Chapter 92 : Ceremony

As expected, when he felt the person in his arms stiffen slightly, Huo Zhen immediately hugged her tighter, afraid she might get angry and push him away.

“That’s not what I meant. Let me explain.”

Song Ying’s tone was calm and distant. “I’m listening, go ahead.”

Huo Zhen said, “You scolded me awake. At first, I was really upset, getting scolded like that by a girl a few years younger than me. I couldn’t accept it. I wanted to prove myself, to show you what kind of capable person I could become, to make you see me in a different light. So I joined the army. Worst case, I’d die on the battlefield, which would be better than, as you said, dying in the mud.”

“Then guess what? I ended up making some contributions and even got promoted. The old man couldn’t believe it. I didn’t just sit idle either, I had someone investigate and found out you were the eldest daughter of the Song family. I wanted to achieve more, and then go find you. But when I returned to the capital, you were already married.”

Song Ying asked, “During the time I was married, did you ever consider finding someone else?”

Huo Zhen replied, “The old man did mention a few girls to me, but I wasn’t interested. I was annoyed at him, so I just left.”

“I thought, if you were living a good life, then I’d let it go. If we ever met again, I’d just greet you and maybe show off a little.”

“But later I heard you were getting divorced. I was… really happy. I didn’t even know why. Then when I saw you again, I’d prepared a whole bunch of things I wanted to say but the moment I opened my mouth, all I could think to say was ‘hello.’”

Huo Zhen couldn’t help but laugh. “Tell me, isn’t this fate?”

Song Ying was silent for a moment. “I got divorced, and you’re happy because of that?”

Huo Zhen answered sincerely, “Of course I’m happy because it means I can stand in front of you and be good to you.”

Song Ying said, “Alright. Go to sleep.”

Huo Zhen let go of her, but seeing that Song Ying didn’t react much, he asked suspiciously, “That’s it? No other reaction?”

Song Ying stood up and sat in front of the dressing table, starting to remove her bridal headdress. “I already married you. What more do you want?”

Huo Zhen grinned and wiped the sweat off his palms before bending down to stand beside her. “Let me help you.”

But after looking for a while, he had no idea where to start.

“Who did your headdress?”

Song Ying replied, “The maids and the bridesmaid.”

Huo Zhen carefully began dismantling it. “Your neck’s bruised.”

Song Ying said, “Yeah, a little. I need hot water to wash my face.”

Huo Zhen immediately said, “Oh, I’ll get it.”

Song Ying asked, “You’re not going to call the servants?”

Huo Zhen replied, “Today is our wedding day. Whether it’s calling someone or anything else you want, just tell me.”

By the time Huo Zhen came back with hot water, Song Ying had already taken off her headdress and hung her wedding dress on the rack.

Seeing her long hair flutter slightly in the breeze, Huo Zhen was momentarily stunned. “No matter what you look like, you’re beautiful.”

Song Ying smiled and took the basin from him. “You should wash up too. The scent of flowers on you is completely buried under the smell of alcohol.”

“Really?” Huo Zhen lowered his head to sniff himself. “You’re right. I prepared that scent especially this morning. Should I make a new one?”

Song Ying: “No need. Just wash.”

After washing up, Huo Zhen pulled Song Ying back to bed, his face full of excitement. “Now for the most important ceremony.”

Song Ying laughed softly and teased, “Is there another important ceremony?”

Huo Zhen replied, “No, but this one doesn’t need any words…”

Song Ying glanced at the oil lamp. “Blow out the light first.”

Huo Zhen nodded. “Okay.”

When the light was extinguished, the room fell into darkness.

“Aying?”

“Yes.”

Huo Zhen sat back on the bed, groping around. “Where are you?”

Song Ying was lying inside. She reached out, grabbed his hand, and pulled him in. “Right here.”

Huo Zhen: “Then… I’ll lie down?”

Song Ying teased, “General Huo, when did you become so slow?”

