Chapter 177: Parting

"Here to marry you, Shen Jiaojiao."
Careless tone—serious hand from the saddle—wild—law nothing—world silent—face etched forever—
Crowd quiet.
Veiled—blind—his voice—head up—hand lifted—something on her finger—
Cool soft—blank—
Gasps—
Princes' thumb rings—more than ornament—command token—rarely needed among known nobles—never seen given away—
Not just a ring—Rui's power to move men—she wields his authority—seen as Rui—
Power surrendered—to a woman—
Pampered husbands exist—not like this—girls envy hate—mask can't hide—noble generous—comfort—many beauties—plain Shen Fifth—soon discarded—
Face slapped—first time such devotion—
Why Shen Fifth's luck—what karma—
They didn't know her past life.
Ring on—smirk—lean—kiss on her hand—
Tingle—red face—veil hid—
Straightened—Mei sang—"Gifts in—dowry out—"
Dowry done—mother feeds sesame ball—
Tiny ball—peanut lotus sesame—early sons—Luo Xueyan spoon—veil edge—swallow—eyes wet—"Don't wrong yourself—"
"Know, Mother."
Shen Xin turned—wiped tear—general weeping shame—heavy heart—owed her—after Xie talk—thought greenhouse—pests inside—grew unseen—
No time to make up—marrying—baby to bride—
Qiu came—brother carries to palanquin—
Slow walk—"Too thin—one hair thinner in Great Li—I'll settle with Rui—"
Her: "……"
"Niece or nephew fast—" Simple voice—no battlefield—"I'll visit—"
Face in his neck—childhood—"Must—"
Horse—Xie's brow jumped—
Palanquin down—Mei sang—
"Greatest joy—marriage—
Sage—one bowl one ladle—joy unchanged—groom likewise—
Beauty—Shen Fifth—refined—virtuous—matchless—
Today Qin-Jin bond—hair tied—love never part—
One yang moves—two names harmonize—
A pair of jade—matchless union!"
"Raise palanquin—joy complete!"
Mei's bright voice—applause—gold foil coins thrown—crowd scramble—sweets—joy—
Inside—can't see—hears all—nervous—
Not first palanquin—still hands shake—white jade ring—touch—
Steady bearers—no sway—
Xie lead horse—red silk flowers—lazy elegant—cheers—
Precious—foreign prince—tense relations—yet crowds honor—generosity—comfort—wedding joy—
Behind—coin rain—whole city circuit—extravagant—
Shen dowry fifty boxes—half his ninety-nine—crown princess forty-two—eight more—not merchant house—shows her worth—
Luo Xueyan riding—whisper—"Is this ok—"
"He dares send—we dare take—ninety-nine—we can't match—less laughed at—"
Silent—
Twenty of fifty—Rui's—slip in chest—dowry list—he solved shortfall—119 total—Qiu warmed—generous on marriage—
Drums—Fu in crowd—turned away—cold—eyesore—
Wenhui same—heard grandeur—slap—reluctant match—city threat—decree forced—Shen pawn wasted—
Recall threat—suffocating—palace closed—gift accepted—won't watch—
Ming Qi ceremony—city tour—then exit—Xie insisted all rites here—
Parents' bow at altar—emperor's coronation site—extra gift Wenhui hated—granted—
Mei helped down—Shen parents opposite—
Heaven earth—parents—couple bow—
Ming Qi—Shen parents receive—Rui's dead—wine on ground—
Bow complete—Shen Miao Rui consort—follow husband—Great Li person—
Cheers—distance—Ji Yushu talking—
"Sigh—Third Brother really married Miss Shen—saw difference two years ago—ordinary girls can't handle him—she can—relieved—"
Opposite—Rui servant clothes—disguised Pei Lang—
Pei agreed Great Li—Fu enemy—Firefly risk—better leave—
Saw Xie's face nights ago—no mask—deliberate show—now understands—
Pei warned her—Rui stranger—Xie changes all—she knew—
Acid watching altar pair—
Stubborn—hates Fu—risk cut ties—none could force—
Looks at Rui—
Spectacle—throne retreat—Great Li won't stay small—
Phoenix she—dragon he—
Ji pat shoulder—"Many girls in Great Li—Shaoyao's sisters—"
Pei ashamed—won't look away—
Ji sighed—
Gao Yang returns Great Li—Imperial Physician—if Wenhui knew pharmacy emptied—
Afternoon—exit time—
"Far marriage"—gate out—long road—Great Li—
Shen family follows—
Luo Tan stayed—sulked no invite—couldn't bear farewell—
Princess Manor—Rongxin restless—
"Palanquin near gate—"
Waved away—sat—bit lip—
Letter exposed Xie—duty to emperor—
Loyalty vs kin—chose realm—
If he dies—grief—if silent—regret—
Cut bond by mail—not face him—
Why no imperial move—
Almost at gate—too slow—not Wenhui's way—
Unease—can't go see—shame—
"Investigate again!"
……
Gate—Mei done—Jingzhe Guyu help down—
Shen parents—"Cold add clothes—write often—tell if wronged—"
Shen Xin to Xie—both know—warned—no bullying—Xie agreed—
Qiu threatened flatten Rui Manor if thin—
Xie snort—
Luo Xueyan blocked fight—
Last words—long road—can't manage Ming Qi from afar—
Tears—"Write home!"
Curtain down—procession—Xie beside carriage—talk through veil—
Maids giggling—
Months journey—past life to Qin—queen carriage worse—few servants—no companion—
Faint joy—
Evening—should rest—halt—
Tight—bandits?—Xie's men strong—
Curiosity—lift veil—jump out—
Xie reined—figure in black hat—
"Hey—brother—owe me wedding cash?"
Su Mingfeng—cloak disguise—trailed ahead—
Stunned—Xie dismounted—letter slammed chest—"My gift—" Low—"Princess letter—I suppressed—"
"Know—" Smile—"Thanks anyway—"
"You knew!—eyes everywhere—I'd have taken it—"
Neither confirm nor deny—
"You—!" Collar grab—maids startled—Tieyi didn't stop—
Let go—"Bastard!"
"Glad you came—"
Silence—"Last time—"
"Last send-off—loyalty vs duty—I choose brother this once—not brothers after—enemies at swords—" Firm—"Now—you're still my brother—"
Fate twists—closest become strangers—gain costs loss—
Memory—boys in streets—pranks on teacher—
Fist out—childhood pact—
Once cool—now embarrassing—
Xie smiled—fist bump—
Su laughed skyward—"Good!"
Mounted—"After today—not brothers—sun not down moon not up—still best friends—" Wheel turn—"Wish you—wealth—sons—friends—long life—"
Voice fading—sunset silhouette—
Xie smiled—eyes cold—mounted—
"Move out!"