Chapter 352: A Belated Wedding

Everything continued to progress in an orderly manner as time passed. More and more mousekin poured into Nagrand from the eastern regions of the Icy Sea, expanding the city’s scale along with its surrounding farmland, roads, canals, and windmills.

The workshops of all sizes in Nagrand were now operating at full capacity. Under the leadership of the craftsmen sent by Red Moon, the various incentives implemented by Wu Qingsong, and the guidance of the Xuanyuan Temple, the ratmen laborers worked tirelessly, striving to prove their worth.

More beastmen also began coming to Nagrand for trade, quietly observing this city, which was utterly novel to the beastmen of the wasteland. They took their experiences back to their tribes, using them as bragging rights.

The effects of the previous massacres seemed to be fading. However, whenever beastmen who had participated in those battles saw the bison and moose, tirelessly and silently laboring under the ratmen’s command in the fields and along the roads, they instinctively took a few steps away, as if that could distance them from the ominous aura those creatures carried.

But as the weather grew hotter, people’s hearts became restless.

Because the wedding day was fast approaching.

Ever since the date was set, Nina had remained in Silvermoon and had not come to Nagrand, while Xeila continued her usual ways, staying by Wu Qingsong’s side. In fact, she was even more at ease than before. The two-person entourage that always trailed behind Wu Qingsong naturally expanded to three. However, since Ling and Liuli were not particularly possessive, and Xeila had a presence that was often subdued, the change felt normal after just a few days.

Out of consideration for Ram, Ling, and Liuli’s feelings, Wu Qingsong did not devote more effort to this wedding than the one in Orgrimmar. However, his status and the population and clans under his rule had long surpassed what they were back then. Even the Xuanyuan Temple in Nagrand was far larger than the Xuanyuan Temple in Orgrimmar, so it was impossible for this wedding to be exactly the same as the last.

Moreover, in a way, this wedding was not just a simple wedding—it was also a political event of grand scale. It signified the union between Nagrand and the Silvermoon Wolf Clan, which had disguised itself as the Tecks Clan. It was a display of strength to the restless clans, an expression of goodwill to the submissive ones, and another opportunity to spread the Xuanyuan faith.

Harold and Morin found the arrangements overwhelming, but in the end, Ram took the initiative to take over, allowing the wedding preparations to move forward smoothly.

“I’m sorry,” Wu Qingsong told Ram again and again, truly feeling guilty. 

No matter how one looked at it, making her prepare a wedding for him and two other women was unfair.

But Ram only smiled and shook her head. “What are you worried about? Do I look that petty? Nina is my best friend. Even if it’s just for her, I will make sure this wedding is perfect.”

Finally, the wedding day arrived. Hundreds of guests had already gathered from all directions, bringing various gifts while carefully observing this ever-changing city, secretly engaging in networking, scheming, and deals.

The workshops that usually filled the sky with black smoke finally ceased operation for the day. Every street was thoroughly cleaned, and the main road leading to the Xuanyuan Temple was scrubbed spotless and decorated with vibrant flowers.

Tens of thousands of ratmen, dressed in their best attire, eagerly lined both sides of the avenue, while the guests were invited to wait outside the temple.

When the grand procession from Silvermoon finally entered the stone-paved roads of Nagrand through the long tree-lined avenue, the bells of all the Xuanyuan temples in the city rang simultaneously. The solemn chimes reverberated across the city as a white, four-wheeled carriage, surrounded by hundreds of fully armed wolf warriors, slowly approached the temple amid a shower of flower petals.

“Ram…” Wu Qingsong couldn’t help but grip Ram’s hand. 

She looked a little pale but still managed a smile as she adjusted the flower pinned to his collar.

Inside one of the temple’s chambers, Ling carefully adjusted Xeila’s gown. Xeila’s face remained veiled beneath a layer of white silk, showing no visible emotions.

Meanwhile, Liuli and the ratwomen of the Sisterhood excitedly perched on the temple roof, ready to scatter flower petals from above.

“They’re here,” murmurs spread through the crowd at the temple entrance.

“Go.” Ram forced a smile and pushed Wu Qingsong toward the carriage.

Amid the crowd’s cheers, Nina, dressed in traditional wolf-tribe wedding attire, descended from the carriage with uncharacteristic shyness, escorted by Daryl.

“You look beautiful,” Wu Qingsong said sincerely.

Nina gently shook her head, looking as if she was holding back tears. Daryl, expressionless, nudged Wu Qingsong before handing Nina over to the tribe’s last remaining elder, who then led her into the temple.

There was no need for Morin to guide the way. The priests efficiently directed the guests into the temple’s grand hall. The bells finally ceased, replaced by a beautiful and moving hymn.

The beastfolk, unfamiliar with such rituals, seemed a little uneasy. Fortunately, the houndfolk and mousekin, already accustomed to such ceremonies, set an example. Gradually, the beastfolk found their seats and quieted down.

The hymn finally ended. Sunlight, reflected through multiple glass mirrors, illuminated the altar and the grand Xuanyuan statue. Filled with excitement, Morin stepped forward to deliver the wedding’s opening speech.

Ram and Ling sat closest to the altar, each harboring their own thoughts. Wu Qingsong tightly held their hands—this was the only thing he could do for them at this moment.

“This is the last time,” he whispered to them. “Having you all is my greatest happiness. I am completely satisfied.”

Morin’s eloquent speech finally concluded with the sound of a hammer striking metal. As the doors on either side of the temple slowly opened, the two brides stepped forward amid a dazzling shower of petals.

The hymn resumed.

But then… a wave of quiet gasps spread through the crowd.

Xeila had removed her veil.

Not only that, but she had also gently pushed aside Harold, who was meant to serve as her ceremonial guardian.

Alone, amidst the falling petals, she walked forward with firm steps, under the gaze of thousands, toward Wu Qingsong, who stood beneath the statue of Xuanyuan.

The carefully positioned mirrors reflected the sunlight upon her face. More and more people saw her features, and all at once, they forgot to breathe. Moments later, they gasped for air, creating an odd, synchronized inhaling sound that echoed through the temple.

If the grand procession from Silvermoon had captured everyone’s attention earlier, making Silvermoon the centerpiece, then within the temple, Xeila had become the undisputed focal point.

She was so mesmerizing that people momentarily forgot another bride was walking down the opposite aisle.