CHAPTER 321: CHAPTER 321: ON THE WAY

Upon reaching the villa, the female side’s rural relatives felt somewhat ashamed, surrounded by the elegantly dressed guests with refined manners, and didn’t dare to look around carelessly.

Third Aunt Niu Yingying timidly held her son, hiding behind her husband.

"Don’t be afraid, we’re the bride’s relatives, the honored guests today! Who dares to slight us?" Wang Yongsheng softly reassured his wife, but the cold sweat in his palm betrayed his own nervousness too.

Soon, they were ushered to the table at the very front and served with refreshments and tea.

"Dajiang! Look, are all these people working servants? I heard city dwellers have maids in their houses! There’s just too many of them!" Wu Zhaodi whispered to her husband, her eyes darting around, counting the maids, "Our Xiao Xue has truly married into a wealthy family!"

"Our Xiao Xue is so excellent; only such a family could be worthy of her!" In Bai Dajiang’s heart, Xiao Xue was the most outstanding child, and no matter how wealthy or influential Zhang Yuan’s family was, they were well-matched!

"Exactly! Those two are such a perfect match! Talented and beautiful! It’d be wonderful if our Xiao Mei could find such an excellent partner in the future!" Wu Zhaodi couldn’t help but think of her eldest daughter, who nearly got sold to an old man by that wicked mother-in-law, causing her daughter to withdraw into herself for quite some time. If not for Xiao Xue arranging work and guiding her, who knows what might have happened.

While each spoke softly with their family, today’s main figures, the bride and groom, emerged, their appearance and unique attire immediately captivating everyone.

Even those self-assured daughters of the Capital City’s noble families, who prided themselves, couldn’t help but widen their eyes to look.

Discussions erupted, "Have you ever seen a bridal gown like this? It’s just too beautiful!"

Once there was one, there was another, and another young lady chimed in, "I’ve seen this in the newspaper, it’s a foreign gown called a wedding dress, but something’s off, isn’t it usually white abroad? But this is red! Could it be a fusion of our traditional elements with foreign gown designs? It’s really stunning!"

"I’m going to wear something like this when I get married, too!"

"Do you know who made this?"

"Once the wedding is over, I’ll go chat with the bride! How could this possibly be some rural girl that Gao Youhan talked about? She obviously has the aura of a high-society young lady!" Several girls insisted that the bride could not be a country girl!

They all knew Zhang Yuan from their circle of wealthy daughters, famous for his good looks, with many girls fancying him, but they never expected him to marry a rural girl. Today they came to see the rural bride herself.

Since Gao Youhan had told them that Zhang Yuan rejected her engagement for this rural girl and had described how unsophisticated she was, their curiosity was piqued, and they all wanted to take a look.

This wedding, their families had received invitations, so they came.

Upon seeing Lin Xue today, even the arrogant daughters were impressed by her looks and aura, along with her dress, and none considered giving her a hard time.

The wedding proceeded smoothly, with only a minor interlude when Zhang Yuan, along with Lin Xue, paid homage to his mother but didn’t give Lin Cuifen a chance to take the stage.

When it was time for both sides’ parents to come on stage, Zhang Yuan invited his grandparents instead, stating that since they had raised him, they were the most important, and on his wedding day, they were the rightful ones to be on stage.

The audience applauded approvingly, with no objection, and Zhang Haijun, who knew he owed his son for seldom caring about him since childhood, had no issue with his invitation to his grandparents.

But Lin Cuifen was furious, as today’s attendees were distinguished guests from high society. She had always pretended to be a good stepmother, yet today her son didn’t allow her, the stepmother, to come on stage and claimed it was his grandparents who had raised him. Wasn’t this revealing to everyone that she, as the stepmother, hadn’t cared for him?

This brat had torn away the mask she’d worn for years, laying it bare and bloody.

How was she to maintain her image after this?

Regardless, she grabbed a handkerchief, covered her face, and began to sob softly.

To outsiders, it appeared both wronged and joyous.

Grieved that her son didn’t let her go on stage, but happy for his marriage.

Anyway, she decided to salvage some image first, and Zhang Haijun cooperatively patted her shoulder to comfort her, "Our son has deep feelings for his grandparents; we, as parents, shouldn’t hold it against the child so much!"

Lin Cuifen was secretly pleased, feeling that the man had finally done something right, so she deliberately spoke louder, "I understand! As long as Xiao Yuan is happy! It’s his big wedding day today! I’m fine!"

This scene, in Lin Xue’s eyes, was so disgusting, this pair of disgraceful father and shameless woman!

After the wedding ended and the banquet cleared, when the bride’s side was about to return, a scene expected to involve wailing and tears, Zhang Yuan stepped out holding Lin Xue’s hand.

Wang Cuihua, seeing her daughter being sent out, couldn’t hold back and rushed forward, hugging her daughter and crying, "Xiao Xue, you can’t see off the guests on your wedding day! Go back quickly! Mom will come to see you in a couple of days!"

Her voice trembled, her eyes were red, and she frantically wiped her tears, pushing her daughter back inside.

Lin Xue was somewhat confused, as she knew the custom, and so did Zhang Yuan, but Zhang Yuan still leading her out to send off guests was something she didn’t approve of either, so she glanced at Zhang Yuan and nodded, starting to turn to head inside.

At this time, all three sisters were crying, but the little forest sprite Lin Cai was not crying at all, seemingly calmed by Bai Xianglan.

"Mom! We’re not here to see off the guests!" Zhang Yuan said with a smile.

Wang Cuihua was stunned, if not seeing off guests, what were they out here for?

"Mommy, big sister and brother-in-law are going home too!" At this moment, the smiling little bundle Lin Cai ran over, hugging Wang Cuihua’s leg.

"Little Cai, from now on, this is your big sister’s home! Don’t fool around!" Wang Cuihua sternly scolded her ever-acting-up youngest daughter.

But amidst everyone’s puzzled looks, Zhang Yuan tapped Lin Cai’s forehead, "Didn’t we agree to keep it a secret? You’re not following the agreement! Come on, get in the car! Going home!"

With that, he took his wife’s hand and headed towards his car.

Yes! His car! A car he obtained through his own ability, the latest model now.

Lin Xue followed in a daze until she was lifted into the car by Zhang Yuan, who then also brought the two little bundles, Xiao Feng and Xiao Cai, into the car, before turning to get in himself and driving off.

It was only then that people realized what was happening, and Bai Xianglan got a bit anxious, as the two little ones she was responsible for had been taken away.

Wang Cuihua was even more anxious; how could her daughter be messing around like this on her wedding day? "Where are they going?" she chased the car a couple of steps, frantically asking.

"Auntie, Uncle, Grandma, don’t worry! My big brother bought a courtyard house near your home as their new home! It’s all set up, a surprise for my sister-in-law! You’ll find out once you get home! It’s really close, just a few steps away!" Zhang Yu, entrusted by his big brother to safely escort the bride’s side relatives back home, was tasked with explaining, which conveniently fell on him.