Princess Yueyan sneered when she heard these words while observing the ceremony at the side, "I knew Prince Brother would never marry this woman. In her splendid phoenix crown and robes, with ten miles of red makeup, she really thought Prince Brother would give her face."
Huo Qiyan also mocked, "I bet she doesn't even know where Cousin has gone now. Oh, he was called away by my elder sister it seems."
The mention of "elder sister" caused a commotion in the hall.
The veil blocked her view, so Gu Ying couldn't see people's expressions, but she suddenly heard Xi Niang whisper anxiously to her, "Second Miss, please wait a moment, the Prince has a small matter to deal with before the worship ceremony."
What matter would need handling before the worship ceremony?
Could it really be about Huo Qiyun?
Gu Ying's heart thumped, and she suddenly had an ominous premonition.
Perhaps because she was abandoned in her past life, her heart tightened. At this moment, she had already prepared for the worst.
...
Before the worship ceremony, Zhao Changdu was called to the side hall.
Upon entering, he saw Cheng, Huo Qiyun, and an unfamiliar lady. Judging by her attire, she was not from the Duke's manor, but rather seemed to be from the Dongping Earl Manor.
"Adu, I called you here because there is an important matter to discuss with you," Cheng said. She pulled Wang over and concisely said, "This is Third Madam Wang from Earl Gu Boyan's manor of Dongping. She has something to tell you."
Zhao Changdu's long eyebrows twitched slightly as he coolly asked, "Oh? What important matter needs to be discussed now?"
Intimidated by the powerful man, Wang let out an awkward laugh and bravely said, "Prince, this concubine dares to say a word. I'm afraid...afraid our Second Miss from the family is not worthy of the Prince."
Zhao Changdu found a chair to sit down, deciding to entertain their play, "Oh? Why do you say so?"
Wang quickly said, "The Prince can call her over now and simply lift her sleeves to take a look and he will know."
Zhao Changdu's gaze was cold, with a hint of gloom between his brows.
Cheng hurried over and said, "Adu, that Second Miss has always had a bad reputation. She previously got entangled with her elder sister's husband, and now she is no longer a virgin. She is simply not worthy of entering my Zhao family!"
So this was their aim.
Zhao Changdu understood. Looking up at her, although it was from a lower angle, the dominance in those pitch-black eyes did not diminish, but rather intensified, exerting more pressure. "How do you know she is not a virgin?"
Cheng said, "Wang saw it."
Wang also said, "Yes, I personally saw her fooling around with a strange man at Twilight Snow Studio, and the chastity paste on her arm was also gone. If the Prince doesn't believe me, he can certainly examine it himself."
Zhao Changdu fell silent for a while, stroking his forehead with his large hand.
Seeing he had no intention to act, Cheng secretly pinched the dazed Huo Qiyun, pushing her forward to add fuel to the fire.
The pale-faced Huo Qiyun was pushed in front of Zhao Changdu.
Zhao Changdu lazily glanced at her, "You also think she's unworthy?"
Huo Qiyun's lips moved slightly as she let out a dry laugh, "Adu, we are all doing this for your sake... If Gu Second Miss is not physically pure when she enters the Duke's manor, it would be an insult to you..."
"Yes, Adu, even Qiyun is saying this. If you don't listen to me, you should at least listen to her. She is after all your sister-in-law, your elder." Cheng chattered, anyway using Huo Qiyun to block shots meant she had nothing to fear.
Zhao Changdu's gaze grew icy cold as he glanced at Huo Qiyun once. Impatiently, he lowered his voice and growled, "Enough!"
The few women were startled by the man's low growl.
Zhao Changdu stood up, looking at Wang, he laughed mockingly, "Whether she is a virgin or not, this Prince is clearer than anyone else."
Wang anxiously said, "Prince, you must not be deceived by her—"
"What status are you to interfere in this Prince's affairs?"
Wang panicked, "This concubine didn't mean that, I just—"
"Then I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you." Zhao Changdu's indifferent gaze fell on her face, silencing all of Wang's words in her throat.
He raised the corner of his lips and lowered his voice by her ear, "The man with her at Twilight Snow Studio was none other than this Prince."
Wang's body shuddered as she stared wide-eyed in disbelief, too shocked to utter a word.
Zhao Changdu straightened up, smiling especially blithely, "Huai An!"
Huai An rushed in, "Master!"
Zhao Changdu coldly commanded, "I don't want to hear any unsavory remarks about my wife. Seal her mouth."
"Yes, I know what to do!" Huai An narrowed his eyes, walked over, and covered Wang's mouth before she could make a sound. She shrank back in terror and pleaded for help from the man.
"Mmm mmm, Prince—mmm mmm!"
Zhao Changdu glanced back at Cheng and Huo Qiyun, too lazy to even spare them half a glance more. His tone was cold and indifferent, "If you dare sully Ying's reputation again, don't blame me for disregarding our family ties."
Cheng forcefully swallowed her saliva.
Huo Qiyun's face instantly turned deathly pale as she watched the man's departing figure, only feeling a suffocating pain in her chest.
She didn't expect Zhao Changdu to be defending Gu Ying. If what Wang said was true and Gu Ying was no longer chaste, yet he was still willing to marry her, what did it mean...
He loved her, and would not accept anyone else...
...
When Zhao Changdu returned to the banquet hall, Gu Ying had already lifted her big red bridal veil.
Qin was blocking Gu Ying, arguing fiercely with someone.
The two gazed at each other from afar, her clear and limpid eyes filled only with indifference and the most silent void.
She seemed like a poor abandoned girl, standing stubbornly yet pitifully amongst the crowd. People were discussing something around her, probably nothing nice.
Ye Qingchi stood by her side, ready to lead her away anytime.
Yanzhi and Yin Lan did not look too happy, while Xi Niang also appeared very awkward and uneasy.
Zhao Changdu's heart ached unusually as he strode over swiftly, grasping her icy cold little hand tightly in his big hand, forcefully squeezing it. "How can such a beautiful bride let others look at her?"
The man's cool lips curved up slightly, carrying a trace of warmth.
Gu Ying frowned puzzledly, gazing at him hazily. Feeling the strength of his big hand, she tried uncomfortably to struggle free.
But the man wouldn't let her, only grasping her small hand more forcefully until it was completely enveloped.
Zhao Changdu couldn't stand her pitiful gaze. Moving closer, he lowered his voice by her ear and gently comforted, "Just a trivial matter not worth mentioning, sorry to keep you waiting so long."
Gu Ying lightly asked, "A trivial matter?"
"I'll explain in the bridal chamber."
Bridal chamber...
Gu Ying's eyelashes lowered. This was just an agreement to get married. What right did she have to make a scene? It was already good that he came back.
Seeing the awkward expressions of the guests present and the Duke's stern look from the main seats, Xi Niang cautiously asked, "Prince, the auspicious time is almost here, shall we worship?"
Zhao Changdu stroked Gu Ying's tender little hand and softly replied, "Mm."
