The Xu residence was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and even the servants wore joyful expressions.
Even servants have their pride. Starting today, the once-declining Xu family is gone, and the new Xu family is imbued with the dragon's aura. They will have a lot of face when they go out to do business.
Chu Jinjin was originally happy to marry into the family, but this happiness came from a material perspective. With such a generous dowry and her family's support, the rewards they would receive during festivals were secured.
The Imperial Concubine's younger sister, Wang Ruoyun, brought hope.
With the backing of a noble consort, and possibly even the future empress, the Xu family has no reason to worry about not rising to prominence.
However, one person was unhappy—the groom, Xu Wenda.
Xu Wenda, dressed in a festive bright red groom's suit with a large red flower on his chest, sat by the window, looking at the magnolias in full bloom, his eyes filled with sorrow.
The door was pushed open with great force, and Lady Xu hurriedly urged, "Da'er, can't you hear the suona? Hurry up and go out to greet the bride."
Today, Lady Xu was radiant with health and beauty, especially her two pearl earrings, which were about the size of her little finger, with a warm and lustrous sheen. They were the finest South China Sea pearls, one of which was worth several years' income for an ordinary family.
Xu Wenda glanced at his mother casually, then his gaze lingered on her ear, and he murmured, "That was Jinjin's dowry."
Lady Xu was immediately embarrassed and said awkwardly, "I only borrowed it for a short while."
Today's wedding is different from the last one. Many dignitaries will be attending, and people from the palace will also be there to deliver congratulatory gifts on behalf of the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine. As the hostess, she will be watched by countless people, so she naturally cannot dress too shabbily.
Xu Wenda nodded in understanding and reminded his mother, "Remember to return it after you're done using it."
Lady Xu: "..."
What does this mean?
Lady Xu suppressed her anger, looked at her son carefully, and sighed: "Mother knows you like Jinjin, and Mother likes her too, but there's nothing we can do. After some time, Mother will step in and give her a proper status."
After pausing, she emphasized, "Ruoyun is deeply in love with you, even willing to commit suicide and ruin her reputation. Although the Imperial Concubine hasn't said anything, she must be watching your attitude. If you continue like this, you will bring disaster upon the Xu family, do you understand?"
Xu Wenda's eyes suddenly reddened: "Mother, I understand. I just dreamt of Jinjin last night. I dreamt that she was covered in blood and asked me why I betrayed her."
Lady Xu gently comforted him, "Silly son, dreams are always the opposite of reality. But... but Jinjin is really something. That's a bandit's den. What if the villains have bad intentions?"
These words almost made Xu Wenda burst into tears: "Jinjin is doing all this because of me. She wants to make me remember her for the rest of my life in this way."
Lady Xu was caught off guard by her son's question: "What makes you say that?"
“Jinjin only has one requirement for me: to be with one person for life and not to take a concubine.” Xu Wenda wiped away a tear that had welled up in his eyes and choked out, “Now that I’m marrying Ruoyun, according to her, I’m no longer clean, which is why she’s doing this.”
This is something he suddenly realized.
The Chu family has three sons; it's not fair for a young lady from a wealthy family to go to a bandit's den. Jinjin committed suicide for love!
Lady Xu: "..."
Lady Xu hesitated for a moment, then said tactfully, "Da'er is overthinking it."
If it were any other man, she would probably sneer, "He really dares to dream."
As a woman herself, she didn't know why Chu Jinjin had risked her life, but she could sense that she had most likely abandoned her son.
The dowry was all burned.
Lady Xu felt a headache coming on when she thought about her dowry.
The family was already broke, and in order to marry Wang Ruoyun and give her a grand occasion, they misappropriated a lot of Chu Jinjin's dowry.
According to the original plan, the master would write a letter of divorce to the prefect of Jinzhou, and then allow her to be a mistress, so that she could rightfully leave her dowry. Who would have thought that Chu Jinjin would refuse?
What if they come back one day and ask for a dowry? How will I explain that?
It would be best if they never came back!
What she feared most came to pass; little did she know that Chu Jinjin was already on her way.
Xu Wenda's remarriage, which took only a few days, caused a sensation throughout Beijing. The streets were packed with onlookers, making it even more lively than a bustling market during the Spring Festival.
Especially at the entrance of the Xu residence, there was a huge crowd.
Chu Jinjin simply couldn't squeeze in... She couldn't very well step on people's heads to get through.
When the bridal sedan chair arrived, the sound of suona horns filled the air, and the crowd suddenly erupted in cheers.
The male lead, Xu Wenda, came out to greet the bride.
As the saying goes, if you want to look good, wear mourning clothes; the same applies to wedding attire.
Xu Wenda was dressed in a bright red groom's suit, with a face as handsome as jade, looking as if he had fallen from the sky.
Two middle-aged women in front of Chu Jinjin were holding hands, excitedly whispering among themselves.
"Indeed handsome, no wonder he could bewitch the third young lady of the Chu family and the imperial concubine."
"What good is good looks if your heart is evil? The Chu family's third young lady's family has suffered such a big disaster. We were husband and wife, and you not only don't help, but you should remarry immediately."
"Indeed, such a man is not suitable for marriage, but he is suitable for keeping as a pet. How pleasing to the eye he is!"
"Absolutely, look at that fair and smooth face, it must feel so soft to the touch."
Taking advantage of their numbers, the two said whatever they wanted. One of them turned his head and was startled to find a pair of ears.
Such private conversations couldn't be overheard by outsiders. She carefully sized up the person to see if they were an acquaintance, then, in shock, she took a deep breath and screamed, "You, you are the third young lady of the Chu family?"
At the entrance of the Xu residence, Xu Wenda handed over a red silk ribbon and saw two slender, jade-like hands.
His view on love was like that of most men in the world; having three wives and four concubines was normal.
Wang Ruoyun wasn't his type, but she was beautiful and so devoted. Having another woman like her made him feel very proud.
Therefore, he accepted it without any psychological burden.
Xu Wenda said softly, "Please get out of the sedan chair, my lady."
The next step was for him to lead the bride over a fire basin and go inside to pay respects to heaven and earth.
The suona player played even more enthusiastically.
Just then, a sound even louder than the suona rang out.
The crowd dispersed suddenly, like the receding tide, leaving a large empty space.
A dirty woman stood there, looking bewildered.
Chu Jinjin: "..."
It's a bit awkward.
This entrance was far too grand.
The crowd was as excited as if it had been injected with adrenaline.
"Miss Chu is here to steal the bride!"
"How exciting! Even traditional storytelling wouldn't dare to write something like this."
"I support Miss Chu."
"But why would we steal a man like that? Poor Miss Chu."
"Wait, wait, didn't she go to Black Eagle Mountain to rescue Boss Chu? When did she come back?"
"Why worry about all that, Miss Chu? Go for it, steal the bride!"
Chu Jinjin: "..."
This is a huge misunderstanding.
Xu Wenda thought he had misheard, or that someone was playing a prank, some kind of ridiculous wedding snatching, until more and more people shouted, and even the suona music stopped.
Even the suona player was stunned.
Xu Wenda turned around, then stood there, stunned.
Those watching the spectacle understood the atmosphere and covered their mouths, giving this melodramatic farce enough space.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
