“These are all the food estates under the Ning Marquis Mansion and in your name. There are various property deeds, contracts, land deeds, tea permits, medicine permits, salt permits, incense and medicine permits, as well as cash vouchers and silver notes. I originally wanted you to first take charge of the household affairs to get familiarized with them, but now there’s no time. Grandmother will include these in your dowry for you to manage slowly after entering the King of Yi’s residence. Most of these businesses are already managed by hired accountants, so you don’t need to worry too much.”
Ning Wanwan looked at the documents and said, “Grandmother, please keep these. I don’t want such a large dowry.”
Old Madam Ning smiled, “Silly girl, how many years do I have left? What use are these worldly possessions to me?”
Ning Wanwan’s eyes welled up as she embraced her grandmother, choking with emotion, “Grandmother, may you live to be a hundred years old.”
Old Madam Ning stroked Ning Wanwan’s head and said earnestly, “At seventy-three, my body is worn out. After you marry into the King of Yi’s residence, I can’t help you much. I can only leave the entire Ning Marquis Mansion to support you.”
“Grandmother!” Ning Wanwan sobbed, unable to hold back her tears.
Seeing her cry, Old Madam Ning’s eyes reddened. “Oh, don’t cry. Your tears burn my heart.”
Ning Wanwan quickly wiped her tears and smiled, “Grandmother, don’t be sad. Wanwan won’t cry anymore.”
They looked at each other and laughed. Old Madam Ning then took Ning Wanwan’s hand to another box filled with gold, silver, jade, jewelry, and other treasures.
“Come, look.”
These are Grandmother’s private collection, treasures passed down through generations of the Ning Marquis Mansion. Now, I’m handing them to you, hoping you can continue to pass them down.
Seeing her grandmother take out the treasures hidden at the bottom of the box, Ning Wanwan’s emotions collapsed. She burst into tears and tightly hugged her grandmother, “Woo… Grandmother, I don’t want to get married. I want to stay with you…”
“Are you talking nonsense again? Don’t you want to marry the King of Yi?”
Ning Wanwan was tongue-tied. She wanted to marry Si Zhan, but the thought of leaving her grandmother alone in the Ning Marquis Mansion broke her heart.
“Can I bring Grandmother with me when I get married? I can’t bear to leave you…”
Old Madam Ning chuckled at Ning Wanwan’s words. She lovingly patted her back and said, “Silly girl, who brings their family with them after marriage?”
Worried that this might upset her more, she cheerfully said, “Alright, stop crying! The King of Yi’s residence is not far from the Ning Marquis Mansion. If you miss me, just visit Grandmother every few days.”
Ning Wanwan managed a smile and nodded repeatedly, “Mm-hmm.”
April 28th, early summer, with gentle winds and a clear blue sky.
In Biandu City, peonies bloomed everywhere, filling the city with fragrance.
Between the Ning Marquis Mansion and the King of Yi’s residence, a ten-mile stretch of red brocade connected them. Crowds gathered on both sides to watch the spectacle.
Early in the morning, the wedding procession set out from the King of Yi’s residence, with cannon fire resounding. Matchmakers led the way, followed by red date horses and eight-bearer soft sedan chairs, forming a grand procession nearly a mile long.
Citizens eagerly strained to catch a glimpse of the legendary King of Yi.
At the head of the procession, Si Zhan rode a red date horse, wearing a bright red wedding robe with gold embroidery. His long hair was neatly tied with a red gauze ribbon, its tails fluttering in the wind, making him appear like an immortal.
As the procession scattered candy, flowers, and coins, the crowd was electrified, following alongside.
At the Ning Marquis Mansion, Ning Wanwan, after paying respects at the family shrine, was dressed in her phoenix crown and rosy wedding attire by Fu Yi and Zhan Xiang, nervously awaiting Si Zhan’s arrival.
Zhan Xiang stood anxiously at the doorway, seeing Dian Cui run in with a bright smile, shouting, “They’re here! The wedding procession has stopped outside, and some relatives are blocking their entry!”
Zhan Xiang, worried, turned to Ning Wan Wan and said, “Miss, the distant relatives have come. What if they don’t let the young master in?”
Ning Wan Wan replied calmly, “Even if he’s weak, he has two top-tier experts by his side. Entering the Ning Guo Gong Mansion gate will be easy. Moreover, Grandmother instructed last night to let them play around but not make things too difficult for him.”
Relieved, Zhan Xiang asked Dian Cui to continue gathering information.
After a tea’s time, Dian Cui returned happily, saying, “The young master has entered! He paid respects to the old madam in the main hall. Now the old madam is requesting the miss to come immediately.”
Fu Yi handed Ning Wan Wan a fan, while Zhan Xiang arranged her dress from behind. Ning Wan Wan took a deep breath, wore a subtle smile, and, covering her face with the fan, was supported by the two as she left her chamber.
Entering the main hall, Ning Wan Wan lowered the fan and knelt three times to the seated Ning Old Madam, who nodded with a kind smile.
Ning Wan Wan rose, her voice choked with tears, “Wan’er bids farewell to grandmother.”
The old madam waved her hand, laughing, “Don’t say anything, go, go.”
Si Zhan kowtowed to the old madam and then supported Ning Wan Wan’s arm, gently squeezing her hand to reassure her.
Ning Wan Wan nodded, holding back tears, and raised her fan to cover her face.
Holding her hand, Si Zhan turned and left the main hall, exiting Ning Guo Gong Mansion and boarding the wedding sedan.
With drums blaring, the procession carried the sedan back to Yi Wang Mansion’s gates.
A blue felt carpet led to the bridal chamber inside the mansion. Si Zhan dismounted and helped Ning Wan Wan down from the sedan.
Yuan Bi presented the paired knot, and Uncle Zhou stood before them, holding a vessel with grain, beans, money, fruits, and grass, chanting blessings while scattering beans outside.
Si Zhan helped Ning Wan Wan up the steps, and she stepped over the saddle smoothly, having been taught the etiquette rules.
They walked toward the bridal chamber amid congratulations, continuing with traditional rituals of paying respects, exchanging cups, and final preparations for their wedding night.
Zhan Xiang snatched the pastry back from Fu Yi and handed it to Ning Wan Wan, who smiled warmly as she took a pineapple pastry and ate it. Fu Yi helplessly laughed, shaking her head.
As night fell, the Yiwang Mansion was brightly lit with red lanterns, and the sounds of singing and laughter gradually faded.
Si Zhan stood outside the bridal chamber, nervous and hesitant to push the door open.
Ning Wan Wan saw his figure and instinctively picked up her fan to cover her face but quickly realized it was unnecessary and put it down. Unsure where to rest her hands, she placed them on her legs, alternating between relaxed and tense.
Fu Yi and Zhan Xiang exchanged a glance and smiled, stepping forward to open the door. Zhan Xiang curtsied and said, “New son-in-law, please come in. Our young mistress has been waiting.”
Ning Wan Wan blushed at Zhan Xiang’s teasing and called out, “Zhan Xiang!”
Zhan Xiang laughed with Fu Yi and slipped away.
Si Zhan entered with a red face, and the door was closed behind them. He sat next to Ning Wan Wan on the bridal bed and was surprised to find he smelled no alcohol, wondering who had helped him avoid drinking earlier.
Both of them kept their eyes down, not speaking.
After a while, Ning Wan Wan broke the silence, “Imperial Uncle…”
Suddenly, Si Zhan turned and stared at her, saying, “No, it’s Brother Zhan.”
