It was like a raging flood suddenly hitting the dam, and as soon as these words came out, everyone in the room suddenly fell silent, stiffening for a moment before turning their heads to look outside.

  Jiang Xuanjin stood at the entrance of the main house with his hands behind his back, unaware of how long he had been standing there.

  "Sir... sir is going up?" Bai Xuanjis face was shocked, her eyes flashed, and she immediately retracted her attitude, loosening her hand and retreating half a step.

  The uncles and aunts who were originally blocking the bedside also retreated to one side, revealing the person leaning on the bed.

  "Have you had breakfast?" Hua Yu saw him and smiled.

  She walked slowly into the room and sat down beside the bed, smoothing her skirt as she said, "There were fewer matters to attend to this morning, so I was able to get away a bit earlier."

  After finishing speaking, he raised his eyes and stared at her, a pair of dark pupils not blinking.

  "What are you doing?" she asked, her face flushing slightly under his intense gaze.

  "Look at how ruthless and cold-blooded you are."

  Li Huaiyu: "......"

  Realizing that Ziyang Jun had come to support Bai Zhuji, the expressions of the people in the house were not very good. They still couldnt understand why Ziyang Jun would marry Bai Zhuji, and they didnt expect him to protect her to this extent.

  Bai Xuans brows furrowed tightly, and she pinched her handkerchief in silence for a moment before suddenly kneeling down violently. Her knees hit the ground with a loud "thud".

  "Your Highness!" she said with tears in her eyes, "Please save my mother!"

  Li Huaiyu couldnt help but sigh, status is indeed a good thing, these people are both threatening and flattering her, yet they kneel and bow to Jiang Xuanjin. Listen to the sound of them kneeling, their knees must be bruised when they get up?

  However, Bai Ers younger sister seemed to be completely indifferent to her own knees, and her eyes were fixed on Jiang Xuanjin. She said sorrowfully: "As long as I can save my mother, Xuanyi can do anything!"

  He glanced at her sideways and asked, "Really?"

  Bai Xuan nodded repeatedly, with a look of being willing to die for her cause, which even moved Li Huaiyu.

  However, Jiang Xuanjins face still didnt show any expression, and he only said: "Since thats the case, Ill show you a clear way."

  Her eyes lit up, and Bai Xueji hastily said: "Please speak, Your Highness!"

  "Enter the palace to pay respects and beg for Your Majestys mercy." Jiang Xuanjin said, "This case was personally tried and sentenced by Your Majesty, even I, the monarch, cannot overturn it. But since you two have such filial piety, you can go and plead with His Majesty on behalf of Bai Mengshi and take her place in punishment."

  So let Bai Mengs family come out, she was locked in for 18 years.

  Bai Xuans face sank without thinking: "How is this possible?"

  She is in her prime and has not yet married, how can she enter a big prison?

  "Cant you just do anything?" Looking at her reaction, Jiang Xuanji frowned, "The filial piety of the second young lady is not even comparable to the eighteen years in prison?"

  How can it be worth it? She wants to rescue Bai Meng without paying any price, not to suffer herself! Bai Xueqi clenched her teeth, her face turning pale. To respond is not right, not to respond is also not right, just stiffly kneeling with her head down like this.

  Then Jiang Xuanjin asked the people beside him: "Is anyone willing to take the blame?"

  A group of people in the house, you look at me, I look at you, no one dares to answer. Anyone can talk big, but when it comes to real trouble, whos willing to take the risk... Whos foolish enough to go?!

  Looking at the red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple inside the house, Li Huaiyu was delighted and couldnt help but secretly stretch out her hand to hook Jiang Xuanjins fingers.

  Jiang Xuanjin paused for a moment, then seriously stared at her with one eye, withdrawing his hand into his sleeve. His back was straight, with an air of being aloof and inviolable.

  Looking at his reaction, Huai Yu couldnt help but swallow her saliva.

  She felt like kissing him.

  With so many Bai family members present, the atmosphere was still solemn, and she suddenly came up with such an idea, which was really not distinguishing between light and heavy! Shameless!

  But for some reason, she didnt like Jiang Xuanjins serious look. His expressionless face made her want to tease him until he was red with anger. When he sat up straight, his collar buttoned up to his throat, she wanted to kiss him, play tricks on him, and unbutton his collar!

  Realizing she was being a bit shameless, Huai Yu lightly slapped her own face.

  Jiang Xuanjin beside him was still dealing with the Bai familys people.

  "Its hard to make a decision even for Miss Xiao. He said, "Why not go back and think carefully, when youve made up your mind to enter the palace, Ill personally escort you."

  With a step down, Bai Xueji immediately descended and stood up to bow: "Thank you, sir. The young lady will take her leave first."

  "Not sending."

  A group of people still had resentment in their hearts, but for now, there was nothing more to say. They could only follow Bai Xueji out with a gloomy face.

  As the last person stepped out, Li Huaiyu finally couldnt bear it anymore. She propped herself up and pounced on Jiang Xuanjins body, pinched his chin, and planted a kiss on him.

  This move came suddenly and unexpectedly, Jiang Xuanjin didnt react in time and was taken advantage of by her. He stared blankly for a while before coming back to his senses and scolded: "Youre crazy again!"

  She smiled sweetly, her eyes narrowed as she hooked his neck: "This is repayment, my lord just saved the beauty, I have nothing to repay, can only promise with a kiss."

