Chapter 94: Prelude to the Wedding (1)

With the gentle whisper and familiar embrace, Zhuo Qing didn't panic when she came back to her senses, but instead leaned closer to the man behind her and sighed in a low voice: "Is Su Mufeng really doomed to die?"

A few days ago, she and Gu Yun had already discussed Su Mufeng's dual personality with Dan Yulan and Xiyan. From initial disbelief to later understanding, they had also made the greatest efforts. But even so, the result obtained was still that according to the laws of Qiongyue, Su Mufeng would definitely be beheaded!

As a medical practitioner studying human psychology, she understood Su Mufeng's psychology and situation very well. Watching him face capital punishment because of this, she still found it hard to accept.

Lou Xiyan was silent for a while, but finally replied: "Regardless of whether the murderer is Su Mufeng or the so-called Xifeng, the fact that he killed three innocent women is undeniable. If he is not severely punished, how can we account to those who have died? Su Mufeng may be innocent, but did those victimized women deserve to die?"

Actually, Lou Xiyan didn't want to argue with Qing'er over such matters. He might be able to understand some of her positions, but isn't fairness what the rule of law emphasizes?

Turning around to face Lou Xiyan's still gentle but very firm eyes, Zhuo Qing explained: "That's not what I meant, but Su Mufeng, as the primary personality, was in an unconscious state at the time. He is actually a patient, and when he killed, he was in the onset period of his illness. We cannot punish a person who is already ill. Is there really no room for maneuver in this matter?"

Lou Xiyan shook his head firmly and sighed in a deep voice: "A life for a life is a matter of course. This is a principle that the common people have understood and upheld since ancient times. If one can kill innocent people at will just by saying they are ill, where is justice? Su Mufeng didn't kill ordinary people; their families lost their beloved daughters, so how could they let him go? Qing'er, in this matter, not only can you not help him, but even Dan Yulan, I, and even the Emperor are powerless!"

She had already thought of this answer, but hearing Xiyan say it out loud, she still felt very helpless. There were too many conflicts between the modern concepts she upheld and the concepts of this world. However, on second thought, couldn't modern society have such legal concepts only after so many years of historical evolution? How could she demand that Qiongyue at this time accept her concepts?

Regarding Su Mufeng, besides regret, what else could she do for him?

Although Zhuo Qing didn't say anything more, her mood was not very good. Patting her cheek, Lou Xiyan coaxed: "Alright, you have already done your best, don't think about it anymore."

Zhuo Qing nodded slowly, but was still absent-minded. Lou Xiyan glanced at a set of red wedding clothes on the round table. It looked like they had been delivered for a while, but they hadn't been touched. Taking Zhuo Qing's hand to the round table, Lou Xiyan smiled: "The wedding dress has been delivered. Have you tried it on?"

Knowing that Lou Xiyan was trying to change the subject to make her feel better, Zhuo Qing also cooperated and perked up, shaking her head and smiling: "I don't know how to wear it." The wedding dress had been delivered early this morning. She hadn't been in the mood to try it on then, so she let them leave first. Now, looking at the wedding dress, which, although simplified, was still a pile of layers, she really didn't know how to wear it.

Lou Xiyan smiled. Wasn't she the one who said she wanted to make her own decisions about the wedding dress? And she didn't know how to wear it? Casually picking up the wedding dress and taking a look, Lou Xiyan smiled: "I'll help you."

"You know how?" Zhuo Qing was dumbfounded.

Lou Xiyan smiled without a word, taking the long and short pieces of fabric and putting them on her one by one. Zhuo Qing couldn't help but murmur: "Are you sure this is how you wear it?" She remembered it didn't seem this complicated, right?

Lou Xiyan didn't look up, measuring carefully. Helping a woman dress was also very unfamiliar to him, but it shouldn't be difficult, right?

Smiling as she watched Lou Xiyan, who was extremely serious and focused on dressing her, a faint sense of happiness made Zhuo Qing obediently close her mouth, spreading her hands and letting him dress her. Anyway, she didn't know how to wear it, so naturally, she had no say.

After a while, Lou Xiyan finally let out a long sigh of relief. Zhuo Qing looked down and saw that it really looked like the real thing, and the effect was about the same as when they first tried it on for her. After the modifications, it just fit better.

"Does it look good?" Zhuo Qing looked up and saw Lou Xiyan standing there blankly, staring at her. Zhuo Qing originally thought it was pretty good, but being stared at like this made her feel uncomfortable. Tugging at the hem of the skirt, which she had asked to be modified to be much smaller, Zhuo Qing frowned and asked: "Do you think the usual bridal style is better?" She had modified it a bit too exaggeratedly, but even if Lou Xiyan wanted to change it back, there definitely wouldn't be enough time now. She absolutely would not dress herself up like a Christmas tree!

