In her previous life, when Jiang Shuqin returned to her parents' home, she mentioned that Bai Qishi was a difficult woman to get along with, and that her cousin who stayed at the Bai family was even more scheming and unpredictable.
Today she has witnessed Bai Qi's methods, but she is still unsure how this cousin Xie will deal with her.
As the sun quietly set and darkness fell, Jiang Huaiyu was gently pushed into the spacious main room.
Bai Yujing had been waiting there for a long time.
Since Bai's father had already passed away, Bai Qishi sat on the left side of the main seat, while Bai's father's memorial tablet was placed on the right.
The old village chief solemnly announced the start of the ceremony in his melodious and emotional voice—
"I bow to Heaven and Earth!"
"Bowing to the parents twice!"
"Husband and wife bowing to each other!"
"The ceremony is complete; escort them to the bridal chamber!"
The newlyweds, dressed in dazzling red wedding attire, were led into their bridal chamber amidst laughter and applause.
Then came another round of revelry, including scattering the bridal bed curtains and drinking the nuptial wine, finally bringing the series of elaborate rituals to a close. Afterwards, Bai Yujing was led away to warmly entertain the guests, while Jiang Huaiyu waited quietly in the bridal chamber.
The door didn't open until night fell.
Bai Yujing staggered in. He paused briefly at the door to catch his breath before slowly walking to the bedside and sitting down. Their eyes met, and both of them instantly blushed with embarrassment.
"My lady," Bai Yujing called out gently.
Jiang Huaiyu's ears turned slightly red. She was flustered and didn't know what to do, so she could only force herself to be calm and say, "Husband, you must be tired from your journey. Why don't you rest early?"
"Um."
The two gently removed their outer garments and lay quietly on the bed. Jiang Huaiyu's fingers, gripping the corner of the blanket, trembled slightly. Her heart was filled with both nervousness and anticipation. At this moment, she didn't even dare to open her eyes, afraid of revealing her inner turmoil.
Suddenly, a low, muffled laugh gently echoed in my ears.
“My lady has come from the capital and must be exhausted from the journey these past few days. She must not have had a good night’s sleep. It’s late tonight, so please rest early. I… am not in a hurry.”
"...Then so be it."
Jiang Huaiyu breathed a slight sigh of relief, but a sense of confusion inevitably arose in her heart.
On their wedding night, he didn't get intimate with her. Was it out of genuine consideration, or did he have some doubts about her?
She gently closed her eyes, her thoughts wandering, and a sense of weariness gradually crept in.
Bai Yujing's gaze lingered on the jade-like profile of the woman beside him for a moment before he slowly rose and blew out the candle on the table.
The two had just lain down when there was a sudden, urgent knocking at the door. When the door opened, Xie Wenying was standing there.
Without even glancing at Bai Yujing, she grabbed Jiang Huaiyu and headed for the door.
"Second cousin-in-law, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to disturb your peace. It's just that my aunt has an urgent matter that she needs you for."
Bai Yujing frowned and stepped in front of her, blocking her way. "What business does Mother have with my wife? Can't you explain it clearly before you leave?"
Xie Wenyin sighed, "Alas, Cousin Yujing, Auntie has been lying down for a short time, and her headache has returned. I really can't take good care of her by myself, so I have to ask my second cousin-in-law for help."
Bai Yujing gently pushed Jiang Huaiyu back into the house, saying, "I'll go, you get some rest."
However, Xie Wenyin still held on tightly to her.
"No, Cousin Yujing, Aunt specifically instructed that you have already been drunk tonight and are certainly unable to take care of others. Moreover, it is late at night and there are many inconveniences. Aunt wants you to rest well, and only Second Cousin-in-law needs to come with me."
Bai Yujing's expression was solemn, his brows furrowed. "What are you planning, Mother? How can you summon your daughter-in-law to your room to serve you on your wedding night?"
"However, since my second cousin is a junior, it is her duty to be filial to her mother-in-law."
"Your daughter-in-law isn't the only one, so what about your sister-in-law?"
Xie Wenying forced a smile and teased, "Today you're getting married, and my cousin has finally returned from the county. How could your aunt disturb their joy of being reunited after a long separation..."
"That may be true, but I have just stepped into the marriage hall today. Can't Mother be a little more understanding of the new bride's situation?"
Bai Yujing never expected that his mother would put pressure on the bride at such a sensitive moment. Just as he was about to say a few more words, his sleeve was suddenly tugged gently.
Jiang Huaiyu gently shook her head at him, "My lord, there's no need to be angry. I'll go."
In her past life, Jiang Shuqin entered the family with a generous dowry. Although she was not stopped at the door, she faced a severe test from Bai Qishi on her wedding night. Jiang Shuqin, who had married down, could not tolerate such humiliation. On her first night of marriage, she had a fierce argument with her mother-in-law, and from then on, the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law fell to a freezing point, with constant disputes.
Most of the time, Bai Yujing was on her side, but Jiang Shuqin's behavior was too extreme and sometimes even unreasonable, making it impossible for him to completely disobey his mother's wishes.
Such arguments continued day after day, and the feelings between the couple gradually faded.
Now, Madam Bai Qi tried to give Jiang Huaiyu a hard time, but instead was forced to apologize to her, losing face completely. She was determined to get back at her, so she used a headache as an excuse, saying that if Jiang Huaiyu didn't go, she would be unfilial and would be criticized in the future.
Therefore, she had no choice but to go; it was both a responsibility and a helpless situation.
In her solitary perseverance, only by arguing with reason could Bai Yujing show her favor, thus enabling her to be more assertive and avoid being criticized by others.
Serving elders is not a difficult task.
In her previous life, she had long been accustomed to life in the Marquis's mansion and had even earned the reputation of being a "virtuous and filial daughter-in-law".
She couldn't help but chuckle to herself. Could this old countrywoman, Bai Qi, be more difficult to deal with than the noble ladies of the Marquis's mansion?
Jiang Huaiyu held Xie Wenyin's slender hand tightly, his face showing deep worry.
“My mother-in-law is complaining of a headache; she must be suffering terribly right now. Cousin, please take me to visit her.”
Xie Wenyin was surprised by her intimacy. Suppressing the urge to pull her hand back, she smiled and replied, "Then, second sister-in-law, come with me."
"My wife, you..."
Jiang Huaiyu interrupted him, saying, "Husband, there's no need to say more. My mother-in-law is unwell, and as her daughter-in-law, it's my duty to take care of her. You should rest first; there's no need to wait for me."
As soon as she finished speaking, she followed Xie Wenyin away.
Witnessing this scene, Bai Yujing felt even more guilty and sympathetic towards her situation. After hesitating for a moment, he followed her out.
Jiang Huaiyu stepped into Bai Qishi's room and saw her lying in bed, groaning in pain. She asked, "Cousin, didn't my husband bring back medicine from the county town this morning? Has my mother-in-law taken it?"
"I did take it this morning, but I haven't taken it again yet."
"Leave the medicine to me."
Jiang Huaiyu took the medicine bottle, skillfully helped Bai Qishi up, and carefully fed her medicine and water. After everything was settled, she gently put her back on the bed and brought a basin of water to wash her face.
After a flurry of activity, she asked softly, "Mother-in-law, are you feeling any better?"
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