Frühlingsreise - Kapitel 88
He didn't want her to get married. At the banquet, he wished he could tear that red silk ribbon to shreds and take her far away. But this was a play he had orchestrated, and at this point, he was no longer the protagonist. He wanted to see her settle down and start a family, he wanted to see her marry someone who could give her happiness.
“You have to get used to it. Tang Congrong’s temper was a bit strange at first… but you’ll like him once you get used to it. He’s the only friend I’ve had all these years. I don’t know anyone else who can compare to him…” he murmured, his mind gradually becoming hazy. It seemed like someone came to help him up, and then he was helped away.
Chapter 173
Shortly after he left, a small boat sailed out of the waterside pavilion and docked at the shore.
The pavilion by the water was warmly lit.
Red lanterns, red candles, red clothes, and red characters—a joyous occasion.
The bride sat on the edge of the bed, her veil hanging in front of her. The matchmaker handed the weighing scale to the groom, asking him to lift the veil.
She noticed the shoes beneath his formal attire, black satin soles embroidered with colorful auspicious clouds; though she knew nothing of needlework, she recognized the exquisite craftsmanship. She also saw the tassels hanging from the hem of his robe, the purse dangling from his waist.
She wasn't unfamiliar with Tang Congrong, nor was she completely unfamiliar with him; at least she knew he was a gentle and polite person. Yet, at this moment, her heart was beating unusually slowly, and she knew her face must be turning pale.
My palms were sweating.
Fear.
It was actually "fear".
No one would believe it if I told you, but she had never been afraid of anything except becoming someone else's wife.
I'm afraid of getting married.
She herself agreed to the marriage. Perhaps she was emotionally unstable when she agreed, but afterward she thought it over repeatedly and concluded that marrying Tang Congrong would have all the advantages and no disadvantages.
If we're going to get married, is there anyone better than Tang Congrong?
But Tang Congrong's approaching figure brought her immense pressure. An unknown, inexplicable fear gripped her throat. She felt the scale rod extend under the tip, and the hairs on the skin that it touched stood on end. She stood up abruptly and lifted the veil herself.
The matchmaker and the servants were startled.
Tang Congrong, true to her name, was quite composed. She waved her hand, dismissing them.
"There's a sword in the Sword Washing Pool, and it must be taken out tonight." She heard herself say this and realized how unreasonable she was, but she couldn't continue. "Otherwise, it will damage the sword's fire."
If this were a play, she's already finished her performance.
Only at this moment did she realize that she could not tolerate anyone else becoming her husband except for that person.
This joyous atmosphere would have become so terrible if it weren't for that person.
Understanding this filled her with a profound sense of desolation. She hadn't realized how utterly powerless she was, even lacking the strength to hate. Her agreement to marry him wasn't entirely without an element of revenge. Yes, you made me marry, so I married. Let's see who regrets it.
She had no regrets. She knew that if she could go back to that day, she would still make the same decision. Otherwise, should she beg him to marry her? Yes, she had no regrets. She was just tired, utterly exhausted. She was playing out someone else's drama, her wedding dress feeling like shackles.
She looked at Tang Congrong with deep remorse, "I'm so sorry, I—"
“I understand,” Tang Congrong said softly, looking neither surprised nor angry. “I’ve said before that everything is up to Miss. You can leave anytime you want, and I will explain to them.”
Baili Wushuang took a deep breath. "I owe you a favor."
"No." Tang Congrong smiled, "None of us owe each other anything." Suddenly she blinked, "Your wedding dress was a gift from Luo Xue."
She could no longer understand his words; the sound passed through her ears, but her brain couldn't grasp its meaning. She just wanted to leave as soon as possible. She boarded a small boat heading towards the shore and left the Tang Clan on her wedding night.
The banquet was still lively, and no one knew that the wedding they were celebrating no longer included a bride.
Chapter 174
The next morning, even the groom was gone.
The Tang family said the bride and groom had gone off to enjoy life like hermits. But Yang Luoxue knew perfectly well that these two would never leave home on the eve of their wedding.
The only person who can explain this is Tang Qiefang.
“They’re not together. Baili Wushuang returned to Suoding City, and Congrong—” Tang Qiefang gritted her teeth, “…I don’t know where Congrong went.”
Yang Luoxue immediately headed towards Suoding City. "Hurry up!" he instructed Zhan Yuan, who was driving the carriage.
Hurry up.
He had to see her find a stable and unshakeable happiness before he completely lost consciousness.
The carriage had been traveling very fast, but it stopped when it was almost at the city of Sading.
"Zhan Yuan?"
His answer was a gold needle inserted into an acupuncture point, followed by another.
"Zhan Yuan, what are you going to do?"
Yang Luoxue couldn't see anything, but the location and order of the acupoints being pierced startled him.
Golden needle acupuncture!
“I can finally do something for you…” Zhan Yuan inserted the third golden needle, “…Master.”
His technique might not have been as fast as Yang Luoxue's, but his accuracy was impeccable. As the last golden needle pierced through, a surge of power flowed into every meridian, sealed within Yang Luoxue's body by the acupoints. This power flowed continuously, converging into a sea within her body, as if a hole had been pierced through the darkness before her, allowing light to shine through.
The roof of the carriage. Trees outside the window. Sunlight. Zhan Yuan's somewhat pale but smiling face.
The whole world returned to him.
"The young lady is back?!" The head nun exclaimed in surprise. She hadn't heard the news. Wasn't it customary for the bride to return to her parents' home three days after her wedding? She was currently preparing to welcome the young lady back. "Besides, even if the young lady is back, shouldn't Tang Congrong be the one to greet her?" She looked at Yang Luoxue with hostility. "I wonder what brings the divine physician here?"