Chapter 149

Fortunately, A Heng, with keen eyes and quick hands, managed to support her.

Immediately after, a childish voice rang out: "Hey—do you not have eyes?!"

Before she could say anything, the child clutched his head and started wailing, the sky-high braid on his head swaying with him.

This sudden incident instantly threw Shen Shuangning's emotions into disarray.

By the time she redirected her gaze to that spot, the man's figure had already vanished, leaving only passersby in the distance.

It seemed as if she had just seen Xie Yan, but it was merely her illusion.

Besides, Xie Yan was already dead, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard had confirmed it—how could he possibly appear here?

If that were truly the case, it would be utterly terrifying......

Although she thought so, Shen Shuangning's frantically beating heart did not calm down; instead, it grew more violent!

"Hey! I'm talking to you! Can't you hear me?" the child complained, dissatisfied with her ignoring him, hands on hips, head lifted, glaring at her.

Where did this brat come from?

A Heng grabbed his collar with one hand, lifting him off the ground: "What's wrong with you, kid? You barged in and knocked into my young lady, yet you dare to play the victim? Whose child are you?"

"Let me go, let me go! Help, someone's bullying a child!" the child kicked his legs wildly and screamed at the top of his lungs.

Shen Shuangning's gaze fell on him, and she told A Heng, "Put him down."

Only then did A Heng release him.

As soon as the child's feet touched the ground, he not only didn't relent but snarled, "My brother won't let you off—you're all dead!"

"You little brat, you really need a lesson!" A Heng rolled up his sleeves, poised to teach him a lesson.

Seeing the situation turn bad, the child fled at top speed; after running a few steps, he turned back, made a provocative face at them, and then disappeared in a puff of smoke.

It was then that Shen Shuangning realized her money pouch was gone.

A Heng fumed, "It must have been that brat who stole it!"

A Heng wanted to give chase, but Shen Shuangning stopped him.

"Forget it; he's probably just some tenant's unruly kid. There's nothing valuable inside anyway—we can have someone retrieve it later," Shen Shuangning said, frowning.

Only then did A Heng relent.

Liu Yu wore a phoenix crown and rosy robes; her bright red wedding dress set off her skin, fairer than snow, her face brimming with uncontainable happiness and joy.

Upon seeing Shen Shuangning, her eyes filled with smiles, and she deliberately turned a full circle.

"Ningning, do I look good?"

Shen Shuangning smiled and said, "You do."

I still remember that, in my previous life, when I saw my older sister off to marry, she wasn't very happy, her smile forced, and afterward her days were indeed unpleasant.

Now, seeing her sister's blissful face, Shen Shuangning gradually eased the unease in her heart. Perhaps...... Chen Yuan truly is a man worthy of entrusting oneself to?

Perhaps, everything is just her overthinking?

Things have come to this; all we can do is offer blessings.

Liu Yu affectionately took Shen Shuangning's hand: "Ningning, today is the happiest day of my life. You'll bless me, right?"

Shen Shuangning chuckled: "Of course, my sister deserves the best; from now on she will surely live in loving harmony with her brother-in-law, free of worries year after year."

The two sat on the bed's edge, reminiscing, while Liu Yu also indulged in fantasies about their future life.

Ningning, this time I go ahead of you; when you marry the Prince Xiao, I will certainly come to add to the joy. Then our two families will visit each other often, how lively!

Shen Shuangning smiled and nodded.

Not long after, the matchmaker's clear voice rang from outside: "The auspicious time has arrived—please, the bride, come to the hall!"

Liu Yu immediately rose, supported by the matchmaker as she adjusted her skirt; at the moment the red veil was gently placed over her head, she turned back and smiled at Shen Shuangning, saying, "I'm off!"

Watching her escorted away, Shen Shuangning felt a surge of emotion, then rose and headed for the main hall.

Returning to the main hall, Shen Shuangning took the empty seat beside her mother, her gaze involuntarily drifting toward the door.

At last, she could finally see her sister's husband's true appearance.

The hall's guests chatted and laughed, the air filled with festive cheer. Liu Zhuangzhu and his wife sat on the main seats, their smiles never ceasing.

As the firecrackers crackled, the master of ceremonies' chant rang out again: "The newlyweds enter the hall——"

Amidst the flying red silk, two figures slowly approached——Liu Yu, veiled in red, supported by the matchmaker, and beside her, the man in a grand red wedding robe, drawing nearer step by step.

The hall fell silent.

Finally, the man lifted his head.

The moment she saw his face clearly, Shen Shuangning's pupils constricted sharply, and she nearly cried out.

——Xie Yan!!!

Even though half of his face was ruined, the other half's intact brows and eyes perfectly matched the person in her memory!

Perhaps sensing the woman's intense gaze, Xie Yan turned his eyes, raised an eyebrow, and glanced at her.

That glance made Shen Shuangning even more certain—he was not some Chen Yuan at all; he was Xie Yan!

