Xiao Jin felt extremely unhappy when he heard his little girl praising the Crown Prince, but he didn't know what to say.
Especially when he saw the Crown prince and Miss Wen openly embracing each other as if no one else was around, he didn't know whether to despise or envy them.
His gaze lingered on Wen Qingwan, heavy with things unsaid. In his eyes, a storm. Then he walked away, not turning back.
Wen Mingzhu missed the moment Wen Qingwan bid Xiao Jin a tender farewell. All she saw was Xiao Jin’s darkened expression as he walked away.
She asked, eyes gleaming with mischief, “Father, why did brother-in-law walk away without saying goodbye to Sister?”
"........"
Deputy Minister Wen raised his cup, pretending to sip, saying nothing. The Crown Prince’s actions—especially on the day of the betrothal—made one thing clear: he held no regard for his future father-in-law.
He didn’t dare offend the Crown Prince—but he couldn’t afford to hurt his daughter either.
“Dad, why are you ignoring me?” Wen Mingzhu asked again, her voice laced with playful complaint. His quietness was unlike him.
"Young Lord Xiao has not yet married Wan’er, so they shouldn’t have private meeting. It’s only because His Highness the Crown Prince holds a different status that you met today — there’s no need to say more."
Wen Mingzhu ended up feeling disappointed, and the Crown Prince, feeling embarrassed, hurriedly let go of the woman in his arms and strode away.
Old Madam Wen had harbored dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince’s conduct, but upon witnessing his stormy exit, she held her tongue and chastised her eldest son instead.
The atmosphere in Wen's house has never been more depressing. The happiest person is Wen Qingwan, who can eat whatever she wants when she returns to her own yard.
For girls of noble birth, wedding dresses are embroidered long before betrothal is confirmed. Their futures rest not in their own hands, but in the arrangements made by their parents.
Wen Qingwan longed to change her life in this lifetime—but not while she remained in the Wen Mansion.
Judging by today’s betrothal gifts, even the domestically violent man managed not to disgrace her.
During the Da Sheng Dynasty, in addition to money and precious gold, silver, and jewels, the betrothal gifts presented by the groom’s family also included foods that symbolized auspicious blessings.
The Crown Prince offered gold, silver, and jewels, but lacked symbolic items like wild geese, fox furs, or auspicious foods—so Prince Xiao’s betrothal gift was by no means inferior.
Lavish betrothal gifts were customary in the Dasheng Dynasty, symbolizing a woman’s joyful and harmonious marriage.
It was not just the groom’s betrothal gifts that mattered—there were expectations for the bride’s dowry as well.
The Crown Prince’s conduct today stirred Deputy Minister Wen’s anger. Though he dared not voice his displeasure, he found another outlet—through the dowries of his two daughters.
Both Wen Mingzhu and Wen Qingwan received dowries, and many relatives from the Wen family contributed generously, ensuring the sisters were given equal shares.
Though Wen Qingwan is the eldest daughter, Wen Mingzhu holds the higher status—as the Crown Prince’s concubine.
On the day the Crown Prince took his concubine, the famed war god of the Dasheng Dynasty—crippled but revered—also wed his bride. It was said the Emperor himself bestowed the marriage decree.
Both the Crown Prince’s concubine and the God of War’s bride hailed from the Wen Mansion, stirring excitement across the capital.
The Imperial Palace and the Cheng'en Marquis Mansion lie in opposite directions, so it makes no difference whether one is an official or a commoner.
Crowds have gathered around the Wen Mansion, awaiting today’s grand occasion with eager anticipation.
All eyes are on the Wen Mansion today, awaiting the arrival of the Crown Prince’s concubine—hailed as the most beautiful woman in the capital.
“Between the God of War’s wife and His Highness the Crown Prince’s concubine, who do you think is more beautiful?”
“Of course the Crown Prince’s concubine is more beautiful.”
"How can you see that?"
“They say the Crown Prince’s concubine is the second daughter of the Wen family. If she weren’t more beautiful, how could she have caught his eye?”
“Oh, what you said makes sense!”
“It’s unfortunate that the bride wears a red hijab—we won’t be able to see her face.”
"........."
The Crown Prince rode a tall steed, clad in a brilliant red brocade robe, leading a grand procession to receive his bride.
