Chapter 223 The Twenty-Fifth Day of Entering a Rebirth Novel

Chapter 223: Day 25 of Entering a Rebirth Novel

The harsh winter gradually passed amid the swirling snow and the growing festive atmosphere of the New Year.

As the saying goes, a timely snowfall promises a good harvest, so it seemed this year's prospects were looking up.

When the first warm, moist spring breeze gently brushed against the vermilion palace walls, melting the icicles that had hung from the eaves all winter, the capital saw another major event—the grand wedding of the Seventh Prince, Qi Haowen, and Ran Zhuyu, the legitimate daughter of the Right Grand Chancellor.

This marriage had far more hidden depths than met the eye.

Ran Zhuyu, who was reborn, resolutely chose the supposedly "simple-minded" and neglected Seventh Prince to completely escape the disastrous entanglement with the Crown Prince, Qi Haocang, that had dragged her into the abyss in her past life.

And the Seventh Prince, Qi Haowen, who had played the fool and endured for years, urgently needed the support of the powerful Ran family—a major force among civil officials—to pave his way for the future.

Their union was less a match made in heaven between a talented scholar and a beautiful lady, and more a meticulously calculated political alliance and a gamble with fate, where each got what they wanted.

Amid their scheming and growing closeness, they also nurtured unexpected true feelings.

The wedding was extremely lavish, befitting royal extravagance—even for a neglected Seventh Prince.

From the Right Grand Chancellor's residence to the Seventh Prince's mansion, the ten-mile-long street had been sprinkled with clean water until it was spotless, then carpeted thickly with red silk that stretched to the horizon.

The royal procession was majestic and imposing, with banners fluttering and armored guards standing solemnly on both sides.

Drums and music shook the skies, and the joyful sound of suonas stirred everyone's hearts.

Countless commoners had long crowded along both sides of the street, standing on tiptoe and craning their necks to witness this rare royal spectacle.

“Look at this grandeur! Truly an eye-opener!”

“The Seventh Prince is so blessed! Fortune favors fools!”

“Shut up! Keep your voice down—is that something you can say?”

“Tsk, now the young lady of the Ran family is extraordinary—the capital's number one talented woman, with flawless appearance and character. Who would have thought... sigh, that she would marry a...”

Though the rest of the sentence was left unsaid, the pity and bewilderment were clear.

A prince, perhaps, but still a simpleton. What a shame for Miss Ran, with such grace and talent.

As the highly esteemed National Preceptor, An Yi was naturally among the invited guests and was honored as one of the most distinguished.

He gave his students a day off and attended the festivities at his leisure.

Huo Huai also came. That day, he did not accompany his father, the Marquis Zhongyong, but instead silently followed An Yi in the guise of a student.

He still remembered the strange look his father had given him yesterday when he mentioned attending the Seventh Prince's wedding with his teacher—a complex mix of worry, helplessness, and even a touch of fear.

Huo Hong opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing, only letting out a heavy sigh and waving him off.

The wedding ceremony was long and tedious. The bride and groom, clad in ornate and heavy wedding garments, followed the ritual master's chants and performed the rites meticulously, paying respects to the emperor and receiving waves of congratulations, both sincere and insincere, from civil and military officials, as well as royal clansmen and noblewomen.

The strings and woodwinds played on endlessly, and amid the clinking glasses, there was nothing but hollow laughter and veiled attempts at probing.

Many who had come expecting a spectacle thought that the supposedly simple-minded Seventh Prince would cause a scene or even lose control as he had before.

But to their disappointment, Qi Haowen was unusually "well-behaved" that day. Though his eyes still carried a hint of confusion and detachment, and his movements were slightly sluggish, he was subtly guided by Ran Zhuyu, who stood beside him, step by step, through the entire process.

Especially after bowing to heaven and earth, he even took the initiative to gently tug at the edge of Ran Zhuyu's wide sleeve, clinging to her side, as if he truly liked his new bride.

Comment section:

“They got married!”

“Congratulations! Congratulations to our dear Zhuyu on her happy wedding!”

“Finally confirmed—the Seventh Prince is that masked man! The author already spilled the beans in the earlier description!”

“Spitting in disdain as I pass by—the Crown Prince makes me laugh. Too little, too late. Where was he before?”

“Damn! That bastard Crown Prince is still thinking his seventh brother is a fool, that there can't be a real marriage with the female lead, and wants to stir up trouble! (Ugh, spit.jpg)”

“Ex-husband, begin your performance!”

“Hurry up, hurry up! I want to see the mask drop! I want to see them team up for their cause! I want to see the Crown Prince choke on his fury! Can we fast-forward to them confessing everything on the wedding night? I'm dying! (Fast-forward button.jpg)”

“...”

An Yi sat in a seat of honor reserved for distinguished guests, with a prime location and an unobstructed view.

He sipped the imperial wine leisurely, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

He saw the barely concealed resentment and sinister malice on Crown Prince Qi Haocang's face. Though he forced a smile and raised his glass in social rituals, deep in his eyes, as they looked toward the newlyweds, burned with jealousy and calculation.

He saw the fleeting, sharp gleam hidden beneath the mask of naivety worn by the Seventh Prince, Qi Haowen.

Finally, his gaze fell on the bride, Ran Zhuyu, whose posture remained ramrod straight beneath the heavy red bridal veil.

He raised his glass and slowly drained its contents.

The slightly cool, mellow liquid slid down his throat, at first crisp and sweet, but then a faint, persistent warmth spread through his limbs.

Perhaps the imperial wine had a stronger aftereffect than imagined, or perhaps the hollow clamor, the mingled scents, and the scrutinizing gazes of the hall made him feel stifled.

Gradually, an extremely faint blush, like rouge slowly dissolving in water, crept across his cheeks.

This flush across his face added a vivid, breathtaking beauty, as if a celestial being untainted by mortal dust had inadvertently acquired the desires of the mortal world, making him all the more mesmerizing.

Huo Huai immediately noticed the unusual flush on An Yi's face.

Had the National Preceptor... gotten drunk?

Just then, several officials, wine cups in hand, approached An Yi's seat with broad smiles.

They had clearly seized the opportunity to toast this highly esteemed National Preceptor and curry favor.

An Yi looked at the surrounding officials, a gentle smile still lingering on his lips. His eyes, glazed from the alcohol, seemed even more luminous and shimmering than usual.

He was about to raise his hand to pick up the wine cup on the table...

A hand with well-defined knuckles reached out first, steadily taking the cup from in front of him.

An Yi was slightly taken aback and turned to look.

He saw Huo Huai, who had somehow come to his side, his tall figure blocking the space between him and the toasting officials.

His expression was stern, his features rigid. Addressing the startled officials, he said, "Gentlemen, my teacher has been overworked and is unwell. He cannot hold his liquor. Please allow me, his student, to drink this cup in his stead, as a token of respect to you all."

With that, without waiting for the officials to react, Huo Huai tilted his head back, his Adam's apple bobbing, and drained the cup in one go.

An Yi: "..."

That was, apparently, his cup.