These words nearly made the servant vomit blood; he rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight.
"Stop pretending with me, okay? Do you really think that just because your daughter became a concubine, you and your family will rise to prominence?"
Let me tell you, you're nothing but a fart to me. If you dare utter another word, I'll give you a good talking to.
As a scholar, when had Chen Zhancai ever suffered such humiliation?
When the gatekeeper insulted and threatened him, he felt his dignity had been trampled on, and his face immediately turned red.
He wanted to argue with the servant again, but he was so scared that his legs went weak.
He pointed at the servant, stammering "you, you, you" for a long time before finally managing to say, "You are a disgrace to civilization!"
Liu Fengjiao was furious. The Fan family was really going too far, but she dared not say anything. After all, the Fan family had a bad reputation, and if the servant caused trouble, her husband would definitely suffer.
Fine, as long as Ruolan can enter the family smoothly, I'll swallow this humiliation.
She quickly stepped forward and persuaded him, "Young man, calm down and don't take it to heart. We were the ones who didn't know the rules. Please lead the way, we'll just follow you."
"You're smart to come with me!" The servant led the group to the side gate and stopped. He then said to Chen Zhancai and his wife, "This is enough. You two can go now."
Liu Fengjiao was taken aback. "Young man, today is my daughter's wedding day. We have to go in and see what's going on. We can't just leave like this!"
"What are you doing going in there? Do you want a reward?"
"No, no, no, that's not what we meant. We just want to see Master Fan."
"You think you can just see Master Fan whenever you want? You should go back to where you came from!" the servant said, glancing sideways at Chen Zhancai with a sarcastic and mocking tone.
"Don't think too highly of yourselves. My master has plenty of fathers-in-law. It's not your place to swagger around here."
Liu Fengjiao was unhappy. The Fan family was really going too far. Not only did they not have any joy at their daughter's wedding, but they also made things difficult for them.
At this moment, she really didn't want her daughter to enter the Fan family's door, but she couldn't bear to part with the money she had in hand.
My daughter's innocence has been ruined by Fan Tong. If she doesn't become his concubine, she'll probably have nowhere to stand in the future.
If we were to enter the Fan family, this path would likely be difficult, and we are now truly in a dilemma.
With tears welling up in her eyes, Liu Fengjiao said, "Brother, we don't mean anything by it, we just want to personally send our daughter in."
"Stop arguing. If you can't bear to part with your daughter, then take her back now. Don't waste my time here."
Chen Zhancai's face turned ashen. In the past, he had always felt superior to others wherever he went, relying on his status as a scholar.
Now he was being looked down upon by the servant, and he was both angry and annoyed, but he dared not speak out.
After a long pause, he stammered, "You, you, you are so vulgar, it's an insult to civility!"
"You poor bastard, what are you pretending to be so important for? You can't even control your daughter, yet you try to act all refined. Aren't you ashamed?" The servant rolled his eyes impatiently. "Hurry up, give me a straight answer whether you're coming in or not. I'm waiting to report back to Madam!"
Chen Zhancai looked dejected. He had thought that if his daughter could become Fan Tong's concubine, he could also hold his head high. But he never expected that he wouldn't even be worthy of entering the Fan family's gate.
He secretly vowed that he would definitely pass the imperial examination next year and become a scholar, making those who looked down on him regret their actions...
He suppressed his anger. "Feng Jiao, let's stop here and let Ruolan go in by herself!"
Liu Fengjiao's eyes were full of helplessness as she gently took Chen Ruolan's hand and whispered her words of advice.
"Ruolan, there are many rules in wealthy families. Your parents can only send you here. From now on, you'll have to rely on yourself."
Chen Ruolan's eyes were already red. This was not what she had imagined. Every girl's wedding was a grand affair with fanfare and celebration. Why was her wedding so cold and quiet? She was not even as happy as the silly Erni from the village.
She said in a trembling voice, "Mother, I'm scared."
"What are you afraid of? Didn't your mother teach you before? Men are afraid of three flirtations, and women are afraid of three seductions. As long as you make Master Fan happy, even if you cause a hole in the sky, someone will stand up for you."
"Will that work?"
"Sure, why not? As long as you're a man, there's no problem with it. It'll never fail."
The servant, growing impatient with their endless chatter, snapped, "Are you ever going to stop? Hurry up, my mistress is waiting!"
Liu Fengjiao smiled ingratiatingly, "That's good, that's good."
After saying that, she waved to Chen Ruolan, "Go inside quickly, remember what your mother said, and be sure to take good care of yourself."
Chen Ruolan felt a little scared. She glanced back at Liu Fengjiao, then lowered her head and silently followed the servant's guidance into the Fan residence.
Watching her daughter go inside, Liu Fengjiao wiped away her tears, "My poor daughter, I can't bear to part with you!"
Chen Zhancai gently patted her shoulder, "Alright, Fengjiao, our daughter is smart, she won't suffer, don't worry!"
"I hope so," Liu Fengjiao sighed softly.
******
As soon as she entered the courtyard, Chen Ruolan was deeply attracted by everything in front of her.
The courtyard has winding corridors, stone slabs covering the ground, and a small pond where beautiful goldfish swim around.
Everywhere she went, she was dazzled by the sights.
This is where she will live from now on; it's like paradise. If she can win Fan Tong's favor, she'll truly be living in a dream world...
The servant led her to a side room. "Go in. This will be your room from now on."
Chen Ruolan curtsied in thanks, then gently pushed open the door and went inside.
The room was simply furnished, with only a bed and a few cabinets.
She slowly walked to the bedside and sat down, thinking about her mother's words, feeling a mix of emotions. Alone in this unfamiliar room, she felt restless.
After an unknown amount of time, the door was suddenly pushed open, and a maid came in. "Fifth Madam, Madam wants to see you."
Chen Ruolan's heart skipped a beat. She knew that wealthy families would have to serve tea to the mistress when taking a concubine, so it must be bad news for her to come looking for her now. But she could only bite the bullet and follow the maid out.
Upon arriving at the main hall, Madam Fan sat upright in a chair, her face somber.
The maidservant hurriedly whispered to Chen Ruolan behind her, "This is Madam Fan, quickly pay your respects."
Chen Ruolan hurriedly stepped forward to greet her, "This humble daughter Ruolan greets Madam."
Madam Fan frowned and glanced at Chen Ruolan expressionlessly. Seeing that she was wearing red clothes, she flew into a rage. "She really doesn't know the rules. Guards, strip her clothes off!"
Upon receiving the order, the two maids beside him stepped forward to take action.
Chen Ruolan, unaware of what she had done wrong, hurriedly questioned loudly, "Stop! What right do you have to strip me of my clothes?"
"Why should I?" an older maid sneered. "You think too highly of yourself, daring to wear red. Don't you know that a concubine is only entitled to wear pink? If you know what's good for you, take it off right now, or we won't be so polite!"
"Today is my big day, I want to wear a red wedding dress!" Chen Ruolan had never been treated so unfairly, and she threw a tantrum...
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