  How dare you! Jiang Xuanjin gritted his teeth and reached out to push her back into bed. Who would have thought that she would grab onto his collar and not let go, and when he pushed her, she fell back, pulling him along with her so that he lost his balance.

  "Master, everything has been collected. Now that the Bai family members have left, Ill take a look around... Is there anything thats been missed?"

  He raised his eyes and saw the scene on the bed, and the rest of his words got stuck in his throat.

  Zi Yang Jun, who had always been dignified and self-restrained, was now pinning Bai Si down on the bed, his hands propped up beside her, his movements intimate and ambiguous. Bai Si lay there demurely, biting her finger, her eyes full of innocence.

  He almost turned around and ran as soon as he mounted his horse.

  "Halt!" The veins on his forehead throbbed as Jiang Xuanjin turned around and glared at him, "What are you running for?!"

  Riding on emptiness is really frustrating, how can he not run away? If this matter is exposed and the master kills him to silence him, what will happen then?

  He hastily turned around and covered his eyes, saying: "I didnt see anything!"

  Propping himself up and leaving the bed, Jiang Xuanjin rubbed his eyebrows: "Its not what you think."

  "I understand! I understand everything!" The subordinate nodded repeatedly.

  What the hell! Jiang Xuanjin was so angry that his ears turned red.

  "Hahaha——" Li Huaiyu on the bed laughed so hard that she was out of breath, grabbing the quilt and pounding the bedboard. Zi Yangjuns reputation for a lifetime is ruined by her own hands today!

  He gave her a cold glance and asked, clenching his fists: "Do you want me to invite the Bai family back to keep you company?"

  The laughter stopped abruptly, and Huai Yu coughed a few times, honestly covering herself with the quilt: "No need."

  He thought for a moment and then asked Cheng Xiao: "What did you just say was being collected?"

  Cheng Xiao covered his eyes and said, "Masters orders, now that Bai Mengshi has been imprisoned, we should also return to Jiang Fu. The wedding is approaching, its not proper for us to continue staying at the White House as guests."

  Are you leaving? Huai Yus face fell, and she looked at Jiang Xuanjin with a reluctant expression: "Then lets have one more kiss?"

  Jiang Xuanjin turned his head and walked away, pulling Cheng Xu with him, so as to avoid listening to her nonsense.

  Li Huaiyu smiled again, her smile causing the flowers to tremble with joy.

  May 21st is the wedding day, Jiang Xuanjin returned to the Jiang Mansion, and the White Mansion also began preparing for the wedding. However, as threatened by Bai Liangshi, Li Huaiyu did not go to plead with Bai Mengshi as they had wished, so there were naturally many people in the mansion who made things difficult for her.

  "Whats this?" Taking over the newly delivered wedding dress, Lingxius eyebrows furrowed into a knot, "Its also too ordinary."

  Simple red silk, simple mandarin duck pattern, although its said to be flawless, but wearing this outfit to Jiangs residence, isnt it showing off a petty and stingy attitude?

  Hua Yu looked around and asked: "Who prepared this?"

  "Its natural for the Bai family. Now that the mistress is in prison, the master is busy with official duties, so these trivial matters are all handled by the elders at home."

  Its no wonder then. After some thought, Huai Yu said, "Let it be for now."

  Bai Dezhong, although he had sent Bai Mengshi to prison for the sake of justice, must have felt uneasy in his heart after eighteen years of imprisonment. It was too much to ask him to handle such trivial matters now. As long as she could enter Jiang Fu, Li Huaiyu didnt care how she got in or what kind of treatment she received.

  But in just two days, Bai Dezhong actually came to see her.

  "Is your body all right?" he asked with a serious face.

  Hua Yu nodded: "She can get out of bed and move around, but her body is still weak. The doctor said that as long as she takes good care of herself, there wont be any major problems."

  "Thats good." Bai De let out a sigh, "Although the family has encountered changes, your marriage cannot be taken lightly. As a father, I dont quite understand how to prepare the dowry, youre marrying before your second sister, so use her dowry first."

  Li Huaiyu smiled as soon as she heard this: "Second sister will definitely be unhappy."

  "As a father, I will let others prepare for her, what is she not satisfied with?" Bai De furrowed his brow, "All the daughters of the White family, the dowry is the same, as a father, I will treat them equally."

  This time he really understood, Zhu Ji encountered a life and death disaster, he had an inescapable responsibility. For now, there was no way to make up for it elsewhere, so he could only give more dowry. The dowry is the most able to show the degree of favoritism that the daughter receives at her mothers house, what Bai Mengshi prepared for Xuan Ji should be just right.

  Li Huaiyu smiled to herself for a while, then turned to him and said, "Dad, if Second Sister gives me trouble, you have to cover for me."

  Whats wrong? Bai Dezhong was taken aback, and his eyebrows furrowed again.

  He had originally come with a kind fatherly heart, intending to take good care of Zhu Ji for a while. As a result, as soon as he heard her speak in an unruly and unregulated manner, his habit of scolding people was revived.

  "Where did you learn all these nonsensical words?" He glared at her, "Is this something a young lady should be saying?"

  Its not natural, its what people in the jianghu say. As a famous flying thief in the jianghu, Wu personally taught Li Huaiyu many jianghu slang words, resulting in this palace-raised girl having a strong jianghu aura.

  Bai Dezhong obviously didnt appreciate this kind of behavior, whether it was the Princess of Danyang or his own daughter, whoever encountered her had to be lectured.

