Chapter 39 Forced Substitute Marriage "How did this marriage come about? You know better than me..."

"Master said that the Third Miss should not feel wronged. Although she is in place of the Fourth Miss, the other party is not only the young marquis of Jiangyang Marquis's Mansion, but also the General of Huaihua. Without this opportunity, the Miss would never have been able to enter the General's Mansion with her status."

The old woman who delivered the message raised her voice, held her head high, and looked disdainful, as if she thought that since she, a concubine's daughter, could marry into the general's mansion, she should be grateful and kowtow to thank the master and mistress for their kindness.

Meng Yu was already furious at Lu Xiuyi's despicable behavior, and since it concerned her life's most important matter, Meng Yanqing and Madam Yuan only sent an old woman to inform her and then tried to send her away. Moreover, when she heard the old woman say such a thing, she immediately raised her eyes and gestured to Huaiyin.

Having suffered under the thumb of these bullying old women for so long, Huaiyin was not about to let this rare opportunity to teach them a lesson slip by.

Having received the order, she immediately stepped forward as if afraid that Meng Yu would go back on her word, and slapped the old woman across the face.

The old woman was caught off guard by the speed of the action. She covered her face and glared at Huaiyin, muttering in disbelief, "You little hussy, you've gone too far, daring to hit me."

With a slap landing, Huaiyin was ecstatic: "How could I not dare? I'm hitting you today."

The old woman was so angry that she suddenly raised her hand. When Huaiyin saw this, she raised her arm to block back, but a fair hand suddenly appeared out of thin air and grabbed her wrist.

Huaiyin looked up in the direction of that hand.

It was Aunt Shen who said, "Master wants Yu'er to marry in his place, and he sent you to deliver the message. But you caused trouble in Qingli Courtyard. You can see whether you will be sold off or Yu'er will be forced to kneel when this gets to Zhenhuazhai."

Seemingly surprised that the usually timid Aunt Shen would suddenly stand up for herself, the old woman was startled by her imposing manner. After a moment, she reacted, but dared not say anything more. She just swayed her hips and walked away, cursing.

Aunt Shen turned around, wanting to comfort Meng Yu, but saw her stand up abruptly and gesture to them: "Aunt, I'm going to talk to Father."

Before Aunt Shen could even speak, she ran out of Qingli Courtyard, and Aunt Shen quickly told Huaiyin to follow.

***

Meng Yu ran all the way there, and the once festive mansion was now completely silent. Everyone walked with their heads down, and even the red silk ribbons tied around their waists had been untied. When she arrived at Zhenhuazhai, it was even more silent. The maids frowned and did everything very quietly.

Meng Yu knelt down in the courtyard, took out a pen she carried with her, dipped it in the ink from the bottle, and wrote three words on the ground: "I will not marry."

As soon as everyone saw her arrive, they rushed inside to announce her arrival.

Upon hearing that Meng Yu was to be married off in place of Meng Yin, Meng Yin threw a huge tantrum, instantly getting off the bed and smashing everything in the room, crying and shouting.

Helpless, Meng Yanqing could only let a servant who knew some martial arts come in and knock her unconscious with a single slap. Now that he could finally have some peace and quiet, he was surprised that the usually timid and obedient Meng Yu dared to disobey his orders. Enraged, he grabbed a rattan cane, lifted the curtain, and went out, intending to teach her a lesson about the importance of "marriage is a major event, and one should obey the orders of one's parents and the words of the matchmaker."

Upon hearing this, Madam Meng also hurriedly came to Zhenhuazhai, leaning on her cane.

But just then she saw Meng Yanqing come out with a rattan cane, and she immediately shouted sternly, "Stop! What are you doing?"

Suddenly hearing the sound, Meng Yanqing's rattan cane, which had been swinging in mid-air, drooped limply. He sighed, "Mother, it's not that I want to hit her, but this girl is too stubborn. No matter what I say, she refuses to marry."

Meng Yu suddenly raised her head, her expression sharp as she glared at him.

He didn't utter a single word. When he came out, he already had a rattan cane in his hand, as if he was about to whip her.

The usually well-behaved Third Miss dared to glare at the Master like that, which surprised everyone. Meng Yanqing was also startled and pointed at her, saying repeatedly, "Mother, look at her, look at her! What kind of look is that? I thought she was a bit slow-witted, but at least she was well-behaved. Who would have thought that she would try to tear down the roof and step on my head today? How can I let her get away with this?"

“Even so, you can’t hit her. If you hurt her, can you take responsibility?” Old Madam Meng frowned and tapped the ground several times with her cane.

Her last few words immediately pulled Meng Yanqing back to his senses. After all, Meng Yu was the person that young marquis wanted. If he hurt her, would he have to give up another daughter?

He could only step aside and leave the matter to Old Madam Meng.

