ebookland Chapter 173 Do You Know (68)
Chapter 173 Do You Know (68)
The front yard of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion was bustling with guests.
Big red lanterns are hung in the hall with carved beams and painted buildings, reflecting everyone's smiling faces.
The air is filled with the aroma of wine and food, mixed with the music of stringed instruments and orchestras, interweaving into a festive symphony.
The guests, dressed in gorgeous clothes, toasted each other, chatted and laughed, and blessings were heard one after another.
"Congratulations, Brother Changze, and congratulations, Sister Moran!" His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's face was flushed. He picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, and his hearty laughter echoed in the air.
"Congratulations!" Lin Changze clasped his fists in return, his face smiling brightly like a flower.
"I wish you a happy marriage and a baby soon!" Wang Ruofu held Sheng Molan's hand, her eyes full of love and blessings.
"Thank you, madam." Sheng Molan lowered her head shyly, a blush on her face.
"Princess Anle is so lucky to marry such a perfect husband!" A noble lady chuckled with her hands covering her mouth, a hint of envy flashing in her eyes.
"Marquis Dingyuan is also a handsome man. He and the county lord are a perfect match made in heaven!" another noble lady echoed, with a hint of flattery in her tone.
"The marriage between the Lin and Sheng families is a powerful alliance, and they will surely prosper in the future!" An official stroked his beard and said thoughtfully.
"That's right. The Sheng family is very powerful now. Everyone knows about it." Another official nodded in agreement, a gleam in his eyes.
"However, I heard that the young master of the Duke of Qi's Mansion also has a crush on Princess Anle." A young man lowered his voice and gossiped.
"You don't know this, right? The water here is very deep..." An elderly official next to him said mysteriously, attracting everyone's attention.
"Shh, be careful with your words! Today is a happy day, don't talk nonsense!" An old man glared at them and scolded in a low voice.
Qi Heng was wearing a moon-white brocade robe today, with a fine mutton-fat jade pendant tied around his waist, which made him look gentle as jade and handsome.
He held a wine glass and walked among the guests with a decent smile on his face, socializing with ease.
Minglan was wearing a light pink silk dress and a few silk flowers on her hair. Although not gorgeous, she was elegant and refined.
She followed Qi Heng quietly, like a docile kitten, occasionally helping him pour wine and handing him a handkerchief, and her every move showed her gentleness and virtue.
However, there was a hint of loneliness in her eyes, which was out of tune with the festive atmosphere.
Minglan's eyes swept across the joyful faces, and her ears were filled with the noisy blessings and laughter.
Her heart felt like it was being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, causing waves of pain.
If she had not insisted on becoming Qi Heng's concubine, would she now be like Molan, wearing a gorgeous wedding dress and marrying her beloved with everyone's blessings?
However, there are no ifs in this world, only results.
She chose a thorny path and must endure the pain and torture it brings.
Minglan raised the corner of her mouth bitterly, tilted her head back and took a sip of wine.
The spicy wine slid down her throat and burned her stomach, but it could not burn away the bitterness and regret in her heart.
She turned to look at Qi Heng, who was chatting and laughing with several officials, and his every move showed his elegance and grace.
He seemed to feel her gaze, turned around and smiled at her.
The smile was gentle and distant, like the spring sunshine, warm but not scorching.
Minglan's heart trembled suddenly, and she lowered her head in panic, not daring to look at him again.
She knew that there was an unbridgeable gap between them and they could never go back.
Qi Heng withdrew his gaze from Minglan, and an indescribable irritation surged in his heart.
He looked at Sheng Molan and Lin Changze not far away, who were treating each other with respect and showing sweet affection, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings.
He blamed Minglan for her constant pestering.
If it weren't for her, would he be able to spend his life with Molan now?
He blamed himself, blaming himself for his cowardice and incompetence.
He blamed his mother for her self-willed decision that made him miss the chance to be with Molan.
If it weren't for her, he and Molan wouldn't have reached this point today.
Qi Heng gripped the wine glass tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning white from the force.
He tilted his head back and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp, trying to numb his nerves with the alcohol.
However, the bitter wine could not dilute the resentment and pain in his heart.
He felt like a clown teased by fate, and could only watch his beloved marry someone else, but he was powerless to do anything.
He hated, he hated this world, hated this unfair fate, and hated his weak and incompetent self even more.
Three days later, sunlight filled every corner of Sheng Mansion, bringing the festive atmosphere to its peak.
Today, Sheng Molan returns home.
The Sheng Mansion was busy with decorations and full of joy.
Lin Qinshuang got up early and dressed up carefully.
At noon, Molan and Lin Changze's carriage slowly drove into the Sheng Mansion.
Molan was wearing a bright red jacket embroidered with a golden phoenix and a headpiece decorated with red gold and kingfisher feathers. She got out of the car slowly with the help of her maid.
She dressed extra formally today just to let everyone see that she, Sheng Molan, is now the wife of Marquis Dingyuan and enjoys a glorious life.
Lin Changze was wearing a royal blue brocade robe and a mutton-fat jade pendant around his waist. He followed behind Molan with a gentle smile on his face, looking like a modest gentleman.
The two went to visit the old lady first.
"Grandma, your granddaughter greets you."
Molan bowed gracefully with a sweet voice.
"Okay, okay, get up."
The old lady had a kind face as she took Molan's hand and looked her up and down.
"After not seeing you for a few days, our Molan has become even more beautiful."
The old lady exclaimed in admiration.
"Grandma, you're so kind."
Molan lowered her head shyly.
"Changze, you must treat our Molan well from now on, okay?"
The old lady turned to Lin Changze and said.
"Don't worry, grandma, your grandson-in-law will definitely do it."
Lin Changze answered respectfully.
"Ah That's good."
The old lady nodded with satisfaction.
Afterwards, Molan and Lin Changze went to pay a visit to the eldest lady Wang Ruofu.
"Mother, your daughter greets you."
Molan knelt down and saluted.
"Well, get up."
Wang Ruofu responded happily.
"Changze, Molan will be handed over to you from now on. You must treat her well."
Wang Ruofu said to Lin Changze.
"Don't worry, mother. Your son-in-law will definitely do it."
Lin Changze bowed and answered.
"Ah That's good."
Wang Ruofu nodded.
During the dinner, Shou'an Hall was brightly lit and filled with laughter and joy.
Hualan, Minglan, Rulan, Changfeng, and Changbai's family all gathered together to welcome Molan and Lin Changze.
After Sheng Hong and Lin Qinshuang discussed it, they finally decided to hold the banquet at the Earl Sheng's Mansion.
After all, the Sheng family is Molan's maternal family.
They wanted everyone to know that although Molan married into the Marquis's Mansion, the Sheng family would always be her backer.
The dinner officially began, and Old Madam Sheng sat at the main seat. She was in a very good mood today, and there was always a kind smile on her face.
She raised her glass and spoke in a loud voice.
"Today is the auspicious day for our Molan to return home. Come, let's raise our glasses and wish them a long and happy marriage and a son soon!"
"it is good!"
Everyone responded in unison, raised their glasses and drank them all.
Molan sat next to Lin Changze with a blush on her face. She glanced at Lin Changze secretly and found that he was looking at her tenderly. Suddenly, a sweet feeling surged in her heart.