Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 565 - 285: Frost Tears_2

Chapter 565: Chapter 285: Frost Tears_2

But if her husband accepted Li Nanshuang, she would never agree.

One Xia He was troublesome enough, and adding Li Nanshuang would make it even more so.

"It’s alright, the boss is very forthright and not so weak, I’ll go inform him,"

Jiang Shouzhong comforted.

Suddenly, he remembered Mengniang. According to Li Guanshi, Mengniang’s seclusion was only seven days from ending, yet there was still no movement.

This caused Jiang Shouzhong some worry.

Ran Qingchen sighed softly to herself, trying to suppress the guilt in her heart, and said with a smile, "Nan Shuang is also a first-class beauty. I believe there is no shortage of people who like her, and in the future, she will meet her true destined one."

"Then, do I count as your true destined one?" Jiang Shouzhong teased.

Ran Qingchen gave him a playful glare and huffed, "You’re still far from it."

Without waiting for the man to respond, she suddenly grabbed Jiang Shouzhong’s hand, walked to the courtyard gate, and then, with her hands cupped around her mouth as a megaphone, shouted at the night sky’s moon:

"Jiang Mo, you big dummy, you are my true destined one!

"In this lifetime, and in the next!

"Jiang Mo—I like you!"

"..."

Listening to the woman’s enthusiastic and bold expression of love, Jiang Shouzhong’s gaze was tender, and ripples of softness spread through his heart.

A woman who takes love seriously will always put aside all her reservations.

He wrapped his arms around her, kissed her fair forehead with a smile, and said, "You can’t be so greedy. This lifetime is enough; you have to leave other women a chance in the next one."

"No! You can only be mine."

Ran Qingchen looked into the man’s eyes with burning determination, her tone dominating as she enunciated every word, "Jiang Mo, you can only be mine. No matter which lifetime, you can only be mine!"

Having said that, the woman tiptoed and initiated her first kiss.

...

At the mouth of the alley, Li Nanshuang stared blankly at this scene like a puppet devoid of consciousness, motionless.

After a long time, when the two figures at the courtyard gate had disappeared, she quietly moved her feet, turned, and left.

The girl subconsciously clutched the osmanthus cake she held to her chest, as if clutching her own heart.

"It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s nothing..."

"Don’t be sad, it’s just a man, you never had anyone love you anyway..."

"You can’t cry! You must not cry!"

"Li Nanshuang, you should bless Mugua and Xia He."

"It’s alright, it’s just a small thing..."

"..."

The girl breathed heavily, her hands repeatedly rising and falling, soothing her emotions with the method of sinking her qi to her Dantian, trying to pull herself together.

She looked back at the courtyard, taking out the painstakingly made osmanthus cake.

After a moment, she forcefully threw it into the distance.

With her eyes closed, she breathed deeply once more and, hands behind her back, strode towards her home, her step as light as usual, still humming a tune.

Suddenly, she stopped.

The girl looked down at the shadow branded on the ground, solitary.

Before her eyes, everything became somewhat blurry.

The girl squatted down, touched her own shadow, and said, "I’m sorry for making you suffer."

——

The year of Xuan You, the twenty-first year, the twentieth of February, a day of great joy.

The sunlight, like strands of gold, illuminated the flagstones of a grand mansion with a peaceful and festive atmosphere.

The main gate of the Ran Family’s residence had been open since the hour of Mao, with tall red lanterns standing on either side.

Above the door lintel hung a banner embroidered with gold threads featuring the character for "wedding happiness".

To make the wedding appear more impressive, the Ran Family had specially expanded the courtyard by adding a temporary high platform covered with brocade.

Guests congratulating the Ran Family came in an endless stream.

Inside and outside the mansion, there was a hubbub of voices: laughter, conversation, a constant din.

Although the Ran Family’s status was not what it once was, as long as the old lady was alive, she, being a Commandery Princess related by blood to a different surname, was still a genuine aristocrat and major figure in the Capital.

Due to Ran Qingchen’s immense popularity, families of all sizes from the Capital who could attend did so.

Lu Renjia, who had hardly slept all night, was bustling about with dark circles under his eyes. Usually a bit unkempt, he had made an effort today to wear a fine silk garment, and he looked quite lively.

In his words, he couldn’t let his brother lose face.

The only thing he regretted was that it was a pity Zhang Yunwu and his family were not present.

