Lin Mao had just entered Gu Jingming’s home.
Gu Jingming owned a modest house near the Imperial College alley. Despite its size, his young master’s taste for luxury and distaste for labor had transformed it into an elegant and lavish abode, costing a fortune. The cooling mat on his lounge chair alone was woven from 204 pieces of jade, perfect for hot summer days. The room also housed a gilded incense burner and a two-foot-tall sandalwood statue of Confucius.
When Madam Gu visited, she was furious. Even though the Gu family was wealthy, they were still part of the gentry. How could he waste money like this? She ordered the steward to stop giving Gu Jingming any more funds.
Gu Jingming couldn’t survive on his salary alone – it was a pittance! A few art books would deplete it entirely. However, while he lacked money, many around him were wealthy. Luo Shenyuan, for instance, had plenty. His connections with the Ministry of Works, where he now served as Vice Minister, brought him a constant stream of wealth. But that miser would never part with a single coin without good reason.
Lin Mao was also rich and generous, never caring if friends repaid him. Gu Jingming had borrowed from him three or four times already.
Recently, though, Lin Mao had come asking for repayment. Gu Jingming had spent all his money on a set of jade screens from the previous dynasty and couldn’t spare a single coin. He invited Lin Mao to sit and asked, “What made you suddenly need money?”
Lin Mao apologized, “Brother Jingming, I’m getting married. I want to prepare a generous bride price.” He held up a few fingers, “I’ve calculated that I’ve lent you 700 taels in total. With interest, you owe me 1,200 taels.”
Back then, he had come to collect the debt, but with a smile on his face. He seemed as if he would marry Luo Yining in just a few days.
Today, however, he arrived looking like a defeated rooster, devoid of energy. He sat down and just sipped tea, his phoenix eyes blinking slowly.
Fearing Lin Mao might bring up the debt again, Gu Jingming quickly ordered his maid to serve good tea and mei cai meat pies.
“Is it my cousin’s engagement to Lord Luo that’s bothering you?” Gu Jingming asked. “Don’t worry too much. A good man will always find a wife. My cousin isn’t particularly outstanding. If you look around among the noble families, you’ll find three or four girls just like her.”
Lin Mao remained silent for a moment before speaking, “Sometimes I ask myself, what do I like about her? She’s not even particularly kind to me, sometimes she’d rather keep her distance.”
“But then I realized, I like her for who she is. And she’s like a little Pekingese… fun to play with when you catch her.”
Gu Jingming thought to himself that if Yining heard Lin Mao talk like this, she’d surely want to slap him.
He nodded sagely, “Hmm, everything you say makes sense – so why don’t you just get a Pekingese instead?”
Lin Mao heaved a long sigh and adjusted his robe. “Brother Jingming, you don’t understand. I used to think being an official was the most miserable thing in the world. It’s mentally and physically exhausting, and you’re always being controlled. But when Yining was young, my aunt told me that I’d need an official position if I wanted to marry her. That’s why I came to the capital with you to seek a post.”
“Now that she’s marrying someone else, this official position seems meaningless.”
Gu Jingming had never heard Lin Mao say this before – that he had become an official for this reason.
No wonder Luo Shenyuan was transferring him to be a county magistrate in Shandong.
“Aren’t you about to take up your post in Shandong? As a local official, you can’t be careless,” Gu Jingming couldn’t help but say.
“I know. The Ministry of Personnel has already issued the transfer order. I’m planning to leave in a few days,” Lin Mao replied.
Gu Jingming felt secretly pleased and asked, “So you won’t attend Luo San’s wedding?”
Lin Mao shook his head, “I don’t feel like going. If I do, my aunt will surely nag me.” He sighed, “As they say, ‘unlucky in love, lucky in money.’ Brother Jingming – when will you repay the 1,200 taels you owe me? I still need some travel money for my trip to Shandong.”
Gu Jingming’s mouth twitched. This guy had been talking all this time just to ask for money. He had misjudged him – Lin Mao was truly a miser, even calculating interest. No wonder he couldn’t find a wife.
Perhaps he wasn’t attending the wedding just to avoid giving a gift.
