Spring brought life, summer growth, autumn harvest, and winter storage. A year passed swiftly for all things in the world.
Ming Shu had turned twenty, in the prime of her youth. Her three-year mourning period ended, and she changed out of her mourning clothes, shedding her sorrow.
“How quickly three years have passed. I’m getting old…” the figure in the mirror murmured.
Freshly bathed, the young woman sat before her dressing table in simple silk undergarments, her long hair loose, scrutinizing her reflection.
Her chin seemed sharper, her cheeks less full than three years ago. Her nose remained high-bridged, her eyes unchanged, but the corners… she leaned closer to the mirror, searching for non-existent fine lines.
These years of constant travel, heavy responsibilities, and numerous troubles made her feel she must have developed wrinkles.
Fortunately, the skin around her eyes and forehead remained smooth, like peeled lychee, fresh and dewy.
She contentedly stroked her face—her efforts in skincare these past three years hadn’t been in vain.
Qingchan, her maid, giggled. “My lady, what are you saying? You’re the most beautiful girl in Jiangning County. People who’ve seen you always ask about your age…”
“Oh? What do they say?” Ming Shu’s interest was piqued.
“They ask if you’ve just come of age and if you’re betrothed. I tell them you’re eighteen and engaged, just waiting for the mourning period to end before marrying. The inquirers are so disappointed, saying ‘What a pity such a fairy-like beauty will be spoiled by some undeserving man…'”
Qingchan was a new personal maid Ming Shu had taken on in the past three years.
Ming Shu was amused. Even knowing Qingchan’s flattery was exaggerated, she felt pleased.
“You silver-tongued girl, always exaggerating,” she said, applying lip rouge.
“I’m not exaggerating! Ask anyone outside—who doesn’t praise you as beautiful as a celestial maiden? My lady, why are you suddenly bringing this up today?” Qingchan asked while arranging Ming Shu’s hair. She had never heard her mistress express such self-doubt before.
The young mistress of the Jian family was a prominent figure in Jiangning, known for both her beauty and capability. In just three years, she had expanded the family business to the capital, with Jian family gold ornaments becoming all the rage in Bianjing.
For someone of her stature, who cared about her exact age?
Ming Shu wasn’t truly worried, but she had recently received a letter from Wen An mentioning two major events in Bianjing.
First, the crown prince had been officially named—the third prince had entered the Eastern Palace, and her other close friend, Yin Shujun, had become the crown princess.
Second, the “undeserving man” Qingchan mentioned had returned to the capital for an official review. Due to his outstanding achievements, he was promoted to three ranks, is now a fifth-rank official. As he had anticipated, his return to the capital marked the beginning of his career’s rapid advancement.
At twenty-four, he could no longer be called a youth.
A year and a half ago, Ming Shu had seen him once in Zhangyang. He had grown taller, and more robust, and his sharp edges softened. He had become more reserved, no longer displaying the proud arrogance of his youth.
After more than a year, the hardships in Zhangyang must have refined him further.
As soon as he returned to the capital, he became entangled in several romantic pursuits.
The youngest daughter of Minister Shen had fallen for him at first sight, and a niece of the Noble Consort had secretly sent him a perfumed handkerchief… Ming Shu could imagine these scenes without witnessing them firsthand.
Although Wen An’s letter also mentioned that he had refused the emperor’s offer of an arranged marriage and declined Minister Shen’s invitation, showing no interest in any young lady, Ming Shu still felt uneasy.
But of course, she couldn’t express this unease to Qingchan.
Jealousy didn’t fit her usual image.
“My lady! Master Lu has arrived!” came a sudden announcement from outside.
Qingchan exclaimed in surprise: “The young master is here so early?”
Ming Shu hadn’t finished her preparations yet.
“What’s the rush? Go fetch my clothes,” Ming Shu lightly scolded, remaining composed before the mirror.
As Qingchan hurried to get the clothes, Ming Shu pressed a hand to her chest—her heart was beating rather fast.
This rascal, why had he come so early?
Lu Chang had personally come to present the betrothal gifts, the procession following him from the capital to Jiangning.
The three letters and six etiquettes were all meticulously observed.
Though the distance between Bianjing and Jiangning was great, as the daughter of the Jian family, she naturally had to be married from her family home. Despite the complications, he was determined to do everything properly, leaving no room for criticism of the Jian family’s daughter.
The Jian family’s main gate opened, and a young woman in red emerged.
Her radiant and charming face, her vibrant and alluring smile—she was even more beautiful than when he had last seen her. Lu Chang was momentarily stunned.
“Master Lu? Master Lu?” The matchmaker called out twice before Lu Chang’s soul returned. Across from him, Ming Shu was silently laughing.
Her sparkling eyes still spoke volumes, full of mischief—”Struck dumb, Master Lu?”
He had indeed been dazzled by her beauty, having not seen such a radiant Ming Shu in a long time.
“I, Lu Chang, a poor scholar from Jiangning, have returned from Bianjing with betrothal gifts to seek the hand of the Jian family’s eldest daughter, Jian Ming Shu. I vow to cherish, honor, respect, and love her with all my being for the rest of my life, till death do us part.”
Ming Shu watched the young man in red robes bow to her and slowly stepped back.
“Won’t you come in?” she asked with a smile.
Ten days later, the Jian family married off their daughter.
A long wedding procession set out, journeying from Jiangning to Bianjing.
In May, the grand wedding took place.