Chapter 32: The Cousin Who Comes to Snatch the Bride

Shui Yue Rong was already worried about her sixth brother. With Princess Ning’an’s concern for her, she felt both happy and grateful.

Shui Yue Rong had already changed into her wedding dress and was sitting at the edge of the bed, her eyes brimming with tears. Li Ning’an quickly said:

“Don’t start crying, or your makeup will be ruined, and I won’t be responsible for that.”

Li Ning’an sat in a chair beside Shui Yue Rong, with a playful look as if to say, “If you mess up your makeup by crying, it’s not my problem.”

In the room were also Shui Yue Rong’s relatives. Although Shui Wu Niangzi was already married, she had returned to help her younger sister with her makeup.

Princess Ning’an’s gesture was truly heartfelt.

Shui Yue Rong was amused by Princess Ning’an’s teasing and ended up laughing out loud.

The other guests relaxed as well, finding Princess Ning’an quite easy to get along with.

Shui Yue Rong didn’t have many friends in her inner circle and relied on her relatives to make the occasion lively.

As the appointed hour arrived, the groom arrived on horseback, accompanied by a festive atmosphere of music and firecrackers.

Shui Mingxi and several of his cousins blocked Ling Jibai’s path. Ling Jibai, aware of Shui Yue Rong’s brother’s situation, showed no sign of disdain.

Shui Mingxi, following the instructions from his attendants, issued a challenge and finally added:

“You must treat my sister well, or I will come after you.”

Ling Jibai nodded, “Rest assured, brother.”

As Shui Yue Rong’s older brother, it was appropriate for Ling Jibai to address him this way.

Despite his low rank, with the ongoing border conflicts, he could be promoted if he works hard.

The loyal and brave marquis’s family had a reputation for integrity, with no scandals, and he would secure a commendation for his wife.

Shui Yue Rong just needed to enjoy herself.

As Shui Yue Rong settled into the bridal sedan, Ling Jibai rode ahead. Just as the festive sounds began, someone blocked the way.

“Cousin, didn’t you promise to be with me for life?”

The nephew sent back by the Duke of Dingguo’s old lady stood in the middle of the road, with a few letters and a handkerchief.

Princess Ning’an intended to follow the bride’s party to the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s residence for the wedding feast. Although she was a princess, it was not appropriate to overshadow the bride’s big day.

She stayed behind and heard the commotion ahead.

“Someone’s trying to snatch the bride!”

“The bride’s being abducted!”

“The Loyal and Brave Marquis’s family and the Duke of Dingguo’s family are connected. Who dares to snatch the wedding?”

Indeed.

Who would dare?

Li Ning’an signaled to Xing’e, who immediately got out of the carriage to check.

The cousin had already produced a handkerchief and several letters. Shui Yue Rong, sitting in the sedan, turned pale.

She and Ling Jibai had met during a banquet at the palace. While there wasn’t love at first sight, both were satisfied with each other.

So when the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s wife proposed the match, Shui Yue Rong agreed when her mother asked.

But unexpected incidents kept happening.

It was her wedding day.

How could her cousin dare to… try to snatch her away?

Was he acting on someone’s orders, or was this his own choice?

He had offended Princess Ning’an and was sent back by his grandmother, not to mention that he was already supposed to be married.

Shui Yue Rong instinctively wanted to go out and confront her cousin, demanding why he wouldn’t leave her alone.

How could she have any private affair with him?

At most, they had exchanged a few words, with maids and attendants always present.

Ling Jibai, seasoned by military experience, looked at the fat man who was nearly crushing his horse.

With his bloated face and lecherous gaze, he looked foolish.

If Shui Yue Rong could be attracted to him, she would be less discerning than Shui Mingxi, who was like a child.

The cousin had ridden specially to this event, but his horse was not as impressive as Ling Jibai’s.

Ling Jibai’s horse, having followed him from the battlefield, was imposing and had a bit of a murderous aura.

Such a horse would never dare to misbehave in front of its master.

Xing’e returned with the news and reported to the princess:

“There’s a man claiming to be Shui Qi Niangzi’s cousin. He’s carrying a few letters and a handkerchief, saying Shui Qi Niangzi promised to marry him.”

“He even divorced his legitimate wife for Shui Qi Niangzi.”