Gu Jingming had nothing else, so he had his servant bring 400 taels of silver. That was all he had left, and he practically pushed Lin Mao out the door.
Meanwhile, Yining was being overwhelmed by the household manager when someone informed her that Lin Mao had arrived.
Lin Mao was waiting for her under the grape trellis at the foot of the hall steps. He wore a fine linen robe, his phoenix eyes bright. He told Yining he was leaving to take up his post in Shandong.
Yining glanced at him upon hearing this. The county magistrate of Gaomi in Shandong – that’s where Lin Mao would start his career.
She patted Lin Mao’s shoulder and said, “Cousin Mao, do your best! Being a county magistrate might sound like a local official, but it’s more challenging than being a Supervising Secretary.” She then had her maid bring him some dried fruits and sweets.
Lin Mao jokingly asked her, “Yining, do you think there’s anything wrong with me?”
He still wanted to know why she had agreed to marry Luo Shenyuan but not him.
Luo Yining didn’t understand his meaning. She had never known that Lin Mao had once proposed to her.
Thinking he was dissatisfied with the Personnel Ministry’s appointment, after all, moving from a capital official to a local one was essentially a demotion, she earnestly comforted him, “You’ll surely achieve great things in the future. Even Third Brother can’t compare to you.” In the hearts of the common people, Lin Mao was a just and upright official, while Luo Shenyuan was a powerful minister controlling court politics. People would fall silent at the mention of Luo, not daring to speak, but they would eagerly praise Lin Mao’s virtues.
Lin Mao smiled again after hearing this, “Forget it, why am I asking you this!” He wasn’t one to pursue relentlessly, and besides, he was going to Shandong anyway. Moreover, she was marrying Luo San, and he didn’t want to get entangled with Luo San. Their paths would diverge from here. As Gu Jingming had said, he might find several girls he liked if he looked around.
Lin Mao had always lived freely. If he said he didn’t like her anymore, then he truly didn’t.
He took out a banknote from his sleeve and gave it to Yining, saying, “This is my wedding gift. I won’t attend the wedding feast. Keep this as part of your dowry, don’t let Luo San take it. Although he never says anything, he remembers everything clearly – once when I was drinking at a restaurant, he covered my bill but later sent someone to my house to collect the money.”
The banknote was for 800 taels, quite a generous gift.
Lin Mao continued, “I went to Gu Jingming to collect some money, intending to give you whatever I got from him. But that guy is too poor. You’d better not invite him to the wedding feast, he might just come for free food.” The 400 taels weren’t enough, so he added another 400 to make it an auspicious amount.
Yining’s lips twitched, her expression a bit strange. Cousin Lin Mao was indeed… extraordinary.
Suddenly, the outer courtyard became noisy.
The groom’s family had sent over the pre-wedding gifts. Two brothers from the Luo family’s main branch rode in on horseback, leading a procession. There was a whole pig on a large red lacquered tray, adorned with red silk, along with sacrificial offerings of four animals, seafood, and cured meats. They also brought the phoenix crown and ceremonial robes prepared by the groom’s family, as well as a golden veil. The procession entered the Marquis of Ying’s mansion with great fanfare, creating unprecedented excitement.
Yining was ushered to view the gifts. When she turned back, Lin Mao had already left.
The gift boxes were carried into the main hall. The resplendent phoenix crown and ceremonial robes were inlaid with pearls and rubies, with golden filigree forming auspicious flowers and phoenix heads holding pearls. They were extremely luxurious.
The Luo family had indeed prepared with great care.
Seeing these pre-wedding gifts carried in on red poles, the joy of the impending wedding truly enveloped the Marquis of Ying’s mansion.
Guests gradually began to arrive, and the atmosphere grew more lively. On the night before the wedding, Old Madam Wei invited Luo Yihui to speak with Yining about the marriage.
When Yining saw her elder sister, Luo Yihui was standing under the veranda, instructing servants to pack Yining’s belongings. The mansion was bustling with activity.
She invited her elder sister into the inner chamber to talk.
The day before, Old Madam Wei had sent Pearl to prepare the bridal bed at the Luo family home in the Imperial College alley. Yining’s usual belongings had also been taken away, leaving her room feeling empty.
