On the eighth day of the first lunar month, the almanac marked it as a rare auspicious day—ideal for weddings, funerals, and long journeys. At the break of dawn, Shen Miao was roused by Jing Zhe and Gu Yu, who began preparing her for the bridal adornments.
She had initially thought she wouldn’t sleep a wink the night before, yet when the day arrived, she had slept soundly, as if transported back to the carefree days of her childhood.
Well-rested, her complexion glowed with radiance. Bailu and Shuangjiang brought her delicate pastries, each piece small and exquisite. Bailu said, “Young Miss, have some to fill your stomach first. The wedding rituals today are elaborate, and you mustn’t go hungry along the way.” She then handed her a small bowl of congee, adding, “This is winter congee that Madam personally prepared for you early this morning. Drinking it brings good fortune.”
Shen Miao took the bowl and sipped slowly, though her heart couldn’t help but stir with emotion.
In her past life, when she married Fu Xiuyi, it had been out of spite—throwing tantrums and forcing Shen Xin to relent. But that marriage had drawn more onlookers than well-wishers. Luo Xueyan had been so angered she fell ill, barely mustering the strength to attend the ceremony. There had been no thought of preparing congee then.
Now, however, the entire household was bustling with joy, dedicating themselves wholeheartedly to her wedding. Even Shen Miao herself felt dazed, as if this marriage was truly something to be celebrated.
Just as she finished eating, Luo Xueyan entered, followed by a middle-aged woman. Though the woman’s features were not particularly striking, her presence commanded attention, and her attire was so refined it left a lasting impression.
“This is Madam Mei of Fixed Capital,” Luo Xueyan said with a smile. “She has come especially today to serve as your bridal attendant.”
Shen Miao was slightly taken aback.
Madam Mei was a renowned figure in Fixed Capital. Born into an official’s family, she had defied her household to pursue business from a young age, specializing in cosmetics, garments, and jewelry. Fixed Capital was home to countless pampered young ladies—noble daughters who spared no expense to indulge their vanity.
And Madam Mei’s cosmetics, garments, and jewelry were the finest, unmatched in quality. Though she was a merchant, no one dared look down on her.
But her most exceptional skill lay in bridal adornment. Once, a prince of Ming Qi took a Royal Consort who happened to be acquainted with Madam Mei, and thus Madam Mei served as her bridal attendant. It was later said that the Royal Consort’s bridal appearance was perhaps the most beautiful since Ming Qi’s founding.
Yet Madam Mei had only agreed because of their prior friendship. Others were not so fortunate—in all these years, she had never attended another bride.
Shen Miao, surprised, smiled and said, “I hadn’t expected Madam Mei to honor us with your presence.”
Madam Mei returned the smile. “Royal Consort, you flatter me. From the moment I saw you, I felt an instant connection and wished to seek auspicious blessings for myself. That’s why I’ve come uninvited. If my humble skills do not disappoint you, I shall be content.”
Merchants were naturally silver-tongued, tailoring their words to their audience. Shen Miao didn’t believe in this talk of “instant connection.” She wondered if Shen Xin had paid Madam Mei a hefty sum, but then reconsidered—Madam Mei hardly lacked wealth, and she conducted business purely on whim. Why would she care for such material incentives?As she was lost in thought, Madam Mei stepped forward with a smile and said, "Royal Consort, the bride's attire is quite intricate. Please change into the wedding gown first, so I can proceed with your makeup."
Luo Xueyan hurriedly urged Shen Miao to go and change.
After changing clothes, they proceeded with facial threading, hairstyling, jewelry selection, and layers of powder application.
While applying Shen Miao's makeup, Madam Mei remarked with a smile, "Over the years, I've seen many young ladies—noble daughters and officials' daughters alike—who've come to me for jewelry and cosmetics. I've met all the young ladies of Fixed Capital, yet none compare to the Royal Consort's grace." She chuckled and added to Luo Xueyan, "Don’t mind my frankness, Madam, but the Royal Consort doesn’t resemble you much. You are bold and straightforward, while she exudes elegance and nobility, even surpassing the noblewomen of the palace."
Hearing her daughter praised, Luo Xueyan was naturally pleased, though she modestly replied, "She’s not that exceptional. It’s just that Jiaojiao has always been steady—far more sensible than her father."
