Xia Wanyuan vanished, Lin Qingyuan believed the Jun family would utterly crumble. Unexpectedly, the young heir of the Jun family managed to endure all those years. Just as collapse loomed, Jun Shiling made his comeback.
Throughout the years, eclipsing the Jun family had turned into a deep-seated fixation in his mind. Witnessing Jun Shiling's return and the Jun family's steady rise, Lin Qingyuan abandoned all restraint, ready to stake everything at Jun Shiling and Xia Wanyuan's wedding.
Yet, at the crucial instant, his own brother sabotaged it all.
Under Lin Qingyuan's piercing stare, Lin Qingdai remained serene, a soft smile gracing his features.
Lin Qingdai had forever embodied gentle erudition. Yet now, his refined visage revealed an unexpected fierceness and resolve.
Beneath his limpid gaze lay a profound, unspoken tenderness.
A shrewd man, Lin Qingyuan instantly unraveled every puzzle upon catching that tenderness.
It stemmed from Jiang Yun.
"Do you know? Jiang Yun has always dreamed of a peaceful life." Lin Qingdai spoke first, before Lin Qingyuan could utter a word.
A gentle gust swept by, wafting the nocturnal floral aroma. In a fleeting reverie, Lin Qingdai envisioned the girl from years past.
Since encountering Jiang Yun, fulfilling her dream became Lin Qingdai's unwavering pursuit, no matter the cost.
The return of Jun Shiling and Xia Wanyuan signaled the end of the fragile peace spanning over a decade. Looming ahead was an unavoidable conflict where none could stay safe.
Lin Qingdai, dismissed by all as a mere hanger-on to Jiang Yun in outsiders' views, had secretly dismantled the entire Lin family, quietly averting the brewing war.
"Ha." With the truth laid bare, Lin Qingyuan dropped his facade of poise. "You sacrificed your whole clan for one woman. How can you face the Lin ancestors?"
A faint smile played on Lin Qingdai's lips as he regarded Lin Qingyuan steadily. "Since the day I was cast out from the Lin family, their ancestors ceased to concern me."
Finishing his words, Lin Qingdai departed, abandoning Lin Qingyuan to solitude.
As Lin Qingdai's figure vanished beyond the gate, the porcelain cup in the yard crashed to the ground, unleashing a shrill crash into the night.
The sound of breakage echoed from beyond the wall, yet Lin Qingdai's face stayed impassive. He maneuvered his wheelchair steadily onward, halting abruptly after passing through the entrance.
"Ah Yun, why are you here?" Genuine warmth lit Lin Qingdai's eyes as he extended his hand toward Jiang Yun.
Jiang Yun cast a composed look at the courtyard, then approached to drape a light shawl over Lin Qingdai. "I noticed it was late and you hadn't returned, so I came to check."
"It's nothing. An old friend wanted to visit, we talked a bit and time slipped away. Sorry about that." Lin Qingdai clasped Jiang Yun's hand, caressing it softly to reassure her.
"Mm." Positioning herself behind Lin Qingdai, Jiang Yun guided the wheelchair forward at a leisurely pace. "I'm fine, but…"
Jiang Yun trailed off mid-sentence. Lin Qingdai paused expectantly, but no more words came. As he prepared to inquire, Jiang Yun continued.
"I just miss you." Her voice was faint, yet in the still night, it struck Lin Qingdai's heart like thunder.
Through the years, their marriage had been one of mutual respect, hailed as the ideal union by onlookers. Jiang Yun had perfected the role of devoted wife.
But she had never voiced such sentiments before.
Stunned at first, Lin Qingdai swiftly pivoted to face Jiang Yun, only for her to shield his eyes.
"Don't look. Let's head home first." A hint of anxiety colored Jiang Yun's tone. "It's cold at night."
"Okay." Lin Qingdai's lips curved upward. He turned back slowly and settled in. "It is rather chilly. Let's go home."
"Mm." Jiang Yun pulled back her hand, then pushed the wheelchair in the direction of the parking lot.
Moonlight cascaded from above, bathing their figures in a tranquil radiance…
...
The evening prior to the wedding dragged on endlessly.
For the tenth time, Xia Wanyuan glanced involuntarily at the clock. A slight frown creased her brow. "Is this watch faulty? How come it's still just one o'clock?"
A smile curved Jun Shiling's lips as he drew Xia Wanyuan into his embrace. "Feeling nervous?"
Xia Wanyuan arched a brow. "No way. I'm simply checking the time."
"Is that so?" Gazing at Xia Wanyuan, Jun Shiling couldn't hold back his chuckle. "In that case, let's hit the hay."
"I'm not sleepy." Xia Wanyuan cleared her throat softly, her eyes drifting once more to the clock.
Despite her experiences across several lifetimes, marriage was a first for her. Though wed to Jun Shiling for years, excitement and jitters bubbled up uncontrollably within her.
Her usual disciplined routine made sleep impossible tonight.
