Xiao Erlang came from an illustrious family and could tell at a glance which was valuable and which was cheap. Even Shi Lei, this seemingly rough and crude fellow, understood—he rubbed his big beard with his palm, saying repeatedly that the chests had indeed been mixed up.

“Two young masters, may we continue moving them?” Steward Chen respectfully requested permission.

“Yes.” Xiao Erlang returned the sword to Shi Lei and stepped aside. “I was just being cautious.”

“The young master is indeed prudent. Mo Zi didn’t think of it at all.” Following Steward Chen’s example and improving on it, Mo Zi belittled herself while elevating others, hoping only that no more complications would arise.

The workers Steward Chen brought were capable and efficient. With Xiao Erlang’s elite troops helping, in less than a quarter hour they had exchanged all eighty carrying-poles worth of dowry.

A young maid from Wei Qiongyu’s entourage ran over and said to Xiao Erlang, “Second Young Master, Madam is asking what’s going on.”

Seeing this, Steward Chen quickly smiled at Mo Zi. “Miss Mo Zi, I’m going back to the mansion to report to the master. Please say a few kind words for me to the young lady.”

Without waiting for Mo Zi to nod, he jumped onto the cart, turned toward the city gate, and led that team of carriages away in a cloud of dust.

“That man really left just like that?” Mo Zi frowned with dissatisfaction in front of everyone.

“Probably afraid your young lady would blame him.” Shi Lei, who wasn’t polite to Brother Mo, was quite courteous to Mo Zi. “But making such a mistake really deserves a good scolding.”

Mo Zi smiled lightly and took the young maid’s hand. “Little sister, I’ll go explain this matter to Madam and the young lady.”

After the two walked away, Shi Lei said, “Brother Baiyu, this maid is so well-behaved. I imagine your sister-in-law can’t be too bad either. Have you seen the bride’s face?”

“I have.” Xiao Erlang felt something was strange in his heart but couldn’t quite say what.

“Is she beautiful?” Gentlemen appreciate beauty, and Shi Lei was no exception.

“Luo Zhou’s greatest beauty—what do you think?” Xiao Erlang asked in return.

“Isn’t Luo Zhou’s greatest beauty the sixth miss from your maternal uncle Wei’s family?” This kind of title couldn’t be casually given to just any woman, so Shi Lei remembered it clearly.

“Can Wei Sanlang’s words be trusted? To him, every girl at Red Apricot Tower is a beauty.” Xiao Erlang showed a contemptuous expression, clearly not believing Wei Sanlang’s eye for beauty.

“Wei Sanlang deliberately praises his sister. How do I know you’re not deliberately elevating your sister-in-law?” Shi Lei laughed heartily, stepped forward, and put his arm around Xiao Erlang’s shoulders in camaraderie. “Surely the bride won’t keep wearing the red veil forever? When she takes it off, I’ll see for myself.”

“Suit yourself.” The stern features on Xiao Erlang’s face finally relaxed, allowing Shi Lei to be “chummy” with him. “Just don’t stare with your eyes popping out later. She’s my third brother’s bride, after all.”

“As long as it’s not Miss Wu You from Pear Blossom Pavilion with her city-toppling smile, I, Old Shi, can definitely withstand it.” At this point, Shi Lei smiled wickedly. “Xiao Baiyu, you… heh heh… heh heh.”

Xiao Erlang glanced at Shi Lei coolly. “Heh heh what? If you want a beauty to smile at you, take your own silver and buy it.”

Shi Lei sighed deeply. “Others throw away thousands of gold and still might not see a smile. Some people don’t spend a penny and can enter right into the beauty’s fragrant chamber.”

“You hard-headed stone, don’t ruin a young lady’s reputation. Wu You sells her art, not her body. I was merely—” Having stepped onto the pavilion’s stone steps, Xiao Erlang stopped speaking.

Shi Lei also straightened his expression.

They heard Mo Zi saying: “Such a major mistake—that Steward Chen didn’t have the face to see the young lady and was afraid of being scolded. Before I could call him, he’d already driven his cart far away.”

