"General, what do you mean? Your daughter served as the marshal for a year and helped me reclaim the southern border, bringing years of peace and prosperity to the Great Jin. That's a great feat. How could she not be worthy? Today, I'll give away the bride on General Su's behalf." After saying that, he looked at Su Yu, then directly mounted the horse that was originally meant for the person to give away the bride.
Su Yu was extremely flustered at the moment. His younger sister was about to get married, and he hoped the emperor wouldn't do anything rash. If something went wrong, the Su family really couldn't bear the consequences.
"General Su, care to come with me?" Si Junlin took someone else's horse without realizing it. Seeing Su Yu staring at him, seemingly wanting to persuade him, he spoke first.
"Yes. Quickly bring another horse." Su Yu snapped out of it immediately. It was better for him to go along. If something really happened, he had to try his best to stop it.
Along the way, Su Wan'er sat alone in the sedan chair. Since Qingcao wasn't by her side, she naturally had no idea what was going on outside. However, the sounds of admiration and discussion outside were continuous, which made her more and more curious. It was just the Su family marrying off a daughter. Didn't every girl get married when she grew up? Was it really that astonishing?
Originally, after Gu Jingtian passed the imperial examination as an adult, he built a separate mansion next to the Su family's. The two families were very close. They arrived at the Gu family's mansion after just a short walk. But Gu Jingtian dismounted the horse in a daze, and then let the servants lead him to the sedan chair.
If he hadn't glanced back suddenly and seen Si Junlin, he might still be in a daze. Si Junlin watched him personally help Su Wan'er out of the sedan chair. He was extremely anxious. Didn't he see the two of them discussing a plan that day, where Qingcao would replace Su Wan'er? Why was there no sign of it now? They were already at the Gu family's mansion. Wouldn't it be even more difficult to act?
Si Junlin didn't know what he was thinking at the moment. Originally, he had just developed a strange interest in this extraordinary woman, Su Wan'er. Now that he found out she was about to get married, he unexpectedly felt a sense of reluctance.
If he hadn't accidentally heard her plan with Qingcao that day, he might have done something like snatching the bride. If asked the reason for all this, it was probably because he had heard so much about her past with the queen from the palace servants these days. Whether those things were true or fabricated by others, he should figure it out. He definitely shouldn't let the woman who had once been his queen marry someone else without a clear understanding.
Naturally, Gu Jingtian had to follow the etiquette between the monarch and his subjects and offer the seat of honor to Si Junlin.
Originally, the matriarch of the Su family was supposed to welcome the bride on behalf of Gu Jingtian's parents, acting as his grandmother. But now, she had to sit on the side, leaving Si Junlin alone on the seat of the high - ranking guests. The matriarch had experienced many ups and downs in her life, but she couldn't help but feel flustered at this moment. She had always thought highly of Si Junlin as a grandson - in - law. After all, Su Wan'er didn't talk much to her parents but was very close to her. Si Junlin had really treated her well for a while, but then she was inexplicably deposed as the queen. There must be more to this than met the eye.
Now, seeing Si Junlin at Su Wan'er's wedding, she couldn't help but think more.
Everyone bowed to Si Junlin. After that, their eyes were filled with envy. They thought that Su Wan'er was really honored to have the emperor personally give away the bride and attend the wedding. It was the first time in the Great Jin.
It was only now that Su Wan'er knew Si Junlin had come. She let Gu Jingtian pull her to bow to him.
It was supposed to be a simple matter. Why did Si Junlin have to come? His presence didn't matter much, but wherever the emperor went, the guards were strengthened several times. Wouldn't it be much more difficult for her to act? She originally planned to switch with Qingcao and then escape in the chaos. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a good idea to stay here. Now she was extremely annoyed that Si Junlin had to cause trouble.
Su Wan'er secretly cursed this meddling emperor in her mind. Were all the emperors so idle these days? She often heard her father say that the emperor should be busy dealing with state affairs and be extremely exhausted, not even having time to visit the harem. Now he actually had the leisure to watch the wedding of a courtier's child.
Si Junlin was also looking at her at the moment, but with different thoughts. He was extremely anxious, wondering when she and Qingcao would switch.
Now seeing Su Wan'er and Gu Jingtian bowing to heaven and earth, he felt an indescribable uneasiness in his heart and even couldn't help but want to take action.
After the three bows, the bride and groom should be sent into the bridal chamber. At this time, some of Gu Jingtian's peers who were on good terms with him naturally wanted to make a ruckus in the bridal chamber. But because of Si Junlin's presence, everyone didn't dare to move. Fortunately, Fang Xi reminded him, and Si Junlin then said that everyone could do as they pleased. Today, he was here as a friend of the late general to attend the wedding.
Another layer of sweat broke out on Fang Xi's forehead. Why did he have to add that last sentence after saying everyone could do as they pleased? "Your Majesty, why do you say you're a friend of General Gu? Then you'll have to go and make a ruckus in the bridal chamber too."
Si Junlin said calmly, "Of course." Then he even asked everyone to cheer and send the two into the bridal chamber.
But with the emperor here, how could everyone relax? If they were not careful, it might affect their official careers...
So they all followed obediently behind and just said a few words of mockery symbolically.
Gu Jingtian had a thought running through his mind all the time, so he stared fixedly at Si Junlin. This was probably the most outrageous thing he had ever done in his life.
"Your Majesty, I have an inappropriate request." Gu Jingtian suddenly whispered in his ear.
Si Junlin looked at him, very puzzled.
He had been paying attention to Su Wan'er all the way. At the moment, he hated this man to the core.
"Your Majesty, I know why you're here today. If you're not willing... Take Wan'er away!"
Si Junlin was stunned. He never expected that he would say such a thing. Didn't he go to the Su family's mansion himself and ask General Su for this marriage? He had heard that Gu Jingtian had had a tough time in the past decade and had always been very fond of Su Wan'er. Why was he acting like this now?
Seeing his suspicion, Gu Jingtian knelt on one knee. "Your Majesty, it's hard to explain this matter in a short time, but you and I both know that if Wan'er marries me, she will surely face another misfortune..."
Su Wan'er had long wanted to lift the veil while listening to the two whispering.
"But if I take her away, what about your bride?"
At this moment, Qingcao stepped forward and took off her outer clothes. "Your Majesty, if you really want to take the young lady away, then... I beg you."
Si Junlin looked at her in surprise, but Gu Jingtian was even more shocked. In an instant, it was like an eternity. He looked at Qingcao. What was going on? He almost couldn't figure it out. No wonder Qingcao had been so confident in telling him it wasn't too late that day.