Jun Shiling didn't call her out on it. Instead, he clasped her hand and led her outside. "Can't sleep? Let's go meet someone."
"Who?" Curiosity flickered in Xia Wanyuan's eyes.
All visitors had reached Beijing, settled comfortably in hotels, awaiting tomorrow's ceremony at the venue. Who would visit the manor so late at night?
As she trailed Jun Shiling, Xia Wanyuan pondered the possibilities. A suspicion soon formed in her mind.
"Could it be…" Midway through her words, Jun Shiling halted. Xia Wanyuan paused beside him. Her gaze followed his to the figure standing nearby.
"Sister, it's been a while."
"Xia Yu?" Matching her hunch, Xia Wanyuan's face lit up with a smile as she approached. "You've returned."
"Mm." Years in the desert had toughened Xia Yu's features. Yet his smile flashed those straight white teeth, brimming with the same youthful vigor from long ago. "Congrats on your wedding."
"Glad you made it back." Xia Wanyuan patted the much taller Xia Yu. "How long this time? We should catch up properly."
"A month off." Around Xia Wanyuan, Xia Yu remained ever reliant. "I'll stay at the manor the entire period."
"Great." Noticing the weariness etched on Xia Yu's face, Xia Wanyuan figured he'd rushed straight here upon arrival and needed rest. "Rest up now. We'll chat tomorrow."
"Sure." After over twenty hours of travel, exhaustion weighed heavily on Xia Yu. He nodded, said goodbye to Xia Wanyuan, and headed to the guest quarters.
Once Xia Yu departed, Jun Shiling drew Xia Wanyuan close, murmuring into her ear, "You might not keep pace with everyone else tomorrow."
"Hm?"
"You're my bride by day and through the night, after all."
It took Xia Wanyuan a moment to catch his meaning. She shot Jun Shiling an annoyed look. "I'm off to bed."
"Mm." This time, Jun Shiling refrained from teasing further, silently accompanying her back to the bedroom.
Yet, as Xia Wanyuan settled into bed and shut her eyes, Jun Shiling murmured softly, "Madam, you really should rest up. Tomorrow night, sleep might elude you."
Xia Wanyuan kept her eyes closed, feigning sleep. Still, a vivid blush crept from her neck across her cheeks.
Jun Shiling watched from beside her, amusement sparkling in his eyes.
Sensing she was on the verge of reacting, he slipped under the covers just before her eyes opened and flicked off the light. "Okay, time to sleep. It's late."
"You…" Xia Wanyuan began, but Jun Shiling enveloped her in his arms. "My mistake, Madam. Goodnight."
Moments later, her voice pierced the quiet night.
"Hmph."
Jun Shiling chuckled at her delicate huff. He leaned down for a tender kiss on Xia Wanyuan's lips. Feeling her arms wrap around him, his smile grew even broader.
Soon, silence enveloped the room, with sweet dreams drifting peacefully.
...
At dawn the following day, Beijing stirred from its night's hush.
Morning passersby near the central palace were startled to see the outer barriers gone, unveiling red silks dancing in the breeze.
Beijing's spring bloomed with vibrant flowers, but now a sea of crimson blanketed the vibrant scene.
Roses bloomed endlessly along both sides of the road, as far as the eye could stretch. A delicate fragrance wafted through the heavens and the earth.
As the crowd buzzed in awe over this enchanting spectacle, a sudden shout rang out, "Look!"
All eyes turned in that direction. The grand palace gates swung open slowly, while a lavish red carpet unrolled from the main hall straight to the entrance. Crimson roses blanketed the carpet, their petal rims exquisitely trimmed with gold that sparkled under the morning sun.
"Oh my god, which crew is splurging like this on a film? These props are insanely luxurious."
"What filming? No internet at your place? Jun Shiling and Xia Wanyuan are tying the knot today. This has to be the wedding site."
"Wedding?" Stunned by his companion's words, the passerby gaped. "A wedding here? Impossible! Do the rich get special perks?"
"Bro, those words don't sit right. Yeah, Jun Shiling and Xia Wanyuan are loaded, but out of all the wealthy folks, only they merit a ceremony here. Given their massive contributions, no extravagance is over the top."
Deeply devoted to charity, Xia Wanyuan and Jun Shiling had vanished for over a decade, yet the Jun Corporation poured enormous funds into philanthropy each year to honor and pray for them.
Thus, among everyday people, Jun Shiling and Xia Wanyuan commanded an impeccable reputation. A wedding in this dreamlike palace, normally pure fantasy, felt entirely fitting for them.
Having heard the clarification, the once-stunned spectators quit probing and shifted their focus eagerly to the wedding.
"Never seen anything like this before. The exterior's already stunning—what must the interior be like?"
Yet, no matter how vivid their imaginations ran, nobody anticipated the sheer magnificence of this wedding or the myriad captivating legends it would etch into history for generations to come.