  "The Book of Rites" says: Women have four virtues, and two of them are speech. Choose words to speak, do not speak evil words, speak at the right time, and do not disgust others, this is called womens speech! Take a look at yourself, have you achieved it?

  Hua Yu shook her head honestly: "I didnt make it."

  "Havent you learned your lesson yet?" Bai Des eyes widened even further.

  Heaving a deep sigh, Li Huaiyu seriously counted on her fingers and lectured him: "Father, look, there are thousands of kinds of girls in this world. If all of them were to be educated into one kind with the Admonitions for Women, what difference would it make whether Ziyang Jun married me or someone else?"

  Bai Dezhong furrowed his brow and thought for a moment.

  Before he could think clearly, Huai Yu continued: "Do you think Qijis daughter learned Nu Jie well? The whole Kyoto praises her for being gentle and virtuous. Why didnt Ziyang Jun marry her? Its because he doesnt like that kind of girl. Since he doesnt like it, why should I learn as the one he wants to marry?"

  Doesnt this sound reasonable? Bái Dé fell into deep thought once again.

  Li Huaiyu continued to chatter: "You have two daughters, if they are exactly the same, whats the point? Second sister is gentle and elegant, then Ill be lively and generous, each has its own merits."

  After a long while, Bai Dezhong finally sensed that something was off. His eyebrows furrowed in anger as he shouted: "What nonsense are you spouting? I told you not to speak out of turn, what are you even talking about?"

  Li Huaiyu scratched his head: "Arent we talking about the same thing?"

  "Not so!" Bangs on the table, Bai De said again, "Before marrying into the Jiang family, you still have to learn some discipline!"

  Hua Yus face fell.

  Shes not incapable of being proper, she just cant be bothered to follow the rules. She often wishes she could be as carefree as Yu Rong, roaming the world at will, but unfortunately, she doesnt have the chance, unable to drift aimlessly in the jianghu, nor can she be reckless in the imperial court, its really too stifling.

  But looking at Bái Dézhòngs furious expression, she thought, lets just consider it as doing a good deed for Bái Zhūjī, and spare this old man some trouble.

  For the next few days, Li Huaiyu was unusually well-behaved, walking with small steps like a lotus flower, greeting Bai Dezhong and bowing her head gently.

  Bai Dezhong was very satisfied, he thought that even rotten wood could be carved.

  However, on this day, Li Huaiyu had just finished paying his respects and was preparing to return to the South Wing when he was blocked by Bai Zhuiji.

  "Is something the matter with Second Sister?" She asked elegantly, pinching her jasmine-like fingers.

  Bai Xuans face was gloomy, and her tone was very unpleasant as she said, "You actually told Father that you want my betrothal gift?"

  "Its not what I wanted, it was Father who made the decision."

  "If you dont want it, Father will make such a decision?" Bai Xueqi said with a sharp gaze, "My dowry was prepared by my mother for me, what right do you have to take it away?"

  The Bai Meng family favored her, giving her a large and good dowry, which they had saved up for a long time. Now they actually want to let this fool take advantage of it, what a ridiculous thing!

  She smiled and said warmly, "I cant make decisions on this matter. If Second Sister is unhappy, go find Father to discuss it."

  Having said that, she turned sideways and took a lotus step as if to leave.

  However, Bai Xueqi did not intend to let her go. Seeing that she wanted to slip away, she stretched out her hand and grabbed her arm: "You come with me to find Father and talk!"

  Her long fingernails pinched her, a bit sore.

  Li Huaiyu turned her head around, and the face that had just smiled elegantly instantly sank.

  "Im being nice to you and smiling, did you think I was a soft persimmon?" He pulled his hand away and pushed her aside, Hua Yu stretched out his hand and gave this weak girl a push, pinning her against the wall behind her head. He raised his foot and stepped on her side, saying coldly, "You wont listen to me speaking nicely, so lets try another way?"

  "Your betrothal gift was robbed by me, whats wrong?"

  Bai Xuan was startled by her roar and stopped muttering to himself, leaning against the wall with a silly expression on his face as he stared at her.

  Its no wonder that Li Huaiyu is rough, sometimes being rough is more useful than being refined. She reached out and patted the nonexistent dust on Bai Xuejis shoulder, and smiled mischievously: "In the past when you wrongly accused me of stealing your betrothal gift, what did I say? Do you still remember?"

  Bai Xuanji, youd better provide evidence today to prove that I stole your dowry. Otherwise, I guarantee that after stealing your dowry, not even a single thread of silk will be left!

  Recalling what she said at the time, Bai Xueji was shocked and felt guilty and indignant. She stared at the person in front of her, wanting to be restrained and beaten like before!

  However, Bai Meng is no longer in the mansion, and Bai Zhuji is not the easily bullied fool he used to be.

  Clutching her hand tightly, Bai Xueqi said with a hateful tone: "Youre pleased now, but dont think youll always be pleased. Fortune and misfortune will eventually turn around."

  "Oh." She withdrew her leg and nodded, "Then lets talk about it when the opportunity comes to you."

  Having said that, he turned his head and left.

  Ling Xiu had been watching from the side, originally worried that his own little sister would be bullied, but as a result, he saw his little sister bully others instead, and immediately laughed with joy, covering her mouth.

  "Youre so awesome!"

  She cast him a sideways glance, and Hua Yu said irritably, "Dont you want me to learn some discipline? Just now I was very undisciplined."

