Among the onlookers, quite a few bashful girls had covered their eyes, yet could not resist peeking through their fingers. Though their cheeks flushed and their hearts raced, deep down they longed for a wedding just like this.
Old Madam Xu sat beneath a specially made parasol, wearing a broad-brimmed hat with a veil hanging from its edge to conceal her face. Through that hazy veil, everything before her felt so warm and familiar that, for a moment, she seemed to have returned to the world of her past. No one saw her expression, much less noticed the tears shimmering in her eyes.
Given Old Madam Xu's standing, she could have served as the wedding witness, and Hu Xiaotian had asked her to do so. But she had declined. She did not wish to show herself in public and still wanted to preserve her air of mystery. Beside her, Xu Mubai's gaze betrayed a mixture of admiration and envy. Today, Long Xiyue was truly as beautiful as a celestial maiden.
Since Old Madam Xu was unwilling to serve as the wedding witness, the role naturally fell to Long Xuanjiao, the Empress Dowager of the Fragrant Kingdom. Amid the crowd's cheers, Long Xuanjiao approached the newlyweds. Beaming, she witnessed their marriage, then said, "On the occasion of my daughter and son-in-law's wedding, I have another matter to announce to the world." At this point, she deliberately paused.
Everyone knew she must have something important to announce, and the entire crowd fell silent at once.
Long Xuanjiao turned her gaze toward Hu Xiaotian and said, "Xiaotian, I think it would be most fitting for you to make this announcement."
Hu Xiaotian nodded. "As you command, Mother." He surveyed the crowd and found Qiqi among the wedding guests without much effort. Her lovely