When Jiang Li was twenty-six years old, she gave birth to Ji Meng.

Little Ji Meng was showered with boundless affection from the moment of birth. Xue Zhao traveled thousands of miles to rush back just to see this niece once. Situ Jiuyue could not get away, so she had Xue Zhao bring an entire chest of gemstones from the ancient city of Molan as a meeting gift for the little niece.

Daoist Master Jingxuan bestowed the childhood name Wanwan upon little Ji Meng. Wenren Yao insisted on becoming Wanwan’s godfather but was mercilessly rejected by Ji Heng. Even the usually somewhat rigid Xue Huaiyuan underwent a great personality change after having Wanwan around. The first time Jiang Li saw Xue Huaiyuan half-sprawled on the ground playing with a rattle drum with Wanwan, she could hardly believe her eyes.

However, one could not blame everyone for treating her so well. This child Wanwan was truly adorable. When young she was born delicate and lovely, her appearance a perfect copy of Jiang Li, soft and sweet and cute. Ji Heng’s raising of her as a pearl in his palm was not an exaggeration at all. She could have the wind if she wanted wind, the rain if she wanted rain.

With grandfathers, godfathers, and uncles all being thus, needless to say her own father. Before Wanwan turned five, what everyone saw most every day was Ji Heng in red robes holding a pink jade-carved little girl in his arms, appearing at various pastry shops, theater troupes, acrobatic platforms, and sugar figurine stores. Others all said that Ji Heng had changed his nature. Sometimes when someone offended him and he was about to call people to beat them up, as long as little Wanwan tugged at his sleeve and called out softly, “Father, could you not resort to violence?”

Ji Heng would pat the little girl’s head and say gently, “I’ll listen to everything you say.”

Thus, everyone gradually figured out the pattern. At the Duke’s Manor, the Duke of Su was temperamental and there was no need to seek his favor. The real masters to please were actually the Duke’s wife and the eldest miss. In this world, the Duke of Su could only not refute the words of two people—one was the Duke’s wife, and the other was the eldest miss.

The Duke’s wife Jiang Li had a gentle and gracious temperament, but she also had principles. Although usually generous, when truly encountering matters, she still protected her own husband. The eldest miss was different. Young in age and easy to coax. As long as one found some rare and curious objects not commonly seen in the capital, one could make her happy. Once the eldest miss was happy, His Grace the Duke would bestow rewards. For a time, little Wanwan had people coaxing her every day, living even more happily than a princess.

Of course, she also deeply understood the principle of reciprocity. As long as she was happy, she would generously speak well of others before her own father. So once the servants of the Duke’s Manor committed errors and angered their master, the first one they sought was not the Duke of Su, but little Wanwan.

Wenren Yao came several times and saw through the pattern. He gloated to Ji Heng, saying, “I see that your Duke’s Manor will sooner or later all belong to little Wanwan. Your words don’t count.”

“The Duke’s Manor was always hers to begin with,” Ji Heng said, gently stroking his folding fan. “Besides, what does it have to do with you?”

Wenren Yao left in a huff.

However, the good days for everyone at the Duke’s Manor came to an irreversible end after little Wanwan turned ten.

When Ji Meng was small, she resembled her mother—pure, spirited, and adorable. As years passed, after her coming-of-age ceremony at fifteen, her features matured and she came to greatly resemble Ji Heng. Especially her eyes—the flowing glances were soul-capturing, and even in the same spot at the corner of her eye, she had a red mole just like Ji Heng.

Such beauty on a man was already extremely striking. On a woman, it was truly absolutely stunning. Looking at her, Jiang Li would occasionally worry, feeling that such excessive beauty might be a blessing or a curse—who could say?

“What’s there to fear?” Ji Heng was unconcerned. “In this entire realm, could there still be anyone who dares covet her? Moreover,” he laughed lightly, “my daughter—no one can make her suffer.”

These words were not false.

