On the eighth day of the seventh lunar month, at dusk.

The bridal sedan chair from Prince Chen's mansion arrived at the Shen family home amidst music and fanfare. Shen Muyu, dressed in the phoenix coronet and embroidered robe sent by Prince Chen, carefully adorned herself and covered her face with a round fan before being helped out by Dongqing.

Because of Shen Mingjiang's opposition, Fang didn't dare to hold a grand celebration. Only the servants tied red silk ribbons around their waists, which could barely be considered as adding a bit of festive cheer.

Shen Mingjiang sat in the main seat in the front hall, with Madam Fang sitting beside her, while Shen Youying and Shen Huaizhou stood on either side of them.

Shen Muyu was helped to the hall, bowed gracefully to Shen Mingjiang and Fang Shi, her voice choked with emotion: "This unfilial daughter bids farewell to her father and mother."

When Fang saw the marks on her neck that had been covered with makeup powder, she couldn't help but shed tears. She reluctantly took her hand and earnestly gave her a few words of advice.

Shen Mingjiang, standing to the side, remained silent, his face as cold as iron.

Seeing this, Shen Muyu lowered her eyes, no longer holding any expectations. She bowed again before being helped into the bridal sedan chair by Dongqing.

The wedding procession soon left, and Fang couldn't help but get up and chase after it, gazing at the bridal sedan chair from afar and shedding tears.

Shen Mingjiang sat motionless in the hall, but his expression grew increasingly weathered.

Seeing this, Shen Youying said in a low voice, "If Father is worried about Eldest Sister, I will take good care of her if there is anything I can do to help her in the future."

Shen Mingjiang withdrew his gaze and shook his head: "You can barely protect yourself in the Qin Prince's mansion, how can you help her? This is the path your sister chose herself, you don't need to worry about her anymore, lest you implicate yourself."

His straight back bent as if weighed down by some unseen burden. He patted Shen Youying's hand and said slowly, "There's nothing else at home. You've been away from the Prince's Mansion for so long, it's time for you to go back."

*

Shen Muyu was placed in the Banana Garden.

The courtyard was elegantly arranged, and all the furnishings were exquisite. Holding a round fan, she sat on a bright red brocade quilt sprinkled with peanuts, red dates, and longans, her heart filled with joy.

She made the right choice, and Prince Chen also liked her.

Prince Chen arrived at the end of the Xu hour (7-9 PM).

He wore a maroon brocade robe with a round collar, adorned with gold thread, and a jade crown and wide belt, exuding an air of elegance and refinement. Although it wasn't his wedding attire, he had deliberately chosen a maroon color similar to that of a wedding dress.

Shen Muyu timidly raised her round fan to cover her face, her gaze slipping out from the edge of the fan, looking at him with adoration.

Prince Chen sat down beside her, took the fan from her hand, poured a cup of nuptial wine for them, and each drank a cup.

“I’ve heard everything from Zhou Quan about the Shen family.” Chen Wang tenderly brushed away the faint scars that remained on her neck. “It’s my fault for making you suffer.”

Shen Muyu blushed, boldly looked up at her, and said softly, "I'm not wronged. As long as I can marry Your Highness, it's all worth it."

King Chen smiled and embraced her, then they drank the nuptial wine together.

Shen Muyu nestled shyly and happily in his arms, closing her eyes contentedly.

Fortunately, everything she did was worth it.

*

Because she was pregnant, the two did not do anything on their wedding night.

The next day, Shen Muyu got up early and went to pay her respects to the two concubines. She was on edge, thinking that Zhou Zhenrong would definitely try to make things difficult for her, but Zhou Zhenrong just looked at her with a half-smile for a while and then sent her away.

Shen Muyu was a little confused. After coming out, she said to Dong Qing, "Why has she suddenly become so easy to talk to?"

Dongqing didn't know either, and guessed, "Perhaps he knows that His Highness dotes on his wife, so he has restrained himself."

Shen Muyu liked hearing such words, and she couldn't help but glare at Dongqing: "You're not allowed to talk nonsense outside in the future, it's not good if people hear it."

Dongqing knew she wasn't really angry, so she added, "This servant isn't talking nonsense. His Highness Prince Chen's affection for the lady is obvious to all."

Shen Muyu smiled, her former spoiled and arrogant demeanor gone, replaced by a more alluring and charming air.

The master and servant returned to the Banana Garden chatting and laughing.

Banana Garden was a courtyard that Prince Chen specifically designated for Shen Muyu. It was located near the front yard, yet it was quiet and elegant, undisturbed by the noise from the people in the front yard. Even the inscription on the plaque was personally written by Prince Chen, taking its meaning from "rain pattering on banana leaves".

Whenever Shen Muyu came and went, she would feel a sweet warmth in her heart when she saw the elegant calligraphy on the plaque.

She lingered under the plaque for a moment before leisurely returning.

Upon entering the courtyard, she saw an unfamiliar mother waiting inside the house. When she saw her return, the mother stood up and looked at her with a stern expression.

Shen Muyu was puzzled and looked at the woman Chen Wang had pointed out to take care of her: "Who is this woman?"

Madam Wang smiled and said, "This is Granny Ruan from the palace, who often serves Her Majesty the Empress. Her Majesty heard that the Madam had entered the mansion, so she specially sent Granny Ruan to escort the Madam to the palace for a chat."

Granny Ruan didn't look like a decent person. Her face was covered in deep wrinkles, especially the line between her eyebrows, which showed that she was a dignified person who was used to frowning.

Shen Muyu felt a little scared.

But then she remembered that she was now Prince Chen's favorite concubine, and her timid shoulders relaxed again. She straightened her back and nodded slightly to Granny Ruan: "I'm sorry to have troubled you to come and fetch me."

Granny Ruan glanced at her and said, "Please come with me to the palace, Madam."

Shen Muyu followed behind her and boarded the carriage to the palace.

Upon reaching the palace gate, she disembarked from the carriage and proceeded on foot. Following Granny Ruan along the corridor for a quarter of an hour, they arrived at the Ciyuan Hall, where the Empress resided.

Looking at the magnificent palace, Shen Muyu took a deep breath and followed her inside.

Incense was burning inside the hall. As soon as Shen Muyu entered, she smelled a faint floral fragrance.

She walked slowly with her eyes lowered, not daring to look around too much, until the guide, Granny Ruan, stopped and said, "Your Highness, Your Highness, the person has arrived," at which point she quietly raised her eyes.

She was familiar with both Empress Zhou and Princess Xuanci, especially Princess Xuanci.

Noticing her scrutinizing gaze, Xuan Ci glared at her fiercely.

Shen Muyu quickly averted her gaze and politely greeted him.