"Don’t say that," Madam Mei said as she shaped Shen Miao’s brows. "Some may hold high status, but lack the innate weight of nobility. Strip them of their finery, and they’re no different from commoners. Others, however, remain regal even in plain clothes and wooden hairpins, sitting there with an air of dignity. The Royal Consort is the latter." She smiled. "She has the bearing of great fortune. But rest assured, Madam, today she won’t be dressed in rags. With such a splendid gown and jewelry, if I don’t do her makeup justice, I’d be ruining my own reputation. I’ll make sure the Royal Consort outshines all others in Fixed Capital."
As Shen Miao let Madam Mei work, she listened to the conversation, amused by the woman’s apparent skill in reading people.
The bridal makeup took a full hour to complete.
Even the lightest powder was applied with a delicate brush made of lamb’s wool. The rouge was natural, her brows arched like crescent moons, and her lips tinted like petals. But the most striking feature was her eyes—clear and bright, like a newborn fawn’s innocence. Today, Madam Mei subtly accentuated the outer corners, preserving their purity while adding a touch of regal elegance.
It almost gave the impression of a queenly presence.
Luo Xueyan was startled by the sudden thought that crossed her mind. Madam Mei chuckled, "For now, there’s nothing more to do. The well-wishers will arrive soon. Please stay here with the Royal Consort, Madam, while I fetch some fragrant leaves to prepare a fresh sachet for her to wear."
Luo Xueyan agreed.
Shen Miao sat at the dressing table while Luo Xueyan gazed at her radiant reflection in the mirror, torn between joy and reluctance. She tightly grasped Shen Miao’s hand and said, "Jiaojiao, today you’ll be married. There are a few things I must tell you."
Shen Miao replied, "I’m listening, Mother."
"When a daughter marries, her mother must share some advice. But when I married your father, my own mother had already passed. I had brothers but no sisters, and my sisters-in-law were too young to guide me." Luo Xueyan sighed. "So these words come from my own experience. I don’t know if they’re right, but I’ll share them with you nonetheless.""The key to a harmonious marriage lies in honesty. Your father and I have never kept secrets from each other all these years. If you discover your partner has a secret, don't rush to interrogate them. Be patient and wait—they'll tell you when ready." Luo Xueyan affectionately patted Shen Miao's hand. "I know you're steady by nature, which is good—you're less easily swayed by external matters. But emotions can't be resolved through endurance alone. If you truly love someone, you'll care about their every move and act from the heart. That steadiness will naturally fade."
"Be more open and direct. Don't feel shy or afraid—he's your husband, the person you'll spend your life with." Luo Xueyan paused, then added, "Jingxing promised me that after marrying you, he wouldn't take any concubines or bed warmers. To be honest, I don't trust that. How could a royal household have only one woman in its inner quarters? But what's done is done—we'll take things step by step."
Shen Miao lowered her gaze as Luo Xueyan continued, "But daughters of the Shen family never compromise their dignity. If other women appear in your husband's household, you're allowed to be jealous, to quarrel with him. All that talk about virtuous women being magnanimous is nonsense—just unfair societal constraints imposed on women. If that day comes, you needn't consider him your husband anymore. You can't control others' hearts, but you can control your own. If you wish to separate, your father and I will support you."
Shen Miao first looked at Luo Xueyan in surprise, then inwardly laughed. Of course—the Luo family had no concubines or bed warmers. Luo Xueyan's upbringing had instilled in her the belief in lifelong monogamy. While others might find these words shocking, Shen Miao found them deeply comforting.
Luo Xueyan always prioritized her feelings, never wanting her to suffer. What others thought was irrelevant.
This stood in stark contrast to Fu Xiuyi's birth mother, Consort Dong, who constantly demanded she be virtuous and magnanimous—even arranging a secondary consort for Fu Xiuyi shortly after their marriage.
Suddenly, Luo Xueyan produced a small booklet from her sleeve. "Jiaojiao, take this. Keep it safe and read it when you have time after the wedding."
Puzzled, Shen Miao accepted it and casually asked, "What is it?"
Blushing furiously, Luo Xueyan stammered, "Something you need to understand." Seeing Shen Miao about to open it, she quickly pressed her hand down. "Not now! Look at it later... when you're alone."
Shen Miao nodded, about to ask more when Luo Xueyan's flustered expression suddenly made her understand. Her own face burned.
