A scumbag husband fakes his death to escape his marriage? I'll burn down his funeral hall and s

Chapter 398 Du Ruoling's Desired Honor and Dignity Were Neither

After all the ceremonies were completed, Du Ruoling finally couldn't hold back any longer.

She ripped off her phoenix crown and sternly questioned Gu Cheng'an, "Gu Cheng'an! Tell me, why is there not a single decent guest in your mansion? Where are your relatives? Where are your colleagues and old friends?"

Gu Cheng'an turned his head and looked at her calmly, his tone as indifferent as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him.

"Even if no one comes, the wedding banquet will still proceed as planned, won't it?"

Du Ruoling trembled with rage, her voice shrill: "Go ahead as planned? Is this the wedding you're giving me? You... do you even want to marry me?!"

Gu Cheng'an lowered his eyes, looked at the wedding dress he was still wearing, and said in a calm voice, "Isn't this wedding dress enough for you to understand?"

"Understand? What do I understand!" Du Ruoling's chest heaved violently. "So, are we just going to leave these dozens of tables empty like this? Are we going to let people laugh at me, Du Ruoling?"

Gu Cheng'an said calmly, "There are many servants in the Princess's residence. Let them all take their seats."

"What?" Du Ruoling exclaimed as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world, or as if she had been greatly insulted. "Let those servants come to my wedding banquet?"

Du Ruoling is now a princess, and she is to marry Gu Cheng'an in a grand and glorious manner, hosting a banquet for all the civil and military officials and receiving the attention of the masses!

How can we let a bunch of servants fill this awkward void?

How is this any different from her former status as a maid?

Gu Cheng'an looked at her distorted face and a sarcastic smile appeared on his lips: "Didn't you always say that all beings are equal and that those in power should not abuse their power and enslave their servants? Why do you look down on them today?"

Du Ruoling was speechless, her face turning bright red.

Yes, she was new here and her mind was full of modern ideas of equality for all. Naturally, she was indignant when she saw her master beating and scolding the servants.

But times have changed, and she is no longer that lowly maid; she is a princess!

What she wants is honor and dignity!

Gu Cheng'an seemed oblivious to the humiliation and resentment in her eyes, his tone calm and unwavering: "The ceremony is complete, the marriage is done. Why should the princess care about anything else?"

After saying that, he turned around, poured himself a cup of cold tea, drank it slowly, and didn't look at Du Ruoling again.

Inside the bridal chamber, red candles burned brightly, casting a crimson glow throughout the room, yet failing to dispel the suffocating chill.

Looking at Gu Cheng'an's unyielding attitude, Du Ruoling felt a surge of anger and resentment that almost burned her alive.

She went to great lengths, even lying that she was pregnant with his child, to secure this marriage in name only and to have this cold and indifferent husband.

Gu Cheng'an finished his cold tea in his cup with a soft "tap," which sounded particularly jarring in the quiet room.

He slowly stood up, seemingly intending to leave.

Du Ruoling could no longer maintain her composure. She abruptly stood up, her voice trembling with excitement: "Where are you going?"

Gu Cheng'an didn't stop walking. He only glanced at her indifferently, his eyes calm and unwavering, as if he were looking at a stranger.

"Today, today is our wedding night!" Du Ruoling's voice trembled with despair. She stepped forward and blocked Gu Cheng'an's path. "Won't you rest with me?"

She looked up at him, a glimmer of hope still lingering in her eyes, wishing he would utter even a single, perfunctory word of tenderness.

Gu Cheng'an's gaze fell on her, his brows furrowed slightly, but he quickly regained his indifferent expression.

"You're pregnant, and it's inconvenient for you," he simply said, his tone flat and devoid of any emotion.

He knew clearly in his heart that he had no desire to share a bed with Du Ruoling, not even for a moment.

Upon hearing this, Du Ruoling seemed to have all her strength drained away. She staggered back a step, her face deathly pale.

Physical inconvenience? What a ridiculous excuse!

He felt it was unnecessary to even glance at her or say another word.

Gu Cheng'an walked past her and headed straight for the door without lingering.

With a "bang," he gently closed the door from the outside, completely severing Du Ruoling's last shred of hope.

She stood there, stunned, her magnificent wedding dress now appearing utterly ironic. The bright red wedding candles crackled, illuminating her pale, distorted face.

Tears finally welled up uncontrollably.

She collapsed onto the cold bed, biting the quilt tightly, her suppressed sobs escaping her throat, filled with resentment, humiliation, and a bone-chilling cold.

The night was deep outside the window, the red candles in the bridal chamber burned all night, and Du Ruoling cried all night as well.

This was the marriage she had painstakingly arranged, the chain that bound him, but in the end, it only bound herself.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the palace and its surroundings were brightly lit, as bright as day.

Wearing the palace dress specially sent by Consort Shu, with a light and soft brocade cloak over it, Chu Ruohan slowly boarded the carriage with the help of Yu Ling and Song Ruyan.

The carriage rumbled along, arriving at the palace gate, where eunuchs were already waiting to guide the carriages from various residences into the palace in an orderly fashion.

Tonight, the palace exudes an even greater sense of grandeur and majesty than ever before. The first Mid-Autumn Festival banquet after the new emperor's ascension to the throne is of extraordinary significance, with a constant stream of imperial relatives, officials, and civil and military figures attending.

Chu Ruohan, supported by Yu Ling, stepped down from the carriage. The evening breeze, carrying the sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, brushed against their cheeks.

Before parting, Gu Junze carefully instructed, "There are many people in the palace, so be careful in everything. If you feel unwell, immediately send someone to tell me, and I will come to the palace to pick you up right away." The worry between his brows was lingering.

Chu Ruohan smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself. Besides, aren't there Song Ruyan and Yuling?"

Song Ruyan patted her chest and said, "General, don't worry, I will definitely protect Ruohan!"

"Madam, this way please," the palace maid leading the way said respectfully.

The banquet was held in Zhaoyang Palace, which was already filled with elegant ladies and the clinking of glasses. Since the new emperor had no heir, the harem was temporarily managed by Consort Shu.

Before the banquet began, the women naturally had to pay their respects to Consort Shu.

Chu Ruohan recalled the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet last year, when the Empress Dowager was still alive and urged them to have a child as soon as possible.

She was six months pregnant then, but she has passed away.

At this moment, Consort Shu, dressed in splendid palace attire, sat regally to one side of the main seat, a proper smile on her face, and was arranging various matters in an orderly manner. Her words and actions already showed some of the demeanor of someone in charge of the harem.

Chu Ruohan's arrival did not cause much of a commotion, but many eyes still drifted over to her.