The elder sister-in-law watched as the steward moved rare treasures one by one from the storeroom, packing and sealing them into boxes. She clutched her handkerchief tightly, her heart aching as if bleeding, feeling both distressed and furious.
Both were marrying off daughters, yet when she had gotten married, her elder brother and sister-in-law had closely monitored the family funds, afraid her mother would give too much. Why didn't her husband say a single word now!
These were all rare treasures she had never seen in her lifetime, yet her mother-in-law was casually giving them away to someone else.
"Young Madam, is there anything else missing? We servants can prepare more."
The entire courtyard was already piled high—what else could be missing! And that mansion—how much silver must it have cost? Given away just like that. Not only did the Duke Mansion gift one, but the Empress Dowager also bestowed a Princess Manor. Could two people possibly live in so many estates?
Her wedding and her sister-in-law's were less than half a year apart. Wouldn't this make her a laughingstock in the mansion!
Her mother-in-law was far too imprudent with resources. For the sake of the Duke Mansion's future descendants, her mother-in-law was unfit to manage the household: "Nothing is missing. Seal the boxes."
"Right away."
…
A dowry spanning a hundred li, ten thousand acres of fertile land—the Anguo County Princess's dowry lit up half of Shangjing City like a long dragon.
Outside the Lin residence, firecrackers roared and drums thundered.
Officials from all Six Ministries were in attendance. Congratulatory gifts quickly filled the cleared-out warehouses, forcing steward Zhong Fu to hurriedly arrange several new storage spaces.
Kang Rui was also among the invited guests. Listening to the surrounding clamor and watching his colleagues shuttle back and forth, he felt an unreal sensation.
"Minister Gong has arrived."
"Senior Official Yu has arrived."
Kang Rui tightened his grip on his wine cup. When he had gotten married, these people had all gone to the Duke Mansion. Now they were here—was it because of Lin Qingyuan?
Lin Qingyuan again! Kang Rui suppressed his surging emotions. Everything that had happened these days had sobered him completely.
He was merely the new Number One Scholar. After entering officialdom, he was just an ordinary minor Hanlin academic.
The yamen where he worked was never short of Number One Scholars. He still lived in the large alleyways, dealing with daily necessities, haggling over every coin.
He had tried every means to get close to Chuyu, but he couldn't even enter Tianfu Street where the Anguo Duke Mansion was located.
Kang Rui downed his cup in one gulp, realizing for the first time how vast the distance between them was. Even if he exhausted all his efforts, he couldn't find a path to explain himself.
All because of one accident, he had lost his wife.
Kang Rui drank cup after cup.
Sun Qian snatched the cup from his hand, whispering a reminder: "Mind your conduct!"
Kang Rui put down the cup bitterly.
Suddenly, deafening drums and gongs sounded outside—the groom had returned with his bride!
Kang Rui's heart wrenched in agony, as if someone were slowly cutting his flesh with a blunt knife. He had countless words to say, immense grievances to voice.
Yet now he could only watch like a clown as she, holding the red silk, stepped across the threshold and was led step by step into another's home.
Seeing that flash of red, Kang Rui felt a buzzing in his head and fainted!
Immediately, chaos erupted around him.
"Lord Kang! What's wrong with you, Lord Kang!"
"Lord Kang!"
Lin Qingyuan remained unmoved, glancing at Zhong Fu.
Zhong Fu immediately understood, quickly having Kang Rui carried away and summoning the imperial physician.
Song Chuyu looked toward Lin Qingyuan through her red veil: "What happened?"
"Reporting to the Princess, it has been handled." Lin Qingyuan breathed a sigh of relief, his tense mood relaxing because of this minor incident.
Regardless of the Princess's reasons, everything would become clear tonight.
Why should he be so anxious?
"Princess, please."
Song Chuyu nodded, lifting her foot to step inside.
Bidding farewell to the past, she walked toward another future.
…
The room was adorned with fiery red decorations, illuminated by dragon and phoenix candles as thick as an arm.
Longans and peanuts were scattered across the bed curtains, while a strand of her long hair was untied and braided into a twin knot.
"The groom should lift the veil now!"
"Yes, surely the groom hasn't forgotten!"
"Lift the veil! Lift the veil!"
Amid the cheerful clamor, Lin Qingyuan felt his palms grow slightly damp with sweat. He picked up the ceremonial rod and lifted the veil.
Lin Qingyuan’s vision blurred instantly—he had never in his life seen earrings as wide as a palm, and the dazzling phoenix crown left him utterly spellbound.
Years later, he would still remember that he had married a mountain of gold home.
Years later, Song Chuyu would complain that he only noticed the gold, not her face!
Lin Qingyuan didn’t dare look at the Princess’s face. He glanced upward—the phoenix ornaments were blinding. He looked downward—the peace lock shone even brighter. As his gaze fell upon the bed, the layers upon layers of bracelets stacked on the Princess’s wrists glittered with even more brilliance.
Lin Qingyuan could only stare at the tips of his own shoes, his cheeks and ears flushing a deep red.
This provoked hearty laughter from the young wives and elderly matrons in the room.
Song Chuyu looked up and couldn’t help but laugh as well—she had never seen Lin Qingyuan so awkward and restrained.
The banquet gradually dispersed in a scattered manner.
Kang Rui had been sent away early.
The others, thoroughly drunk, were helped into their carriages by their respective servants.
Inside the chamber, the candles had burned halfway down.
Song Chuyu removed the phoenix crown and changed into a light-red silk inner robe, her long hair cascading like water over the carpet.
Wei Rui massaged the Princess’s shoulders and neck: "If you’re tired, Princess, you should rest for a while."
Zhuang Momo combed the Princess’s hair: "You’ve worn the phoenix crown and hairpins all day, Princess. You must be exhausted."
The young maids lowered their voices as they busied themselves in and out of the room.
Song Chuyu, half-closing her eyes, dozed off while reclining on the couch—she was truly weary.