Therefore, there were quite a few people who came to flatter the Chen family.
Liu Niang, in a daze, was helped by others and, like a puppet on a string, went through the wedding ceremony with Chen Qian and was led into the bridal chamber.
There were quite a few people who came to make a ruckus in the bridal chamber. Even through the bright red veil, Liu Niang could sense that these people were different from the noble ladies from aristocratic families she had met before. Their laughter was sharp and shrill, and their language was vulgar and offensive. However, a few refined people were also drowned out by the loud laughter.
Sixth Sister clenched her fists tightly, her freshly painted nails digging fiercely into her palms.
The bright red veil was lifted, and light suddenly appeared before her eyes.
She was met with Chen Qian's beaming face. Although Chen Qian's eyes and brows were full of joy, Liu Niang could clearly sense the chilling intent hidden deep within his eyes.
Liu Niang knew very well that Chen Qian hated her. Chen Qian must have felt that if it weren't for her, he would have been able to marry Liu Niang.
All around, there was a uniform sound of gasps.
The young lady from the Marquis's mansion is truly beautiful! Even under the heavy makeup of a new bride, her delicate and charming appearance cannot be concealed.
Compliments and praises rang out one after another. Liu Niang's expression was almost devoid of the shyness of a new bride, but she still lowered her head so that no one could see her secret.
Chen Qian sensed her resentment and indifference.
The nuptial wine was served, and the two drank it together. They also ate dumplings, red dates, peanuts, and other dishes before gradually dispersing.
They were somewhat mindful that she was a daughter of a marquis, so they didn't dare to make a scene in the bridal chamber. However, Chen Qian still had to go to the front to offer toasts, and he couldn't refuse.
"I'll go ahead and offer the toasts first. You should rest." Chen Qian always presented a perfect image in front of others, unwilling to give anyone cause for criticism by neglecting his wife on their wedding night. After all, Liu Niang was marrying down; if he dared to be disrespectful to her in public, even his parents probably wouldn't approve.
"Please take care."
Liu Niang knew that it wouldn't be difficult for two smart people to communicate, so she got up, curtsied, and saw Chen Qian off.
As soon as Chen Qian left, Liu Niang had her maid help her change out of her bright red wedding dress.
“Miss, no, Madam—” Bitao quickly corrected herself, “The young master hasn’t returned yet, and you’re already changing your clothes?”
The only maids remaining in the room to keep her company were the dowry maids that Zhao had temporarily chosen for her, with Bitao and Bizhu serving her personally. Now that Liu Niang had married into the family, she no longer harbored any illusions and decided to live her life openly and honestly.
"It's alright, we can just change it," Sixth Sister said calmly. "Master won't care about these things."
Bitao and Bizhu had no choice but to obey and go get Liu Niang's nightgown.
Since she wasn't the one he wanted to marry, why should she wear such a garish bright red outfit to try and please him? Perhaps, in Chen Qian's eyes, it looked awkward too!
Liu Niang sat on the rosewood canopy bed carved with dragons and phoenixes, looking around.
The furniture in their new house was all made of rosewood, and the decorations were all rare and precious, exuding an air of luxury. The Chen family, as expected of the wealthiest imperial merchants in Jiangnan, certainly had money.
Everything in sight is bright red.
The bright red curtains were eye-catching, the bright red dragon and phoenix candles burned quietly, and the bright red "double happiness" characters were pasted on the openwork window frames...
Sixth Sister remained completely unmoved.
After Liu Niang finished washing up and changing her clothes, she was exhausted and hungry after a long day.
Bitao and Bizhu cleverly brought some snacks for Liu Niang to tide her over. Afterwards, Liu Niang was tired and leaned against the bed to rest.
Suddenly, the bedroom door was pushed open, and Chen Qian's drunken voice and unsteady footsteps came from outside.
Two servants helped Chen Qian back. Chen Qian's face was flushed, and he looked very excited. He muttered to himself, "Come on, another cup! Today is my big day, Chen Qian's big day. If you don't drink, you're not giving me face!"
It was the first night of their marriage, and Chen Qian came home drunk, looking somewhat unconscious.
Sixth Sister was somewhat displeased. Was he the only one who was dissatisfied?
He forged the letter back then, which cleared An Jiu's name but dragged her into it. Although Liu Niang knew that Chen Qian would stop at nothing to get An Jiu, so there was no question that Chen Qian framed her for An Jiu's reputation, Liu Niang still hated Chen Qian.
She couldn't just kick Chen Qian out now; was she supposed to serve this drunkard all night?
"Madam, Master is in a good mood today and has drunk a bit too much." The two servants were a little incoherent when they saw that Sixth Madam had washed off her new bride makeup and was even more radiant than before.
Sixth Sister waved her hand, dismissing the servant. She was determined to keep an eye on Chen Qian on their wedding night.
"Go and get them some hangover tea," Sixth Sister ordered, sending Bitao to fetch it. Sixth Sister stood beside the canopy bed, looking down at the completely drunk Chen Qian, thinking to herself that she'd better make do with the soft couch nearby for the night.
As for why they didn't consummate their marriage... let Chen Qian explain it tomorrow!
Chen Qian was muttering something, and she didn't want to pay attention to him, thinking that Bi Tao and the others could take care of him. Just as she turned around, someone suddenly grabbed the sleeve of Liu Niang's nightgown. With a forceful pull, she lost her balance and fell onto the canopy bed. Chen Qian then rolled over and pinned her down, making her unable to move.
Sixth Sister, who had never been treated like this before, felt a wave of dizziness and gasped for breath. She glared angrily at Chen Qian.
Chen Qian ignored all of that. He leaned in, reeking of alcohol, and looked at Liu Niang with hazy eyes, murmuring, "Jiu Niang, you're so beautiful—"
Liu Niang was both angry and furious.
She didn't care about Chen Qian's affection at all, but she couldn't tolerate that Chen Qian treated her like An Jiu Niang!
Sixth Sister suspected that Chen Qian was deliberately pretending to be drunk to annoy her, but Chen Qian was pressed firmly against her, unable to move, his eyes filled with tenderness and affection. He reached out and gently stroked her eyebrows and eyes, letting out a low chuckle.
"Ninth Sister, I've finally won you over."
He's probably really drunk!
She couldn't argue with a drunkard, so Sixth Sister used all her strength, kicking and struggling. However, the more she struggled, the tighter Chen Qian held her, the less room she had to move.
"Ninth Sister, are you unhappy that you married me?" Seeing Sixth Sister struggling, Chen Qian was also unhappy. He tightened his grip and said in an unpleasant voice, "Could it be that you still have feelings for Fang Ting or Lu Mingxiu?"
He knew all about these things perfectly well!