Translator – Xiao He Lian
This is a translation hosted on KnoxT, copies found elsewhere are either stolen or plagiarized. Please support the translator by reading it at KnoxT.
Chapter 126 Finale Part 1
It was the seventeenth day of the third month—the final of the six traditional wedding rites: the welcoming of the bride.
According to Jin dynasty customs, the groom would receive the bride at dusk. Now, it was already noon.
When she opened her eyes again, Shen Shu was at her side, saying softly, “Zhen’er, time to get up. Lord Lu is coming to fetch you.” Last night, the three of them didn’t sleep. This morning, Shen Shu and Shen Yao forced themselves up but couldn’t bear to wake Shen Zhen.
After all, a wedding night could be an exhausting affair.
Shen Zhen was pulled up from the bed by Shen Yao and began her bridal makeup. Qingxi bowed and applied powder to the bride’s face when suddenly, a few shrill laughs rang out from outside.
Shen Zhen asked, “Is that Second Aunt and the others?”
Shen Shu, comb in hand, curled her lips. “Not just your second aunt. Your third aunt and her whole family are here too. Even people you probably can’t name have come.”
Basically, everyone who had once slammed the door in Shen Zhen’s face that winter in the sixteenth year of Yuanqing had shown up today.
Shen Zhen was marrying into the Lu family, set to become the future Madam of the Duke of Zhenguo—an honor that demanded celebration, no matter the past grievances.
Just then, bursts of cheers from women and the loud calls of maids came from outside.
Shen Zhen’s heart skipped a beat.
He was here.
Lu Yan had just thrown the ceremonial wild goose at the gate and began reciting a poem to urge the bride to finish dressing. His voice was deep and steady, with an unplaceable charm.
“By candlelight I tease my lovely bride,
Before the mirror she brings spring to life.
No need for heavy makeup on your face,
Just leave your painted brows in sight.”
One poem wasn’t enough for a top-ranking scholar. Amid the teasing of sisters and sisters-in-law, Lu Yan composed another.
The words were so overly affectionate that Shen Zhen’s cheeks flushed. She had never heard him praise her like this before.
Laughter and teasing continued. Someone shouted, “Not enough! One more!”
And so, the man obliged with yet another. Still, no one let him see the bride.
For a man as stern and cold as Lu Yan, this was nothing short of torture—but today, not a trace of irritation showed on his face.
His deep, cool eyes were filled with nothing but affection.
Shen Yao grinned at Shen Zhen. “Today is the one day you’re allowed to bully him. Don’t go soft on him, understand?”
Shen Zhen nodded, “I understand.”
“Louder!” Shen Yao prompted.
Shen Zhen straightened her back and raised her voice. “I understand!”
Outside, the crowd carried on with their revelry. Lu Yan, a well-read man, continued composing one love-soaked verse after another.
The poetry got increasingly cheesy, which even made Lord Shen, the bride’s father, shake his head and chuckle despite his earlier grumpiness.
He waved his hand at the sisters and the maids.
“Let him in.”
Wearing gold hair ornaments and pearls, Shen Shu personally helped Shen Zhen into her wedding robe. When she handed over the ceremonial fan, her eyes reddened.
From now on, your blessings and misfortunes will be handed over to him.
Shen Yao lowered the bridal veil over Shen Zhen’s face, her voice choked. “Zhen’er, your sister will be waiting for you to return home.”
Hearing that, Shen Zhen’s eyes brimmed with tears.
Assisted by Qingxi, she stepped out of the Shen household, turning back with every step. The sorrow of this moment was something no unmarried girl can truly understand.
Even Lord Shen —who had not shed a tear after losing his title—turned his back abruptly, biting down hard on his lip.
Shen Zhen was helped into the bridal carriage, her eyes misty with tears.
On horseback, Lu Yan circled three times, then pressed a hand to his chest and smiled bitterly. Even on such a happy day as his wedding, he could not escape.
Upon entering the Lu Mansion, Lu Yan led her to the Qinglu Hall for the wedding ceremony.
The red candles flickered softly as husband and wife bowed to each other. Then they entered the Suning Hall—Lu Yan’s own residence—washed their hands, and tied the wedding knot.
The attendant brought forth a tray of “same table meal[mfn](means that the newlyweds eat the meat of the same livestock)[/mfn]”, which the bride and groom shared in three bites each. Then a young boy from the Lu family presented the nuptial wine[mfn](the couple drinking He Qin wine together not only symbolizes that the couple will become one and be together forever, but also has the deep meaning of letting the bride and groom share joys and sorrows.)[/mfn].
After they drank, the final ritual took place.
The Xi ninang[mfn](woman employed to wait on the bride on her wedding day)[/mfn] took a pair of scissors and clipped a lock of hair from each, bound them together with red silk, and placed it in a scarlet brocade bag, symbolizing that they were a married couple.
Then Lu Yan removed the fan from her face.
