“The Gu family has more than just collateral branches. Nominally, Old Madam Yang of Lin’an is still Miss Gu’s maternal grandmother.” Song Yansi stopped there, knowing that what was done was done and saying too much would only make things worse. “It’s just a small matter.”
A trivial matter? This is a trivial matter in his eyes? Jiang Yuan wished she could pry open his brain to see what he considered a big deal. Jiang Yuan had some impression of Old Madam Yang. The Yang family of Lin'an was all men, and none of them had women, which was quite a strange thing in the capital. Jiang Yuan had met Old Madam Yang a few times when she was the emperor and empress. However, the Yang family never showed up when Gu Sijun drowned herself in the lake. Of course, Jiang Yuan did not know that there was such a relationship involved.
It makes sense. Gu Sijun's suicide attempt over love caused a huge uproar in the city. Afterwards, Old Madam Yang would naturally not send such a troublesome concubine into the palace. This would not only offend Song Yanji, but also slap the Emperor in the face. Anyway, she's just a woman. If one is lost, there are others.
But this time, things seemed a little different. Jiang Yuan secretly glanced at Song Yansi, seeing that he was acting as if nothing had happened, her mind was in turmoil. Jiang Yuan hadn't known Gu Sijun much, but the fact that she had traveled thousands of miles to find someone, committed suicide for love, and then managed to marry a good husband and become his wife, made Jiang Yuan admire this woman's courage and methods.
"Aren't you afraid she'll gain His Majesty's favor?" Jiang Yuan sneered.
Song Yanji didn't keep her in suspense. After a moment's thought, he nodded and said, "Sijun is beautiful and intelligent. If she enters the palace, it's only a matter of time before she catches His Majesty's eye."
"Song Yansi." Now that things had come to this, Jiang Yuan was unwilling to beat around the bush any longer. "What exactly do you want?"
"What do I want to do? I'm telling you all this just to put your mind at ease." As he spoke, he reached out and wrapped his hand around Jiang Yuan's loose hair, but Jiang Yuan slapped his hand away, leaving his fingertips empty.
"Whether you believe me or not is up to you." Song Yansi's usual gentleness vanished, and he casually tossed a purse into her arms. "This is my sincerity. As for Sijun's matter, there's no point in you thinking about it."
Jiang Yuan watched his departing figure, then carefully opened her purse. A dark, smooth substance caught her eye. Jiang Yuan's eyes darkened. This was the Song family's private seal.
Time flies, and Jiang Yuan hasn't seen Song Yansi since that day.
On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, just as dawn was breaking, Jiang Yuan was dragged out of bed by Bi Fan.
Today is her big day. The surroundings are ablaze with red, and the matchmakers and maids are busy and restless. But Jiang Yuan feels no joy at all. She can only sit blankly on the bed, watching the whole family bustling about.
The scene before her eyes merged with her past life. Zhu Chuan was tidying up her trunks, Bi Fan was arranging her jewelry, and Luo Xiang was busy running around in the warm tent. Except for her, everyone seemed to be wearing a happy smile.
The sounds of the wedding procession grew louder and louder. Jiang Yuan was dressed in layer upon layer of wedding gowns by her maids. When the crown was finally pressed down, she almost fell over, but fortunately Zhu Chuan quickly caught her.
A bright red veil covered Jiang Yuan's face. In the last moment, she saw her smiling parents, her eldest brother who had traveled a long way to come, her sister who was already married, and Jiang Zhi, who was standing there dumbfounded.
The whole family is here.
The moment the veil fell, Jiang Yuan's eyes cleared. These were her family members. In her past life, she had been too foolish to have squandered such a good hand. In this life, even if she couldn't be a winner, she couldn't be a loser again.
Jiang Yuan was helped out of the mansion by her maids. The red dress obscured her vision, and the tassels at the corners swayed back and forth. She sat in the sedan chair, which was carried very steadily without any bumps. The sounds of ceremonial music and the cheers of onlookers from the street corners kept reaching Jiang Yuan's ears.
Jiang Yuan knew that from this day forward, her life would begin anew.
A handsome young man, a bridal procession stretching for miles. The envy people felt for her would one day, as Song Yanji grew stronger, transform into profound reverence.
Jiang Yuan sat upright on the wedding bed. Song Yanji had long been taken away to drink somewhere. Jiang Yuan hadn't eaten a single grain of rice since morning, and only now that she had calmed down did she realize how hungry she was.
Jiang Yuan's eyes darted around, and without any hesitation, she lifted her veil in front of the maids and servants, preparing to eat some pastries to tide her over.
She moved very quickly, and it wasn't until the frozen cake was stuffed into her mouth that Zhu Chuan reacted and quickly lowered the red lid for her, saying, "Miss, this is unlucky."
