Chapter 635 - 394: Endless Wrath (Illusion Realm)

Chapter 635: Chapter 394: Endless Wrath (Illusion Realm)

Halfway through combing, Xin’Er’s hand faltered.

Feeling her handmaiden’s trembling fingertips, Miss Yun asked with concern, "Xin’Er, what’s wrong?"

"It’s nothing, Miss. My fingers just cramped."

Without a change in expression, Xin’Er discreetly tucked the handful of brittle, yellowed hair from her palm into a small pouch at her waist. She then resumed combing as if nothing had happened.

Miss Yun acted as if she hadn’t noticed a thing, allowing another handmaiden to paint her eyebrows.

Soon, all of Miss Yun’s long hair was combed and coiled into a high bun. Golden hairpins with swinging pendants were inserted on either side to hold the style in place, and an assortment of delicate gold ornaments were woven into her tresses.

A golden floral appliqué on her forehead and the long, slender gold earrings dangling from her lobes glittered brilliantly in the candlelight.

Her bloodless lips gently pressed against a sheet of crimson lip paper. With a touch of rouge, her pale cheeks became vibrant and enchanting.

Miss Yun gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her face as radiant as a peach blossom, and a delighted smile bloomed across her lips.

Finally, the handmaidens helped her into her phoenix crown and wedding robe, then lowered the Red Veil over her head.

’Ouluan, today I will finally be your bride.’

The bride-to-be sat on the edge of the bed, nervously wringing her hands as she quietly awaited the auspicious hour.

...

A joyous air filled the Wan Mansion. A large, red silk flower hung from the black, gold-threaded nanmu plaque suspended above the vermilion-lacquered main gate.

’A wedding? The master of the house seems to be surnamed Wan. I wonder what kind of strange business is going on in this second courtyard.’

Dressed in a modern jacket, Han Ning blended into the crowd of passing guests, a completely incongruous sight.

But no one seemed to notice his attire; they all continued to go about their business.

’This scene isn’t an Illusion Realm—I can’t pierce it with Spiritual Power. Yet it doesn’t seem to be the real world, either. Where on earth am I...?’

Han Ning frowned. Unable to make sense of his situation, he could only go with the flow for the time being.

The servants greeting guests at the entrance were all uniformly dressed in festive, bright red padded jackets, every one of them beaming.

Inside the main hall of the Wan Mansion’s first courtyard, tables were already laden with fruits and pastries. Dozens of men, women, and children, all dressed in fine, bright clothes, sat at the tables, conversing in low voices.

PITTER-PATTER~

The sky was overcast, the clouds dark and heavy.

The drizzle, which had paused for a short while, began again, dampening some of the festive atmosphere within the mansion.

Just then, a stern-faced young man emerged from the rear hall.

He wore a grim expression, as if everyone owed him thousands of taels of silver.

The man walked out to stand beneath the eaves in front of the hall. He stared out at the ceaseless drizzle, his brow deeply furrowed and his face etched with worry, lost in thought.

Han Ning noted the man’s exceptional bearing, his steady breath, and the restrained glint in his eyes. He decided to probe for information, turning to a young boy beside him who was there for the feast.

"Who’s that? Why is he making such a sour face on a happy day like this?"

"He’s Sister Yun’s second brother, Wan Lianping. I heard he’s always been dead set against her marriage." The boy, caring little for such matters, grabbed a greasy chicken leg and began to devour it.

’Sister Yun... she must be the bride.’ Han Ning mused. He placed a piece of braised pork in the boy’s bowl and asked, "Who’s the groom?"

"You’re here for the feast and you don’t even know who the groom is?" The boy rolled his eyes. "Some outsider named Ouluan. I don’t like him."

"Oh..."

About ten minutes later, a string of firecrackers exploded outside with a deafening CRACKLE. The sounds of suona horns, flutes, drums, and gongs all mingled together.

...

「Deep in the rear courtyard of the Wan Mansion.」

Wan Lianping walked slowly to his younger sister’s door and said, "Yun’Er, the auspicious hour has arrived. It’s time to come out."

CREAK—the door opened.

Two young handmaidens in red dresses emerged, supporting Miss Yun as she stepped through the doorway. The bride was dressed in a magnificent wedding gown, her face hidden by the Red Veil.

"It’s windy and raining hard. Put a cloak on your lady before we go."

Wan Lianping strode out into the wind and rain. As the fine drizzle came within an inch of his body, it was instantly dispersed by an invisible Power.

The young handmaidens followed behind, carefully shielding the bride with large, red oil-paper umbrellas.

Wan Lianping came to a halt at the main gate of the Wan Mansion, his hands clasped behind his back. Above him was the plaque, inscribed with the two gilded words: Wan Mansion.

Standing in the wind and rain beside a white horse was an impossibly handsome man. He wore a red gauze cap and a matching straight-fronted red robe, cinched at the waist with a gold, cloud-patterned jade belt from which a lustrous jade pendant hung.

A handsome exterior, to be sure.

Behind Ouluan stood a long wedding procession, complete with musicians beating gongs and drums.

The onlookers on either side of the road watched the two brothers-in-law in silence. Despite their obvious discord, their gazes were locked, seemingly inseparable.

Firecrackers exploded all around, but the clamor of drums and music seemed to fade into the background. For the space of several breaths, the two men—one on the steps, the other below—silently held each other’s gaze.

Invisible sparks flew between them.

"Ouluan greets you, brother-in-law."

The handsome man bowed with cupped fists, a faint smile playing on his lips as he saluted the man on the steps.

"Hmph."

With a cold snort, Wan Lianping turned and swept Miss Yun up into his arms.

Cradling Miss Yun, he descended the steps and said softly, "Yun’Er, you must take care of yourself from now on. If anyone bullies you, you tell me, and I will make them pay."

"Second Brother!"

Miss Yun’s choked voice came from beneath the Red Veil.

"Don’t cry on your wedding day."

Her brother placed his sister inside the bridal sedan and lowered the curtain. Without a single glance at the groom, he swung himself onto his horse.

Ouluan paid him no mind. He walked to the side of the bridal sedan and said softly, "Yun’Er, hold on tight. We’re leaving now."

"Mm."

With that said, the groom gave a wave of his hand and vaulted onto the other white horse.