The Southern Dynasty has a great canal that runs from the far south to the far north, passing through six major states, and is called the "Mother River" of the Southern Dynasty.
Thanks to this great canal, ordinary people have benefited greatly, traveling and visiting relatives and friends is no longer as difficult as before, and it has also supported a large number of people.
And so, from morning till night, the Grand Canal is bustling with people coming and going, replenishing supplies on shore, waiting to board ships, sending off and receiving people, in an extraordinary commotion.
One of the nine states, Yangzhou has always been famous for its wealth and nobility. Since the sudden appearance of a Lianlian Pavilion eight years ago, it has become even more renowned. The owner of this pavilion is also interesting, with such an elegant name, it should be a place of high elegance, but he insisted on using this name in various industries, restaurants, wine shops, pawnshops, and money houses... As long as it's a profitable business, he's involved, yet he strictly adheres to the unwritten rules of the business world, not breaking any rules or overstepping boundaries, making other merchants jealous and resentful, but unable to do anything about it.
When you're in a hurry and need help, he'll even lend you money interest-free to get back on your feet. But if someone tries to take advantage of him because of this, he can also make sure you end up with nothing.
As time went on, Linhuai Pavilion became the rule-maker, and gradually it became a landmark in Yangzhou. As soon as Yangzhou was mentioned, people would think of Linhuai Pavilion, and if you didn't visit Linhuai Pavilion when you came to Yangzhou, it would be like having come for nothing.
It's getting lively in Yangzhou these days, more so than usual. The docks are already crowded with people eager to catch a glimpse of the excitement. Anyone you ask can tell you all about it - the Wulin Alliance headquarters, rooted in Yangzhou, has recently received great joy. The Emperor has issued an imperial decree, betrothing the Alliance leader's youngest daughter to the eldest grandson of the Weiwu General's estate in Jizhou, making the Wulin and the Imperial Court as close as family from now on...
Of course, such grand words are not worth paying attention to, and no one would really believe them. If the tense relationship between the imperial court and the martial arts world could be alleviated by marrying off a daughter, the previous leaders of the alliance would have done so long ago. After all, having a noble relative is also a way to increase their own value.
The people of Yangzhou are concerned about this matter, of course, not because they care about the imperial court and its actions. The emperor is far away, and this imperial edict cannot intimidate them.
They were interested in the little daughter of the Wulin Alliance Master, Yangzhou was where the Wulin Alliance Master was based, and there must be more people from Jianghu than elsewhere, so news about Jianghu would naturally spread faster. But why did none of them know that the Wulin Alliance Master had a little daughter?
Racking my brains, I seem to recall that more than a decade ago, there was indeed such a joyful event. However, under the shadow of her brother, the genius who defied the heavens, and her sister, the beauty who surpassed all others, the third young lady became an existence that people overlooked.
Could she have been really overlooked? If you ask someone from the Alliance Master's residence, he will smile mysteriously at you and remain silent.
"It's not too late for you to regret it now, Father is not afraid of the Emperor, nor is the entire martial arts world. At present, the Southern Dynasty is in a state of internal and external troubles, he will not take action against the martial arts world at this time, which would lead to his own downfall."
"Dad, the dowry has already been prepared and is about to be carried out of the door. If you say you won't marry now, it's not just the General's household and the Emperor who will lose face, but your own face will also be lost." Hua Ruochu didn't have any joy that a new bride should have, nor did she have any resentment about having to marry a stranger. She looked at her maid packing up her last belongings with an expression of not being concerned with the matter.
Hua Qing let out another sigh, she didn't know how many times she had sighed today, and looked at her husband with a bitter gaze.
It's rare to see the usually spirited husband looking like this, Ren Yatian comfortingly patted his hand, "As soon as she made up her mind, things were settled, you know that."
Otherwise, how would the whole Yangzhou not know that they still have a little daughter?
Few people in Yangzhou know that, how could the emperor know? It can only be said that Jianghu is not a piece of iron plate, and those who are blinded by wealth and glory may not know how many there are.
