USWHC -Chapter 218 Engagement Turmoil (Part 8)

The bride was dressed in a bright red wedding gown, with a gold-embroidered xiapei draped over her shoulders. Under the sunlight it shimmered brilliantly, dazzling the eyes. Of course, it wasn’t only the gold threads that shone—the jewelry covering her body was just as eye-catching.

Around her neck hung layers upon layers of necklaces. There were gold beads the size of soybeans, luxurious red rubies, and glossy black pearls. Strand after strand intertwined around her neck; the bride practically had to hold her neck stiff and straight just to keep from being dragged down by the sheer weight of them.

And it wasn’t just her neck. Her wrists were the same—bracelets lined up in pairs and rows. From her elbows all the way down to her wrist bones were bangles: golden bracelets carved with twin lotus flowers, emerald-green jade bracelets, and even red coral ones. All together they glittered with extravagant splendor.

Even more exaggerated were her hands. Nearly every finger wore a large ring—emerald gemstones, green jade thumb rings, and blinding gold rings. Her ten fingers were so weighed down that they spread out like a duck’s webbed feet, unable to close together at all.

Did she just rob a jewelry shop and run out wearing everything? Zhu Jie sneered inwardly. The aesthetic taste of nouveau riche people really was bizarre.

But the surrounding onlookers clearly thought very differently from her. They admired—and envied—this kind of beauty immensely.

“Good heavens! Has that girl from the Hua family fallen into a nest of fortune?”

“The Sun family is really rich! The Hua family will be enjoying a blessed life now!”

“Hey, do you think the Sun family’s young master is still taking another wife?” someone even asked an even stranger question impatiently.

“What, you want to marry into their family too?” someone immediately mocked.

“I can’t, but my daughter can!” the woman retorted, sticking out her neck proudly, her face full of excitement.

That instantly triggered a burst of laughter.

“Forget it! Even the Ji family’s girl wasn’t good enough—how could your daughter be? Don’t make people laugh!”

As soon as that was said, everyone immediately turned their gaze toward the Ji family. Their looks seemed both mocking and pitying. In everyone’s eyes, the Ji family had lost such an excellent son-in-law—they would surely regret it for the rest of their lives.

Zhu Jie didn’t care much, but the Ji family members couldn’t keep their faces steady. Seeing the crowd’s looks, their eyes practically turned green with anger. It felt as if they might explode at any moment—whoever provoked them now might get bitten.

Just then, in the crowd, the bride and groom were holding hands sweetly as they walked step by step toward the gates of happiness—the Sun family residence.

“The bride crosses the fire basin—may her days be prosperous and blazing red!” The ceremonial chant rang out, finally interrupting the crowd’s chatter, and everyone’s attention shifted back to the newlyweds.

The bride shyly lifted her foot. The fire basin seemed a bit large; her body tilted slightly, and she nearly tripped over it. Everyone gasped sharply.

Old Madam Ji’s eyes widened too—she almost wished Hua Feixue would fall straight into the basin and not come out.

Unfortunately, just then the groom’s firm arm stretched out and wrapped around the bride’s waist, catching her perfectly and steadying her. Perhaps the bride smiled beneath the red veil; she tilted her head slightly upward, and the two seemed to exchange a glance.

That single glance made countless people sigh with envy, and cheers immediately rose for the groom.

“Good! Well done!”

“The bride crosses the saddle—may her life be peaceful and safe!” the chant sounded again.

This time the groom seemed prepared. He held the bride’s hand tightly, and when they stepped over the saddle he even gently supported her. Such affection—it was truly sweet and loving.

But the Ji family members watching felt as though pus flowed from their eyes and blood dripped from their hearts. Why? Why wasn’t Ji Mei the bride? What happened to the happiness that had been promised?

After crossing the fire basin and stepping over the saddle, the bride and groom climbed the steps. In the blink of an eye, they were about to step into the Sun residence. Once they bowed in the wedding hall and entered the bridal chamber, Hua Feixue would truly become the Young Madam of the Sun family.

But just as the bride and groom lifted their feet to step across the threshold—

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out from somewhere:

“Wait!”

Huh? Who shouted that?
And who were they calling to stop?
Were they speaking to the bride and groom?
What did they want to do?

Everyone followed the sound with their eyes. Behind the crowd, a carriage had appeared at some unknown moment—and the shout had come from there.

Who had arrived?