Seeing this, Madam Meng gave a wink to Mama Ruan beside her. Mama Ruan hurried over to try to pull Meng Yu up, but Meng Yu remained unmoved.

Mother Ruan could only half-squat down and whisper gently in her ear, "Good girl, don't be stubborn. I've watched you grow up since you were little, and I know you're a filial child. You would never want to see your mother suffer, right?"

Before she could finish speaking, Meng Yu suddenly tilted her head and looked at her coldly.

The person in front of me has a kind and gentle face, but the words they utter are more venomous than a poisonous snake.

After a pause, Meng Yu bit her lip, suppressed her temper, raised her hand and placed it in the palm of the woman who was standing in mid-air. She slowly straightened her knees and stood up, gesturing: "I can marry in your place, but you must agree to two requests. First, I want my aunt to see me off at Qingli Courtyard. Second, give me Huaiyin's indenture."

When a girl gets married, it is customary for the master and mistress to see her off at the door; concubines are not allowed to do so.

Huaiyin translated these words with tears in her eyes.

Madam Meng didn't say anything and agreed on the spot. She asked Mama Ruan to get Huaiyin's indenture from Madam Yuan and then took her out of Zhenhuazhai. As they walked, she said gently, "Grandmother knows that the Third Miss is a good child who respects her parents and is filial to her elders. That's why she has such good fortune today."

Sensing Meng Yu's stiff hands and sharp aura, Old Madam Meng seemed oblivious, continuing, "Look at that Fourth Miss, she's not blessed at all. She's already stepped into the General's Mansion, yet this whole mess only happened on her wedding day. Speaking of which, Young Master Lu has now established his own household. Once you marry into it, you'll be the mistress of the house, and you won't need to deal with the people from the Marquis of Jiangyang's Mansion all the time. Besides, he's currently deeply favored by the Emperor and is at the height of his power. Even the two princes give him some face, so who would dare to say a word against you? Third Miss, your wealth and honor are far from over."

Meng Yu felt her head spinning, unable to even lift her hands, and didn't hear a single word of what Old Madam Meng said.

She always felt that Meng Yin's sudden rash was very strange, and she vaguely guessed that it must be related to Lu Xiuyi.

She just didn't understand. If he didn't want to marry Meng Yin, why go through all this trouble to have her marry in his place? If he clearly wanted to marry her, he should have just said so. Did Meng Yanqing, a mere fourth-rank official, dare to disobey the emperor's will?

After much deliberation, in the blink of an eye, Old Madam Meng had brought her back to Qingli Courtyard, and ordered people to move over all the wedding dresses, jewelry, and dowry items that were originally intended for Meng Yin.

Seeing that it was Old Madam Meng who brought Meng Yu back, Aunt Shen knew that there was no way to turn things around, and she couldn't help but shed tears in secret.

This wedding dress was originally made to fit Meng Yin's measurements, but it was still a little too big for Meng Yu.

Madam Meng originally intended to summon the embroiderer to make the changes on the spot. However, at that very moment, Meng Yanqing personally led several people to Qingli Courtyard. Meng Yu peeked through the half-open window and saw that the person walking in front was dressed in black with a red silk sash around his waist, and his expression was serious with a hint of sternness.

The visitor was none other than Chu Ze.

He carried the tray himself, on which lay a wedding dress neatly folded. From a distance, the dress shimmered and looked incredibly luxurious, sparkling in the sunlight.

One of the people behind also carefully carried a tray, on which was a phoenix crown adorned with pearls and gemstones. On each side of the crown, a phoenix soared towards the sky, making the entire crown appear noble and elegant.

Seemingly sensing Meng Yu's gaze fixed on him from afar, Chu Ze suddenly looked up and gazed in her direction.

Meng Yu showed no fear, staring straight at him with clear, sharp eyes.

After exchanging a glance, Chuze, feeling guilty, turned his head away first and handed the wedding dress and phoenix crown to Mama Ruan and another old woman to bring in.

Aunt Shen wiped away her tears, washed her face, and then came to Meng Yu's room to personally do her hair and makeup.

The room was completely silent; not a single person spoke.

The only sounds that escaped were the faint rustling of Aunt Chen's wooden comb as it brushed against Meng Yu's long hair, and the sobs she tried to suppress in her throat.

When Meng Yu put on her wedding dress and phoenix crown, she was surprised to find that the dress fit her perfectly, not too big or too small, and outlined her waistline just right. Even the old woman who was helping her couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

Aunt Shen personally helped Meng Yu out the door, and Huai Pei and Zhi Mian, as her dowry, accompanied her into the General's Mansion.

Outside the Qingli Courtyard, a deafening din of gongs and drums filled the air, accompanied by a chorus of music.

