A grand event graced the capital today!
The heir of the Marquis of Wu’an was getting married!
Many in the capital were shocked. Everyone knew that although the Marquis of Wu’an held a noble title, their estate was so impoverished that even commoners might be better off!
Despite the heir, Xie Shizi, being known for his dashing demeanor, many prominent families in the capital were reluctant to form matrimonial alliances with the Marquis of Wu’an. They feared becoming entangled in the seemingly bottomless financial black hole of the marquisate.
Furthermore, Xie Shizi had declared many years ago that he had no intention of marrying.
Yet, unexpectedly, a betrothal was suddenly arranged. Although the bride was merely the daughter of a wealthy merchant, many whispered that perhaps she was unaware of the true state of the Marquis of Wu’an’s affairs. It was akin to jumping into a fire pit.
Indeed, quite a few people found excuses to avoid attending Xie Shizi’s wedding.
They merely sent gifts through their servants.
Of course, many also attended in person, eager to witness how the impoverished Marquis of Wu’an, on the verge of collapse, would prepare for such a wedding.
The result!
No one could have anticipated it.
The Marquis of Wu’an hosted a lavish wedding with a procession spanning ten li, marking an incredibly grand ceremony!
Gazing at the opulent ten-li procession and the substantial dowry brought by the heir's bride, some were dumbfounded. Were the contents of those heavy chests truly real? Could they be mere stones?
Subsequently, more discoveries were made. The Marquis of Wu’an estate had undergone a complete transformation.
Shedding its usual shabby appearance, it now exuded immense luxury!
Because the Marquis of Wu’an was so poor, and its surrounding area was sparsely populated, it was rumored that the adjacent lands had been acquired years ago.
Now, it was apparent that the houses on those lands had been demolished and incorporated into the Marquis of Wu’an estate.
The Marquis of Wu’an estate now commanded an entire street.
It was remarkably grand and opulent.
For a moment, the onlookers were struck silent.
However, this was not the most astonishing revelation. What truly stunned the capital’s elite was the return of the King of Ye and his consort to the capital after an absence of over a decade, solely to attend Xie Shizi’s wedding!
The elder officials of the capital were well aware of the King and Queen of Ye.
They deeply understood their extraordinary standing.
Therefore, they could no longer remain seated.
They quickly brought their families to the Marquis of Wu’an estate.
While they might have disdained the Marquis and Xie Shizi, they dared not slight the King and Queen of Ye.
Moreover, the King and Queen of Ye arrived with their three children to attend Xie Shizi’s wedding.
Despite numerous weddings in the capital over the years, the King and Queen of Ye had never returned. Their presence at Xie Shizi’s wedding clearly indicated the immense importance Xie Shizi held for them.
Thus, the wedding day of Xie Jin became an unprecedented spectacle in the capital.
It was on this day that everyone truly understood that the Marquis of Wu’an was far from poor!
As the decree to escort the bride to the bridal chamber was uttered, Zhan Tianye and his party departed the marquisate and returned to the King of Ye’s residence.
Meanwhile, the capital buzzed with discussions about Xie Jin’s wedding.
The bride, now in the bridal chamber, watched Xie Jin, who seemed impatient to undress, and said, "You deceived me."
Xie Jin paused his undressing and asked, "How did I deceive you?"
"I thought you were very poor. But then… then… perhaps from now on, countless women in the capital will pester you. Will you forget about me and live a life of pleasure with three wives and four concubines?" Sui Luan bit her red lip, feeling as though she had boarded a pirate ship.
The thought of her sincere affections potentially being wasted filled her with regret.
Xie Jin quickly embraced Sui Luan. "Put your heart at ease. For so many years, even into my thirties, I've had no concubines. What does that tell you? It means I don't fall for just anyone. You are the only woman who has truly captured my heart.
Hearing Xie Jin’s words, Sui Luan’s pretty face flushed. "Such sweet talk."
"Whether it's sweet talk, you'll soon find out! This wedding night, let's not waste time." Xie Jin's eyes were deep, filled with his newlywed wife. Every glance and smile from her made his heart melt.
Now, all he desired was their wedding night!
With such a beauty in his arms, and not being a saint, how could he possibly resist? Moreover, this woman was the only one who had genuinely stirred his heart.
Sui Luan, always intelligent, realized she had been overthinking. She asked no further questions, yet…
She gazed into Xie Jin’s deep eyes, so shy she dared not look directly, "I believe you…"
...
News of the King and Queen of Ye's return to the capital soon reached the palace.
At that moment, Zhan Tianhong was reviewing official documents.
The Eastern Ning Kingdom was prosperous and peaceful, leaving little of consequence to attend to.
After finishing all the memorials, he leaned back in his chair and rested his eyes for a moment.
When a palace attendant announced that there was a report, he still kept his eyes closed.
"Your Majesty, news has just arrived from outside the palace stating that the King and Queen of Ye have returned! They even attended Xie Shizi’s wedding, and should be back at the King of Ye’s residence by now."
Zhan Tianhong initially thought he had misheard.
He thought he was experiencing a hallucination.
However, he still opened his eyes and looked at the attendant, asking, "What did you say?"
The attendant repeated his earlier statement.
Zhan Tianhong’s expression suddenly changed, and he sat up straight. "You said the King of Ye and his consort have returned to the capital?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, yes."
Zhan Tianhong gripped the arms of his chair, his heart churning like a stormy sea. His fifth brother and his consort… they had returned!
They had actually returned to the capital.
"Does Your Majesty wish to summon the King and Queen of Ye?"
Eunuch Liu, who had been serving Zhan Tianhong closely, could guess his thoughts and cautiously inquired.
Zhan Tianhong was about to utter the word "summon," but quickly swallowed it.
He wanted to see them.
But did they wish to see him?
Moreover, the events of that year remained like a thorn embedded in their hearts. Even after more than a decade, a thorn could not be so easily removed. If he met them, what would he say?
Zhan Tianhong’s face paled slightly, and he slowly shook his head. "They have just returned to the capital after a long journey. Do not trouble them with a palace visit. Let them rest well first."
"Yes."
...
Several months prior, the heir of the King of Ye had returned to the capital. Initially, the capital’s elite did not pay much heed.
Even though they still harbored fear of the King of Ye, they knew that after more than a decade, the once terrifying King of Ye had aged and could no longer instill the same awe as before.
But.
When everyone saw the King and Queen of Ye today, they were utterly astonished.
It was as if time had left no trace upon them.
They both remained as stunning and magnificent as they were in their youth.
Especially the Queen of Ye, who was still breathtakingly beautiful.
And the Queen of Ye's three sons, each possessing unique charms, stood alongside the King of Ye with no less presence!
Then there was their daughter, who, at such a young age, had grown into a beauty of unparalleled grace, surpassing even the King and Queen of Ye!