Jiang Youxi (3)
Guan Wujue hadn’t even had time to ask what was going on when the grand ceremony of bowing had already begun. Incense smoke rose hazily, flower candles were lit, strings and winds played beautiful music, and it was time for the newlyweds to bow.
At this point, the Protector couldn’t concern himself with such trivial details as the color of clothes. Yun Changliu was so weak that Guan Wujue couldn’t bear to make him go through these rituals himself, and originally wanted to persuade the Sect Leader to forgo them. But when he glanced over, Yun Changliu had already struggled to stand up, gripping the arm of his chair for support.
Guan Wujue was right beside Yun Changliu, and out of habit reached out to support him. And Yun Changliu quite naturally placed a hand on the Protector’s shoulder to borrow strength, the two of them forming a posture of being tightly pressed together.
At first, Guan Wujue didn’t sense anything improper about this, and simply supported the Sect Leader as they walked to the front of the wedding hall. It wasn’t until he suddenly saw the bright red double happiness character that he felt it wasn’t quite appropriate.
Right, wasn’t this the Sect Leader and Ye Ru’s grand wedding?
How had he come up here?
The Four Directions Protector’s eyes turned sternly, seeing Ye Ru still standing there watching. A nameless fire suddenly rushed to his head, and he roared angrily, “Where is the new consort! Come over here and support the Sect Leader!”
“Ah?” The actual groom, Ye Ru, was actually startled, blinking before realizing that “new consort” was referring to himself. He hurriedly ran over in a fluster to support Yun Changliu, “Ah… yes, yes!”
……Was this person really here to get married!?
Guan Wujue glared at Ye Ru with frustration, and retreated to the back himself.
Yun Changliu looked deeply at Ye Ru.
The Sect Leader’s expression became gentle, and he said in a low voice, “Thank you.”
Ye Ru shivered, his face flushing red as he shook his head back and forth.
Watching this, Guan Wujue felt that something was still subtly strange, but didn’t think deeply about it, merely assuming Yun Changliu was just politely thanking Ye Ru for supporting him.
However, the next moment, he saw Ye Ru turn his head over with great difficulty, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Yun Changliu calmly spoke for him, “He needs to perform the bowing ceremony, how can he support this lord? You come back here.”
“……”
This reasoning seemed quite sound, at least there was nothing obviously wrong with it. But why did it feel so……
Guan Wujue’s heart tangled, but he could only sheepishly return.
And so, the Protector supported the Sect Leader, the two of them kneeling together before the incense altar and flower candles of the wedding hall.
……The moment they knelt down, Guan Wujue was certain that all the gazes around them became extremely strange.
Especially Hua Wan—her eyes seemed like dead ashes rekindled, instantly brightening.
However, the Protector still couldn’t pay attention to this. His entire mind was on the Sect Leader. Yun Changliu was constantly in pain now, and just standing for this short while had already made him quite uncomfortable. Now kneeling like this, an action that would be simplest for an ordinary person, doubled his suffering, immediately disrupting his breathing.
“Sect Leader,” Guan Wujue’s heart was breaking with distress. He quickly embraced Yun Changliu to help him expend less effort, frowning as he urged in a low voice, “Perhaps we should forgo the kneeling ceremony, you……”
“No.” Yun Changliu pressed his lips tightly, enduring. Though he maintained his composure outwardly, cold sweat had already begun to seep faintly from his forehead. “Must… perform the bowing ceremony.”
“Sect Leader!”
Guan Wujue completely couldn’t understand why Yun Changliu was suddenly so insistent. Clearly he didn’t truly love Ye Ru, yet he insisted on being so particular about such empty rituals, disregarding even his own body.
Thinking this way, the Protector suddenly felt that besides anxiety, an unclear and indescribable displeasure was emerging.
But he couldn’t vent his anger at the Sect Leader. Guan Wujue looked at Ye Ru again—good grief, not only was he not helping persuade the Sect Leader, he was actually just standing there motionless.
Thinking that every moment of delay here meant another portion of suffering for Yun Changliu, those chaotic emotions instantly found an outlet——
The Protector turned his head, grinding his teeth as he spat out words filled with anger, each word ice-cold and piercing. “New. Con. Sort!”
“You’re just watching the Sect Leader kneel here enduring pain!? Hurry up and get over here to bow!”
……To tell the newlywed to “get over here” to bow, Protector Guan was probably unique in this regard.
Yun Changliu couldn’t watch anymore and tugged at Guan Wujue, his voice weak with complaint. “It’s a happy day, don’t be so fierce.”