With lanterns and decorations everywhere, even this familiar environment felt somewhat strange.
Luo Yihui sat with her on the edge of the luohan bed, holding her hand. After a while, she stroked Yining’s head and smiled, “If Mother were still alive, she’d be so happy to see you getting married.” Her eyes reddened as she continued softly, “When I got married, I was so worried about leaving you. When I first moved to the Marquis of Dingbei’s mansion, I was anxious every day. I feared you’d cry and throw tantrums without me, or that you’d become distant…”
“You’re getting married now,” Luo Yihui wiped her eyes. “Even though you’re marrying Luo Shenyuan, you’ll still be someone else’s wife and mother from now on.”
She would no longer be just a young girl. Even if life goes smoothly, there will be difficult times. In this household, she was a pampered young lady, but after marriage, she would need to serve her husband and teach her children. How could she not face any hardships in the future? When facing difficulties or grievances, she should endure what she can. This was how Luo Yihui herself had lived.
“When I first married your brother-in-law, I didn’t conceive for half a year. The Marchioness was already arranging concubines for him…” Luo Yihui said. “Before our marriage, your brother-in-law loved me so much he wouldn’t marry anyone else. Otherwise, how could I, a widow’s eldest daughter, marry into a marquis’s family as the heir’s wife? But when the Marchioness wanted to arrange concubines for him, he didn’t say a word against it. Fortunately, I had some tricks up my sleeve and soon gave birth to your nephew, Yugou. Only then did I secure my position as the heir’s wife in the marquis’s mansion. Otherwise, your brother-in-law might have had a second or third concubine by now. Yining, I’ve never told you these things before…”
Others envied Luo Yihui for her good marriage, not knowing how much effort it had taken. Which man doesn’t want multiple wives and concubines?
Yining knew all this, but her elder sister was laying it all out today to ensure she was fully prepared. She couldn’t rely entirely on a man; men were unreliable.
She couldn’t help but tear up as well, “I understand.”
In her previous life, Lu Jiaxue’s status as a concubine’s son was too low, so there weren’t many people around him. But after that incident of falsely claiming military merits, Lu Jiaran sent two courtesans to Lu Jiaxue.
Yining had seen this but hadn’t said anything. Lu Jiaxue, however, came to her with a grin, saying, “I’ve already sent them to live outside. But they were gifts from my elder brother, so I couldn’t just send them away. Yining, are you angry? If you are, I’ll return them to my brother.”
Of course, Yining could only say she wasn’t angry, even though her eyes couldn’t help but glance over every time she passed the outer courtyard.
Lu Jiaxue asked her with a smile, “Are you not angry?”
At that time, she forced a smile and said, “I’m not angry. If I were, I’d be failing in my wifely duties.”
Lu Jiaxue put his hands on her shoulders and laughed heartily. Later, those two courtesans were indeed sent away from the mansion. But they were still kept at his outside estate. Yining didn’t know if he had ever visited them; at that time, she believed he hadn’t. But later, he completely became a person she didn’t recognize, and she no longer knew.
That wedding wasn’t as lively as this one. Lu Jiaxue was only a concubine’s son then and couldn’t afford much pomp and circumstance.
This time was both lively and joyous. The man who wanted to marry her was sincere in his efforts.
Yining hugged her elder sister without speaking, suddenly feeling very emotional for reasons she couldn’t explain, and tears began to fall. Luo Yihui also held her slender body tightly.
Yining remembered her previous life’s wedding day when her usually stern grandmother had called her over to give instructions.
She had slowly knelt before her grandmother, who held her hand and said gently, “Suitable for home and family, gentle and peaceful – that’s what Yining means.”
“I chose your name. When you were born, your mother was already gone. You were such a tiny thing. Your father brought you to me and asked me to name you, so I named you Yining. From now on, you should be gentle and peaceful, even after you’re married. Not for your husband’s family, but because that’s how you should be.”
It was the first time Yining had learned the origin of her name, and the first time she felt genuine affection for the grandmother who had never looked at her directly before.
