When Yan’er heard Mammy Li say this, she cried even harder.
Jiang Ning was filled with doubt. With Yan’er reacting with such strong aversion, was this Head Guard some sort of venomous snake or fierce beast?
Jiang Ning asked, “Mammy, how is it that I have never seen this Head Guard? What does he look like?”
Mammy Li bluntly replied, “There are plenty of people Concubine Jiang has never seen.”
Ever since Concubine Jiang arrived at this estate, she was free to move about inside, but her exits through the main gates were restricted.
It wasn’t that she meant to say Concubine Jiang was ill-informed, but she feared Concubine Jiang had no clear idea what the capital city of Shengjing even looked like. Aside from the people who frequently walked about the estate, how many people could Concubine Jiang possibly recognize?
Taking a blunt hit out of nowhere, Jiang Ning felt a sudden urge to claw back the pieces of silver she had just given away.
For the sake of the silver, Mammy Li explained, “This Head Guard followed the Master on the expedition to the north and only recently returned with the Master. As for his appearance…”
Mammy Li paused for a long while, opening and closing her mouth without figuring out how to describe him—it seemed almost too hot to put into words.
Finally, she slapped her thigh and declared, “The Head Guard is tall, mighty, and handsome. Most importantly, his official rank and monthly stipend are quite high! Yan’er should just secretly celebrate in her heart.”
With that, Mammy Li slipped away.
In Jiang Ning’s mind, the image of that handsome hunk from the previous night resurfaced; judging by his aura, he certainly looked like a leader material.
Marrying him…
Jiang Ning touched her wrist, which was still ringed with bruises and faintly throbbing with pain. Someone so completely devoid of romance and incapable of tenderly cherishing a maiden—no wonder he had scared Yan’er to tears.
Yan’er cried for a long time before she slowly and snifflingly subsided. Her hands tightly clutched her deed of sale, and her red, swollen eyes were full of struggle, pain, and helplessness.
Jiang Ning had quietly stayed by her side the entire time. Seeing her like this, she said, “Yan’er, if you truly are unwilling, you can just refuse the Master.”
Yan’er looked at Jiang Ning and let out a mocking laugh. “Concubine Jiang, why are you always able to be so naive?”
Jiang Ning: “…”
Her warm face had hit a cold backside.
Yan’er said, “That is a marriage bestowed by the Master; no one can refuse.”
Jiang Ning understood. In this damned feudal society, one had no right to refuse those in power; otherwise, the price to pay would be disastrous.
The corners of Yan’er’s mouth curved up slightly, revealing a desolate smile. “Mammy Li was right after all. I am going to live a good life. He is a Head Guard with a decent monthly stipend, and the Master even bought us a house. Once I marry over, I will shed my lowly status and become an ordinary common person.”
Silently, tears welled up and fell from the corners of Yan’er’s eyes once more. As if trying to convince herself, she muttered under her breath, “A woman has to marry eventually. This is already the best outcome; I should be content.”
Jiang Ning began to understand Yan’er’s internal struggle. Yan’er didn’t like this Head Guard, but he could satisfy her material conditions.
Over the next few days, the estate became much livelier.
The wedding was put on the schedule, and the estate was simply decorated with red silk ribbons and double-happiness characters. The bridal attire was delivered for Yan’er to try on. Since Yan’er had no family, she would be departing in marriage directly from this estate.
Meanwhile, Jiang Ning had not received any retaliation from the rough brute and spent her days safely and uneventfully.
It seemed that the injury from that night hadn’t been serious, and coupled with the fact that he was busy arranging a wedding for his trusted subordinate, he simply didn’t have the time to bicker with her.
At night, the cold winter wind crept back into her room.
The bedroom door had already been repaired, so the bitter wind was sneaking in through the window.
The “Cold Winter” seemed to be a martial arts practitioner as well, always able to appear before her soundlessly.
“Tomorrow is Yan’er’s wedding day. Madam will return as the legal mistress to attend the ceremony. You must persuade Madam to stay behind and slip that packet of medicine into Madam’s drink at night.”
Two days prior, Jiang Ning had received a letter from Wen Ya stating she would return briefly before heading back to her parents’ home for a longer stay.