Over there, Ye Ru was almost scared to tears, feeling his calves cramping up. “But, but Protector Daren, the, the wedding hall is too small to kneel in……”
At this moment, Ye Ru recalled how he had argued back with Miss Chanjuan last time, and actually felt it was nothing at all.
If his feelings toward Yun Changliu were reverence and admiration to the extreme, then toward this Four Directions Protector it was definitely mostly awe and fear.
To put it another way—he had been afraid of Ah Ku since childhood! This time he must have truly eaten the heart of a wolf and the gall of a leopard to dare disturb the tiger on Tai Sui’s head……
(TL: Grand Duke of the Year / Tai Sui – in traditional Chinese belief, å¤ªæ² is a celestial deity associated with the year’s fortune, often used metaphorically to refer to someone in a powerful or untouchable position.)
But now that he’d disturbed it, it wasn’t like they could put everything back. Ye Ru simply broke the pot and broke the jar, steeling his heart, trembling as he lifted the hem of his blue robe and knelt behind the two of them. His eyes looked pitifully at Guan Wujue. “Protector Daren, I’m here! It’s fine for me to kneel here!”
As he spoke, Ye Ru struggled to produce an obviously nervous but obedient smile, waving his hands repeatedly. “You two quickly bow—— um no no no, you quickly support the Sect Leader in bowing……”
……Ye Ru had even let it slip—if Guan Wujue still couldn’t tell something was off, he had no face to be the great Protector second only to one and above all others in the Zhuyin Sect.
But before Guan Wujue could react, the person in his arms suddenly became heavier. Whether Yun Changliu truly couldn’t support himself kneeling anymore, or was emboldened by leaning in the Protector’s embrace, he directly released his strength and leaned over, closing his eyes as he breathed with slight difficulty. “Protector… support this lord in bowing.”
“……Sect Leader.”
Guan Wujue was slightly stunned, his expression dimming accordingly.
When he lowered his head, he could see the Sect Leader’s pale, gaunt profile, hear that labored, disordered breathing, and suddenly his heart softened so much he couldn’t say anything else.
Guan Wujue said hoarsely, “Yes.”
The longevity lamps hanging high on both walls still gently emanated warm, bright radiance. The crimson wedding hall quietly waited, waiting for the next marriage bond to be sealed.
The Four Directions Protector glanced at the red silk flower candles before him, silently lowering his eyes. Once again he tightly embraced his Sect Leader, supporting Yun Changliu as they slowly bent down together.
First bow to heaven and earth.
Heaven and earth gave no light.
Outside Yangxin Hall, dark clouds hung heavy, not yet dispersed.
This was not weather suitable for celebrating joyous occasions.
Second bow to the ancestors.
No ancestors present.
Perhaps knowing that Yun Changliu’s wedding this time was not of his own will, the master of Yanyun Palace not only refused to attend in person, but wouldn’t even allow Lan Ningcai’s memorial tablet to be brought out.
Third bow, the newlyweds bow to each other.
The newlyweds had no fortune.
The Fengchun Sheng poison, representing hatred and resentment, was at this moment spreading through the body of the one kneeling, bringing bone-deep, viscera-corroding pain, bringing the shadow of despair and death. How could this not be considered the thinnest of fortunes, the most desolate of fates?
The bowing completed, Yun Changliu finally couldn’t hold on, his whole body collapsing weakly into the Protector’s embrace.
He coughed and trembled feebly, seeming somewhat unconscious, yet one hand still tightly gripped Guan Wujue’s robe.
The ceremony is complete.
Chaos erupted in the wedding hall.
Wen Feng nearly cried out. He hurriedly pushed through the surrounding people and knelt beside Yun Changliu, but was helpless with panic. Fortunately, the Left and Right Envoys could still maintain a trace of composure amid their shock and worry, preventing the confused musicians, wedding attendants and other miscellaneous people from losing control.
“Sect Leader… Sect Leader, how are you? Wake up, Sect Leader!”
The surroundings clamored incessantly, but Guan Wujue seemed oblivious. He anxiously called out twice beside Yun Changliu’s ear, but the latter didn’t move at all, his long lashes lowered without reaction.
The Protector went to check the Sect Leader’s pulse. After a long moment, he breathed a slight sigh of relief—Yun Changliu’s pulse was weak and faint but still stable, not particularly dangerous.
But Guan Wujue was also afraid something might go wrong and didn’t dare delay further. He scooped Yun Changliu up horizontally, leaving only the words “no great harm,” then abandoned the crowd still in the wedding hall and entered the bedchamber without looking back.
