Chapter 297: Epilogue Part 1

The Madam of Dongyang received the news during the banquet.

At that time, a servant whispered a few words in her ear. The Madam of Dongyang, who had been smiling, suddenly looked shocked.

“Is it true?” She blurted out.

Among the guests at the banquet, the sharp-eyed Madams couldn’t help but ask, “What happened?”

Hearing the inquiry and seeing the burning gazes around her, the shock on the Madam of Dongyang’s face dissipated, and a smile appeared on her lips.

“It’s news about Jingyun.” She said, “He’s coming back.”

Hearing this name, the gazes became even more intense, and many women from the surrounding seats looked over.

“The Marquis’s Heir didn’t become a monk, did he?” A woman blurted out.

After speaking, she was nudged and reminded by the person next to her, and the woman herself hurriedly covered her mouth.

Five years ago, the Emperor passed the throne to the Prince of Chu. After the new Emperor ascended the throne, Zhou Jingyun applied for a regional posting, continuing to serve as an Educational Inspector. However, there were rumors that Zhou Jingyun had resigned from his official position and hadn’t returned to the capital. Some said he was traveling around, while others claimed he had become a monk.

Speaking of Zhou Jingyun, the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir, he had experienced three reigns. Although his official career had some twists and turns, he ultimately enjoyed the Emperor’s favor and had a smooth career path. Unfortunately, his marriage was troubled. After the loss of his wife, he had remained unmarried for over ten years. Could it be that he had decided to renounce the world and become a monk?

The woman who blurted out wasn’t the only one thinking this way. Although others didn’t say it, their eyes were full of speculation.

“Will he leave again after returning this time?” A Madam asked tactfully, “Yuniang, you can’t let him do as he pleases.”

Another Madam squeezed in.

“Madam, my younger sister-in-law has recently become a widow and returned…”

As soon as she said this, everyone around them laughed, chattering, “Why are you in such a hurry? Your younger sister-in-law is still in mourning.” “I have a younger sister-in-law who hasn’t even been married yet.”

The Madam of Dongyang wasn’t annoyed by everyone’s words. She herself often teased her son about this.

“Don’t worry.” She said, standing up and smiling, “Continue enjoying the banquet. I’ll go find out for you and tell you later.”

With that, she left with a smile.

The guests at the banquet started discussing amongst themselves. Since the Prince of Chu ascended the throne, the court affairs had been stable, and the world was at peace. There hadn’t been any interesting news for a long time.

Unexpectedly, not long after, the Madam of Dongyang kept her word and sent them news.

Along with the news came invitations.

Zhou Jingyun was getting married.

The wedding was scheduled for the third day of the fifth month, giving the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence a month to prepare.

“Come and help, everyone, please help.”

The Madam of Dongyang even personally visited many residences to extend invitations, determined to hold a grand wedding.

During this period, Zhou Jingyun didn’t return early, and the bride didn’t come to the capital in advance to prepare for the wedding. The Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence decided to directly welcome her from outside the capital.

Therefore, on the morning of the third day of the fifth month, red silk and fresh flowers were arranged from the city gate of the capital to ten miles outside the city.

It attracted countless onlookers, making it even livelier than the New Year.

“Isn’t this too extravagant?”

The Marquis of Dongyang, who had only returned from a leisurely trip the day before the wedding, was also shocked by the grand scale of the wedding preparations.

“Our family has always been frugal.”

The Madam of Dongyang, dressed in her finest attire, interrupted him, “So what’s wrong with being extravagant for once?”

The Marquis of Dongyang touched his nose, “Nothing, nothing. As long as you’re happy.”

In recent years, his wife hadn’t been very happy. Although she would say she was fine when asked, she would occasionally become unhappy for no apparent reason. It was rare for her to be happy.

“So you’re not dissatisfied with this marriage?” The Marquis of Dongyang asked with a smile.

Zhou Jingyun’s marriage was sudden. He simply wrote a letter saying he had found someone he liked and was preparing to get married. He didn’t even mention the woman’s family background or age in the letter.

Let alone letting the Madam of Dongyang meet her first. It was clear he was saying he was getting married, regardless of whether his parents agreed or not.

Logically, the Madam of Dongyang should have been furious, but when she saw the letter, she just sneered, tossed it aside, and went to prepare for the wedding.

Was she satisfied or dissatisfied?

“Marquis, the Madam is holding back her anger.” Mama Xu said with a smile, “Everyone is saying that our Marquis’s Heir has become a monk. Now that he’s getting married, the Madam wants to make a grand event to let everyone know.”

In fact, not only outsiders speculated that Zhou Jingyun had become a monk, even the Marquis of Dongyang himself thought so. Fortunately, he didn’t lack sons or grandsons, and he had already prepared to adopt a nephew for Zhou Jingyun. Unexpectedly, Zhou Jingyun was getting married.

In that case, it didn’t matter who Zhou Jingyun married, as long as she was a respectable woman, as long as she was female, it was fine.

