Love Lock

Chapter 368 Extra: Hua Tianyou and Zhao Ling'er

In the capital of the Great Jing Dynasty, amidst the crisp autumn air of September, an extraordinary wedding took place.

This day, September 18th, was auspicious according to the almanac, which stated: "Suitable for marriage, betrothal, engagement, and consecration."

Before dawn, the Duke of Heng's mansion was already brightly lit, and the servants, dressed in brand-new clothes, walked hurriedly yet in an orderly manner.

A deep red silk ribbon stretched out from inside the mansion gate, meandering like a warm river. The lintels, pillars, and window frames—everything in sight was covered in a rich and dignified red.

The red color, boldly and flamboyantly proclaiming joy in the gradually brightening morning light, is completely out of place with the somber tone that should theoretically be observed during the "national mourning" period.

Hua Tianyou was dressed in a bright red wedding robe, with gold-embroidered Qilin patterns gleaming in the sunlight, which made his handsome face and upright posture even more striking.

The playboy who frequented brothels in the capital years ago has long since shed his naivety and extravagance in the winds and sands of Beiguan and the furnaces of Cangzhou, and what remains between his brows is composure and competence.

At this moment, however, his composure was inevitably mixed with a hint of nervousness as a groom and a faint worry.

"Young master, the auspicious time is approaching. It's time to prepare to go and fetch the bride," Guan Mo, the personal servant, reminded him in a low voice, his eyes also showing a hint of cautious inquiry.

The unusual nature of this wedding was known to everyone in the household.

Hua Tianyou took a deep breath, adjusted the jade belt at his waist, glanced at the guests outside the mansion who seemed to be offering congratulations but whose eyes were actually darting around, and a complicated smile appeared on his lips.

Of course he knew what those people were thinking and talking about.

The Duke of Heng's family has audacity! The Empress has been "dead" for less than a year, yet they dare to openly hold such a grand celebration, especially for marrying a princess. Doesn't the Duke of Heng's family fear His Majesty's wrath...?

This doubt and worry, like the morning mist, permeated the hearts of every member of the royal family, nobles, and high-ranking officials who came to witness the ceremony.

They wore smiles, clasped their hands in congratulations, and spoke auspicious words, but their eyes met with unspoken speculations before they lowered their heads and entered the Duke's mansion.

"Your Majesty has arrived——!"

"The Queen Mother is here!"

Until a long, drawn-out announcement, "His Majesty has arrived—", pierced the noisy yet subtle atmosphere above the Duke's mansion.

All the noise instantly stopped.

Dressed in casual clothes, but with an undeniable air of elegance and poise, Zhao Zun walked in with steady steps, surrounded by a group of guards.

He wasn't wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, but rather a dark green brocade robe with dark gold dragon patterns embroidered along the edges, understated yet naturally dignified.

In an instant, all the guests in the garden, regardless of their rank, knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

Hua Tianyou was overjoyed to see that Zhao Zun had come in person. He quickly stepped forward, lifted his robe to perform a grand salute, but Zhao Zun stopped him with his hand.

"Today you are the groom, so the traditional wedding rites can be skipped." Zhao Zun's voice was calm, revealing little emotion.

The Duke and his wife hurriedly went to greet them, their expressions showing gratitude and a hint of barely perceptible relief.

The arrival of Zhao Zun and the Empress Dowager was itself the strongest statement. They came in person, sat in the high seats, and witnessed the wedding in their dual roles as mother, brother, and monarch.

Those who had been whispering and questioning whether the Duke of Heng's mansion had overstepped its bounds or disrespected the Empress immediately fell silent.

His Majesty's presence, though his smile was faint, carried profound significance. It was undoubtedly a declaration to everyone: the Empress is well, the so-called "national mourning" was nonexistent, and the rumors could be put to rest.

