Chapter 11 The Commander Seems Quite Approachable Today

So, she had one too. Fu Qingqing accepted it with eager anticipation, performing a graceful curtsy. “Thank you, elder brother.”

Fu Junyan nodded with a guilty conscience before immediately turning to leave.

Feng Ning had already reached the entrance he needed to hurry and carry Yao Yao to the bridal sedan.

He extended his hand toward Fu Junyao with a smile. “Yao Yao, come, let your brother carry you to the sedan.”

Fu Junyao peeked outside and shook her head. “Brother, wait a moment. My husband hasn’t arrived yet.”

Fu Junyan glanced at Feng Ning standing at the doorway, puzzled. “Isn’t he already there?”

Fu Xiao quickly stepped forward and pulled Fu Junyan aside. “Well, there’s been a change of plans. Yao Yao’s husband is someone else now. Feng Ning is Qingqing’s husband.”

“What?” Fu Junyan exclaimed in shock. “How did this happen?”

“I’ll explain everything to you later.” Fu Xiao peered outside and saw Cheng Honglang had already passed the third challenge and reached the entrance. He pointed and said, “Yao Yao’s husband has arrived too.”

Fu Junyan stared incredulously at Cheng Honglang approaching steadily, then whipped his head around to look at Fu Junyao. “You’re marrying A Lang?”

Fu Junyao smiled triumphantly, boasting quietly to Fu Junyan, “Brother, you’d never have guessed either, right? Someone as aloof as Lang-gege is now my husband.”

Fu Junyan truly wanted to pry open his sister’s head to see what she was thinking. Was this something worth being proud of?

With A Lang’s stubborn, rock-like temperament, would he know how to cherish someone? Even Fu Junyan sometimes found him unbearable, let alone his delicate younger sister!

How would his sister survive married to him?

He objected to this marriage! Was it too late to voice his opinion now?

As Fu Junyan was worrying, he saw Cheng Honglang standing at the entrance in vibrant red robes, his posture straight as a pine tree. On his perpetually stern and imposing face, the corners of his lips lifted into a faint curve when he looked toward Fu Junyao. His profound, sharp eyes also held a subtle smile, as if dazzling stars had fallen into them.

Fu Junyan was completely stunned.

He couldn’t help screaming internally like a groundhog: “Holy crap, did the sun rise from the west today? A Lang knows how to smile!”

Cheng Honglang bowed respectfully and spoke solemnly with concise words: “Respected father-in-law, your son-in-law has come to welcome A Yao.”

The Wedding Matron immediately placed the bridal veil over Fu Junyao’s head and called out loudly: “The auspicious hour has arrived please escort the bride to the sedan!”

Fu Junyan numbly crouched down, lifted Fu Junyao onto his back, and carried her outside.

Fu Qingqing was also carried by a cousin and followed closely behind.

When they reached the main entrance, they saw a team of Brocade-Clad Guards escorting two travel-worn guards pulling two large chests that had just arrived.

Seeing the brides about to enter their sedans, the servant quickly announced: “Young Master Fu Junyan adds to Second Young Lady’s dowry: two exquisite ice-type jade carvings, ten luminous pearls from the South Sea…”

The lengthy gift list was proclaimed in their hoarse voices, presenting one rare treasure after another before the crowd.

Feng Ning’s eyes turned red with envy! All these treasures should have been his. Now they were all going to Cheng Honglang instead!

Fu Qingqing clenched her fists in bitter resentment, her face beneath the bridal veil contorted with jealousy. As she listened to the treasures being announced one by one—all belonging to Fu Junyao, with none for her her fury intensified. She knew her brother favored Junyao, but this was beyond unfair! Was she not his sister too?

Cheng Honglang cast a deep, meaningful glance at Fu Junyan. This fool had nearly gotten himself killed over these material possessions! Had Cheng not sensed something amiss when his men failed to locate him and rushed out of the city to search, Fu Junyan would have been lost forever. Had tragedy struck for mere treasures, A Yao would have been trapped in that nightmare for life.

Such misplaced priorities trivialities over what truly mattered.

“Brother, were you delayed because of those things?” Fu Junyao’s voice trembled with lingering fear as she swatted his back. “Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

Fu Junyan, equally shaken, forced a grin. “Don’t worry, it won’t happen again. I’ll take care of myself I need to be your lifelong support. I understand that now.” His tone softened. “After you marry into the Cheng family, never tolerate injustice. If A Lang ever upsets you, come straight home. I’ll always stand by you.” He warmed to his vision: “I’ll take you to Jiangnan we’ll admire lakes and mountains, stone bridges over flowing streams, white walls and black-tiled roofs, pavilions and towers…”

As Fu Junyan rambled enthusiastically, Cheng Honglang listened with growing exasperation. He hadn’t even married his bride yet, and already his brother-in-law was plotting how to steal her away! Was there no end to this sabotage?

Cheng’s expression darkened. He cleared his throat pointedly.

Impatient, was he? The Wedding Matron jumped at the sound and hurriedly reminded, “Young Master, it’s time to escort the Second Young Lady to the bridal sedan. We mustn’t miss the auspicious hour.”

Fu Junyan shot Cheng a frosty look before carefully helping Fu Junyao into the ornate sedan. Cheng ignored the warning entirely. With a wave of his hand, the sedan lifted, suona horns blared, and he mounted his horse to lead the procession toward the Cheng residence.

Sitting erect in the saddle, his spine straight and jaw taut, Cheng scanned the crowds lining the streets. Though his usual sternness lingered, his eyes softened at the chorus of “Congratulations!” Warmth seemed to brush the corners of his eyes and brows as he courteously clasped his hands and replied, “My thanks.”

Once the wedding procession passed, those familiar with Cheng Honglang whispered among themselves: “Have you noticed? The Commander seems different today.” “Not intimidating at all.” “Almost approachable, wouldn’t you say?”

Riding behind the sedan to escort his sister, Fu Junyan overheard the remarks and scoffed. Approachable? Had they forgotten how A Lang’s reputation alone could silence crying children? The thought soured his mood. His gentle, timid little sister, who usually shrank from Cheng like a mouse from a cat, how had she found the courage to marry him?

When the sedan arrived at the Cheng residence, firecrackers erupted in festive cacophony. Cheng Honglang personally bent to lift the curtain, offering his hand to help Fu Junyao alight before guiding her over the ceremonial fire pan.

A sharp pain shot through Fu Junyao’s leg where the hairpin had pierced her earlier. She hissed involuntarily. Though the sound was swallowed by the deafening firecrackers, Cheng Honglang caught it clearly.

His fists abruptly tightened, and he turned to glance nervously at her legs, crumpling the red silk in his grasp. Suddenly, he moved closer to Fu Junyao and reached out to lift her into his arms.

Fu Junyao’s body was abruptly lifted into the air, startling her into a sharp cry of “Ah!”

“Don’t be afraid,” Cheng Honglang whispered soothingly.

Realizing what had happened, Fu Junyao quickly wrapped her arms around Cheng Honglang’s neck and murmured a soft complaint by his ear, “Lang-gege, what are you doing? We need to step over the fire basin.”

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