The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 177: The Grand Wedding

Chapter 177: The Grand Wedding

Nanli was always straightforward and rarely indulged in dreams.

However, tonight she had a dream.

In the dream, clouds and mist intertwined, creating a hazy scene.

Before her stood a young maiden, dressed in a captivating crimson gown, billowing in the wind.

As Nanli took a few steps forward, the figure of the maiden retreated, maintaining a certain distance, making it impossible to discern her features.

"Do not marry," the maiden’s voice was gentle and pleasing.

Nanli furrowed her brows and asked, "Who are you? Why do you speak this way?"

"Do not marry him," the maiden repeated, her voice filled with sorrow, "Otherwise, you will deeply regret it."

Nanli felt that the maiden was some kind of demon or ghost.

She formed a hand seal and called out to banish evil, causing a slight breeze to stir, yet the clouds and mist still concealed the maiden’s appearance.

Only her crimson gown fluttered more intensely.

The maiden’s voice grew even more mournful as she repeated, "Do not marry, do not marry..."

Nanli wanted to run over and see who the maiden truly was.

She was getting closer, but suddenly felt a force pulling her back.

She cried out and abruptly opened her eyes. "Miss, miss..."

Yuanbao had drawn back the curtains and saw Nanli drenched in sweat, expressing concern.

"Miss, did you have a nightmare?"

Nanli glanced around and realized she was still in her own room.

She let out a sigh of relief, yet the dream felt so real.

Could it be that she was afraid of marriage, causing her to have such a dream at this critical moment?

"Hmm," Nanli responded, wiping the beads of sweat from her forehead.

Yuanbao hung the curtains back up, and outside it was still dark, but dawn was approaching.

She poured a cup of hot tea for Nanli.

"Miss, you are getting married today, and your thoughts must be certain. However, the Ninth Prince values and cherishes you. Miss, you can rest assured and have no worries."

Nanli thought of Ye Siheng and took a sip of the hot tea, feeling warmth in her heart.

Yes, even if there were mountains of knives and seas of fire ahead, she would still marry Ye Siheng.

Regardless of what the future held, she would have no regrets.

With this in mind, Lady Shen, Xiao Wanyi, and a group of maidservants arrived at the Qingliang Courtyard.

The maidservants busied themselves, helping Nanli with her makeup and dressing.

Shen stood by, but her eyes were red and her handkerchief was soaked with tears.

Xiao Wanyi also felt a bit reluctant, though not as tearful as Shen.

It was still early, and Nanli had to go to the ancestral hall to pay respects to her ancestors before returning to the Qingliang Courtyard to put on her wedding attire.

The princess’s wedding attire was extremely magnificent and intricate, embroidered with golden threads depicting intertwined peonies, pomegranates, and other motifs.

The needlework was exquisite, and at first glance, everything appeared lifelike.

After putting on one layer, there was another layer.

It took nearly half an hour to put on this set of wedding attire.

Afterwards, the maidservants adorned her waist and neck with various ornaments, uttering auspicious words.

But it didn’t end there; the final touch was the heavy Nine-Dart Crown.

In addition to the dazzling gemstones embedded in it, there were also strings of pearls hanging on both sides, round and lustrous, clearly rare and precious.

Especially the shoes she wore, not only embroidered with intertwined lotus flowers, but also adorned with a large Eastern pearl on the toe.

After putting on this entire ensemble, it was so splendid that it left people in awe.

Nanli exerted great effort to bear the weight, but due to the layers upon layers, she still had to walk cautiously to avoid any breach of etiquette.

The hour was approaching.

Nanli could hear the sounds of gongs, drums, and musical instruments, and a sense of joy and sweetness gradually spread in her heart.

She draped the veil over her head and waited for a moment, already hearing the bustling and lively noise.

Her husband, personally coming to escort her.

She didn’t know if it was real, but her heart was beating rapidly, tinged with anticipation.

The valiant Ye Siheng has successfully overcome three challenges, expending little time and effort. Neither the realm of intellect nor the realm of martial prowess could impede him.

Within the chamber, his beloved A’li was already adorned and prepared, awaiting his arrival.

He slowed his breath, even his footsteps involuntarily decelerating.

Today, Ye Siheng donned a rare crimson robe, intricately embroidered with auspicious patterns in golden thread. The amethyst and golden crown atop his coiffure shimmered brilliantly.

He had a sensation, as if he had awaited this day for an eternity.

"A’li, I have come to escort you," Ye Siheng finally spoke as he approached her.

Nanli felt a familiar sense, as if she had heard those words before.

Before she could comprehend, the matchmaker had already placed a red silk ribbon, adorned with a red flower, into her hands, leading them both to bid farewell to their ancestral home.

The members of the Chu family were a mix of tears and smiles, their emotions complex.

Nanli had only returned home a year ago, and now she was to be married off.

How could they bear it?

Especially her brothers, their eyes swollen and red.

Chu Ye declared, "Ninth Prince, do not mistreat our sister, or we shall bring her back!"

"That’s right, we are not afraid of you," Chu Shuo added, his threat laced with determination. Among the brothers, he was the one who cried the most fiercely.

The remaining three brothers did not speak, but their resolute gazes conveyed the same message as their elder and second brother.

The Dowager wiped away a tear and placed a pair of bracelets on Nanli’s wrists, choking back her words, "Go."

Yet, her hands hesitated to let go.

Nanli couldn’t help but shed a tear.

The Dowager scolded, "On your auspicious day, you are not allowed to cry. Go."

This time, the Dowager finally released her grip.

Ye Siheng led Nanli outside.

The path was adorned with red decorations.

The bridal sedan, an opulent eight-person carriage, awaited outside.

Nanli ascended the bridal sedan, carried steadily by the sedan bearers, followed closely by the 188 dowry carriages from the Anyang Marquis Residence.

They circled from Yuyang Street to the main street of the capital, the wedding procession seemingly endless.

The Wang family members also scattered copper coins along the way, joining in the celebration. The common people stood on both sides, joyfully picking up the coins and offering their congratulations.

Moreover, they had never witnessed such a grand wedding procession. Even if they didn’t receive any coins, they still wanted to witness this spectacle and broaden their horizons.

"Miss Chu is truly blessed. She just returned from the countryside, and now she is marrying the most powerful Ninth Prince."

"Don’t be envious. Can you heal the Ninth Prince’s legs? Can you save him from danger like she did?"

"Now she can be called the Ninth Princess. And she even said she will continue to exorcise ghosts, at the same price."

"Really? That’s wonderful!"

"... "

The crowd spoke fervently, oblivious to the woman standing in the corner.

But her hair was half-white, her face etched with numerous wrinkles, and her eyes clouded.

She watched the grand wedding procession, finding it glaring, and listened to the boisterous sounds of gongs and drums, finding them grating.

Zhou Min curled her lips, a sinister smile playing on them. "Return the lives of my martial brothers, Ye Siheng, Chu Nanli!"

And all the people in the capital, they must die too!

Without a hint of hesitation, she uncovered the talisman on the ghost child in her embrace and cast him into the crowd!

The child had been hungry for a day.

As he suddenly descended into the crowd, he sensed countless spiritual energies and souls.

He emitted an eerie laughter, opening his blood-stained maw!

A child with pitch-black eyes and a purplish-blue body pounced forward, before anyone could react, and knocked someone to the ground.