Chapter 58 Chapter 58 He was like the Yama King in hell, stopping her...
In the early morning light, Xinchun Garden was crowded with people and bustling with activity.
Lin stood behind Jiang Shu, combing her hair. Gazing at her delicate face in the bronze mirror, she couldn't help but sigh, "I'm of low status, so I'm not qualified to marry you off. Fortunately, Brother Bin was so kind and brought me along when he came to the Lu family to offer his congratulations. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the privilege of personally combing your hair."
In the imperial court, it was customary for mothers to tie up their daughters' hair before they married. While Yang was alive, Lin hadn't been able to tie up Jiang Shu's hair, but now her wish was granted. As she combed Jiang Shu's hair, she muttered, "Qian'er is a good child. I'm very relieved that you'll marry him. The Ye family is right next door to ours. Once you marry into the Ye family, I'll be able to see you often."
If you want to eat plum cakes, just shout over the wall, and in less than half an hour, I will be able to bring hot plum cakes to your mouth."
Lin was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling as she imagined what would happen after Jiang Shu married into the Ye family.
Many widows remarry, but there are very few who marry their childhood sweetheart as Jiang Shu did. Jiang Rong was also happy for Jiang Shu.
Jiang Rong was young and had never taken care of a household. Even with Fang Yu's help, she was still a little overwhelmed. Fortunately, she was in charge of the household and always had enough money.
Jiang Rong stuffed a silver note worth five hundred taels into Jiang Shu's hand and said softly, "Big sister, I didn't prepare any extra boxes for you. These treasures are my token of my love. I hope you won't despise them."
There was no need for formalities between sisters. Jiang Shu handed the banknote to Zhu'er and whispered, "Put it away carefully."
Then he turned to Jiang Rong and said, "Your gift is what I like best. Jade bracelets and pearl flowers are nothing compared to silver."
The words were said playfully, and a burst of laughter rang out in the house. The mother, daughter and her two children were laughing happily when Jiang Bin knocked on the door and came in carrying a food box.
Jiang Shu's natural beauty, set off by her bright red wedding dress, was even more radiant, like a blooming peony, graceful and magnificent, with a beautiful and elegant fragrance. Jiang Bin was caught by Jiang Shu's eye as soon as he entered the room.
He was slightly stunned, then opened the food box and calmly took out a stack of plum and osmanthus cakes and a bowl of honey-fried plum soup.
Jiang Bin placed the honey-fried plum soup in front of Jiang Shu and said with a smile, "I know that you like sweet and sour food and are always fond of plums. Before dawn today, I asked the kitchen to steam the cakes and make plum soup. Come on, sister, try this honey-fried plum soup and see if it tastes good."
The honey-fried plum soup was clear in color, with steam rising from it and a sweet and sour taste spreading, which made Jiang Shu's appetite whetted.
She said to Jiang Bin, "Brother Bin has really grown up and become more careful. I must drink this soup cleanly."
Jiang Shu picked up the plum soup while talking. She was about to drink it when she heard a "meow" and then saw a pitch-black raccoon running into the house.
Jiang Shu was most afraid of Li Nu. She let out a low cry and tilted her wrist, spilling most of the plum soup.
There was a pair of silver bells on the dressing table. The plum soup spilled onto the silver bells, and the originally bright silver bells gradually turned black.
Jiang Shu's face changed drastically, and she stood up suddenly to distance herself from Jiang Bin.
Jiang Bin also noticed the change in Yin Lingdang and knew that his plan would fail. If he missed this golden opportunity, how could he avenge his mother in the future?
Jiang Bin decided to go all out. He quickly pulled out the dagger hidden at his waist and stabbed Jiang Shu with all his strength.
"Brother, what are you doing?" Lin was shocked and hugged Jiang Bin's waist and pulled him back desperately.
The servants outside the door heard the noise and rushed into the house. Jiang Bin heard the footsteps and fearing delay, he whispered to Lin: "Let go!"
Naturally, Lin refused to let go and held Jiang Bin's hand even harder. Jiang Bin raised the dagger and stabbed it into Lin's forearm. Lin felt excruciating pain, but still did not let go.
Jiang Bin raised his dagger and was about to stab again, but a reddish-brown shadow flashed before his eyes. His vision went black, and he fell to the ground. His forehead felt hot, and blood was flowing.
Jiang Shu dropped the wooden stool and rushed to check on Lin's injuries. Jiang Bin had stabbed Lin with great force, leaving a long, deep wound that bled profusely.
Jiang Shu didn't care about avoiding the guests outside, and hurriedly called Zhu'er over, saying, "Go get the doctor quickly!"
At this time, the servants who heard the noise also rushed into the house. The servants in Xinyang Marquis' Mansion were well-trained. Although they didn't know what had happened, they still tied up Jiang Bin very tactfully.
The most taboo thing on a wedding day is blood. The fact that Xinchunyuan had hired a doctor could not be hidden from Zhao.
But soon Zhao came in. She glanced at Jiang Bin with a stern face, then turned her gaze to Jiang Shu and asked, "What happened?"
Before Jiang Shu could reply, Jiang Bin spoke up. He asked Zhao, "Are you the mistress of the Xinyang Marquis's residence?"
Zhao ignored Jiang Bin, but Jiang Bin had never seen a woman more impressive than Zhao. Just from her demeanor, he concluded that she was either rich or noble.
He seemed to see the light and expressed all his grievances and unwillingness.
Jiang Bin knelt before Zhao and said loudly, "Madam, although I want to poison Jiang Shu, I have my reasons. You must decide for me."
