Time flowed by like water. Swallows flew and geese flew away in the capital city. The little boy with pigtails and bare feet running under the city wall grew up. The storyteller in the teahouse by the Chunyin River began to say, "In the blink of an eye, three years have passed..."
In March of that year, Zhu Jiayu got married.
The man who carried her to the bridal sedan chair was the top scholar from two years ago, who was also her maternal cousin. Among those who added to her dowry were Princess Yuanhui, who was deeply favored by the Empress Dowager, the current female head of the Nie family, and the young concubine's daughter of Prince Jing's mansion—of course, she was no longer a concubine's daughter now.
Three years have passed, and Gu Heguang has taken control of nearly 40% of the silk weaving and embroidery clothing business in Daye. This 40% may not seem like much, but among so many people in the world doing this business, they can only share 60% together. Gu Heguang alone has 40%, which shows her business talent and shrewd methods.
That's not quite right either. Of that 40%, Zhu Jiayu actually gets half of it.
In short, before that day actually arrives, countless people are waiting to see her fail:
If the Wei family were still the same Wei family in the past, it wouldn't matter if Wei Qinglou had some tricks up his sleeve. But with the new emperor's ascension to the throne, the Wei family has risen in status as well. Not to mention that in the past three years, Wei Qinglou has been granted titles twice and is now the youngest prime minister since the founding of Daye.
With such a family background and such power, the Wei family's marriage naturally involved countless dowries and an unspeakable extravagance.
Regardless of Zhu Jiayu's status, could she afford the corresponding dowry given by the Wei family? If she couldn't, she would inevitably be inferior to others in the Wei family, not to mention that she would have a second sister-in-law in the future.
It's always easy for trouble to arise between sisters-in-law. When it comes to who is marrying above their station and who is a good match, the one who can't stand up to the argument will only be Zhu Jiayu. Wei Qinglou has already married a merchant's daughter. In order to maintain the dignity and prestige of the Wei family, the future Duke of Zhenguo, Wei Qingwu, can't possibly marry a wife who is not presentable, can he?
In conclusion, although the ladies and young women in Yujing City had come to understand how much the Grand Secretary loved them through his words and actions over the past three years, there were still quite a few who did not approve of their marriage.
It should be understood that when lovers pledge to grow old together, it is only about their deep affection. However, when it comes to marriage, they must also consider their family and relatives, which is not easy at all!
But now, they have nothing to say.
Honestly, even a princess's wedding wouldn't have been as lavish as Zhu Jiayu's. Compared to that, the princess's dowry and the top scholar's wedding procession seemed like trivial matters.
After all, there isn't just one princess in Yujing City. The princesses also have friends, so it's not like Zhu Jiayu is the only one who can receive a princess's dowry. The same goes for the top scholar. The top scholar, who comes out every three years, is naturally a dragon among men, but he is not uncommon.
But there is only one Gu Heguang, and there is only one dowry added to it. Who else could offer such a generous gift, with a red lacquered sandalwood box containing the deeds to a four-courtyard house in the twelve cities of Nanjun? And who else could produce boxes upon boxes of precious gems, tortoiseshell, and jade?
"That's what you call a grand wedding..." someone whispered, half envious and half surprised.
“Who says otherwise? I never would have guessed that Miss Zhu from Zhaohua Lane would have such abilities…” someone else chimed in softly.
Zhu Jiayu bid farewell to her father and aunt, and together with her relatives and friends, boarded the bridal sedan chair.
The bridal sedan chair was steady, but her heart was pounding.
She knew this day would come, but when it actually arrived, she still couldn't help but feel a dreamlike unreality.
The bridal sedan chair traveled down the long street and stopped in front of the Wei family mansion. She was helped down from the carriage by the matchmaker, stepped over the brazier, and then, together with Wei Qinglou, paid respects to Heaven and Earth and their parents. Afterward, she was led into the bridal chamber.
The noise from the front hall faded away, and she heard the ladies' auspicious words again.
A steelyard lifted her veil.
She was in a daze when a wine glass was suddenly shoved into her hand, and she came to her senses: it was time to drink the nuptial wine.
Are you tired?
During the brief moment between their toasts, Wei Qinglou leaned close to her and asked in a low voice.
Zhu Jiayu shook her head slightly.
Wei Qinglou then said, "You sit here for a while. I'll go to the front hall and be right back."
Zhu Jiayu gave a soft "hmm".
Before long, everyone had left. Only Green Kite remained guarding the door.
She let out a soft breath and stretched her somewhat stiff neck.
About half a cup of tea's time later, Wei Qinglou returned. He turned and closed the door, then stood at the entrance, a feeling of trepidation welling up inside him, making him hesitant to go forward.
He stared blankly at the beautiful bride, wearing a phoenix crown, in the dim light.
His dream became a reality in that instant.
Zhu Jiayu said reproachfully, "You came so quickly, won't they be looking for you later?"
Wei Qinglou stepped forward, lowered his eyelids to look at her, and while taking off her phoenix crown, replied, "They don't have the guts."
He had been waiting for this day for three years.
Who would dare to approach him at this critical juncture?
He caressed her delicate cheeks, cupped her slender back, and laid her down on the bed.
A sudden feeling of weightlessness washed over Zhu Jiayu.
She felt dizzy and weak.
Wei Qinglou leaned down and looked at her, his eyes deep.
Zhu Jiayu's eyes flickered slightly. She closed them nervously and gave him an order: "I...I'm afraid of pain, please be gentle..."
Wei Qinglou chuckled softly, then turned his head to kiss her delicate, porcelain-like neck.
Wei Qinglou's kisses slowly moved from her neck to her shoulder. Feeling a chill on her body, Zhu Jiayu couldn't help but open her eyes trembling and push him away, saying, "I...I'm a little hungry."
"Really?" Wei Qinglou lifted his eyelids and looked at her intently. "I seem to remember hearing from Lü Zheng that someone ate half a plate of mung bean cake while waiting for me, and also had a bowl of bird's nest and red date soup, and..."
Zhu Jiayu covered his mouth, forbidding him to say anything more.
After a moment, she withdrew her hand and said understandingly, "I...I'm afraid you'll be hungry."
Wei Qinglou nodded solemnly: "I am indeed hungry."
He lowered his head again, and Zhu Jiayu had no choice but to raise her slender neck to endure his demands and gifts, trembling like a magnolia blooming in the wind.
More often than not, she felt as if she had become a rock on the shore or a blade of grass on the embankment, with the tide crashing against her and then engulfing her.
The bright moon in the sky shone through the gauze window, illuminating the bright red wedding dress that had fallen to the ground.
As the clouds parted and the tide rose under the moon, lovers did what they loved, slept soundly and dreamed sweet dreams, and did not climb the western tower, nor did they cherish the good night.
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