Outside, large red lanterns were lit, and the evening banquet in the mansion was very lively. Old Madam Wei brought Zhao Mingzhu and several young ladies from the Fu family to see her. Seeing the two crying, she quickly told them to stop, “… Are you afraid you won’t have enough tears for tomorrow? Yihui, you’re encouraging her!”
According to custom, Yining should have spent this night with her maternal relatives, but since Yining had returned to the Marquis of Ying’s mansion, the Gu family couldn’t visit freely. Old Madam Wei had brought people to keep her company instead.
Luo Yihui wiped away her tears and helped Yining dry hers. Everyone sat together, chatting merrily.
That night, they put Yining to bed early, knowing that the next day would be truly exhausting.
Yining tossed and turned in bed for a long time. She called Daimao to extinguish the red lanterns under the eaves before she could finally fall asleep.
The next day, at dawn, when the sky was just beginning to lighten, Yining was woken up by Mama Song and her assistants. The servants in the outer courtyard, kitchen maids, and older women had already been busy for some time. The main gate of the mansion was opened, and servants in brownish-red short robes followed the steward to set up two long tables in front of the screen wall. Guests arrived continuously to record their wedding gifts and money.
Wei Ling wore his official second-rank military robe that day and came to see Yining first.
Yining, her soft hair already tied in a small bun, was sitting on an embroidered stool listening to Luo Yihui.
Wei Ling thought about how the girl who had not yet come of age was about to be married. She now had a married woman’s hairstyle, but her small face still showed traces of childishness in her brows. He felt an indescribable sadness. According to her age, she shouldn’t be getting married yet – she was still young, but Luo Shenyuan was already an adult. He asked Yining to stand up, and she did, looking at him quizzically, “What’s wrong?”
Wei Ling realized the girl still hadn’t reached his shoulder and felt dejected, “The last time I measured you, you were this tall.”
Daimao, standing nearby, answered with a smile, “Lord Marquis, the young miss has grown half an inch in these past few months.”
“I can’t see that she’s grown taller,” Wei Ling muttered.
Yining thought his tone sounded pitiful.
Wei Ling reached out his large hand to pat her head, but Mama Song quickly stopped him, “Lord Marquis, her hair was just done. The young miss is getting married today.”
Wei Ling could only lower his hand and looked at the petite Yining, stammering, “… Although you’re marrying your adoptive brother, if he dares to bully you, you must come back and tell me. Your father is, after all, the Commander-in-Chief of Xuanfu. Or you don’t have to live there all the time, you can come back to the Marquis of Ying’s mansion for a month or two every season. Otherwise, I could talk to Luo Shenyuan about you coming back to live here after the wedding, and only moving there after you come of age… after all, those people are still in the Luo family.”
He knew his words were unreasonable – how could she live at home after getting married? His voice gradually lowered as he spoke.
Although she hadn’t spent much time with Wei Ling, Yining genuinely liked him. Hearing this, she nodded with a smile and said, “I’ll come back to see you when I have time. After all, the Imperial College alley is only half an hour away from the Marquis of Ying’s mansion.”
That’s not the Marquis of Ying’s mansion… Wei Ling thought to himself.
Outside, the steward called for Wei Ling to greet some guests that only he could receive, so he left Yining’s courtyard.
Old Madam Wei brought Zhao Mingzhu and the Marchioness of Dingbei. Zhao Mingzhu, seeing Yining in her red wedding outfit, clapped her hands and said with a smile, “This is when she’s the most beautiful!” Her tone was unprecedentedly gentle as she guided Yining to sit at the dressing table, letting the Marchioness of Dingbei insert golden hairpins for her.
Today, even Daimao wasn’t qualified to apply Yining’s makeup. It was done by the most skilled married woman in the household. She had originally been Old Madam Wei’s maid but had been released from service. She was specially brought back for Yining’s wedding. Yining tilted her head slightly to let her draw her eyebrows. Through the window, she could see the canna lilies blooming beautifully; the mansion was filled with auspicious flowers.
Old Madam Fu and Old Madam He arrived with their granddaughters to chat. They had prepared early, as it wasn’t yet noon.