Huo Zhen replied, “I’m just worried you won’t be used to it.”

Song Ying gave a soft sigh, grabbed his collar and pulled him toward her, leaning close.

Huo Zhen responded by embracing her and together, they completed the final wedding ceremony.

Falling asleep in each other’s arms, Huo Zhen had the most beautiful dream of his life.

He led his warhorse, crossed mountain after mountain, and journeyed through golden deserts.

As night fell and the stars lit up the sky, he saw an oasis ahead.

The ground was covered in Ji Yuefang flowers, encircling the woman standing at the center of the lake.

Huo Zhen rode over on horseback, but the Ji Yuefang suddenly curled around him, lifting him off the ground. His horse lost balance and fell into the lake, and he himself was thrown to the ground.

Even while groaning in pain, Huo Zhen saw the woman smiling at him and suddenly, everything felt worth it again.

He rushed toward her, reaching out, about to catch her, when the lake waters surged, instantly lifting the woman into the air.

Huo Zhen changed his plan from running to journeying, resolved to reach her no matter the wind or rain.

He swam to the woman’s feet, opened his arms, and said, “Aying, I’m here to pick you up.”

The woman smiled sweetly, fell into his embrace and together they sank into the water, general and bride alike…

“Ah!”

Huo Zhen suddenly opened his eyes, turned to look at Song Ying lying beside him, and breathed a deep sigh of relief. It felt so good to have her here.

Outside, winter rain had begun to fall, washing over the capital and giving the whole city a sense of renewal.

Wen Jun entered the pavilion, soaked with dampness, holding a cup of wine.

Yue Shaozhi frowned at the sight of him. “Why did you call me out so late?”

Wen Jun just smiled and poured wine for both of them.

“This is your ex-wife’s wedding wine. Good things should be shared. You drink too.”

Yue Shaozhi stared at the cup but didn’t move.

Wen Jun ignored him, drank his own cup in one gulp, then poured another. He walked over and said, “Let me tell you a secret.”

Wen Jun pointed to himself and said, “I was the first one to meet Song Ying. The first one to propose to her. But unfortunately, those bastards in the Song family didn’t agree. Song Ying never even knew.”

Yue Shaozhi said coldly, “You’re drunk.”

Wen Jun simply tossed away the wine cup and took a few sips directly from the wine pot, continuing to ramble, “Since we’re on the subject of secrets, here’s another one: on the day of your wedding, I was actually thinking of stealing the bride.”

“But then I thought, since you didn’t even like her, letting her live as a ‘widow’ was just as good. As long as she was unhappy, I’d be satisfied.”

“You did a great job, by the way.” Wen Jun raised a hand and clapped Yue Shaozhi on the shoulder. “Hey, isn’t it fun stealing your wife’s little sister?”

A chill spread through Yue Shaozhi’s body. Wen Jun immediately backed off and said quickly, “Hey, hey, I was just talking nonsense while drunk, don’t get mad.”

Yue Shaozhi stood up and left without a word.

Wen Jun called after him, “Heading back to keep your pretty wife company? Go on, go on. When she wakes up and sees you’re gone, she’ll cry again for sure. Women cry so easily. They really are made of water. My Aying’s better. She’s made of mudm doesn’t fall apart that easily. Hahaha…hiccup.”

Yue Shaozhi suddenly stopped in his tracks and gave an order to his two guards. “Take him back.”

The left and right seals: “Yes, sir.”

Wen Jun waved them away. “Shoo, I’m not drunk. Yue Shaozhi, now that you’re already out here, you really won’t drink with me? Guess it’s true what they say, brothers are like clothes…”

Yue Shaozhi turned and stared at the untouched cup of wine on the table.

He stood there in silence, the frustration and agitation in his chest building until he couldn’t bear it anymore. As if possessed, he walked back to the table, picked up the whole bottle, and drank it all.

Then he turned and walked away.

Wen Jun sighed softly. “The less you know, the longer you can pretend.”