One wondered if it was that the more well-behaved a girl was in childhood, the more completely different her temperament would be when grown. As Ji Meng grew older, not only her appearance but even her temperament followed her father’s. It was not quite to the point of being temperamental, but she was truly mischievous and clever. Everyone up and down in the manor had been teased by her. She also had excellent martial arts skills. Ji Heng had someone forge a whip for her that she kept at her waist on ordinary days. If she truly encountered trouble, the whip was not to be trifled with. Add to this that Situ Jiuyue sent poisons and hidden weapons without stint, and in the matter of skills, she was sufficient to protect herself.

But the consequence of this was that everyone in the entire capital knew that although the young lady of the Duke of Su’s Manor was born with breathtaking beauty capable of making fish sink and geese fall, she was fierce and cunning, proud and domineering. Though the beauty was fine, one could only look. Moreover, Ji Heng protected her closely. For a time, no one even dared harbor covetous thoughts.

Thus this created an awkward situation. When other young ladies passed fifteen, those coming to propose marriage would probably wear down the threshold. When Ji Meng reached fifteen, the threshold of the Duke’s Manor temporarily had no one who dared come tread upon it.

Jiang Li sat in the room, propping up her cheek in worry, and complained to Ji Heng, “Our Wanwan is so wonderful, how is it that no one comes to propose marriage?”

Ji Heng was startled. “You very much want Wanwan to marry out?”

“It’s not quite that,” Jiang Li replied. “Wanwan is still young in years. It’s just that these past days when I go out, people always ask if there’s anyone I feel is suitable. I…”

When ladies gathered together for meetings, those with daughters in their manors would privately ask such questions. When it came to Jiang Li, Jiang Li could not speak. What could she say? Forget about whether there were suitable ones or not—there wasn’t even one to choose from!

“What does it have to do with them?”

“I don’t feel there’s anything wrong with it. I just fear that Wanwan has other thoughts in her heart.” Jiang Li sighed. “This child has grown up. Even if she has worries, she doesn’t tell me. I don’t know what she’s thinking.”

Without even a single youth to admire her, would Ji Meng feel dejected in her heart?

“My daughter Ji Heng—how could ordinary people be worthy? Ali,” Ji Heng asked her, “when you were fourteen, did you also worry about this matter?”

Jiang Li shook her head. “When I was fourteen, those coming to propose marriage were all driven away in waves by my father.”

Ji Heng: “…Very popular indeed.”

They were already an old married couple, yet this person still had time to be jealous. Jiang Li was speechless and pushed him. “Next month is Wanwan’s fifteenth birthday. This won’t do. You must go find some young men to come over and give our Wanwan face.”

The corner of Ji Heng’s mouth twitched. “What did you say?”

For once, Jiang Li was domineering. “I don’t care. Afterward you can just reject them all. We must let the people of the capital know that our Wanwan has plenty of young men who like her. It’s just that she looks down on them all.”

“…” Ji Heng asked, “Are you serious?”

Jiang Li was very certain. “Serious.”

…

Who knew what methods Ji Heng used, but on the day of Jiang Li’s fifteenth birthday, many families from the capital truly came to propose marriage.

There was the only son of the Grand Secretary of the Hall of Central Harmony, the young master of the Vice Censor-in-Chief, brothers from the Office of Transmission, the eldest grandson from the Imperial Academy. Literary, martial, young, and older—everything was available. They all clustered at the great gate of the Duke’s Manor. The steward deliberately did not let them all in at once, making them wait outside so that people outside could see.

Those who came mostly understood why the others had come. They exchanged awkward smiles with each other, inwardly cursing the Duke of Su in various ways. They had seen people being forced into things, but never seen people forced to come propose marriage.

What kind of matter was this!

When Jiang Li heard of this matter in her room, she angrily pushed Ji Heng. “I told you to find a few particularly outstanding ones to put on an appearance. How did you find so many? It’s not watching a play where the scene needs to be lively!”

