Free Web NovelChapter 202: Chapter 183: Qi Jingshen’s Grand Wedding
「The next day.」
Even though Huo Zhanting and the others had yet to officially join the family or hold a wedding, they were effectively co-husbands. This was a rare opportunity to accompany Yu Lan to a banquet as her partners.
These men, who usually paid little mind to their appearance, had gone to great lengths to groom themselves for once.
In any case, none of them wanted to be outshined by the others.
A man’s good looks were a source of pride for his Female Master.
These men, who were already handsome and striking in their own unique ways, caused a stir of gasps the moment they appeared at the wedding venue, having been meticulously styled.
"Oh my god, was that really Marshal Huo Zhanting?"
"His smile was so gentle. He’s simply overflowing with charm."
"Junior General Su Xingye was no less impressive. His emerald eyes were like a serene, flowing river—I feel like I could just drown in them."
"Those Beast Husbands of Princess Yu Lan’s are truly..."
Everyone present couldn’t help but sigh in admiration and envy.
At the wedding banquet, wherever Yu Lan went, people praised her for choosing such fine Beast Husbands.
"Those firm, well-defined abs that even the most buttoned-up suit can’t conceal... powerful, chiseled abs, a narrow waist, and long, strong legs..."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Some guests exchanged a look, then raised a hand to delicately cover their lips as they praised Yu Lan.
"Princess Yu Lan is truly blessed."
Faced with the fiery compliments from the guests, Yu Lan blushed slightly.
Only then did she truly realize that this was the Interstellar Beast World, where polyandry was the norm.
People here didn’t discuss certain topics with the same conservative shyness as on Earth; instead, they were quite bold and direct.
While everyone was buzzing with discussion at the wedding, on the second floor, Qi Jingshen, dressed in a white suit and holding a glass of red wine, took in the entire scene below.
He watched Huo Zhanting and the others, who were dressed up like proud peacocks—anyone who didn’t know better would have thought they were the grooms at this wedding.
Qi Jingshen’s deep green eyes darkened, revealing a hint of gloom and bitterness.
「A long moment later.」
He slowly raised his wine glass and drained it in one go.
Some of the rose-red liquid trickled from his thin lips, tracing a suggestive path across his pale skin.
The man raised his hand and wiped it away fiercely with his thumb, a gleam of satisfaction flashing across Qi Jingshen’s face.
’I’ve waited for this day.’
’I’ve waited long enough.’
The man raised his hand and beckoned to his aide-de-camp in the distance, his thin lips parting into a cold, cruel smile.
"In the Queen’s name, have Yu Lan come see me."
The aide-de-camp froze, looking up in shock. He began to remind him:
"Marshal, today we..."
The aide’s voice died away under Qi Jingshen’s unwavering stare. He nodded and took a deep breath.
"Yes, Marshal. I guarantee I’ll get it done."
Watching his aide slowly head downstairs to make the arrangements, Qi Jingshen turned his gaze back to the first floor, to Yu Lan, who was at the center of the crowd.
After Louisa’s reminder yesterday, Yu Lan had indeed not dressed up excessively today.
Among the crowd of noble females in their lavish, elaborate banquet attire, she was like the freshest, most elegant jasmine blossom on a branch in a quiet valley.
Young, fair, and fragrant.
’To think that in a little while, a sweet little female like her will fall into the hands of a scoundrel like me, for me to do with as I please.’
An inexplicable shiver rose from the depths of his being. A tingling, thrilling current spread from a hidden corner of his heart.
Qi Jingshen averted his head, mortified. ’How could I, in public...’
*
For the first wedding of her beloved biological daughter Louisa, Belina had truly gone all out and spared no effort.
Countless rare treasures were piled up at the wedding venue.
The entire banquet hall was unprecedentedly grand and luxurious.
All the guests were influential figures from the Main Star.
Even though Huo Zhanting and the others would have preferred to dedicate all their attention to Yu Lan, they still had to exert some effort to handle the crowds of people approaching them with flattery.
Only outstanding males, males who could stand at the pinnacle, could properly stay by their Female Master’s side and protect her.
Not to mention, Shen Zueran had a vague feeling that Yu Lan’s background might be connected to the last change of hands for the Royal Family’s throne. They needed to amass more power to protect Yu Lan at the critical moment.
Faced with the powerful dignitaries and tycoons who came to exchange pleasantries and information, they naturally couldn’t give them the cold shoulder.
This, however, was a great convenience for Yu Wenzhou.
He was dying anyway. His body grew weaker by the day, and he was sure he didn’t have much time left.
He couldn’t be bothered with social obligations and networking.
’I’m just a little bunny. All I want is to stay right by my Female Master’s side.’
’As for everything else, let Huo Zhanting and the others handle it.’
"Wenzhou, have some pastries first to tide you over. The banquet won’t officially start for a little while."
"Should I take a day off tomorrow to take you to the hospital? I feel like your complexion has been getting paler and paler. Is it because your wounds haven’t healed properly?"
Yu Lan looked at Yu Wenzhou, whose face was even paler than when he had been discharged from the hospital—so much so that he even looked somewhat gaunt—and a wave of worry washed over her.
Before Yu Wenzhou could reply, she made a decision.
"Recovering at home is definitely not as good as being in a hospital."
"I’ll take you to the hospital tomorrow. How about you only come home after your wounds have fully healed?"
"Don’t worry, I’ll visit you and keep you company every day, just like if you were at home."
"There won’t be any difference at all."
Yu Lan made these promises, almost to herself.
Yu Wenzhou smiled at Yu Lan and sighed internally. He placed his hand over the back of the lovely female’s, murmuring his assent.
"Alright. Whatever you say."
’It’s useless.’
’The hospital can’t cure my poison.’
’If withering away and dying in front of Yu Lan is a form of cruelty...’
’...then should I just disappear first?’
’That way, perhaps Yu Lan will always believe I’m still alive.’
’I don’t want to be all alone in a graveyard after I die, with no sweet female to come visit me.’
’But even more, I don’t want my sweet female to be sad and worried, to have to watch me die. That would be too cruel.’
’But no matter how I look at it, it’s an impossible choice.’
Emotions of regret and reluctance tore wildly at his heart, unable to find an escape.
At that moment, a person clearly dressed in the uniform of the Royal Guard slowly approached Yu Lan.
"Princess Yu Lan, Her Majesty the Queen summons you to the rear courtyard to discuss the upcoming wedding ceremony etiquette."
’Qi Jingshen is joining the Royal Family. As members of the family, we naturally have to stand together for media photos to show our acceptance of him.’
The Chief Ceremony Officer had already contacted her about this in advance, so Yu Lan knew about it.
As for Huo Zhanting and the others, because they hadn’t held a formal wedding with Yu Lan yet, they couldn’t accompany her.
"Alright."
Yu Lan nodded at the guard, then glanced back at Yu Wenzhou.
"I’m heading up now. You rest well down here."
After speaking, Yu Lan followed the guard, letting him lead the way to see Belina.
But surprisingly, the guard led her on a winding path, turning left and right, down one small path after another. The route became more and more remote, and the lively, bustling banquet was left far behind.
’Would Belina really come to such a desolate place?’
