Zhuang Xiyan's husband was Cheng Jinyi, the eldest son of Cheng Jing, the Minister of Rites.
Most of the six ministers had offended Jiang Shumiao, which was why Zhuang Xiyan had never dared to visit him, fearing that Jiang Shumiao might hold a grudge.
In truth, Cheng Jing wasn't entirely foolish. After the Ruan, Xie, and Yu families fell, he immediately learned the truth and stopped showing his face. Cheng Jinyi, on the other hand, was full of Confucian teachings, and like Jiang Yiqing, he was among the first group of aristocratic scions to enter the court through the imperial examinations.
Oh, Lu Yanhe is still working in the Ministry of Rites.
After going through all the twists and turns, we're all relatives.
Jiang Shumiao wasn't that petty.
After the red spots on Zhuang Xiyan's face disappeared, her mother, Madam Ning, would take her out from time to time, since she had reached the age for marriage.
She is quiet, modest, dignified, and gentle, and is well-liked by her elders.
Not long after, the marriage with the Cheng family was arranged.
However, Madam Ning was reluctant to part with her daughter and kept her for two more years before she finally got married last year.
On the day of her return visit to her parents' home, Zhuang Xiuyan met her brother-in-law.
He is handsome and refined, a true gentleman.
The fourteen-year-old girl's heart fluttered. Watching the two, a handsome couple exchanging glances, her long-suppressed jealousy swelled up again.
Jiang Shumiao asked, "How did she, a mere mortal, come to know you?"
The evil spirit said, "She has a talisman on her body, which was specially obtained for her by Old Madam Zhuang. Once, when Madam Zhuang went back to her parents' home to visit relatives, I went with her and was injured by the mysterious energy on the talisman, which caused me to reveal my true form."
This shows how much Madam Zhuang favored this granddaughter.
Her delicate and beautiful face was never satisfied.
Jiang Shumiao understood. "So this is how you reached an agreement with her?"
The evil spirit, feeling guilty, avoided eye contact.
Zhuang Xiyan asked another question, "Princess, what would happen if we were to have a ghost marriage?"
Jiang Shumiao's small face was tense. "To arrange a ghost marriage, the birth dates must be bound together and an evil ritual must be performed. The ghost can then enter the dreams of the living, haunting them day and night, and sucking their yang energy. You will die of exhaustion within three months."
Zhuang Xiyan's legs went weak and she collapsed to the ground, feeling a chill run through her body.
Jiang Shumiao stared at the evil spirit, "You have already committed a grave offense by practicing unorthodox methods, and you even dared to engage in a ghost marriage to harm people, which is even more unforgivable. Just wait to be punished in the underworld."
The evil spirit was so frightened that it knelt down.
"Great Immortal, spare my life! I know I was wrong..."
Jiang Shumiao reached out and grabbed the pale red thread connecting him and Zhuang Xiyan, then made a slash in the air.
The dream shattered.
Zhuang Xiyan suddenly opened her eyes and sat up.
The noise woke up the man beside her.
Cheng Jinyi opened her eyes groggily, "What's wrong?"
Zhuang Xiyan's heart pounded, and she subconsciously shook her head upon hearing this, "It's nothing, I just... had a nightmare and woke up scared."
Cheng Jinyi sat up and comforted her, "Dreams are always the opposite of reality, go to sleep."
Zhuang Xiyan met his gentle eyes and remembered what Jiang Shumiao had said. After hesitating for a moment, she decided to be honest with him.
"My husband, I have been arranged to have a ghost marriage."
Cheng Jinyi fully regained consciousness.
"Ghost marriage?"
"yes."
Zhuang Xiyan told Cheng Jinyi everything that had happened over the past two months.
Cheng Jinyi was shocked, angry, and heartbroken.
"I'll go with you to your parents' house tomorrow. We can't just let this go."
Zhuang Xiyan's gaze warmed slightly.
"Um."
Zhuang Xiuyan is going to kill her, why should she care about sisterly affection anymore?
If we forgive them this time, there's no guarantee there won't be a next time.
At least the parents need to know.
During the war, corpses littered the fields, many unclaimed, and were buried together.
In order to arrange a ghost marriage, the evil spirit has to take out its own bones, and because it has been tainted by the aura of other people, it must be burned to ashes.
Jiang Shumiao went to find the ashes overnight.
The next morning, Cheng Jinyi took Zhuang Xiyan to the Zhuang residence.
Zhuang Xiyan's father, Zhuang Shixu, was very satisfied with his son-in-law, Cheng Jinyi, but after hearing what his son-in-law said, the smile on his face vanished instantly.
Madam Zhuang immediately exclaimed, "Impossible!"
Madam Zhuang, née Ning, was terrified.
Zhuang Xiyan remained silent.
Her grandmother's reaction was exactly what she expected.
Ever since she learned that she had been tricked into a ghost marriage by her own sister, many details from the past have become clearer. In fact, there were signs that Zhuang Xiuyan was dissatisfied with her, but she just hadn't made them public.
Despite the old lady's slight anger, Cheng Jinyi remained unfazed. "Last night, the goddess herself entered the mansion to exorcise the evil spirits; otherwise, I would not have dared to disturb you."
Old Madam Zhuang's expression changed.
Jiang Shumiao got involved, that's definitely true.
Before she could even devise a plan to exonerate Zhuang Xiuyan, Cheng Jinyi spoke up again: "If Grandmother doesn't believe me, why don't you ask Sixth Miss to come and ask her? Then you'll know the truth."
In her early years, Madam Ning devoted herself entirely to her eldest daughter, and during those years, the household had several more children born out of wedlock, Zhuang Xiuyan being the sixth. Her birth actually eased the tension between Zhuang Shixu and Madam Ning considerably.
This is one of the reasons why she is favored.
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhuang frowned, clearly displeased.
Zhuang Shixu understood his daughter and son-in-law's attitude and connected it to Jiang Shumiao, who had gotten involved.
Whenever that little tyrant gets involved, there's always a result.
A few days ago, the old lady of the Ye family passed away inexplicably, and even the eldest grandson was expelled from the family. It is said that he starved to death outside.
What powerful family could be so heartless towards their son?
Isn't it because of that person's interference?
After thinking it over for a moment, he ordered, "Go and invite the Sixth Miss over."
Madam Zhuang immediately glared at her son.
Zhuang Shixu knew what his mother was thinking. She was simply seeing that her eldest daughter was safe and sound, so she didn't take it seriously and didn't want to pursue the matter with her most beloved granddaughter. After all, making a big fuss would not be good for the family's reputation.
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