Spring gradually warmed the land, and soon February arrived.

For the people of Great Zhou, especially those in the capital, February of the eighteenth year of Yong’an held extraordinary significance.

This was the triennial year for the metropolitan examinations.

Beginning on the ninth day of the second month, three consecutive sessions would be held, each lasting three days. After the examinations concluded on the seventeenth, the announcement of the successful candidates would be followed by the lively spectacle of families vying to secure promising scholars as sons-in-law beneath the examination results boards.

Come April, the palace examinations would be held, bringing the excitement of watching the top scholar parade through the streets.

It could be said that in years when the spring examinations were held, festivities would be ongoing from spring through summer, with the entire capital immersed in celebration.

Just as the highly anticipated metropolitan examinations were about to commence, the Prince Pingnan’s manor welcomed a wedding.

Prince Pingnan’s heir apparent, Wei Feng, was marrying the third young lady of Minister Wang’s family from the Court of Imperial Stud.

In the brightly decorated Minister’s residence, Third Young Lady Wang, dressed in vibrant red bridal robes, sat surrounded by attendants, enjoying the joy of being the center of attention.

She lifted her eyes to glance at her two older sisters who had been pushed to the periphery, then smiled with curved lips: “Who would have thought this younger sister would marry first? From now on, I’ll have to trouble my two older sisters to fulfill my filial duties toward our family elders.”

Second Young Lady Wang replied coolly: “We will naturally fulfill the filial duties we ought to fulfill. As for Third Sister’s share, it would be best if Third Sister fulfills it herself.”

Third Young Lady Wang’s eyes turned slightly cold as she pressed her lips together.

Seeing Third Young Lady Wang’s displeasure, the aunts and female cousins from the clan immediately began reproaching Second Young Lady Wang.

“Second Niece, that’s not right of you to say. You and the heir’s consort are blood sisters—you should naturally help each other.”

“Exactly! Now that Third Sister has become the heir’s consort, whenever we attend banquets in the future, we’ll all have honor on our faces,” said a young lady in pink robes, looking at Second Young Lady Wang with some dissatisfaction.

Since Third Cousin Sister was so accomplished, all the young ladies of the Wang family could bask in reflected glory. Yet Second Cousin Sister couldn’t stand to see others succeed—she was truly too petty.

Second Young Lady Wang was furious, but fortunately, having survived so many years under her stepmother’s control, she had developed some skill in forbearance. She pressed her lips together and said: “I didn’t say much. I was merely thinking that Third Sister is marrying within the capital—from Prince Pingnan’s manor to the Minister’s residence takes less than half an hour. Where would she need us to fulfill filial duties for her? Having anyone substitute is not as meaningful as fulfilling one’s own filial duties personally. Don’t you agree, Third Sister?”

First Young Lady Wang quietly tugged at Second Young Lady Wang’s sleeve.

Third Young Lady Wang’s pretty face darkened briefly, then she smiled broadly: “Second Sister speaks correctly. This younger sister will remember that.”

Once she established her footing in the Prince’s manor, she would see what fate awaited Second Sister Wang.

The wedding procession arrived, and amid the festive sounds of suona horns, Third Young Lady Wang was carried on her cousin brother’s back to the bridal sedan chair.

Watching the wedding procession depart into the distance, Second Young Lady Wang, standing in a corner, sneered coldly: “Truly a petty person drunk on success.”

First Young Lady Wang patted her sister’s hand: “Second Sister, there’s no need to concern yourself with such things.”

Second Young Lady Wang said indignantly: “Although Elder Sister didn’t covet this marriage, the truth is that Third Sister clearly snatched it away. She has no sense of guilt about it—that would be one thing—but to flaunt and show off in front of Elder Sister makes one’s blood boil just thinking about it.”

“If Third Sister hadn’t taken it, I would have had to marry over there. What would Second Sister think then?”

Second Young Lady Wang stammered: “Naturally I would have been anxious for Elder Sister.”

Marriage was a lifelong matter. If Elder Sister was unwilling but had no choice but to marry over there, it would be too much of an injustice.

First Young Lady Wang smiled: “There you have it. Both Third Sister and I got what we wanted. As for the rest, it’s all inconsequential.”

When one knew clearly what one wanted most and obtained it, that was already fortunate. There was absolutely no need to dwell on losing certain other things.

