The Shen family lacked a capable man to lead the household, yet Shen Ning's wedding was far from bleak.
Everything that needed to be prepared was in place, and all the arrangements were made perfectly.
The housekeeper, Uncle Liang, and his wife contributed the most. Both of them had beaming faces, acting like the hosts, as if they were giving away their daughter.
The old lady from Nan Song Tang deliberately put on airs, saying that she was unwell and could not come to the wedding, but if Shen Ning sincerely invited her, she could consider it.
The implication was that Shen Ning would have to ask her for help.
That's really giving her too much credit.
Does Shen Ning care if she escorts him to his wedding?
The second wife and her husband were willing to act as the bride's escorts.
They should hurry up and send Shen Ning away so they can take over the main branch of the family. How could they not want that?
Zhao wanted to comb Shen Ning's hair as an elder, but Shen Ning refused. She preferred to have Aunt Liang act as her mother rather than let Zhao touch her.
Zhao gritted her teeth in anger and decided to drop the pretense: "Who wants to serve a lowly wretch like you... Didn't you say you'd hand over the things today? Where are the keys and the token?"
Shen Ning calmly drew her eyebrows: "What's the rush? I haven't even stepped out of this house yet."
Zhao was naturally anxious. A big piece of fatty meat was right in front of her mouth, visible but unattainable. Who wouldn't be anxious? But she told herself to be patient.
Shen Ning was already dressed in her wedding gown and was about to leave. It would only take a few hours at most, and after that, the Shen family would be hers. She could endure it!
Seeing Zhao Shi clench her teeth so hard that the veins were bulging, Shen Ning smiled and smiled, thinking that this was just the beginning.
Shen Shu and Du Yunzhi accompanied Shen Ning, and Du Yunzhi took out a gold hairpin that she had prepared in advance to add to Shen Ning's makeup.
This pure gold hairpin is quite heavy, but its craftsmanship is even more valuable. It features openwork filigree, inlaid red gemstones, and tassels strung with red agate.
These two gold hairpins are quite valuable, made from rare gemstones and crafted with exceptional skill. It would take a master goldsmith a great deal of effort to create them.
Its value lies in its monetary worth, but even more so in the sentiment behind it.
"You like it, right? I'll put it on you."
Although she didn't approve of Shen Ning's marriage, she was still very serious about her sister's wedding.
Shen Ning pressed down on Du Yunzhi's hand, which was about to put a hairpin on her: "Azhi, can you do me a favor?"
Du Yunzhi, unsuspecting, asked, "What do you want me to do?"
Shen Ning closed the box containing the hairpin and gently stroked it twice: "My father ordered a pair of 'Hundred Children' love locks' from Master Liu, the goldsmith in the south of the city, before he passed away. I've been so busy these days that I forgot to pick them up. Could you go and get them for me?"
Du Yunzhi frowned: "Now?"
Shen Ning looked up at her, her eyes soft and pleading: "A-Zhi, are you unwilling to help me?"
Du Yunzhi: "......"
She felt that Shen Ning was acting strangely, ever since last night, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong with her.
Why go to retrieve the love lock when the auspicious time is almost here? Doesn't she think Shen Ning is the kind of forgetful fool who would forget such an important matter? And couldn't she just send a servant to retrieve something?
Despite having many doubts, he still agreed: "Okay, I'll go."
Shen Ning smiled: "I knew Azhi was the best. Go and come back quickly."
Du Yunzhi left, turning back every few steps. Shen Ning handed the box containing the gold hairpins to Liu Ying, who quickly replaced it with another pair.
Shen Shu sat not far away, looking dazed, unaware of what was happening around her.
"Second Miss, Second Miss..."
Shen Shu was pulled back by someone; it was her personal maid, Yu'er.
Yu'er pulled Shen Shu toward the dressing table: "Second Miss, hurry up and change your clothes, or it will be too late."
What?
Only then did Shen Shu see that Shen Ning had fainted to one side, and Liu Ying had also collapsed behind the curtain.
She stared in shock at Liang Zhuo, who emerged from behind the curtain: "Brother Liang Zhuo, what are you doing?"
With a heavy heart, Liang Zhuo gently stroked her cheek: "Second Miss, this is all I can do for you."
Shen Shu watched helplessly as her maid took off her sister's wedding dress and put it on her, while Yu'er quickly combed her hair and did her makeup.
After everything was done, looking at the bride in the mirror, Shen Shu finally understood what they meant.
They wanted her to marry Brother Wei in place of her sister.
"Brother Liang Zhuo, I..."
Shen Shu burst into tears, deeply moved.
Liang Zhuo wiped away her tears: "Why are you crying? You're the bride today."
Shen Shu was still a little uneasy: "But my sister..."
Thinking of Shen Ning, Liang Zhuo's eyes flashed with disgust: "Shu'er, there's no need to feel guilty. You and Young Master Wei are a match made in heaven. If it weren't for the eldest young lady interfering, you wouldn't be in so much pain. Today is just a matter of setting things right and getting back on track."
Shen Shu accepted the offer with trepidation, thinking that her sister had never liked Brother Wei anyway, and that her sister would surely forgive her once she knew the truth.
She knew she was being unfair to her sister, but she really couldn't live without Brother Wei.
When she and Brother Wei finally become a couple, she will be grateful to her sister.
When the auspicious time arrived, the matchmaker came to fetch the bride, but only the matchmaker and the wedding procession were present; the groom was not there.
When Shen Shu heard that Brother Wei hadn't come, she felt quite bad. Her wedding with Brother Wei shouldn't have such a regret.
Yu Zhu was kept in the courtyard, while Yu'er and Liang Zhuo guarded the bride inside.
Aunt Liang found it strange, but the matchmaker had already arrived at the door, and the auspicious time had come, so the bride had to go out first.
Although Shen Yu is young, he is not weak and can carry his older sister on his back.
"Sister, this is for you, brother."
The bride didn't say anything and was helped by Yu'er to lie on Shen Yu's back.
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