"I didn't peel it all off," Jiang Yuan said, her mouth full of food, her voice slightly muffled. "I was just really hungry."
The matchmaker stood aside and cautiously glanced at the several nannies from the Song family. Seeing their displeased expressions, she quickly stepped in to smooth things over, "It's alright. It's auspicious as long as the veil hasn't fallen. It's good for her to eat something now, so she'll have the energy tonight."
“That’s right.” Jiang Yuan reached out and picked up another pastry, taking the opportunity to back down, “The matchmaker said it’s fine.”
"Hmph." A disgruntled voice came from the side. Although the scornful sound was soft, Jiang Yuan keenly caught it; this was the moment she had been waiting for! This time, Jiang Yuan stopped pretending. She lifted her veil, revealing a beautiful face. Her lips were painted with bright red lipstick, and her eyebrows were slightly arched with dark ink. Her expression was now gloomy, a far cry from the pitiful demeanor she had when she first married. Now, she certainly didn't look like a pure and kind person.
You choose not to take the path to heaven, but barge into the gates of hell.
Jiang Yuan sneered inwardly, taking small steps to stop in front of Granny Ren. She tilted her head back and sized her up from head to toe. Just as everyone held their breath, trying to figure out how to smooth things over, Jiang Yuan was already a step ahead of them, slapping Granny Ren across the face with all her might. The slap sent Granny Ren staggering, almost hitting a doorpost.
Granny Ren clearly hadn't expected to be slapped. She immediately opened her eyes wide, covered half her face, and glared at her angrily, her eyes filled with a desire to devour Jiang Yuan alive.
Jiang Yuan was an ungrateful wretch. She never intended to get along with Granny Ren, so she dared to marry Song Yanji. Rather than having that old hag plotting against her openly or secretly in the future, it was better to tear off the mask of friendship from the start.
For a moment, the room was silent, with only Jiang Yuan's voice echoing in the air, "The rules of this Lieutenant's Office are too lax. There are even such disrespectful servants."
Jiang Yuan's words were impolite, which ignited Ren Mama's anger. She was Song Yanji's wet nurse, and everyone in the mansion had to respectfully call her "Mama." Even Song Yanji treated her with some respect. He Cheng had suffered such humiliation before, and immediately lost his composure. "She is indeed a young lady from a wealthy family. She has only just entered the house and she is already using the methods of the mistress. What a show of force!"
Snap—
Before she could finish speaking, Granny Ren received another slap across the face. This time, not only Granny Ren but also the matchmaker was stunned. She had been to the bridal chamber so many times, and every time it was a harmonious and joyful occasion. She had seen new wives who were either shy or lively, but this was the first time she had ever seen someone slap their husband's wet nurse in the bridal chamber.
“I am the mistress, and you are a slave. So what if I hit you?” Jiang Yuan looked at the incredulous expression on Granny Ren’s face and continued, “You can tell my husband. I want to see if he will blame me.”
Jiang Yuan was certain that Song Yanji wouldn't make things difficult for her over a mere servant. Now that she had made a scene, she felt relieved and, supporting herself on the red boat, took small, quick steps to sit back down.
“Miss, this is not a good idea,” Bi Fan whispered in her ear. “After all, we have only just arrived at the Song family mansion and our foundation is not yet stable.”
The veil was lifted slightly, and Jiang Yuan's voice slowly drifted out, "A servant must follow the rules of a servant."
Jiang Yuan had been an empress for several years, and her aura was naturally incomparable to that of a young lady in her boudoir. At that moment, the bridal chamber was shrouded in an invisible pressure.
Only when the slightly tipsy Song Yansi was helped into the bridal chamber by the servants did the matchmaker breathe a sigh of relief. Her grateful expression was so intense that she was almost wiping away tears with a smile. "Oh, Lord Song has arrived."
Song Yansi had drunk quite a bit, but his innate sensitivity remained. As soon as he approached the woman in the phoenix coronet and wedding gown on the bed, laughter spilled out, "But you've been naughty again?"
"Just disciplining a servant." After a moment of hesitation, Jiang Yuan's soft, sweet voice came from under the veil, "My husband won't be angry, will he?"
"As long as you're happy, you'll be in charge of the household from now on." Song Yanji patted Jiang Yuan's fair hand lightly, indirectly supporting her. As for the reason, Song Yanji didn't even want to know. He let her do whatever she wanted with such a trivial matter.
Chapter 17 Wedding Night
Having said all that, the maids and servants who had been waiting to see a good show all gave up.
The matchmaker was indeed experienced and had seen many big occasions. As soon as Song Yansi finished speaking, a jade ruyi was presented, with a red cloth strip tied at the end in the shape of a love knot. "Please lift the bridal veil and may your wishes be fulfilled."
