Chapter 6, The Grand Wedding

The speaker is Ziyun, who today is dressed in a light purple outfit that tightly wraps around her alluring figure. A pair of long braids hangs down in front of her chest, and her expressive eyes are particularly bright, while her slightly upturned lips evoke boundless imagination.

Yufurong said expressionlessly: "I have arrived!"

An awkward atmosphere filled the air, and at that moment, a person entered from outside and said: "I believe Young Master Ren is indeed the suitable candidate for today's groom"

The bride is likely one of the young ladies from the Elegant Quiet Pavilion, as there are no men in the Elegant Quiet Pavilion at all. However, who could this groom be

Ren Piaoping not only glanced at Yu Furong, but at that moment, Yu Furong was also looking at him, saying: "What’s wrong? Who said that assassins cannot save people?"

However, this time the scholar seemed to have mistaken the person, as he felt that the hand he was holding was no longer the soft and fragile hand from earlier, but rather a strong and powerful one. When the scholar looked up, he saw the utterly ordinary face of Chang Xiaoyu. The scholar's expression darkened as he said, "You are quite unfamiliar, my friend." As he spoke, the scholar suddenly exerted force with his hand, but this time he was gripping a stone. With a sound of surprise, Chang Xiaoyu let go, and the scholar was sent flying five feet away. The two young scholars, witnessing this, exchanged glances and approached Chang Xiaoyu from both sides. The scholar had never endured such humiliation; he unexpectedly leaped into the air, his palm shaped like a blade, aiming directly at Chang Xiaoyu's lower abdomen. Although he was surrounded on three sides, how could Chang Xiaoyu regard such characters with any seriousness? He remained completely still. To the eyes of an ordinary person, the movements of these three were already quite fast, but to Chang Xiaoyu, they were as slow as a turtle climbing a mountain. Chang Xiaoyu, calm and collected, first struck the scholar's sleep point, and just as the hands of the two young scholars were about to reach him, he made his move. The two young scholars were already lying on the ground.

Who would have thought that Ren Piaoping would say such a thing: "Where is Ouyang Xiaodie now?"

Ren Piaoping stood up from her chair, took a step forward, and smiled, "I originally did not know that the young lady was to hold a joyous occasion; otherwise, I would have certainly prepared some generous gifts." Chang Xiaoyu, having just swallowed a mouthful of wine, exclaimed loudly, "Liu brother, you are truly not a good friend! Such a significant matter, and you did not even inform me; do you look down on me, old Chang?"

At this moment, a trace of sadness welled up from the corner of Ziyun's eyes, and she said softly: "Although my sister has entrusted someone to inform my parents about this matter, I have not returned home even once in the past three years. As a child, I have failed to fulfill my filial duty..." By this point, tears had already fallen.

Chang Xiaoyu paid no attention to the three individuals lying on the ground and turned to look at the young girl, who was also gazing at him with a pair of innocent eyes filled with envy. Chang Xiaoyu said, "Little girl, you should go home now." After saying this, he intended to leave. The young girl tugged at the corner of his clothing and said, "Big brother, you haven't told me your name yet." Chang Xiaoyu was not much older than the girl; at that time, he was only twenty-two years old, and the girl was not small either, appearing to be around fifteen or sixteen. Chang Xiaoyu chuckled and casually replied, "Oh, my surname is Chang." After saying this, he tried to leave again, but the girl continued to hold onto his clothing and said, "Big brother, you still haven't told me your name." Chang Xiaoyu was not much older than the girl; at that time, he was only twenty-two years old, and the girl was not small either, appearing to be around fifteen or sixteen. Chang Xiaoyu chuckled and casually replied, "Oh, my surname is Chang." After saying this, he attempted to leave once more. The young girl still held onto his clothing and said, "Sir said that one should be grateful and repay kindness." Chang Xiaoyu found the girl quite amusing, so he casually asked, "How do you plan to repay me?" The girl looked at Chang Xiaoyu with determination and seriousness and said, "I want to marry you!" Chang Xiaoyu was initially taken aback, but then he thought to himself, how could one take a young girl's words seriously? He casually responded, "Alright, you should go home now; big brother has things to attend to." The young girl nodded vigorously, replied with a soft "mm," and ran off as if she had just eaten honey. However, her clear voice echoed in the air, "Remember, my name is Fang Qiaofeng, and my home is on Meiling Mountain."

Ren Piaoping's heart was hurt, and she said: "Then let her come and tell me herself." After saying this, she sat down, as if uttering these words had exhausted all her strength.

However, Ziyun said, "What if this is what Ouyang Xiaodie means?"

