"Sister-in-law Jiang, Zhaozhao is young and speaks nonsense…" Marquis Lu anxiously explained, pulling his daughter aside. "Zhaozhao, you're still young. Your father wouldn't harm you. You must marry…"
"Father, I must marry the eldest son of the Jiang family. Old Lady Jiang is right—how can younger brothers marry if the eldest brother hasn't wed?"
Lu Zhaozhao once again interrupted her father.
Marquis Lu: …
Old Lady Jiang was overjoyed, as if the silver had already landed in her pocket!
She grabbed Lu Zhaozhao's hand. "Oh, look at this! After all, she's a nobleman's daughter, so well-mannered. Don't worry, dear in-law, I'll treat Zhaozhao as my own daughter."
Seeing his daughter's determination, Marquis Lu had no time to spare.
Thus, he could only turn to Jiang Yanqing. "Eldest Young Master, may I entrust my daughter to you with peace of mind?"
Jiang Yanqing's expression was complicated. He didn't know where things had gone wrong. In his previous life, he had been tormented by the Jiang family, stripped of his identity, and his health ruined. Though he had struggled to seek revenge, he died before he could witness the downfall of these wicked people, even as his troops pressed forward.
When he opened his eyes again, it was his cheap sister calling him to wake up.
If he remembered correctly, in his previous life, Lu Zhaozhao had married his good second brother and died before the wedding night.
Tonight, in fact!
Though he didn't know what had gone wrong this time, or why this unfortunate Lu family heiress had taken a liking to him, he certainly wouldn't refuse such good fortune.
No one cared whether he lived or died, nor whether he was cursed to bring misfortune to his wives.
Using this reputation to secure the Lu family's silver as capital to separate from this family was the right course of action.
This time, he would reclaim everything that rightfully belonged to him.
"What are you standing there dumbfounded for? Have your studies addled your brain?" Old Lady Jiang shoved Jiang Yanqing.
He swayed slightly, coughing a few times before saying, "I am honored that the young lady does not disdain me. Jiang Yanqing will, within his capabilities, protect her for a lifetime."
Marquis Lu: …
Was this really going to work? He looked even frailer than this half-buried old father-in-law of his!
But he truly couldn't wait any longer.
His wife had been murdered, and the pursuers hadn't stopped hunting them. Zhaozhao's health was poor, and if things continued like this, she might also leave him.
Clearing his name of injustice was too difficult. Only by settling Zhaozhao first could he find a way forward.
Marquis Lu steeled his heart and made a decision!
"In that case, I ask you, dear elder sister-in-law, to take charge. Let them perform the wedding ceremony now. I will leave immediately after witnessing it!"
"Good, good, good! I'll arrange it right away!"
Marquis Lu led his daughter into the courtyard, borrowing the Jiang family daughter's room to lay out the wedding dress for her. He looked at his daughter affectionately. "Zhaozhao, from now on, your father won't be by your side. Don't think about revenge—just focus on living well.
Just survive, that's enough.
The Jiang family owes me a debt, but human hearts are unpredictable. Keep this item safe—it's a banknote from the Full Moon Bank in the capital. You won't be able to withdraw this money unless you go to the capital.
In a farming household, too much silver is a curse. Until Zhaozhao has the ability to protect this money, don't act recklessly!
Cough… cough!"
"Father, I understand. I'll take care of myself." Lu Zhaozhao's father in her past life had been a scoundrel, so seeing someone so lovingly planning for his daughter now, she couldn't help but show a rare gentleness.
"After I leave, never speak of me to anyone. I've failed you, and I've failed your mother."
Marquis Lu broke down in tears.
Lu Zhaozhao quietly watched this cheap father of hers.
The original owner had already died amidst the hardships, and now she was living through this body. Once she gained the ability, she would definitely clear his name, seek revenge, and fulfill filial duties on her behalf.
The wedding hall was simply decorated. Old Lady Jiang took out two half-burned decorative candles from an old chest to serve as the Dragon-Phoenix Red Candles.
