Chapter 163

How did the Heir Apparent come in? This probably isn't proper.

Shen Shuangning was quite surprised, for in her previous life he had not entered but waited on horseback outside the gate; she had been carried out by the matron.

Xiao Jingyuan held her arm steady as a rock, his face still calm and composed, yet his ears quietly flushed red: "I want to see you soon."

Shen Shuangning was speechless: "I won't run away."

Xiao Jingyuan lowered his gaze; through the red veil he could faintly see her fair skin and delicate features, and he unconsciously held her tighter.

His voice somewhat low: "Ningning, I am very happy today."

Even though it was a sham wedding, he was still very happy.

Shen Shuangning gave a soft "hum" as a response.

Xiao Jingyuan held her steadily, passing through the bustling courtyard and over the cheering crowd.

The maidservants along the way, seeing this, couldn't help but blush, lower their heads, and sneak glances.

From the orchid garden to the main hall, then step by step toward the Duke's mansion gate, the distance was not short, yet Xiao Jingyuan walked fast and steady without a moment's pause.

The guests in the residence, seeing the groom personally carry the bride out, all showed surprised expressions.

Since ancient times, a bride's journey from her chambers to the bridal sedan has always been carried out by a matron or her elder brother, symbolizing "feet not touching the ground, peace and smoothness"; for the groom himself to enter and carry her out is truly rare.

Even the experienced old matron couldn't help but smile and shake her head: "The Heir Apparent dotes on the Fourth Miss to the point of cherishing her in his heart."

Shen Lang stood inside the gate, watching Xiao Jingyuan carefully hold his daughter; his reluctance gradually gave way to relief, and he nodded to Xiao Jingyuan, his gaze entrusting his daughter solemnly.

Shen Xiuci and Shen Er stood respectively beside their father, feeling complex; they never imagined their sister would marry that scoundrel Xiao Jingyuan.

But seeing how well he treats Ningning, they could somewhat relax.

Lady Liu's eyes were already red; she turned away and furtively wiped her tears several times, having long hoped for her daughter's marriage, yet now that the day had come she felt deeply reluctant.

Xiao Jingyuan held Shen Shuangning as they crossed the threshold, paused before the bridal sedan, and softly said to her: "We're about to get on the sedan."

The news of the Heir Apparent of Prince Yan's mansion's grand wedding had spread throughout Jingcheng; crowds of townspeople surged to the roadside to watch, a throng packing the streets tightly.

All that could be seen was the lofty Heir Apparent Xiao, at this moment bending before the sedan, carefully placing the bride in his arms into the sedan.

Then he turned, nimbly mounted his horse; the black steed raised its head and neighed, full of heroic vigor.

Xiao Jingyuan rode ahead, chin raised, as if returning from a victorious battle.

The guards and attendants in the wedding procession, having been instructed, tossed wedding candy and silver pieces into the crowd all along, eliciting cheers from children scrambling for them, while adults joined in the clamor and applause.

"Prince Yan's mansion is magnificent! We can also share in the joy."

"Then let us wish the Heir Apparent and his consort a blessed union and a hundred years of harmony!"

"And may they bear a noble son early—surely they must bear a noble son soon!"

The person who loudly shouted "May they bear a noble son early!" had caught the wedding candy that Xiao Jingyuan personally tossed out.

Shen Shuangning knew nothing of what was happening outside; she only heard one congratulatory utterance after another and laughter, bustling with excitement.

She lifted her hand, her slender fingertips gently raising the curtain; through the red veil she saw the man's upright back.

In her previous life, when she married, she had also furtively observed him this way, her heart brimming with joy, yet he had not turned back.

Shen Shuangning's mindset had long differed from that of her past life; she was about to withdraw her gaze when she saw the man on horseback turn his head, the corner of his mouth still holding a smile.

Shen Shuangning froze.

The sedan proceeded smoothly all the way.

After an unknown amount of time, they arrived at Prince Yan's mansion.

Here it was even more lively.

When the sedan came to a steady stop, Shen Xiuci, who had escorted her all the way, was about to step forward to take his sister's hand and help her down, only to find Xiao Jingyuan had beaten him to it.

"No need to trouble you, elder brother-in-law."

Shen Xiuci was practically speechless, his eye twitching slightly: "Heir Apparent, you need not be so attentive."

Xiao Jingyuan simply threw back at him: "You don't understand."

Only upon hearing their exchange did Shen Shuangning realize that the one holding her hand was Xiao Jingyuan; she looked at him with a complex gaze.

Xiao Jingyuan could not see her expression; as she was about to step over the fire basin, he slipped one arm around her waist and easily brought her across.

