Feng Shihao put Nan Xing down and brought over the food.
"Linglong, I've thought about it. Let's get married first, and then we'll slowly find a doctor. Don't worry, you'll get better."
Under the candlelight, his features were as picturesque as ever, gentle and refined, without a trace of gloom.
This gave Qu Linglong a fleeting illusion of time passing without harm, and life being peaceful and beautiful.
"Married?"
"Yes, we'll get married tomorrow. Get a good rest tonight."
Qu Linglong's mouth fell open, and she stared blankly. Was he talking about getting married? Not about eating?
Nan Xing, standing beside them, grinned happily.
She knew what getting married meant. From now on, Father and Mother would live together with her, and they wouldn't be separated.
Feng Shihao had originally intended to take her back to the city to get married. However, Su Mian had returned that day in a foul mood, saying it was best for her to get married here, so that everyone in the village could witness it.
This was because she had heard some unpleasant remarks in the village.
They said Linglong was abandoned by a man, that she was an outside concubine punished by the main wife, and that no one knew where the child came from... all sorts of baseless speculation.
It was good then. If he picked her up from here and took her back to the city, no one would be allowed to slander her.
"I, this, is it necessary?" She was a little flustered.
She was already very content. A title was just a title; it wasn't important.
"My illness doesn't need to be treated either; it's a waste of money."
He was no longer a prince now, and he would have to support Nan Xing in the future. Su Mian also needed his care. It was not easy.
Feng Shihao chuckled lightly, "You think my current situation is difficult?"
"Don't worry, I still have money even if I'm not a prince. We have plenty of restaurants, and we have properties all over Jing Country. You can live wherever you want."
Over the past two years, every time he found a place, he would purchase property and leave people to guard it, fearing that he might not receive news of Linglong. Now, except for a few remote areas, he should have houses in almost every city.
Qu Linglong had nothing more to say, but her heart was filled with sweetness, yet also a touch of bitterness.
The next day, a long wedding procession stopped outside the thatched cottage. The villagers, hearing the commotion, all rushed over.
An eight-bearer sedan chair, drums and music, a colorful palanquin, and flowers paving the way – it was a spectacle the villagers had never seen before.
Feng Shihao, dressed in a fiery red wedding robe, rode a magnificent horse, looking handsome and dashing, like a gentleman from a painting.
Su Mian helped Qu Linglong out. She was adorned in a phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, officially married.
"Our young lady, in the past, due to a quarrel with the groom, she couldn't bear it and left with the young lady. The groom searched for two years across the land before finally finding her. Today, the groom is remarrying the young lady to seek her forgiveness. Lovers are finally united, and we ask everyone to bear witness."
"Our groom says that he will only have our young lady in his life, never to leave or abandon her, through life and death!"
After Su Mian finished speaking loudly, she placed Qu Linglong's hand into Feng Shihao's.
Gasps of admiration came from all around.
Feng Shihao lifted Qu Linglong into the sedan chair adorned with red silk, then turned and mounted his horse. He announced to the crowd, "I have found my beloved and will cherish her dearly from now on, never letting her suffer any grievances. From now on, if you need to see a doctor, find someone else. Doctor Qu will no longer be here!"
Doctor Qu was an outsider, and she had brought a young daughter with no one to rely on. Besides the old couple who occasionally took care of her, there were many scoundrels in this village who never paid for treatment or paid less.
The old couple had also been given money as thanks. As for the rest, there was no lingering kindness.
The bridal sedan chair gradually moved away under the gaze of the villagers. Some sighed, some felt ashamed.
Du Ling lay in the woods by the roadside, resting his arms. He heard the sound of gongs and drums approaching, and then departing.
"Alright! The show is over, no need to see them off!"
"May you... as the saying goes: wish you a long and happy life together!"
They returned to their residence in Xinyu City, which had already been fully decorated. Qu Linglong swayed, feeling as if she were still dreaming.
Nan Xing was very happy. She pulled her father's hand, then her mother's. She was also wearing festive red brocade clothes, with a red tassel on her head, as beautiful as a doll from a New Year's painting.
Su Mian was also happy. She didn't know how serious Qu Linglong's illness was, only thinking that life would be better from now on. She busied herself, coming and going, not feeling tired at all.
Thirteen blocked their path again.
"Thirteen, it's a joyous occasion. Don't upset me!"
"Here."
Thirteen stuffed something into her hand and ran off.
Su Mian looked down and saw a silver hairpin, with a red pearl inlaid at the tip.
Good for him, that scoundrel Thirteen! While buying wedding supplies for the groom and bride, he secretly skimmed off an item!
She would let it slide today, but she would deal with him tomorrow!
That night, in the bridal chamber with candles burning, Su Mian had already coaxed Nan Xing to sleep.
Then she came out to guard the new room. However, she heard no sounds from inside. It was quiet, which was a bit strange.
Thirteen hid in the shadows, watching her stand up and then try to peek through the door.
He found her quite endearing.
She had a large chest and a large backside, exactly his type. Why hadn't he taken a liking to her before?
She was right; she was indeed a bit clumsy.
Now, the more he looked at her, the more beautiful he found his wife.
He was delighted.
Feng Shihao quietly held his long-lost wife in his arms. He could finally get a good night's sleep.
Linglong was so well-behaved and easily shy, nestling in his embrace like a soft kitten.
He remembered how indifferent she used to be when she was an imperial physician, acting as free-spirited as a man.
In reality, how could she like that? She was clearly a soft, loving little girl who needed affection.
"From now on, I will love you well."
Qu Linglong snuggled closer again, her arms quietly wrapping around his waist.
In this life, she was content.
Her daughter's future was also no longer a worry.
The stinging pain in her chest seemed to have disappeared. She slept peacefully, her dreams even colored.
In the following days, Feng Shihao continued to send people to find doctors, supervised Qu Linglong taking her medicine, and played with Nan Xing.
Su Mian still noticed something was wrong.
Her young lady's complexion grew worse, and her coughing became more frequent. She always felt as if she couldn't catch her breath in between coughs.
And then, the blood.
"Miss..." She seemed to understand something.
No wonder the groom's face always sank when they were alone, unlike his smiling demeanor when he was with the young lady.
No wonder Thirteen kept bringing doctors home every day.
No wonder the young lady's gaze towards the little lady always held reluctance.
"Su Mian, I've left you a dowry. If you meet someone you like in the future, feel free to marry."
Su Mian cried, resting her head on Qu Linglong's lap.
"I won't marry. I want to stay with the little lady."
If the young lady really left, the little lady would have no mother. Who knew if the groom would truly never remarry? She had to protect the little lady.
Qu Linglong stroked her head and sighed softly.
They had grown up together, nominally master and servant, but their affection was like that of sisters. She also hoped someone could take care of Nan Xing for her, but how could she be so selfish? Everything was already prepared for her. In the future, it would be up to her own wishes!