Three days later arrived the bride’s homecoming ceremony.
Early in the morning, Zhao Shi, the matriarch of the Luo Family, began bustling about preparing the banquet, fearing that the prized son-in-law Huo Jin might find anything unsatisfactory. She was even more attentive than Yin Shi, the actual mother-in-law.
When Luo Chaoyan and her husband arrived home, they were greeted with endless inquiries and expressions of concern.
After finally enduring the banquet, Huo Jin was pulled away by her uncle and father to discuss matters in the study. Only then did Luo Chaoyan find an opportunity to share some private words with Yin Shi.
“Mother, what’s going on with Aunt? Her enthusiasm is overwhelming me,” she said, recalling how when their family first returned to Jingdu, although her aunt had been superficially polite, she hadn’t been particularly warm.
Yin Shi glared at her. “Don’t speak ill of your elders.”
Luo Chaoyan stuck out her tongue and looked toward Mama Lu.
Mama Lu smiled. “The Madam has been receiving frequent invitations from various noble ladies recently. It seems the Young Master’s marriage prospects are finally materializing.”
Luo Chaoyan suddenly understood. Among their family’s grandchildren, her two cousins from the second uncle’s family had been engaged early. However, the eldest cousin had remained unengaged all this time, likely because her aunt had been determined to find a bride from a highly prestigious family. Now, thanks to her marriage into the Huo Family, their family’s status had risen, naturally elevating her eldest cousin’s marriage prospects as well.
Curious about the gossip, she asked, “Do we know who Aunt has chosen?”
Mama Lu shook her head. “It’s not confirmed yet, but the Madam favors the youngest granddaughter of Duke Liang.”
The Duke Liang’s household? Luo Chaoyan couldn’t help but click her tongue in surprise. Her aunt certainly had ambitious aspirations. She remembered the rumors Fengli had gathered – that the current Duke Liang was a veteran official who had served two emperors, with numerous military achievements. Although he had retired from court many years ago, his prestige remained. The Emperor still occasionally visited the old gentleman.
Both his legitimate sons held important positions at court. The grandchildren generation was also full of talented individuals. If she remembered correctly, the only unmarried one left was Liang Qianyi, the legitimate daughter from the second branch. She heard that as the only granddaughter the Liang Family had seen in many years, she was treasured like a precious jewel. Given their modest Luo Family background, climbing up to the Liang Family would likely be difficult.
Yin Shi flicked her forehead. “What mischief are you plotting now?”
“Nothing of the sort!” Luo Chaoyan hugged her mother coquettishly. “Mother, I’ve missed you so much these past few days.”
Yin Shi gave her a reproachful glance. “You’re all grown up now, still acting so spoiled.”
She asked with concern, “Are you settling in well at Huo Manor? You haven’t caused any trouble, have you?”
“Mother, you wrong me! I’ve been nothing but proper at Huo Manor. Everyone in the household praises me. If you don’t believe me, ask Shulan!” Luo Chaoyan looked at Shulan, expecting her to “prove her innocence.”
Shulan found this somewhat amusing inwardly. The young mistress had indeed behaved much better at Huo Manor than before – arriving punctually for daily greetings to the elders, bickering daily with Young Master Rui, maintaining proper decorum outside her courtyard, though she reverted to her true self once back in her rooms.
“Madam, the young lady has indeed been observing proper etiquette.”
Yin Shi nodded and glanced at Mama Lu, who understood that the madam had some private matters to discuss with her daughter. She led the attending maids out of the room.
Once they were alone, Yin Shi said, “A Yan, about those erotic illustrations I gave you…”
Luo Chaoyan’s cheeks flushed at the words, not out of shyness but embarrassment. Her monthly courses hadn’t yet ended, so naturally, she couldn’t consummate the marriage with Huo Jin.
“Mother… we haven’t done… that thing yet…”
Yin Shi was startled, then quickly realized something and asked with concern, “If you can’t perform the Ritual of Duke Zhou with him, does that mean he’s staying in the front courtyard?” Regardless of the reason, the groom sleeping in the front courtyard on the wedding night was a major taboo for a bride, as it directly affected her status in the husband’s family.
Luo Chaoyan chuckled awkwardly, “Mother, don’t worry. Although we haven’t consummated the marriage, we haven’t slept in separate rooms either.” She paused before adding, “He knew I was indisposed and offered to sleep on the soft couch in the room.”
Yin Shi felt somewhat relieved upon hearing this and smiled, “No wonder your father was initially reluctant about this match but softened after meeting him. It seems Huo Jin’s character is indeed commendable.”
She looked at her daughter earnestly, “A Yan, your father and I originally wanted you to marry into a family of equal status so you could live a carefree life. But now, through a twist of fate, you’ve married into the Huo Manor. I hope you’ll try to get along well with Huo Jin. Even if you can’t be deeply affectionate, at least treat each other with respect. That way, your days in the Huo Manor won’t be too difficult.”
Luo Chaoyan wore a proud expression, “Mother, don’t worry. With your daughter’s cleverness, where couldn’t I live comfortably?”
As long as she guarded her heart, avoided foolishly scheming against heirs, or didn’t bother trying to warm up to Huo Jin—that aloof and unattainable flower—her life wouldn’t be too bad. As for how to interact with Huo Jin, she still needed to think it through carefully.
Yin Shi laughed in exasperation and tapped her daughter’s nose, “You little imp!” Seeing that her daughter had a clear understanding of the situation, she felt completely at ease. Although her daughter had been mischievous since childhood, she still knew her limits.
After bidding farewell to her parents, Luo Chaoyan and Huo Jin left the Luo Manor by carriage.
In the carriage, Luo Chaoyan idly watched the bustling streets outside, filled with vendors and pedestrians, until she grew bored and lowered the curtain.
Huo Jin sat opposite her, holding a book. His elegant posture, refined yet aloof, was unmistakably that of someone raised in a great family. His focused expression, paired with his sculpted, handsome features, made him look like a figure from a painting. How should she play the role of a wife to such a person?
In a few days, her monthly courses would end, and she likely couldn’t avoid the Ritual of Duke Zhou with him. But she wasn’t being coy. As a married woman, she had to face it calmly. Besides, this man was divinely handsome—it wasn’t as if she was losing out!
“What’s wrong?” Huo Jin frowned, noticing her staring at him.
Luo Chaoyan felt no embarrassment at being caught staring. She blinked and smiled candidly, “My lord, you are truly good-looking.”
Huo Jin was taken aback. She had praised his appearance more than once, but since she wasn’t flattering him or behaving like other women who openly fawned over him, he didn’t mind. He replied indifferently, “It’s merely a shell. What matters is one’s inner character.”
Luo Chaoyan nodded, “My lord speaks wisely.”
Suddenly, her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she asked, “My lord, I’ve heard that besides you and Young Master Su being the top scholars, there are also two exceptionally talented and beautiful ladies in Jingdu? Have you and Young Master Su met them? Are they truly as stunningly beautiful as the rumors say?”
“Perhaps. I’ve never paid much attention to such matters.” Though he often received invitations to banquets from various households, he usually declined them on the pretext of official duties and rarely attended.
Seeing her seemingly regretful expression, he frowned and asked, “Do you want to meet them?”
Oh dear, this one is just as clueless! Luo Chaoyan replied somewhat awkwardly, “I haven’t been back in Jingdu for long. I was just a little curious, that’s all.”
Huo Jin nodded and fell silent again, picking up his book to continue reading. The rest of their journey passed in relative quiet.