But Ji Heng was very satisfied and said with a smile, “Since we’re doing it, we must make it imposing and grand, to let others see how beloved Wanwan is.”

He had always been showy. Jiang Li was very troubled, but since it was done, she could not drive the people away. She could only steel herself to continue the charade and said, “Fine, fine. With so many talented youths, perhaps Wanwan might truly take a liking to one.”

Hearing this, Ji Heng immediately changed his expression. “How could that be acceptable? If we’re acting, we’re acting. We absolutely cannot take it seriously.”

Jiang Li: “…”

Ji Heng then, as previously discussed, rejected all those who came to “propose marriage” one by one, only saying that Ji Meng was still young and did not plan to marry yet.

Those who came were all utterly confused. Previously it was he who hinted openly and covertly that not coming to propose would mean trouble. After everyone at home consoled their tearful sons and grandsons and came with the determination of a warrior cutting off his arm, it was also he who flatly refused. What was the meaning of this? Was the Duke of Su toying with them?

How utterly unreasonable!

Regardless, Ji Meng’s fifteenth birthday did ultimately become “glorious” because of this. Everyone in the entire capital knew that the eldest miss of the Duke’s Manor had astonishing charm, with talented youths coming in droves to propose marriage. Unfortunately, her parents cherished their daughter dearly and rejected them all. This way, in the future when no one tread upon the Duke’s Manor threshold, there would at least be a reason.

But unexpectedly, after several more days, the sons and brothers of those families who had come to propose the other day were, while sleeping at home at night, invaded by masked people who burst into their rooms, beat them up, and then left in a swagger. The masked people came quickly and left quickly. The magistrate’s office did not catch the criminals either.

Jiang Li and Ji Heng were drinking tea in their room.

Jiang Li pressed her forehead. “The magistrate’s office has been taken care of, right?”

Ji Heng: “It has.”

“This child is truly too reckless.” Jiang Li was both angry and amused. “How could she sneak into others’ manors at night to beat people? How innocent were those youths? Punishing her with house confinement and copying books is still light. It’s all your fault for spoiling her!”

Who could have thought that Ji Meng would actually run to the homes of those who proposed marriage at night to beat them? What kind of matter was this!

“My fault, my fault.” Seeing his wife angry, Ji Heng could only soothe her. “However,” he put his arm around Jiang Li’s shoulder and coaxed, “Wanwan is so resistant to people proposing marriage. It seems she hasn’t felt sad or inferior because of this. Let’s bring up this matter again in a few years. In the future, we won’t do this kind of thing anymore.”

The daughter of he, the Duke of Su, actually had to rely on threatening people to get marriage proposals? If word got out, no one would believe it! When Ji Heng thought back on it himself, he felt stifled. Fortunately his daughter was still capable and gave those people a good thrashing. Thinking of it this way, he felt the oppressive feeling in his chest was somewhat relieved.

His daughter wasn’t raised in vain. She truly had her father’s style. He was very satisfied. Afterward he would have to reward Wanwan properly.

“Let her be.” Jiang Li weakly waved her hand. “I won’t manage anymore.”

Ji Heng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Excellent.

That evening, Ji Heng was drinking tea in Jiang Li’s room. He didn’t mind whether it was good tea or bad tea. Either way, when he drank it, it looked extremely precious. Jiang Li asked him about what he had said during the day, saying, “What you told grandmother this morning about getting married as soon as we return to Yanjing City—is that news true or false?”

“When have I ever deceived you?” Ji Heng said with a smile. “What, are you afraid I won’t be willing to marry you?”

Jiang Li snorted with laughter. “Who’s afraid? You’re not the only man in this world.”

She was truly being provocative. Ji Heng glanced at her, grabbed her with one hand, and pulled her onto his lap. Jiang Li sat on his leg, nestled in his embrace. This position was far too intimate. She struggled twice. Ji Heng made a “shh” sound and whispered close to her ear, his tone intimately alluring. “Ali, be good. Don’t move.”

