Chapter 246 Yu Qingyan's Wedding
He was living a good life. He had a respectable scholar status, a powerful uncle named Qiao, and an aunt who was willing to help him climb the social ladder.
There was a time when he was very close to the third young lady of the Earl's Mansion in the carriage, and they almost got married under the arrangement of his aunt.
Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain. The third young lady not only avoided falling into their carefully laid trap, but also successfully cleared her name.
In the end, everyone in the Earl's mansion was fine, but he was pushed out as a scapegoat. He was severely punished by the Earl of Nanping and kicked out of the mansion. From then on, he was also abandoned by his aunt.
Soon after, the third young lady replaced the second young lady and married into the general's mansion, with a ten-mile-long red bridal procession and a white banner along the way.
Everyone felt sorry for this third young lady, lamenting that she had to remain a widow for the rest of her life at such a young age, and they themselves secretly felt a sense of revenge.
Unexpectedly, life is unpredictable. The general, who was rumored to be dead, returned alive. The woman, who was supposed to live a lonely life, was transformed into the general's wife, whom everyone admired and respected.
But he kept having bad luck.
Having lost his aunt, his greatest support, he was originally full of confidence to participate in this year's autumn imperial examination, hoping to pass the exam and become a successful official. However, fate cruelly played tricks on him time and time again.
He was enjoying a peaceful evening with women when someone reported him for writing erotic poems in a brothel, which led to his expulsion from the academy. Later, he was inexplicably framed and made a fool of himself on stage, losing all face and being stripped of his scholar title, thus becoming completely ineligible for the imperial examinations.
His uncle, Minister Qiao, not only failed to help him after he was framed, but also used his power as clan head to expel his father's branch of the family from the genealogy in order to sever ties with his family. From then on, the Qiao family had no connection with them whatsoever.
That wasn't all. Taking advantage of the situation, the people from the Vice Minister's residence seized the house that had been allocated to his father by force, forcing them to move out of the house they had lived in for more than ten years. The family was forced to live a meager life in a small rented courtyard in a commoner's area.
He thought that moving away from his familiar place to a working-class neighborhood where no one knew him would improve his situation. However, he never expected that he would be recognized wherever he went as soon as he showed his face. He was chased and cursed like a rat in the street, and even hooligans surrounded him and teased him. They almost stripped him naked in the street again.
After several such incidents, he was so provoked that he almost collapsed and had to hide at home, not daring to even leave the house, thinking that he would wait until the world forgot about it before talking about it again.
Unexpectedly, after so much time has passed, those people outside have not only not forgotten him, but his family has also been exposed to the public eye. His entire family is so affected by him that they feel like dying.
Unable to leave their home, without any source of income, and constantly harassed by onlookers, the family was driven to despair. After discussing it, the father and mother decided to pack their belongings and leave the capital to return to their rural hometown.
At least there's still a small courtyard left in his hometown. Although it's dilapidated, it's at least a place to stay. His reputation in the capital shouldn't have spread to the countryside, so they might be able to live a peaceful life after returning.
On the streets of Beijing, a family was chased out of the city in a disheveled state by the crowd.
The general's carriage stopped at the gate of the Nanping Earl's Mansion, and Yu Qingci went to Yu Qingyan's courtyard first.
Today, the Earl's mansion is marrying off its daughter. The entire route from the main gate inwards is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and bright red "double happiness" characters adorn the windows. Maids and servants are busy bustling about, creating a joyous and lively atmosphere.
Yu Qingyan sat upright in front of the dressing table, dressed in an elaborate phoenix coronet and wedding gown. The gold embroidery shimmered in the candlelight, making her face look as white as jade. However, there was a hint of weariness hidden deep in her almond-shaped eyes.
Surrounded by Yu Qingci and several of her sisters, including Yu Qingying and Yu Qingning, as well as her cousins Qiao Shuang and Qiao Ning, everyone turned to look at the doorway as soon as they heard that Yu Qingci had arrived.
The difference is that Yu Qingying and Yu Lian's faces showed undisguised resentment and a hint of timidity, while Qiao Shuang and Qiao Ning were mostly curious and inquisitive.
As for Yu Qingning, although she didn't interact much with this third sister, they never had any falling out either, making her the most peaceful among the sisters.
Yu Qingci walked up with a smile and said softly, "Oh, it's so lively here, Second Sister. Second Sister is very happy today, and I've come to congratulate you."
Yu Qingyan looked up at the bright and beautiful face in front of her, her anger rising uncontrollably, wishing she could jump up and slap him a few times.
It's all because of that damned little bitch that she's been confined to the yard by her father for days, until a few days ago when he finally lifted the confinement.
How dare you show your face in front of her like nothing happened?
Yu Qingci: I didn't want to come either. Isn't this just for show?
The sisters locked eyes, and a fierce spark ignited instantly.
Yu Qingci didn't care and still smiled happily, while Yu Qingyan finally remembered her mother's advice. Today was her wedding day, and harmony was the most important thing. When she saw this little bitch, she couldn't show her anger on the surface. She had to pretend to be harmonious with her sister.
She gripped the bridal veil tightly in her hand, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips, and said:
"I thought my third sister was too forgetful and wasn't coming."
Yu Qingci found a seat and casually replied, "How could that be? It's Second Sister's big day, I should come and see her off."
Yu Qingying chuckled softly, "Third Sister should have come back to add to your dowry a few days ago. Are you perhaps too stingy to spend a penny? If the General's Mansion is short of money, Third Sister, just say the word and we won't laugh at you."
Yu Qingci: "Where? I was just worried that my second sister's confinement hadn't ended yet, and it would be a waste of time to come early, so I saved up and brought it all here today to save trouble."
"you!"
Her words made all the girls in the room turn pale. She casually said something as shameful as being grounded, clearly showing no respect for Yu Qingyan.
The wedding attendants and servants nearby even quietly took a few steps back, not daring to look up.
Yu Qingying was so angry that she wanted to jump up again, but Yu Lian held her back tightly from behind.
Yu Qingyan smiled insincerely: "Third sister is really thoughtful. I wonder what dowry you would give me?"
Yu Qingci didn't keep them in suspense. She glanced at Tong'er behind her, and Tong'er stepped forward and placed a small brocade box in front of Yu Qingyan.
Yu Qingying stepped forward and opened the box first. Everyone saw that inside was a pair of large, thick, and dazzling gold bracelets, inlaid with precious emeralds, which looked very heavy.
Yu Qingci looked at the dowry she had given and said to everyone with satisfaction, "How is it? Is Second Sister satisfied? I specially went to the Treasure Shop to carefully select it for Second Sister. Please don't dislike it."
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