Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: The Wedding

Fu Residence.

Seeing the Chu family hauling bundles and boxes into the house, the Fu family was utterly bewildered.

Fu Y, Fu Chenxing’s father, pulled his son aside and whispered, “What’s going on? Why is the Chu family moving into our house?”

Fu Chenxing explained.

The Fu family found it unbelievable. It couldn’t be right.

Chu Aoshuang married Fu Chenxing, so her moving in was only natural, but why were the Chu relatives moving in as well?

Was this a marriage to Chu Aoshuang or to the entire Chu family?

Though Fu Chenxing said that once they made money, the Chu family would move out, moving in without any notice made everyone uncomfortable.

“Father, don’t worry. The Chu family’s purple dye will surely be profitable. At the latest, in two months, they’ll buy a new mansion and move out.”

Fu Y was stunned. Two months to buy a new mansion? Was it really that lucrative?

He knew mansions in the capital weren’t cheap.

His eyes gleamed as he whispered, “Chenxing, if we invested some money, do you think we could get a share of the profits?”

The other Fu family members’ eyes lit up as well. Watching others make money without benefiting themselves was unbearable.

“Yeah, Chenxing, talk to the Chu family. We’re one family—if they make money, they should bring us along.”

“We emptied our pockets for your betrothal gifts and wedding banquet. If the Chu family finds a way to make money, they should definitely help us out.”

The others chimed in eagerly.

“You don’t mind them moving in?”

“Of course not! We’re family, living together will only bring us closer.”

Fu Chenxing smiled, “Alright, I’ll talk to them.”

After settling things, the Fu family warmly entertained the Chu family and expressed a desire to invest. Chu Weiming naturally welcomed the offer.

The more capital they had, the more purple dye they could produce, and the more money they would make.

Both families drank and laughed, feeling as if they had met too late in life.

Seeing this, Fu Chenxing felt relieved.

…

Xiao Residence.

Xiao Yichen received an invitation from the Chu family to attend the grand wedding of Chu Aoshuang and Fu Chenxing the next day. The betrothal gifts owed to him would be returned at the wedding.

“Tenth Lord, don’t go. This is clearly meant to humiliate you,” Su Lingxue warned.

Han Ziyun and Luo Wanying nodded in agreement.

“They could have simply sent the hundred thousand betrothal gifts, but instead, they want you to attend their wedding to embarrass you,” Han Ziyun said coldly. She felt Chu Aoshuang was truly cruel.

Xiao Yichen smiled, “I’m going! Why wouldn’t I go?”

“Not only am I going, but you three will come with me.”

Luo Wanying’s eyes brightened. “Tenth Lord, are you planning for the three of us to outshine Chu Aoshuang?”

Xiao Yichen smiled silently, tacitly agreeing.

Humiliate me?

We shall see who suffers the deeper wound.

…

The next day.

Xiao Yichen woke up after a good night’s sleep; Su Lingxue had spared him any trouble the previous night.

After freshening up with the help of Qiao Yun, he opened the door and saw the three women approaching gracefully.

In that moment, Xiao Yichen felt as if he saw goddesses.

Usually rough and tomboyish, Su Lingxue’s change into a flowing dress gave her a completely different aura.

A light green gown with a misty chiffon hem swayed gently with her delicate steps. Her hair was pinned up with a jade hairpin, a few strands falling naturally, fluttering in the breeze.

Her usual warrior’s vigor was softened with a hint of charm, making Xiao Yichen hesitate to believe this was Su Lingxue.

Compared to Su Lingxue’s valiant beauty, Han Ziyun was gentle and graceful.

She wore a moon-white long dress, cinched at the waist with a pale pink silk ribbon, accentuating her slender figure.

Her eyebrows arched like distant ink, eyes bright as stars, a straight jade nose, and lips naturally red without makeup—she looked like a celestial being descending to earth.

Lastly, Luo Wanying presented a cute beauty.

Her face was round and rosy, with bright, clear eyes sparkling with playful mischief. She wore a goose-yellow gauze dress, lively and adorable.

The three women, each with distinct styles, captivated Xiao Yichen, who couldn’t look away.

Luo Wanying bounced over to his side, grinning, “Do we look good?”

“Beautiful.”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think three fairies had descended to earth.”

“Flatterer,” Su Lingxue scoffed but secretly enjoyed the praise.

The other two women were pleased as well—women dress for those they love. All three had made a special effort to help the Tenth Lord save face today.

…

Fu Residence.

The place was brightly decorated with lanterns and banners. Tables filled the courtyard, and guests came in endless streams to offer congratulations.

Despite the uproar caused by Chu Aoshuang’s broken engagement, well-known by all, it didn’t stop the capital’s noble families and aristocrats from attending.

Firstly, Fu Chenxing was a rising star general of Liang Kingdom.

Liang was currently short on military leaders. Once, with the God of War Xiao Zhantian and the Xiao family’s elite from eldest to ninth brother, the kingdom had secured a century of peace. Yet, overnight, all had fallen in battle.

Among the new generation of commanders, only Fu Chenxing had achieved remarkable feats and was sure to be highly regarded.

Secondly, the wedding was decreed by the Empress herself, indicating her approval of Chu Aoshuang’s broken engagement and marriage to Fu Chenxing.

This was essentially an imperial marriage, so attendance was a must.

Thus, from early morning, the Fu residence was bustling.

“General Su has arrived!”

A shout rang out as Su Jinfeng strode in, prompting everyone to stand.

“General Su, long time no see.”

“General Su, we must have a drink later.”

Su Jinfeng was well-liked, receiving many greetings.

“Uncle, where is Lingxue? Didn’t she come with you?”

A young man in fine clothes looked behind Su Jinfeng and asked.

This youth was Zhao Gou, son of Duke Zhao Quan of Rongguo.

Su Jinfeng had introduced Su Lingxue’s fiancé as Zhao Gou, but she had married Xiao Yichen instead.

Clearing his throat, Su Jinfeng replied, “Lingxue isn’t feeling well, so she didn’t come.”

Zhao Gou panicked, “Is it serious? Should we find a royal physician?”

“No need, no need. She just needs to rest for a couple of days.”

Just then, another announcement came.

“Vice Minister of Rites, Lord Han has arrived.”

Han Gengyao entered, and the crowd greeted him warmly.

Many young men, upon seeing only Han Gengyao without Han Ziyun, were disappointed.

Han Ziyun was the dream girl among the capital’s young elites—beautiful, talented in both painting and calligraphy, and graceful.

Her father was Vice Minister of Rites, and with the Minister planning to retire, Han Gengyao might soon take his place.

Marrying Han Ziyun would save someone a decade of struggle.

Sadly, she was absent, much to the young men’s dismay.

At that moment, Chu Aoshuang and Fu Chenxing appeared, and the eyes of all the guests lit up upon seeing them.