Chapter 2265: Wedding

Zu An slapped his head. He had been so preoccupied with solving the problem of the "Myriad Transformations Art" lately that he had almost forgotten about this.

"Has Linglong already gone?"

Zhang Ziyong was already accustomed to him using that name. "Her Majesty was worried you might miss it due to your seclusion, so she went on your behalf first, to prevent the Chu family from losing face in the capital."

"She is quite thoughtful," Zu An smiled. "Let's go, to the Chu family!"

Chu Chuyan was still suffering under the Bridge of Helplessness because of him; how could he allow her family to be belittled in the capital?

"Yes!" Zhang Ziyong's spirits lifted. Although it was good to stay by her lord's side, the palace was quite boring, especially since he hadn't emerged for several days.

Soon, the group left the palace and headed directly towards the Chu family residence.

As a ducal family, the Chus also had a corresponding ducal mansion in the capital.

However, their main base of operations was usually Brightmoon City, and their residence in the capital was typically unoccupied.

Youzhao often stayed at the Qin family residence. Qin Wanru hadn't returned to her maiden home in a long time, so these days she had been staying with Huazhao at the Qin residence, which was usually more lively.

But with a wedding to be held, it was naturally impossible to continue hosting it at the Qin family residence.

Originally, Zu An planned to travel lightly and go directly to the Chu family. However, Zhang Ziyong persuaded him that given his current special status, his every word and action would be subject to various interpretations.

If he appeared too casual, people might think he didn't value the Chu family very much.

Zu An thought it made sense, so he instructed her to display the full pomp and ceremony befitting the Regent King, proceeding grandly towards the Chu family residence.

Along the way, Zu An couldn't help but sigh. Life was much more carefree when he was like a wandering cloud and wild crane. Fortunately, he hadn't become emperor, or it would have been even more troublesome.

"The Regent King has arrived!"

When he arrived at the Chu family residence, its members had already received the news and came out to greet him.

The Empress Dowager, the Empress, and other court officials also followed them out.

In truth, it was not in accordance with etiquette for the Empress Dowager and Empress to come out and greet him, but no one present felt there was anything wrong with it.

Seeing the leader of the Chu family, a man with a broad face and large ears, appearing exceptionally refined and handsome, Zu An quickly dismounted from his carriage and went to help him up. "Uncle, please rise quickly."

The person was naturally Duke Brightmoon, Chu Zhongtian. Given Zu An's current special status and his previous divorce from the Chu family, it was awkward to address him as father-in-law.

Thinking back, when he first transmigrated, he was in a difficult situation, and Chu Zhongtian had been quite kind to him then.

"Thank you, Regent King!" Chu Zhongtian looked at the valiant young man before him, filled with emotion. Who could have imagined that the impoverished youth from Brightmoon City would grow to such an extent?

Indeed, everyone's foresight was inferior to that girl Chuyan's. It was she who, against all opposition, chose Zu An. Everyone thought she was mad, and even I didn't quite understand it at the time. Only now do I realize how incredibly wrong we all were back then.

"When did Uncle arrive in the capital?" Zu An asked curiously.

"I arrived two days ago. With Youzhao getting married, how could I, as her father, not come?" Chu Zhongtian's face was full of joyful smiles.

In fact, he had long wanted to visit his daughter and various relatives and old friends in the capital. Unfortunately, his relationship with the Emperor and Prince Qi's faction had been tense before, and he worried that if he left his fiefdom and came to the capital, he might never be able to return.

However, now that Prince Qi and Zhao Hao had successively died, and Zu An was in charge of the court, he naturally had no such concerns.

Furthermore, with Youzhao's wedding, he had set out for the capital months ago.

He had only traveled halfway when he learned of a coup in the capital. He hesitated, concerned for the safety of his wife and daughter, but decided to continue his journey.

Fortunately, everything had now been settled by Zu An.

"Brother-in-law!" At this moment, Chu Youzhao and Chu Huazhao also greeted Zu An.

Zu An rubbed Chu Huazhao's head, his gaze quickly shifting to Chu Youzhao.

It had to be said that Chu Youzhao, disguised as a man, was indeed a top-tier handsome young man. Now, in his festive wedding attire, he looked even more dashing.

"Youzhao looks truly beautiful today!"

"Thank you, Brother-in-law."

Chu Huazhao, standing by, pouted slightly, but remembering it was Chu Youzhao's big day, decided not to argue with him today.

Hmph, I really am a thoughtful older sister.

After greeting the Chu family, Zu An entered the Chu mansion with Bi Linglong, Liu Ning, and Yun Yuqing.

"Are you alright?" Bi Linglong asked with some concern. His sudden seclusion for several days had naturally caused worry.

"I'm fine, just a small issue that's been resolved," Zu An smiled, chatting with her for a few moments.