He wasn't dead; he had returned to take revenge!

Shen Shuangning's face turned pale; she felt as if the world were spinning, the surrounding clamor fading away, leaving only the sound of her own violent heartbeat.

No wonder Liu Zhuangzhu couldn't find any flaw, no wonder "Chen Yuan's" identity seemed flawless—a death‑escaped court criminal, a rebel who had lain hidden for years, leaving no trace for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to detect—how could outsiders easily uncover his true whereabouts?

He faked his death to deceive everyone, then used his scars as a disguise, deliberately posing as a down‑and‑out scion, employing gentleness and thoughtfulness as bait, step by step gaining the Liu family's trust.

And all of this, perhaps, had been aimed at her from the very start!

She had considered that "Chen Yuan" might be a false identity, that he might be marrying her under false pretenses with ill intent, but she never imagined that the other party would actually be Xie Yan!

Shen Shuangning's hands and feet turned icy, her mind going completely blank.

Apart from Shen Shuangning, everyone else was immersed in the festive atmosphere, watching the couple about to complete their rites under the master of ceremonies' chant, their faces full of blessed smiles.

"Ningning? What's wrong? Your face is so pale—are you feeling unwell?" Lady Liu, noticing her daughter's abnormality, quickly reached out to grasp her wrist and asked softly, her voice full of worry.

Shen Shuangning's lips turned pale, her eyes filled with fear and urgency; she gripped her mother's hand tightly and managed to utter a few words.

"Mom...... run...... hurry up and run."

Xie Yan would never storm the manor alone; daring to show himself now, he must have arranged accomplices outside the manor, possibly even setting up a net of heaven and earth!

Shen Shuangning's voice was drowned out by the surrounding clamor and firecrackers.

Madam Liu only saw her daughter's lips twitch, but couldn't hear what she said. She furrowed her brow, leaned in closer, and asked anxiously, "Ningning, what are you saying?"

Shen Shuangning closed her eyes, forced herself to calm, and scanned her surroundings, looking for Qing Yun's figure.

But just then, a fierce shout laced with killing intent suddenly came from behind.

It exploded like a thunderclap from clear sky, instantly overwhelming all the noise.

"Xie Yan!!!"

Shen Shuangning's heart jolted, and she whipped her head around.

Only to see Qing Yun draw his long saber with a 'swish', the cold light flashing like lightning; he shot toward the hall like an arrow released from a bow, the blade pointing straight at the man in the wedding robe!

Liu Yu startled, instinctively spreading her arms to block the man!

Seeing this, Qing Yun's expression shifted slightly; he hastily turned the blade, the edge grazing the red veil and accidentally lifting it off.

Revealing Liu Yu's shocked and furious face.

"How dare you! Whose guard are you? You actually dare to draw a blade and hurt someone in the wedding hall!"

Qing Yun ignored her rebuke, stared fixedly at Xie Yan, and said in a low voice: "He is a wanted criminal of the court, Xie Yan!"

Upon hearing this, the Lord and Lady of the Liu Manor jumped up from their seats, their faces full of shock and bewilderment.

"What... what's going on, young man? Have you mistaken the person? He's Chen Yuan, Yu'er's husband! How could he possibly be a court criminal?"

Seeing Qing Yun not backing down, the Liu Manor Lord's face darkened; he turned to Madam Liu, his tone displeased: "Duchess, hurry and make him withdraw!"

Qing Yun was brought by the Duke's residence, yet on this joyous day he openly drew his blade—could it be that he intends to ruin the daughter's marriage on purpose?

Madam Liu stared blankly at the scene, recalling her daughter's earlier ashen, uneasy expression, and didn't know what to do.

Shen Shuangning hadn't expected Qing Yun to expose Xie Yan's identity on the spot; she thought it ominous and was about to speak.

Who would have thought that at this very moment, Liu Yu suddenly cried out.

Everyone turned to look, and saw a sharp dagger pressed against Liu Yu's neck!

The groom had actually taken Liu Yu hostage!

Shen Shuangning leapt to her feet: "Xie Yan, if you have a grudge against me, come at me—don't hurt the innocent!"

Qing Yun also shouted angrily: "Xie Yan, let her go!"

Liu Yu stood frozen, unable to move, finding it hard to believe, and stammered: "Chen Yuan, you... what are you doing? Don't scare me."

"Silly girl, I'm not Chen Yuan at all."

Xie Yan spoke in his usual gentle tone, his words sweet and affectionate as he whispered in her ear, but his eyes held ill intent as they fixed on Shen Shuangning.

Before anyone could react, Xie Yan's gaze shifted and he barked: "Attack!"

The instant his words fell, someone among the guests drew a hidden sword from under the table and swung it at the nearest person!

A head hit the ground.

The hall full of guests was thrown into panic by this sudden turn, souls flying apart; screams and the clatter of furniture rose and fell, and the once lively main hall instantly descended into chaos!