  Ling Xiu hastily shook her head: "I understand now, theres no need to be polite to this kind of person, its a loss!"

  Hua Yu smiled and said, "The child is indeed teachable."

  Those who are gentle in this world are easily taken advantage of. They treat everyone well, but not everyone treats them well in return. When they encounter someone who takes advantage of their kindness, they will take an inch and then a foot.

  Li Huaiyu always thought that as long as what she did wasnt wrong, it didnt matter if her attitude was bad. Although the consequence of this was that people easily took her for a real bad person, so what? It saved a lot of trouble and made things easier to do. As for how others evaluated her, did it matter?

  "Its too important!"

  At the entrance of the palace, Jiang Shen shouted out these four words with a serious face, earnestly advising the person in front of him: "This is your first marriage, and many people will come to attend the ceremony. Dont you think its important to wear formal attire?"

  Jiang Xuanjin shook his head expressionlessly: "It doesnt matter."

  "You cant be like this!" Jiang Shen urged, "Ive already spoken with Ye Zhanggui of the Brocade Pavilion, and today no matter what I must take you over there."

  "Second Brother, I still have something to attend to," Jiang Xuanjin said, "National affairs are more important than family matters."

  "Dont tell me such things, old master said that now your marriage is the biggest thing in the world!" Unable to argue, Jiang Shen stretched out his hand and pushed him directly onto the horse carriage.

  Jiang Xuanjins face didnt look too good, frowning and staring at him.

  Jiang Shens scalp felt numb from being stared at, so he let the carriage driver start first, then whispered: "This is also an unavoidable thing, with the wedding approaching, you havent even tried on your wedding clothes yet. What if they dont fit and theres no time to alter them? Wouldnt that be a joke on the wedding day?"

  "Besides, for someone whos about to get married, shouldnt they be very happy? Youve stayed at the White Manor for so long, you must have really liked Miss White Fourth. If you like her, how can you be so careless about the wedding?"

  Jiang Shens eloquence had always been good, but unfortunately, it was of no use to Jiang Xuanjin. No matter how he spoke, the third son of the Jiang family, who was blocked from entering the palace, remained expressionless and full of murderous intent.

  Listening from outside the carriage, she thought that Second Master was also having a hard time. The master of their household had such a temper, it wasnt something an ordinary person could easily coax into submission.

  Arriving at Weaving Brocade Village, Jiang Shen had already been frozen into silence by his third brothers gaze and hastily pushed him into the shop, watching as he followed someone to change clothes before finally letting out a long sigh of relief.

  "I really pity that white four younger sister." He sighed with a hint of sadness, "Once she marries over, shell have to face Third Brothers coffin-like face every day."

  "Youre worrying too much, Second Master."

  "Huh?"

  I recalled that fierce old lady from the White family, and with a look of anxiety on her face, she said: "When she gets married over here, youll probably be heartbroken for our master."

  "What? Jiang Shen was shocked, looked at him again, then turned his head and took a look inside the Weaving Brocade Manor, shaking his head: "How is that possible?"

  Onlookers see most of the game; players see little.

  In the room.

  Jiang Xuanjin frowned and stared at the wedding dress held by the shopkeeper in front of him, saying with great disdain: "Too gaudy."

  The shopkeeper was stunned and didnt understand: "Are you referring to this pattern?"

  "Color."

  "...". The shopkeeper was in a difficult situation and said, "Sir, auspicious clothes are all bright red!"

  "Who set the rules?"

  "Rules... rules are square, but its not who decided them, just...". He pointed to the festive clothes hanging behind him and smiled wryly, "Everyone is like this."

  Following his pointing direction, Jiang Xuanjin was slightly stunned.

  On the front rack hung a big red wedding dress, with golden embroidered lotus flowers from the hem to the waist, gathered by auspicious cloud patterned belt, and a magnificent peony bloomed on the chest. The peony was extremely well-embroidered, layered and stacked, matching the floral patterns on the outer garments collar, truly majestic and luxurious.

  After a while, Jiang Xuanjin asked: "Is this dowry for someones family?"

  Ye Zhanggui smiled and said, "Its not made for anyone in particular. Our village also does ready-made clothes business, but weve never had a treasure to attract customers. So I specially invited thirty embroiderers to embroider this set of Flowers Bloom, Wealth and Nobility, Twin Lotus, planning to put it in the store to boost the atmosphere."

  Saying so, he felt that Zi Yang Juns eyes were not quite right, and hurriedly added a sentence: "This is not for sale."

  "Not for sale?"

  "We cant sell it!"

  ……

  Outside, Jiang Shen and Cheng Xū waited for a long time but didnt see anyone come out to change clothes. They thought he wasnt satisfied with the clothes. Just as they were about to go in and take a look, Jiang Xuān Jǐn himself came out.

  The person who was just gloomy and depressed suddenly became cheerful, not only did his eyebrows relax, but he also turned around and nodded warmly to Ye Zhanggui.

  Jiang looked him up and down with a puzzled expression: "Why are you still wearing that?"

  He smoothed out his cyan-colored robe and said, "Ive tried on the ceremonial attire, it fits well, no need for alterations."

  Jiang Shen glared: "You just tried it on and thats it? Dont even let Second Brother take a look?"

  He glanced at him and Jiang Xuanjin said, "Troublesome."

  What an insult! Hes his own brother, his real older brother! Being treated coldly is one thing, but not even wearing a festive outfit for him to see?

