Mama Du was completely intimidated, her legs involuntarily giving way as she knelt down.
"Consort of the Heir Apparent, this old servant… this old servant…"
At this moment of intense tension, Su Yunxiu, who had not yet stepped out of her sedan chair, spoke up: "Sister, now that we are brides of An Wangfu, we must naturally abide by its rules. This mama is only following orders. Why must you make things so difficult…"
Su Yunzhao couldn't help but sneer. Even now, she still wanted to use her manipulative tactics to provoke her.
"Since you know we are already brides of An Wangfu, you should remember your own status. From now on, don't call me 'sister.' Even if I were your mother or grandmother in the Su family, in An Wangfu, you should still address me as sister-in-law. Sister-in-law, as the bride of the concubine-born son of An Wangfu, if I do not enter through the main gate today, would you dare to?"
Su Yunxiu was left speechless by the retort. Fortunately, she had not stepped out of the sedan chair, or others would surely have seen her embarrassment.
Su Yunzhao took control of the situation and glanced sideways at Mama Du, who was still kneeling there.
She casually tossed the knife, which landed just in front of Mama Du's knees. The clanging sound made Mama Du's heart nearly stop.
"To spare you, a lowly servant, from any trouble, I will not enter through this gate today."
With that, Su Yunzhao climbed back into her sedan chair, gently tapped twice, and calmly said, "Lift the sedan. We're returning to the Su family."
The one in a hurry had never been her, Su Yunzhao.
If Su Yunxiu and the second young master were truly as devoted as gold, they could have waited until the heir apparent died of illness before marrying. The reason they were in such a rush to arrange this marriage was none other than Su Yunxiu's pregnancy…
The original host had once discovered Su Yunxiu and the second young master meeting in secret, but at that time, Su Yunxiu had threatened her with the family's reputation, so she dared not speak up.
Everyone was dumbfounded. If Su Yunzhao did not enter through the gate today, nothing would proceed as planned.
Especially Su Yunxiu, who was panicking uncontrollably inside her sedan chair.
Su Yunzhao could afford to wait, but her own belly could not.
Mama Du knew she would have to bear the blame for this. Helplessly, she began kowtowing repeatedly: "Consort of the Heir Apparent, it is all this old servant's fault. Please forgive this lowly servant…"
In the main hall, Consort Tian, upon hearing the servant's report, could no longer control herself and smashed the teacup in her hand.
"What a lowly concubine-born daughter! Does she think being the Consort of the Heir Apparent is some great honor? After being stifled in the marquis's residence for so many years, she dares to put on airs in our An Wangfu!"
Despite her deep scheming, she realized that Su Yunzhao was not so easy to manipulate. Though angry, she steadied her emotions and immediately sent someone out to relay a message: Mama Du had misremembered. She was old, and after being busy with preparations these past few days, it was only natural for her to mix things up. Even if she had no merit, she had worked hard. On such a joyous day, there was no need to spoil the harmony.
In the end, it was only after Mama Du knelt and led the way that Su Yunzhao agreed to enter through the main gate in her sedan chair. Su Yunxiu's sedan chair had to go through the side gate, and the custom of kicking the sedan door was omitted.
"You wretch, I will make you regret this…" Su Yunxiu thought viciously through gritted teeth.
Incompetent villains often never tired of saying such things.
Meanwhile, Xiao Jinyao, the heir apparent of Prince An, was in his room looking at his wedding attire and laughing as he listened to the servant's report.
"Last night, someone reported that this woman had taken poison to avoid marrying into the pit of fire that is An Wangfu. Who would have thought not only did she not die, but she also managed to make Consort Tian and the others lose face…"
"Change clothes," Xiao Jinyao instructed, though his pale complexion revealed he was not in good condition.
The guard hurried forward to support him, worriedly saying, "But Shizi, your health…"
Xiao Jinyao straightened his posture, exuding an unquestionable authority: "A mere illness is not enough to keep this Shizi from getting out of bed."
