strictlysupreme Chapter 1453 Heartfelt Intentions
Chapter 1453 Heartfelt Intentions
Lu Jingyan quickly replied, "Your Excellency is too kind. Miss Miao'er is the legitimate daughter of the Zhan family, a golden branch and jade leaf. It is already a disservice for her to be married to Jing Heng. The small betrothal gifts are merely a token of our General's Mansion's goodwill. We hope Your Excellency will not find them distasteful."
Both parties were from prominent families, and their words were polite yet measured, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Lin Yiwan sat to the side, watching all this, and interjected with a smile: "We're all family, why say such formal things? On this joyous day, I only hope that the children will live happily ever after, that would be the best thing."
Everyone nodded in agreement, and the atmosphere in the front hall became even more lively.
Before long, the betrothal gifts were verified, and the Zhan family accepted them. The steward then presented the return gifts that had been prepared in advance. These were all carefully chosen items, symbolizing reciprocity and goodwill between the two families.
Among the return gifts was a brocade handkerchief embroidered by Zhan Miao herself, featuring twin lotus blossoms. The stitches were fine and the embroidery exquisite; she had spent several nights embroidering it and entrusted Lin Yiwan to pass it on to Lu Jingheng.
Lu Jingheng took the handkerchief, his fingertips touching the soft brocade. Looking at the lifelike twin lotus flowers on the handkerchief, the tenderness in his eyes almost overflowed. He carefully put the handkerchief away, keeping it close to his body as if holding the most precious treasure in the world.
He looked up in Zhan Miao's direction and met Zhan Miao's gaze. Their eyes met, both shy, yet filled with an affection that others could not understand. A thousand words were hidden in that one look.
Lin Yiwan saw this scene and couldn't help but smile. She said to Lu Jingheng, "Jingheng, from now on, I'm entrusting Miao'er to you. She grew up in the Marquis's mansion. Although she wasn't spoiled, she hasn't suffered any grievances. You must treat her well and not make her sad."
Upon hearing this, Lu Jingheng bowed solemnly to Lin Yiwan and Zhan Yan, his tone firm and every word sincere: "Please rest assured, Uncle and Aunt, in this life, I, Lu Jingheng, will protect Miao'er, cherish her, and never betray her. If I ever disobey in the slightest, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."
The vow was spoken earnestly and with resounding force, and everyone in the room could hear it clearly.
Zhan Yan looked at him, his satisfaction growing. He raised his hand and patted his shoulder: "Good boy, I believe in you. From now on, Miao'er will be your wife, and the Zhan family will always be her support, and also your support."
Lu Jingheng nodded emphatically, his eyes slightly warm. He knew that Zhan Yan and Lin Yiwan's agreement not only recognized his marriage to Zhan Miao, but also entrusted Zhan Miao's life to him. He dared not betray this trust.
Zhan Miao stood to the side, listening to Lu Jingheng's vows, her heart warmed, and her eyes reddened slightly. She knew that this man before her would be her lifelong support, and that in the years to come, no matter the storms, he would protect her and stay by her side.
The festive atmosphere in the front hall spread throughout the mansion. The servants of the Zhan family were all beaming with joy, bustling about busily, while everyone in the Zhenguo General's mansion was also all smiles. The people of the two mansions were all getting along well, just like one big family.
At noon, the Zhan family prepared a lavish banquet to entertain the betrothal guests from the General of the State's mansion.
During the banquet, they toasted each other, chatted and laughed, and Zhan Yan and Lu Jingyan talked happily about everything from court affairs to anecdotes of the martial arts world.
Lu Jingheng sat beside Zhan Miao, carefully serving her food and shielding her from drinks, his gaze gentle, every gesture filled with tenderness.
Zhan Miao looked at Lu Jingheng beside her, watched him pick up her favorite lotus seed soup, and watched him quietly help her out when others were urging her to drink. The joy in her heart was like the blooming flowers in spring, blooming freely.