Jiang Li vaguely sensed something and dared not move. He satisfactorily reached out to stroke Jiang Li’s long hair and said leisurely, “Like this, I can only be even more impatient to marry you and bring you home.”

“Even if we return to Yanjing City, there are still many things to prepare,” Jiang Li said. “My wedding dress isn’t prepared yet, my dowry isn’t prepared, nothing is prepared. How could we possibly get married as soon as we return?”

When Ji Heng left, there was a war going on. No one knew what the outcome would be. After the war ended, news came that Ji Heng had died on the battlefield. Forget about marrying—no one even knew how long this marriage arrangement could be maintained. Jiang Li had prepared nothing. In such a short time, how could she properly prepare for marriage with him?

“Don’t worry,” his voice was gentle. “I’ve already prepared everything long ago.”

Jiang Li looked at him in surprise. In his amber eyes was a half-smiling drunken look, as if he had drunk wine and was slightly intoxicated, yet was clearly still sober. He said, “Previously it was your request—that I marry you after returning to Yanjing. I thought the same way. Before leaving, I prepared everything.”

Jiang Li frowned. The two of them had kissed goodbye at the Qingzhou dock. Jiang Li had indeed said that after Ji Heng returned to the capital, he should marry her and bring her home. But before leaving… could it be that before he led the Jinwu Army to Qingzhou, he had already taken care of everything?

“Your wedding dress, your dowry, your betrothal gifts—I’ve prepared it all. Everything for this marriage is ready. The only thing missing is you. You’re welcome to enter the door at any time. I will always be waiting.” His voice was low and alluring, the words he spoke could make any woman become immersed and unwilling to wake. “Whatever you want, I can help you obtain it. Little girl, you cannot escape from my palm.”

This was truly a forceful and domineering declaration of ownership. However, in Jiang Li’s ears, there was no discomfort at all. Instead, she felt full of joy overflowing from the bottom of her heart. She let out a “pfft” of laughter and said, “What if I don’t marry? You’ve prepared so many things—wouldn’t it all be wasted?”

“Can you bear not to marry me?” He raised an eyebrow. “I remember a certain someone also said that even if I died, she would remain a widow for me and never marry for life.”

Jiang Li pretended not to know. “I didn’t say that. You heard wrong. Don’t try to pin it on me.”

Ji Heng smiled without speaking, only holding Jiang Li. He still remembered watching that young girl stand before others and say those words with resounding conviction. Watching her in the Duke’s Manor dealing with those with ulterior motives, exhausting all her strength to protect his things—at that moment, he suddenly understood that all the pain of the past was worth it, because he had met her. This sincere heart made even Emperor Hongxiao feel at ease, let alone him. He had originally been an iron-hearted person, unfeeling and unrighteous, yet she had pulled him out from the darkness with one hand, giving him vitality and warmth.

She was the redemption of his entire life, so he would never let go, never.

“Let’s always be together, Ali,” he said softly.

Jiang Li paused, then broke into a smile. “Alright.”

…

When going to Xiangyang it had been a group of people, but when returning to Yanjing City, there were quite a few more people around them.

The Ye family had handled all their business in Xiangyang. However, in the end, neither the Xue residence nor the Ye residence was sold. After all, these were places they had lived in for many years. They were somewhat reluctant to part with them, so keeping them was also a form of remembrance. Perhaps one day, if they wanted to return home to look around again, they would not have nowhere to go.

But this time returning to the capital, everyone had one more matter—preparing for Jiang Li’s marriage.

After staying in Xiangyang for a period, everyone set out to return to Yanjing City. On the return journey they did not rush, traveling at a leisurely pace, touring mountains and enjoying waters along the way, having a wonderful time. Old Madam Ye’s health had improved considerably. When she was together with Jiang Li and the others, she was full of spirit. Traveling and playing along the way like this, by the time they returned to Yanjing City, it was already August.