She'd never seen spring pictures before. In her previous life, the Shen Mansion had been in chaos during her wedding preparations, and this booklet had been forgotten. Later, Fu Xiuyi hadn't consummated their marriage that night, so there'd been no occasion to view it.
Their eventual consummation had been rushed and perfunctory. Though Shen Miao had never seen spring pictures, she'd later heard how newlywed couples would study them together—an experience she'd never had.
Who would have thought that remarrying would fulfill even this regret from her past life?Just as Luo Xueyan and Shen Miao were feeling somewhat awkward, footsteps sounded from outside. Luo Tan entered, pulling Feng Anning along with her. Seeing Luo Xueyan present, she said, "Aunt, we've come to bring little cousin some dowry gifts."
Luo Xueyan, relieved by their timely interruption, smiled and replied, "Then you girls chat for a while. I'll step out and come back later."
After Luo Xueyan left, Luo Tan circled Shen Miao in amazement, exclaiming, "Little cousin, you look absolutely stunning today! You could outshine even the celestial maidens!"
"Indeed," Feng Anning, who was usually critical and nitpicky, surprisingly nodded in agreement. "You're the most beautiful in all of Ming Qi." Since being cold-shouldered by Shen Qiu, Feng Anning had visited less frequently. But for Shen Miao's wedding, despite her fear of Shen Qiu, she mustered the courage to come.
"I heard Madam Mei was your bridal attendant," Feng Anning remarked. "No wonder you look so different—I almost didn't recognize you."
"Little cousin was always beautiful," Luo Tan grinned, pulling out a small box from behind her back. "This is my gift for you."
Shen Miao opened the box to find an odd, iron-like object whose purpose was unclear. Before she could speak, Feng Anning piped up, "What is this? Giving Shen Miao such a thing is downright shabby!"
"What do you know? This is called a compass!" Luo Tan retorted. "Unlike the rough ones used in the military, this one is precise. It came from the Eastern Seas and is currently only used by ship crews. Cousin Ling brought back ten and plans to have craftsmen make more for the army. I had to beg for this one—if you don’t want it, fine!"
Shen Miao quickly closed the box. "Thank you."
Luo Tan smirked. "I figured you already have everything, and with Prince Rui’s extravagant betrothal gifts, jewelry would just pale in comparison. This compass is practical. If you ever get lost in Great Coolness, it might just save you."
Shen Miao smiled. "That’s very thoughtful. This is far more unique than jewelry."
Luo Tan turned triumphantly to Feng Anning. "Miss Feng, what did you bring? Show us something impressive—no boring jewelry, please."
Feng Anning glared at her. "A compass is nothing special. The Feng family has everything—we wouldn’t give something so common."
She opened her own box and took out a small vial. "Inside are three Revival Pills. Know what those are? Created by the great physicians of the previous dynasty, they can save a life—priceless and rare." She shoved the vial and box into Shen Miao’s hands, adding disdainfully, "With your disagreeable nature, you’ve already made enemies in Ming Qi, let alone Great Coolness. If anything happens, take one—it might just save you." Then, as an afterthought, she muttered, "Though I suppose the wicked live long. You’ll probably outlast us all."Shen Miao smiled faintly and said, "Thank you." Feng Anning's words were awkward, but her intentions were good. The Guiyuan Pills Shen Miao smiled about were extremely precious. Fu Xiuyi had once used one such pill to bribe an advisor he had been eager to recruit. A single pill was worth a talented individual, which spoke volumes about its value. For Feng Anning to produce three at once was indeed very generous.
Upon hearing this, Feng Anning's eyes reddened as she said, "Once we part this time, who knows if we'll ever meet again in this lifetime. You don’t have many friends in Ming Qi, and since I know you, I naturally can’t let you lose face. The dowry gifts I give must be worthy." As she spoke, her voice choked up, but she stubbornly continued, "It’s not that I’m reluctant to part with you—it’s just that giving you such a grand gift while you can’t contribute to my wedding dowry feels like a terrible deal."
Shen Miao found this both amusing and exasperating. She replied, "When you get married, I’ll surely send someone with dowry gifts for you. I’ll also write to you often, so you won’t have given in vain."
Only then did Feng Anning feel slightly better.
Suddenly remembering something, Shen Miao took a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Feng Anning, saying, "Here’s one now. After today’s events are over, read this letter yourself, then have your elder brother read it too."