Song Yansi seemed not to hear the matchmaker's words, looking at the bridal scale with some confusion. Jiang Yuan waited for a long time without any movement, then cautiously peeked from under the bridal veil. Seeing Song Yansi standing motionless, the atmosphere suddenly turned cold again. Jiang Yuan reached out and tugged at Song Yansi's robe, asking with a hint of doubt, "Husband?"
With her white fingertips touching the crimson wedding robe, Song Yansi finally came to her senses, realizing that this seemed to be her bridal chamber. She reached out and picked up the ruyi scepter, gently lifting a corner of the red veil.
A young woman, newly married, has a face as beautiful as a peach blossom.
Jiang Yuan was already beautiful, with particularly bright and lively eyes. She looked up at him with a smile, and for a moment, Song Yansi felt his heart skip a beat.
When the matchmaker saw him pick up the handkerchief, she quickly had a maid bring over the nuptial wine. A small red string was tied between the two cups, and she said, "May the red string bind us together forever, and may this auspicious marriage last a hundred years in peace and happiness."
While drinking, Song Yanji breathed into Jiang Yuan's ear, saying, "A gentleman's promise is heavier than nine tripods."
Jiang Yuan was taken aback, then turned to look at him. His long eyelashes cast a shadow on his face. Jiang Yuan understood what he meant, nodded, and the two of them swallowed the nuptial wine.
The liquor is sweet and refreshing, with no trace of the bitterness of nuptial wine.
After drinking, Song Yansi smiled and waved, signaling everyone to leave. Although he was handsome, he was obviously not easy to get along with. With a flick of his sleeve, the maids and servants in the mansion bowed and took their leave. No one dared to disturb his wedding night. Zhu Chuan and the others glanced at Jiang Yuan, and seeing her nod, they also left. In a moment, only he and Jiang Yuan remained in the room.
Jiang Yuan was still staring at the nuptial cup on the table with some doubt. "This nuptial cup is very strange. The bitter taste of the nuptial wood lingers for a long time, but when I drank from it just now, there was no bitterness at all."
"Let's share a cup of wine, and go through thick and thin together." Song Yansi smiled as he rose and led her to the round table. "My wife only needs to share the good times, not the bad."
"So that's why you removed the bitterness." Jiang Yuan had lived with Song Yanji for more than ten years and knew that he disliked pretentious women, so she no longer restrained herself. She casually picked up a plate and placed it in front of him, put a few snacks on it, and turned to walk into the inner room. "You eat something first. I'll go get this crown. It's so heavy."
After a day of commotion, Song Yansi was indeed quite hungry. Most of the food on the plate was his favorite, so the two of them went about their own business, neither asking nor answering each other. When Jiang Yuan returned after leaving the rouge shop and changing into clean clothes, Song Yansi had already put down his chopsticks. He casually poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to her, then poured one for himself as well. The warmth of the tea made him feel much better.
The wedding night is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Jiang Yuan held her teacup, taking small sips. Although she was experienced in bed, after so many years, she still felt somewhat awkward.
Jiang Yuan was lost in thought when a pair of large hands grasped her fingertips. Song Yansi gave her a strange look and said, "It's getting late."
"Hmm, it's time to sleep." Jiang Yuan was a little flustered, awkwardly put down the cup in her hand, and followed Song Yansi to sit on the wedding couch.
The red curtain was lowered, and Song Yansi's fingers gently hooked the sash under her chest. The candlelight flickered, and Jiang Yuan felt a little thirsty. She quickly moistened her lips with her tongue. Song Yansi's eyebrows suddenly twitched, and the thin clothes slipped off Jiang Yuan's shoulders.
"Wait." Jiang Yuan suddenly pressed down on her waist with his large hand. His palm was hot, making her blush.
Song Yansi looked at the person in front of him. Her eyebrows were naturally dark, her lips were naturally red, her eyes were slightly lowered, and a blush flew across her cheeks. A string in his mind suddenly snapped, and his body instinctively moved closer and gently kissed the lips in front of him.
Jiang Yuan was clearly startled. Her eyelashes fluttered incessantly, brushing against Song Yansi's face, making him feel ticklish, as if a kitten was gently scratching at his heart.
His voice sounded somewhat muffled, "I don't want to go slow."
"Then let's put out the candles, okay?" Jiang Yuan pushed him away with great effort, leaving a gap of about half a palm's width between them. Her eyes were blurry from the long period of difficulty breathing.
"No need to get out of bed." Song Yansi waved his hand casually, and a gust of wind swept by, instantly extinguishing the flames.
The person in his arms was breathing somewhat unevenly, and Song Yansi couldn't see her expression, so he could only rely on instinct to keep kissing her, from her lips to her shoulders.
The body is the most honest thing. The moment Song Yansi covered her, Jiang Yuan's body reacted. Her hands instinctively climbed onto his shoulders. More accurately, her memory reacted.
