Chapter 1473 - 1471: At Last
Chapter 1473: Chapter 1471: At Last
The marriage between Jiang Wanrong and Luo City Bai Family proceeded smoothly.
Both sides were quite satisfied after meeting, and the marriage was finally settled.
As Jiang Wanrong was not young anymore and had encountered some incidents, there was no time to delay the marriage further.
Therefore, even the wedding ceremony was decided upon, scheduled for March or April after the New Year.
Though it was somewhat rushed, it was still after the new year, which did not break the tradition.
After learning of this, Yue Er instructed Ying Luo, as previously mentioned, to open the storeroom and select various items to add to the bridal adornments.
Madam Shi and Jiang Wanrong both showed gratitude on their faces.
Yue Er smiled faintly.
"No worries, as long as cousin marries well!"
The term "cousin" subtly drew them closer, as if announcing to everyone.
She acknowledged this kinship; anyone planning to bully her must first see if the Princess agreed.
Upon hearing this, Madam Shi and Jiang Wanrong felt even more grateful, but such a great favor doesn’t warrant verbal thanks, only heartfelt appreciation.
...
Because of Jiang Wanrong’s marriage, the Shi Family was so busy that they hardly had a proper celebration for the New Year.
Due to the prior incidents, Jiang Wanrong, as a bride-to-be, inevitably felt somewhat ashamed and guilty.
To prevent her from being looked down upon by her in-laws after marriage, the Shi Family and Jiang Family could only do their best to provide bridal adornments, truly exerting all efforts.
Fortunately, the end result was satisfying.
On the sixth day of April in the Jiachen Third Year, Jiang Wanrong had her grand wedding.
Hundreds of joyfully decorated boats carrying the bride and bridal dowry set off from the Dengzhou shore, majestically heading north along the waterway to the Luo River Jetty, where the Bai Family personally received them.
The marriage celebration stretched from Dengzhou Jiangnan, bustling with excitement all the way to Luo City.
Lasted ten days of loud festivities, grand and joyful.
Though the Bai Family wasn’t as wealthy and prestigious as the high-ranking officials of the Capital City, they were still a prominent family locally.
The marriage of a legitimate son was certainly no small affair.
Prestigious families that could attend did come, and the grand wedding banquet was held impeccably.
Being relatives, the Shi Family naturally sent representatives too.
Although the Fourth Princess didn’t attend personally, Prince Consort Shih Shaoling made a grand appearance with people from the Princess’s Mansion and congratulatory gifts.
Furthermore, Jiang Wanrong’s appearance, though not breathtakingly stunning, was among the best of her generation.
Add the Shi Family’s connections, as well as the ties between the Shi Family and the Fourth Princess.
Regardless of which aspect is spoken of, it was enviable.
Indeed, the Bai Family gained face both internally and externally.
It could almost be concluded.
As long as the Jiang and Shi Families don’t act recklessly, as long as the Bai Family wishes to exist peacefully.
The latter life of Jiang Wanrong won’t be difficult.
During the wedding ceremony.
Madam Shi sat in the guest seat, watching the polite and handsome son-in-law, nearly unable to hold back tears.
Her face carried a comforting smile, yet her heart was filled with emotions.
’Sister, Wanrong’s happiness is secured!’
’Rest assured, as long as I’m here for a day, I’ll cherish Wanrong as a daughter!’
...
After Jiang Wanrong got married.
Madam Shi exhaled a sigh of relief, as if life’s major event had settled.
Having been busy for so long, her bones felt nearly dismantled.
She could finally rest well, appreciating the spring flowers and autumn moons before her precious grandson is born.
The Princess’s Mansion also enjoyed unprecedented tranquility.
Shih Shaoling needn’t run back and forth anymore, only had to return on fixed days to pay respects.
Yue Er also finally didn’t have to hear him recount the matters over there every day, her ears noticeably peaceful.
Nearing May.