She looked up and met his gentle gaze, and whispered, "Aheng, thank you."
Lu Jingheng looked at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, his voice low and gentle, saying only to her: "Silly girl, there's no need for thanks between husband and wife."
A simple sentence made Zhan Miao's cheeks blush even more, and her heart began to flutter wildly again.
After the banquet, as the sun began to set, everyone from the General Zhenguo's Mansion rose to take their leave.
Lu Jingheng saw everyone off to the gate of the mansion. Before parting, he turned back to look at Zhan Miao, his gaze intense, as if he had a thousand words to say, but in the end, it all boiled down to one sentence: "Miao'er, wait for me."
Zhan Miao stood in front of the mansion gate, looked at him, nodded gently, and a tender smile appeared on her lips: "I'll be waiting for you."
Lu Jingheng mounted his horse, gave her one last look, then turned his horse and rode away with the procession. The red procession gradually disappeared at the end of the long street, while Zhan Miao remained standing in front of the mansion gate, gazing in the direction the red had gone, her heart filled with anticipation.
Lin Yiwan walked to her side, gently took her hand, and said with a smile, "Silly girl, everyone's gone, what are you still looking at?"
Zhan Miao snapped out of her daze, her cheeks slightly flushed, and leaned on Lin Yiwan's shoulder, whispering, "Mother, I'm so happy."
Lin Yiwan patted her head, her eyes filled with relief: "Mother knows, my Miao'er, you have finally found a good man."
Zhan Yan stood to the side, watching the mother and daughter, a smile playing on his lips.
His wish in this life was very simple: he only hoped that his wife and children could be happy.
Now that his daughter is about to get married, he is both looking forward to it and reluctant to let her go.
It is said that the General Zhenguo's Mansion has sent out betrothal gifts, and the Grand Princess and Princess Youyi have also come to see the excitement.
However, as evening approached, someone from Jingcheng suddenly arrived in the capital, saying that Lord Mo had gone missing and that Princess Youyi needed to bring Mo Ziyu back to take charge of the situation.
Zhan Yan felt that the matter was very strange. How could a perfectly normal person just disappear?
Moreover, he kept a close eye on the situation in Jingcheng and no bad news came back.
Princess Youyi was extremely anxious; she had no choice but to return.
Lin Yiwan was worried and decided to accompany her on the trip herself.
Zhan Miao originally planned to settle down and wait to get married, but she wanted to stay by Mo Ziyu's side.
She also wanted to take Zhan Xiaobai with her. After discussing it, the group set off for Jingcheng overnight.
The night was as dark as ink, and the stars were hidden behind the clouds. A group of people and horses left the capital under the moonlight.
Zhan Yan personally led more than ten elite soldiers to accompany him. The carriage rumbled and the horses pounded on the ground. The candlelight leaking through the gaps in the carriage curtains cast dappled shadows on the desolate road.
Princess Youyi sat in the main carriage, her fingers tightly gripping a handkerchief, her brows furrowed. Mo Ziyu stood beside her, the young man's usual gentle demeanor replaced by worry.
Zhan Miao and Lin Yiwan rode in the same car. Zhan Xiaobai curled up at her feet, occasionally raising its paw to rub against the hem of her skirt, as if sensing the gloomy atmosphere around them.
As they traveled into the night, their path was suddenly blocked by a broken tree. When the guards cleared it, they discovered that the mountain road ahead had collapsed due to days of wind and snow and was impassable.
Zhan Yan frowned and had no choice but to order everyone to change course and go down to the village at the foot of the mountain. They originally wanted to rest for a while before continuing their journey, but they did not expect that this seemingly ordinary village would hide a calamity.
There wasn't a single light at the village entrance; only the howling wind swirled with withered leaves. The wooden door was ajar, creaking as it was pushed open. Worn-out clothes were scattered on the ground, and not even a dog barked—the silence was eerie. Just as they entered the village, a soldier covered his mouth and nose and whispered, "My lord, there's a strange smell."