Since August was the height of summer, everyone discussed and decided that the wedding date would be set for the eighth day of the ninth month—autumn weather at its best, with pleasant climate. However, calculated this way, the time left for Jiang Li to prepare was less than a month.

The people at the Duke’s Manor were not anxious at all, because there was truly nothing much to prepare. Ji Heng had long ago prepared everything, even the phoenix crown and bridal veil did not need to be made by Jiang Li herself. Although young ladies often made their own wedding dresses, Ji Heng’s reasoning was that needlework was truly exhausting. Jiang Li did not seem to particularly enjoy such things, so he would handle finding everything.

The Jiang Manor no longer existed, and an unmarried bride could not live directly at the Duke’s Manor. During these days, Jiang Li stayed at the Ye Manor. Early one morning, Zhao Ke came calling at the door, startling the servant at the Ye Manor entrance. Behind Zhao Ke was actually a procession of carriages and horses. The horse-drawn carts were pulling bright red wooden chests, each looking extremely heavy.

Ye Mingyu heard the commotion and came, asking, “What is this…”

“These are the dowry and wedding dress that His Grace prepared for the young miss,” Zhao Ke said, still holding one in his hands. “His Grace ordered this subordinate to personally deliver them into the second young miss’s hands.”

Ye Mingyu was somewhat displeased and said, “Ali is a girl of our family. How is it that the dowry needs to be prepared by others? There’s no such custom, is there? Does your master think our Ye family has no money? The Ye family is wealthy!” He spoke crudely, looking like a nouveau riche. Zhao Ke was speechless for a moment, only saying, “This is His Grace’s sincere intent. Lord Ye should still have the second young miss look it over.”

“Third Uncle, you should still let cousin look for herself. Perhaps cousin already agreed to this matter long ago,” Ye Jia’er also chimed in.

Ye Mingyu said, “Fine. Ashun, go tell the young miss that the Duke of Su has sent gifts.”

When Jiang Li came out, those red wooden chests had already been moved into the courtyard. The Ye Manor courtyard was already very spacious, but it was surprisingly filled with a great pile of them. Some were even placed into the rooms. Jiang Li said in surprise, “What is this…”

Zhao Ke handed the list in his hands to Jiang Li, saying, “This is the dowry list. Young miss, please look it over.”

Jiang Li unfolded it to look. She felt somewhat uncomfortable. When a girl married out, she had never heard of the dowry being prepared by the groom’s family. However, when this matter was done by Ji Heng, it felt entirely natural, as if it should be so. She could not quite figure out if she was somewhat confused. The wealth on those lists would shock even the Ye family if they saw it. However, thinking about it again, she felt relieved. When Ji Heng left previously, he had instructed Wen Ji that if he could not return, everything he possessed should be given to Jiang Li. Now it seemed that even though he had returned, he still gave everything he possessed to her.

Jiang Li then opened the chest containing the wedding dress. In that chest, the bright red wedding dress lay quietly. The phoenix crown and bridal veil were breathtakingly beautiful. Even touching them felt like defilement. Zhao Ke said, “Actually, when the old general was still alive, he began preparing the fabric and jewelry for this wedding dress. The old general hoped that one day His Grace could marry and have children, living the life of an ordinary person. After His Grace requested the Emperor to grant the marriage, he began having embroiderers cut and sew the wedding dress. These jewels were personally crafted by him.”

“Personally crafted?” Xue Zhao was surprised. “By himself alone?”

Zhao Ke said, “That’s correct.”

Jiang Li could not describe what she felt in her heart. She found it difficult to imagine Ji Heng, such a proud person, sitting under lamplight earnestly carving and chiseling jewelry for her, only hoping that when she married, she would have a ten-mile red dowry procession, boundlessly magnificent.

