Chapter 147 (1/2)

Chapter 147 Burnt Ends: Ten Miles of Camellias

10 days after the end of the Autumnal Feast, it was the day of the wedding between Gan Qingjia and Qi Jianqiu, music from the wedding troop floated through the streets. To the civilians of the capital, the fanfare signified a new beginning for the young couple; only the officials of the court knew how much of a political effect this will cause.

As Qi Jianqiu's best friend, Feng Luodi arrived at the Qi residence early in the day, watching from the side as the handmaidens busied about the preparations. Qi Jianqiu sat in front of the mirror, dressed in the traditional red wedding gown of a bride-to-be, her face ruddy from the excitement and nervousness.  Her birth mother had pa.s.sed away many years ago, and the seat of the First Lady of the Qi household has been empty for many years.

Seeing the look of nervousness on the face of her friend, Feng Luodi stepped forward and took a hairpin from a handmaiden, putting it on Qi Jianqiu herself. Qi Jianqiu slowly relaxed and held Feng Luodi's hands in her own.

“Luodi, I'm worried. What if…what if…”

Feng Luodi knew what she was worried about. The Minister of the Right has always disapproved of Qi Jianqiu's relations.h.i.+p, and Qi Jianqiu was worried that he might have made things difficult for Gan Qingjia when he'd proposed to his daughter. If that was the case, it would be unavoidable for the Minister of the Left and his First Lady to resent her after the marriage. But Feng Luodi did not think that of the Minister of the Right.

“Don't worry, you have to believe in Qingjia and your Father. I'm sure both of them have your best interests at heart; all they want is for you to be happy.” Feng Luodi spoke slowly, her words lending comfort to Qi Jianqiu.

As the handmaidens continued to help Qi Jianqiu with her preparations, Feng Luodi felt her lips curl upwards into a smile. She was entrusted a mission by Gan Qingjia: to settle any b.u.t.terflies Qi Jianqiu might have in her stomach. Their wedding will be one to remember, and Jianqiu will live happily ever after. That is one of my remaining wishes in this world.

Before long, the wedding troop had already reached the gates of the Qi residence. Letting down the red veil on Qi Jianqiu's ceremonial headdress and covering her features, Feng Luodi gently led her best friend out of the room, towards the gate. The Minister of the Right stood outside the gate, his features soft and proud. Feng Luodi nodded at the Minister and slowly helped Qi Jianqiu onto the waiting carriage, as requested by the Minister.

Only then did Feng Luodi notice that the street outside the Qi residence was laid with white camellias, guards standing by at every turn. As far as the eye could see, the streets seemed to be paved with white camellias. She could hardly believe her eyes. Please don't tell me that these white flowers stretch all the way from the Gan residence. He should know that white is an inauspicious colour! And to think that it's such an important day…

A delighted gasp from Qi Jianqiu interrupted her thoughts. “He hasn't forgotten, has he?”

Naturally, Feng Luodi knew of Qi Jianqiu's fondness for camellias, but she'd never expected that Gan Qingjia would be able to convince his father of such an act, much less to do it for Qi Jianqiu regardless of how everyone else might view him. I have to give it to him then…

Feng Luodi mounted a palanquin behind the carriage, and the wedding troop quickly moved off towards the Gan residence, where the wedding was held. After the wedding banquet, the newlyweds were to stay at the Gan residence for a month, before moving to Gan Qingjia's newly purchased residence. As the palanquin gently rocked, Feng Luodi relaxed a little and took the time to reorganise the things that have happened in the past few weeks. The proceedings of the court, the fall of the Heir, and most importantly, the Guqin: Burnt Ends.

That night, Feng Luodi had played the Guqin as soon as she'd returned to the Feng residence. The more the feelings between Feng Luodi and Situ developed, and the more she showed her love for him, the more she reminds herself of her mission to return home. She was selfish, not wanting to leave any regrets behind, but neither did she want to see the pain in Situ's eyes. We'll see when we get there.

Never for once did she think about how cruel she was, giving someone her love before taking it from him again. How painful that would be.

Feng Luodi closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. She'd not had a good night's sleep in a while, spending much time with Qi Jianqiu to ease her worries. That did not help when she'd just caught a cold in the beginnings of Autumn, a cold that she never fully recovered from. Suddenly, her palanquin came to a stop.