Chapter 6 — The Simpleton’s Serendipity

At this moment, the realization finally dawned upon me, slow and heavy.

So that was how it was. Yet, looking at things now, it seemed as if nothing out of the ordinary had transpired.

Little Lotus remained silent. She did not understand either. Could it be that my cousin had truly only acted out of a fleeting desire to seek some shade from the heat? The following day, I was to be married. My cousin secretly sent someone to deliver a jade ruyi. My mother’s tears dampened a patch of fabric on my shoulder. As the small sedan chair carried me away from the estate, I instructed Little Lotus to distribute the carefully prepared scented sachets to the gatekeeper, the shopkeeper, the matchmaker, and the others. My mother had forbidden me from lifting my bridal veil, so I could only speak through the curtains:

Big Ox, has your younger sister’s leg fully recovered?

The gatekeeper beamed as he replied, Thanks to the physician you brought for us the year before last, it has healed completely.

Old Madam Nha, my father and the others—they do not hold any grudges against you, do they?

The matchmaker laughed so hard she could barely close her mouth. No, no. You spoke so many kind words on behalf of this old woman.

Shopkeeper Yang, has your nephew’s injury mended?

The shopkeeper, while distributing wedding sweets to the onlookers, waved a hand at me. It healed a long time ago. That, too, was thanks to you asking your noble father for help back then.

My heart felt light and joyous. Although I was never a stellar student and could never quite grasp those difficult verses of poetry, I possessed a keen memory for the affairs of my friends. As we passed the street adjacent to the Chu family estate, Little Lotus hesitated for a long while before finally lifting a corner of the curtain to ask me, Does mistress wish to bid farewell to Chu Yan?

I shook my head. There is no need. Today is my wedding day; I should only see those who bring me joy.

For the past two days, Little Lotus had told me that although Chu Yan and I had known each other since childhood, he had never treated me with much kindness. Not far away, Chu Yan stood transfixed, watching the wedding procession pass by. A moment ago, a gentle breeze had stirred the corner of the carriage curtain. The fleeting glimpse of a chin had made his heart flutter. He hurriedly tugged at the sleeve of the man beside him.

Is the person inside that carriage the cousin from the Jiang family?

The man nodded vigorously. Indeed, that is she, Jiang Fangfei.

Chu Yan felt instantly at ease. He found his recent, sudden anxiety truly ridiculous. The person he had once helped had found a good match; he should be happy for her. Why had he felt so unsettled? He did not realize that as soon as he turned to leave, the man immediately pivoted to find Shopkeeper Yang.

Father, Young Master Chu truly came again. I kept my eyes on him. As soon as he asked, I told him it was the cousin who was getting married.

Shopkeeper Yang pressed a handful of sweets into his palm. Well done. We cannot let that scoundrel ruin Mistress Jiang’s happy day.

The matchmaker leaned in, giving a thumbs-up. You are indeed the clever one.

The gatekeeper pulled them along. Let us go, let us go. Mistress said we are all welcome to come and share the wedding wine.

And so, everyone chatted and laughed as they headed toward the prince’s residence, each of them finding happiness for the sake of the same person.

09

The wedding candles flickered. Xiao Lian lifted my veil, his gaze momentarily fixed upon me in a trance. Under his intense scrutiny, my cheeks grew inexplicably warm. I looked past him.

Is your attendant not coming?

Xiao Lian’s expression darkened instantly. Why would he come here?

I widened my eyes. If he does not come, I would not know what you intend to say to me.

Xiao Lian offered a helpless smile. He pulled me into his arms. Do not look for him. I will tell you myself. Today, Bao Nguyet is beautiful.

He kissed my forehead lightly and cautioned, I am the only man permitted to share this room with you, do you understand?

I covered my mouth and giggled. Xiao Lian, I am not that foolish. I only wanted to tease you into speaking.

Xiao Lian pursed his lips as he looked at me, his eyes deepening. Is it that funny?

Mm, do you not think—uh…

He leaned down, silencing my lips with his own. My entire body turned to liquid, as if I were drifting among the clouds.

Xiao Lian, why do I feel so warm… Oh, it is not hot anymore. Do not…

10

Lately, Chu Yan’s mood had been sour. That day, Jiang Bao Nguyet had accepted his bowl of sweet soup, yet she had not sought him out the following day. This was highly irregular. He waited five days before finally deciding to come to her door. This time, he had come to demand Jiang Bao Nguyet’s birth date.

Does she not wish to betroth herself to me? This time, I have decided to agree.

The gatekeeper glanced at him lazily. The mistress does not see outsiders.

Chu Yan felt a sense of dismay. This was the first time he realized that Jiang Bao Nguyet might truly be angry. But why? Was it only because he had not given her that bracelet? Chu Yan felt a flicker of annoyance. This was the first time Jiang Bao Nguyet had shown him such an attitude. After hesitating for a moment, he went to find Jiang Fangfei.

She is angry with me, is she not? Yet, such a precious item was never meant to be given away so casually. I feel that this time, she is simply being unreasonable. But a fool like her probably does not even realize where she is in the wrong.

Jiang Fangfei looked at his conflicted expression, a bitter smile playing on her lips. So, you wish to coax her into a better mood? I had always assumed you despised her.

It is not quite to the point of hatred… Regardless. I will intercept her and demand an explanation. Surely she cannot spend her entire life without stepping out of the estate?

Jiang Fangfei stood up. Years ago, Jiang Bao Nguyet’s mother pawned a family heirloom belonging to her grandmother in Qingzhou. If you go and redeem it, perhaps Jiang Bao Nguyet will be pleased.