The sun had already begun to set in the west.
Chu Nianci changed into her bright red wedding dress.
Holding a ceremonial fan that half-covered her face, her eyebrows were as dark as ink, and her snow-white skin accentuated the vermilion dot between her brows, radiating a stunning and captivating beauty.
Tuanyuan supported her arm, while Hong Ying held up the long train of her dress from behind. Chu Nianci slowly walked out of Wei Rui Pavilion.
She did not look back. Her lively eyes were as calm as a cold, deep pool, showing none of the shyness or anticipation of a bride. Instead, they held only a resolute determination to sever the past.
The hardships of the past ten years flashed vividly before her eyes…
A wave of emotion surged in her chest.
Now, as she walked toward the wedding hall once more, her steps were steady and firm, each one crushing the illusions of the past.
The sound of celebratory music reached her ears. Chu Nianci lifted her gaze and looked ahead.
Inside the wedding hall, the overwhelming sight of red was blinding.
The parents-in-law and the matchmaker, Lord Luo, sat in the seats of honor, while relatives, friends, and guests lined both sides.
In the warm winter sunlight, Lin Jingrui stood in a bright red wedding robe, still looking as spirited and confident as she remembered.
And standing right beside him was Chu Shunqing, also dressed in a formal red wedding gown.
She wore a phoenix crown adorned with jade, a heavy and intricately embroidered red robe patterned with auspicious clouds on the shoulders, and a skirt layered with overlapping embroidered characters for “fortune.”
Her almond-shaped eyes were deliberately elongated and upturned at the corners, giving her a fierce and imposing look. However, to conceal her split lip, her makeup was applied a bit too thickly, appearing forced and stiff.
As soon as Chu Shunqing saw her sister, she deliberately took Lin Jingrui’s hand and shot her a disdainful sidelong glance. Lin Jingrui did not refuse; instead, he clasped her hand in return.
Their fingers intertwined, a perfect picture of a loving couple.
“Enough…” Chu Nianci thought indifferently to herself.
She calmly walked past the two of them and took her place in the center of the hall.
Her gaze was placid, her back straight.
As if none of this had anything to do with her.
Amidst the clamor of the hall, she alone stood apart, untouched by the world.
The sunlight bathed her, and her composed radiance seemed to outshine even the overwhelming red of the hall.
A look of admiration rose in Lin Jingrui’s eyes.
For a moment, he was lost in thought.
As if he had returned to those days in Yangzhou, amidst the clouds and waters.
He had known that Chu Nianci was breathtakingly beautiful.
But he never expected that, with just a touch of adornment,
she could make all the finery and glamour in the hall pale in comparison.
Beneath her wedding robe, Chu Shunqing’s nails dug sharply into her palm.
Faint gasps could already be heard in the hall.
Countless gazes were fixed on Chu Nianci—admiration, surprise, curiosity, and infatuation all mingled among them.
Instead of moving forward, Chu Nianci raised her hand and said, “Stop.”
Tuanyuan and Hong Ying immediately halted, nervously clutching their garments.
Even though they firmly believed their mistress had made some arrangements,
and were certain she would keep her promise not to marry,
now that things had reached this point,
the two maids’ hearts were still in their throats.
The plump, cheerful matchmaker, seeing her stop, hurried forward with a smile and said, “Miss, please come quickly. According to tradition, you should perform the wedding ceremony first, and then the young master will welcome his sister-in-law.”
“No need,” Chu Nianci’s lips curved slightly. “Let them go first.”
The matchmaker was stunned. “This… this isn’t proper!”
Whoever performed the ceremony first would be the head of the household. Was the bride really willingly giving up this position?
The guests in the hall immediately began whispering among themselves.
Everyone had assumed the bride would surely fight for precedence, but no one expected her to yield so readily.
Chu Nianci stood quietly at the entrance of the wedding hall. Behind her ceremonial fan, her gaze was as cold as snow, her back as straight as bamboo, showing no trace of reluctance.
“Putting on an act,” Chu Shunqing sneered under her breath, her face full of contempt.
Her sister was always putting on such an affected, pretentious display.
Clearly caring deeply, yet pretending to be magnanimous.
Seeing her so indifferent.
Being publicly humiliated like this.
The daze Lin Jingrui had felt upon seeing her beauty had now completely dissipated.
Chu Nianci met his gaze head-on.
A faint trace of disdain flickered across her stunning face.
Seeing the mocking smile on her face, a surge of anger rose straight to Lin Jingrui’s chest.
After a moment of silence, he turned and walked toward Chu Shunqing.
Chu Shunqing lifted her snow-white chin triumphantly and stepped forward with light, brisk steps.
Today, she, once a despised illegitimate daughter, could finally wear the bright red wedding dress with dignity and pride, marrying the man she loved.
She had thoroughly trampled underfoot that once lofty legitimate daughter.
Moreover, she had already taken the lead and was carrying the Lin family’s heir…
She had kept this a secret all along.
Planning to surprise her husband later during the wedding night.
To salvage his pride, Lin Jingrui walked up to Chu Shunqing and deliberately took her hand.
His tone was tender and affectionate, warmer than the wedding candles: “Shunqing, from now on, we will be together day and night, never to part.”
“Yes,” Chu Shunqing replied with a radiant smile behind her round fan.
She did not forget to cast another triumphant glance at Chu Nianci, her heart brimming with joy.
Hand in hand, the two walked step by step toward the center of the brightly decorated wedding hall under the gaze of the crowd.
The master of ceremonies loudly announced the rituals: “First bow to heaven and earth, second bow to the parents, husband and wife bow to each other…”
Chu Nianci stood quietly outside the hall.
As if watching a farce that had nothing to do with her.
To be honest.
She couldn’t care less.
