Lu Xiao’s words planted a seed in the hearts of everyone present. They might not be able to fully empathize right now, but one day, when they truly met that special someone, they would understand the meaning behind her speech.

But for now, that didn’t stop everyone from feeling inspired by Lu Xiao’s words. It was as if, in this very moment, they too were part of this happiness.

The applause grew more fervent, and some even began to scream with excitement.

Lu Xiao smiled and waved to the crowd as the atmosphere gradually reached a crescendo.

As the sisters Lu Huan and Lu Yu walked onto the stage carrying the rings and the bouquet, the true wedding ceremony was about to begin.

The venue gradually fell silent. Many people couldn’t help but stand up, wanting a better view to witness this moment.

After the host came forward and announced that Lu Xiao and Ares could now exchange rings and complete the ceremony in front of everyone, Lu Xiao was the first to act. She took the ring from Lu Huan’s hands and, with a smile, placed it on Ares’s ring finger.

Then it was Ares’s turn to place the ring on Lu Xiao. The glittering rings, now on each of their fingers, seemed to truly intertwine their destinies at that very moment.

They raised their hands so everyone could see the rings on their ring fingers, then clasped their hands together.

Someone began to cry without realizing it. "SOB... I don’t know why, but I’m just so moved!"

"So you can even cry just from seeing other people happy!"

"This is just so beautiful. So this is what a wedding is like. I want to have a wedding now too!"

...

This wedding had undoubtedly dropped a bombshell in many people’s hearts.

Those who had previously thought weddings were unimportant now understood their true meaning.

Taking the bouquet from Lu Yu, the host smiled again and announced, "We’ll now proceed to the final part of the ceremony: the bouquet toss! The bouquet symbolizes the passing on of happiness. Whoever is lucky enough to catch it will be the next one to get married!"

The revelation that a simple bouquet held such meaning immediately excited some of the young women and men in the crowd!

"Me, me! Pick me, pick me!"

"I’m definitely going to catch that bouquet!"

"Don’t even try to fight me for it! I’ll buy that bouquet!" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

...

The scene instantly became lively. Lu Xiao watched the group of young people jostling and shouting for the bouquet and laughed. "I’m about to toss it! Is everyone ready?"

"We’re ready! Lu Xiao, please throw it this way!"

"You shameless cheat! Lu Xiao, I’m over here! Throw it to me!"

"Lu Xiao, don’t listen to them! Listen to me and just throw it straight back!"

Lu Xiao smiled, raised the bouquet, and gave it a little wave. Then, amidst everyone’s anticipation, she tossed it backward with all her might.

The bouquet flew high into the air. As everyone watched, it began to fall. Just as it was about to land in someone’s arms, a hand suddenly shot out from the side and snatched the bouquet away!

This was followed by a boisterous laugh. "HAHAHA, I got it! I got it!"

"You bastard! That bouquet was about to fall right into my arms! You thief!"

Watching the chaotic crowd, Lu Xiao couldn’t help but laugh as well.

The main part of the wedding ceremony was now over. Next would be the toasts of gratitude from Lu Xiao and Ares, but they could take a short break first.

Lu Xiao returned to the dressing room. As she was changing out of her wedding dress and into another gown, Her Majesty the Queen entered, supported by an elderly female attendant.

Noticing her arrival, Lu Xiao went to greet her. "Her Majesty the Queen..."

"Don’t call me ’Her Majesty the Queen.’ If you’re willing, you can call me Mother. This is my wedding gift to you and Ares. After thinking it over, I decided that money would be the most suitable gift. I imagine Prince Li Ke has already given you plenty of nice things, so my little contribution won’t compare. You can buy whatever you want... it’s just a gold mine, after all."

Receiving another gold mine, Lu Xiao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It had to be said that in some ways, Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Li Ke were the same kind of person.

They both had a habit of giving away gold mines as gifts at the drop of a hat.

Lu Xiao didn’t refuse. "Thank you, Mother."

Seeing Lu Xiao’s ready compliance, Her Majesty the Queen was very pleased. She gently stroked Lu Xiao’s face. "Live a good life with Ares from now on. If you run into any trouble, come find me!"

The words had barely left her mouth when the ajar door was pushed open. It was Ares.

Ares paused for a moment when he saw Her Majesty the Queen, then called out, "Mother."

Hearing him suddenly use that title, Her Majesty the Queen smiled, walked over, and hugged Ares. "You’re finally willing to acknowledge me, Ares!"

Ares let Her Majesty the Queen hug him, but his eyes were on Lu Xiao.

He and Lu Xiao had discussed this very issue before. For Ares, his feelings toward Her Majesty the Queen were similar to his feelings for Prince Li Ke; it was never a matter of forgiveness. Whether he accepted it or not, the fact that the Queen was his mother would not change. Acknowledging this wasn’t difficult for him.

After all, he was past the age of needing a mother. And now, he had a partner like Lu Xiao by his side, who had taught him how to love someone.

Many things that once bothered him no longer seemed so important. A person can often find much more happiness by learning to let go.

Therefore, saying the word "Mother" wasn’t difficult for Ares, nor did it come with any burden.

Her Majesty the Queen turned to look at Lu Xiao, then held out her hand, inviting her over.

Lu Xiao walked over and took the Queen’s hand. Her Majesty the Queen then placed Lu Xiao’s hand in Ares’s and said with a smile, "Thank you, both of you, for letting me witness such happiness. It’s also helped me understand a great deal."

Although she had lived half her life, she was ultimately not as wise as Lu Xiao. She knew very well that everything that happened today was because of Lu Xiao.

It was because of her devotion, because she knew how to love, that the Ares of today had become so confident.

"I hope you two have a wonderful life together." Her Majesty the Queen didn’t say much more, simply offering her blessing with a smile.

As they were leaving, the elderly female attendant smiled. "Vice Admiral Ares has forgiven you!"

Her Majesty the Queen smiled and shook her head. "He’s just like Prince Li Ke. He never held the past against me, so there’s nothing to forgive. He merely acknowledged my status. To him, whether he has a mother or not isn’t that important."

She understood all of this, of course. ’It’s because he doesn’t care that the word "Mother" has become so insignificant.’

But even so, Her Majesty the Queen was still happy.

’At least Ares doesn’t reject my presence. That means I still have a chance to make it up to him.’

’Thinking about it, heaven hasn’t been unkind to me. Just when I was about to fall into despair, Prince Li Ke came back from the dead, and I even found the male cub I thought I had lost.’

’It makes me wonder... if I had cherished what I had back then, would I now be living a happy life without regrets, just as Lu Xiao described?’

’It’s a pity I realized it all too late. But thankfully, my child has found an excellent partner.’