The Ye Mansion was very large. Guiding Ning Yitao along winding paths, they finally reached the main hall, where the noisy voices around them grew louder.
Through the red veil in front of her eyes, Ning Yitao vaguely saw many people around.
People around were chattering.
"The least favored eldest miss of the Ye family has actually caught the eye of General Gu Jiangli. It's really a blessing she's earned in eight lifetimes."
"Exactly. Who wouldn't want to marry General Gu, the founding hero? He's so majestic. At such a young age, he's already the number - one military general and has conquered half of the country."
"If it weren't for General Gu, wars among neighboring countries would have broken out long ago. A few years ago, when several countries were in a chaotic war, the blood flowed like a river and the corpses were strewn everywhere. It was the general who led an uprising and resisted to bring about the peaceful days."
At this moment, someone lowered their voice and said, "But I heard that this General Gu has over - shadowed the emperor with his merits, and the current emperor is going to—"
Here, he paused, craning his neck to look around. Finding no one paying attention, he made a fierce throat - cutting gesture to his companion.
Everyone dared not speak.
Before they knew it, the whole place fell silent.
Standing still, Ning Yitao saw a pair of black armored boots appear in her line of sight on the ground. A shadow loomed over her. The person was very tall.
He gave off a strong sense of oppression, with a bloody aura surrounding him. Even through the red veil, Ning Yitao could feel a pair of eyes staring straight at her.
Ning Yitao didn't care. All this was just an illusion and posed no threat.
"Seems like he's that so - called general, the groom today. But where on earth is Duan Qinghuai?"
Ning Yitao's eyes darted around through the red veil, trying to find Duan Qinghuai among these blurry figures. She held the golden thread in her hand, planning to look for him after this was over.
An old man who looked like a butler came out, beating a gong, and shouted, "The auspicious time has arrived! The bride and groom shall enter the ancestral hall!"
A low, hoarse, and steady voice sounded in Ning Yitao's ear, "Let's go."
Gu Jiangli held the other end of the silk ball and always kept a distance from Ning Yitao.
He had heard from the elders that the bride and groom couldn't meet or touch before the wedding was over, otherwise it would bring bad luck.
Gu Jiangli abided by this saying. He sincerely hoped that he and Ye Qianmo could have a good ending.
*******
A row of elders were sitting in the ancestral hall. The two knelt in front of them. Someone beside them read out loudly:
"On this auspicious day, two families are united in marriage, and a contract is made in this hall.
The good match is forever tied, and the two are well - matched.
Behold, on this day, the peach blossoms are in full bloom, suitable for a family.
We anticipate that in the coming years, the family will be prosperous and thriving.
We hereby make a vow of lifelong commitment, written on the grand letter. May the red - leaf alliance be recorded in the marriage register. This is the proof."
Gu Jiangli's face was always firm and cold, but at this moment, he stared at Ning Yitao for a long time, with tenderness in his eyes.
Ning Yitao felt very curious. In two lifetimes, she finally got to experience a wedding. In the past, she had only watched others get married, and now it was her turn, although it was in a fantasy.
The officiant continued, "Bow to Heaven and Earth."
"Bow to the elders."
"The bride and groom bow to each other."
Ning Yitao turned around to face Gu Jiangli.
The two bowed to each other, and the smile on Gu Jiangli's face was obvious.
"The ceremony is completed!"
Gu Jiangli immediately stood up and helped Ning Yitao up. Only then did she notice that there was a golden thread on the wrist of Gu Jiangli's hand on her arm!
This Gu Jiangli was actually Duan Qinghuai!
This realization shocked Ning Yitao. She wanted to lift the veil to see the face of the person in front of her, but her hands wouldn't move.
She understood that she had already started following the main plot. Her body was out of control and just followed the original scenario.
Ning Yitao gave up struggling.
Gu Jiangli solemnly took her hand and announced in front of everyone, "I, Gu Jiangli, will never let Ye Qianmo down."
Ning Yitao felt her mouth curling up uncontrollably. She held Gu Jiangli's big hand tightly in return. Tears welled up in her eyes.
The original owner was very happy at this moment.
Maybe it was because she finally escaped from the bitter sea of the Ye family, or maybe it was because she finally found a good man. Ning Yitao didn't know. She could only follow the plot and was dumbly led to the room by Gu Jiangli.
————
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Ye Qianmo was very uneasy. She didn't know why General Gu Jiangli was so determined to marry her. She secretly clenched her fists, but at least she had left the Ye family.
Although she knew that the words Gu Jiangli said in the main hall were just for show, she still felt a moment of daze. It had been so long since anyone had said such things to her.
Even if she was jumping into another fire pit, she had to leave the Ye family.
As a young lady in the inner chambers, Ye Qianmo blushed as soon as she entered this room.
She thought of what the wet - nurse had taught her some time ago and knew what would happen on the wedding night.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gu Jiangli coming in front of her.
The handkerchief in her hand was nervously twisted into a ball.
As Gu Jiangli slowly lifted the veil, the scene in front of her gradually unfolded, and she finally saw Gu Jiangli's appearance clearly.
Gu Jiangli was wearing a bright red wedding robe. There was a gold - threaded spider - patterned belt of the same color around his waist. His black hair was tied up and fixed with a green - inlaid gold crown.
His slender body was standing straight. He was handsome and noble by nature, making people feel that he was unattainable and yet full of dignity.
After years of fighting on the battlefield, his skin was bronze. His nose was straight, and his amber - colored, cold eyes reflected the outline of the girl in front of him. There was an aura of killing around him.
But when he looked at Ye Qianmo, his eyes were full of tenderness. Ye Qianmo was stunningly beautiful. Gu Jiangli noticed at first sight the numerous ornaments on her head, which made her move her neck slightly uncomfortably.
Ye Qianmo just wanted to hold on to Gu Jiangli tightly. She took the initiative to step forward to help him take off his clothes.
But her hand was caught in mid - air by him, who seemed to have seen through her intention. "Ye Qianmo, don't do things you don't like."
Ye Qianmo's eyes sank slightly. Thinking that she was disliked, she panicked and tried to pull back her hand, but he held it tightly.
Looking up in a panic, she saw pity in Gu Jiangli's eyes?
"You don't need to force yourself. Since we are husband and wife, I will naturally love and respect you."
Gu Jiangli saw Ye Qianmo freeze when she heard this. Surprise flashed in her clean and clear eyes.
He led the nervous Ye Qianmo to the dressing table, helped her remove the heavy ornaments on her head. Her uncoiled hair flowed down her body like silk. While combing her hair, he said seriously,
"Ye Qianmo, today we are getting married. I'm very sorry for forcing you into this marriage alliance. Although our engagement was forced, I promise you that as long as I live, I will always protect you."
Every word was resounding and hit Ye Qianmo's heart. The light was just right, and the candlelight flickered on his face, looking extremely tender. Undeniably, she was a little touched.
————