The Double-Chapter 556 - 165: Wedding Banquet_4

"No," Jih Heng said lightly.

Jiang Li smiled, "But if the Duke were to take a wife, the occasion would surely be ten thousand times more lively than now. If the Duke were to marry, I’d be curious, feel a sense of novelty, and want to see it for myself. I’d have the desire to be at the forefront to get a clear view." Imagining Jih Heng as the groom was beyond Jiang Li’s grasp, he would probably be the most handsome groom in Yanjing City, or rather, in the whole of Northern Yan. She wondered how beautiful the bride would have to be not to be overshadowed by her own husband.

"You’re flattering me," Jih Heng said with a shake of his fan, smiling. "I’ve never thought about such things."

Standing beside the two of them, Shen Yurong suddenly felt a strange sensation as he listened to their conversation. It was as if there was an understanding between Jiang Li and Jih Heng that outsiders could not reach, making him feel uneasy and completely out of place.

He turned and walked away silently.

Although Jiang Li was speaking to Jih Heng, her peripheral vision never left Shen Yurong. Seeing him leave, she turned her head to look at his retreating figure and said softly, "Lord Shen seems quite dejected."

"Dejected?" Jih Heng chuckled, "Not necessarily."

"At least if he appears more dejected, it would make Princess Yongning feel even more guilty, and Prince Cheng would be pleased with him for being so ’understanding’. This dejection isn’t so bad after all," Jiang Li also laughed.

As they spoke, Li Xian and Princess Yongning had already entered. After the triple bow, Princess Yongning was sent to the bridal chamber, while Li Xian stayed outside, greeting guests with the Li Family. Jiang Li took her seat at the banquet, having no interest in joining the crowd in the bridal chamber to watch the bride and groom drink the ceremonial wine.

After all, it was a marriage of convenience, with their hearts belonging elsewhere.

In the bridal chamber, Princess Yongning sat veiled. Surrounded by the raucous sounds, the groom was expected to lift her veil amid the onlookers and share a cup of bridal wine with her before leaving.

Hearing the teasing voices outside, Princess Yongning was filled with anger. She had thought a thousand times about how she would feel on the day she married, which would surely be joyous, shy, and full of anticipation. Yet now that the day had come, there was only endless disgust, impatience, and humiliation.

Her heart belonged to another, and she was marrying a man she did not love.

A silver rod was extended in front of her, and as Princess Yongning bowed her head, she saw it gently lift her veil—eliciting a burst of laughter outside, grating on her ears. She saw the man standing in front of her, dressed as the groom, his face full of smiles as he looked at her.

Princess Yongning suddenly felt nauseous, almost reaching to cover her mouth to retch, but fortunately, she gripped the mattress beneath her tightly and held it in. She couldn’t afford to show any signs of being unwell; she had to protect the child in her womb.

Li Xian called out to her with a smile, "Madam."

Looking at him, Princess Yongning felt that, while Li Xian wasn’t bad, he paled in comparison to Shen Yurong. To her, spotting Li Xian didn’t stir a single ripple in her heart; merely the thought of this man, who seemed nothing more than a servant, becoming her husband was a great humiliation.

Hence, she couldn’t even feign interest, replying coldly with a simple "Husband".

That was the greatest sacrifice Princess Yongning was willing to make.

The people in the bridal chamber looked at each other in dismay. The bride, despite her gorgeous makeup, was so cold and aloof, giving off an impression of superiority and indifference. Everyone involuntarily felt sympathy for Li Xian. Why on earth did he have to marry a princess? After all, princesses were known to be spoiled and ignorant of worldly ways, which spelled trouble for the future.

Li Xian was also taken aback, but quickly regained his composure. He ordered the bridal wine to be poured and passed a cup to Princess Yongning, then raised another for himself. They drank the bridal wine together.

Princess Yongning struggled for a moment but eventually resigned herself to raising the cup, though anyone with eyes could see her reluctance. Li Xian raised his cup smiling, their arms crossed, their breaths mingling in a posture of great intimacy, yet they were emotionally distant from each other.

Princess Yongning didn’t notice the flash of brutality in Li Xian’s eyes.

After the bridal wine was consumed, Li Xian left to greet guests in the main hall. The room was left with only Yongning and her maid Mei Xiang. Yongning breathed a sigh of relief and, holding her waist, said, "That was exhausting."

Since becoming pregnant, her waist felt heavier, and she was often tired. Having been through the entire marriage ceremony, she felt utterly drained. To Mei Xiang, she said, "Quick, get me the medicine."