Ning Wan Wan suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled Man Yao down to kneel, shouting, “Yun Xiang and the Prince thank His Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress for their grace.” Her attitude showed she was willing to accept Man Yao.
“Fifteenth brother, are you dissatisfied?” Si Suo stared directly into Si Zhan’s eyes. Si Zhan knelt on the ground, his phoenix eyes coldly meeting Si Suo’s gaze. He never before hated being born into the royal family or having his marriage freedom controlled by others.
Ning Wan Wan secretly pinched Si Zhan’s palm. He slowly lowered his head and spoke in a tone devoid of warmth, “Huai Jin respectfully follows the Empress Dowager and imperial brother’s decree.”
Si Suo’s expression softened, saying happily, “Very well, this matter is settled. I will command the Imperial Astronomers to choose the nearest auspicious day.”
The three kowtowed, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Ning Wanwan looked at Si Zhan, who remained silent, tilted her head and looked up at him, ‘Uncle?’
Si Zhan lowered his head, his pitch-black eyes meeting hers, deep like a whirlpool. ‘Wanwan, do you regret this?’ In such a situation, he could not guarantee stability or lasting companionship, and they would constantly live in fear.
Ning Wanwan’s small face bloomed with a bright smile, her eyebrows and eyes radiant. ‘Marrying Uncle, Wanwan has no regrets.’
*
Outside the Nanxun Gate, two constables escorted Lin Zhengyang, wearing a prisoner’s garb and shackled, walking southward.
Suddenly, a horse-drawn carriage sped out of the Nanxun Gate, rushing towards them. The coachman reined in the horses and called out urgently, ‘Gentlemen, please wait a moment.’
The curtain lifted, and a green-clad woman with a single bun quickly jumped down from the carriage, stuffing two packages of silver into the constables’ hands. ‘Gentlemen, my mistress wishes to speak with this prisoner. Please be accommodating.’
The two constables weighed the purses, exchanged glances, and nodded. ‘Make it quick.’
‘Yes, yes.’
‘Let’s go have some tea.’ The two constables went to a nearby tent and ordered two bowls of hot tea.
Fuyi quickly turned back and lifted the curtain from the outside.
Ning Wanwan emerged, bending low.
Lin Zhengyang, upon seeing Ning Wanwan, looked haggard and was on the verge of tears. ‘Waner…’
Ning Wanwan spoke calmly, “I’ve come to see you off.”
Though spared the death penalty, Lin Zhengyang was ultimately sentenced to exile. He knelt before Ning Wanwan, startling her. “What are you doing?” she asked.
Lin Zhengyang choked, “Father has heard everything. He was wrong; he harmed you.”
Ning Wanwan hurried to help him up. “Get up first and speak.”
Lin Zhengyang grabbed her hand, tears streaming. “No, this kneel is to apologize. Though it’s useless, I was wrong, Waner… Your mother was a good person. I should have stayed away when I accidentally saved her. I wronged her and was cold towards you for my pride. I should not have been blinded by desire, landing in prison and forcing you to marry the Prince of Yi to save my life.”
Agitated, he tried to slap himself but banged his head against the wooden board instead, crying, “I deserve to die! You should not have saved me…”
Ning Wanwan’s throat tightened, tears welling up. “Father.”
Lin Zhengyang was stunned. “Waner!”
Ning Wanwan had always thought that her father, Lin Zhengyang, looked down on her and would never consider her as a daughter.
“I resented you for your favoritism, coldness, and selfishness. I even wondered why, if you didn’t love mother, you had to have me. But when I learned you might die… I was afraid,” she admitted.
Ning Wanwan looked steadily at Lin Zhengyang and said, “I lost my mother long ago and don’t want to lose you too. I believe mother had her reasons for marrying you. Saving you this time is perhaps for her sake.”
“Waner…” Lin Zhengyang wept, feeling ashamed.
“Get up,” Ning Wanwan helped him to his feet.
“I also want to tell you that marrying the Prince of Yi was my own choice, unrelated to you. I…” she paused, “I truly love the Prince of Yi.”
Lin Zhengyang asked tremulously, “You’re not just saying this to comfort me?”
“It’s true. The Prince of Yi treats me very well.”
Lin Zhengyang wiped his tears in relief, “That’s good. Otherwise, I could never forgive myself.”
Ning Wanwan handed him a package. “This is gold and silver I prepared for you, for use on your journey. When you reach your place of exile, serve your sentence well and take care of yourself. This is the last thing I can do for you as your daughter.”
Lin Zhengyang looked at the package, his heart in turmoil, choking, “Okay, thank you, Waner.”
The two constables finished their tea and urged, “It’s getting late, time to go.”
Lin Zhengyang, hunched, followed the constables away.
Ning Wanwan, with reddened eyes, called out, “Father! Take care on your journey.”
Lin Zhengyang turned with difficulty, gave Ning Wanwan a deep look, smiled, and then left.
On the upper floor of Nanxun Tower, Si Zhan and Yuan Bi stood by the railing, watching Lin Zhengyang being escorted away. Si Zhan said, “Send people to protect him. Arrange assistance at the place of exile to minimize his suffering.”
“Yes,” Yuan Bi responded.
*
Soon after, the palace sent orders to the Prince of Yi’s residence and the Ning Guogong’s residence. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau had selected an auspicious date for the wedding of the Prince of Yi and Yunxiang on the twenty-eighth day of the fourth month.
Both residences began preparing for the grand wedding.
Although it was an imperial marriage, Si Zhan followed the traditional matchmaking process, ensuring respect was upheld, with only the final step of bride-fetching remaining.
Fuyi and Zhanxiang were busy packing Ning Wanwan’s belongings for her dowry to the Prince of Yi.
The Chuyun Courtyard buzzed with activity.
Finding it noisy, Ning Wanwan was about to visit her grandmother at Suyu Hall when Dian Qing approached her.
“Miss, a young man disguised as a servant stopped me outside and gave me something to bring to you.”
Ning Wanwan furrowed her delicate brows, “Where is it?”
Dian Qing took out a small wooden box and handed it to her.
Ning Wanwan opened the exquisitely crafted mechanism letter box, which could never be closed again. A faint cicada pattern was barely visible on its surface.
She instructed Dian Cui, “Go help them inside; I don’t need anyone to accompany me.”
“Yes.”
The Zhan couple was set to begin their plotting, needing a concubine as an intermediary, ensuring no one would intervene between the male and female leads.
Chapter 46: Grand Wedding
A letter from Lumen Pavilion!
It had been a month since her last visit, and although she intended to explore it at night, Mi Yue unexpectedly sent a message.
This mechanism letter box was easy to open. Ning Wanwan eagerly opened it to find a letter inside. Unfolding it, she read:
“The Poison Saint is in Qian Nan, specifics to be investigated.”
Ning Wanwan was instantly excited. The Poison Saint is in Qian Nan, which means he is still alive. The legendary Ghost Wudu exists, and Si Zhan can be saved. She hoped Mi Yue and the others could quickly locate the Poison Saint’s exact whereabouts.
*
Xuyutang.
Old Madam Ning had Mama Chang bring out two wooden boxes – one large and one small – and place them on the table. She held Ning Wanwan’s hand, walked to the table, and opened the boxes. From the small box, she took out a thick stack of documents and placed them in Ning Wanwan’s hands.