Yufurong's heart suddenly turned cold; she knew that Ouyang Xiaodie was the insurmountable chasm between her and Ren Piaoping.

Yet, how could Ren Piaoping not understand? It is just that he is currently unable to comprehend what exactly is being sold in the gourd of this jade hibiscus.

Yu Furong did not ask why, and淡淡地 said: "Thank you, Young Master Liu"

Chang Xiaoyu seems to be quite fond of Ziyun, but having been accustomed to a life of wandering, he feels a bit scared at the thought of settling down. Moreover, even if he wants to start a family, he is at a loss as to how to express it. A grown man is acting so shy and hesitant, stammering without saying a word, which makes those around him anxious. Ren Piaoping, of course, sees through Chang Xiaoyu's thoughts and laughs, saying: "Look at you, acting like a little girl. As your older brother, I will take charge for you."

Since Chang Xiaoyu entered the door from Ziyun, she has been staring at her, always feeling as if she has seen her somewhere before

Ren Piaoping was taken aback, thinking to herself that today’s events might be yet another scheme. At the same time, her thoughts wandered, considering that Yu Furong, regardless of her appearance, character, or martial skills, was quite impressive, not to mention her exceptional skill in playing the guqin

A promise is the same, but the people are different; some are determined to keep their promises, while others are intent on breaking them. Often, those who solemnly swear are easily forgotten, while those casual remarks leave a lasting impression.

Everyone is dressed in splendid attire, all are wearing bright smiles, and everyone is bustling about. The entire Yajing Pavilion is adorned with festive decorations, featuring a red carpet, red satin, red tables and chairs, and red firecrackers. Beautiful and exquisite palace lanterns are hung everywhere, the tables are filled with various seasonal fruits, as well as an array of mouth-watering dishes, and of course, there is wine, the fine daughter red aged for twenty years.

Chang Xiaoyu only felt that this Ziyun girl was very familiar. Now, with the beauty in her arms, she felt completely confused. Suddenly, she was overwhelmed by the intoxicating fragrance of jasmine emanating from Ziyun's flowing hair

Everyone present was utterly perplexed, even Ren Piaoping was unaware that Chang Xiaoyu had such a beautiful confidante.

Everyone expressed their agreement, and Ziyun, feeling even more shy, ran behind Yufurong, while her eyes secretly glanced at Chang Xiaoyu

At this moment, Chang Xiaoyu finally understood what was going on; it turned out that Ziyun was the rural woman whom Chang Xiaoyu had rescued three years ago from Wang Tianyu, the son of the governor of Jiangxi.

Upon hearing Ziyun's words, Yu Furong felt a surge of joy in her heart, her face flushed with embarrassment, and she playfully scolded, "Ziyun, do not speak nonsense!" Yet, her eyes secretly wandered up Ren Piaoping's figure.

Seeing this, Yu Furong lowered her brows, pressing her heart tightly beneath her long eyelashes, and gently said: "Young Master Ren need not worry, Sister Ouyang will be fine. When the time comes for her to meet you, she will naturally do so." By referring to Ouyang as Sister rather than Little Butterfly, Yu Furong intended to convey to Ren Piaoping that since they addressed each other as sisters, Little Butterfly would naturally be safe.

Ren Piaoping could not help but secretly praise Ziyun for her graceful and unpretentious demeanor. At this moment, she gently cleared her throat and said, "I wonder how Miss Ziyun has been doing since then"

At this moment, Chang Xiaoyu could not pay attention to Ren Piaoping, as Ziyun was also staring at him intently, no, it was a gaze filled with affection. Ziyun seemed quite excited, walking towards Chang Xiaoyu, and said: "You must be Young Master Chang, yes, yes! It must be Young Master Chang." As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, and she had already thrown herself into Chang Xiaoyu's embrace.

At this moment, Ziyun lifted her head from Chang Xiaoyu's shoulder and said, "Young Master Chang, I am Fang Qiaofeng. You said before that you would marry me, do you not remember?" The crowd was even more astonished

Ren Piaoping remained silent. Eight years ago, Ouyang Xiaodie married Zhao Hongyun, the deputy leader of the Zhentian Gang, for the sake of her father. Eight years later, who is she doing this for? Is it for herself, for her own infatuated wandering over these eight years, for her own aimless drifting during this time? However, Ren Piaoping does not want others to dictate her destiny, not even Ouyang Xiaodie.

Liu Rujun smiled calmly, and only then did she clarify the situation

The entire Yajing Pavilion was filled with joy, as Chang Xiaoyu and Ziyun had just completed their wedding ceremony. At that moment, three monks from the Shaolin Temple arrived at the door.

