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  It was just past midnight, and the faint sound of copper drums and suona horns came from the front yard, accompanied by the loud noise of firecrackers. Ming Xuan knew that the people who had come to welcome her at the Pei family's house must have arrived. She furrowed her delicate eyebrows slightly, wondering who it was that had come to welcome her today.

  According to the Zhou Dynasty's etiquette, on the wedding day, it is usually the groom who goes to the bride's home to welcome the bride. Firstly, he needs to pay respects and kowtow to the elders of the bride's family, and secondly, it is also a sign of respect for the bride's family and giving face to the bride. However, if the groom's family is of lower social status or the groom has some hidden illness, then only a welcoming team will be sent by the groom's family to welcome the bride, while the groom waits at home. In this way, the kowtowing and paying respects to the elders of the bride's family can be avoided, making it less solemn.

  Pei Jingchen's body is not good, and everyone in the capital knows it. If Pei's family had sent someone else to welcome the new bride, it would have been reasonable, and Gu's family couldn't find any fault with that. However, after Ming Xuan entered the Pei household, her status was somewhat diminished, making it seem like the Pei family didn't care much about this daughter-in-law, which doesn't sound very good.

  The Pei and Gu families are now at odds with each other, if they can be humiliated in this marriage, it seems that nothing can't be done.

  She was secretly speculating when a faint footsteps came from outside, and Guan Yini supported Zhu Lao Furen with a smile on her face.

  Madam Zhu grasped Ming Xuan's hand, smiling as she said, "Xuan jie, Mother indeed didn't misjudge you. It was the young master of the Pei family who personally came to welcome you to the Duke of Town's estate. The sedan chair is already waiting outside, quickly let Dan Hong help touch up your rouge and lipstick, the matchmaker will be arriving soon."

  She spoke as she instructed the maids in the house to do things, with an air of authority.

  Ming Xuan felt a sense of relief in her heart, as her husband had given his wife some dignity. It was the fundamental way to survive in the complex situation of a large and powerful family, although Pei Jingxian was used to being weak, and there were only a few people in the Pei family who truly respected him. But if he didn't even respect himself, then life after marrying into the Pei family would be even more difficult.

  If he was really ill and couldn't get out of bed, that would be one thing. But she knew his true nature all too well. If he had taken advantage of the Pei family's intentions to humiliate her, then perhaps her desire to try to live a good life with him would also have to come to an end.

  It's okay, this man didn't disappoint himself from the start.

  In a moment, two matchmakers entered Antai Hall to pay their respects to Madame Zhu and Ming Xuan, saying some auspicious words and flattering words.

  Madam Zhu ordered Nanny Guan to prepare two large red envelopes and handed them over, asking the two matrons of honor to take extra care.

  The matchmaker saw the generous reward and immediately understood that Seventh Miss was deeply loved by Old Madame Yongning. Her expression became even more eager to please, and she and the two others bowed to the old lady before covering the red handkerchief in the tray with a happy quilt, waiting at her side.

  Before long, the old lady of Dongping and the wife of the auxiliary king, along with several wives from related families, all swarmed in. Ming Xuan, separated by the red veil, only saw blurry figures, and her ears were filled with laughter and chatter. Her two palms unknowingly clenched together, and she felt a bit tense.

  This is her first marriage and should also be the last one.

  In the midst of the noise, Manager Guo came in with a smile and reported, "The young master has arrived."

  Yongning Marquis's son, Gu Yuanhao, came in wearing a crimson brocade robe and greeted the elders in the house with a smile. He took another step forward to Mingxuan's side, lowered his body and asked, "Seventh Brother-in-law said that later, the wedding sedan chair will still have to circle around Shengjing City for a lap, fearing that time is not enough, so he asked me to ask Seventh Sister. Can you get on the sedan now?"

  The Zhen Guo Gong Fu and Yong Ning Hou Fu are separated by five streets. The original plan was for the Pei family to discuss the matter with the servants, saying that they would make a circle around this city district, so the Gu family thought it was time to get up and perform the ceremony. It was just past 4 pm, and there was plenty of time. But Pei Jingxuan said that the wedding sedan chair had to make a circle around the Shengjing City, which is an extremely extravagant and ostentatious practice.

  The bride, covered with a red wedding veil, was stunned for a moment. She habitually turned her head towards her grandmother's direction for help.

  Madam Zhu felt a mix of emotions, both delighted and worried. Regardless of the Pei family's intentions, it was clear that Pei Jingchen had taken a liking to Xiang'er. Feeling slightly reassured, she temporarily pushed aside her concerns and nodded, saying, "Since Seventh Brother-in-law has this in mind, then let's agree to it."

  She reached out and took Ming Xuan's hand, saying lovingly and kindly, "Good child, the Marquis of Pei loves you dearly, and our days will be filled with joy. Grandmother is still looking forward to having more great-grandchildren!"

  Gu Yuanhao squatted down and smiled, saying, "Seventh sister, don't worry, big brother will safely deliver you to Seventh brother-in-law's hands."

  The bridesmaid led Ming Huan over, accompanied by the dowry of Dan Hong, Su Wan, Que Hao and Ou Si following behind.

  Ming Xuan was just about to pounce on Gu Yuanhao's back when he suddenly heard a loud noise coming from the courtyard outside, and upon listening carefully, it seemed like the sound of clashing blades accompanied by men's shouts.

