The bride has already gone to the inner hall. Lan Yin busied himself greeting guests, always wearing a relaxed and easy smile. My impression of him changed completely—he was nothing like what Wang Su had just described. Lan Yin was lively, with not a trace of sorrow on his face.
Lan Yin mingled among the guests, chatting and laughing with many of them. He seemed quite satisfied with his marriage. I walked slowly into the inner hall, and in a room guarded by four people, I found Mo Yu. Sure enough, Mo Yu was inside, but she seemed like a different person.
Her face was utterly devoid of any smile, expressionless. The two maids were dressing her up, but I couldn't help but sigh—Mo Yu looked as if her soul had been drained away, her face ashen and lifeless.
"Miss, please eat something. You haven't touched a bite all day. You'll need your strength for the ceremony soon."
"That's right, Miss. The groom seems quite nice."
The two maids took turns urging her, but Mo Yu showed no reaction to the pastries laid out on the table.
"About Young Master Liu..." One maid started to speak, but the other quickly covered her mouth. I saw Mo Yu's eyes flicker, and a wave of sadness washed over the room.
After the wedding rites were completed, Mo Yu was sent to the bridal chamber, while Lan Yin remained at the banquet, drinking with the guests as if he had gone mad. He downed wine as if it were water, unnaturally excited.
"Lan Yin, you should drink less. You still have to go to the bridal chamber later."
"What? I'm happy today—I married the woman I love. Wang Su, don't be so uptight. Drink!"
Lan Yin said this, raising his glass and downing it. Then he grabbed a wine jug and handed it to Wang Su. Wang Su hesitated for a moment but had no choice but to drink.
When the banquet ended, Lan Yin was so drunk he was barely conscious. I watched as two pairs of elderly couples instructed the servants to help Lan Yin.
"What do we do now? Lan Yin is drunk."
"We'll just have to wait until tomorrow night."
"Don't worry, elders. We'll guard both inside and out."
Even though Wang Su was drunk, he still kept a serious expression. After saying this, Lan Yin was helped into the bridal chamber.
Mo Yu still sat dazed at the edge of the bed, while Lan Yin collapsed onto it, mumbling incoherently. Mo Yu paid him no attention.
The pair of large red candles in the room burned down to a stub. Lan Yin had fallen asleep, but Mo Yu kept her eyes open. I saw a deep sadness gradually emerge on her face.
Then Mo Yu began to sob quietly. She got up, curled herself into a corner of the room, sitting on the floor as tears streamed down her face. Her makeup was smeared across her cheeks, but she only wept in silence. Then, to my shock, Mo Yu picked up a knife and slashed fiercely at her own neck.
Bright red blood flowed endlessly, and Mo Yu slowly closed her eyes, as if falling asleep. Then, bit by bit, the blood that had spilled began to flow back into her body, the wound healing itself. Mo Yu breathed evenly, finally drifting off to sleep.