Meng Zhangzhou was already waiting at the door. Meng Yu, with red eyes, took a step back, handed the fan to Huaiyin, turned around and knelt down in front of Aunt Chen and Meng Yanqing, raising her hand: "As I leave this time, I only wish that my mother will be blessed with happiness and peace year after year."

Huaiyin did not translate these words. Among those present, besides her, only Aunt Chen, Zhimian, Yan'er, and Meng Zhangzhou could understand them.

Needless to say, even if Meng Zhangzhou understood, he would never tell Yuan Shi about it.

Seeing Meng Yu slowly make a gesture, Aunt Shen finally couldn't control her emotions. She quickly helped Meng Yu up, tears streaming down her face, sobbing uncontrollably.

Meng Yanqing also said symbolically, "In the future, you and your husband will live in harmony, have many children, and your family will prosper."

Meng Yu suppressed the tears welling in her eyes and nodded. She picked up her fan again, and with Huai Yin's help, she got up and walked to the door. Meng Zhangzhou carried her on his back and went outside.

Lu Xiuyi had overcome numerous difficulties and arrived at the front hall to wait for her.

The moment Meng Yu appeared in the front hall, she suddenly felt a burning gaze envelop her. Without even looking up, she knew who was looking at her.

The man held out his hand holding the red silk ribbon. Meng Yu hesitated for a moment, but finally raised her hand to take it.

Lu Xiuyi rode a tall, fine horse and arrived in a sedan chair carried by eight men to greet her. Passersby stopped to watch. The red-bridal procession stretched all the way to the city gate, with dozens of maids carrying wedding baskets, scattering candy from the baskets to the crowd as they walked.

Everyone was overjoyed and stretched out their hands to receive it.

Lu Xiuyi brought Meng Yu to the General's Mansion. In the main hall, there was only a memorial tablet that read "The Spirit Tablet of the late Princess Rongjia and Princess Minghua," but there was no one to officiate at the wedding.

Meng Yu wasn't surprised, after all, it was common knowledge that Lu Xiuyi and his father were at odds. She calmly took the teacup from the maid and offered tea to the memorial tablet of Princess Minghua.

After the wedding ceremony and tea service, the officiant announced, "Enter the bridal chamber!" and the maids immediately escorted Meng Yu to the new room in the backyard.

***

Inside the General's Mansion.

Red silk ribbons hung halfway down, and candles flickered brightly, creating a dazzling and festive atmosphere.

Huaiyin dismissed all the maids in the room and told Zhimian to go and rest. The moment the door closed slightly, Mengyu breathed a sigh of relief, reached out and took off the heavy and cumbersome phoenix crown, placing it aside.

Huaiyin looked around the spacious and grand bedroom and sighed, "Miss, putting everything else aside, just looking at the scene of your wedding today, I'm afraid there are few people in the entire capital who can compare."

Meng Yu gave a wry smile, pointed to the box she had brought with her, and raised her hand: "Inside is the dowry your aunt prepared for you, as well as your indenture, which I promised you."

Upon hearing this, Huaiyin paused, glancing at the box with disbelief, but didn't dare go over. Meng Yu smiled and urged her to go take a look.

She had no choice but to go over, pick up the box, open it, and take a look. Inside, there was not only her indenture, but also two hundred taels of silver notes and a land deed for three acres of fertile land.

Aunt Shen's monthly allowance was only ten taels of silver. It would take her almost two years to save up two hundred taels. Moreover, she only owned two slightly better properties, one of which was the one she had in her possession.

Huaiyin looked down and burst into tears.

Meng Yu stood up, walked over and gently patted her back, smiling as she raised her hand: "Now that you've gotten your indenture back and have a few acres of fertile land to rely on, take these two hundred taels and go out to do some small business and live a good life. As for marriage, let fate decide, and most importantly, don't wrong yourself."

Huaiyin put down the box, hugged Mengyu tightly, and said in a tearful voice, "I don't want to leave you, Miss. I'll stay by your side and not go anywhere else."

Meng Yu pulled her away, picked up her indenture and threw it into the brazier, smiling faintly: "If you want to stay by my side, I will naturally be happy, but if you want to leave, this indenture will no longer be an obstacle for you. Only by burning it will no one be able to control you in the future."

Upon hearing this, Huaiyin cried even harder.

Meng Yu tried to comfort her for a long time before she finally stopped crying.

Half an hour later, a voice suddenly came from outside: "General."

Immediately afterwards, the half-closed door was pushed open, and Lu Xiuyi, dressed in red, looked out at the bed from afar, and said with some dissatisfaction, "You've taken off the phoenix crown, how am I supposed to use the jade ruyi to lift the beaded curtain?"

Meng Yu raised her eyes and gestured for Huai Yin to go out first.

After the door was ajar, Meng Yu sneered, her eyes instantly filled with coldness: "You know better than I how this marriage came about. It's just a formality, why bother about it so much?"