He took a deep breath and continued, "Jiang Shu appears docile on the surface, but deep down she's cunning. She was jealous of my second sister because she had a better family background than her, so she bribed a thief to rape my second sister in public. My second sister's reputation was completely ruined, and she was forced to become a concubine to Prince Zheng."
"Prince Zheng is cruel and tortures my second sister every day. She lives a life worse than death, so she took people and escaped."
"And my mother. My mother and father used to be in perfect harmony and love, but Jiang Shu was jealous of my mother and sowed discord between them. This caused my father to neglect her. My mother was disheartened and poisoned my father."
"Jiang Shu destroyed my family. If I don't avenge my loved ones, I wouldn't be worthy of being a son."
Jiang Bin's voice grew louder and louder as he spoke, his emotions boiling. "Madam, Jiang Shu is ruthless. If I fall into her hands, I will surely die. You are a compassionate Bodhisattva. I hope you can let me go home."
Jiang Bin was like a madman, kowtowing to Zhao over and over, leaving red marks on the floor where his forehead touched.
Zhao looked at Jiang Bin coldly and said calmly, "I don't know what happened to your Jiang family, nor do I know if what you said is true. I only know that you intended to poison the wife of the Crown Prince of Xinyang."
The front yard was bustling with activity, perhaps some guests had arrived. Zhao glanced at the guards at the door and ordered in a deep voice, "Drag this scoundrel out the back door and take him to the government office!"
The guard responded, strode into the house, took out a towel and stuffed it into Jiang Bin's mouth, then pulled Jiang Bin's collar and dragged him out the door.
After dealing with Jiang Bin, Zhao finally had time to focus on Lin. Lin had pretty features but her manners were not very generous. Zhao originally hated petty-minded women the most, but when she caught a glimpse of Lin's bleeding arm, her tone became extra gentle.
She said to Lin, "Go to the side room and treat your wound. The guests will be arriving soon. Your wound is still bleeding, so it's inappropriate to stay here."
Jiang Shu was Lin's biological daughter, so Lin naturally hoped that Jiang Shu could marry in a grand manner. She said "yes" and followed the maid into the side room.
After the commotion just now, Jiang Shu's hair had fallen off and her bun was loose, looking completely disheveled.
Zhao curled her lips and whispered to Jiang Shu, "Take off your hairpin."
As she spoke, she gestured for Jiang Shu to sit in front of the dressing table. She glanced at the headpiece that had fallen to the ground with a look of disgust on her face.
The headpiece looks magnificent, but the rubies inlaid on the gold wire are only the size of rice grains. Such quality is okay to wear for fun, but it will be laughed at if worn at a wedding.
Zhao said to Madam Zhou, "Go to the storeroom and bring over that set of red gold and South pearl headpieces."
Nanny Zhou was slightly stunned. The red gold headpiece inlaid with South pearls was the dowry given to Zhao by the old lady of the Zhao family. It was a rare treasure. Zhao originally said that she would pass it on to Yingjie, but now she was willing to give it to the second mistress.
Nanny Zhou pursed her lips and smiled. "The Madam is good in every way, except that she's too stubborn." She took out the key to Zhao's private vault, carefully holding the red gold and South Pearl headpiece and returned to Xinchun Garden.
Zhao gathered Jiang Shu's hair into a bun and pinned her gold jewelry on top one by one. With a stern face, she said, "This is how a bride should look. Elegant and dignified yet charming. That headpiece you just wore wouldn't be picked up even if you threw it on the street."
Zhao's face was cold but her heart was warm. Jiang Shu didn't care about her cold words and smiled at her: "Mother is very knowledgeable. I can't compare with you."
Zhao didn't respond. She snorted and turned back to the main courtyard. The Lu family had many guests, so someone had to be in charge of everything, and Zhao was indispensable.
After Zhao disappeared, Jiang Rong dared to approach Jiang Shu and whispered softly, "The Marquis's wife may look domineering, but she treats my elder sister well."
Jiang Shu said yes, and pulled Jiang Rong into the side room to check Lin's wound.
Half a day passed in a flash, and at dusk, Ye Qian came to the Xinyang Marquis' Mansion to pick up the bride.
He was wearing a long red gown with a belt tied around his waist. He was tall and straight, like a delicate orchid or jade tree.
Ye Qian walked slowly to Jiang Shu's side, bent down, looked her in the eye, and said softly, "Sister Shu'er, I'm here to take you home."
Jiang Shu smiled knowingly, her eyes sparkling as if melting into the starry sky.
She raised her arms, covered her face with a gauze fan, and followed Ye Qian out of the Xinyang Marquis Mansion.
The air was filled with joy and the sedan bearers carried the bridal sedan slowly along the street.
The groom in front is as handsome as Pan An, and the dowry behind him is so long that there is no end in sight.
There were many people watching the ceremony, and everyone praised Jiang Shu for her good fortune.
The sound of the suona became louder and louder, and the sedan bearers' speed became slower and slower. Just as they were about to carry the sedan into the Ye family's house, they suddenly saw a group of people rushing towards them.
The man in the lead was dressed in black brocade, his eyes were bloodshot, and there was a dark patch under his eyes. His jaw was taut and his face was full of anger, like Yama. Just one look at him was enough to make people tremble with fear.
If you look down, you will find that there is a long arrow stuck in his calf. The blood has been flowing for too long and has stained his clothes, forming hard lumps.
He seemed to feel no pain, without even a frown, and whipped his horse forward to block Ye Qian's way.
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