Chapter 74: Canceling the Marriage

The sky was gloomy, and the wind stung the cheeks. The processions for welcoming and seeing off the bride slowly passed through the streets, with drums and gongs resounding.

Yu Huanchen led the way on horseback, while Yu Xinyi and Tang Buli served as female attendants on both sides of the bridal sedan. Ignoring the matchmaker’s urging, they deliberately slowed down the procession.

However, despite their efforts, the gates of the Xue Mansion were getting closer. The sound of stringed instruments and wind instruments filled the air as guests surrounded Xue Cen, who appeared in a proper wedding gown.

Inside the bridal sedan, Yu Lingxi held the dragon-patterned jade pendant in her hand. The phoenix-shaped fan, however, lay neglected to the side, and on top of it was Xue Cen’s wedding invitation.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, praying for her father’s smooth proceedings in the palace. If there was still no news from the palace, they would have to consider their last resort.

Amidst the lively sound of firecrackers, the bridal sedan touched down, and Yu Lingxi’s heart sank. Through the embroidered red curtains of the sedan, one could see Xue Cen, in a cloud-like wedding attire, walking towards them with a dignified stride. His face blushed slightly as he bowed towards the bridal sedan.

Yu Lingxi tightened her grip on the jade pendant but didn’t get out of the sedan.

In the chilly northern wind, Xue Cen, tall and straight, made another respectful bow and invited the new bride.

On horseback, Yu Huanchen and Yu Xinyi exchanged a glance, each seeing determination in the other’s eyes. If the bride didn’t come down for the third time, they would have to break all pretenses.

A chilly wind swept through the ink-stained sky of the capital, bringing down a flurry of snowflakes. First, there were a few scattered white dots, then more and more, forming a drifting white landscape.

“Bride, come down quickly!”

“Second Brother, don’t hesitate, carry your new bride down!”

The surrounding guests urged and heckled, and Xue’s father’s smile appeared somewhat forced. He couldn’t help but signal to Xue Cen.

Xue Cen pretended not to understand his father’s hint. The hat of the bridegroom was adorned with a few flakes of snow, and he politely asked the guests not to startle the bride in the sedan. Blushing, he adhered to the etiquette and, for the third time, bowed towards the red-clad beauty in the bridal sedan, raising his eyebrows.

The serving maid Hutao, dressed in light red, stood on the side, stealing a glance at her unmoving mistress in the sedan. The handkerchief in her hand had long been twisted into wrinkles.

Time seemed to stretch indefinitely. Suddenly, the sound of hurried horse hooves came from the northern street, and the shouting pierced through the noise of the bridal procession.

“Imperial edict! Receive the imperial edict at the Xue Mansion!”

A eunuch in embroidered attire held a bright yellow imperial edict, urgently reining in his horse to a stop, interrupting Xue Cen’s yet-to-be-spoken words.

He could only straighten up and step aside, kneeling with a solemn face alongside Xue’s father and Xue Song, facing the direction of the imperial edict, lifting his robe and bowing.

After all, it was an imperial decree for the marriage. It was normal for the emperor to send congratulations on the day of a grand wedding. The people did not suspect much, and there was even a hint of envy. After all, in the entire capital, there was no second couple who could receive such an honor.

Imperial Eunuch dismounted, cleared his throat, and then unfolded the imperial edict, loudly proclaiming, “By the grace of heaven, the Emperor decrees: Xue, the veteran minister of two dynasties, has served the country diligently. Due to his old age and frequent illnesses, the Emperor specially grants his resignation to enjoy his remaining years. Xue Song, the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, is transferred to the position of the Junior Attendant at the Ministry of Works, effective immediately, without any delay…”

Upon hearing this, the guests, initially envious, turned into astonishment. The two high-ranking officials of the Xue family, one resigning and the other being moved to a position outside the core power structure at the Ministry of Works – this was evidently not an honor but a punishment!

As people were trying to comprehend the situation, the eunuch continued, “Xue’s second son is filial and respectful, and the young lady of the Yu family is gentle and virtuous. However, due to celestial incompatibility and conflicting destinies, it is decreed that they shall return to their respective paths and serve their parents. When the time is right, the Emperor will arrange new marriages for both families and select suitable bridegrooms. This is the decree!”

After the edict was read, the entire audience erupted into a commotion. It was unexpected. Xue Cen suddenly raised his head, and the tender smile in his eyes faded, gradually replaced by confusion.