Both Luo Tan and Feng Anning were taken aback. Luo Tan giggled and said, "Could it be that little cousin feels guilty for not accepting Elder Brother Feng’s marriage proposal back then, so she wrote this letter to apologize?" She then shook her head. "But why let Anning read it too?"
"Never mind that," Shen Miao said. "If you ever run into trouble in the future, come to the Shen residence and seek out my elder brother. He’ll surely help." Shen Miao remembered that in her past life, the Feng family’s fate had not been good. Feng Anning had married a wolf in sheep’s clothing and died young. Now that she had been reborn, and considering she and Feng Anning were at least friends, she had recorded all the warnings she could for the Feng family in the letter. If Feng Anning presented it alone, Lord Feng might dismiss it as childish nonsense. But if Feng Zixian delivered it, it would be different. Feng Zixian had already entered officialdom, and Lord Feng trusted his judgment—he would take the matter seriously.
As for Shen Qiu, since Shen Miao wouldn’t be in Ming Qi, she could only trouble her elder brother to look after the Feng family when needed.
Hearing this, Feng Anning blushed and muttered, "So fierce—who needs his help anyway?"
But Shen Miao didn’t catch her words.
Shen Miao had no sisters and even fewer friends in Ming Qi. Most of those who came to present dowry gifts did so out of respect for Luo Xueyan or to curry favor with Shen Miao. Their gifts were mostly gold and jewelry. When they met, some were jealous, others envious, but all praised Shen Miao’s wedding dress and bridal makeup.
Not long after these young ladies finished their greetings, the auspicious hour arrived, and the procession of carriages and horses to escort the bride had already gathered at the gates of the Shen residence.
Luo Xueyan and Madam Mei entered. Madam Mei placed the bridal veil over Shen Miao’s head, and with both women supporting her by the arms, Shen Miao slowly walked outside.
The entrance of the Shen residence was exceptionally lively that day.
The streets of Fixed Capital were emptied as crowds gathered just to witness the Shen family’s daughter’s wedding. The area outside the Shen residence was packed tightly with onlookers, three layers deep. The common folk buzzed with discussion.
"The grandeur of the Shen family’s Fifth Young Lady’s wedding today is astounding. Look at those carriages and horses outside—they don’t seem like something ordinary folks could afford.""Look at the sachets filled with silver fragments instead of copper coins as rewards—you can tell this wedding is extraordinary."
Another chimed in, "How could it not be grand? Forget the Shen family's prestige for a moment—just consider who Fifth Miss Shen is marrying! A prince of Great Coolness. I’d heard Great Coolness was a land of abundance but never believed it until now. A prince from Great Coolness hosting a wedding more lavish than our own emperor’s—isn’t that a slap in the face to His Majesty?"
"Shh! Don’t say such things out loud. Keep it to yourself," an older woman hushed. "They say Prince Rui of Great Coolness sent a dowry of ninety-nine chests. Who knows if it’s true?"
"Ah! Look, here they come!"
In Ming Qi’s wedding customs, the groom’s family presents the dowry on the wedding day, carried chest by chest to the bride’s home for all to see. The more lavish the dowry, the greater the face for both families. Displaying such wealth before the public brings honor to the bride and pride to the groom—a joyous occasion for all.
Some, however, resort to empty chests for show. But today was different.
Every chest was wide open, revealing its contents clearly for all to admire.
Antiques, calligraphy, paintings, jewelry, furniture, gems, garments, silver—each chest was packed to the brim, leaving no room for doubt. The sight alone was enough to stir envy.
Yet no one dared lay a finger on them. Even the boldest thieves wouldn’t dare act, for surrounding the bearers were Great Coolness’s soldiers—clad in heavy armor, Precious swords drawn at their sides, their disciplined march exuding an unspoken threat: any ill intent would be met with swift execution.
Such formidable presence kept the crowd at bay, parting instinctively to let the procession pass.
Curious onlookers counted aloud, "One, two, three, four..." The line seemed endless, gasps rippling through the crowd until someone finally exclaimed, "Ninety-nine chests! Ninety-nine chests of dowry!"
Ninety-nine chests!
