Chapter 112: The Grand Wedding Day

Liangjing was exceptionally lively today, with the entire city immersed in an atmosphere of celebration and harmony.

Large red lanterns hung on both sides of the city gates, and red silk ribbons fluttered in the wind, draping the solemn city in festive splendor.

The streets and alleys were adorned with colorful ribbons, resembling blooming flowers in a myriad of colors, allowing every passerby to feel the festive spirit.

On the rooftops of the residents, rows of hanging red lanterns swayed gently with the breeze, reflecting the warm glow of the festival.

Under the magnificent tapestry woven by lanterns and ribbons, every household had a paper-cut of the character "Happiness" posted on their lintels.

The entire city of Liangjing was wrapped in an atmosphere of happiness.

"Wishing Lord Bai Fan and Princess Zhaoyang a harmonious union for a hundred years!"

"Congratulations to the newlyweds on their union!" The sounds of people's blessings were endless, and the entire city of Liangjing seemed to be steeped in this boundless joy.

At this moment, a procession of gorgeously dressed attendants moved slowly along the main street, wearing bright red ceremonial robes, holding colorful flags and fireworks, and marching forward while beating gongs and drums.

The golden sound of gongs and the red fireworks complemented each other, pushing the festive atmosphere to a climax.

After the ceremony concluded, the guests dispersed one after another. The clamor of Liangjing gradually subsided, replaced by the soft candlelight and festive red curtains in the Immortal Cave.

Inside the bridal chamber, the red candles swayed gently; under the candlelight, the entire room appeared warm and sweet.

Bai Fan walked slowly to Princess Zhaoyang, took a deep breath, his eyes filled with tenderness and deep affection.

He reached out his slender fingers and gently lifted Princess Zhaoyang's red bridal veil.

The red veil slid down slowly, revealing Princess Zhaoyang's stunningly beautiful face.

Her bright eyes were as clear as autumn water, her nose slightly upturned, her red lips slightly pursed, and her cheeks flushed with a hint of shyness, as delicate and dripping as a newly bloomed flower.

"Brother Fan…"

Princess Zhaoyang called out softly, her voice as gentle as water, carrying a slight tremor.

Her gaze met Bai Fan's, revealing a hint of warmth.

Bai Fan was somewhat dazed for a moment; it seemed he had never looked at Princess Zhaoyang's face from such a close distance before.

Her exquisite features were like the work of a master craftsman, her skin as white as snow and as smooth as silk; she radiated a soul-stirring beauty.

Pity and love surged from the bottom of his heart, and Bai Fan gently held Princess Zhaoyang's hand.

"Princess Zhaoyang, from now on, I will always be by your side, protecting you and ensuring you never suffer any grievances."

Upon hearing this promise, Princess Zhaoyang smiled slightly, tears seemingly shimmering in her eyes.

She slowly stood up and gently untied her red wedding dress. In an instant, the crimson garment slid off, revealing her curvaceous and delicate body.

Her slender waist could be held in one hand, and the soft curves flowing from her chest to her pert buttocks were like a meticulously carved work of art.

Bai Fan took a deep breath, his heart involuntarily pounding violently.

Every inch of Princess Zhaoyang's skin was like warm, moist jade, emitting a captivating luster.

She lowered her head, her face showing a hint of shyness, but she did not shrink back; instead, she walked slowly toward Bai Fan.

"Brother Fan, I have waited for a long time. From today on… you are my only reliance."

Bai Fan did not hesitate; he slowly reached out his hands and embraced Princess Zhaoyang, feeling her soft body and warm breath.

He understood that from this moment on, Princess Zhaoyang was no longer the high-and-mighty Princess Zhaoyang, but his wife, the person he needed to protect with his life.

Bai Fan lowered his head and captured her delicate red lips, his hands gently caressing her skin, which was as smooth as satin.

Princess Zhaoyang's delicate body involuntarily tensed, their breaths intertwined, lingering and flushed.

The candlelight flickered, the gauze curtains swayed gently, and two figures clung tightly together behind the gauze window.

Outside the window, the world was silent, and occasionally, the sound of Princess Zhaoyang's soft gasps could be heard, stirring the soul.

A hundred miles outside Liangjing, snow drifted over a wooden cabin.

The cold wind howled, and a bone-chilling cold swept through the entire courtyard.

Bai Youyou stood gently in front of the wooden cabin, her figure so thin that it seemed she could be swept away by the gale at any moment.

She slightly raised her fair hand, her fingertips holding a lantern, the dim yellow light swaying precariously in the wind and snow.

The candlelight on the lantern flickered, dimming and brightening, nearly extinguished by the howling wind.

Bai Youyou shielded the lamp against her chest, trying to block the cold wind for it, but she could not block the bone-chilling cold that invaded the depths of her heart.

Snowflakes fell in profusion onto her long hair and shoulders; in no time, white snow piled up on her hair and clothes.

She stood there motionless, looking toward the road leading to Liangjing.

"Why… hasn't he returned yet?"

She murmured softly, her voice so weak it was almost drowned out by the snowstorm.

Since the day she learned that Bai Fan was about to get married, her world seemed to have collapsed into a dead silence in an instant.

She knew he had found a new home, while she remained in this neglected little wooden cabin, waiting for someone who would never return.

That was the courtyard where Bai Fan once held books and read; they had spent countless dawns and dusks here.

Whenever night fell and the bright moonlight spilled into the courtyard, Bai Youyou would dance under his gaze.

Her figure appeared light and agile in the moonlight, like a butterfly shadow untainted by dust, her skirt fluttering as she spun, like petals blooming in the night sky, soft and moving.

Bai Fan had once said: "Youyou, every dance you perform is the most beautiful poem in my heart."

At that time, Bai Youyou was his companion, the softest light in his heart.

However, when she was full of joy, expecting his return, he was already dressed in red, holding someone else's red bridal veil, and lingering in the bridal chamber with Princess Zhaoyang.

The heartwarming scene illuminated by the bright red wedding candles pierced her heart like sharp blades.

Bai Youyou's hand tightened involuntarily, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the iron handle of the lantern, trembling slightly.

The wind and snow became increasingly biting; snowflakes swirled in front of her, landing on her red-rimmed eyes and trembling eyelashes.

Her vision gradually blurred; she did not know what she was actually waiting for.

Was it the hope that Bai Fan could really walk back along this snow-covered path, or the hope that he and that high-and-mighty princess would live happily and carefree from now on?

I do not know when it happened, but the cold wind blew out the candlelight of the lantern in her hand.

In an instant, the world plunged into endless darkness and cold.

She was stunned for a moment, looking at the long-extinguished lamp in her hand, and the last shred of hope in her heart turned into endless ice and snow.

A teardrop slid down silently, instantly freezing on her cheek.

"Bai Fan…"

One person, one lamp, a blanket of snow.

Bai Youyou stood alone in the cold wind, waiting for her Bai Fan to return.

Time flew by; spring, summer, autumn, and winter passed, and the sun and moon alternated, but she still stood here, just as she was when he left.

How much longer must she wait? Perhaps a year, perhaps a lifetime.

If one day, Bai Fan grew tired of the prosperity and clamor, would he still remember, in front of that wooden cabin…

There is a woman foolishly waiting for him.