Hu Qing knew in her heart that it was this reason, but she just felt uncomfortable. Marriage is a woman's second birth, and he always thought that this second birth was ruined by his own hands. No matter how he thought about it, it didn't feel right. He had long since not wanted to be the leader of the martial arts alliance, but now he couldn't get rid of the position even if he wanted to. If he had known earlier that it would bring such trouble to his daughter, he would have rather troubled someone else instead. After all, it's better for someone else's child to suffer than one's own daughter.
The sound of footsteps came from afar and drew near, as a man and woman pushed open the door and walked in. The man was very tall, wearing a black robe with a sword at his waist and a red knot tied on one side. All members of the Huahua family had this thing, which was personally woven by Huajun. Apart from this, there were no other decorations. A handsome face without a smile, looking more like he was going to cause trouble than attend a wedding.
The woman was born with a beauty like peach and plum, unmatched by anyone. Her eyebrows and eyes were slightly raised, giving her beautiful face a hint of evil spirit. She wore a pink lotus-patterned round-necked silk dress with a trailing jade-embroidered peony skirt, walking elegantly to Ruchun's side. She pinched Ruchun's cheek and said in a tone with a hint of gritted teeth, "If you dare not be happy, then don't call yourself intelligent again."
"Intelligent people aren't necessarily happy." As soon as he said that, he saw his elder sister's eyes narrowing and was about to get angry, so he quickly smoothed things over, "Sister, when have I ever let myself be taken advantage of? Don't you still trust me?"
Silly girl, emotions aren't a business deal that can be settled with just one sentence of "losing out" or "taking advantage". I want you to be happy, not make a big profit!
Hua's second sister, Hua Ruyue, was both angry and hateful, and also heartbroken. She didn't know how to explain this emotional matter to her extremely opinionated little sister.
Sister is so worried about her, Hua Ru Chu's heart is not feeling well either. At the age of 17, she has to get married and move from the south to the north, far away from her family. The technology here is not as advanced as it was in her previous life, making it even harder for them to meet again. It's hard to say that she's not anxious or sad about it, she's just used to hiding her true emotions.
"Sister, don't worry about me, I'll be fine. If the other person is okay, I'll try to make our relationship work well. But if they're originally a terrible person, no matter how much I put in, it's just throwing myself away, wasting both people and emotions, isn't there a big difference?"
Not only was Hua Ruyue unable to refute, but Hua Qing and his wife also didn't know what to say. Their little daughter had always been sharp-tongued, more perceptive than they were, with a mature way of thinking that didn't seem like that of a teenager at all.
"It's time to leave." Huajia Dage, Huayi, reminded him, his voice was not as loud and clear as before, since he entered the house, he had been silent.
Hua Ru looked at her brother with a mixture of laughter and tears, "Brother, are you planning to go beat up my husband whom I've never met?"
Unexpectedly, Hua Ru Yi nodded heavily and said seriously: "I really want to, if he treats you badly in the future, I'll beat him up."
“……”
In her past life, she had shallow relationships, but this time around, the heavens treated her kindly, giving her a deep and abiding sense of family. In these seventeen years in this strange new world, the love and care of her family were etched deeply into her heart - something she had yearned for in her previous life, but never possessed.
"Brother, wait for me a bit longer." Thinking of the impending separation, Hua Ru's nose suddenly felt sour. "After marrying into the Qi family, I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of Linlang Pavilion for a while. Father, mother, brother, sister, none of you are good at managing it, so I've made arrangements for Linlang Pavilion already. You just need to sit back and collect the money. If in the future I really can't come out... I'll make other arrangements."
"Initially, Ren Ya Zhen was unwilling, 'As before, all of this is what you've earned, keep it well for yourself. These past few years, what you've given us has been more than enough. In that large household, even the servants and maids need to be bribed, you can't do without some silver in your hands. Your brother is a man, where does he need you to support him? Like Meng has married, she naturally has her husband to provide for her. Don't think on our behalf anymore, focus on planning for yourself, ah?'"
Hua Qing replied, "As long as you're doing well, we can be at peace."