The invisible gloom that had hung over the wedding was forcibly dispelled by the arrival of the Emperor and Empress Dowager. The atmosphere truly became lively, the drums and music became more cheerful and uplifting, and the smiles of the guests became much more genuine.

Hua Tianyou felt a great weight lifted from his heart. He glanced gratefully at Zhao Zun, only to find that although the other man sat upright in the main seat, his gaze did not seem to be focused on the noisy celebration before him. His deep eyes were empty, as if his soul had already flown to some distant place.

The wedding process is indeed complicated.

Zhao Ling'er is the Emperor's only younger sister, and has been granted the title of Princess Chang Le. Her wedding ceremony and protocol far exceed those of ordinary noble marriages. The wedding procession is large and grand, starting from the temporary villa that serves as the princess's residence, winding through the main streets of the capital, and finally arriving at the Duke of Heng's mansion.

Stepping over the fire basin, shooting at the sedan chair door, worshipping heaven and earth, visiting the ancestral temple... each step is solemn and lengthy.

Hua Tianyou carried out the task meticulously, but only when he held the other end of the red ribbon and saw the graceful figure in a phoenix coronet and wedding robes did a real and irrepressible flutter well up in his heart.

At the other end of the red ribbon was the girl he had gradually come to know and cherish in his heart on the dusty construction site in Cangzhou. She was Zhao Ling'er, who would roll up her sleeves, unafraid of getting dirty or tired, and call out "Brother Tianyou" with bright, sparkling eyes.

The elaborate ceremony finally came to an end, and the bride was led to the bridal chamber. The banquet in the front yard officially began.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the clamor of laughter, the atmosphere was lively and boisterous.

As the groom, Hua Tianyou naturally became the target of everyone's attacks. In particular, his former playboy friends, with whom he used to cockfight, dog racing, drinking, and merrymaking, were not going to let him off easily.

"Brother Hua! Congratulations! You must drink this cup to celebrate winning the heart of our beautiful princess!"

"That's right! Back then, we were the two scourges of the capital... no, no, the two heroes of the capital! I never expected you to settle down and start a family first. This toast is both to celebrate you and to comfort us lonely souls!"

"Come, come, fill it up! May Brother Tianyou and Her Highness the Princess enjoy a long and happy marriage and have a son soon!"

One glass of fine wine after another was offered to him, and Hua Tianyou could not refuse, so he could only smile and agree. He was not a very good drinker to begin with, and after several rounds, his face was flushed and his steps were a little unsteady.

Guan Mo followed behind him, and when he saw an opening, he whispered, "Young master, please drink less. You still have to... you still have to consummate your marriage later!" He said the last three words very softly, with the shyness of a young man.

Hua Tianyou waved his hand, indicating that he understood.

How could he not be anxious? A moment of spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold, and he had been longing for this day for who knows how long. But the guests in the hall were all his usual friends, and he could not refuse them. Moreover, His Majesty was also present, and he could not be impolite.

He took his wine glass and went to the head table.

The dishes in front of Zhao Zun remained almost untouched; he only occasionally picked up his wine glass and took a small sip, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere around him.

"Your Majesty," Hua Tianyou bowed deeply, his tone sincere, "Your subject pays homage to Your Majesty. I thank Your Majesty for your great favor in coming to witness this." He raised his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Zhao Zun looked up at him, and his eyes seemed to focus slightly.

He picked up his wine glass, but didn't drink it immediately. He just looked at Hua Tianyou with a complex and unreadable expression in his eyes. There was relief, reminiscence, and perhaps even a hint of...envy.

“Tianyou,” Zhao Zun forced a smile, his voice lower than usual, “Ling’er, I entrust her to you. I hope that in this life, you will not betray her, will not doubt her, and will not abandon her.”

There are no fancy words, just the simplest instructions, yet they carry immense weight.

Hua Tianyou's heart warmed, and he bowed again: "Your subject, Hua Tianyou, swears to Heaven that I will protect Ling'er with my life, and this vow will never be broken! If I break this vow, may I be struck down by Heaven!"