Then he asked Liu Ning, "How are Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's injuries?"

"The recovery is a bit slow," Liu Ning said with a playful smile, "When will the Regent King help me heal my injuries?"

Zu An's heart warmed. He hadn't expected her to be so bold as to say that in front of so many people. He could only go along with her words, "Perhaps another day, it's not convenient today."

"I'll remember that," Liu Ning said, her eyes curving into smiles.

Many ministers nearby observed this, secretly sighing. Although she was the Empress Dowager, she still looked so young and beautiful, especially with that captivating charm that young girls could hardly hope to achieve.

Many people instantly fell into reminiscence; back then, the Empress Dowager was also the dream of a generation of men.

Bi Linglong and Yun Yuqing exchanged glances. Although their conversation sounded normal on the surface, they both felt something was amiss.

Next was the wedding ceremony. Whether it was the Chu family, the Qin family, or the Murong family members, everyone was beaming with joy.

After all, with the Regent King, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress personally attending to offer congratulations, this honor was truly unparalleled. The envious and jealous glances from other families in the capital spoke volumes.

When it came to the bride's arrival, the bride entered from outside. Covered by a red veil, others couldn't see Murong Qinghe's face.

However, her tall and slender figure, coupled with the beautiful wedding dress, clearly indicated she was an outstanding beauty.

The noblewomen from various families whispered among themselves, praising the Chu family's heir for his handsomeness and the Murong family's daughter for her beauty, declaring them a truly perfect match.

Before entering the main hall, the bride stepped over a brazier, symbolizing the burning away of all bad and inauspicious things, wishing the newlywed couple a prosperous future.

To prevent the wedding dress from catching fire from the brazier, an old female attendant timely lifted her skirt, revealing a fleeting glimpse of slender, well-proportioned beautiful legs.

Many people couldn't help but glance at Jiang Luofu and Zhang Ziyong, realizing that Murong Qinghe's legs were no less impressive than theirs.

Moreover, they seemed closer to Zhang Ziyong's style, only perhaps appearing more slender and delicate due to her younger age.

But because she had practiced spearmanship for many years, they didn't appear bony at all. Combined with her wheat-colored skin, it added a touch of wildness.

Being stared at by so many people, Zhang Ziyong's face flushed slightly. She thought, "I really want to gouge out these guys' eyes."

But her lord also seemed to have glanced at her just now. Well, he was an exception...

Next was the couple's bowing ceremony. It seemed this was Zu An's first time attending a real wedding in so many years.

Speaking of which, when he first transmigrated to Brightmoon City, he was also newlywed, but unfortunately, the bowing ceremony had already taken place then.

Thinking of all the past events, he couldn't help but think of Chu Chuyan again, becoming increasingly melancholic.

After the bowing ceremony concluded, the bride was escorted to the bridal chamber, and the groom then joined the guests for the banquet.

Bi Linglong and Liu Ning had special statuses; it was inconvenient for them to stay long. Having attended the wedding to show favor, and their purpose achieved, they took their leave.

All the ministers understood this and respectfully saw them off.

Yun Yuqing also seized the opportunity to return to the palace with them. She didn't particularly like such lively occasions, especially as they more easily reminded her of her recent changes. It was better to return to the palace and talk with her sister.

Zu An, however, did not leave, remaining there to drink with Chu Zhongtian and a host of friends and acquaintances.

Various influential families and ministers from the court came to toast him, and Zu An accepted every drink.

Later, seeing many people toasting the groom and knowing that Chu Youzhao was a woman, he worried she might drink too much and naturally stepped in to shield her from the alcohol.

Watching him drink cup after cup, Zhang Ziyong couldn't help but secretly remind him, "My lord, you've drunk too much today."

"It's fine. I've been under a lot of tension lately; it's rare to relax today," Zu An smiled, continuing to drink with the various ministers.

Zhang Ziyong thought that although her lord was smiling very happily today, he seemed to carry some sadness in his heart.

Given her lord's cultivation, drinking any amount of alcohol shouldn't matter, so she stopped trying to dissuade him.

What she didn't know was that Zu An had not used his cultivation to dispel the effects of the alcohol today.

He specifically desired that slightly tipsy feeling from the alcohol. If he used his cultivation to force out the liquor, where would the pleasure of drinking be?

He didn't know how long they drank, but as the moon rose high, the guests gradually dispersed.

Looking at Zu An and Chu Youzhao sprawled on the table, Zhang Ziyong was both annoyed and amused. Her lord could easily resist the effects of alcohol with his cultivation, yet he deliberately drank himself into such a stupor.

And this heir of the Chu family was truly delicate. Even though her lord had drunk most of his alcohol for him, he still ended up drunk.

Just as Zhang Ziyong was about to escort Zu An away, Qin Wanru said with a smile, "Ah Zu is so drunk, let him rest here for the night."