After a long time, Lou Xiyan shook his head gently and smiled: "You look beautiful like this." The wedding dress had been modified by her to the point where it could hardly be called a wedding dress; at most, it was just a slightly more gorgeous red long skirt. He had heard that all brides hoped to wear the most luxurious wedding dress, and if the hem could drag on the ground for eight feet, that would be even better. His Qing'er was truly unconventional.

However, he wasn't lying. She looked truly beautiful dressed like this. The thin red garment set her off as ethereal and refined. Without the redundant clothing and accessories, her graceful figure was fully revealed. The deep red belt at her waist cinched her waist to be slender and graceful. Naturally, he didn't let her down, wrapping his arms around the slender waist that made his heart yearn.

Resting his forehead against Zhuo Qing's, Lou Xiyan sighed in both pain and relief: "Three days, three more days, and you will be mine." He had never felt that days were so long before.

The force on her waist made her feel a little pain, and their breaths mingled. She could feel the surge of Lou Xiyan's emotions. Zhuo Qing smiled slyly, her slender hands wrapping around Lou Xiyan's neck, her thin lips whispering in his ear: "Do you want to practice how to take off the wedding dress too?"

Lou Xiyan shuddered all over and roared: "Qing'er—!" She was doing it on purpose! The sun was shining brightly, the doors were wide open, and she was actually teasing him. She was absolutely doing it on purpose!

Zhuo Qing still wanted to continue teasing him when a clear male voice came from outside the open door: "Beautiful sister, are you there?"

Both of them stiffened. Lou Xiyan let go of his hands sheepishly. His path of love seemed to be full of twists and turns; every time he was intimate with Qing'er, he was always inexplicably interrupted by someone?

Zhuo Qing also got up helplessly and walked to the door, only to see a cute, handsome face smiling at her more brightly than the sunlight outside. Before Zhuo Qing could speak, the person at the door had already shouted exaggeratedly: "Wow~ so beautiful!"

It was just an ordinary red skirt. Since Xiyan loved her and said it was beautiful, she accepted it generously. What was this brat joining in the fun for?

Bai Yi circled Zhuo Qing, nodding continuously, and smiled: "I want to marry a princess as beautiful as you when I grow up!"

Lou Xiyan's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't say anything, sitting on a wooden chair to see what else he could say.

"Smooth-tongued." Zhuo Qing didn't buy his act: "What are you doing here?" He had been running to her place every few days. She remembered they weren't very familiar, right?

Bai Yi took a small cylindrical gadget out of his sleeve and stuffed it into her hand. Zhuo Qing looked at it and asked: "What is this again?" He sent her all sorts of things all day long, all things children liked. She really didn't know when she had become so popular?

Pointing excitedly at one end of the cylinder, Bai Yi smiled: "This is very interesting, take a look first."

Looking at it helplessly, as her hand turned, the patterns in the cylindrical gadget changed. But perhaps there were no mirrors yet, so it used polished copper sheets for reflection, which didn't look very good.

Zhuo Qing couldn't stand it and laughed low: "What's so strange about a kaleidoscope?"

Bai Yi's big eyes widened, he scratched his head, and smiled: "Is this called a kaleidoscope? The boss told me it was called a Thousand-Spirit Mirror. I thought it was very interesting, so I bought it for you."

Looking at the useless thing in her hand, Zhuo Qing couldn't dampen a child's enthusiasm, so she could only laugh dryly: "Thanks, ha."

Bai Yi regained his spirit and chattered on: "You're welcome, I'll buy you something better next time! By the way, I've been to many places in the capital to play these past few days, and I've bought a lot of things to take back to the Emperor and Empress. Qiongyue is indeed vast and rich."

Zhuo Qing nodded while smiling awkwardly. Had she not been in contact with a teenager for too long? She felt a bit overwhelmed. Looking back at Lou Xiyan for help, Lou Xiyan finally stood up slowly and smiled: "If the Seventh Prince likes it, you can play for a while longer."

"Prime Minister Lou?" Bai Yi looked at Lou Xiyan in surprise and called out: "You're here too, I didn't notice."

It was a deliberate omission, right? Lou Xiyan smiled slightly without exposing him. He could see the slyness that flashed in his eyes very clearly.

Entering the room, Bai Yi sat down beside Lou Xiyan on his own, smiling with curiosity: "I've seen the Prime Minister's mansion decorated with lanterns and colored streamers for many days. Which day is the wedding?"

"Three days later."

Clapping his hands lightly, Bai Yi laughed happily: "I came at the right time. Not only can I witness the grandeur of the celebration, but I can also drink the wedding wine of the Prime Minister and the beautiful sister!" In his gestures, he was completely like a child without any schemes.

Lou Xiyan exchanged pleasantries as usual: "The Seventh Prince is visiting Qiongyue for the first time, and I have failed to entertain you properly. Please forgive me."

