The Villainous Classmate is My Lucky Star Chapter 267
Translated by Pure
Extra 3: Marriage (1) Wedding Arranged for the Eleventh Lunar Month
For the past two years since the Commandery Princess of Ningguang was granted her title, rumors have incessantly circulated. Some speculated that she was the orphan of nobles fallen from the previous dynasty, while others attributed her good fortune to the positive karma amassed by her ancestors.
Despite the rumors, the Commandery Princess of Ningguang continued to lead a prosperous life in Chaoge City. Her close relationships with the Little Marquis, Deputy Minister Fu, Young Master Mu, and others only added to the chaos surrounding her reputation.
At any banquet she attended, all eyes were inevitably on her, leaving little attention for anyone else.
Wen Yantong found herself increasingly frustrated with the constant scrutiny and gossip that followed her everywhere she went.
Once, at a banquet, she indulged in two extra pastries. The next day, rumors began circulating that she was a destitute girl from a poor family who had never tasted Chaoge's expensive pastries.
Wen Yantong felt like flipping the table in frustration—What pastries haven't I eaten before?!
In the blink of an eye, she was nearing nineteen, having experienced quite a growth spurt over the past two years. Despite her penchant for indulging in food, Wen Yantong also maintained a regular exercise regimen, resulting in a slim figure.
Her facial features were gradually softening, giving her a sweet-tempered appearance, and her eyes would curve softly whenever she smiled.
However, when engaged in a dispute with Mu Yang, Wen Yantong would still unleash uncensored, vehement curses.
A year ago, Wen Yantong and Chi Jingxi returned to Chang'an City, where she disclosed to her family her masquerade as a man to pursue studies at Songhai Academy. She also revealed her conferred title as a Commandery Princess and other related matters.
Despite Wen Qin's worldly experience as a businessman, upon hearing Wen Yantong's revelations, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. He sought repeated confirmation, and after the third time, he succumbed to shock and fainted completely.
Indeed, this was a difficult fact for the Wen Residence family to accept. In reality, Wen Qin had been informed long ago about his daughter being conferred the title of Commandery Princess. He had even received invitations from Marquis Chi Shu to visit the Marquis Mansion for tea from time to time.
Moreover, Chi Shu used his influence to enable Wen Qin to take over all the jewelry business in Chang'an City. If Wen Qin couldn't comprehend the significance of this level of care, his life would have been lived in vain.
However, Wen Qin never anticipated that his beloved daughter, who had always been gentle and delicate, would have the courage to disguise herself as a man and enroll in Songhai Academy. She had even kept this secret for a couple of years. Furthermore, he never imagined that she would venture alone to the war-torn Yibei.
Wen Qin lay on the bed and watched Wen Yantong standing beside him, healthy and lively, cracking melon seeds. He felt a sense of relief: Thankfully, his daughter had inherited his good fortune.
Wen Yantong noticed Wen Qin had opened his eyes and appeared much improved. She then resumed what she had been saying, "Dad, there's something I haven't told you yet."
Wen Qin raised his hand to halt her and instructed his servant to bring a cup of hot tea. After taking a few sips to compose himself, he gradually sat up and inquired in a gentle tone, "Is there something else you need to tell me, Tongtong?"
Wen Yantong nodded, her expression serious. "The Little Marquis requested a marriage decree from the emperor. He expressed his intention to marry me."
Wen Qin was momentarily stunned, repeating the words "Little Marquis" in his mind. Then, without warning, he fainted once more, collapsing onto the bed. Wen Yantong trembled in fear and hastily called out, "Servants! Fetch the doctor who just left, quickly!"
…
It took considerable effort for Wen Qin and Madam Wen to digest this series of news, leaving them absent-minded for several days thereafter.
Chi Jingxi had initially planned to visit Wen Yantong's parents, but she insisted on him not coming due to her parents' condition.
As it was an undeniable reality. Although Wen Qin was stunned for several days, he eventually came to terms with it.
Despite his reluctance to see his child involved with influential figures, living in Chang'an City had made Wen Qin well aware of Chi Jingxi's character.
From his childhood in Chang'an City, the Little Marquis had garnered continuous praise, his excellence only escalating with age. Wen Qin had been fortunate enough to encounter him on several occasions.
Despite Chi Jingxi's youth, he possessed a rare composure among his peers, exceptional literary talent, and remarkable accomplishments in restoring order. Furthermore, even upon reaching adulthood, he refrained from taking any concubines. By the standards for selecting an ideal son-in-law, Chi Jingxi was a perfect match in every aspect.