At that moment, a few of Lu’s younger relatives—Lu Jin and Lu Heng—rushed in. Lu Heng muttered, “Did you see? Third Young Lady Shen looks even prettier than before.”
Lu Yan shot her a sharp glance.
Lu Heng quickly corrected herself, “I mean, Third Sister-in-law is gorgeous.”
Then she added, “Truly a match made in heaven!”
Lu Jin laughed, calling her a shameless flatterer.
Lu Heng may have spoken aloud, but who in the room wasn’t thinking the same?
He, Lu Yan, was not a person with cold hearts and no desires. When he chose a bride, he picked the fairest in all of Chang’an.
Standing beside Lu Ye, Shen Man whispered, “The old matriarch can finally rest easy now.”
After the bridal chamber was properly celebrated, one always had to give the newlyweds time to say a few words. After everyone left and the door was closed, Lu Yan turned his head to look at Shen Zhen.
He said nothing, but his eyes seemed to pierce through both their lifetimes.
Finally, he had made her his.
At that moment, Shen Zhen was also gazing at him.
She had never seen him in red before. Today, she discovered how stunning he looked in that color.
Lu Yan asked softly, “Are you hungry?”
“I’m not,” Shen Zhen replied, then added, “And you, my lord?”
Lu Yan smiled and asked, “What did you call me?”
In the flickering red candlelight, their eyes met. Her beautiful eyes sparkled. After a pause, she softly said, “Husband.”
At that word, a look of pure delight lit up the man’s face—he couldn’t hide it if he tried.
Such a sweet voice—it would make anyone’s heart flutter.
Just then, someone outside called out, “My lord, time to greet the guests—”
Lu Yan didn’t move. His voice low and hoarse, he said, “Say it again.”
Shen Zhen replied, “Husband, go greet the guests.”
The man’s expression remained unchanged, but his hands were no longer honest. He accurately pinched her little pearl through her clothes.
A tingling sensation flowed through his body, and Shen Zhen subconsciously looked at his hand.
His clean, fair fingers didn’t stop. He rubbed and pinched—each time firmer than the last.
More urging came from outside. Lu Yan finally released her and whispered against her ear, “Wait for me.”
Then he turned and went to the front hall.
As the future Duke of Zhenguo, his wedding was a grand affair. It felt like every noble in Chang’an was in attendance—even the Crown Prince sent a gift.
Lu Yan’s colleagues from the Jingzhao Prefecture rose to greet him. Sun Xu said with a smile, “Congratulations, Lord Lu, you’ve won the beauty.”
Wearing his wedding robes, Lu Yan was radiant with pride and returned with a sincere, “Thank you.”
Meng Wei offered him a poetic couplet.
Former Governor of Jingzhao, Zheng Zhonglian had specially returned to the capital for the wedding. One by one, the administrative officers offered their blessings.
Then came the Minister of Justice, Yao Bin, and the MInister of the Dali Temple, Zhou Shu’an.
Yao Bin said, “Congratulations, Lord Lu.”
The Minister of Justice, already tipsy, hiccupped and added, “A fine beauty, that Shen girl. Lord Lu is truly lucky.”
Everyone wanted a Shen daughter for a wife.
Lu Yan glanced meaningfully at Zhou Shu’an—as if to say, There’s still another Shen sister. Try your luck.
He held his fake wine and made three rounds of toasts. When he reached Chu Xun and Sui Yu, he was immediately stopped.
Chu Xun leaned in, “Come on, Lu Shiyan, pour out the fake wine and drink the real stuff.”
Yang Zong frowned on the side, feeling uneasy.
Sui Yu said to him, “No need for that yin-yang pot[mfn](It’s a pot with a hidden compartment, so when you pour wine, the hidden content in the compartment comes out instead. It’s commonly used for assassinations)[/mfn] of yours, Yang. We’ve got everything prepared.”
They were clearly planning to get him drunk.
After several rounds, Lu Yan clutched his chest. Sui Yu said dryly, “Save it. We’re not buying it.”
Chu Xun laughed. “No wedding night for you!”
Lu Yan set down his cup. “But my wife is waiting in the room.”
Such a line—how infuriating!
Chu Xun licked his lips. “Just based on what you said, forget it.”
From dusk till nightfall, music played nonstop.
—
Back in Shen Zhen’s room, everything was peaceful.
Lu Yan had assigned Tang Yue and Mo Yue to serve her—no awkwardness at all.
Tang Yue looked back and muttered, “Who knows when the Lord will return?”
Qingxi hinted, “Since Lord Sui and the others are here… perhaps madam should bathe first.”
Shen Zhen nodded, “Prepare the water.”
An hour later, Shen Zhen returned to the bed. Even though she was no stranger to Lu Yan, the new setting made her nervous and she clutched her robe tightly.
She glanced at the pillow. Tonight, even the scented sachets couldn’t be used.
Just as she was thinking of him, voices were heard from outside—the respectful greetings of maids. Steady footsteps followed, heading straight for her heart.