  "Master, what is this?" Looking at Ye Zhanggui handing over a dozen heavy brocade boxes with a bitter face, he was puzzled.

  "Happy clothes?" Jiang Sheng turned his head and looked around, somewhat puzzled, "Why so many?"

  The usual attire for a man is enough to fill four boxes, which is good. But ten or more! They piled up in his arms, blocking his head.

  "Nothing." Jiang Xuanjin walked out lightly and said, "I still have something to do, Second Brother can find a car back by himself."

  Jiang Shen stared blankly as he watched him leave, furious and leaning on the counter laughing: "Who did I provoke, how come I have such a vengeful younger brother?"

  The shopkeeper Ye behind the counter stuttered: "Im the one who was wronged..."

  Xiang Yu had the brocade box moved onto the horse carriage and secured it. He then instructed the coachman, "Return to outside the palace gate."

  The coachman nodded and was about to respond when he heard a muffled voice from inside the carriage say, "First go to the White Mansion."

  "Huh? Cheng Xuan didnt understand: Arent you in a hurry to enter the palace and attend to your duties?"

  Jiang Xuanjin remained silent for a long time before saying, "Its also not too urgent."

  Cheng Xiao: "......" If it wasnt too urgent, why did you scare Second Young Master like that?

  He couldnt help but laugh and cry at the same time, he sat on the carriage shaft and ordered the coachman: "Listen to your master, go to the White Mansion."

  "Yes."

  The horse carriage was bumpy, and the brocade boxes on it were shaking back and forth. Jiang Xuanjin looked at them coldly, suddenly feeling a bit annoyed.

  How did you think of buying something for someone? Still this kind of thing! If I send it over like this, wont it seem too obsequious?

  However, Bai Zhu Di Nu died early and she was clumsy. What she prepared would definitely not look as good as this. Rather than embarrassing him later, its better to salvage the situation now.

  But... what if she doesnt like it?

  A calm and indifferent face, but the thoughts hidden beneath were turbulent, sometimes happy, sometimes regretful, sometimes a little angry, and couldnt settle down for the entire journey.

  Then, when Li Huaiyu was waving her hands and feet in the courtyard, she saw a shadow flicker at the gate of the courtyard.

  "Whos there?" she subconsciously shouted.

  No one answered her.

  She gazed at the door in doubt for a while, and then thought that it might be some passing servant from another family. So she didnt look again and continued to move her hands and feet.

  In just a moment, the shadow flashed at the door again.

  Frowning vigilantly, with jade tucked into his waist: "What kind of petty thief are you?"

  Still no one responded to her.

  With a flick of her eyes, Huaiyu continued to stretch out her arm without changing her expression, slowly moving towards the gate.

  When that shadow flashed over for the third time, she reacted extremely quickly, suddenly pouncing out to grab the person and shouting loudly: "Where is the thief escaping to?"

  Jiang Xuanjins face was cold and indifferent as he looked down at her.

  Looking up at his eyes, Li Huaiyu was stunned for a moment, the hand grasping his collar immediately loosened and smoothed out the wrinkles, smiling: "How is it you?"

  He hummed softly in response and turned his head to look behind him.

  Hua Yu followed him uncomprehendingly and looked over, only to see a person hugging a pile of high-stacked brocade boxes, standing there shakily.

  "Huh? Is this a robbery?" Curious, she walked around the brocade box and looked back at her head. Huai Yu burst out laughing, "Your master is too heartless, how can he let you carry so many things by yourself?"

  She pressed her face against the brocade box, gritting her teeth and saying, "If I dont harden my heart, those under me will not be able to bear it."

  Hes finally back, but why did he have to stand here for so long? Weve already arrived at the destination, whats wrong with Master that hes still hesitating and not going in?!

  My heart was screaming in silence, but I managed to squeeze out a difficult smile on my face.

  Look at him pitifully, Huai Yu hurriedly pulled Jiang Xuanjin towards the courtyard, walking and laughing to ask him: "Not seen for a few days, do you miss me or not?"

  Jiang Xuanjin shook his head indifferently: "Dont want to."

  "What did you come over here for today?"

  "Just passing by."

  "...With a flick of his hand, Huai Yu angrily put her hands on her hips, "This road was opened by me, this tree was planted by me. If you want to pass through here, leave behind the toll!"

  Her hand fluttered in the air, aimlessly, and Jiang Xuanjin himself pulled it back. Glancing at her, he reached out to take a brocade box and stuffed it into her bosom.

  "Whats that?"

  Jiang Xuanjin said solemnly: "Its a matter of money."

  She gave him a strange look, then opened the box and stared at it in shock.

  Layers of crimson satin, with golden embroidery, the "Jade Pool Spring Dawn" peony is placed on top, majestic and noble, vividly lifelike.

  Is this... a wedding dress?

  She stretched out her hand in shock and touched it, then looked up at Jiang Xuanjin.

  The person in front of him turned his head and looked elsewhere, his chin slightly tense. Although he didnt seem to have any expression, he seemed a bit nervous.

  "Today, Second Brother asked me to try on a wedding dress." He said, "When I was trying it on, I saw this thing and Second Brother said its quite suitable for you, so I brought it over for you to take a look."

  She paused for a moment and then said: "If you dont want it, Ill give it to Lingxiu. She can use it when she gets married in the future."

  Some couldnt help but laugh and cry at the same time, Hua Yu tilted her head and looked at him: "What if Ling Xiu isnt needed?"

