“Dai’er, I’ll make sure to fulfill your last wishes. But what meaning is there in this world without you in it?
“Dai’er, when I’ve accomplished your last wishes, I’ll come join you. In the past, I never managed to catch you and always ended up buying candied chestnuts for you. This time around, I’ve waited for three years. I believe I’ll catch up to you. I’ve bought many, many candied chestnuts for you. So, you have to keep your promise. When I’ve finally caught you, you’ll have to give me your whip,” Xi Jin said.
Xi Jin looked up at the palace gates and smiled gently. As long as he fulfilled Dai’er’s last wishes before he joined her, she wouldn’t hold it against him, would she?
When the palanquin reached the entrance of the East Palace, Xi Jin tugged the corners of his lips and revealed a warm smile. He leaped off his horse and, following tradition, shot an arrow and kicked the palanquin open. Then, he bent forward to carry Shen Yunya on his back and walked in steadily.
“Brother Jin,” Shen Yunya called out coquettishly as she clung to his back.
“Hm?” Xi Jin answered softly.
“Brother Jin, I’m really happy.” Shen Yunya tightened her arms around Xi Jin’s neck. She could feel her happiness overflowing in her heart. This was the most ecstatic she’d ever been in her entire life.
Brother Jin’s back felt really solid. But throughout their childhoods, he had only ever carried Shen Qingdai on his back. It had never been her.
Xi Jin carried her on his back and stepped steadily over the fire pan. His baritone voice sounded a little cold as he said, “Ya’er, I’m only fulfilling Dai’er’s wish. I’ve never loved you and have always just treated you like a little sister. I’ve told you before that even after we get married, I’ll never touch you.”
He had said these words to Ya’er before, but she had still persisted in wanting to marry him.
Shen Yunya’s happy smile suddenly froze. A hint of hatred flashed across her eyes that were heavily made up in honor of her wedding. But it soon dissipated, and she recovered her usual demeanor. Forcing a cheery smile, she said, “I know that. But at the thought that, one, I’m able to marry you, and two, I’m able to fulfill my older sister’s dying wish. I feel really contented.”
He was resolved not to touch her?
Fine. She had her ways. He was the Crown Prince, and she was the Crown Princess Consort. There were many things that he didn’t have a choice in. There was no way he’d be able to avoid their wedding night and avoid touching her.
Once they were married, there would be many things that would no longer be up to him.
Xi Jin had a look of guilt on his face, but he quickly hardened himself and said, “I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright. I’m happy enough as it is.” Shen Yunya smiled happily. Once they were married, he would be her husband, and she would be the Crown Princess Consort.
After stepping over the fire pan and descending the steps, Xi Jin placed Shen Yunya down. He took the red ribbon from the wedding attendant and held one end of it while Shen Yunya held the other. Then, both of them slowly made their way into the main hall.
He had imagined the scene of him marrying Dai’er countless times. Countless times, he had awakened from that dream, knowing it was something that would never come true in this lifetime. But today, fulfilling her last wish, he hoped that she would finally rest in peace.
With that in mind, he had no regrets.
Xi Lin sat in the banquet hall. As she watched them enter, she began to feel very anxious, and she couldn’t help looking at the seats reserved for the Bailan Alliance. Other than the Demon King and Feng Tianlan, everyone else had arrived.
But those two individuals were the most important ones.
Whenever she thought of Shen Yunya’s bloodcurdling actions, she didn’t want Shen Yunya marrying her brother! It would be disgusting!
Xi Lin fidgeted restlessly in her seat. She was so anxious it felt like ants were crawling all over her heart. Why wasn’t Dai’er appearing at the critical moment? If she delayed any further, her brother was indeed going to end up marrying Shen Yunya.
“Bow to heaven and earth!”
Upon hearing that declaration, Xi Lin could no longer stay put and stood up immediately.
“Bow to your elders!”
Xi Lin kept her eyes trained on them as she thought to herself that if no one appeared soon, she would try to put a stop to it.