“Elder Sister is right.”

First Young Lady Wang linked arms with her sister and smiled: “With Third Sister’s marriage, the elders were pleased and rewarded us with quite a bit of silver. Later, I’ll take Second Sister to that wine shop to drink.”

Thinking of that wine shop that had brought warmth to them as sisters, both their moods brightened considerably.

As evening approached and thin twilight clouds floated at the horizon’s edge, Third Young Lady Wang, having completed the wedding ceremony, sat properly in the bridal chamber, her heart filled with shy anticipation as she waited for her husband to arrive.

She waited and waited, until deep into the night.

Wei Feng entered carrying the scent of wine, dismissing the maids and servants with a wave, then strode toward the bridal bed with large steps.

The bridal veil had already been lifted before he went out to toast the guests, and they had already drunk the nuptial wine. As Wei Feng reached the bed, what he saw was a face as beautiful as peach blossoms and plum blossoms.

The half-drunk man stared at that pretty face, gazing fixedly for a moment.

A thought surfaced in his mind: With such thick powder smeared on her face, she doesn’t resemble that young man at all.

Thinking this, he immediately found it tedious and uninteresting.

Wei Feng kicked off his shoes and collapsed directly onto the bridal bed.

Third Young Lady Wang, who had been sitting tensely and excitedly at the edge of the bed, froze. Looking again, the bridegroom had already closed his eyes, and light snoring sounds emerged.

Had he drunk too much?

Looking at the bridegroom whose snoring gradually intensified, unwillingness arose within her.

This was their wedding night—would it just pass like this?

Having received her mother’s support since childhood to constantly suppress her two older sisters, Third Young Lady Wang had never really practiced the skill of forbearance.

Of course, she did have her appealing qualities—namely, her sweet tongue and lively nature.

It was precisely this liveliness that made her unable to accept adversity passively.

Third Young Lady Wang leaned forward slightly and called out: “Heir Apparent, please wake up.”

After calling out several times like this, Wei Feng opened his eyes and asked vaguely: “What is it?”

Third Young Lady Wang was stung by his cold tone, but enduring her grievance, she said: “Heir Apparent, you’ve been tired all day. You should wash up before sleeping.”

As a new bride, she naturally couldn’t bring herself to directly suggest the wedding night consummation. Third Young Lady Wang felt her hint was already quite obvious.

“I’m tired. I’ll wash tomorrow.” Wei Feng closed his eyes again.

Third Young Lady Wang pressed her lips together and said softly: “Heir Apparent, sleeping like this is uncomfortable. You should still get up and wash—”

“You’re so annoying!” Without even opening his eyes, Wei Feng snapped at her and turned over.

Third Young Lady Wang’s eyelids trembled in disbelief as she bit her lip hard.

That day at Great Fortune Temple, the heir apparent had clearly taken a liking to her. How could the wedding night be like this?

Looking at the man’s face flushed red from wine, Third Young Lady Wang silently consoled herself: The heir apparent has drunk too much.

After waiting a while longer and confirming that the bridegroom had no hope of sobering from his drunkenness, Third Young Lady Wang could only remove her hairpins and makeup, take off her outer garments, and lie down beside Wei Feng feeling utterly aggrieved.

Wei Feng frowned uncomfortably and instinctively reached out to push, encountering a soft body.

Third Young Lady Wang’s eyes lit up with delight: “Heir Apparent.”

The man close at hand suddenly opened his eyes, staring directly at her.

Third Young Lady Wang’s heart beat rapidly as she smiled shyly.

“Why are you sleeping here?”

Third Young Lady Wang’s smile froze: “Heir Apparent, have you forgotten? Today is our joyous wedding day.”

Where else would she sleep if not here?

Wei Feng seemed to have sobered somewhat from his drunkenness. Displeased, he said: “Two people sleeping in one bed is too cramped. I’m not used to it. You go sleep in the outer chamber.”

Third Young Lady Wang’s face went pale as she said in shock: “Heir Apparent, if I go sleep in the outer chamber, what will happen when the maids and servants see?”

Wei Feng, thinking of the trouble if news reached Princess Pingnan’s ears, felt the new bride’s concern had merit. He burped and said: “True enough. Then just make yourself a pallet on the floor.”

Third Young Lady Wang’s entire body shook, nearly coughing up a mouthful of blood.