She had wanted to smile and comfort her relatives who were even more grief-stricken than she was, but her mouth twitched and she couldn't muster a smile. Outside, people were speculating about the lavishness of her dowry, and soon they would see that it was even more extravagant than they had imagined - ten li of red wedding decorations. Over the years, she had earned a lot for her family, but her parents and siblings had almost all given back to her what they had received, and even more.
She was so lucky to have such a family after her rebirth in good fortune.
"I have more money than you can imagine, so don't worry about me. If those maids and servants could deceive me, how could I have created the Lianlian Pavilion on my own?"
Some people think that way too. Usually, it's just a joke to cut down others at the beginning of a conversation. If someone really bullies her, then she must be playing some trick on them. They should pray that the person who gets calculated by her won't end up too miserable.
"You can give me whatever dowry you want, I won't object. This is your kindness, and in return, what I want to give you is also my kindness, you can't stop me."
"Sharp tongue." Ren Yatian pulled her little daughter down in front of the dresser, "We'll get your heart's desire now."
With her fingers, she gently combed her daughter's hair. Ren Yatian picked up the comb and sang softly as she combed from head to toe: "One combing to the head, wealth and honor are no longer worried; two combings to the head, no illness or worry; three combings to the head, many children and long life; four combings to the end, a harmonious marriage; five combings to the end, flying together in perfect harmony; six combings to the end, forever bound by love. With both beginning and end, great wealth and great nobility."
All mothers' love is infused in it, all blessings are also included, let happiness be the common expectation of a family.
They can give their daughter many things, but not emotions. They cannot guarantee that the heart is in someone else's hands, whether or not to give it to you, and whether or not they will love you back are all beyond your control. Maybe no matter how much you do, the other person still won't fall in love with you, and maybe if you don't do anything, he can still give everything for you.
Love is the least guaranteed thing in the world.
Hua Qing patted his daughter's shoulder and handed her hand over to Hua Ruyi, "Take good care of your sister. Even if you regret it at the Qi family gate, bring her back safely."
"I've saved up, I've invited all my friends to see me off, even if the General's household is wealthy, my son won't be intimidated."
"Very well, let those northerners see what it means by a grand and majestic wedding procession with red decorations for ten miles."
The home of the Wulin Alliance leader does not have a title as domineering and majestic, on the contrary, under the influence of Yangzhou's luxurious style, Huajia has exquisite gardens, small bridges, flowing water, fake mountains, creek stones, pavilions, and towers, incorporating the poetic and picturesque atmosphere of the south, each place can become a separate scene.
This is the home she has spent years building with all her heart, every corner filled with too many memories of her three siblings. Now that she's leaving, Hua Ruochu only realizes how reluctant she is to part with it. Seventeen years have passed, and the people in this house, every single object within its walls, are etched into her mind. She will miss home, without a doubt.
She stood on the highest rooftop of her family's mansion, her phoenix coronet and crimson cloak blazing like fire, making everyone in the Huo household hate their good eyesight for clearly seeing the reluctance and bewilderment on Ruxu's face.
She looked around in a circle above, closed her eyes at last, and when she returned to the ground, she was still as carefree and composed as ever.
The matchmaker for the wedding was Feng Jie, a renowned figure in Yangzhou. It's said that every couple she matched ended up loving each other dearly. Ren Yatian spent several times more silver to invite her to ensure this match would bring happiness to his daughter.
Wiping away tears from the corner of her eyes, Feng Gongzhu supported Hua Ruyi and said softly, "Third Miss, let's bid farewell to Father and Mother here."
Her hands clenched into fists in her sleeves, Hua Ru choked back the lump in her throat and knelt down to pay her respects, "Father, mother, daughter bids farewell, take care of yourselves."
Hu Qing turned away, her eyes red-rimmed, not wanting anyone to see her like this. Ren Yatian helped her up, choking back tears as she urged, "When you get to the Qi house, show off your skills, don't let those people who bully others take advantage of you, get along well with your husband, feelings are cultivated, our Ruchu is so beautiful and smart, there must be a way to make your husband inseparable from you, right?"