Memories flooded her mind. She thought of her first wedding night with Song Yansi. Back then, she knew nothing and was so naive that she was speechless. Later, as Song Yansi became surrounded by more and more women, she transformed from a quiet, reserved girl into a sophisticated and charming woman skilled in all sorts of ways.
She once thought she could bind Song Yanji; if her heart wouldn't work, she'd use her body. And as it turned out, her body did indeed have a considerable attraction for Song Yanji. Even years later, when Song Yanji met the woman he would gladly give up his kingdom for, he couldn't bear to refuse her advances.
Jiang Yuan didn't know what she was thinking, and she bit her lip tightly with her pearly teeth.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, Song Yansi abruptly stopped moving. Jiang Yuan tilted her head, and in the moonlight, he couldn't see the person in front of him clearly. He gently brushed his fingers across her cheek, which was wet.
But this silence didn't last long. His lips came back to kiss me, slowly and gently, his voice carrying a strange sense of comfort, "It won't hurt anymore."
Jiang Yuan doesn't remember how she spent the night. Reality and memories overlapped, making her unsure of who she was, where she was, whether she had been reborn, or whether it was all a dream woven by her dying self on the verge of collapse.
In the early morning, sunlight streamed through the window lattice onto the bed. Jiang Yuan, huddled under the covers, was not sleeping soundly, her brow furrowed in a small knot.
When Song Yansi touched her gently, she wrinkled her nose slightly, looking rather cute. When he reached out to touch her brow for the third time, Jiang Yuan slightly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Song Yansi's face, with a high nose, thin lips, and eyes that sparkled with brilliance.
Jiang Yuan's mind was still stuck in last night's nightmare, her facial expressions changing wildly. Finally, she shook her head vigorously, and her eyes regained their usual clarity.
"Your face looks like it's been turned on by magic this early in the morning." Song Yansi didn't seem to mind. "Come in, everyone."
As soon as Song Yansi finished speaking, several maids pushed open the door and entered, each with their heads bowed and looking indifferent. Jiang Yuan's maids were also trained by her, so their manners were naturally impeccable.
Why did she keep feeling like these girls were peeking at her? Jiang Yuan coughed twice and nodded to Zhu Chuan. The girls understood and proceeded to wash their faces, do their makeup, and change their clothes in an orderly manner.
The maids in the Song household glanced at Song Yansi out of the corner of their eyes. Seeing his indifferent expression, their hearts, which had been in their throats, quietly relaxed.
Jiang Yuan was halfway through putting on her clothes when she noticed Song Yansi sitting at the round table in his undergarments, one hand resting on the table, smiling at her.
"Would he wait for me to help him change his clothes?" Jiang Yuan blinked, and seeing Zhu Chuan nod without making a sound, she had no choice but to stop dressing herself and walk to Song Yansi's side with a stiff upper lip.
“Song… Husband.” This form of address was correct after all. Jiang Yuan stood straight, revealing a row of pearly white teeth. “This concubine will help you change your clothes.”
Song Yansi's smile froze for a moment, then he burst out laughing, "You do have a certain charm, but you should know that I don't like women who look like that."
"You're really asking for it!" Jiang Yuan had originally wanted to play the role of a virtuous wife and loving mother, but seeing that Song Yansi wasn't buying it, she immediately stopped smiling. "Then what are you doing sitting there looking at me?"
Song Yansi pointed at the maids behind her, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Your four maids take up half my room, so naturally I have to wait until you're done dressing before I can stand. But you really do have too many maids." Seeing that he mentioned his four maids, Jiang Yuan finally focused all her attention on him. Before Jiang Yuan could speak, Song Yansi added, "From now on, you can also help me change clothes."
Not only Zhu Chuan and the others were stunned, but even the maids serving in the Song household were taken aback. Their gazes were drawn to one of the girls before quickly looking away. Jiang Yuan noticed something and followed their gaze. The girl had a well-proportioned figure, a slender waist and wide hips, and was indeed more striking than the average maid. Looking at her face, Jiang Yuan felt it looked very familiar.
"Wei Yu, you can start preparing food from now on."
So it was her. The moment Jiang Yuan heard the name, she realized. She hadn't remembered her if Song Yansi hadn't mentioned it, but now that he did, she remembered. Wasn't this Song Yansi's concubine from back then? As Jiang Yuan thought about it, she couldn't help but glance at her. This plain-looking girl was completely different from the flamboyant concubine she once was.
"Yes." Wei Yu lowered her head and silently replied, then continued, "Master, Granny Ren caught a cold yesterday. Would you like to go and see her?"
"Have you called a doctor yet?" Jiang Yuan asked before Song Yansi could even speak.
"No, Madam." Wei Yu looked up in surprise, glanced at Song Yansi who was drinking tea, then at Jiang Yuan, before lowering her head again.