Was there a mistake in the imperial decree? Why would the celestial fate suddenly become incompatible? Xue Cen was unwilling to believe, dare not believe. The falling snow blurred his vision, and the bridal sedan was just one yard away, almost within reach.

During the formal engagement, the Ministry of Rites had already checked the horoscopes and selected an auspicious time, hadn’t they?

“Second Son Xue, receive the edict!” the eunuch reminded loudly.

Xue Cen remained unresponsive, as if trapped in a nightmare, staring blankly, unsure how to react.

It was Xue Song who, kneeling on the side, reached out his hand and hoarsely said, “I accept the edict.”

The edict fell into his palm, heavy as Mount Tai. Xue’s father choked up, closed his eyes, and knew that everything was over. Their plan collapsed at the last step, and they became a laughingstock.

Yu Huanchen and Yu Xinyi both sighed in relief at the same time. Inside the sedan, Yu Lingxi’s tense body finally relaxed, leaning against the soft cushion, exhaling a long breath of white mist.

Only at this moment did she seem to come back to life.

“Fortunately, the ceremony has not been completed yet. Second Son Xue, Miss Yu,” the eunuch greeted with a false smile, “please return each other’s wedding invitations. This marriage is considered canceled. This humble servant will report back to the Emperor.”

Yu Huanchen nodded, turned around, and lifted the curtain of the sedan. He handed out his palm and whispered, “Sui Sui, it’s all over.”

Yu Lingxi picked up the prepared wedding invitation from Xue Cen, tightened her fingertips, and then raised her eyes, saying, “Brother, I want to talk to him in person.”

Yu Huanchen was surprised, hesitated for a moment, and then chose to hold his sister’s hand, guiding her out of the sedan.

The matchmaker nervously brought Yu Lingxi’s wedding invitation and handed it to Xue Cen.

Xue Cen took it blankly, still standing in place, unsure of what to do.

An unexpected nightmare, and no one told him how to wake up.

As the bridal sedan showed signs of movement, Yu Lingxi, holding hands with Yu Huanchen, descended, lifting her skirt gracefully. She didn’t use her folding fan, revealing her exquisite and unparalleled beauty before everyone. The red attire contrasted with the falling snow, making her radiant and almost dazzling.

Xue Cen’s eyes, previously unfocused, finally lit up with some color. He took a hesitant step forward, calling, “Second sister…”

However, Yu Lingxi remained motionless, maintaining a distance of half a step from him.

The fiery red hem of her dress fluttered and burned, and she didn’t wear the splendid wedding gown personally selected and supervised by Xue Cen. Instead, a luxurious and unfamiliar dragon-patterned jade pendant hung from her waist.

Xue Cen understood something, and his steps came to a slow halt.

The two, facing each other across a short distance, presented a stark contrast – one transparently calm, the other bewildered and lost, like an unbridgeable chasm.

Collecting herself, Yu Lingxi returned the wedding invitation with both hands and said softly but firmly, “You possess the grace of a towering mountain, embodying the beauty of simplicity. May you find a lifetime companion by your side, and may your future be bright.”

The phrase “the beauty of simplicity” shattered the last glimmer of hope in Xue Cen’s eyes, turning into a hint of teary redness.

Yu Lingxi personally returned the wedding invitation, preserving his last shred of dignity and expressing her clear stance.

She had someone in her heart, and she was gentle yet clear-headed.

All the extravagant fantasies he had conjured up while living in his dream were solely his own delusions. Despite the proximity, the thought of even brushing against her seemed extravagant for him.

Looking at the wedding invitation in her hands, Xue Cen, after a while, wiped off the snowflakes on Yu Lingxi’s invitation with his sleeve before reluctantly handing it back.

Bowing his head, his throat moved several times, and with great difficulty, he uttered, “May Miss Yu have a smooth and carefree life and find… a suitable spouse.”

“Thank you.”

Yu Lingxi accepted her own wedding invitation, settling the accounts on both sides, and nodded slightly in farewell.

Xue Cen still maintained his bowed posture. The usually steady and composed man, holding the thin wedding invitation, was now trembling, an unexpected sight. Two hot teardrops fell, splashing on the thin snow covering the ground, creating two dark spots.

The eunuch completed his task and, satisfied, returned to the palace to report. People around them started discussing, some in shock and others speculating. The gazes directed at Xue Cen were now filled with pity.

“Ah, such a grand and unprecedented celebration turned into this?”

“Exactly! Canceling a wedding just before the ceremony – who could bear such a blow?”

“In my opinion, the second Miss of the Yu family will find it difficult to marry into a prestigious family in the future!”