When the crown prince married his consort, the dowry numbered only fifty-eight. This was nearly double—and Prince Rui was merely a prince of Great Coolness. What grandeur would accompany the emperor’s own wedding? But never mind the emperor—Shen Miao’s marriage had already surpassed even Ming Qi’s imperial nuptials in splendor.
Gasps of awe erupted from the crowd. After today, Shen Miao’s magnificent wedding would undoubtedly become an unmatched legend in Ming Qi.
Among the spectators were young maidens of marriageable age, not to mention the noble daughters who had come to offer bridal gifts. Their eyes burned with envy—what woman didn’t dream of such a glorious wedding? A touch of vanity was only natural.
Yet who could have imagined that Shen Miao—once dismissed as foolish, overshadowed by her cousins, mocked by society, and scorned by Prince Ding—would land such an illustrious match?Back then, Fu Xiuyi had been cold and indifferent toward Shen Miao, yet she only grew more determined in the face of setbacks, becoming the laughingstock of the entire Fixed Capital.
So they say, when the old man lost his horse, who could have known it was a blessing in disguise? Who can predict what the future holds?
Someone remarked, "Wasn't Fifth Miss Shen infatuated with Prince Ding back then? She must be secretly relieved now. After all, Prince Ding has always been known for his frugality. If she had married him, she wouldn’t even have one percent of the grandeur we see today."
These words, unfortunately, reached Fu Xiuyi’s ears in the crowd. A flash of anger crossed his face, but he quickly suppressed it.
His frugality was merely a facade for the public, a means to cultivate a good reputation. In the past, hearing such comments would have pleased him, as it meant his act was successful. But today, in this place, being called frugal by others filled Fu Xiuyi with irritation. It felt as though they were implying he paled in comparison to Prince Rui.
The guards he had sent out to investigate yesterday still hadn’t returned. Fu Xiuyi knew the mission had likely failed. While he dispatched more men to search for his subordinates, he had no choice but to attend Shen Miao’s wedding.
He also wanted to see just how far Prince Rui of Great Coolness could push his arrogance.
But he never expected Prince Rui to dare to go this far.
Such a grand display only highlighted the pettiness of the Ming Qi royal family. It was a blatant slap to their face. The most infuriating part was that nothing could be said—Prince Rui wasn’t a subject of Ming Qi, so their rules didn’t apply to him.
His gaze shifted to the entrance of the Shen residence, where Shen Miao was being escorted out by Luo Xueyan and Madam Mei. Shen Miao was carefully stepping over the fire basin, lifting her hem to avoid singeing her wedding dress.
Her movements were slow and deliberate, as though she treated the ritual with utmost seriousness. The crowd marveled at the dazzling brilliance of her wedding attire, but Fu Xiuyi felt an indescribable emotion welling up inside him.
Suddenly, the scene struck him as unbearably glaring.
But why? Fu Xiuyi harbored a strange feeling toward Shen Miao. In the beginning, when she had chased after him, he despised her foolishness and merely sought to use her for the Shen family’s military power. Then, one day, she stopped pursuing him altogether. It was then that Fu Xiuyi realized he knew nothing about her—Shen Miao was far from foolish; she was cunning.
The Shen family was equally perplexing. They had once been a pawn in his grasp, but at some point, they slipped away, forming their own faction on the other side of the chessboard, standing in opposition to him.
Yet none of this had anything to do with emotions. Before achieving his grand ambitions, Fu Xiuyi had no time for sentimental distractions.
But at this moment, an inexplicable urge surged within him—to kick over that fire basin. He vaguely sensed something was amiss, as though a mistake had been made somewhere.
Just as he struggled to suppress this absurd impulse, a sudden commotion erupted in the crowd. Turning, he saw the sea of people parting to make way as a figure clad in vibrant robes galloped toward them on horseback.
The man pulled on the reins, his crimson brocade robes blazing like fire as he rode swiftly from the distance. His sleeves fluttered, his posture both elegant and fervent, nearly blinding to the eyes.
The crowd gasped in astonishment.
Then, just a step away from Shen Miao, the man abruptly tightened the reins, bringing the horse to an abrupt halt—a sight that drew gasps from the onlookers.The young man sat tall atop his steed, his silver mask tinged faintly red by the reflection of his crimson robes. Without a word, he leaned slightly forward in the saddle and extended a hand toward the bride.
With languid yet irresistible authority, he spoke.
"Here to marry you, Shen Jiao Jiao."
...
OpenNovel