I'm coming clean, this marriage is definitely happening.
After the Qian family thugs were dealt with, Lingxi Pavilion's business flourished. With ample funds and sufficient manpower, a major matter on Wen Zhibai's mind was finally settled.
She did not forget her promise to Pei Qinzhou.
I don't want to wait any longer.
The carriage back to the capital was ready. Before setting off, Wen Zhibai took Pei Qinzhou's arm and said, "I don't know when we'll be able to come to Jiangnan again. It's still early, let's go for a stroll in the streets and buy some trinkets as gifts."
Pei Qinzhou naturally agreed without hesitation.
In the bustling city, a stall selling flower dolls caught Wen Zhibai's eye. "Look at this," she picked up a small rabbit doll and waved it in front of him, "It's so cute."
Pei Qinzhou's eyes lit up with a smile as he took out some silver and handed it to the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper beamed, "Take a few more, you two! These floral dolls are sure to be a hit with your children!"
Wen Zhibai's cheeks flushed slightly, and he said softly, "It would be good if we bought them back for Taozhi and the maids in the manor."
"I'll do whatever you say." His gaze remained tenderly fixed on her.
Just then, the sound of suona horns rang out, and a lively wedding procession arrived. The groom sat high on horseback, scattering copper coins among the congratulatory crowd.
Wen Zhibai pulled Pei Qinzhou along and ran over, calling out in congratulations, "Congratulations! Congratulations on your marriage!"
"Thank you!" The groom smiled and returned the gift, slipping her a few auspicious copper coins. His gaze swept over their clasped arms. "I also wish you both happiness and a fulfilling marriage!"
Wen Zhibai placed the copper coin in his palm and offered it to Pei Qinzhou: "Lord Pei, would you like some candied hawthorn? It's on me."
"good."
A few copper coins bought her several strings of glistening candied hawthorns. She picked up a string and held it to his lips: "Is it sweet?"
He took a bite from her hand, his smile deepening: "Sweet. You should try some too."
Wen Zhibai took a bite from the skewer that Pei Qinzhou had just eaten, and the sourness of the hawthorn exploded in his mouth: "Pei Qinzhou, you lied to me!"
He reached out and gently pinched the soft flesh of her cheek: "I'm not lying to you. What you fed me was naturally sweet."
"You're just trying to coax me..." She glared at him playfully, then took his hand. "Come on, I'll take you somewhere."
Inside Lingxi Pavilion, Manager Wang and his men were already waiting. Upon seeing them enter, they hurriedly went to greet them.
"Miss, Lord Pei, everything is ready."
Wen Zhibai led Pei Qinzhou inside, where they saw various fine silks displayed in the hall, and four or five tailors standing at attention.
Shopkeeper Wang introduced, "These are the best tailors in Jiangnan, specializing in making clothes for noble families. Especially this Master Li, who is most skilled at making wedding dresses."
The kind-faced Master Li stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Lord Pei, Miss Wen. You two are a perfect match, a match made in heaven. I offer my congratulations in advance."
"Thank you, Master Li," Wen Zhibai returned the greeting. "I am deeply grateful for the trouble you all have to work so hard." She turned to look at Pei Qinzhou and saw the surprise in his eyes. She smiled and said, "Today, I will personally take your measurements."
After saying that, she picked up the measuring tape, walked up to him, and said softly, "You're too tall, be shorter."
Her hair brushed past her ear unintentionally, stirring a wave of heat.
Pei Qinzhou obediently bent down, gazing intently at her. At this moment, she possessed a captivating earnestness that surpassed her usual spoiled and arrogant demeanor.
After the tailor noted down the measurements of both of them, they gathered together to discuss them.
As the tailor noted down the measurements and stepped aside to discuss the matter, Wen Zhibai's wrist was suddenly grasped by Pei Qinzhou, who gently pulled him into a quiet corner of the attic.
“Zhibai,” his voice lowered, his eyes swirling with complex emotions, tinged with a barely perceptible hint of humility, “Have you thought it through? I…”
Wen Zhibai extended her fingertip and gently pressed it against his lips.
“Pei Qinzhou,” she gazed into his eyes, each word clear and firm, “Pei Qinzhou, marrying you is a decision I have carefully considered, not a spur-of-the-moment thing.”
She took his slightly cool hand and pressed it against her warm cheek. Her almond-shaped eyes, beneath her willow-leaf eyebrows, seemed to brimming with the spring waters of Jiangnan, sinking straight into his heart: "You love me, don't you?"
The sound of a heartbeat pounding in my ears was like a drum; I couldn't tell if it was his or hers.
...
The Prime Minister's Residence - Gao Family
After Wen Xian returned to her parents' home, Gao Zheli's madness worsened, and he began to mutter about monsters every day. Gao Zhongyi only had one grandson, Gao Zheli, and because of the Qin Yanzhen incident, the emperor had reprimanded him, so he vented all his anger on Wen Xian.
Wen Xian had been kneeling and copying the family rules in front of the Gao family ancestral hall for two days. The meals brought to her were all vegetarian, which Gao Zhongyi said was to teach her a lesson. Even her water intake was restricted.
Her lips were cracked and peeling, her knees were so painful and numb that she could not support herself even with the slightest movement, and she collapsed to the ground, unable to even hold a pen.
Just then, Gao Zhongyi happened to pass by and saw what was happening. His accusatory voice came from behind: "Hmph! A whole family of troublemakers! I knew that even if Li'er's marriage was off for life, I would never have given the Wen family a second glance!"
Wen Xian didn't even have the strength to argue; she could only brace herself against the ground with her hands to prevent herself from collapsing completely.
