Chapter 8: Just How Does Brother Lang Have So Much Energy?

This girl had liked that pretty boy Feng Ning for three whole years. Just when she was finally about to get her wish, because of him, all her perfect dreams turned into mere bubbles.

Now that the groom had been changed at the last moment, even though she remained calm throughout, obediently trying on the wedding dress and responding to everyone with perfect etiquette, the more she acted this way, the more her pale lips, tightly clenched hands hidden in her sleeves, and the icy gaze she directed at Fu Qingqing wearing the wedding dress sent by the Duke’s mansion made him tremble with fear.

He didn’t know how heartbroken and despairing she must be feeling right now.

His own temperament was so unlikable that even his own family found him utterly detestable. How could he possibly hope for this girl to forget Feng Ning and come to like him? How should he help her overcome the collapse of loving someone she couldn’t have?

After the Cheng family left, Fu Junyao felt sore all over and could no longer hold on. She leaned directly on Fuliu and said weakly, “Quick, have two matrons bring a sedan chair to carry me back.”

After enduring for so long, she felt she was about to faint.

Just how does Brother Lang have so much energy? For the same matter, clearly, he was the one exerting effort, yet she was the one being tossed about until she nearly fell apart. Just kneeling to receive the imperial decree, changing into the wedding dress, and receiving guests while sitting – such simple tasks she couldn’t endure anymore. Yet he still had energy to apologize with self-punishment, entered the palace to request the decree, and even went outside the city to personally catch a pair of wild geese.

Comparing people really makes you angry.

Fuliu quickly called people to carry Fu Junyao back.

As soon as Fu Junyao touched the bed, she fell asleep immediately.

Fuliu looked at the medicine bottle in her hand, which Master Cheng had pressed into her hand before leaving, saying it was imperial medicine obtained from the Emperor. She needed to quickly apply it to the young lady so she could recover faster.

The anxiety she felt when first changing the young lady’s clothes was now replaced by complete relief and joy.

It turned out that this incident wasn’t a disaster for the young lady, but a blessing in disguise.

Although Master Cheng was somewhat dull, he was upright and proper and didn’t have those flirtatious women around him. The Cheng family was also simple, without those messy relationship networks. If the young lady married into their family, her life would be more comfortable than marrying into the Duke’s mansion.

More importantly, Master Cheng had an excellent relationship with the eldest young master and had always been good to the young lady before. He would certainly treat her even better in the future. Unlike that Heir Apparent Feng, who always looked down on the young lady. His gaze didn’t seem like he was looking at his future life partner, but rather at someone humble trying to climb up through connections, which made her feel very uncomfortable.

The more Fuliu thought about it, the happier she became. After applying medicine to Fu Junyao, she cheerfully went out to reorganize the young lady’s dowry.

In teahouses, restaurants, and entertainment establishments throughout the capital, the rumors about Fu Junyao losing her virtue immediately changed direction with the news that Fu Junyao had been granted an imperial marriage to Cheng Honglang, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and that the two Fu daughters would marry on the same day.

No one dared to say a single bad word about Fu Junyao anymore. Instead, people began speculating whether the third Fu daughter had spread the rumors intentionally to steal her sister’s marriage.

Amid the swirling rumors, the wedding day for the two sisters arrived in the blink of an eye.

Before dawn broke, Fu Junyao woke up. Without waiting for Fuliu to enter, she got up first and headed toward the main gate.

Fuliu and Xiang’er brought the Wedding Matron over and, seeing her about to go out, quickly stopped her.

Fu Junyao gazed outside with some worry and said to Xiang’er, “Xiang’er, go keep watch at the main gate to see if my brother has returned. He promised me he would come back to carry me into the bridal sedan chair.”

Xiang’er acknowledged and dashed out in a flash.

Cheng Honglang and Fu Junyan had passed the imperial examinations in the same year. One, with his humble family background, exceptional martial skills, and sharp intellect, was directly selected by the emperor to join the Brocade-Clad Guard. The other, also from a simple family but possessing outstanding business acumen, was dispatched by the emperor a year ago to the wealthiest region of Jiangnan to serve as its administration commissioner.

Coincidentally, most of the businesses left by Fu Junyao’s late mother were also in Jiangnan. Since Fu Junyan’s departure for Jiangnan, he had been extremely busy and hadn’t returned even once in over a year.

But he had promised Fu Junyao he would rush back to carry her into the bridal sedan chair. She had thought he would arrive by yesterday at the latest.

Yet for some reason, he still hadn’t returned by this morning. Fu Junyao couldn’t help but feel anxious.

Fuliu comforted her gently, “Don’t worry, Miss. There are still two hours until the auspicious time for the wedding. The young master values his promises and will surely make it back.”

Fu Junyao pressed her twitching right eyelid. They said, “A twitching left eye brings wealth, a twitching right eye brings disaster.” Why did she feel so uneasy inside?

“Fuliu, I’m truly worried. Go to the Cheng residence right now and ask Lang-ge to send someone to fetch my brother,” Fu Junyao said, unable to hold back any longer.

The Wedding Matron, who was attending to Fu Junyao’s makeup, quickly interjected, “Miss, you mustn’t do that! If you’re concerned, just send our own guards to assist the young master. Today is your joyous wedding day, the groom must be swamped with preparations. Bothering him with such matters on this special day will only reflect poorly on you in your future in-laws’ eyes.”

But Fu Junyao ignored the Wedding Matron and repeated her order to Fuliu with emphasis, “Go quickly.”

Fuliu’s mind was in turmoil as well. She immediately bowed and replied, “Yes,” then turned and hurried away.

It was the first time the Wedding Matron had encountered such an obstinate bride. She fell silent, her expression darkening.

Meanwhile, thirty li outside the city on a secluded path, Fu Junyan was guarding two chests on a carriage, facing off against a group of black-clad, masked Bandits. This was the eighth wave of bandits he had encountered on his journey. The guards he had brought were either either dead or injured, leaving only two remaining, while the Bandits opposing them numbered over a hundred.

Despair crept into Fu Junyan’s heart.

These were the dowry additions he had painstakingly prepared for his sister over the past year. Despite numerous ambushes along the way, he had protected them well. Now, so close to home, would they still end up in the hands of these villains?

If he returned empty-handed, or worse, never made it back at all, how deeply disappointed his sister would be!

She was his only precious sister, marrying only once in her lifetime. If he couldn’t personally see her off, what a lifelong regret it would be!

Fu Junyan’s eyes burned with fury as he glared fiercely at the Bandits and declared in a low, resolute voice, “Today, you will make way whether willingly or not! Even if it costs us our lives, we will not surrender these items to you.”

The bandit leader opposite sneered and spoke contemptuously, “Seeing how refined you look, young master, I thought you were a sensible man. I never expected you to be a miser clinging to your riches. Since that’s the case, we’ll grant your wish kill you first, then take your chest. Hahaha…”

“Brothers, charge!”

Fu Junyan held his sword in his right hand, positioning it horizontally in front of the carriage. As they rushed forward, he immediately swung his blade to meet them.

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Zephyr Yizelle

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