After Chu Shunqing and the others completed the wedding ceremony, it was finally Chu Nianci’s turn.
Lin Jingrui, still holding onto his earlier anger, deliberately stood unmoving in the hall, his face cold as he waited for her to walk over on her own.
But Chu Nianci didn’t take a single step, simply standing where she was.
The wedding music played three times in a row, yet she remained motionless.
Standing in the center of the wedding hall, Lin Jingrui’s face grew darker and darker.
Unable to hold back, he shouted loudly, “Do I have to go down and escort you myself?”
Chu Shunqing covered her face with her wedding fan and sneered.
She had refused to perform the ceremony earlier, and now she was only bringing humiliation upon herself.
Chu Nianci’s expression remained calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.
Just as Lin Jingrui’s patience ran out and he was about to have someone drag her up…
A furious shout suddenly erupted outside the hall, accompanied by hurried footsteps as a booming voice barged in:
“You heartless scoundrel! It’s not uncommon for men to be fickle and faithless, but this absurdity of marrying two wives for two branches of the family—I’ve never seen such a thing before.”
“Since the Earl’s Manor had a marriage agreement with our family long ago, stating that no second wife could be taken before Nianci bore a child, how dare you openly break the contract and betray your word today? Do you think the Qiao and Chu families have no one left…”
Chu Nianci let out a soft sigh of relief…
Her eldest maternal uncle, Qiao Zhaoling, had finally arrived.
Uncle Qiao, holding the hem of his robe, was panting heavily from running.
He was around forty years old, with a square face, regular features, and a tall build. His skin was tanned from years of traveling and working outdoors.
He had left the city on business yesterday and had only learned the news upon returning to his residence this morning. Without even eating breakfast, he had rushed over in a hurry. Living far away, he had nearly missed the timing.
In the capital, Chu Nianci’s maternal family was represented solely by the Qiao family.
Although the Qiao family were merchants, they were immensely wealthy in the Jiangnan region.
When their younger sister, Qiao Meiying, had married, her three brothers had each prepared a dowry of a million taels. Now, for their niece’s wedding, they had again contributed both money and effort…
Qiao Zhaoling had accompanied his niece to the capital half a year ago, waiting patiently for six months just to witness her glorious wedding with his own eyes.
But the Lin family, how dare they keep this from him, her uncle.
What kind of trick is this “inheriting two branches” nonsense?
The maternal uncle holds the highest authority, yet they didn’t even notify him about such a major matter—clearly, they intended to act first and report later, showing no respect for him at all.
Uncle Qiao was so furious that his beard trembled. Ignoring the hall full of guests and the many eyes upon him, he raised his hand and waved…
Several Qiao family servants promptly entered, placing a heavy golden plaque on the ground with a resounding “thud.”
An imperial-bestowed golden plaque inscribed with “Exemplar of the World” gleamed brilliantly under the sun.
Three years ago, when the Jiangnan region suffered floods and the northern frontier was embroiled in urgent military conflicts, the imperial court faced a shortage of grain and funds. It was Qiao Zhaoling who resolutely donated nearly half of his wealth—nine million taels of silver—to alleviate the court’s pressing crisis.
The Emperor specially bestowed this plaque to honor his contribution.
Earlier at the entrance of the Earl’s mansion, if he hadn’t presented this imperial plaque, the gatekeeper would have almost refused him entry!
Pointing at Lin Jingrui’s nose, Qiao Zhaoling thundered with a booming voice: “This is utterly outrageous! What ‘inheriting two branches’? It’s clearly abandoning one wife to marry another!”
“If you don’t give me an explanation today, I’ll carry this imperial plaque and go beat the grievance drum at the palace gate.”
“As long as I live, I will never allow you to bully Nianci like this!”
In the wedding hall, the celebratory music came to a halt.
All the guests craned their necks, eagerly awaiting the spectacle.
On the main seat, Old Master Lin Beicheng kept a stern face as he sipped his tea, pretending not to hear.
Madam Xie looked pale, coughing intermittently. With downcast eyes, she fiddled with her prayer beads, her expression cold and detached.
Lin Jingjue curled his lips disdainfully.
All three of them felt that arguing with a merchant in the wedding hall was utterly disgraceful.
Not a single one of them was willing to step forward and address the matter.
Amidst the awkward silence, the matchmaker Luo Shilong stood up.
Magistrate Luo of the capital was the chief matchmaker. Wearing his usual affable smile, he cupped his hands toward Uncle Qiao and said, “Esteemed Qiao, why go to such extremes? Today is, after all, a joyous occasion for the Lin and Chu families. Let’s talk things over calmly.”
His voice was gentle as he mediated, while simultaneously signaling those nearby to quickly bring a chair and serve tea.
“Please calm down first, take a seat, and speak slowly. Since the two families are now united by marriage, harmony should be the priority in all matters.”
Seeing Magistrate Luo step in, the guests also chimed in: “Indeed, Master Qiao, please take a seat first.”
“Quick, bring a chair!”
Steward Hu promptly ordered someone to bring a chair, placing it on the left side of the wedding hall.
Uncle Qiao stood tall and straight: “My niece doesn’t have a seat yet!”
Only after the servants added another chair did he lead Chu Nianci to sit down together.
Everyone could see the situation clearly…
Today, this maternal uncle had come to stand up for his niece.
“There’s no such logic in this world!” As soon as Uncle Qiao sat down, his icy gaze fixed on Lin Jingrui’s face.
“You didn’t invite the maternal uncle to the wedding, and you didn’t inform the bride’s family about ‘inheriting two branches.’ Does the Lin family think the Chu family has no one left?”
“Nianci has spent the past six months serving her in-laws, supplementing the household expenses, and managing the household affairs, handling everything inside and out flawlessly. And in the end, this is the treatment she gets?”
“This is absolutely outrageous!”