Three days later, Luoyang, Yajing Pavilion

Everyone was indeed quite surprised, yet they found it difficult to say anything

Yajing Pavilion is bustling with activity today, as it seems someone is about to get married. Once the auspicious time arrives and the firecrackers sound, the bride and groom will be revealed.

The title of "Young Master Liu" signifies the return of Liu Rujun's personality, and at this moment, his heart belongs to himself. The two then proceeded to exit the chamber one after the other

The auspicious time has arrived, yet the groom has not shown up. Instead, it is Ren Piaoping and the other two who have come. Upon witnessing the grandeur of Yajing Pavilion, Ren Piaoping and Chang Xiaoyu are somewhat taken aback. The two of them glance at Liu Rujun, who smiles but remains silent, striding directly towards the bride's chamber.

Liu Rujun is now standing in front of the bride

Liu Rujun's eyes were filled with the hope of spring as she faced the jade hibiscus and said: "I have come, but not to keep the appointment; I have come to break the promise"

At this moment, Ziyun not only let out a sigh but also said: "That day, I did not go straight home. You must know that Nanchang is far from Meiling, and it was almost dark. I had originally come to visit my uncle in Nanchang, so I returned to my uncle's house. After explaining the incident to my uncle, his expression changed drastically. He informed me that the scholar was the son of Wang Yulan, the governor of Jiangxi, named Wang Tianyu. That night, news spread that Wang Tianyu had died upon returning home. Throughout Nanchang, notices were posted to capture Brother Chang and me. From what Brother Chang just said, it must be that someone had tampered with the situation on the way, killing Wang Tianyu in an attempt to frame Brother Chang. The next morning, I set off back to Meiling, but unexpectedly, I was recognized by the guards at Guanghuo Gate. Fortunately, my sister passed by and saved me, and from then on, I followed her to Luoyang." As she spoke, her eyes were fixed on Yufurong, filled with gratitude.

Only then did everyone understand what was going on. Yu Furong smiled and said, "No wonder Ziyun wants to inquire about the background of anyone with the surname Chang as soon as she hears it." At this moment, Ziyun was so embarrassed that she could not lift her head, focusing instead on fiddling with the hem of her clothes. Chang Xiaoyu looked at Ziyun and thought to herself that this woman truly transforms as she grows older, becoming more and more beautiful, and as she gazed, it seemed she was entranced.

Upon hearing Yu Furong's words, Liu Rujun's heart brightened, and she smiled, saying: "Why not take this opportunity today to let Brother Chang and Miss Ziyun form a bond of marriage, so as not to waste the grand occasion of Yajing Pavilion today"

Liu Rujun clapped her hands and laughed, saying: "Exactly, exactly, what Ziyun said is absolutely right"

To marry one's ideal husband is perhaps the most beautiful and happiest event for a young woman. Yu Furong, adorned with a phoenix crown and flowing silk, dressed in a bright red wedding gown that complements her exquisite beauty, quietly awaits the arrival of her groom

On that day in Nanchang, Chang Xiaoyu was drinking at a hotel facing the street, preparing to gather his spirits for a showdown with Jiangxi Jiugui that evening. A rather attractive young girl, seemingly in a hurry, accidentally bumped into a scholar. The scholar, appearing refined and cultured, unexpectedly grabbed the girl and said, "Sister, you have hurt my waist." The girl hurriedly apologized, struggling to break free, and to her surprise, she managed to escape. However, the two individuals behind the scholar, who looked like attendants, blocked the girl's path. Terrified, the girl cried and apologized to the scholar, but he was relentless, wearing a lewd smile as he said, "Sister, you have hurt my waist." The girl quickly said sorry again and tried to escape, but the two attendants continued to obstruct her way. Frightened, she pleaded with the scholar for forgiveness, yet he persisted, grinning lewdly, and said, "Little girl, don't be afraid. My family happens to need a maid, why don't you come with me? Once my waist feels better, you can leave." With that, he reached out again to grab the already trembling girl.

Yufurong gently advised, saying: "Ziyun, today you encountered Young Master Chang, is it not a joyful occasion? How can you be crying and sobbing?"

Liu Rujun seems to have transformed into a different person, no longer weak and humble in front of Yu Furong, his eyes no longer filled with pain and helplessness. He has returned to the Liu Rujun of the past. He has decided to no longer love her, to no longer love this woman who does not love him at all

Yufurong was taken aback. Hadn't Liu Rujun always longed to marry her? She should have been happy, yet deep down, she did not love this man at all. In order to seek revenge, she had promised Liu Rujun that she would marry him as long as he helped her kill Murong Qiuyue. Now, however, she could not feel any happiness at all. She did not understand why; she only felt an emptiness in her heart.