Additionally, the Marquis Mansion was also situated in Chang'an. With only one daughter, Wen Qin naturally preferred her not to marry too far away.
Moreover, given Wen Yantong's status as Commandery Princess, even if she married into a higher social stratum, the disparity between her and the Marquis Mansion was not insurmountable. Considering these factors, Wen Qin gradually eased his concerns.
After revealing the truth to her family, Wen Yantong issued some personal warnings regarding certain matters, aiming to prevent the revelation of her disguise as a man from becoming public knowledge upon her return to Chaoge.
Initially intending to linger in Chang'an City for a while longer, Wen Yantong found herself inundated with letters from Mu Yang, each one beginning with the pressing question: ‘When will you guys be returning to Chaoge?’
Wen Yantong, vexed by Mu Yang's persistent letters, ultimately decided to pack her bags and return to Chaoge with Chi Jingxi.
While Chi Jingxi was originally slated to return to Chang'an to await the inheritance of his father's title upon reaching adulthood, the Emperor's fondness for him led to a change in plans. The Emperor insisted that Chi Jingxi remain in Chaoge for a few more years. Consequently, Wen Yantong and Chi Jingxi discussed the possibility of getting married in Chaoge.
Realizing that she was still in her teens and feeling it was too early to marry, Wen Yantong asked Chi Jingxi to be patient and wait. This wait extended to two years, during which Wen Yantong celebrated her nineteenth birthday.
She felt that this age was appropriate. After all, during this era, girls often married at a young age.
Additionally, there were persistent rumors in Chaoge City suggesting that nobody desired to wed a counterfeit phoenix, implying that the Commandery Princess of Ningguang, nearing her twenties, had yet to find a suitor.
Wen Yantong believed that with such rumors circulating about her, she ought to address them in some manner.
So, when the news of the Commandery Princess of Ningguang's impending marriage surfaced, it quickly spread throughout Chaoge City like wildfire.
Upon hearing the news, Mu Yang sought confirmation from Wen Yantong, questioning whether it was true or merely a rumor.
Recalling Mu Yang's reaction when he first learned of her relationship with Chi Jingxi, Wen Yantong remembered how he had been visibly distraught for several consecutive days, appearing disoriented and even at risk of stumbling into a ditch while walking.
Despite Fu Zixian's concerted efforts to provide Mu Yang with several educational lessons, his attempts proved futile in restoring Mu Yang to his usual self.
Later, while walking alone on the street, Mu Yang witnessed two wild cats in heat. In a moment of enlightenment, he approached Wen Yantong and proclaimed that he had finally figured it out. This left Wen Yantong feeling perplexed. Was Mu Yang implying that she and Chi Jingxi were nothing more than two wild cats in heat?
Now that Mu Yang had come to ask, Wen Yantong was initially concerned that he might react poorly like before upon hearing the news. However, she trusted that Mu Yang's thought process would eventually lead him to understand. So, she openly confirmed, "Of course, it's true. I'm at the age where marriage is appropriate."
Mu Yang nodded in understanding, but soon delved into another peculiar question, "Then, should I call you sister-in-law or Brother Xi brother-in-law?"
Wen Yantong looked at him in surprise, finding his simplicity amusing. "If you're not afraid of stirring up trouble, go ahead and call him that."
Mu Yang pondered for a moment and concluded that calling Wen Yantong sister-in-law would be too awkward. So, he settled on, "Then I'll refer to you as Brother Xi's wife from now on."
Wen Yantong rolled her eyes at him, saying, "Sure sure, if you don’t find it too much of a hassle."
Once the marriage was confirmed, Chi Jingxi became occupied with preparations, instructing his servants to organize the Commandery Princess Mansion bestowed upon Wen Yantong by the Emperor two years prior.
On the wedding day, Wen Yantong was to be escorted from the Commandery Princess Mansion to the Marquis Mansion.
Chi Shu accompanied his wife, while Wen Qin accompanied his own, as they journeyed from Chang'an to Chaoge.
At their shared moment of free time, Wen Yantong and Chi Jingxi deliberated over the date of their wedding. It was the peak of summer, the fifth lunar month. Wen Yantong deemed it practical to wed during the summer and suggested a date before the eighth lunar month. However, Chi Jingxi preferred to set the date for the eleventh lunar month. Despite Wen Yantong's repeated inquiries, he remained evasive, unable to articulate his reasoning.