Gao Zhongyi walked to the desk, looking down at the pages she was copying. He instantly caught a glimpse of a single word smudged with ink when she had collapsed. He grabbed the stack of work he had painstakingly produced for half a day, tore it to shreds in a few quick movements, and threw it in front of her.
"No..." Wen Xian looked at the scattered scraps of paper, her voice hoarse.
"If there's even one mistake, the whole thing is null and void! Wen Xian, let me tell you, you're nothing but a commoner now. Being able to eat a bite of food from the Gao family is already a tremendous blessing. If you don't copy these family rules ten times, I'll have Zhe Li issue you a divorce letter and kick you out!"
Wen Xian's tears fell onto the cold cobblestone ground, a few strands of hair fell across her forehead, and her clothes were covered in dust, making her look disheveled. Yet, she could only plead humbly, "Yes... your granddaughter-in-law knows she was wrong..."
"Hmph!" Prime Minister Gao turned and left.
As evening fell, dark clouds loomed overhead, threatening a mountain rain.
Locked in his room, Gao Zheli knocked out the maid who brought him food by smashing a vase with it, and then stormed out.
The Gao residence was thrown into chaos. Servants chased after their young master, who was running wildly through the courtyard.
Gao Zheli was forced to the foot of a tall camphor tree. He scrambled up the tree on all fours and clung tightly to the trunk, shouting, "Get away from me! Don't come any closer!"
Gao Zhongyi rushed over upon hearing the news. Seeing his grandson swaying precariously from the treetop, his heart pounded with fear. He reached out his hand and pleaded softly, "Li'er, come down quickly! Come to your grandfather!"
"I won't go down!" Gao Zheli cried out, his voice trembling with sobs. "I want Xian'er! Where have you hidden Xian'er? I want to see her!"
"Wen Xian didn't like it here, she left... Zhe Li, Grandfather begs you, please come down!"
"No! I won't leave until I see Xian'er! You're definitely lying to me again. Xian'er is my wife, she would never leave me!" Gao Zheli's nose tingled, and tears streamed down his face. "You've all lied to me, you've all lied to me! Xian'er won't leave..."
"Alright! Alright! Come down, Grandfather will take you to see her right away!"
Gao Zheli wobbled onto a branch, and his view suddenly opened up. He looked towards the northwest corner of the courtyard and immediately saw the slender figure kneeling in front of the ancestral hall.
"Xian'er! It's Xian'er!"
He was overjoyed, but then his foot suddenly slipped, and he fell backward—
The servants, who had already laid out blankets under the tree, hurriedly caught him.
Gao Zheli jumped up and rushed towards the ancestral hall without a care in the world, letting the rain lash his face, shouting all the way: "Xian'er! Xian'er!"
Gao Zhongyi clutched his chest and hurriedly led his men to chase after them.
The ancestral hall was in a separate courtyard. Gao Zheli stopped at the steps leading into the courtyard and saw Wen Xian's back. His eyes were filled with joy.
"Xian'er..." He stared blankly ahead, stepped up the stairs, and then ran through the rain to Wen Xian's side.
He grabbed Wen Xian's thin shoulders, met her red and swollen eyes, and frowned instantly: "What's wrong with you?"
"Is it because they won't let you see me?!"
He suddenly turned his head, glaring at Gao Zhongyi who had chased after him. He reached out to help Wen Xian up, but she gently pushed him away.
“Don’t touch me,” she said calmly, “my sins are not yet atoned.”
"No matter what crime or mistake you have committed, I don't care! Get up, the ground is covered in pebbles, it hurts!" Gao Zheli lifted her up without saying a word: "Grandfather, is it you who made Xian'er suffer!"
Gao Zhongyi stepped forward to shield him from the rain, but he pushed the umbrella handle away.
“Zheli, I…”
Gao Zheli suddenly sprang to his feet, kicking over the desk and tearing up all the remaining papers, scattering them into the rain!
“Grandfather, Xian’er is my wife. No one is allowed to bully her! Not even you, Grandfather! If she really makes a mistake, I will take responsibility for her.” Rain slid down Gao Zheli’s face and into Wen Xian’s heart. At this moment, he seemed not to be a fool, but just an ordinary person who loved her.
After saying that, Gao Zheli squatted down: "Xian'er, I'll carry you back."
Wen Xian hesitated before climbing onto his back and embarking on the journey back to their room together.
"Gao Zheli..." she said, her eyes closed and her voice barely audible, "Why... are you so good to me?"
"Because Xian'er is the only person in the world who would never lie to me." His voice, though mixed with the rain, came through clearly.
“But…” her voice was even softer, “I won’t be good to you.”
“Yes,” he replied, lifting her up slightly and walking steadily. “I know.”
...
Three days later, the carriage entered Shangjing.
As soon as they entered the city gate, Pei Qinzhou helped Wen Zhibai out of the carriage.
"Hmm?" Wen Zhibai asked in confusion, "We haven't arrived at the manor yet?"
"You're about to become my wife, so I'd like to take you somewhere first."
She smiled and let him take her hand, leading her into a deserted alley.
"Close your eyes."
"So mysterious?" Wen Zhibai closed his eyes.
With a crisp snap of his fingers, he opened his eyes to find the world transformed. Ancient trees towered, mist swirled, and a simple, ancient house stood silently before him, its gate bearing two large characters—
Jiang Mansion.
"Jiang... Mansion?" Wen Zhibai's brows furrowed slightly as he looked at Pei Qinzhou in disbelief. "This is..."
"I've said it before, I'll help you with anything you want to do."
"branch--"
The vermilion gate opened to them.
A familiar figure stood behind the door, with a dozen or so other people standing on either side.
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