In truth, Jiang Li was not someone who cared about these formalities. When Shen Yurun married Jiang Li back then, there was no ten-mile red dowry procession. After the marriage, she still had to return to Yanjing City, traveling a long and arduous journey. At that time she did not feel anything was improper. Probably when young, everyone believed that with love, even just drinking water was satisfying. Even now Jiang Li still thought this way. But in Ji Heng’s eyes, this was probably utterly unforgivable and completely impossible. He simply wanted to announce to the world that Jiang Li was his wife, and he would use his entire life to properly cherish and protect Jiang Li. His love was just like this—magnificent and splendid to the extreme.

Xue Huaiyuan looked at Jiang Li with a smile. His precious pearl could be treated as such a treasure by someone—as her father, what could he be dissatisfied with?

Just like this, Jiang Li only needed to peacefully wait at home to be married.

Because time came very quickly, Jiang Yuanbai and the others could not immediately return to Yanjing City. On the wedding day, Jiang Yuanbai might not even be present. However, Ye Mingyu patted his chest and guaranteed that even if Jiang Yuanbai was not present, on Jiang Li’s joyous day, she would absolutely not be looked down upon. Their Ye family would definitely make Jiang Li the most magnificently married noble lady in Yanjing City.

During this month, Jiang Li had practically nothing to do. Every day she just took Ye Jia’er and Ye Rufeng around Yanjing City to play. It was more relaxed than before. Thinking about it now, in her two lifetimes, she had married twice. The first time marrying Shen Yurun, when she married she was full of expectations, but also very busy. Shen Yurun’s family circumstances were poor, and the Xue family was not wealthy either. Jiang Li still had to think about how to economize. Now in this life, marrying Ji Heng, it was a completely different kind of extravagance. She did not need to consider whether too little dowry would make people look down on her, nor did she need to worry that the other side giving too many betrothal gifts would make their family circumstances even more difficult. Liking him was purely liking him, unrelated to any other matters.

The fact that Ji Heng was still alive and had returned to Yanjing City immediately stirred up another wave. Many who had initially wanted to watch Jiang Li’s misfortune, thinking that this lifetime she would surely be extremely miserable, now began to feel envious. There were even some official families whose hearts were moved, deliberately going to curry favor with Ji Heng, hoping to also insert their own daughters into the Duke’s Manor. In their view, Ji Heng already had power and influence. Now he had established great merit. Emperor Hongxiao’s throne sat so stably now—Ji Heng’s contribution was indispensable. Among the official families of Yanjing City, someone as young and promising as Ji Heng was him alone. Even if they let their own daughters enter the manor to be concubines, as long as they could climb up a relationship with the Duke’s Manor, it would not be a loss.

When Tong’er spoke of these matters for Jiang Li to hear, she was quite disdainful, saying, “Those people are truly too shameless. And they’re supposed to be high officials. Previously when the young master had no news, every one of them came to persuade our young miss to give up. Now they’re shamelessly trying to enter the door. They should look in a mirror and see what they look like.”

Jiang Li shook her head with a smile, noncommittal. Actually there were even more unpleasant words that Tong’er had not told Jiang Li. Those people believed that Jiang Yuanbai was no longer Chief Minister now, and Jiang Li could not be considered any kind of high-born lady. At most she had a cousin who was an official. But the Ye family’s main household was still of merchant origin. Jiang Li was not born devastatingly beautiful either. Sooner or later she would be tired of by Ji Heng. There would always be opportunities to seize.

“Young miss isn’t worried at all?” Tong’er asked.

Jiang Li raised an eyebrow. “Worried about what? If he truly develops a wandering heart, no matter how much I guard against it, I still cannot prevent it.” Her previous life with Shen Yurun told her that human hearts change easily. Liking someone, one could sacrifice for him, but could not lose oneself. She could not make herself uncomfortable now for things that might happen in the future.

Just as she was speaking, Xue Zhao pushed his wheelchair in from outside. Tong’er withdrew from the room.