Since that day, the Crown Prince has not seen Wen Mingzhu again—yet he had already tasted her beauty.
Even if he favors a different beauty each day, the Crown Prince cannot resist Zhu'er's allure.
Upon hearing from his subordinates that Young Master Xiao had personally gone to the Wen residence to receive his bride, the Crown Prince likewise chose to welcome his bride in person.
During the last betrothal procession, the Crown Prince arrived in a carriage, while The Marquis Heir Xiao rode on horseback. Yet even a cripple drew more attention than him.
The onlookers noted the Crown Prince’s dignified bearing, though his face appeared slightly pale—suggesting over-indulgence. Yet none dared voice such thoughts.
Wen Mingzhu has not been idle this past month. While striving to win her father’s favor, she has also been secretly instructing her future sister-in-law and cousin-in-law about intimate things.
Thanks to her versatility, she finally earned enough points—and wasted no time purchasing a favor card from the system, just in case of emergency.
Knowing she would marry into the Eastern Palace today, she was filled with excitement. With the position of Empress nearly within reach, she remained awake through the night.
Wen Qingwan held little expectation for the wedding. For the past month, she remained secluded in the courtyard, leaving only to pay her respects to the matriarch at dawn and dusk.
She stored her entire dowry in the mall space, just in case her grandmother or father had second thoughts and tried to reclaim it.
What Wen Qingwan didn’t know was that both Lord Wen and Old Madam Wen had begun to regret their impulsiveness in granting her such a generous dowry.
They once sent someone to make the switch in secret, but when the box was opened, it contained nothing but worthless items.
After Deputy Minister Wen and his mother tested each other, both assumed the other had orchestrated the replacement. Neither spoke of it, but a silent understanding passed between them.
Wen Qingwan traded gold and silver for rare food seeds unknown to this world, and planted them in the black soil of her spatial realm.
She had money, she had food—so she felt no urgency. Every day, she ate well and slept soundly, waking when she pleased.
It wasn’t until the heavy gold ornaments landed on her head one after another that she slowly regained her composure.
She gazed at her reflection in the bronze mirror, the bright red wedding dress wrapping her in splendor. A smile tugged at her lips.
The outfit was quite fine. Her grandmother and father had been generous, bestowing her with many fine things.
Wen Qingwan was in high spirits. She knew that, in time, these gold ornaments could be melted down and converted into considerable wealth.
As the drums echoed through the hall, the sisters entered slowly, supported by their parents. With solemn grace, they crossed the seven steps of the red carpet.
Then, the two Wen brothers each will take part in carrying the bride to the flower sedan chair. By tradition, it was the eldest brother Wen, who should carry Wen Qingwan into it.
Wen Yanting, however, strode forward and carried Wen Mingzhu on his back without hesitation. Second Brother Wen, with visible reluctance, lifted Wen Qingwan and walked her toward Xiao Jin.
Smiling softly, Xiao Jin took the little girl from Second Brother Wen’s back and gently placed her into the sedan chair.
At this moment, Wen Qingwan’s mood was entirely different from her previous life. Back then, she had married as a substitute, burdened with anxiety and uncertainty.
She was getting married today. Though she held no illusions of happiness, the ceremony was grand, every rite and ritual observed with precision.
The Marquis of Cheng'en’s residence had long fallen into decline, with few relatives or friends ever calling. Yet when the heir to the title married, the house brimmed with guests, and the banquet was lavish beyond expectation.
Following the ceremony, the groom personally escorted the bride into the bridal chamber. The crowd erupted in unified cheers, and the atmosphere reached its peak.
The guests raised their cups in unison, offering heartfelt wishes for the newlyweds’ happiness and a blissful life together.
Once inside the bridal chamber, Xiao Jin, concerned the little girl might grow restless beneath her red veil, gently lifted it.
Xiao Jin was momentarily stunned by the little girl’s beauty, standing there in a daze, unable to take the next step.
Wen Qingwan was absent-minded, debating whether to knock out the abusive man now or wait until he came back to offer a toast.
Just as she drifted into thought, Xiao Jin coughed twice, then spoke—his face tinged with a faint blush.
“Madam… would you like your husband’s help in removing your headdress?” His voice was gentle, almost musical, and a faint blush colored the tips of his ears.
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