This cousin was the youngest and most favored in his family.

He had come to the capital hoping to gain favor from the Duke of Dingguo’s household and find a good wife.

Unexpectedly, he set his sights on Shui Yue Rong.

And now he still hoped to marry her.

He even went as far as to divorce his previous wife for her.

Li Ning’an frowned; she was reluctant to intervene directly. If the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s family decided they no longer wanted Shui Yue Rong because of this incident, forcing the marriage would be detrimental to both parties.

Shui Yue Rong, being a new bride, was not supposed to speak or leave the bridal sedan before entering the wedding chamber. Moreover, the auspicious time had been set, and they could not afford to delay.

Li Ning’an didn’t know much about the third young master of the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s family, other than that he had returned from the border to marry. If he didn’t step in to help, it would imply a lack of trust in Shui Yue Rong. Even if Shui Yue Rong did marry, her life there would be difficult.

Who had come up with such a plan?

Li Ning’an thought of Shui Wu Niangzi. Despite being married, she was still causing trouble.

The Duke of Dingguo’s household soon learned of the situation.

No matter how impatient the Duke of Dingguo’s wife was, she couldn’t leave the house. With a suspicious glance at Shui Wu Niangzi, she forced herself to remain calm and ordered people to bring the cousin inside.

“It must be that the cousin drank too much and is making a scene.”

Ling Jibai, who was stationed at the border, acted as a military advisor under General Ge. Especially adept at handling the various complex relationships in the capital, he could easily discern whether the intruder was genuine or not.

“This person is just drunk and talking nonsense. Take him to the house of the bride’s father to sober up.”

Ling Jibai was not convinced.

Shui Yue Rong breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as Ling Jibai did not believe the claims, the family would likely not make things difficult for her out of respect for him.

Li Ning’an, having heard these words, finally emerged from her carriage.

“Is that Princess Ning’an? What is she doing here?”

“She must be acquainted with Shui Qi Niangzi and came to attend the wedding.”

Onlookers began to search for Minister Fu, having seen Princess Ning’an. They then remembered that Princess Ning’an seemed to have an interest in Young Master Yan, who was now at the border.

Indeed, as the offspring of the Duke of Xiang, Young Master Yan showed no fear in dealing with Northern Yue. It was said that he led a thousand men to rescue General Ge, who was stranded in the mountains, losing not a single soldier and bringing everyone back safely.

A young general with a promising future.

Li Ning’an’s carriage was in the middle of the procession, making it difficult for her to advance. She would lose face if she got out of the carriage herself.

It would be awkward for her to crane her neck to look at the people on horseback.

“Today is Shui Qi Niangzi’s wedding to Ling Xiaowei. We cannot delay the auspicious time. This matter will be handled by me. Let’s do a good deed for today.”

Fortunately, when Li Ning’an left the house, she had brought her guards.

Four imperial guards were dispatched—two to handle the cousin and two to pull him off his horse.

“Yue Rong, have you forgotten the heartfelt letters you wrote to me?”

“Princess Ning’an, it was you who intervened and made it impossible for Yue Rong and me to be together, like the cowherd and the weaver girl.”

“Is this how a royal princess abuses her power?”

Ling Jibai hadn’t expected his wife to have any connection with Princess Ning’an, and was surprised that she was willing to stand up for her.

As he was about to thank her, they heard the sound of barking dogs.

This person was truly irritating.

If this were at the border, a kick would have sent him rolling.

But this was the capital, where everything was governed by rules.

As Ling Jibai was thinking about rules, he saw the guards kick the man in the chest.

“How dare you insult the princess? It’s a light punishment just to make you sober up. You’ve already said enough.”

The guards took a handkerchief from a passerby and stuffed it into the man’s mouth.

They also gave the passerby a piece of silver.

Princess Ning’an was neither a bully nor someone with a bad reputation.

At this moment, Li Ning’an raised her head proudly and said:

“So what if it’s true? Do you think you can hit a princess?”

Her father was the emperor, after all.

What’s wrong with being arrogant?

What’s wrong with being domineering?

Hong Xiu watched from the side, fearing that the princess might fall. Upon hearing the princess’s self-deprecating comment, she quickly said:

“Don’t delay the auspicious time for the families. Let’s move forward quickly.”