  "Then just throw it away." His heart sank, his face also darkened, Jiang Xuanjin swept his sleeve and turned to leave.

  However, before he could take a step forward, his hand was caught by someone.

  One hand holding the dowry box, one hand tightly grasping him, Li Huaiyu grinned, the smile on her face growing wider and wider: "Youre such a person, cant even speak properly when giving something?"

  His body stiffened, he slowly turned his head, frowning at her.

  "Want me to teach you?"

  She blinked at Yu, then immediately imitated his tone and said in a rough voice: "Today, Second Brother asked me to try on the wedding dress. When I was trying it on, I saw this garment and thought of you. I think youll definitely look good in it, so I bought it for you. Do you like it?"

  After finishing speaking, she looked up at him with eyes that seemed to have opened a pool of spring water, and returned to her original low voice, saying: "I like it!"

  I like it!

  It was as if something had struck her in the chest, Jiang Xuanjin stared at her in a daze, his hand being held by hers and swaying gently, his body which had been tense just moments before now relaxed.

  This guy is really good at talking nonsense, he thought, but her smile was still quite pretty, matching that peony flower.

  People of Northern Wei loved peonies a lot. He didnt think much of it before, thinking it was just an admiration for wealth and nobility. But now that he took a closer look... this flower is actually not bad either.

  "Want me to put it on and show you?" Yu asked with a smile.

  Jiang Xuanjin came back to her senses and shook off her hand, saying: "Ive already said Im just passing by, but I still need to enter the palace for a trip."

  "Ah..." Hua Yu was slightly annoyed, but then she smiled and winked at him, saying "Then, lets take a look on our wedding night!"

  "... "How shameless!

  With a low hum, Jiang Xuanjin strode away quickly, his footsteps swift as if he was being chased by a dog. Huaiyu couldnt help but laugh at the sight and hastily called out to Lingxiu to come and help move the other brocade boxes into the house.

  "Have you heard of a saying?"

  When Li Huaiyu was moving things in a flurry, someone asked her a question.

  As soon as she heard this voice, she didnt even turn around and said: "Lu Zhanggui, if you have something to say, just say it all at once."

  Lu Jinghang sat on the windowsill of her room, fanning himself and looking at her with a slanted gaze, saying with a hint of a smile: "Id like to finish what I have to say, you should calm down and listen carefully."

  Ling Xiu stared at him in shock, then looked out of the window: "When did you arrive?"

  "Its been a while." Collecting the fan and turning to enter the house, Lu Jinghang flipped his hand and took out a package of pastries from his sleeve, stuffing them into Lingxius hands. "I came in a hurry and didnt go through the main door, please help me keep watch, Miss Lingxiu."

  "Whats the hurry?" Even if he wasnt in a rush, this person had never walked through the front door before. Huai Yu rolled her eyes and waved her hand to let Ling Xiu take the pastries out, then looked up at him: "What do you want to say?"

  Feng Yan quietly looked at her, Lu Jing said: "Those who play with fire will be burned."

  Li Huaiyus eyes widened slightly, and she frowned: "You came all the way here just to curse me?"

  "Its not a curse." Lu Jinghang sighed, "Its a reminder."

  Just now he was watching from the side, if he hadnt known what she was thinking, he would have almost believed that this was a loving couple about to get married. Li Huaiyu didnt know whether he had moved her heart or not, but Jiang Xuanjins expression...

  If one day the truth comes out, he fears she cant bear the consequences.

  "Dont worry!" Huai Yu smiled and glanced at him, "I think carefully before doing anything, I wont make any big mistakes. In the future, even if he finds out that Im deceiving him, at most hell want my life, but Ive already died once, whats there to fear?"

  Shaking his head in annoyance, Lu Jingxing said, "Youre really my ancestor."

  "Son, be good." Without any politeness, he took the initiative to ask, "Hows the matter going?"

  Lu Jinghang pursed his lips: "Its still going smoothly, Jiang Xuanjin has secretly re-examined several palace maids in the Fu Lu Palace, but... theres something strange."

  "What?"

  "If Jiang Xuanjin is indeed the mastermind behind your misfortune, then at least the Tribunal should be his people. But this time he stirred up an old case and triggered resistance from the Tribunal."

  "Huh?" Hua Yu furrowed her brow, "How is that possible? Ting Wei Liu Yunlie and Jiang Xuanjin can be considered sworn brothers."

  "Liu Tingwei doesnt seem to be making any moves, but the people under him are all over the place, I dont understand whats going on either." Lu Jinghang sighed, "Im just a businessman, why do I have to get involved in your complicated schemes?"

  He glanced at him and Li Huaiyu stretched out his thumb: "Your ancestors are Dan Yang Chang Gong Zhu."

  "Your elder brother is Xu Xian, General Xu."

  "Han Xiao, a high-ranking official of the previous dynasty, and Yun Lancheng, a new noble of the current dynasty, are all your friends. Wei Dezhong, an imperial censor, and Jiang Xuanjin, Duke of Ziyang, both consider you a thorn in their eyes."

  "A relationship like this, and you tell me youre just a businessman?"

  His temples twitched, Lu Jinghang clenched the fan in his hand and gritted his teeth to ask: "Who should I thank for all this?"

  "He." Without any shame, he pointed at himself, Li Huaiyu smiled and patted his shoulder, "So Im saving you now, letting you get used to the light early on, so later on you wont be harmed by others in a daze."