Presumably, Prince Jing was growing impatient and had sent Cold Winter to pressure her once again, even setting a strict deadline.
Cold Winter brought out that old threat once more to intimidate Jiang Ning: “Mind your family. Don’t play any tricks.”
Giving a vague response, Jiang Ning muttered, “I know.”
Aside from this leverage, they had nothing else to threaten her with.
Unsurprisingly, she suffered through yet another night of insomnia.
Early the next morning, Qingxiang Quarters became exceptionally bustling. A large group of people swarmed around Yan’er, helping her put on her bridal robes, arranging her makeup, and styling her hair.
For weddings in high-ranking aristocratic households, the auspicious hour was strictly set at dusk during the merging of yin and yang, following very rigorous ritual protocols.
For ordinary families, the auspicious hour usually fell before noon. The time chosen by Zhang Tao’s parents with the help of a fortune-teller was midday, which meant the bride had to be dressed and ready early in the morning.
Chuntao, the new maidservant assigned to serve Jiang Ning, came to knock on her door bright and early.
According to custom, before leaving, Yan’er had to serve tea to her mistress.
Therefore, Jiang Ning also had to dress herself up early.
Gu Jianshen’s betrothal arrangement this time around—complete with a wedding home—had won over the hearts of the people in a major way.
It made everyone deeply realize one truth: if you follow him wholeheartedly and work hard, you’ll get your bread, and he’ll even assign you a partner.
Thus, Jiang Ning listened as Chuntao chattered away about the reactions of the other guards. Unmarried guards were pulling out all the stops to perform well in front of Gu Jianshen, waiting for him to hand out a wife and a matching wedding home to them as well.
Jiang Ning couldn’t help sighing, “Your Master is truly wealthy and generous.”
Chuntao smiled and said, “While that’s true, the others can’t compare to the Head Guard’s treatment. The Head Guard has been following the Master for at least a dozen years.”
Jiang Ning was startled. “A dozen years? Doesn’t that mean he started following the Master when the Master was just a little kid?”
In her mind, the image of Gu Jianshen the rough brute popped up again. If this Head Guard was even older than him, he certainly couldn’t be the person Jiang Ning had originally imagined.
Oh heavens, then this Head Guard was old enough to be Yan’er’s grandfather!
No wonder Yan’er had been scared to tears upon hearing she was betrothed to the Head Guard.
Gu Jianshen was truly not doing human things!
As the departure time drew near, Yan’er came to serve tea to Jiang Ning.
Yan’er was no longer crying. Dressed up gorgeously, she even wore a smile on her exquisitely made-up face.
She had accepted her fate.
After serving tea to Jiang Ning, Yan’er headed over to Fengyu Pavilion to serve tea to the estate’s legal mistress, Wen Ya.
Jiang Ning made her way toward Fengyu Courtyard as well.
Even if Jiang Ning wanted to skip it, Cold Winter was right there in the crowd, keeping a constant eye on her and warning her with his gaze.
Once Yan’er finished serving tea to Wen Ya, the matchmaker draped the red bridal veil over Yan’er’s head and led her outward.
The groom was waiting right at the main entrance.
Most of the crowd followed Yan’er toward the main gate. Wearing an awkward smile, Jiang Ning sidled up to Wen Ya. “Sister, it’s been many days. I’ve missed you so much.”
The moment Wen Ya saw Jiang Ning’s expression and caught sight of Cold Winter not far away, she dropped all pleasantries, stood up, and walked straight toward the door. “I’m going to see Yan’er off.”
With Wen Ya’s departure, another group of people followed her out.
Fengyu Pavilion was left so desolate that only Jiang Ning and a few others remained.
Jiang Ning made a helpless, shrugging gesture at Cold Winter. “I tried my best.”
Cold Winter let out a cold snort and dug out a mediocre-quality jade pendant from the seam of his belt.
Jiang Ning’s expression darkened. That was the first New Year gift she had ever given to Little Stone.
Cold Winter was threatening her.
Taking a deep breath, Jiang Ning suppressed the urge to rush forward and beat Cold Winter up.
Gritting her teeth, she turned around and ran toward the main entrance.