“Sister,” Xue Zhao looked at her and said, “tomorrow you will be married. Are you afraid?”

Jiang Li said, “What is there to be afraid of?”

“It seems you truly like him very much,” Xue Zhao said with feeling.

During this month, Jiang Li had not seen Ji Heng at all. Speaking of it, Ji Heng, such an unrestrained person who put nothing in his heart, was surprisingly strict in observing the custom of not seeing the bride before the wedding. When Xue Zhao asked Ji Heng why this was so, Ji Heng’s answer was also beyond people’s expectations. He said that the custom was so—if the custom was defied, what if their marriage was not smooth?

To actually be so nervous about this marriage—Xue Zhao was completely at ease. In fact, unlike Xue Huaiyuan and the Ye family, Xue Zhao was very much at ease about Ji Heng. He always felt that someone like Ji Heng was different from Shen Yurun. Toward outsiders he was heartless and ruthless, but as long as he had a weakness, he would cherish that person for his entire life, protecting that person from harm. Precisely because the people he needed to protect were very few, those who could be protected by him were extraordinarily fortunate, able to receive all of his love.

“Sister,” Xue Zhao said earnestly, “we will always accompany you. I hope you can be happy.”

“Good.” Jiang Li looked at him with a smile. “I don’t know when I’ll be able to hear your good news.”

“Mine?” Xue Zhao was stunned for a moment, then scratched his head and said, “Don’t trouble yourself worrying about me. Wait another ten or eight years.” After finishing, regardless of what expression Jiang Li had, he pushed his wheelchair and fled.

Jiang Li shook her head helplessly.

…

On the wedding day, the weather was wonderful. In the autumn colors, even the sun had become golden yellow. Jiang Li sat before the mirror, looking at herself in the mirror. The young girl’s features were gentle and moving, her eyes like a gurgling stream, flowing with happiness. Old Madam Ye stood behind her, gently taking a wooden comb to brush her hair. The long black hair like a waterfall was styled into a new bride’s coiffure. Jewels sparkled brilliantly. Phoenix crown and bridal veil. She applied rouge, becoming extraordinarily beautiful.

Old Madam Ye looked and looked, and her eyes became moist. Probably she was thinking of the departed Ye Zhenzhen. She said, “Our little Li has truly grown up.”

Ye Rufeng poked his head in from outside, calling out, “Grandmother, are you ready yet? The wedding procession is about to arrive.”

Old Madam Ye hastily responded, called the wedding attendant to come in, had Jiang Li put on the bridal veil, and pulled her out.

Jiang Li was pulled along, stumbling as she walked. The veil covered her head and she could see nothing. She could only hear the noisy clamor of voices outside, and laughter drawing near from far away. It seemed many people were surrounding her. The wedding attendant pulled her to the doorway and then released her hand. Jiang Li stood quietly, listening to the sound of gongs and drums gradually become clear.

It was a grand, perfect, unforgettable wedding procession. Although she could not see it, just listening to the sounds, she felt it was very lively. It was a wonderful feeling she had never experienced before.

She heard someone rein in a horse and stop before her. Someone walked toward her. Jiang Li inexplicably became nervous. The surrounding sounds of laughter—she could hear nothing. She could only hear her own heartbeat, powerful, again and again, like a mischievous little deer charging about, almost about to leap out.

Jiang Li’s hands were sweaty. Just as she felt confused and was trying her utmost to remain composed, suddenly, someone gently took her hand. His hand was slender and warm, just right to enclose her hand in his palm.

Then, the veil before her eyes was suddenly lifted. She tumbled into a pair of beautiful phoenix eyes. Jiang Li looked at him in surprise. This unconventional action, he did so naturally, elegantly and gently.

The beauty in red robes stood before her just like that, the corner of his mouth holding a moving smile, speaking a lifetime’s promise. He said, “Come with me, little girl.”

Then, just like that, without any hesitation, she firmly followed his steps.

“Alright.”