Yingguo Duke’s Mansion.
The night was deep and heavy with dew, candle flames flickering gently.
The two Xie brothers were tied up and locked in the woodshed.
Xie Chiyu felt like crying but had no tears.
“Elder Brother, with the marriage alliance between Yingguo Duke’s Mansion and Yongning Marquisate, you are to marry Pei Muyin, and I am to marry Pei Shuyi. I haven’t seen either of the Pei sisters.”
“Elder Brother, I haven’t had my fill of fun yet. I don’t want to get married.”
“Elder Brother, do you want…”
Xie Linheng shot him a cold glance. “Shut up.”
Xie Chiyu closed his mouth.
The eldest branch of the Xie Family had two sons.
The eldest son was the top scholar in the fifteenth year of Yankang. After entering officialdom, he surpassed all prodigies and was appointed Commander of the Surveillance Bureau.
The second son repeatedly failed the imperial examinations and idled his time away.
Meanwhile, the main branch of the Pei Family had one son and two daughters.
The eldest son was away on campaigns, guarding the border.
The second daughter, Pei Muyin, was proficient in all the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Her etiquette and conduct were considered exemplary among the young ladies of the capital.
The legitimate youngest daughter, Pei Shuyi, knew nothing of needlework or female crafts, being both spoiled and lazy.
Xie Chiyu was unwilling to marry her.
“Elder Brother, let’s run away from this marriage.”
“You go distract the guards outside. I’ll run out first, then call my friends to come rescue you.”
Xie Linheng rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
“I’ve been drugged. My strength is temporarily gone. You’ll have to be the one to distract the guards.”
With Xie Chiyu’s meager, amateurish skills, how could he possibly contend with the household guards?
“If I could distract them, I wouldn’t have been caught and brought back.”
Xie Linheng had no other solution either, so he said:
“Let’s get married for now.”
“On the wedding night, do not consummate the marriage with the Pei sisters. Later, when the time is right, propose a divorce so they can return home properly.”
Hearing this, Xie Chiyu nodded emphatically.
“Whenever you propose divorce to the Second Miss Pei, let me know. I’ll propose divorce to the Third Miss Pei the very next day.”
A faint smile touched Xie Linheng’s lips.
“That’s excellent.”
“Then it won’t be considered our brothers bullying their sisters.”
Yingguo Duke’s Mansion.
The day before the wedding, Pei Shuyi finally returned home. First, she dined with her family, then followed Pei Muyin to her boudoir.
“Elder Sister, have you ever seen Xie Linheng?”
Pei Muyin shook her head.
“I haven’t seen either of the Xie brothers.”
“With parental orders and matchmaker’s words, whether we’ve seen them or not doesn’t really matter.”
Pei Shuyi lay on the couch, staring at the patterns on the lotus-patterned canopy.
“I’ve seen my brother-in-law, but I haven’t seen Xie Chiyu.”
She furrowed her brows. “Elder Sister, I don’t know why, but I suddenly feel a bit uneasy.”
Pei Muyin’s voice unconsciously softened, carrying a soothing tone.
“We are both sisters and sisters-in-law. Once we enter the Duke’s Mansion, if we work together with one heart, we won’t have to fear being bullied.”
Seeing her younger sister’s worried frown, the corners of Pei Muyin’s lips curved slightly.
She pulled her sister up and, while the servants weren’t paying attention, slipped into the storeroom to look at the dowry.
Candlelight cast slanting shadows.
Pei Shuyi flipped through the dowry list.
Gold and silver jewelry included agarwood bracelets, white jade hairpins inlaid with gold, and so on. Decorations included a Jade Ruyi, a small mantel clock, and the like. Furniture included a golden nanmu bookcase, red sandalwood chairs, and so forth.
The fabrics and textiles were also of the finest silks and brocades. There was no shortage of medicinal herbs, spices, the four treasures of the study, and both farmland and shops were fully accounted for.
Pei Shuyi put away the list and went to look at the chests containing the jewelry.
“The Xie Family probably isn’t in financial trouble, so they won’t need their daughters-in-law’s dowries to fill the gaps.”
“All these belong to Elder Sister and me!”
“They’re all yours,” Pei Muyin said. “Your elder sister doesn’t care for lavish finery. Once I marry into the Xie Family, I’ll give it all to you.”