“Who said otherwise? First, there were all sorts of rumors, and then the deeply affectionate Xue Cen was passed on for no apparent reason. The marriage faced obstacles; perhaps it’s a doomed fate.”

“It’s a pity for such a straightforward and beautiful young woman. After this incident, it will be difficult for her to find an honest and decent man.”

In the crowd, someone sighed, “In the future, I wonder which down-and-out heir or widower will be lucky, perhaps remarriage will be in their fate.”

Tang Buli couldn’t stand it anymore, her eyebrows raised in anger as she subconsciously reached for the whip at her waist. Only later did she realize that today was supposed to be Yu Lingxi’s joyful day, and as a female escort, she couldn’t carry weapons.

Yu Xinyi also wore an indignant expression. Considering her sister’s dignity, she resisted the urge to beat someone in public. After all, at this stage, the Yu family couldn’t silence the mouths of people everywhere.

“Regardless of the situation, my youngest sister is the pearl in the palm of our Yu family. Whether she stays in the mansion to enjoy happiness or goes elsewhere, she won’t suffer any injustice.”

Yu Huanchen, with sword-like eyebrows and clear eyes, surveyed the surroundings and declared, “Anyone who disrespects us further will be considered an enemy of the Yu family.”

The murmurs around them finally subsided a bit, but the way people looked at Yu Lingxi still contained a sense of unrestrained mockery and inquiry.

“Big brother, don’t waste time on these idle people.”

Yu Lingxi grabbed Yu Huanchen’s sleeve, calmly stating, “Let’s go home.”

This was considered the most satisfactory resolution. Compared to marrying someone unsuitable, these gossips meant nothing. She turned around in the midst of people’s varied gazes, and despite the heavy snowfall, she felt an unprecedented lightness.

Then, Yu Lingxi stopped in her tracks, her gaze landing at the end of the long street.

Not only her, but everyone in the bustling crowd quieted down, automatically parting to make way for a marching procession.

Snowflakes, like willow catkins, fluttered in the air. The person leading the procession wore a purple robe with a jade belt, draped in a dark fox fur coat, and rode a horse with extraordinary grace. His exceptionally handsome face seemed to merge with the flying snowflakes, resembling a deity descending to earth.

Behind him, over a hundred attendants and palace maids carried luxurious boxes and treasures, following in perfect order.

“Wow! Who’s this noble and wealthy person with such grandeur?”

“It’s the Benevolent Prince!”

Someone in the crowd recognized him, and whispers spread through the onlookers.

The master of this procession.

“Why… why is he here?”

“Carrying so many things, did he raid some minister’s mansion again?”

In these days, the ruthless methods of the Prince in clearing the court were vividly remembered. Everyone in the court was in fear, and the courtiers attending the banquet were startled, with some even changing their tones.

Yu Lingxi also froze.

She thought Ning Yin would at most manipulate things behind the scenes, but unexpectedly, he now appeared openly, bringing along so many attendants and treasures.

As Ning Yin rode past the gate of the Xue Mansion and approached the Yu family, all the courtiers were trembling, kneeling down and shouting, “We pay our respects to His Royal Highness, the Benevolent Prince!”

Fearful that being a step too slow would result in being labeled a “conspirator with the deposed Crown Prince” and facing dismissal and imprisonment.

Ignoring those kneeling on the ground, Ning Yin crossed past the pale-faced Xue Cen and leisurely stopped in front of Yu Lingxi, looking down at her from a higher position.

All the people followed Ning Yin’s movement, constantly turning their bodies, always keeping their heads facing Ning Yin.

The momentum of the Prince clearly indicated hostility toward the Yu family. Yu Lingxi raised her head to meet Ning Yin’s gaze from the horseback, her eyes flickering with light.

In the blurry snow, with snowflakes clinging to her eyelashes, she lowered her voice and asked, “Prince… Your Highness, why have you come?”

Ning Yin lightly touched his jaw with the riding whip, his ink-like eyes lifting at the corners.

Surprisingly, directly in front of the Yu family, he extended a cold, slender hand toward the recently unengaged young girl, leaning down and inviting, “Heard about Miss Yu’s joyous engagement break. I am delighted, so I specially prepared generous gifts to come… to deliver innocence.”

The three words “deliver innocence” were pronounced particularly clear.

Yu Lingxi’s heart trembled. Only the madman himself could express “delivering innocence” in such a euphemistic and peculiar way.

The people on the ground, who were trembling in fear, were stunned as if they had seen a ghost.

This… the direction of this situation doesn’t seem quite right.

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