"Mom, I'll try my best."
"Renyazhen patted her hand, believing in her words. Her daughter was a stubborn child, and if she didn't want to do something, she wouldn't agree to it. Once she agreed, she would definitely take it seriously. 'Mother knows you're proud and can't stand some things, but remember my words: retreat a step and the sea is wide and the sky is vast. If you insist on being stubborn, you'll suffer. Mother wants you to be happy, but won't allow you to compromise or struggle for yourself, becoming like those ruthless people in the big mansions. My daughter is best just as she is now - no matter what, always stand up for reason. Remember? With reason, you can travel the world; without it, every step is difficult. Learn from the rules of the big mansion, but don't learn too much, or you'll trap yourself in those rules... Just thinking about you following those rules breaks my heart. My daughter has never been restricted before, and now she'll be locked up in that high gate mansion - how can you bear it?'"
Facing her mother who was in pain and speechless with worry, Hua Ruochu's hands were shaking slightly, wanting to cry but having no tears. This illness had been carried over from the previous life to this one and couldn't be cured.
"Mom, I'll be fine, don't worry about me, I'll make myself happy. Smile and see me off, okay? Dad, sister, you too, smile and see me off. Who knows when we'll meet again next time."
Beautiful women cry are extremely beautiful, Hua Ruyue leaned on her husband's body, shaking constantly. The three siblings have always been close, and when she first chose a husband, the most important requirement was to be near home, so that she could return home frequently. As for her elder brother, every time he came back from outside, he would bring big and small gifts.
Little sister has been independent since childhood, extremely opinionated, and even before the age of ten, she disguised herself as a boy and created a dazzling pavilion. However, she remembered her family's preferences in her heart and quietly presented them to everyone without making a sound. Outsiders all say that the eldest brother of the Hua family is a genius, the leader of the younger generation, and the second Miss Hua is famous far and wide. But no one knows that the most capable member of the Hua family has always been low-key, protected by her family's secrecy - the third Miss Hua.
Damn it, don't let her find out who spilled the beans about Miss Hua's existence. If no one had mentioned it, how would the Emperor from afar have known she had a sister?
"Sister, don't bully your brother-in-law too much, hurry up and have a child, maybe I can use this excuse to come back and visit my relatives."
Hua Ruyue's husband, Yan Ke, patted his wife's back. His cold face and the tenderness in his eyes formed a strong contrast. Hua Ruoyu suddenly knew that her sister would be happy, this man loved her so much.
"As before, in Jizhou there is a place called Yanjia Fortress's Tangkou, the location is as Yi knows, when you arrive at Jizhou he will tell you, if there is any urgent matter go there, they will send back the message with the fastest speed and also help you with all their might."
Hua Ru nodded and accepted the kindness, this would be her way out. "Thank you brother-in-law, take good care of my sister."
"I will."
It's time to leave, but she suddenly can't put anything down, there are too many things she wants to explain and too many promises she wants to get in order to leave with peace of mind, but...
"Master Hua, madam, young master and miss, it's getting late. If we don't leave now, we'll miss the auspicious hour." Feng didn't finish her sentence, but in the past few days of going in and out of the Hua estate, she was very clear about how much dowry the Hua family had prepared for the third young miss. Just moving these dowries onto the boat would be no easy task if they were to make it on time for the auspicious hour.
Everyone knows they have to part ways, but no one wants to be the first to say goodbye. Getting married so far away, who knows when she'll come back next time? How many times will they see each other in this lifetime?
Finally, Hua Ru Chui made a move and heavily knocked her forehead on the ground three times in front of her parents. "Father, Mother, I will definitely come back to see you, take care."
Hua Ruyi carried her sister onto the flower sedan chair, while the people carrying the dowry were all dressed in new clothes, waiting for the signal to depart.
"Let's get going!"
The familiar home was gradually left behind, and Hua Ru felt a dull ache in her heart. She wasn't one who hadn't left home before, and could even say that for more than half of the year she was usually outside. But this time was different from the past. This time, she wanted to come back... it's hard.
PS: New pit, hope you like it.