Scent of Cherry Blossoms (Ongoing)

Chapter 9 - The Wedding (Part 3)

Hi all! I've been really busy and didn't have enough time to finish all parts of chapter 9. I know you all have been waiting for updates since my last update which I believe was 9/13? That's a long wait especially with the way I left you guys in chapter 9 part 2. This is why I have decided to release what I have so far to you all as part 3 and extend chapter 9 with a part 4. So, here you go. Please excuse grammar and spelling mistakes. Enjoy!

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Chapter 9 – The Wedding (Part 3)

The 3rd Prince galloped his horse to the sedan and stopped in front of the large red curtain covering the sedan entrance. His personal attendant Lao Zhihao followed suit. Tian Jin leaped down from his horse and whipped the curtain aside to reveal his bride within.

Xiao Ming was startled by the sudden swipe of the curtain. He tensed up and stared at the red veil blocking his vision. What was that?! He wondered.

On the side, a deep frown marred Prime Minister Xiao’s face as he stared disapprovingly at the 3rd Prince’s unconventional actions. Madam Xiao looked on worriedly next to her husband. The wedding guests and all the commoners watched attentively in shock and interest while covering their mouths to whisper to their neighbors. Just what is the 3rd Prince doing? Is he displaying his displeasure for his male bride for all to see?

Tian Jin calmly eyed the person inside. A red veil covered the person’s head, hiding the face. The person’s frame was small and fragile, yet tall and graceful. Tian Jin narrowed his eyes in thought, and then with a swift motion of his hand, he lifted the red veil. The face he saw was extremely beautiful like a fresh, tender rose budding in spring. Tian Jin smiled in satisfaction and relief. So, it is him.

He had slightly been afraid that the Prime Minister would play some sort of trick at the last moment. If the Prime Minister switched out his son with a random male youth and the marriage ceremony was complete, Tian Jin’s plan would have failed. For when the Prime Minister is questioned, he would have replied that the youth who married the 3rd Prince was his adopted son; and therefore, he did not do anything wrong. By doing this, Tian Jin would have been stuck with the wrong male bride.

When Xiao Ming felt his veil lifted, his heart tensed in wonder and confusion. Who dared to lift his veil outside of his parents’ home? This person was obviously mocking him and his family. His round crystal eyes shifted sharply to the offender. Upon meeting the other’s eyes, Xiao Ming slightly widened his eyes in astonishment.

He did not understand who the man was, but the stranger was by far the most handsome and majestic man Xiao Ming has ever seen. The man was everything Xiao Ming wanted to look like due to his feminine appearance. However, as Xiao Ming saw the red clothes the man was wearing, immediate hate and disgust surged forth like a raging tide inside his heart. The previous amazement and admiration in his eyes died out completely like a match that had fallen into the water. He stared at the man with loathing yet cautious eyes.

Suddenly, the serious look on the man’s face disappeared and a smile danced about his lips. Is this guy mocking him? Xiao Ming frowned angrily and gave his groom a death stare that indicated ‘I will make your life hell!’.

Tian Jin chuckled in his mind as his smile widened in response to his male bride’s deadly stare.

The smile seriously ticked off Xiao Ming. What’s up with this guy’s cocky smile. Is he making fun of him? If he wasn’t doing this for his family’s safety, he would have pounced on this guy and beat him black and blue! He may not be strong, but he still has very sharp teeth. He bit his lower lip in frustration and turned his head away.

“Lai Zhihao,” Tian Jin called to his attendant in a crisp voice.

Lai Zhihao opened a small wooden box and lifted it to the 3rd Prince. Within the box was a beautiful and intricate cherry blossom hairpin made of the finest and most valuable materials. It was an item the 3rd Prince had personally requested from a famous blacksmith some months ago.

Tian Jin took the hairpin and placed it into Xiao Ming’s hair. Xiao Ming whipped his head around irritably and reached out to throw the hairpin away. However, before he could grab ahold of the hairpin, his hand was caught by a strong yet painless grip. He glared up at the owner of the hand holding his. His jaws tightened and his eyes flared in anger.

“Leave it be. It suits you very much.” Tian Jin spoke in a clear and gentle voice. He reached out with a finger and stroked Xiao Ming’s right cheek.

Xiao Ming shifted his face away and spitted out in a cold whisper, “Why are you doing this?”

Tian Jin ignored Xiao Ming’s meaning. He smiled broadly, “Is there a need to give a reason for when a husband wants to give his wife a gift.” He pinched Xiao Ming’s chin and turned him to face him. Xiao Ming’s eyes were somewhat red with anger. Tian Jin’s sharp, angled brows furrowed. “Do you not remember me? I made a promise to you that I would come for you one day.”

At the Tian Jin’s words, Xiao Ming frowned in confusion, dispersing some of the hatred visible on his face. The 3rd Prince had made such a promise to him? When? How? Does this mean that he is the one who brought this calamity upon himself?

Observing the change in his male bride’s expression, Tian Jin smiled and said, “You will remember in time.”

After saying that, Tian Jin got back onto his horse and rode away to lead the procession out.

Contemplating the words said by the 3rd Prince within the sedan, Xiao Ming whispered, “He made a promise to me? But, how can he when I’ve only been to the palace once when I was a young boy? In fact, the only person I met aside from the females in the palace was … THAT BOY! THE CRYBABY!” Xiao Ming gasped in shock. He lifted his veil and peeked out the window curtain to look at the tall figure on top of the horse leading the procession. He pursed his lips in anger and shouted quietly, “That punk, I’m gonna bite him into little pieces!!!”

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Well that's all for ch. 9 part 3. See you all in part 4! - LoveKitten 😉