Of course, there was one thing he didn’t mention: if he didn’t go, he feared his father would demand that Su Yunzhao serve tea to Consort Tian…
Meanwhile,
The servants of An Wangfu were uncertain about Su Yunzhao’s temperament, so they dared not cause her any more trouble along the way.
The portly Prince An, having heard of his daughter-in-law’s remarkable achievements at the main gate, felt a wave of disgust and sat there impatiently waiting.
Seeing that one of the two newlywed couples in the hall was still missing—Xiao Jinyao—Prince An’s expression darkened.
"Has the Shizi fallen ill again and can’t get up?"
Prince An’s inquiry inevitably carried emotion.
"On such a joyous day, is Father cursing me?"
A low voice rang out. Su Yunzhao looked over and saw a man also dressed in wedding attire—tall, with firm features, deep and captivating eyes, but an extremely pale complexion, clearly a result of years of suffering from illness. His lips, in particular, were almost devoid of color.
This person must be the Shizi, Xiao Jinyao, whom so many were hoping would die.
He was quite handsome, but his life was not long. Before she could truly establish herself independently in this era, she would have to do her best to prolong his life.
Prince An opened his mouth, somewhat awkward. He had originally intended to criticize a few words but ultimately pursed his lips and gave up.
Under the gaze of Prince An and Consort Tian, Xiao Jinyao calmly ordered the servants to place the memorial tablet of the deceased Princess Consort An in the seat of the matriarch.
Consort Tian felt resentful, her nails digging into her palms. That position would be hers sooner or later.
The wedding ceremony proceeded simply and smoothly. Xiao Jinyao and Su Yunzhao exchanged no words throughout, only glancing at each other during the bow between husband and wife.
As for serving tea, no one dared to bring up that part of the ritual.
"Father, the wedding is complete. We should return now."
Prince An waved his hand, offering no opinion.
"Let’s go."
Xiao Jinyao said indifferently to Su Yunzhao before turning to leave, leaving the memorial tablet of Princess Consort An behind and completely ignoring Consort Tian, whose expression had grown even more unpleasant.
Su Yunzhao naturally followed behind him. He was her support in the mansion, and she needed to cling to him tightly.
Closing the door, Xiao Jinyao sized up Su Yunzhao. The Consort of the Heir Apparent’s appearance was indeed first-rate, but her performance today was completely different from the information he had received.
"Offending Consort Tian today is enough to make your life in An Wangfu difficult," Xiao Jinyao said coldly.
Su Yunzhao’s expression remained calm: "So, the Shizi should stand up for me more. Otherwise, if I, bearing the title of Consort of the Heir Apparent, am humiliated, it will be the Shizi’s face that is lost."
Looking into Su Yunzhao’s placid, unruffled eyes, a flicker of amusement passed through Xiao Jinyao’s gaze: "You caused the trouble yourself; solve it yourself. What do you expect a sick person like me to do for you?"
"In that case, the Shizi may leave," Su Yunzhao replied, having long anticipated that she could not rely on Xiao Jinyao.
Xiao Jinyao raised an eyebrow lightly: "On our wedding night, where do you expect this Shizi to go?"
Su Yunzhao frowned, sizing up Xiao Jinyao from head to toe with a seemingly puzzled expression. "As a patient, how could the Shizi still engage in marital relations? Aren’t you afraid of harming your health?"
As she spoke, she seemed to suddenly remember something and continued, "Rest assured, Shizi. Tomorrow, I will explain to the prince and the side consort myself. I believe they will understand you."
Though her words appeared caring, the man clearly detected the mockery in Su Yunzhao’s tone.
Xiao Jinyao narrowed his eyes slightly. "Su Yunzhao, are you provoking me?"
He tried to stand up, but his already frail body, strained from the earlier commotion, aggravated his old injuries. Xiao Jinyao nearly coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Seeing the man’s unusual demeanor, Su Yunzhao realized something was wrong and quickly called out to the outside, "Someone, come quickly! The Shizi has taken ill!"