Several plates of peanuts, melon seeds, sugar cubes, and pastries were brought in. Yining, as the bride, was surrounded in the center. It was important to be lively at this time, representing the prosperity and deep connections of the bride’s family.
Old Madam He asked Old Madam Wei with a smile, “Your family’s young master is still small, and Yining doesn’t have a male cousin. Who did you find to carry her to the bridal sedan?”
Traditionally, the bride should be carried to the sedan chair by her elder brother, but since Yining was marrying her adoptive brother, Luo Shenyuan couldn’t carry her – it wouldn’t be proper. They really couldn’t find anyone suitable.
“We originally asked her cousin Wei Yi, but he’s not available,” Old Madam Wei answered enigmatically.
For the Marquis of Ying’s young lady to get married and her cousin to suddenly be unavailable – there must have been a falling out between the families.
Old Madam Wei didn’t elaborate, instead continuing with a smile, “But we’ve asked her cousin Cheng Lang. He should be here soon.”
Hearing this, Yining looked up. Old Madam Wei hadn’t told her about asking Cheng Lang…
Indeed, besides him, there didn’t seem to be anyone else!
Cheng Lang arrived close to noon.
When a maid announced his arrival, Yining wanted to see him privately to clarify things. She walked out to the west side room.
She saw him leaning against a pillar in the flower hall. When he saw her in her wedding attire, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, “… Even more beautiful than I imagined.”
But she was to be someone else’s wife.
“A’Lang,” Yining said seriously, “If you’re unwilling, I’ll ask Grandmother to find a distant cousin.”
If Old Madam Wei had consulted her, she would never have agreed. After knowing about Lian Fu, making such a gesture would be insane.
“No,” Cheng Lang said as he walked towards her.
He was even more unwilling to let someone else carry her.
As he came closer, he looked at her, wanting to ask softly, “Are you going to marry him?” But he didn’t voice the question.
“Yining, I’m engaged now,” he said calmly. “To Minister Xie’s second granddaughter, Xie Yun.”
He was going to marry Xie Yun in this life too!
But Xie Yun didn’t love him.
Yining thought of Xie Yun’s proud and beautiful face, and couldn’t help but say, “A’Lang, are you… are you sure about this?”
“Xie Yun and I are well-matched,” Cheng Lang said with a smile. “We’re of equal status and talent. Her grandfather also approves of me. What’s not to like?” His tone became a bit heavier, “If you think she’s not good enough, then who do you think is… who do you want me to marry?”
Apart from him, Xie Yun could hardly have a better choice. Since she didn’t love anyone anyway, it didn’t matter who she married. Once Xie Yun understood this, she became less resistant. Later, Old Master Cheng took the opportunity to arrange this marriage. When the news was told to the Empress, she was overjoyed, saying she must make grand preparations – after all, Xie Yun was her only pampered niece. She wanted to give her everything good.
Yining took a deep breath. She had only been concerned for him as a younger relative; after all, she had cared for him deeply when he was young. But what was he saying now?
She stepped back, her tone cooling, “Indeed, I have no right to comment on your choices now. I won’t say anything more.”
Hearing this, a flash of panic crossed Cheng Lang’s eyes.
He grabbed her hand, his demeanor softening, “Don’t be angry. I didn’t mean to say those things. I don’t want to upset you.” He asked in a more conciliatory tone, “… I’ll still carry you to the bridal sedan later, alright?”
Cheng Lang would never lower himself before others, only in front of her. Yining knew this; she wasn’t completely ignorant.
Because she knew, it felt like thousands of needles were pricking her heart, the pain leaving her speechless.
She didn’t like seeing him compromise like this. She wasn’t used to it either.
At this moment, Old Madam Wei sent Fang Song to find her. It was almost noon, and she needed to eat a bowl of lotus seed soup. Otherwise, once the sedan chair left, she wouldn’t be able to eat anything all day – how could she endure that?
Yining bid farewell to Cheng Lang and had just crossed the corridor bridge when firecrackers and gongs suddenly erupted from the outer courtyard.
The maid beside her said with a smile, “Young Miss, it’s the groom’s welcoming procession arriving!”
Yining couldn’t help but look towards the front courtyard.
He had come… so quickly?