The Marquis of Dongyang laughed heartily. As dusk approached, the sound of firecrackers outside grew louder, and Zhou Jiuniang ran in, holding up her skirt.

“Father, Mother, the groom and bride have arrived—”

The Madam of Dongyang glared at her, “You’re also at the age to be getting married, why are you still running around!”

✿✿✿

Zhou Jiuniang, who was already a playful young lady, stuck out her tongue and hid behind others with her maidservant.

“Marquis, Madam, please take your seats.”

Someone urged them.

The Madam of Dongyang and the Marquis of Dongyang sat down in the main hall as instructed. Before the newlyweds entered, Madam Xue came over and whispered while pretending to adjust her hair, “Even if you’re angry, you can’t show your displeasure to the new daughter-in-law in front of so many people.”

The Madam of Dongyang glanced at her, “Who would I dare show my displeasure to?”

Madam Xue glared at her, “Who have you been nice to these past few years! Go ask anyone, they’re all afraid of you. They just don’t dare say it to your face.”

The Madam of Dongyang snorted, about to say something, when a greater commotion arose outside, “The groom and bride have arrived—”

Madam Xue hurriedly stepped aside, and the Madam of Dongyang and the Marquis of Dongyang sat upright, looking outward with anticipation in their eyes—

Zhou Jingyun hadn’t returned for five years, and they didn’t know what he looked like now.

Amidst the laughter of the crowd, Zhou Jingyun, dressed in a bright red round-collar robe, walked in. Although he had lost some weight, he looked even more handsome and elegant.

“It’s a good thing he’s wearing red.” A bystander murmured, “If he were wearing plain clothes, he would really look like he was about to ascend to heaven and become an immortal.”

People wondered what kind of person could keep this immortal in the mortal world. Their gazes shifted to the bride behind Zhou Jingyun, led by a red silk ribbon. The bride’s attire was familiar to everyone. She had a slender figure, and her dress fluttered as she walked. She didn’t wear a veil, but held a fan to cover her face. Her phoenix crown was heavy, and its tassels swayed, dangling beside her long, fair neck.

As she walked past, people could see her high nose bridge, bright eyes, and red lips through the gaps in the fan, a sight of undeniable beauty.

What a beauty!

She looked to be in her early twenties.

As the officiant announced, the newlyweds stood in the hall, bowed to heaven and earth, bowed to their parents. When bowing to their parents, the bride lowered her fan and looked up at the Madam of Dongyang—

Their eyes met, and the Madam of Dongyang seemed to freeze for a moment. The next moment, she abruptly stood up.

Madam Xue was startled and instinctively reached out to grab her, but the Madam of Dongyang had already rushed to the bride and embraced her.

“You’re back, you’re back.” She said, suddenly bursting into tears.

This unexpected turn of events stunned everyone in the hall, especially the onlookers. Was this a show of force from the mother-in-law?

“Oh my, look how much the Madam likes her.” Madam Xue hurriedly stepped forward, pulling the Madam of Dongyang. Seeing the bride’s face, she also shed tears for some unknown reason, “We’ve finally waited for you.”

Waited for the new daughter-in-law, so the son wouldn’t become a monk? People around them speculated about the meaning.

“Mother, Aunt, let’s cry after we finish the bows.” Zhou Jingyun said with a smile, “The ceremony isn’t over yet.”

Madam Xue didn’t know what had come over her, she quickly wiped her tears and pulled the Madam of Dongyang away, “Right, right, it’s not over yet. It’s not auspicious.”

Upon hearing the word “inauspicious,” the Madam of Dongyang immediately sat back down and urged tearfully, “Hurry, hurry and bow.”

Zhou Jingyun led the bride to bow to their parents again. Just as they were about to bow to each other as husband and wife, a shout came from outside.

“The Emperor has arrived—”

The Emperor?

Really?

For a moment, the hall was filled with shock.

Although there was no clearing of the streets or procession of officials, the carriage parked outside the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence was indeed the Emperor’s official carriage.

The crowds of people who had followed from outside the city, forming layers upon layers to watch the excitement and waiting for the feast （the Marquis of Dongyang’s Residence had announced a three-day flowing feast）, had already knelt down in fear and excitement. Who would have thought that while watching the wedding of the Marquis of Dongyang’s Heir, they would also get to see the Emperor! It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Marquis of Dongyang and the Madam of Dongyang rushed out, looking at the eunuch in front of the carriage, somewhat at a loss.

Although the new Emperor had been on the throne for five years, because the Marquis of Dongyang had been away from the court, he didn’t even recognize this close attendant.

“Your subject greets Your Majesty…” The Marquis of Dongyang stepped forward.

The eunuch’s face was a bit stiff. The curtain behind him opened, and a woman with a gentle face said with a smile, “Marquis of Dongyang, there’s no need to panic, it’s not His Majesty who has arrived—”

Before she could finish her sentence, a little girl’s smiling face squeezed in beside her.

“It’s me.”

Seeing this little girl, the crowd stirred again. Some were asking who she was, while others were explaining.

“It’s Princess Yongning.”

“It’s the Eldest Princess.”