CHAPTER 338: CHAPTER 338 THE WEDDING DAY

After everything was prepared, the group set out grandly from the Imperial City, heading straight to the courtyard where the Lin Family resided.

Thanks to the dedication of Eldest Master Dong in the past, the three courtyards connected together, today’s lively gathering doesn’t feel crowded.

This sense of not being crowded is particularly evident before the Emperor and Lin Wanyi arrived.

Lin Family.

At this moment, everything was clean and bright, with festive decorations everywhere.

Fortunately, the weather was also favorable, the snow that had been falling for several days stopped yesterday.

Not only that, it was quite bright today.

Therefore, although it was cold, everyone’s hearts felt warm.

Today, Lin Xingzhi looked exceptionally handsome.

He was naturally good-looking, but after donning the wedding attire, he looked even more spirited.

Lin Muzhi, Jiang Huanqing, and Dong Keli appeared beside him in splendid garments, acting as his guards today.

The group brought along a procession, and went according to the auspicious time to escort the bride.

Jiang Huanqing, never one to spare word, teased Lin Xingzhi on the way.

"I must say, dressed like this, you don’t look your age at all. Brother He Song should watch out so he doesn’t scare sister-in-law with his stubbly beard."

Lin Muzhi’s temperament was more humble, but Dong Keli was rather carefree.

He laughed merrily all the way, as if he was the one getting married today.

Lin Xingzhi cast a sidelong glance at Jiang Huanqing but was in such a good mood he didn’t argue.

Instead, he touched his chin, finding it indeed quite smooth.

"Enough now. Save your thoughts for dealing with Feng Qi. I’m afraid he won’t let us in easily."

From his brothers, he learned his brother-in-law Feng Qi had enlisted his good brothers from the army to guard the gate.

He sensed that the road to wedlock would be full of "obstacles" to overcome.

"Rest assured, don’t you know my abilities? Even if faced with a copper wall, I’ll chew a hole in it for you to carry your bride home!"

Jiang Huanqing’s irreverent words amused everyone all the way.

With the sound of gongs and drums, many people gathered to watch the spectacle.

The marriage between the Lin Family and the Feng family was nothing remarkable even in the Capital City under the Emperor’s watch.

But once the Feng family’s dowry followed back to the Lin Family, the commoners were truly shocked.

"Ohhh, I’ve counted, a total of one hundred and eighteen trays of dowry. I’ve never heard the Feng family was so wealthy before. Don’t they still have unmarried sons? Did they give all their assets as dowry to the girl? Unbelievable."

"What do you know, don’t forget about the betrothal gifts the Lin Family sent days ago. Those boxes were so big and heavy, it took seven or eight strong men to lift each one. Imagine how much good stuff is inside."

"Ah, if only I had a daughter..."

The bystander’s words were cut off by someone beside them.

"Don’t worry, if you did have a daughter, she wouldn’t be able to marry into the Lin Family. Just think of their status! Hahaha."

The words were both spectatorship and self-deprecation.

After hearty laughter, everyone went their separate ways, doing their own things.

Entering the door at the auspicious time, Lin Xingzhi and Miss Feng each held one end of the red silk.

After going through various ceremonies, they arrived at the main hall, where the Emperor and Lin Wanyi were seated at the head.

On the left sat the Fourth Prince, Fourth Princess Consort, Prime Minister Lin, and Princess Rongkang.

Their faces were piled with faux smiles that seemed sincere.

But a closer look revealed that the smiles didn’t reach their eyes.

On the right were Old Master Dong and Mrs. Dong, along with Mr. Lin and Mrs. Dong.

All of them with tears of joy in their eyes, especially the women who wiped their tears with handkerchiefs several times.

Yet their brows and eyes were filled with smiles like blossoming flowers.

Full of happiness.

Lin Xingzhi saw Lin Wanyi seated above as he entered.

The brother and sister exchanged a glance, sharing the feeling of having weathered stormy seas.

Finally, the past hardships had ended.

Each had found their own happiness now.

Lin Xingzhi was happy to see his sister seated openly beside the Emperor.

Lin Wanyi felt pleased her brother had married a virtuous wife.

Just a glance, and everything was understood without words.

"The auspicious time has come, the newlyweds may pay homage to the heavens!"

The matchmaker’s shout stirred everyone into excitement.

"First bow to heaven and earth."

Lin Xingzhi and Miss Feng elegantly knelt before the Emperor, respectfully paying their homage.

At this moment, they regarded themselves as subjects, not family.

"Second bow to the parents."

The two turned and knelt solemnly in the direction of Mr. Lin and Mrs. Dong.

Their parents had worried for them greatly, until today when fortune finally favored them.

"Bow to each other as spouses."

Standing up, they bowed to each other. This bow signified they would be tightly bonded for life, never separated till old age.

"Ceremony completed."

With this shout, everyone present became lively again.

Lin Wanyi’s nose felt a bit sour, but at such a time, it was better not to shed tears.

The Emperor glanced at her, then spoke to Lin Xingzhi and his new wife.

"Lin Guard has made meritorious service in protecting the Imperial carriage, and is the brother of Princess Consort Yi Ning, and also the eldest grandson of our Da Wei’s Prime Minister Lin. Today, I congratulate you on this joyful occasion. I have prepared gifts, and besides those, I also decree you as Yulin General. As for Young Madam Lin, I decree her Second-rank Imperial Decree Lady."

Once said, not only Lin Xingzhi and Miss Feng were surprised.

Even Prime Minister Lin was somewhat astonished, and Princess Rongkang angrily twisted the handkerchief in her hand.

However, since it was spoken from the Emperor’s golden mouth, naturally there was no reason to retract.

Therefore, Lin Xingzhi and Miss Feng knelt again in gratitude for the gracious favor.

The Lin Family couple and others also rose together, respectfully kneeling before the Emperor.

"Long live the Emperor."

Lin Wanyi had never experienced such an overwhelming display of homage from such a high vantage point.

Thus, she felt a bit uneasy.

But since she was here to support her brother, she couldn’t back down.

So she took a deep breath, sitting all the more gracefully.

Not far away, the couple from the Lin Family second branch watched this scene with displeasure in their eyes.

Once upon a time, it was their daughter who sat beside the Emperor enjoying unparalleled honor.

Even just over a year ago, Lin Wanyi once could only kneel before them, pleading for mercy for her mother.

But now everything has completely reversed.

The first branch had a smooth path, while the second branch began struggling.

The Imperial Consort’s lack of favor in the palace was a well-known fact in all Shengjing City.

Their son Lin Guangzhi now had no promising prospects.

Instead, this eldest grandson Lin Xingzhi, so young, had been appointed Chief Imperial Guard and Yulin General.