After Lu Renjia had greeted his colleagues from the Liushan Division and some figures from Jianghu, he turned to look back at the grand residence of the Ran Family, still finding it surreal.

Had this lad really married into the Ran Family?

Lu Renjia pinched his thigh hard, grimacing in pain.

Life is no longer bearable!

Now I’m the only single dog.

Lu Renjia sighed and shook his head, continuing to greet the guests.

As noon approached and the courtyard was filled with guests, a solemn and rhythmic footsteps broke the clamor, drawing everyone’s attention to the entrance.

A group of eunuchs dressed in bright yellow official attire entered the residence in a long procession, holding trays wrapped in red silk with golden borders, their expressions grave.

The leader, an old eunuch, was holding a scroll bordered with golden dragon embroidery.

"Lord Ran’s residence, receive the decree~"

Inside and outside the residence, silence suddenly fell, and the guests got up and knelt to pay homage.

Ran Jinyi and the others hurriedly came forward to kneel and salute.

The eunuch cleared his throat and read aloud in a loud, sharp voice, "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees—"

He paused a moment, scanning his surroundings, then continued, "Hearing that the daughter of thy household hath wed a worthy gentleman, We are greatly pleased and hereby bestow gifts aplenty as an expression of Our congratulations."

As he proclaimed, the young eunuchs behind him came forward one by one to pass the trays to the servants of the Ran residence.

The trays contained jades with gem inlays, porcelain vases with the auspicious dragon and phoenix design, exquisite gold and silver jewelry, and several volumes of valuable ancient books, among other items.

"Furthermore—"

The old eunuch continued, "In recognition of Ran Qingchen for her combined virtues and grace, mild and virtuous character, We specially bestow upon her the title of ’Imperial Authorized Lady’, in the hope that the two of you, as husband and wife, will be forever united in heart, enjoying a century of harmony and affection. This We command."

Ran Jinyi and the others promptly expressed their gratitude and thanks.

The guests showed looks of envy and admiration, as well as some surprise.

After all, the title of ’Imperial Authorized Lady’ usually accompanies significant contributions to the court by the husband, but given Ran Qingchen’s and her grandmother’s statuses, as well as the rumors surrounding Jiang Wan and the Emperor, everyone tacitly avoided discussion.

Ran Jinyi gave some silver notes to the eunuchs and respectfully said to the old eunuch, "Eunuch Li, the banquet is all prepared, please join me at the table."

The old eunuch smiled and waved his hand: "There’s no need, Lord Ran, we must return to report. By the way, the Imperial Concubine originally intended to come, but was delayed for reasons, and has entrusted me to apologize to Lady Ran Qingchen, hoping that Lord Ran can forgive."

Ran Jinyi hastily replied, "The Imperial Concubine is too kind."

After sending off the palace eunuchs, Ran Jinyi’s expression revealed a hint of worry.

He and the dowager had learned the truth about Qingzhou from Ran Qingchen’s account; learning that their granddaughter had nearly died at the hands of the Emperor, the dowager was furious.

If he had not stopped her, the dowager might have run to the Imperial Palace to curse the Emperor.

Now that the palace had sent a decree, the dowager couldn’t even bother to receive it.

With such rich gifts sent by the Emperor today, it was unclear whether they were an apology or a veiled warning.

Remembering Ran Qingchen’s wish for the Ran family to leave the Capital, Ran Jinyi sighed softly and murmured, "All under heaven belongs to the king, where can we go?"

...

"Boss, the wedding banquet hasn’t even started, and you’re already drinking, you’ve already gone through two jars."

Lu Renjia looked at Li Nanshuang, who was gulping down wine in front of her, and reminded her with a frown.

Li Nanshuang grabbed a jar of wine, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol, and laughed heartily:

"My subordinate is getting married, I’m so happy as the boss that I naturally have to drink to my heart’s content. Old Turtle, when it’s your turn to get married, you’ll also need to prepare plenty of good wine in advance."

"Boss, if you get drunk beforehand, are you still going to go through with the wedding night pranks?"

Lu Renjia snatched the wine jar from her hand.

"The wedding night pranks?"

Li Nanshuang, with eyes somewhat drunk and squinting, appeared puzzled for a moment, then broke into a smile, saying, "Right, the wedding night... there should be wedding night pranks..."

The girl hiccuped, leaning on the table, continuously muttering, "The wedding night... the wedding night..."

Lu Renjia helplessly held his forehead.

Well, she’s already drunk.