  "Then thank you!" Lu Jinghang bowed his hands to her.

  "Whos being polite to whom? Dont be so formal!" Hehe, she chuckled twice and stretched out her hand, "Wheres the congratulatory gift?"

  With a fan in hand, he patted her palm and Lu Jinghang smiled insincerely: "Your wedding dress is so red its ruining my mood, forget about the gift."

  What a ridiculous excuse? Huai Yu slanted her eyes at him: "Isnt the wedding dress red, can it be green?"

  Lu Jinghang paused for a moment, then burst out laughing with sparkling eyes: "Maybe its blue?"

  "Blue?" Yu Bai gave him a glance, "Then youll wear blue for your wedding in the future. If you wear red, Ill be angry with you!"

  "Alright." Lu Jinghang casually agreed.

  Whats wrong with blue? He remembered her wearing it, with wide sleeves and a narrow waist, on which were embroidered several birds in bright plumage. When she whirled past, the skirt flew out, and the birds seemed to come alive, looking so beautiful.

  That was two years ago, Danyang was mischievous, took Fanqiang to someones wedding banquet to drink for free, and even got the groom who didnt know him drunk. When he came back, his cheeks were slightly red, but he was laughing happily.

  "Its so much fun getting married," she said. "When can I get married too?"

  He then sighed and said to her: "Forget it, with your identity and such a temperament, no one in the world dares to marry you, just raise a castrated man honestly."

  Dan Yang was very dissatisfied and stared at him saying: "I dont care, I also want to get married, now!"

  A pair of eyes with a hazy mist, clearly just pretending to be drunk.

  He helplessly coaxed her: "Alright, what do you want to do?"

  Danyang kicked him right in the knee pit with great force, causing him to kneel down immediately.

  Lu Jinghang was about to scold her, but before he could, she "thudded" and knelt down beside him, clasped her hands together towards the sky, muttered some words, then slapped a palm on his occipital bone, forcing him to kowtow with her.

  "The ritual is complete." After finishing the kowtows, she smiled and said, "Were married now!"

  His knee hurts and his occipital bone also hurts. Lu Jinghang didnt feel the joy of getting married at all.

  But now that he thinks about it, he feels that the moonlight that night was actually quite good.

  However, the person in front of him had obviously forgotten long ago, and looked at him with a silly expression, wrinkling his nose, with disgust written all over his eyes.

  Lu Jinghang said irritably: "Im leaving."

  "Slow down, I wont see you off." Huai Yu waved her hand at him.

  He turned and took two steps before stopping and turning back to ask her, "Do you know how to pay respects at the wedding ceremony?"

  "How did I know?" Li Huaiyu rolled her eyes, "I just saw you and Xu Xian become sworn brothers, guessing its about the same, both shouting Guan Er Ye is above and then kowtowing to pay respects."

  Lu Jingxing: "......"

  So two years ago when she "married" him, what was she muttering to herself and shouting "Guan Er Ye is above"?

  Lu Jinghang was stunned for a moment, then suddenly lost his smile, laughing so hard that his body shook slightly.

  "Whats wrong?" Huai Yu looked at him in confusion, "What are you smiling about?"

  With a "brush" sound, Lu Jinghang fanned himself and said in a low voice: "Ancestor, do you know that Guan Er Ye doesnt care about marriage?"

  "Is it?" Yu Rong scratched his head, "Never mind, never mind, whats the big deal?"

  Lu Jingxing didnt say another word, stood up straight and walked away without looking back.

  Hua Yu looked at his back and felt that he didnt seem to be deceiving her, todays mood was really not very good.

  "Then dont give me a gift," she muttered under her breath.

  In the following days, Li Huaiyu was busy preparing for her wedding and learning etiquette. She was taught by a nanny who chattered on and on, but she just responded with "uh-huh" and "ah", not listening to half of what was being said. The day before the big wedding, Bai Dezhong specially came over to remind her not to be nervous.

  Li Huaiyu was really not nervous, she just prayed that nothing would go wrong with this wedding.

  However, things didnt go as planned, and on the day of her wedding, just after she had changed into her wedding dress, something unexpected happened.

  "Where did this come from?" Bai Liangs face turned ugly as she stared at the blooming flowers on her body, "What about the wedding dress I prepared for you?"

  She glanced at herself in the mirror and asked, "Doesnt this suit look good on me?"

  "You... youre not taking me, your aunt, seriously!" White Liangshi said angrily. "You must wear this set, is that right? Fine! You wear it, and we wont attend the wedding banquet!"

  As soon as this was said, Ling Xiu beside her became anxious: "On such a happy day, how can the brides family not go to drink?"

  The rules of the Northern Wei Dynasty, welcoming relatives and setting up a banquet, set up a "daughters seat" at the banquet. The number of people from the daughters family who came to the seat represents the degree of importance the daughters family attaches to their daughter. In other families, when marrying off their daughters, they would pull in all their relatives to fill the seats, but they were good and actually said no.

  "The Fourth Miss has climbed up to Tzu-yangs level, her vision is high, she doesnt need us relatives." Bai Liangshi hummed, "If she doesnt need us, what are we doing here?"

  "You..."

  Ling Xius hand was pressed down, and Hua Yu let out a yawn: "Get dressed first, dont delay the hour."

  Seeing her attitude, Bai Liangs face turned blue with rage and she glared at her, saying: "Youd better not come to us for help later!"