Zhao Zun nodded, his extremely faint smile like a fleeting glimmer of light across an icy plain. He raised his wine cup and slowly drank the contents. "Go, you are the protagonist today, you don't need to stay with me all the time."

Hua Tianyou wanted to say something, but seeing that Zhao Zun had already turned his gaze back to the unknown void, he could only silently retreat. After dealing with several more rounds of toasts, when Hua Tianyou turned back again, he found that the main seat was empty. A eunuch came to report that His Majesty was unwell and had already returned to the palace.

The departure of the Emperor and Empress Dowager seemed to remove the last invisible constraint from the banquet. The atmosphere instantly became even more lively, even somewhat unrestrained.

Those guests who had initially restrained themselves because of the emperor's presence, especially Hua Tianyou's old cronies, went even further, pulling him along and relentlessly pouring him drinks.

"His Majesty is gone, so Brother Tianyou has no excuse!"

"That's right! Tonight we're drinking until we drop! The bridal chamber? Let the bride wait a moment!"

"Drink! Keep drinking!"

Hua Tianyou's personal servant, Guanmo, was so anxious that he kept stamping his feet. He tried to step forward again and again to help his young master avoid drinking, but was pushed away by the enthusiastic young men with a laugh.

Hua Tianyou still had a sliver of clarity in his mind and knew he couldn't drink anymore, but he couldn't withstand the overwhelming number of people who kept urging him to drink.

In the end, he felt dizzy, his ears were ringing, and he saw double. He could only mechanically raise his glass and drink based on instinct...

Inside the bridal chamber, red candles burned brightly, their flickering flames illuminating the entire room, which was so quiet that the occasional crackling sound of the candle wick popping could be heard.

Zhao Ling'er sat upright on the edge of the bed covered with a bright red quilt draped with mandarin ducks. The heavy phoenix crown with its crimson gold and pearl tassels weighed down on her slender neck, making it ache slightly. Yet, she maintained her dignified posture. Her hands, clasped on her knees, occasionally clenched at the fingertips, revealing her inner tension and anticipation.

Time passed slowly, and the noise outside seemed to gradually subside, yet it also seemed to still faintly echo in the distance. She heard footsteps and the maid's whispers, and her heart would rise and fall.

Finally, a flurry of footsteps and commotion came from outside the door.

"We've arrived! The groom is here!"

"Oh dear, how did you get so drunk..."

"Quickly, help them in! Watch out for the threshold!"

The door was pushed open, and a strong smell of alcohol rushed in.

Immediately following was Hua Tianyou, who was almost unconscious, being supported by Guan Mo and another servant on either side.

His face was flushed, his eyes were glazed, and he was mumbling incoherently, "Drink... drink some more... I'm not drunk..."

Zhao Ling'er's heart tightened, and she disregarded any pretense of being a bride, lifting her veil herself.

Seeing Hua Tianyou's completely drunk state, she was stunned for a moment, and then a feeling of grievance mixed with a little annoyance welled up in her heart.

This was their wedding night! How could he... get so drunk?
"Quickly, help the prince consort to the bed." She bit her lip, stood up, and directed the servants with her voice still calm.

"Princess, it was those people who urged him to drink; the young master simply couldn't resist." Guan Mo explained for Hua Tianyou while directing several people to settle Hua Tianyou on the bed and take off his boots.

As soon as Hua Tianyou touched the soft bed, he seemed to feel more comfortable. He murmured softly a couple of times and then drifted off to sleep, but his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he was thinking about something and his sleep was not very restful.

After hearing Guan Mo's explanation, Zhao Ling'er knew that Hua Tianyou would definitely be pressured to drink by the guests today, so she sighed and said nothing more.

She waved her hand, dismissing the servants. Only she and the fast-sleeping, drunken groom remained in the large bridal chamber.