Someone joked, "He's just entered the gate, yet the Heir Apparent personally handles everything, doting on the bride like this—looks like he'll be completely wrapped around her finger from now on!"

"What do you know? The Heir Apparent is blessed!"

"Hahahaha!"

In the past, nobody would dare to casually tease Xiao Jingyuan.

Such blatant favoritism and cherishing will also leave a fine tale in the capital.

"It's really different..." Shen Shuangning thought.

For this grand wedding, the Prince Yan, who was far away at the frontier, had purposely returned; he sat side by side with the Princess Consort Yan on the main seat, gazing warmly as he saw the two children approach.

Prince Yan had only heard the name Shen Shuangning from letters his wife sent from the frontier; he knew little of her, but as long as Xiao Jingyuan liked and was satisfied with her, that was excellent.

The Princess Consort, however, looked somewhat sorrowful, gently dabbing her tears with a handkerchief.

Others merely thought she was weeping from excessive joy, but Prince Yan understood the reason and reached out to lightly pat her shoulder.

"If our Azer were still alive, he too should be like this..." the Princess Consort said, her voice choking.

Upon hearing this, Prince Yan's eyes also flickered with sorrow; considering Xiao Jingyuan's wedding, he signaled the Princess Consort to restrain herself.

Yet Xiao Jingyuan still caught a glimpse of the Princess Consort's expression, and the smile in his brows and eyes immediately faded somewhat.

At this moment, Shen Shuangning faintly sensed that Xiao Jingyuan's grip on her hand had suddenly tightened, so she glanced at him, somewhat puzzled.

But blocked by the veil, she could not see clearly.

On the other side of the wedding hall, the Crown Prince had purposely brought his concubine to attend the feast.

Song Xizhi had not wanted to come, but Xiao Jingyuan's marriage, taking Shen Shuangning as his bride, left her feeling as if a lump of cotton were stuffed in her chest, making her feel stifled and anxious.

Yet the Crown Prince forcibly dragged her over, leaving her no recourse.

Now, watching the two bow in the wedding ceremony, Song Xizhi finally realized that these two would inevitably be together—truly a fate‑ordained match.

But she would never bless them—never.

At that moment, someone said, "The Junior Tutor has arrived."

As soon as the words fell, everyone's gaze snapped to the doorway, where Pei Zhi entered in a scarlet official robe, walking slowly.

Pei Zhi's face was pallid from days of exhaustion, yet his posture remained upright, and his calm gaze swept over the wedding hall.

Immediately, someone couldn't help but exclaim, "Why is the Junior Tutor wearing that official robe?..."

Before the words even finished, a perceptive person already sensed something amiss—

The Junior Tutor's official robe is proper scarlet; although it is slightly lighter than the deep red of Xiao Jingyuan's wedding attire, amid the hall's red silk it looks strikingly similar.

Some who didn't know the circumstances simply assumed Junior Tutor Pei was busy with an investigation and hadn't had time to change out of his robe.

But those as well-informed as the Crown Prince could see that Pei Zhi had deliberately worn it to cause trouble.

Everyone instinctively turned to look at Xiao Jingyuan, wearing expressions of anticipation for a show.

After Xiao Jingyuan finished the wedding rites and had just seen Shen Shuangning off, he turned his head and saw Pei Zhi approaching; his expression darkened instantly.

Pei Zhi, seemingly oblivious to the strange looks around him, walked straight to the gift table, presented his congratulatory gift, and said gently, "Congratulations on the heir apparent's grand wedding—a small token, nothing more."

The steward Wang, gazing at the scarlet official robe and then at the heir apparent's ill-favored face, trembled as he wondered whether to accept the gift.

Until Xiao Jingyuan spoke: "Junior Tutor, though your duties are many, you still made the special trip to offer congratulations—thoughtful. Please accept it."

Only then did Steward Wang accept the gift, trembling.

Pei Zhi gave a slight nod, said nothing more, turned and sat beside the Crown Prince, pouring and drinking by himself.

Seeing Xiao Jingyuan so composed, the Crown Prince felt a hint of disappointment, then turned to Pei Zhi with a teasing tone: "I still thought you'd come to wreck the ceremony and steal the bride."

Pei Zhi chuckled: "Your Highness, you jest—I'd never have the nerve to snatch a bride from Prince Yan's mansion."

Moreover, what's the point of winning the person but not the heart? Such a low-class trick is beneath me.

The Crown Prince's smile froze on his lips; he sensed that Pei Zhi's words carried a hidden jab at him.

The Crown Prince's brows darkened, he took a sip of wine, and said, "Junior Tutor, you certainly see things clearly."