Pei Shuyi was taken aback and quickly waved her hands in refusal.
“Our dowries are identical; whatever you have, I have as well. I don’t need you to give me yours.”
Pei Muyin did not insist further.
Pei Shuyi followed her back to her boudoir.
Suddenly remembering something, she spoke up to remind her: “Brother-in-law may appear noble and magnanimous, but in truth, he holds grudges over the smallest slights.”
“After you marry, be careful not to fall into his traps.”
Pei Muyin lowered her gaze slightly and lay down to sleep with her delicate younger sister on the same bed.
She was extremely satisfied with this marriage.
Among all the high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital, only the Xie Family had two brothers.
Moreover, the second Xie son was known for his frivolous pursuits and would not mind her sister’s lack of notable talents.
She could live peacefully alongside her sister.
She simply regarded her husband as a mere ornament.
The next day.
The two sisters rose at dawn to dress and adorn themselves, donning bright red wedding gowns and intricate hairstyles before stepping out of the Marquis’s mansion.
The bridal sedan chairs proceeded along the street toward Yingguo Duke’s Mansion.
The procession of dowries stretched from one end of the street to the other.
Red silk ribbons were tied to the trees along the way, a sight that stirred much envy.
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
“The Xie and Pei families are joining in a century-long alliance, with sisters marrying on the same day, and to two brothers no less!”
“The Xie heir rose to fame at a young age and even gained an audience in the Golden Hall. Even His Majesty shows him some respect. He is known for his cool and steady demeanor, so it’s only natural he would marry the second Pei daughter, renowned for her grace and dignity.”
“Exactly! The Commander forming a splendid match with a noble lady of the capital—how perfectly suited they are!”
“The second Xie son is a dissolute playboy, galloping through the streets and lingering in pleasure quarters. Marrying the third Pei daughter, who lacks literary refinement, is only to be expected.”
“…”
The weather, which had been clear just moments ago, suddenly turned overcast. Thick clouds gathered, and raindrops as large as beans began to fall from the sky.
Remembering there was a dilapidated temple nearby, Pei Muyin quickly directed the bearers to carry the sedan chairs inside to take shelter from the rain.
Pei Shuyi stepped out of her bridal sedan.
She lifted her veil and placed it on the railing, joining her elder sister to watch the rain outside.
After the rain cleared, the sky brightened.
The two sisters obediently replaced their veils and allowed the wedding attendants to guide them back into their respective sedan chairs.
However.
In the confusion, they had mistakenly taken each other’s veils.
The wedding attendant glanced at the bride with the phoenix-patterned veil and identified her as the second Pei daughter.
Then, looking at the bride with the peony-patterned veil, she identified her as the third Pei daughter.
She guided each of them into their respective sedan chairs.
The sedan chair Pei Muyin entered was carved with motifs of flowers, birds, insects, and fish, creating a harmonious and elegant display that exuded an air of nobility.
It was the ceremonial standard for the second young mistress of the Xie Family.
Meanwhile, the sedan chair Pei Shuyi approached was embroidered with kingfisher patterns, adorned with golden tassels hanging all around, making it appear even more luxurious.
It was the ceremonial standard for the young mistress of the Xie Family.
She properly folded her hands at her side.
Upon arriving at Yingguo Duke’s Mansion.
Under Pei Shuyi’s veil, a hand with distinct knuckles appeared, its veins rising and falling in an orderly manner.
It felt somewhat familiar to her.
Before she could ponder further.
People outside began reciting blessings and calling for the bride to step out of the sedan.
She swallowed nervously and reached out to grasp that large hand.
Guided by him, she walked to the entrance of the Duke’s Mansion and lifted her foot to step over the threshold.
After taking a few more steps forward, they reached the fire basin.
Xie Linheng whispered softly, “Be careful; there’s a fire basin ahead of you.”
Pei Shuyi thought the voice sounded somewhat familiar but couldn’t recall where she had heard it before.
She racked her brains but couldn’t remember.
Just as her embroidered shoe was about to step into the fire basin, she felt herself being lifted into the air.
His arm slipped beneath her knees, and he scooped her up into his arms.
Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, he calmly stepped over the fire basin.
Pei Shuyi was stunned for a moment.