She walked to the bedside and looked down at Hua Tianyou. Gone was his usual shrewdness and competence; at this moment, he resembled the carefree playboy he had been years ago, only his eyes had lost their former frivolity and gained the sharpness that comes with experience.

Even though he was drunk, his face was still so handsome that it was captivating.

She sighed softly again, the resentment and annoyance finally replaced by a deeper heartache.

She got up and walked to the washstand next to her, soaked a clean cloth in warm water, wrung it out until it was half dry, and then sat back down on the edge of the bed, carefully wiping his forehead, cheeks, and neck.

She moved gently, afraid of waking Hua Tianyou.

A warm towel brushed against his skin, bringing a comfortable coolness. In his dream, Hua Tianyou unconsciously rubbed his hand against hers, letting out a satisfied sigh.

Seeing his completely dependent and defenseless appearance, Zhao Ling'er's heart softened like a pool of spring water.

As she carefully wiped him, her fingertips occasionally brushing against his straight nose and slightly pursed lips, she couldn't help but chuckle and whisper softly.

"What an idiot... I told you to drink less, but you wouldn't listen. Didn't Guan Mo remind you? Or were your cronies egging you on again?" Zhao Ling'er's tone was clearly complaining.

But then her voice lowered, tinged with a sweet shyness: "But... you look so beautiful in this wedding dress today. Even more beautiful than I imagined in my dreams..."

In the candlelight, a blush rose to her fair cheeks, making her even more radiant than any rouge she wore. She looked at him with eyes so tender they seemed to overflow with affection.

“Ever since we were in Cangzhou, when you were leading people to repair roads, covered in dirt and dust, I’ve felt that you are different from those young masters in the capital who only know how to eat, drink and have fun.”

"The way you focus on your work, the way you argue with people, and... and the way you secretly look at me, thinking I haven't noticed, hehe..."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but chuckle softly, her eyes sparkling with affection.

“I know you’ve finally felt relieved that my brother is here today, haven’t you?” Her voice was lower and more knowing. “Actually, I was also afraid… afraid of the rumors, afraid of causing trouble for the Duke’s mansion and my brother. Fortunately, my brother is here.”

Mentioning Zhao Zun, Zhao Ling'er's eyes dimmed for a moment. "But... my brother... although he came, he seems completely drained, just an empty shell. He must be suffering terribly inside."

Zhao Ling'er reached out and gently smoothed the furrowed brow of Hua Tianyou, who was still slightly furrowed even in his sleep. "Brother Tianyou, we must be good to each other from now on, and never end up like my brother and Sister Lei..."

She spoke these words very softly, yet with utmost solemnity.

After wiping his face, she tidied up Hua Tianyou's slightly disheveled hair.

In his drunken dream, Hua Tianyou seemed to sense this tenderness. He suddenly moved, his arm unconsciously wrapping around her waist, and he buried his face in her side, like a child seeking warmth.

Zhao Ling'er stiffened for a moment, then softened completely. She didn't struggle, letting him lean on her in this somewhat awkward position.

She could smell the strong smell of alcohol on him, mixed with his own clean scent, and a scent that... made her feel at ease.

The red candles burned silently, their dripping wax like marks of joy. The room was bathed in red, reflecting the two people embracing, one lost in blissful intoxication, the other soberly guarding this tranquil peace after their intoxication.

Outside the window, the autumn wind rustled through the leaves, as if whispering blessings for the newlyweds.

Zhao Ling'er lowered her head, her cheek gently pressed against the top of his head, and whispered a promise that only she could hear:

“Brother Tianyou, from now on, you are my consort, my husband. We will go through the sandstorms of Cangzhou and the prosperity of the capital together. When you are drunk, I will take care of you; when you are tired, I will stay with you. Just like now, for a lifetime.”

As night deepened, the candlelight in the bridal chamber glowed warmly, locking away the tender love within this room on the night of September 18th...

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