The Husband I Snatched Is Not Right!-Chapter 46: Nuptial Ceremony

The sound of firecrackers had not yet ceased, and the crowd, standing at a distance, didn’t clearly hear what she said.

Uncle Wei observed and nodded in satisfaction.

He thought that Yu Tingwan must be reminding something.

With fewer rules in the countryside and Wei Zhao’s fragile health, Yu Tingwan was worried about him catching cold, showing she was a considerate child.

Wei Zhao heard it, though, and he had never met someone as audacious in speech as Yu Tingwan.

The girl’s eyes were clear, and whatever was on her mind was written on her face, even if she was indulging in words of affection without care.

But besides applying medicine, she did not overstep any boundaries with him.

Having listened for so long, Wei Zhao was used to it and didn’t mind.

The girls from the Capital were genteel and well-spoken, yet those from high-status families were skilled in calculation, hiding their true thoughts beneath a facade.

In comparison, Yu Tingwan was genuine.

Yu Tingwan once again straightened his clothes and smoothed out the wrinkles.

Li Lian stuffed a red silk into Wei Zhao’s hands. Even if she disapproved of this marriage, she could only hope for their well-being.

"Lang, don’t keep your parents waiting. It’s time to lead your wife over for the ceremony in the next door."

Wei Zhao glanced at it.

The red silk was old, even older than the festive robe he wore.

His grip loosened, and it fell straight to the ground.

Li Lian: ...

You brat! You did that on purpose!

She was annoyed on Yu Tingwan’s behalf. Marrying such a good girl was your blessing! How could you not treasure it?

If not for... If not for Yu Tingwan’s eagerness to settle the matter with you, she would have introduced another young man. What business would Wei Shen have in it then?

The elders all fell silent, unable to bear watching.

Yu Tingwan pulled a straight face, staring directly at him.

"Husband, care to explain?"

The title made Wei Zhao’s eyelid twitch. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

He replied calmly, "For the last time, I am not Wei Shen."

Yet still, no one believed him.

Li Lian picked up the scorching red silk and shoved it into Wei Zhao’s hands: "Alright, alright, not Wei Shen."

She urged, "Hurry up, don’t miss the auspicious time."

Yu Tingwan smiled, "Husband, you can hold it firmly this time, right?"

When she hit him, she was fierce, but when calling him husband, her voice was soft.

Wei Zhao heard a threat in her tone, lowered his eyes, lost in thought.

Exhausted, he decided to compromise, reluctantly grunting in response.

"Hmm."

Yu Tingwan poked him again, "It’s supposed to be one end mine."

After a moment of hesitation, Wei Zhao divided the red silk with her.

Li Lian: ... Now that’s comfortable.

Aunt Wu, watching from behind, also breathed a sigh of relief, "All’s well that ends well! Let’s go."

The moment darkened as Yu Tingwan’s sight was obstructed by the veil.

She firmly grasped the red silk, the other end held by the man she was to share a bed with.

Yu Tingwan felt a mix of emotions.

She was expectant, delighted, yet also bewildered.

She had waited for this moment a long time.

Living with the Hu Family, she often imagined that once married and having a home, she would have someone to care for her. No more enduring Mrs. Wang’s grievances.

But Hu Dazhu kept saying.

["Wan Niang, Uncle selfishly wishes to keep you for a few more years. When Erlang passes the scholar exams, the whole family will benefit. There will be plenty of suitors, and Uncle wants to choose well for you to honor your mom in the afterlife."]

And Hu Yaozu.

He avoided Mrs. Wang and intercepted her privately.

["Wan, I admire you. I will marry you after I pass the exams." ]

Hu Yaozu always wore his student attire when returning from the academy. He never engaged in manual labor, embodying a scholarly air with a gentle appearance.

Another girl, looked at with such deep eyes, might have been deeply moved.

But Yu Tingwan wasn’t.

She disdained Hu Yaozu’s frailness, unable even to carry a bucket of water with ease.

Wei Zhao trudged outwardly. Yu Tingwan, sight hindered and worried Wei Zhao might stumble, followed closely behind.

The two families were close by, just a turn outside the courtyard led to the Wei Family.

"New bride entering the house, bringing joy aplenty!"

Uncle Wei’s shout echoed by her ear.

After entering the Wei Family, a few steps further.

"New bride steps over the basin, warding off evil for smooth as silk."

The Wei Family wouldn’t intimidate the new bride and feared her dress might catch fire, so the flames were mild. Yu Tingwan lifted her dress slightly, stepping over.

The Wei Family couple had changed into clean clothes early and sat one on each side. In the middle, a wooden table was laid with red paper.

Inside, brothers and sisters-in-law from Hui Niang’s family were all craning their necks to watch.

Steps from outside drew nearer.

Yu Tingwan took the evergreen symbolizing marital bliss and lifelong harmony offered by Aunt Wu, something she brought back from her old home.

According to local custom, both parties must prepare one each; the bride brings hers from her family to her husband’s home.

Hui Niang had prepared two.

Yu Tingwan entered the main room, guided by Li Lian, placing the evergreen on the wooden table before the Wei Family couple.

There was already another evergreen on the table. Now, the two were close, their leaves adorned with hanging peanuts swayed gently with Yu Tingwan’s movement.

"Double happiness, good things come in pairs."

Yu Tingwan was escorted back by Wei Zhao’s side.

"Newlyweds, greet, kneel!"

Yu Tingwan knelt, Wei Zhao spaced out, unresponsive.

"No, no, no."

Hui Niang quickly said, "Uncle, I fear Lang might tug at his wound."

Couldn’t you see that Wei Zhao was exhausted from walking already?

Yet stubborn, he refused to use a crutch.

Uncle Wei quickly adjusted, "I was foolish, husband and wife are one; Lang’s wife kneeling is as good as him kneeling."

"First bow to the heavens, sky and earth as witness."

Yu Tingwan bent toward the door.

Wei Zhao didn’t move.

Uncle Wei frowned.

Forget it, forget it.

"Second bow to the parents, for they nurtured and raised us."

Yu Tingwan knelt sincerely; she was truly grateful to Hui Niang and Wei Shouzhong.

Wei Zhao kept his eyes half-down, still motionless.

Since his father’s passing, apart from the ancestral tablets in the Duke Mansion’s shrine, he had not knelt to anyone.

Uncle Wei observed: ...

At least bow slightly to show some gesture, or at the very least, nod your head!

Forget it, forget it.

"Couple bows to each other, a perfect match in the world."

The young girl was facing Wei Zhao.

Wei Zhao spoke slowly, "I..."

His voice was neither loud nor soft, but he became the focal point.

Everyone turned their gaze toward him.

Hui Niang immediately stood up, "What’s the matter, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Li Lian didn’t want the joyous occasion to turn into a sad one: "You just stepped out; you’ve been standing for a while, should Aunt bring you a chair to rest first?"

Wei Zhao’s eyes were vacant as he slowly uttered, "Tired."

Everyone: ...

Yu Tingwan in a gentle tone, "Bear with it."

Wei Zhao opened his mouth, "But..."

Yu Tingwan didn’t want to hear more, leaning down while controlling her strength, not forgetting to raise her heels to press Wei Zhao’s head down.

Uncle Wei, excited, "Ceremony complete!"

Wei Zhao almost laughed out of frustration: ...

Yet he heard Yu Tingwan mutter, "Such a drama queen!"