Thus he didn’t see that behind him, Ye Ru was very seriously performing his bows.
He had made no movement earlier, only calmly watching ahead, watching the two figures lean on each other as they bowed before the wedding hall.
Only now, after Guan Wujue had already carried Yun Changliu away, did Ye Ru begin to bend down, respectfully touching his forehead to the ground.
As he bowed, his heart still thought of Yun Changliu.
The Sect Leader he had revered and admired since childhood, whom he regarded as a deity.
The first bow, thanking him for the life-saving grace of childhood.
The second bow, thanking him again for this evening’s deep affection and righteousness.
The third bow was an apology, from now on releasing improper desires.
The great dream newly awakened, looking back in reflection.
In the end, just a lonely figure in green robes, but a heart at peace.
……
When the Protector carried the Sect Leader into the inner chamber, Yun Changliu came to somewhat, at least no longer in a semi-unconscious state. Guan Wujue placed him on the bed with movements already gentle and careful to the extreme, yet still made Yun Changliu gasp lightly in pain.
“Sect Leader, endure just a bit longer. Once Wujue changes your clothes you can sleep, and once you’re asleep it won’t hurt so much.”
Guan Wujue gently coaxed in a soft voice, reaching up to carefully loosen the Sect Leader’s cumbersome, heavy wedding garments.
The bedchamber had also been newly hung with bright red silk curtains according to bridal chamber customs, and on the bed was an equally bright red brocade celebration quilt. A pair of flower candles sat on the table, their flickering light creating romance, casting a pair of intertwined shadows on the wall.
Yun Changliu hummed softly, lifting his eyelids halfway. He pushed at Guan Wujue’s hand, a barely audible weak voice escaping his lips. “……Don’t……”
Guan Wujue quickly bent his ear closer, his hands clasped together holding the Sect Leader’s fingers in his palm, concern overflowing in his expression. “What does the Sect Leader want? Wujue is here, speak slowly.”
Yun Changliu shook his head, saying hazily, “Don’t take it off……”
“……” Guan Wujue heard clearly enough, but smiled bitterly. “These wedding garments are so stuffy and heavy, don’t you find them uncomfortable?”
“Don’t want to take them off.”
Guan Wujue was both amused and distressed, thinking the Sect Leader’s mind was already confused from pain and he was beginning to speak nonsense and make a fuss. He could only patiently coax. “But Sect Leader… after getting married one must enter the bridal chamber, and to enter the bridal chamber one must remove one’s clothes to sleep.”
As he spoke, he took advantage of the moment to remove Yun Changliu’s hair ornament.
The waterfall of black hair immediately spilled across the crimson brocade pillow. Yun Changliu turned his face to the side on the pillow, his dark eyes looking deeply at Guan Wujue, asking hesitantly, “Is that so?”
“Yes, of course it is!” The Protector nodded earnestly. Seeing the Sect Leader’s attitude soften, he quickly took advantage of the moment to remove those uncomfortable accessories with practiced efficiency.
Just as he was about to continue removing the wedding robes, his wrist was suddenly grasped by Yun Changliu. “……Sect Leader?”
“Don’t move……”
Yun Changliu lay on his back on the bed. The corners of his eyes carried a smile as his hands slowly first removed the Protector’s dark plum-red robe, tossing it toward the floor. “Didn’t you say we must remove our clothes to sleep? This lord will undress you.”
Guan Wujue: “……”
Having reached this point, how could he not understand what was in Yun Changliu’s mind? For a moment, Guan Wujue only felt his heart both warm and sour, as if spring vines were growing wildly in desolation, spring tides gently lapping at stone.
The Sect Leader was clearly… treating him as his newlywed and going through the wedding ceremony.
In just that moment of distraction, the clothes on his body had already been pulled loose and disheveled by Yun Changliu.
But the Sect Leader’s movements suddenly stopped. Yun Changliu frowned slightly, thinking carefully for a long while before suddenly saying:
“No, the ceremony isn’t complete yet. Getting married… don’t we need to drink wine?”
Only now was Guan Wujue truly caught between laughter and tears. “Sect Leader, how could you drink wine?”
As he spoke, he leaned forward, bending down in the candlelight to gently touch Yun Changliu’s lips. “Stop fussing and rest. Wujue will watch over you… or shall Wujue sleep with you together, would that work?”
“Must drink.” But Yun Changliu still wouldn’t relent. “This lifetime… I’ll only perform this wedding ceremony once… better to do it completely.”
“Yangxin Hall never keeps such cups and wine vessels. So suddenly, where do you expect this subordinate to find wine for you?”
