Chapter 274: The Wedding (Part 2)

The newly completed copper bell began tolling early in the morning, its solemn and majestic sound echoing through the air. Dressed in brand-new clothes, people gathered along the main road, brimming with excitement.

Under Feya’s druidic magic, the flowers lining Orgrimmar’s main street bloomed one by one on this bright, sunny morning, transforming the road into a vibrant garden. More flowers had been picked, soaked in cool well water, and placed in baskets, ready to be used during the ceremony.

Everyone waited eagerly. 

Wu Qingsong and the procession to greet the brides had departed the night before, heading north to the Silver Moon settlement to escort Ram. Once she and the wolfkin attending the wedding arrived, an identical procession would depart for the houndfolk’s settlement to fetch Ling and Liuli, who were temporarily staying at Angus’s home. Together, the three brides would then be brought to the freshly refurbished Xuanyuan Temple for the ceremony.

“I think Ram’s just showing off. She’s making us wait on purpose,” Liuli grumbled. 

From early in the morning, Ling had forced her into a long white gown with a flowing train, topped with a delicately crafted silver flower crown. Her fur was meticulously brushed smooth, and she’d been doused in an abundance of perfume. The unfamiliar primping left her squirming uncomfortably.

“Achoo!” she sneezed and grumbled again. “Getting married is terrifying.”

“You~!” Ling wasn’t sure if she should tell Liuli the truth, but Wu Qingsong had been adamant that the surprise not be revealed until they walked down the aisle.

Though it felt a bit cruel, Ling couldn’t help but look forward to Liuli’s expression when the moment finally came.

“They say it takes four hours to get here, even with the newly repaired road,” Ling said gently, adjusting the hairpin on Liuli’s head. She couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for her, still blissfully unaware of the surprise. “Ram and the others must be even more exhausted than we are.”

“She’s doing it on purpose,” Liuli muttered under her breath. “Insisting on leaving from over there.”

A simple ceremony following Silver Moon Wolf Clan customs was being held in their territory, essentially marking Ram’s initial marriage to Wu Qingsong. However, for Wu, the wedding at the Xuanyuan Temple—the one he had designed himself—was what truly mattered.

This arrangement was a small compromise he made for Ram, one that Ling had agreed to as well. For her, being able to marry Wu Qingsong at all as a mixed-blood beastwoman was something she’d never dared to imagine. A minor concession like this was of no concern to her.

“You don’t have to think so little of yourself,” Wu Qingsong had said to her, his voice filled with exasperation. But she had only smiled, sending him off as he left Orgrimmar to meet Ram.

“Who knows if they… last night…” Ruri began to speculate.

“Liuli!” Ling raised her voice in protest.

“Geez, you’re already acting like an old nag and you’re not even married yet,” Liuli sighed theatrically, though her playful grin quickly returned. “But tonight, you’ll finally get to—”

“LIULI!!” Ling’s face turned a deep shade of red.

“Fine, fine! I won’t say it anymore,” Liuli said, throwing up her hands in surrender.

“They’re here! They’re here!” A loud commotion erupted outside.

Liuli immediately leaped to the window. Outside, a white carriage gleamed under the sunlight, flanked by eight wolfman soldiers clad in dark red insectoid armor. Fully armed, they rode alongside the carriage, with some guiding the horses pulling it. Among them were clearly Nina and Daryl, while Wu Qingsong, dressed in a luxurious black military uniform, rode a white horse beside the carriage.

The carriage windows were open, and it was obvious he was chatting with someone inside.

Behind them followed about thirty wolf warriors, their fur dyed and faces painted. Most of them were elders and leaders from the remnants of the Silver Moon Clan. Due to the devastating war that had slaughtered so many of their people, the proportion of leaders to regular members was abnormally high.

“These guys are so annoying!” Liuli grumbled openly, her disdain for the wolfpeople plain as day.

From her perspective, Wu Qingsong had helped them countless times, yet they showed no gratitude whatsoever. Instead, they constantly acted like Orgrimmar was scheming to swallow them whole.

‘You scraggly bunch. Who even wants you?’ she thought irritably.

What irked her even more was that their grand arrival was clearly Ram’s way of showcasing her backing and strength. Meanwhile, Ling had nothing—no family, no clan, not even relatives to speak of. She had to rely on the houndfolk as her stand-in kin.

“Misses, we should start preparing,” Angus’s mother said, stepping into the room.

“We know, we know. It’s not like they’re here yet,” Liuli replied, waving dismissively. 

But as she looked again at Wu Qingsong approaching Orgrimmar, her mood grew even sourer.

“You need a touch-up,” the old hound matron said with a chuckle. 

She was well aware of Liuli’s temperament—and the surprise awaiting her. Silently, she shook her head. 

‘This young lady doesn’t act like someone about to get married at all.’

Time seemed to accelerate. As the houndfolk busied themselves inspecting dresses and fixing makeup, a sudden cheer erupted outside. The girls gasped—it meant the groom had arrived in the city.

One of the hound women hurriedly lifted her skirt and ran to the window, then exclaimed in a panic, “Quick! Quick! The lord is heading this way!”

Ling’s heart immediately tightened. Her mind went blank. She had no idea what to do or say. The voices around her blurred, drowned out by the sound of her racing heartbeat. Even her breathing grew strained.

Moments later, she heard the sounds of cheers and greetings from below. It felt as though her whole body was aflame, leaving her nearly unable to breathe.

And then, the door swung open.

“Lord Wu,” the women present greeted in soft voices, bowing respectfully. 

Wu Qingsong returned their gesture with a smile before heading directly toward her.

“Ling, you look stunning today,” he said gently, taking her hand and planting a soft kiss on it. His warm smile eased her nerves, and her breathing gradually returned to normal. At last, the world righted itself again.

“And what about me?” Liuli piped up indignantly beside Ling.

“You?” Wu Qingsong teased, raising an eyebrow. “You look like a wild cat someone caught and plucked bald.”

Liuli’s claws shot up as she snarled in mock offense.

“Not bad at all,” Wu Qingsong laughed. “Definitely better than usual.”

He reached out and took both their hands. “Ladies, shall we?”

Ling nodded silently, while Liuli tugged at the long train of her skirt. 

“I’ve been waiting forever,” the catgirl said.

As they stepped out of Angus’s house, the gathered houndfolk erupted into cheers. Petals rained down like a colorful storm from the rooftops, accompanied by jubilant cries and heartfelt blessings. The beaming smiles of the houndfolk left both Ling and Liuli momentarily stunned.

“Misses, your carriage awaits.” 

Wu Qingsong led them to another white, four-wheeled carriage, surrounded by eight hound warriors clad in dark red chitin armor.

Beck, standing nearby, couldn’t help but wink at Liuli.

“I’m getting in the carriage?” Liuli blinked in surprise. “Isn’t this for the bride?”

“In that dress? You’ll trip before we get halfway there,” Wu Qingsong said, resisting the urge to ruffle her hair again. “Count yourself lucky.”

With cheers echoing around them, the carriage began to move toward the city gates. Soon, two carriages—one leading, one following—proceeded slowly toward the inner temple of Orgrimmar.

Uplifting music filled the air as petals continued to cascade from the buildings above. The townspeople’s genuine blessings surrounded the lord who had brought prosperity to their lives and the girls who would soon become his wives. They prayed to Xuanyuan for enduring luck, health, and happiness. As the carriages passed, the crowd eagerly followed behind, cheering as they made their way toward the temple.