Chapter 26: The Bridal Procession

In addition to the invitations from Lu Yuting and Lu Yanran, Lu Zihao and Lu Chuanchuan, who stood nearby, also chimed in, urging Gu Nanshu to join them in their carriage.

They genuinely liked this youngest imperial aunt, who was not as rigid or formal as others; had it been anyone else, they certainly wouldn't have invited her to ride with them.

Facing the warm invitation from the four, Gu Nanshu glanced toward Lu Heng, who had already walked away. He was dressed today in a pale purple long robe, draped in a matching mink-trimmed cloak. His ink-black hair flowed down his back, accentuating his tall, slender frame and giving him an air of noble detachment.

Just moments ago, Lu Heng had been standing right beside her, yet they had not exchanged a single word or smile. They were merely a couple maintaining the appearance of mutual respect. She knew how to keep her distance, especially since her identity had been exposed; it was clear that Lu Heng did not welcome her. She kept to her duties and behaved herself, never daring to hope for anything more.

However, since they were required to ride in the same carriage to the Jiang estate for the wedding, and seeing that Lu Heng had already left without waiting for her—while Lu Yuting and the others urged her to join them—she thought it might be for the best. It would spare her the awkwardness of being alone with him, allowing her to maintain a comfortable distance.

Gu Nanshu smiled at the four of them and said, "Very well, I shall ride to the Jiang estate with you. Let your imperial uncle have his carriage to himself."

Seeing that their imperial aunt had agreed, the four were overjoyed. Lu Yuting and Lu Yanran clung to Gu Nanshu’s arms like little magnets. Lu Yanran teased, "Let’s go then, Aunt! You must tell us later—how has your new married life with the Imperial Uncle been?"

Gu Nanshu remained silent.

Inside his carriage, Lu Heng waited for Gu Nanshu. When she did not arrive, he frowned slightly. Disliking delays, he asked those outside in a low voice, "Why has the Princess not arrived yet? Was she not just at the entrance? Go and hurry her along."

Outside, Yun Feng reported, "Your Highness, Prince Yuting and Princess Chaoyang have taken the Princess away; it seems she has gone to another carriage."

Lie Yan, being blunt, did not wait for further orders and stepped forward, saying, "Your Highness, I shall bring the Princess back at once."

"No need." As it happened, he did not particularly want to be with her either. He had not yet grown accustomed to her presence and needed time to process the fact that Gu Nanshu was Feng Sanniang. Closing his eyes slightly and rubbing his temples, he said, "Let us depart."

The wedding procession wound through the entire capital city. Pages and flower girls carried baskets of festive treats, constantly tossing red envelopes to the crowds lining the streets. The onlookers surged like waves, scrambling for the envelopes and showering Minister Jiang and Feng Yuxi with blessings. The atmosphere was incredibly lively.

Inside their carriage, Lu Chuanchuan, Lu Zihao, Lu Yanran, and Lu Yuting were as boisterous as wild horses let loose from the mountains. They ate snacks, pulled back the curtains to frolic, and chatted animatedly. Only Gu Nanshu, sitting in the middle, remained calm. Her gaze occasionally drifted outside the window, her heart as cold as the depths of a frozen pool; she could not bring herself to share in the joy.

She knew she had not yet let go of the hatred from her past, and she grew angry with herself, her mind a chaotic tangle of emotions.

Lu Yanran, being a woman, noticed her aunt’s icy, solemn expression and knew she was unhappy. "Aunt, what is wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Gu Nanshu shook her head with a faint smile, "I am fine."

The wedding procession took about an hour to reach the Jiang estate on East Street. The entrance was filled with festive cheer. The greeters were all relatives of the Jiang clan—uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters-in-law, and cousins—all welcoming them with joyful smiles, their hospitality impossible to refuse.

As Gu Nanshu stepped out of the carriage, facing faces she knew all too well, her inner turmoil only deepened. She stood frozen as she watched Jiang Mubai lead Feng Yuxi across the brazier and into the main hall. It was as if she were watching the scene of her own wedding, yet now, everything had changed. She wanted to move forward, but her feet felt as heavy as lead, as if the Jiang estate were a prison she dared not enter.

Fortunately, her maid Huantao, who understood her well, saw through her distress and supported her, whispering, "Princess, let me help you inside. Everyone is watching."

"Very well."

The interior of the Jiang estate was magnificent, especially the gardens, which were meticulously planned. Winding paths led to secluded spots, green bamboo swayed, and the fragrance of flowers was intoxicating. Every step felt like walking through a painting, as if stepping into a paradise on earth.

Yet, in this paradise, the halls were filled with orange jasmine trees that grew taller than the eaves. As it was near April, the orange jasmine was in full bloom, its heavy scent filling the air.

Smelling the fragrance and looking at the trees, Gu Nanshu was struck dumb. She recalled that Jiang Mubai had always been allergic to orange jasmine. The scent would cover him in red rashes and make his skin itch uncontrollably, requiring medicated ointments to manage. He had always loathed and avoided the plant.

But, simply because she had loved it, Jiang Mubai had compromised: "My dear, if you love these trees, we shall fill our home with them. There is ointment for my allergies; I can endure it."

Those were his words from their first year of marriage. That day, he had personally gone to the garden markets to buy over a dozen saplings, filling their entire courtyard. Later, when he became an official and moved to the old Jiang family estate in the capital, he had spent a fortune to transplant all the trees from the countryside to the new home. He had done it all for her.

Now, with time having passed and the world turned upside down, looking at the estate filled with orange jasmine, Gu Nanshu found it cruelly ironic. What was Jiang Mubai's intention? Did he still harbor feelings for her, using this to mourn the love that had died between them?

The past played out before her eyes, tangled with too much love, hate, and resentment. This knot in her heart—when would she ever find release? Perhaps only by cutting open his heart could she ever shed the hatred in her own.

In the main hall, Jiang Mubai and Feng Yuxi were performing the wedding rites. The Jiang family elder’s voice, "The ceremony is complete, escort them to the bridal chamber," suddenly pulled Gu Nanshu back to reality.

As she looked up, whether by intention or coincidence, she met Jiang Mubai’s gaze. This time, she did not look away. Instead, she curled her lips into a cold, mocking smile, as if to say: Jiang Mubai, I have returned to collect my debt.

Jiang Mubai frowned, his eyes filled with complex emotions. In the rush of the moment, several officials urged him to escort the bride to the chamber so he could return to toast the elders.

As Jiang Mubai was led away, Lu Yuting grabbed Gu Nanshu’s arm, saying happily, "Aunt, let’s go to the main table! I want to eat that fragrant braised pork knuckle and the roasted lamb leg."

Facing such a foodie, Gu Nanshu finally forced a small, genuine smile. "Very well, you glutton."

Nearby, Lu Yanran couldn't help but pat Lu Yuting on the head, scolding, "Lu Yuting! You’re still thinking about pork knuckles? Didn't you say you were going to Northward City with the Imperial Uncle to train? Stop eating so much, or you won't even be able to lift a sword!"

"Mind your own business!"

Behind them, Lu Zihao and Lu Chuanchuan could only shake their heads; this pair of siblings truly were a bickering delight.