“Doesn’t the Protector drink wine?… You just get me some.”
“……”
He was truly determined to drink wine. Guan Wujue pressed his forehead in frustration. He silently told himself twice not to reason with a sick person, looked up at the sky and sighed. “Fine, wait a moment.”
He still didn’t dare let Yun Changliu drink the strong liquor he usually drank. He tucked the corners of the quilt firmly around Yun Changliu, then went out to instruct Wen Feng to prepare some light, sweet fruit wine.
Hearing that Yun Changliu wanted to drink wine, Wen Feng nearly popped his eyeballs out, but ultimately, pressed and urged by Guan Wujue, could only obey the command.
Half a moment later, Guan Wujue returned quite helplessly with a wine bowl and sat back by the Sect Leader’s bed.
He brought the bowl to Yun Changliu’s pale lips, coaxing gently, “Just touch it with your tongue and that’s enough. The rest, Wujue will drink for you.”
Guan Wujue’s only thought was to quickly comply with the Sect Leader’s wishes, make him happy so he would lie down and rest. But unexpectedly, Yun Changliu pushed for more. “Nuptial wine… how is it drunk? Isn’t it said… newlyweds should drink nuptial wine?”
Guan Wujue immediately felt a breath catch in his chest. “Ah Ku has already left, Sect Leader! The newlywed isn’t even here, what nuptial wine are you drinking……”
Before he finished speaking, he saw Yun Changliu’s expression darken. The Protector’s head felt like it would split in two. He quickly changed his tune. “Fine, fine, fine, alright, alright, Wujue will drink with you, isn’t that enough!”
There was truly no other way. Guan Wujue could only search around Yangxin Hall again. Yun Changliu didn’t drink, so he struggled for quite a while before finally finding a pair of small wine cups in a dusty box—made of green jade with thin walls, quite translucent and lovely.
Guan Wujue stared at the pair of wine cups somewhat absently. He washed them clean and placed them before Yun Changliu, pouring the wine anew.
The wine liquid entered the cups, clear and bright as amber.
The candlelight flickered, rippling with golden-red shimmering waves.
“You hold it… like this.”
Guan Wujue lifted Yun Changliu’s ice-cold hand, teaching him to grasp the wine cup, while he himself took the other cup.
Yun Changliu half-leaned against the headboard, the red brocade celebration quilt covering up to his chest. His fingers trembled badly from weakness, but he struggled to imitate the Protector’s manner. “Like this?”
The Protector nodded. “Right, like this.”
Their arms slowly crossed.
Their wrists slowly intertwined.
Bridal chamber flower candles, shadows leaning together; red curtains, red robes, nuptial wine.
Yun Changliu really only touched it with his tongue, immediately frowning as if stung.
Guan Wujue couldn’t help but laugh. “I told you that you can’t drink wine. Alright, put it down now.”
Yun Changliu said, “Why doesn’t the Protector drink? Didn’t you say you’d drink for this lord?”
Guan Wujue quickly smiled and agreed, drinking the cup of wine in one gulp. Yun Changliu watched quietly, then just as Guan Wujue’s lips touched the cup, he himself took another small sip.
Then his wine cup was gently taken away by Guan Wujue.
The Protector raised his head again and drank it down, then returned the empty wine cup to the Sect Leader.
Guan Wujue’s eyes were gentle. “Is the Sect Leader satisfied now?”
Yun Changliu held that small green jade cup, laughing lightly with pleasure, his handsome features and eyes clear and distinct. “Mm, now it’s good.”
He seemed to have regained his spirits all at once, a tiny bright light flickering in his long eyes as he said very softly:
“Wujue, we’re marr……”
The end of the sentence silently faded away.
The flower candles still burned, but the light in someone’s eyes suddenly extinguished.
——Crack!
The sound of shattering, so abrupt in the vast hall.
Guan Wujue’s pupils contracted sharply.
All the blood in his body froze into ice.
He saw that the small wine cup that should have been held in the Sect Leader’s hand had rolled to the floor, the rim cracked open.
The surroundings were deathly silent. The candlelight stretched its shadow long and dark, dark and sinister, eerie and terrifying.
What should have been festive red now seemed like a demon’s gaping bloody maw. Sharp fangs piercing into a soft heart, twisting, crushing, tearing it apart.
Guan Wujue stiffly, bit by bit, turned his head.
Yun Changliu’s pale fingers hung at the edge of the bed, still swaying slightly unconsciously.
He had closed his eyes at some unknown moment, leaning against the headboard, unconscious.