Chapter 184: Remembering Yun Xiang Is Enough

Tipsy from the celebrations, Tang Mingjing was pushed by the crowd into the bridal chamber.

After all the wine at the feast, he was quite drunk and staggered as he walked.

On the wedding bed, the bride sat waiting beneath her red bridal veil.

Tang Mingjing sat at the table and drank a cup of tea. He shook his head, clearing some of the haze from his mind.

Beneath the veil, the bride bit her lower lip anxiously. Her fingers twisted the hem of her robe as her heart raced with fear – fear of the moment the veil would be lifted.

Tang Mingjing turned to look at the veiled figure on the bed.

He felt a bit awkward, for he had never truly seen what this woman looked like and had never even exchanged a word with her.

He lightly coughed twice and said, “There were many guests. I got delayed a bit.”

The bride lowered her head, fiddling with her hands, unsure how to respond.

Tang Mingjing paused. “Should we… lift the veil?”

Seeing her still silent, he added, “I’ll take your silence as agreement.”

He reached toward the wedding scale placed nearby.

At that moment, the bride stretched out her hand to stop him.

“What is it?” Tang Mingjing asked.

The bride replied softly, “Young Master Tang and I do not know each other. We’ve never even met. This marriage was arranged by our elders. If, after seeing my face, you feel unwilling…”

“Then we can end this today. I shall return to my Zhuang Manor, and Young Master Tang may marry another.”

Tang Mingjing was taken aback. “And you… do you not wish to proceed?”

“N-no,” the bride answered quickly. “I am afraid Young Master Tang might be displeased. But please… lift the veil first, then decide.”

Tang Mingjing thought for a moment and nodded.

“Alright.”

He picked up the wedding scale and slowly lifted the edge of the bridal veil. The face beneath was gradually revealed to his eyes.

Through his alcoholic haze, Tang Mingjing gazed at the woman before him.

Her lips were like a touch of vermilion, her skin as smooth as jade. A tiny red cinnabar mark graced the corner of her eye, endearing.

He couldn’t help but mutter, stunned, “Far lovelier than your portrait…”

Madam Zhuang (née Zhuang), who had been wound tight with anxiety, froze.

Lovely?

She lifted her head to look at Tang Mingjing. “Young Master… are you perhaps too drunk?”

Tang Mingjing replied, “If you are not considered beautiful, how many others can possibly claim that title?”

Madam Zhuang stared, disbelief warring with hope. “Look again carefully, Young Master. I…”

Her strange reaction puzzled Tang Mingjing. “What is troubling you?”

Madam Zhuang raised her hand towards her own cheek. “The scar on my face… Young Master cannot see it?”

Tang Mingjing blinked. “A scar? What scar?”

Hearing this, Madam Zhuang paused. Thinking his drunken vision was blurred, she reached to touch her own cheek.

“It’s right…”

Her words died mid-sentence as she froze once more.

Where her fingers traced – her skin was perfectly smooth, unblemished.

She scrambled to her feet and picked up the bronze mirror on the table.

When she saw her reflection, she went utterly still.

“How… how is this possible?”

Her fingers brushed over her cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Tang Mingjing’s drunkenness evaporated.

He stepped closer. “You originally had a scar there?”

Madam Zhuang focused on him, biting her lip. “I dare not hide the truth from you, Young Master. Several years back, my family home caught fire. A burning beam struck my face. Though I survived unharmed otherwise… my features were ruined.”

“My father… Dad covered it up. Several betrothals were arranged. But each time a suitor saw my scarred face… they would decline. Fearing my father’s position as the Two-Taxes Official, none dared speak openly of my disfigurement. And so all these years… I remained unmarried.”

Tang Mingjing was fully sober now. “I was deeply occupied with business matters… the agreement was just spoken of… we never…”

Madam Zhuang lowered her head. “I concealed this from Young Master. If you feel deceived by my silence… this marriage can still be undone. I will return to my father and make it clear.”

“But…” She touched her cheek again, confusion overwhelming her, “What happened to this scar?”

“You declared this to me clearly before the veil was lifted. You gave me a choice. In this, I see no deception,” Tang Mingjing stated firmly. “As for the scar…”

He paused, recalling a moment during the wedding ceremony.

“Do you remember the splashed tea?”

Madam Zhuang also paused, recalling that brief gesture during the ceremony when the man they called Mr. Chen had flicked a sprinkle of tea.

Her eyes widened. “That gentleman? Mr. Chen?”

Tang Mingjing reached out and took her hand gently. “It seems Mr. Chen’s act was his unique wedding gift to us both. But you must remember: we cannot speak of this. If asked, say a well-known physician treated you.”

“As for Mr. Chen… you will understand more, in time.”

Joy, confusion, and curiosity washed over Madam Zhuang all at once, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Tang Mingjing smiled softly. “Should you… call me ‘husband’ now?”

A delicate flush immediately colored Madam Zhuang’s cheeks.

She lowered her gaze, true demure maidenhood finally shining through.

“Husband…”

.

.

Seeing the celebration winding down, Chen Changsheng decided it was unnecessary to formally take his leave.

Given the nature of Master Tang, the head of the household, a farewell might invite a ceremonial escort to the gates. It was better to let the joyous occasion fade naturally.

Yun Xiang seemed to sense his teacher’s intention. “Are you leaving, Sir?”

“Yes,” Chen Changsheng replied simply. “Important matters demand my presence. I cannot stay much longer.”

Yun Xiang, holding Hong Jin’s hand, offered, “I will see you to the manor gate.”

Chen Changsheng rose. The lively feast was gradually thinning as guests began departing.

He walked towards the exit, stepping through the open gates of Tang Manor.

Yun Xiang followed slowly behind, leading Hong Jin. Her gaze remained fixed firmly on her teacher’s back.

Hong Jin glanced up at her sister, sensing something unspoken.

“This is far enough,” Chen Changsheng stopped outside the gates.

Yun Xiang nodded faintly. “Your path will take you far across mountains and rivers once more, Sir. I do not know when we shall meet again.”

Chen Changsheng met her gaze. “Do not wait for me, Chen Changsheng. Another day may bring my return. The truth is…”

“Before arriving, I thought long on severing this… tie between us to spare you future sorrow. But hearing your words earlier today… I suddenly understood. This connection of ours… it is not simply mine to cut at will.”

Yun Xiang’s steadfastness was something even Chen Changsheng couldn’t overcome.

If the outcome was unavoidable, perhaps acceptance, despite its pain, was preferable. It wouldn’t be a torment like Zhu Qi’s three centuries of lonely waiting…

Better to leave her heart with a flicker of hope, rather than a lifetime of longing. This small comfort was the only solace he could offer.

Tears welled in the corners of Yun Xiang’s eyes, even as a soft, genuine smile touched her lips.

“Young Master… remembering Yun Xiang is enough.”