Yue Er was about to give birth, and her body grew increasingly heavy.
Earlier, when the pregnancy was smaller, she could still go out for a stroll; now only half a month remained, she must stay indoors just in case.
But...
A day or two was fine, even three or four days could be tolerated.
Being indoors for so long without going out made her incredibly stifled.
Observing her worsened complexion and increasingly irritable temper, Shih Shaoling knew she felt suppressed internally.
Therefore, he found ways to tell her many interesting stories.
That day, after breakfast.
After flipping through two pages of a book, Yue Er tossed it aside irritably, unsure what to do.
Shih Shaoling suddenly asked.
"Do you still remember the original Fuguo Duke’s Mansion?"
Yue Er frowned, recalling after a long time the notorious deeds formerly associated with the Fuguo Duke’s Mansion.
Her voice tainted with disdain replied.
"I remember, why do you ask about them?"
Shih Shaoling laughed.
"They’ve been stripped of their titles, now mere commoners! Living terribly!"
"And Lv Zhaoliang, can you guess what happened to him?"
"How would I know!"
Yue Er showed no patience, immediately frowning.
The air was infused with a hint of gunpowder, seemingly ready to combust at any moment.
Yet Shih Shaoling showed no hint of impatience; while softly massaging her ankle, he gently spoke.
"He’s dead!"
"Ah?"
Yue Er was genuinely shocked by this outcome.
Although he had done many despicable things, in fairness, his crimes didn’t warrant death.
"What happened?" Yue Er couldn’t help but grow curious.
"Why did he die? Being downgraded to commoner isn’t enough reason, my Imperial Brother hadn’t seized their assets, haven’t they accumulated substantial wealth over being Dukes for years?"
She assumed it was due to illness, destitute in the streets without funds for treatment.
But...
Shih Shaoling shook his head with a smile.
"No!"
"I killed him!"
He spoke with a spoiled smile in his eyes, not halting the gentle actions of his hand.
Such a casual demeanor was like suggesting: What name should we choose for the child?
If she hadn’t heard clearly, Yue Er wouldn’t have believed he uttered those words.
Her face was one of shock.
"You killed him?"
Shih Shaoling nodded again to confirm.
"I killed him!"
Even then, his gaze showed no shift.
Yue Er was somewhat speechless.
"Why did you kill him!"
Meaning, why stoop to dealing with a vile person, muddying hands over petty quarrels.
Only then did Shih Shaoling’s eyes grow sharper, he squinted slightly.
"If I hadn’t killed him, he might have tainted your sight!"
To prevent him from seeking death in front of Yue Er, it was better he dealt with it early.
Afterwards.
Shih Shaoling revealed how Lv Zhaoliang tried to barge into the Princess’s Mansion to harass Jiang Wanrong.
Yue Er was even more incredulous.
"No way!"
"Would there truly be someone so foolish in the world?"
"Barging into my Princess’s Mansion would certainly lead to an utterly destroyed body!!"
To ensure his sister’s safety, Zhao Qichen specially assigned a small Imperial Forest Army squad as mansion guards.
Even issued an edict:
Anyone who forcibly barges in without summons, no matter who, shall be killed without exception.
This has been public knowledge in the Capital for ages!
Nobody expected Lv Zhaoliang dared to gamble his life, boldly barging into the Princess’s Mansion.
Look at his audacity.
Clearly... Shih Shaoling wasn’t at fault for this matter.
Since sooner or later, death was inevitable anyway, a Shi Chen made no difference.
Shih Shaoling squinting his eyes suddenly smiled.
"It seems I’m still kind, at least gave him a complete body!"
"However, I had him tossed onto the Mass Burial Mound!"
"Whether it remained intact, that depended on his own fortune!"
Yue Er didn’t respond further, sinking into contemplation.
After thinking for some time, she suddenly gazed at him keenly.
"Now I suddenly understand why my Imperial Brother stripped them of their titles!"