Du Yunzhi went to the south of the city to find Master Liu, the goldsmith Shen Ning had mentioned, but Master Liu didn't make her a hundred-child love lock. Instead, he made her a golden abacus with her nickname engraved on it.

This was a gift from Shen Ning to her.

It's not surprising that Shen Ning gave her a gift; even if it was expensive, it could be seen as a sign of their good relationship.

But why today? Why does she have to come and get it right before she's dressed in her wedding gown and ready to leave?

Something bad is about to happen.

Even though she knew that Shen Ning had deliberately sent her away, Du Yunzhi still rushed back.

When she arrived, the bridal sedan chair had already left.

She was supposed to chase after the bridal sedan chair, but somehow she went to Shen Ning's residence first.

Everyone had gone to watch the bride get into the sedan chair, leaving the room deserted. She went straight inside, looked around and, finding nothing amiss, turned to leave, only to see a shoe peeking out from under the curtain...

-----

The wedding procession, accompanied by music and fanfare, made its way to the north of the city.

Although Master Wei held a third-rank official position, his family's financial situation was indeed inferior to that of the Shen family.

The Wei family has only had two generations of officials to date, and both have been censors.

They are not good at business and rely on their fixed salary. In addition, the censor's job is to supervise and impeach. If the censor's family is wealthy, the emperor will suspect where the money comes from.

Others may have money but can't show it off, but the Wei family has no money, either openly or secretly.

The reason why the Wei family was able to form a marriage alliance with the Shen family was because Imperial Censor Wei and Shen Ning's father were from the same school. Imperial Censor Wei Changgeng was considered half a senior brother of Shen Ning's father. Later, Wei Changgeng spoke up for Shen Ning's father several times in officialdom, and the two families became good friends, which led to the marriage arrangement between their children.

Previously, Shen's father was the Minister of Works, a second-rank official. Everyone said that the Wei family was marrying above their station. However, after Shen's father died, the Wei family not only did not break off the engagement, but also waited for Shen Ning to observe three years of mourning before marrying him. Who wouldn't say that the Wei family valued loyalty and righteousness?

However, whether they value their relationship with Shen's father more or the wealth left by the Shen family, only they themselves know the answer.

Although the Wei family wasn't very wealthy, they made all the necessary preparations for their only son's wedding, and the banquet was quite nice.

It shouldn't be too rich, nor too poor.

Of course, the biggest reason why Madam Wei was willing to spend so much money on this wedding was the generous dowry that Shen Ning brought. Besides, everyone knew that her daughter-in-law was a money-making gem.

With a long-term vision, she is naturally willing to invest money and also earn a good reputation for herself.

The Imperial Censor was also very happy. His official position was not high, and being an Imperial Censor was a job that offended people, so even though it was his son's wedding, he could not invite many people. But today, apart from those he had sent invitations to, many people who had not sent invitations also sent congratulatory gifts, including some from the residences of members of the imperial family.

He knew very well that all of this was because of his future daughter-in-law.

I had heard before that Shen Ning was very popular among the ladies and young misses, and now it seems that it is indeed true.

If all these connections were to favor the Wei family, why would he have to worry about not having a successful official career?

Thinking of the bright future that lay ahead, he couldn't help but complain, "We should have let Congwen pick up Ning girl himself."

Lady Wei knew this, but what could she do?

"I had to talk myself hoarse and beg him to agree to get married properly. He was already unwilling. If you force him further, it would be a loss if something bad happened."

Wei Changgeng: "I'm afraid Ning will overthink things and think we don't value her."

Madam Wei flicked her handkerchief: "Ning is a sensible girl, she won't be petty."

She smiled mysteriously and whispered, "I've had some good things prepared. Once the wedding night is over, the deed will be done, and the young couple's relationship will naturally improve."

Wei Changgeng was a rigid man, and he was too ashamed to mention the bedroom matters of the younger generation. He could only cough twice and say, "I'll go out and check on the guests."

The Wei couple had high hopes for the place, unaware that their beloved son had given them a huge surprise at the door.

Wei Congwen stood at the door in a bright red wedding dress. The groom, dressed in a red robe, looked even more handsome and spirited. However, it is said that people are in high spirits when they are happy, but this groom had a long face, cold eyes, and no expression throughout the entire process.

If he weren't wearing a wedding dress, you'd think his family was holding a funeral.

Someone came up to congratulate him, but seeing his demeanor, they quickly lost interest, gave him a perfunctory reply, and went inside.

Finally, amidst the sound of firecrackers, the bridal sedan chair arrived.

"The bride is here!"

"Time to pick up the bride!"

The bridal sedan chair stopped in front of the door, and the matchmaker smiled brightly: "Slow down, slow down, the bridal sedan chair has landed safely and auspiciously."

"The bride has arrived! The groom kicks down the sedan chair door! Let's cheer up!"

"good!"

Wei Congwen was surrounded by the crowd and reluctantly kicked the sedan door.

According to etiquette, the bride should kick the man inside, and the bride should kick him back, which is called "establishing the Kun Gang" (坤纲立), symbolizing the harmony of heaven and earth and the equality of husband and wife.

But after everyone held their breath and waited for a while, they still didn't hear anything.

Wei Congwen's expression shifted slightly. The matchmaker paused for a moment, then quickly said, "Our bride is very kind to her groom. She will definitely be a respectful and gentle wife in the future."

"Now, please have the bride get out of the sedan chair!"

The matchmaker smiled and went to help the bride, who cooperated this time and quickly got out of the sedan chair.

The old woman, who had been waiting, handed over a red silk ribbon. One end was given to the bride, who immediately took it, but the other end, which was given to the groom, remained untouched.

All eyes were on him. What was the groom up to?

Wei Congwen looked coldly at the woman in the wedding dress in front of him. The disgust and resistance in his heart still overwhelmed his reason. He simply could not accept marrying a woman he did not love.

He brushed aside the red silk that was offered to him and said resolutely, "I cannot marry you."

"Whoa!"

The room erupted in uproar. What was the groom saying?

The matchmaker's smile froze instantly, shattering into countless cracks: "What are you saying?"

Wei Congwen was more resolute than ever before, his face showing undisguised disgust: "I don't want to marry a woman who is only interested in profit and reeks of money. This marriage is off today. Go back to where you came from, and we will have nothing to do with each other from now on."

Everyone was stunned: "..." What are you talking about, brother?

The bride was already at the door when you started making a scene?

Even if you don't want to get married, there's no need to bully people like this, right?

Wei Congwen didn't care what others thought. He finally said his refusal and felt a great weight lifted off his shoulders. The weight that had been pressing on his heart had completely disappeared.

"Brother Wei, it's me!"

A tearful shout startled Wei Congwen, who froze and turned sharply to look.

The bride suddenly lifted her veil, revealing a face streaked with tears—wasn't this the person she had been longing for day and night?

"Shu'er?"

Everyone: "Whoa!"

What's going on here?

Wei Congwen, who had just been resolute in his refusal to get married, ran back without a second thought, both surprised and delighted: "Shu'er, it's you!"

With tears welling up in her eyes, Shen Shu asked, "Brother Wei, don't you want to marry me?"

Wei Congwen nodded excitedly: "I want to, I dream about it."