This dissolute playboy actually had some manners.
Xie Linheng couldn’t help but frown.
What on earth was this girl thinking, nearly stepping into the brazier!
He set her down and paced away from her.
Pei Shuyi realized belatedly that he seemed to be maintaining a subtle distance.
As if he were looking down on her.
As a wastrel, what right did he have to disdain her for being spoiled?!
Her heart suddenly grew even more flustered.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Pei Muyin and Xie Chiyu stepped over the brazier, entered the main hall, and bowed to the elders and parents.
The wedding officiant called out, “The couple bows to each other!”
Xie Chiyu turned around with a careless air, his brow slightly raised as he lazily yawned.
A casual bow would suffice.
He had no intention of getting married.
With this thought, something went wrong.
The mishap occurred as they bowed to each other.
The double-phoenix patterned hair crown on his head collided with the bride’s headdress of pearls and jade beneath her veil.
A faint clinking sound rang out, like the chime of jade pendants.
Everyone was stunned.
On such a joyous day, such a thing had happened—truly, the second young master lived up to his reputation as a wastrel!
Pei Muyin reached out to steady her teetering hairpin crown, gritting her teeth. How could the eldest Xie young master be so reckless?
Xie Chiyu widened his eyes.
He felt an inexplicable murderous intent, a chill creeping up his spine.
Perhaps he was overthinking it. Pei Shuyi was nothing but a useless fool—hardly capable of emanating such hostility.
Yet, he felt strangely uneasy.
Amid the cheers of the crowd, the wedding officiant announced, “Both couples have completed the ceremony! Escort them to the bridal chambers!”
Pei Shuyi was escorted to Yunheju, while Pei Muyin was taken to Ruyi Pavilion.
Thus began the lively farce of these mismatched couples.
Were these two mistaken marriages destined to be golden matches or mismatched unions?
Where the future would lead remained unknown.
Yunheju.
Pei Shuyi was not one to follow rules. Impatiently, she lifted her veil.
She surveyed the room.
Her eyes fell upon the simple and elegant decor, with refined calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls and a crescent moon vase placed on the low table.
Since when did a wastrel have such taste?!
Exhausted from the day, she blinked her almond-shaped eyes as drowsiness gradually set in.
Xie Chiyu might not even return to the bridal chamber—he was likely to stay overnight at Huaxiang Pavilion instead.
With this thought, Pei Shuyi drifted off to sleep.
Xie Linheng, dressed in his red wedding robes, finished entertaining the guests with an expressionless face and paced back to Yunheju.
In the corridor, he encountered a servant from Old Madam’s side.
Qing Yu held a tray, a glint of cunning flashing in his eyes as he said,
“Young Master, Old Madam ordered this nuptial wine to be delivered for you and the bride. One cup for each of you.”
Not wanting to disrespect Old Madam, Xie Linheng took both cups of wine.
Qing Yu turned and left.
Xie Linheng’s gaze darkened as he drank both cups in one go, casually discarding the wine cups.
Zhou Jing was shocked. “Young Master, why did you drink both? Shouldn’t you leave one for the young madam?”
He had clearly heard Qing Yu say that one cup was for the young master and the other for the young madam.
Why had the young master finished both?
Perhaps he was too thirsty.
After all, the eldest young master had resisted the marriage fiercely. He had only just been released from the woodshed before being pushed to fetch the bride.
Xie Linheng’s voice was icy.
“I have no intention of becoming husband and wife with the Pei Family girl. Why should I share this meaningless nuptial wine with her?”
He entered the room, only to find the Pei Family girl already asleep.
How could she sleep so soundly with all the noise outside?!
Suddenly, he sensed something amiss within himself—a nameless, restless heat surging through his body.
A light sweat broke out on his handsome face.
Out of the corner of his eye, the man caught sight of the girl by the bed.
With her back to him, she revealed a stretch of snow-white neck, smooth as mutton-fat jade.
His remaining rationality was engulfed by darkness.
He swiftly moved to share the bed, the sleeves embroidered with subtle patterns stirring a gust of wind in the air.
The candle flame extinguished.
The room fell into silent darkness.
A delicate, sweet fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose, carrying a fatal allure.
The man’s breathing grew rapid and disordered, his large hand delving into the lapel of his garment.