Wen Yantong speculated that perhaps the people of Shao Jing had an affinity for snow, prompting Chi Jingxi to subconsciously prefer booking such a significant day in winter.
Wen Yantong solely focused on discussing the wedding date with Chi Jingxi, relieved from worrying about other matters and enjoying her time in Chaoge without concerns.
Fu Tanghuan had married Cheng Xiao a year prior. Since then, she frequented Wen Yantong's residence more often, expressing that after marriage, she had nearly lost touch with her previous close friends. Only at Wen Yantong's place did she feel most at ease.
Cheng Xiao now held a position as an idle official in the court, while the Crown Prince Cheng Yanchuan managed crucial affairs with Cheng Xin assisting him. Previously, Cheng Xin hadn't shown much fondness for Cheng Xiao, but since Cheng Xiao's marriage, Cheng Xin's attitude had significantly softened. They now occasionally spent time together in Chaoge.
Fu Zixian had also risen to a higher position in the court, earning the respectful title of 'Lord Minister' wherever he went. Meanwhile, Mu Yang remained idle, with Mu Yuan showing little concern for his activities, allowing him to freely indulge in food and drink in Chaoge City.
Wen Yantong, seeing Mu Yang as a grown man, urged him multiple times to find a suitable partner and marry, hoping to see the Mu Residence prosper. However, Mu Yang showed reluctance, even a hint of disgust, at her suggestions. If she said more than a couple of sentences about the matter, Mu Yang would immediately stand up and bid his farewells. Over time, Wen Yantong learned to refrain from pressing the matter further.
Chi Shu and Wen Qin, accompanied by their wives, leisurely traveled from Chang'an to Chaoge, and arrived in the city during the tenth lunar month. By this time, the Commandery Princess Mansion had been prepared, and Wen Yantong welcomed her parents to stay there.
As the wedding day approached, an imperial decree suddenly arrived, proclaiming the marriage of the Little Marquis and the Commandery Princess of Ningguang. The announcement sent shockwaves through Chaoge City.
Rumors about Wen Yantong spread with increasing intensity. Initially met with skepticism, the truth of the imperial decree was confirmed by the sight of the Marquis Mansion adorned in celebratory red decorations. This undeniable evidence only fueled the envy of those who had previously spread rumors about the Commandery Princess of Ningguang being a counterfeit phoenix whom no one desired to marry. Their jealousy intensified, leading them to further propagate negative comments about her.
Upon learning of these rumors, Chi Jingxi took decisive action. He dispatched his servants to apprehend those who had spread the most damaging rumors and instructed them to ‘take care’ of the offenders before releasing them. As a result, the circulation of negative gossip about the Commandery Princess of Ningguang in Chaoge began to dwindle.
The eleventh lunar month arrived swiftly, accompanied by the arrival of an elderly maid dispatched from the imperial palace to instruct Wen Yantong in etiquettes and protocols. Initially, Wen Yantong approached the lessons with diligence, but as time passed, she found them increasingly tedious. One night, she inadvertently expressed this frustration to Chi Jingxi.
Chi Jingxi remained silent at the time, but the following day, the elderly maid departed from the Commandery Princess Mansion.
On the eighth day of the eleventh lunar month, the festivities commenced with the explosion of firecrackers at the entrance of the Marquis Mansion, their echoes reverberating through the streets. Amidst the jubilant atmosphere, the wedding procession commenced from the Marquis Mansion, accompanied by the harmonious melodies of trumpets and suonas.
Chi Jingxi, adorned in a resplendent red wedding robe, led the procession atop a majestic steed. His handsome visage radiated a newfound warmth, accentuated by the gentle gleam in his ink-black eyes under the brilliant sunshine, a smile gracing his lips.
Following behind, Mu Yang also donned a crimson attire, his jovial laughter echoing through the air. He called out to the front, "Brother Xi, take it slow! It's not time yet! Brother Xi's wife is still preparing herself."
Momentarily stunned, Chi Jingxi turned around to face Mu Yang. "What did you just say?"
Mu Yang replied, "It was Brother Xi's wife who mentioned it. She expressed her wish for you to tread slowly, so that she has ample time to prepare at home."
Chi Jingxi pressed further, "What did you refer to her as?"
"Brother Xi's wife?"
Chi Jingxi paused for a moment, then advised, "You should change that address immediately. Don't compel Brother Xi to dismount and give you a good beating."