“This incident is quite extraordinary. At least it was exchanged in time. With so many matters and everyone exhausted, now that I’ve already left home, how could I still scold him? Besides, on such a joyous day, why seek to make someone unhappy?” Qiu Sanniang played the obedient daughter before the two elders.

This indeed won praise from the two madams, who said she had a good nature—virtuous, tolerant, and kind.

“Sister is so benevolent, she must surely be a blessed person.” That Sixth Miss faintly echoed the elders’ sentiments.

“As a junior, I can thick-facedly accept what the two madams say. But when Miss Wei says this, it makes me blush.” At this moment, Qiu Sanniang made two movements. First, the teacup in her hand swayed, spilling two drops of water. Second, she raised her other hand and lightly pressed her temple.

Bai He quickly asked, “Miss, what’s wrong?”

“Are you feeling unwell?” Qiu Sanniang’s godmother Li Shi asked with concern.

“The sun must be too strong. With the young lady covered by the red veil and no air circulation, she’s showing some early signs of summer heat syndrome.” Mo Zi unconsciously fought for Qiu Sanniang’s benefit.

“Ah—I was confused.” Wei Qiongyu’s tone held genuine concern. “Our wedding isn’t like ordinary families where the bride is in the same city—one foot still in her natal home’s doorway, the next foot entering the husband’s family’s door, and the veil can be lifted. To the capital, there’s still over a month’s journey. How can we make you wear the veil the whole time and suffocate yourself into illness?”

Mo Zi thought to herself—don’t assume the ancients were stupid. She’d only encountered people who weren’t that clever, but hadn’t yet met anyone truly foolish. Look, she gave a hint so subtle it couldn’t be subtler, and they still turned it into an explicit statement, hitting the bullseye with their words.

“Madam Tang, if I let Sanniang not wear the veil or wedding dress for this entire journey, you won’t blame me for not following the rules, will you?” Wei Qiongyu’s wisdom was definitely above average.

“Aunt-in-law, to be honest, I’ve had this thought for a while. It’s not just a day or two—wearing wedding clothes the whole journey would needlessly attract attention. We’re also carrying such valuable things. Following the rules is good, but I’m afraid it will attract thieves. In my opinion, we should also remove the double-happiness characters and red balls from the carriages and make everything plain and ordinary—that would be most appropriate. When we reach the capital, we can paste and hang them up again. It won’t be troublesome at all.” Li Shi was not a woman without insight.

“Madam Tang’s words truly enlightened me. Very reasonable.” Wei Qiongyu nodded and was about to beckon for a steward when she saw Xiao Erlang stepping into the pavilion.

“Erlang, did you hear what Madam Tang said? What do you think?” Wei Qiongyu sought his opinion.

“Madam Tang speaks very sensibly. Although we’re traveling the official road, we’ll still pass through some desolate areas. Better to be cautious. I’ll have someone remove the decorations right away.” Xiao Erlang turned to leave.

“Erlang, wait.” Wei Qiongyu stopped Xiao Erlang. “Since we’ve already left Luo City, we should reveal your true identity to the in-laws and Sanniang, lest they misunderstand that our prince’s mansion lacks sincerity.”

Shi Lei pushed Xiao Erlang into the pavilion, said he would go give instructions, and walked toward the woods to direct people in their tasks.

Hearing this, Li Shi inevitably showed a puzzled expression. But she wasn’t anxious to inquire and observed quietly.

“Sanniang, remove your veil and greet Erlang properly again.” Wei Qiongyu secretly praised this Governor’s wife’s composure while speaking thus to Qiu Sanniang.

Bai He’s reaction was faster than Mo Zi’s this time. She immediately helped the young lady carefully remove the red veil.

Xiao Erlang caught an unexpected glimpse—cheeks like peach blossoms, eyes like dark jade, and between distant mountain brows a vermillion plum blossom was painted. With makeup on, Qiu Sanniang was even more radiantly beautiful than when he’d last seen her in plain clothes and bare face.

“My surname is Xiao, given name Wei, ranked second in my family.” He thought to himself—his third brother’s romantic fortune was truly quite abundant.