  She was shocked in her heart, afraid that Han Xiuying deliberately wanted to ruin her wedding again. But thinking carefully, she felt it wasn't right. Han Xiuying still had a wife from a prominent family, and shouldn't have done something so reckless. Then who could be intentionally causing trouble outside?

  She was in a state of uncertainty, seeing that all the elders in the house had gone out to see what was happening, so she also lifted her veil and followed them out.

  In the spacious courtyard of Antai Temple, many servants were scattered and lying down. Outside the crescent-shaped gate, male guests from the front yard were rushing over with their attendants.

  A man wearing a silver helmet was discarding the weapon in his hand and walking towards the main hall, his copper boots heavy with each step, scraping against the bluestone road, making a dull yet sharp sound. As he walked, the man removed the silver helmet from his head, revealing a resolute and handsome face that was etched with fatigue and exhaustion.

  That bright fire red in the crowd, how can't ignore it, he smiled softly, "Sister!"

  This face, Ming Xuan was more familiar with it than anyone else. Every night when she first arrived, it would appear in her dreams. She would never forget him saying, "Little sister, why are you so silly? If something were to happen to me, how could I explain it to Father and Mother?"

  Memories surged, tears burst forth, she was somewhat incredulous, yet this face, this battle robe still stained with blood, and that voice saying "little sister", were all so real. She had imagined countless times the scene of reuniting with him again, but never thought it would be like this.

  In the past, every time he wanted to find his heart, he thought it was the identity of the beneficiary, and he had to make amends for the deceased Mingxuan's wish. But when he really appeared in front of him, he suddenly realized that now she is Mingxuan, her body flowing with the same blood as him, this kind of blood connection, unknowingly, at a time when she didn't notice, has already deeply penetrated into her heart.

  Ming Xuan's heart was surging with excitement, she picked up the hem of her wedding dress and ran towards Gu Yuanjing, tears falling from the corners of her eyes, gradually disappearing without a trace as they were blown away by the wind. Her voice trembling, she called out, "Brother!"

  Gu Yuan Jing opened his arms to hug her, but suddenly remembered that this was not a battlefield where anything goes, but a dignified and majestic high-ranking residence in Shengjing. He and Ming Xuan were emotionally close siblings, but hugging each other in public was also unreasonable, let alone today being her big wedding day.

  What if her husband doesn't like it?

  What if others use this matter to gossip?

  What if I got her beautiful and expensive wedding dress dirty?

  Thinking so, he shrunk his arms and smiled lightly at Ming Huan, saying "Sister, wait." Then he took two steps forward and knelt down in front of Old Lady Zhu, heavily knocking his head three times. "Filial grandson Yuan Jing pays respects to grandmother and all the elders."

  The sentence shocked the male guest who rushed over to hear the news, and also made the female guests present astonished. Not only did the second lady's eyes change, but the prince and princess's expressions also underwent a subtle transformation.

  Gu Yuanjing is back.

  A few days ago, the family just opened the genealogy and recorded Gu Yuanjing under the name of Sanfang Lu's family. Now he is already a legitimate son of the third house of the Gu family. If they want to divide the family property, he alone can occupy the wealth of the first house.

  Madam Zhu was both startled and delighted, hastily pulling him up. "Jing ge'r, since you're back, quickly go change into some clean clothes, then carry your sister to the flower sedan chair. Don't make her miss the auspicious hour!"

  Gu Yuanjing took advantage of the situation and rushed up, punching Crown Prince Yuanhao in the chest, and then a clever servant led him to a side room.

  Yan's mother had just come to her senses from the commotion, and suddenly saw that Mingxuan's red veil had been lifted. At this time, many male guests from the front yard had gathered in the An Tai courtyard. The bride's beautiful face was like a bright pearl, shining brightly in the simple and crude courtyard. There were also young men whose eyes had already become intoxicated and dazed.

  She was shocked in her heart, and quickly put down the red cloth, covered Ming Xuan tightly, then supported her to go back to the inner room.

  After a short while, Gu Yuanjing had changed into clean clothes and re-combed his hair, ready to resume the interrupted ceremony. The sound of gongs and drums filled the air, accompanied by the soft music of silk and bamboo instruments. In the main hall of An Tai Temple, he knelt down on one knee, patted his broad shoulders, and smiled warmly at Ming Xuan, "Sister, come up!"

  Ming Xuan was supported by her mother-in-law, leaning on her brother's back for the first time. In this home that could be called a crisis-ridden one, she felt what it meant to have a sense of security. In this cold and indifferent mansion, she felt warmth. She couldn't help but think in her heart, whether this warm, broad, and reassuring back, which had carried her through several gates all the way to the gate of the wedding sedan chair, would also become her last reliance in her future life?

  The main gate of Yongning Marquis's mansion, a man in a bright red wedding robe stood quietly, as elegant and refined as a white lotus in clear water, his posture as straight and strong as a pine tree in the wind. He gazed at the bride in her fiery red dress being carried on the back of a servant, passing through several doorsteps, gradually getting closer to him, and an unusual sweetness arose in his heart.

  The big red sedan chair with the auspicious character embroidered on it was lowered, and he was helped by Chang Geng to get on his horse. Then, leading this grand wedding procession, they set off forward.

  From this moment on, everything should be different!

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