Bai Yi waved his hands repeatedly and smiled: "Prime Minister Lou, you are too polite. It is I who have intruded first."

"Stop!" Zhuo Qing coldly interrupted their nutritious-less conversation and said coldly: "Please go out and chat slowly, I want to change my clothes." In this hot weather, she was wearing two sets of clothes.

Bai Yi stood up obediently and smiled at Lou Xiyan: "Prime Minister Lou, please."

Lou Xiyan also replied: "Seventh Prince, please!"

After the big and small ones exchanged courtesies, they finally left Zhaixing Pavilion. Zhuo Qing was a bit dumbfounded.

Closing the door, she finally took off the wedding dress, and the knocking sounded again.

"Who?" Zhuo Qing was puzzled. Who would this be?

"Sister-in-law, it's me." Lou Xiwu's listless voice came from outside the door. Zhuo Qing opened the door and saw a dejected face.

Pulling her into the room, Zhuo Qing asked: "What's wrong?"

Lying on the round table in frustration, Lou Xiwu cursed bitterly: "I'm so angry at Jing Sa!"

Raising her eyebrows lightly, Zhuo Qing laughed sheepishly: "Aren't you developing well?" You've even kissed, so next you should be on the right track, right?

Zhuo Qing's smile clearly implied something. Lou Xiwu's face turned slightly red, and she muttered in reply: "It is a bit better than before, but he still hasn't proposed to my brother!" Jing Sa was indeed different toward her than before; sometimes he would even bicker with her and be so angry that he called her by her name. These were things he would never have done before. But they had already kissed, so why hadn't he proposed yet? It was making her anxious!

The little girl's thoughts were all written on her face. Zhuo Qing laughed loudly: "So desperate to get married?"

"Sister-in-law!" Both shy and angry, Lou Xiwu glared at Zhuo Qing, her eyeballs almost popping out.

"Alright, alright, I won't joke anymore." Clearing her throat, Zhuo Qing finally suppressed her laughter and comforted: "Jing Sa is not a person without plans and a sense of responsibility. He is already gradually accepting you. Give him some time."

"Mm." Sighing, since her sister-in-law said so, that was all she could do. Glancing at the red wedding dress on the bed, Lou Xiwu suddenly leaned close to Zhuo Qing and whispered: "By the way, sister-in-law, Dad rushed back to the Prime Minister's mansion last night, but he seems to be still angry. But you don't have to worry. My brother is determined to marry you. Even if Dad is angry, he wouldn't dare do anything to you. Once the wedding is over, he will definitely return to the Northwest immediately, so just be your bride with peace of mind!"

Zhuo Qing wasn't uneasy, but after all, she was the one marrying Xiyan. Lou Muhai didn't like her, and a marriage without the blessing of parents always had some flaws. Thinking of this, she also thought of her own parents. Her wedding didn't even have the opportunity for them to see it, which was a pity.

Holding Zhuo Qing's arm, Lou Xiwu seemed even more excited than her: "Three more days, aren't you excited?"

Zhuo Qing nodded and replied faintly: "A little, I guess."

Pouting in dissatisfaction, Lou Xiwu shouted: "What do you mean a little? Is marrying my brother not worth looking forward to?"

Glancing sideways at Lou Xiwu, Zhuo Qing retorted: "When you marry Jing Sa, you'll know if you look forward to it or not!"

Lou Xiwu was stunned: "Why do you always turn the topic to me? I'm leaving, I'm not talking to you anymore!" Saying this angrily, she ran out.

Zhuo Qing let out a long sigh of relief. Finally, it was quiet. After being stirred up by Lou Xiwu, for the wedding three days later, she was indeed a little excited, looking forward to it, and nervous...

Qingxuan Hall

Seasons change, and things are different.

It was the time for fragrant pears to bear fruit again. One by one, although green and unripe, the fruit-laden pears hung all over the branches. In previous years, this was the time the Princess was happiest, but now...

Xiao Lian looked at the haggard and thin figure by the window with heartache, cursing Lou Xiyan and Qing Ling again in her heart. People like them could happily prepare for a wedding, while the Princess had to suffer such torture. This world was too unfair!

Yang Zhilan stood behind Yan Ruxuan. After a long time, she stepped forward to gently stroke her hairline and asked lovingly: "Xuan'er, it's almost autumn, do you want to go to the Wuxi Hunting Ground to play?"

Her eyes fixed on the pear tree outside the window, Yan Ruxuan shook her head blankly.

Gently stroking Yan Ruxuan's thin cheek and turning her face over, finally able to meet her eyes, Yang Zhilan hurriedly said: "If you don't go, those royal relatives will hunt randomly, and who knows how many animals will suffer."

Xiao Lian also immediately stepped forward, kneeling half-way at Yan Ruxuan's feet, and persuaded softly: "Princess, go. Do you still remember the little deer you saved by the river last year? You said you would go visit it again this year!"

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 95 =====