  After finishing speaking, he turned his head and took all the uncles, aunts, and elders in the house away.

  Lingxius eyes turned red and she whispered: "Is there such a thing as making things difficult for ones elders on a happy day?"

  "Never mind them," said Huaiyu, "it doesnt matter if they dont go."

  "How can it be alright?!" Ling Xiu stomped her foot and explained, "If the brides family doesnt sit at the table, the Jiang family will look down on you in the future! Moreover, with so many people at the banquet, if they leave the seat empty, isnt that making a joke of the guests?"

  "Its already like this, cant they just go?" Huai Yu shrugged, "Anyway, I wont change out of this wedding dress."

  Lingxiu was speechless for a moment, anxious for a while, and could only sigh deeply.

  However, Bai Liang and others were far from stopping there.

  The dowry for the married woman has been moved to the south wing, but after checking the list, Lingxiu frowned: "Why are there twelve fewer?"

  Bai Mengs dowry prepared for Bai Xueqi was as much as twenty-six loads, but now, no matter how they counted, there were only fourteen loads. Not to mention the shortage, this number is extremely unlucky, and anyone who sees it will frown.

  "Its really endless." Li Huaiyu felt a bit annoyed.

  The people in the mansion were coming and going, all busy to the point of being flustered, but Bai Liangshi and his group, including Bai Xuanji, were all sitting in the pavilion watching the play.

  "Dare to go against us? Lets see who ends up losing!" Bai Liu smiled smugly, cracking melon seeds, "She thinks shes gotten a good deal just by getting a set of wedding clothes, just wait and see what happens next!"

  "There are many people outside watching the excitement." Bai Xueqi smiled, "The dowry is taken out and discussed by each family for comparison. Even if she enters the Jiang familys gate, in the future, living a life with her back straight will be difficult."

  "Isnt it just a bit too much? You all know the second young masters wife of the Jiang family, right? When she got married, her dowry was so humble, and there werent even enough people to fill the seats at her mothers house. Do you think the second young master took her seriously? Within half a year of entering the household, he already took in three concubines! Tsk tsk, what a miserable life!"

  Everyone felt relieved and began to talk about Bai Zhujis miserable days after that, and they all burst out laughing.

  However, just as they were laughing, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the mansion.

  Bai Xue turned her head and saw a crowd of people surrounding a man in a festive outfit walking in. The man was used to wearing light colors every day, but today he wore a bright red outfit, which not only didnt look strange on him, but also made his face look even more handsome. His eyes were like dots of ink, his lips were pursed as if holding back a smile, and the cuffs of his sleeves were casually rolled up, revealing three parts elegance and seven parts refinement. When he carelessly lifted his head to glance forward, all the beauty of spring in April seemed to be concentrated on his eyebrows.

  The pavilion fell silent.

  Everyone silently watched Jiang Xuanjin as he walked past the front yard to the south courtyard, and then watched him carry out a white jade pendant covered with a cover.

  "As long as I can enter his door, who cares how bitter the future days are?" someone whispered.

  Bai Xuaner pressed her lips together and looked at Jiang Xuans back, feeling very unwilling in her heart. She even couldnt help but think that if she hadnt snatched Bai Zhiyus marriage back then, would the person Prince Zi Yang wanted to marry now be her?

  "Youd better be prepared."

  In front of the White House gate, Li Huaiyu, who was covered with a hood, whispered to the person holding her: "Today may have many unexpected events."

  "It has already happened." Jiang Xuanjin said.

  "Ah?" He was startled and jumped back, Hua Yu grabbed his sleeve, "What did you see?"

  "Its not what I see, its what I feel." He reached out and patted her, furrowing his brow. "Youve gained a lot of weight in the past few days."

  Li Huaiyu: "......"

  What a pleasant surprise! She has been working on her figure all this time and its no wonder she looks great now!

  She gritted her teeth and pinched him, but before she could say anything else, the bride arrived in front of the sedan chair, put it down and was stuffed inside.

  Lingxiu followed beside the sedan chair, nervously turning her head back to look behind.

  "The auspicious hour has arrived, rise——"

  The matchmaker shouted, and the eight-carriage sedan chair took off. The wedding procession moved forward, and the brides dowry was carried out of the house, one load at a time, following behind.

  The entrance of the White Mansion was surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, some admiring the unparalleled elegance of Zi Yang Jun, others sighing at the good fortune of Bai Sis younger sister. Of course, most of the busybodies were fixated on the number of dowry gifts in the back.

  Ziyang Jun gave the White Mansion thirty-six dan of betrothal gifts, which is considered the highest standard for a ministers marriage under the emperor. Then, how much did the White Mansion value their daughter?

  "One, two, three..."

  There were many people counting, and Bai Liangshi and others also followed to watch the joke. Whats the point of robbing Bai Xuanjis dowry? Today, what was carried to the Jiang family for her only had fourteen loads of things, even more frugal than the second wife of the Jiang family!

  "Thirteen, fourteen!"

  The red sedan chair stopped at fourteen, and Bai Liangshi waited with a whispering conversation, bursting into laughter one after another. Fourteen, too few and inauspicious dowry, what would the people of Kyoto discuss?

  The people counting were also surprised and stopped with furrowed brows, just about to speak when they suddenly saw the fourteen broken sedan chairs behind them erupt in a burst of firecrackers!

  "Rustle rustle——" The sound was deafening, instantly covering up the wedding processions suona drums and drawing everyones attention over.