Qingcao never expected things to turn out this way. If yesterday she had already envisioned General Gu's expression when the red veil was lifted in the bridal chamber tonight, today she was completely at a loss as to what expression General Gu would have if he really saw her face under the veil.
"General Gu, you can go back first."
But Gu Jingtian refused to let it go. He seemed eager to hold onto her and prevent her from leaving. As long as she didn't go back, he wouldn't have to face this completely wrong wedding, and he wouldn't miss the person in his hands now. "No, you can't go. It's too late. If you go, there'll be no turning back."
Qingcao slowly withdrew her sleeve from Gu Jingtian's grasp. "Gu Jingtian, listen to me. It's not too late."
Gu Jingtian seemed determined not to let her go. "No. It'll be too late soon, Qingcao, Qingcao."
Qingcao felt a warm current in her heart. "General, let go. It's still in time. Qingcao promises you it will be."
Gu Jingtian watched her walk away step by step. Only then did he realize that there were several streams of cool, wet liquid running down his face.
But a young servant from his family had come to look for him. He could only stumble back and let others dress him up. After putting on layer upon layer of wedding clothes and the groom's headdress, he forced himself onto the tall horse.
Those who came to offer congratulations, those who saw off the bride and those who welcomed her seemed happier than him.
At the Su Mansion, Su Wan'er personally watched as Qingcao changed into the same clothes as hers. She instructed the two young maids helping with the preparations not to say a word. If anyone asked, they should say it was a surprise for the groom.
Outside, the wedding maid was already urging Su Wan'er to put on the red veil. Qingcao put on the plain outer robe she had prepared earlier, hid the red veil in her sleeve, and followed them out.
Who would have thought they were wrong? Si Junlin really followed them every step of the way. It seemed that he wasn't here to offer congratulations but to attend the ceremony.
Qingcao became even more nervous. But it seemed that His Majesty was unhurried and had no intention of snatching the bride. Instead, he stared at the young lady and her.
After bidding farewell to her parents, it was time to get into the bridal sedan chair. But everyone stared at the bride, seemingly expecting her to shed a few tears. So Qingcao reminded her.
"Miss, even if you just pretend to cover your face with your sleeve a few times, it would be better than this." After all, no bride in the capital got married without shedding a few tears.
But Su Wan'er deliberately ignored her. How could a female general like her cry and sniffle? Moreover, on such a happy day, crying in front of her parents was inauspicious, especially since she wasn't really getting married.
Qingcao had no choice but to take out her handkerchief and wipe it on the young lady's face. She deliberately raised her voice and said, "Miss, don't cry. Today is a happy day."
Su Wan'er had no choice but to wipe her tearless face as well.
Everyone saw them off. Su Wan'er finally left the gate of the Su Mansion. A sixteen - person sedan chair was waiting outside. Su Wan'er found the clothes really uncomfortable. She just wanted someone to lift the veil so she could see the steps clearly. It was really amazing that Qingcao could wear an extra layer and still be so proper in etiquette. It seemed that she was born to wear these clothes.
"Miss, be careful on the steps. Why don't you hold on to this servant?" Qingcao saw that the wedding maid seemed to deliberately not use much strength to support her. It was said that if a bride tripped at the gate of her parents' house when getting married, it was actually a good thing, showing that the bride was extremely filial and reluctant to leave her parents. So the people around were all looking forward to this scene. But Qingcao thought that her young lady couldn't bear such humiliation. She might lose her temper if she was embarrassed like this. Moreover, there was no need to act this out now.
"I wonder, miss, why you're wearing such thick clothes today?" The wedding maid seemed to notice that there was another red dress inside Qingcao's clothes. She was very puzzled. In this weather, wasn't it hot to wear so much? Maybe she was sick. On such a happy day, if the illness was passed on to the bride, it would really be inauspicious.
"It's okay. I'm naturally afraid of the cold."
"Miss, I know you and your young lady are always very close. But if you've caught a cold, it's better to stay away. Don't pass on the illness. Such a happy day can't be delayed."
From seeing off the bride to welcoming her, everything on the way was naturally arranged by the wedding maid. So the people around naturally followed her instructions. Qingcao had no choice but to retreat behind the two maids and just follow the sedan chair closely. She couldn't stand in the position near the sedan - chair window that Su Wan'er had arranged for her.
Su Wan'er was annoyed that the wedding maid was being fussy. But with the red veil on, she couldn't lose her temper. She could only motion for Qingcao to take a few steps back.
It didn't really matter. They were going to switch places in the bridal chamber anyway. As long as she followed and there were no changes on the way, it would be fine.
Fang Xi saw that His Majesty seemed to want to follow them. So he tried to persuade him. "Your Majesty, since you've come to the Su Mansion, you should stay here for the banquet. Everyone is waiting for you to go back before they dare to take their seats." General Su had been a general all his life, and the Su family had been rooted in the capital for three generations. Naturally, they had a much wider network of contacts than the Gu family. So most of the court officials had come. When the Su Mansion sent the good news, and Si Junlin stood here, he naturally became the most noble person. Everyone didn't dare to go back first until they saw His Majesty go back after watching the bride leave.
"Why can't I go to the Gu Mansion? Someone, prepare my horse. I'm going to see off the bride in person."
Fang Xi really didn't know what was going on in His Majesty's mind. "Your Majesty, this doesn't conform to the rules. Although the bride has made great contributions, there's no need for you to see off the bride. This is a ceremony only for the eldest princess." Fang Xi was sweating profusely. This morning, he had seen that His Majesty seemed normal, as if he no longer cared about his past with the marshal and was just here to offer congratulations. But now he was staring at the person closely. Fang Xi was really afraid that if His Majesty got carried away, he would snatch the bride back.
"Hurry up." Si Junlin frowned, seemingly determined to see off the bride. Everyone around was very surprised at this sight. General Su came to persuade him in person. "Your Majesty, this is not allowed. This is really not allowed. What virtue does my daughter have, and what virtue do I have to trouble Your Majesty to see off the bride in person? Please take your seat earlier."
When everyone heard General Su's persuasion, the relatives of the Su family also began to persuade. But in their hearts, they were actually very happy to see His Majesty's actions. Didn't this clearly show that His Majesty was giving the Su family face? Naturally, no one knew the inside story, but General Su was vaguely worried.