Spring is in full bloom, and the courtesan returns home.
As the winter snow melts and spring returns to the earth, the capital city and its surroundings are vibrant with life, peach blossoms and willows in full bloom. In this season of renewal, a highly anticipated wedding takes place as scheduled—Liu Mianying, the eldest daughter of the Liu family, a wealthy merchant family, is happily married to Feng Yanshu, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy.
This marriage can be described as a groundbreaking union between a scholar and a merchant, sparking much discussion throughout the capital. Some were skeptical, believing the disparity in social status made it unlikely to last; others, however, were filled with curiosity, eager to see how this clever and insightful merchant's daughter would interact with that rigid and dignified scholar.
On the wedding day, the procession stretched for miles in red, a truly magnificent spectacle.
The wedding of the Liu family's daughter was an astonishingly grand affair. The dowry, flowing like water, included everything from rare treasures and antique paintings to land deeds and shop shares, showcasing not only the Liu family's immense wealth but also Liu Mianying's pivotal position within the family. This was not merely a daughter's marriage; it was entrusting a portion of the Liu family's assets and future to the new son-in-law.
While the Feng family's residence wasn't as extravagant as the Liu family's, it exuded the refined elegance and grace of a noble household. Although Minister Feng and his wife had some reservations about the marriage, seeing Liu Mianying's intelligence, grace, and outstanding appearance, and the Liu family's sincerity, they wholeheartedly accepted the proposal. The wedding ceremony was conducted strictly according to ancient rites, solemn yet warm.
The groom, Feng Yanshu, was dressed in a bright red wedding suit today. His usually serious face was unusually flushed with a hint of nervousness. He rode a tall horse with an upright posture, drawing admiration from many onlookers.
The entourage from Prince Yi's residence arrived at the Feng residence early in the morning. Looking at the spectacle, Zhao Jingyi leaned close to Qin Yuti's ear and whispered, "Tsk tsk, that girl Liu Mianying is really generous! This dowry is almost on par with the Crown Princess's sister-in-law's back then, isn't it? That bookworm Feng Yanshu has really struck it lucky!"
Qin Yuti, holding her daughter Nuannuan dressed like a lucky doll in her arms, glared at him and said, "Stop talking nonsense. Mianying and Cousin Yanshu are in love, what does it have to do with family background? Be quiet and don't be impolite." Looking at the lively scene, she was genuinely happy for her cousin and his sweetheart.
When the wedding procession arrived at the Liu residence, they encountered a "minor problem".
Led by Shen Anci, the "sisterhood" naturally wouldn't let Feng Yanshu off easily. They set up numerous challenges, testing his knowledge in poetry, couplets, and other areas, leaving Feng Yanshu sweating profusely. Fortunately, he was truly talented, and although he stumbled a bit, he managed to overcome each obstacle. At the final door, Shen Anci personally stood guard, hands on her hips: "Editor Feng, if you want to take our Mianying away, knowledge alone isn't enough! You have to promise to prioritize her in everything from now on and not bully her! Otherwise, I'll be the first to object!"
Feng Yanshu's face was flushed, but he bowed solemnly and said loudly, "Miss Chen, rest assured, I hereby swear that I will respect her, love her, and protect her for the rest of my life, and I will never betray her!" His words were earnest and his gaze was firm.
Hearing these words, Liu Mianying, who was hiding behind the door, smiled sweetly from the corners of her mouth under her veil.
The wedding ceremony was solemnly held at the Feng Family Ancestral Hall.
When Liu Mianying, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, stood side by side with Feng Yanshu, supported by the wedding attendant, and performed the three-bowing ceremony, everyone watching felt a strange harmony. Although she came from a merchant family, her demeanor and bearing at this moment were perfectly in sync with Feng Yanshu, who came from a scholarly family, as if they were meant to be a couple.
After the ceremony, they were escorted to the bridal chamber.
The atmosphere at the banquet was lively. Zhao Jingyi was naturally the main force in enlivening the atmosphere, pulling his elder brothers and Feng Yanshu to drink, almost getting the groom, who couldn't hold his liquor, drunk. Fortunately, Qin Yuti and the Feng family stopped him in time. Shen Anci was even more generous, taking a lot of drinks for Liu Mianying, which made everyone laugh.
Qin Yuti sat with Xu Nianchu, Su Wanqing, and other women, watching the lively scene, her heart filled with emotion. All four of them had now found their own paths, and although their routes differed, their sisterly bond remained unchanged.
Inside the new house, red candles burned brightly.
After the matchmaker left, Feng Yanshu took a deep breath and gently lifted Liu Mianying's red veil with the wedding scale. In the candlelight, Liu Mianying's bright eyes and exquisite makeup made her even more beautiful than usual. She raised her head, smiled sweetly, and her eyes, as they sparkled, revealed both the shyness of a bride and her unique liveliness and cleverness.
Feng Yanshu was so captivated by the sight that it took him a while to find his voice, and he said somewhat awkwardly, "Mian...Mianying, you are...very beautiful today."
Liu Mianying smiled and said, "My husband is too kind." She picked up the nuptial wine on the table and handed him a cup, saying, "My husband, please drink this cup."
The two intertwined their arms and drank the nuptial wine. The pungent liquor burned his throat, and Feng Yanshu felt his face grow even hotter. Looking at the woman before him, now his wife, he was filled with an unreal sense of happiness. He had never imagined that he, a bookworm who only knew the classics, could marry such an intelligent and beautiful wife.
“Mianying,” he mustered his courage, took her hand, and said earnestly, “I…I’m not good at economics, I’m not romantic, and perhaps…I’m not a good match for you. But I will study hard and strive to achieve something as soon as possible, so that I won’t disappoint you…and your family.”
Liu Mianying gripped his hand tightly in return, her smile gentle yet firm: "Why should my husband belittle himself? Your talent is priceless. As for economic affairs and mundane matters, I will take care of them. We are husband and wife, complementing each other's strengths and weaknesses, so why worry about a bright future?"
Her words, like a spring breeze, dispelled the last trace of unease in Feng Yanshu's heart. He looked at her, his eyes filled with gratitude and love.
That night, the red candles in the Feng family mansion burned out, and the newlyweds began a new life full of endless possibilities, combining the talents of a scholar and a merchant.
And the sky over Beijing was thus given a unique touch of color.
It was late at night when the carriage from Prince Yi's residence returned. Zhao Jingyi, slightly tipsy, leaned on Qin Yuti's shoulder and muttered, "Wife, look, they're all paired up now... only that tomboy Shen Anci is still eating sand in the northern frontier... um, we're still the best..."
Looking at the bright moonlight outside the window, and then at her two sleeping children and her husband who, though not perfect, truly loved her, Qin Yuti felt that the peaceful life was enough for her.
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