She also brought out the red cloth she had used for her own wedding years ago and spread it over the incense altar.
Marquis Lu and she took the seats of honor.
Jiang Family's Second Son, Jiang Yanxuan, temporarily acted as the Master of Ceremonies.
Lu Zhaozhao put on her wedding dress. Jiang Yanqing had no festive clothes to wear—the silver he could obtain after passing the Xiucai (Scholar) examination had all been taken by Old Lady Jiang in the name of filial piety.
Thus, he only wore the same clothes he had on earlier.
However, he carefully tied up his long hair.
"First bow to heaven and earth!"
"Second bow to parents!"
Lu Zhaozhao was supported by Jiang Yanqing as they knelt before the parents seated in the hall.
"Husband and wife bow to each other!"
After bowing to each other, Lu Zhaozhao's feelings were quite complicated—this was her first time marrying someone.
She never expected it would be with someone from ancient times, but he was good-looking, so other things didn't matter as much!
"The ceremony is complete!" said Jiang Family's Second Son.
Watching his elder brother marry this girl who looked so noble made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
It felt as if something had been taken from him.
Lu Zhaozhao and Jiang Yanqing signed the Marriage Certificate.
"Son-in-law, I entrust Zhaozhao to you," Marquis Lu said with a complex expression, holding the Marriage Certificate. "I will submit the Marriage Certificate to the county office, so you need not trouble yourselves with it."
Then, he reluctantly said to Lu Zhaozhao, "Zhaozhao, your father is leaving now…"
"Father, take good care of yourself from now on," Lu Zhaozhao said with concern.
Unfortunately, this useless system was of no help now, and she had nothing of value herself; otherwise, she could have prepared something for him.
Marquis Lu hardened his heart, turned around, and left!
Jiang Family's Second Son went to escort Marquis Lu out. Seeing that he had left, Old Lady Jiang immediately extended her hand to Lu Zhaozhao: "Eldest daughter-in-law, according to our family's rules, no one is allowed to keep silver privately. Hand over the dowry you received earlier."
Lu Zhaozhao almost laughed out loud. Her bridal veil hadn't even been lifted yet, and they were already asking for the dowry?
"Eldest son, your wife doesn't understand our family's rules. What are you standing there for? Hurry up and give me the silver! If you don't, I'll go to the magistrate first thing tomorrow and accuse you of being unfilial! I'll make sure you can never take the imperial examinations again," Old Lady Jiang scolded, hands on her hips.
Jiang Yanqing remained calm, already accustomed to such behavior.
What a shrewish old woman!
Lu Zhaozhao was exhausted all over and just wanted to rest.
So she pulled off her bridal veil, took out the only silver hairpin from her hair, and thrust it toward the old woman.
Stopping just before reaching the center of her forehead.
The old woman was so frightened she nearly lost her soul: "You, what are you doing?"
Lu Zhaozhao had a pair of watery eyes and a charming appearance. Yawning, she said softly and sweetly: "Nothing much. It's just that there's no one around now. If I push this hairpin in, Mother-in-law, you'll be gone. What kind of funeral would you prefer?"
Jiang Yanqing watched the fierce expression on her bright and beautiful face, a flicker of excitement passing through his eyes.
She… was so beautiful.
"You, if you kill your mother-in-law, you'll die too!" the old woman blustered, her courage failing her.
"My father has already left. I'm used to a life of luxury and privilege. Now that I've married into hardship, if I lose even the last bit of my private dowry, what does it matter whether I live or not?"
Lu Zhaozhao, having nothing to lose, frightened the old woman until her face turned ashen, her voice trembling: "You… I won’t take it anymore, alright?"
Lu Zhaozhao reinserted the hairpin, feeling even more exhausted now. She collapsed into the arms of her handsome husband: "Husband, shall we go back and consummate our marriage?"
Jiang Yanqing caught his duplicitous yet genuinely amusing and beautiful new wife. His charming peach-blossom eyes curved slightly as he softly replied, "Alright."