Chapter 58

Two days later, Cheng Wanru was married. As a concubine-born daughter of a Marquis with a checkered reputation, her dowry of sixty chests was considered a grand and dignified send-off.

On the wedding day, Cheng Ruyi dragged Rong Mo along to watch.

The scene was lively with the beating of gongs and drums. A long, majestic procession snaked through the streets, led by the groom in bright red robes atop a tall steed and a beaming official matchmaker. An eight-person sedan chair stood at the gate.

This was the first time Cheng Ruyi had seen an ancient wedding procession in person. Everything felt incredibly novel to her, and her large almond eyes darted around incessantly.

The bride, Cheng Wanru, wore a phoenix crown and embroidered cape. With a red cloth covering her head and a bright red apple held firmly in her hands, she was assisted into the sedan by a pretty maid and the matchmaker.

The music played all along the way.

The Tang Estate and the Jian’an Marquis Estate weren’t particularly far apart, but the procession took the sedan chair on a full circuit around the capital before finally arriving at the Tang gates. Cheng Ruyi, in high spirits, pulled Rong Mo along for the entire journey.

The groom, Tang Shuhua, lifted the curtain and helped the bride out of the sedan.

In front of the stopped chair sat a brazier filled with glowing red charcoal, flickering with flames and sending up wisps of smoke.

“A-Mo, is this the ‘stepping over the brazier’ ritual?” Cheng Ruyi asked, looking at the fire with great interest.

Rong Mo nodded with a smile, a trace of anticipation in his eyes. “Yes. On the day we wed, you will have to step over one too.”

Cheng Ruyi remarked that such a small brazier would be a piece of cake. Rong Mo let out a soft chuckle.

Suddenly, a scream erupted from the festive crowd, followed by a wave of chaotic noise.

Cheng Ruyi and Rong Mo snapped their heads toward the source and were horrified to see that as Cheng Wanru stepped over the brazier, her red wedding dress had suddenly caught fire. Tang Shuhua acted quickly, grabbing a piece of red decorative cloth to smother the flames.

The fire was extinguished rapidly. However, a corner of the wedding dress had been scorched away.

For such an accident to happen during a joyous occasion left the onlookers whispering and exchanging glances.

Beneath the red veil, Cheng Wanru’s eyes were bloodshot, her gaze brimming with hatred. She had been cautiously guarding against Cheng Qingyao the entire time, but since nothing had happened from the moment she left the Marquis estate to the moment she boarded the sedan, she thought she was safe. It turned out the trap was waiting for her here.

Her perfect wedding had been ruined. Cheng Wanru was trembling with rage.

At that moment, a large hand quietly grasped her soft fingers. A low voice whispered, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

Cheng Wanru’s heart instantly steadied. As long as Tang Shuhua didn’t take this accident out on her, it would be fine. But a grudge not avenged is not the way of a gentleman— Cheng Qingyao, just you wait!

Cheng Ruyi frowned. “A-Mo, that brazier isn’t even big. Cousin Wanru shouldn’t have touched the flames when she stepped over. How did her dress catch fire?”

Rong Mo sighed. “Perhaps someone tampered with her dress.”

Cheng Ruyi’s eyes widened. These ancient people certainly had a lot of tricks. It was likely Cheng Qingyao’s doing. Since Cheng Qingyao hadn’t been hovering around her lately, Ruyi thought she had turned over a new leaf. It seemed a female lead is still a female lead—the methods for dealing with “villainesses” were truly varied.

If this kind of accident happens at my wedding… Cheng Ruyi snorted. She would definitely tear Cheng Qingyao apart!

Despite the mishap, the ceremony proceeded in an orderly fashion, though the smiles on people’s faces lost a bit of their festive cheer. Rong Mo and Cheng Ruyi stayed for the entire ceremony before leaving.

On the way back, they ran into Luo Fei. The group headed to a teahouse, where the waiter served tea and snacks before bowing out.

“Rong Mo, Cousin, how do you two have the time to wander about today?” Luo Fei asked with a smile.

“We went to see Cousin Wanru’s wedding,” Cheng Ruyi replied casually as she poured herself a cup of tea.

Luo Fei raised an eyebrow and looked at Rong Mo, teasingly remarking, “Your own wedding is coming up soon. How do you still have the heart to watch someone else’s?”

Cheng Ruyi giggled. “I’ve never seen one before, so I was curious! Cousin Luo Fei, A-Mo and I are getting married soon; do you have a girl you like yet? I’ve saved a bottle of Divine Medicine for you.”

Rong Mo looked at his little fiancée with doting eyes. Luo Fei, seeing the two of them so deeply in love, was speechless. “I don’t have a girl I like yet.”

Cheng Ruyi urged him, “Then you better hurry up, Cousin, or Mom will start arranging blind dates for you herself.”

Luo Fei: “…”

Rong Mo watched the helpless Luo Fei with a glint of amusement in his eyes.

“Rong Mo, do you really not intend to officially return to your clan before marrying my cousin?” Luo Fei couldn’t help but ask. According to his sources, his cousin’s reputation was a mixed bag. If they could have a grand royal wedding that everyone envied, she could hold her head high and not be looked down upon.

Rong Mo looked at Cheng Ruyi, his lips curving upward. “Royal weddings are too tedious. Ruyi doesn’t like them.”

Cheng Ruyi, who never cared for vanity, nodded in agreement. “A-Mo is right. Royal weddings are too much trouble. I prefer something simpler, similar to Cousin Wanru’s wedding today.”

Luo Fei looked at them helplessly. Fine—since neither of them wanted it, he wouldn’t say more.

Just then, a lively and pretty girl followed by a small maid burst into the teahouse. When Luo Fei saw her from the second floor, his handsome face shifted slightly. He hurriedly dropped a line: “Rong Mo, Cousin, I have something to take care of. I’m leaving first!”

He immediately took his servant and circled around to the other side of the second floor to escape.

Cheng Ruyi was puzzled and muttered, “Cousin Luo Fei is so strange. It’s like he’s running away from something.”

Rong Mo glanced at the girl hurrying up the stairs while holding her skirts, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. “Perhaps.”

As they left the teahouse, both Rong Mo and Cheng Ruyi were in excellent spirits.

“A-Mo, I heard that rare books and paintings can improve the classiness of a wedding. Let’s go hunt for some!” Cheng Ruyi suggested, her eyes sparkling. She was wealthy now and didn’t lack silver.

Rong Mo was exceptionally indulgent. Upon hearing her wish to hunt for paintings, he immediately led her away. By coincidence, they ran into Prince Rong and his two bodyguards halfway there.

“What a coincidence. Where are you two headed?” Prince Rong asked with a smile, joy flickering in his eyes as he looked at them.

Rong Mo: “…”

Coincidence? Not at all. Prince Rong was clearly here to “accidentally” run into them.

“Eh? A-Mo, who is this uncle? Do you know him?” Cheng Ruyi had never seen Prince Rong. She looked at the thin, elegant, and noble-looking middle-aged man before her. Noticing he looked a bit frail, she asked out of curiosity.

Uncle… Prince Rong’s mouth twitched.

Rong Mo’s lips curled, a trace of amusement dancing in his eyes. “He is Prince Rong.”

Cheng Ruyi was stunned. So this elegant uncle was A-Mo’s biological father! Since she wasn’t married to A-Mo yet, she wondered how she should address him. She deliberated for a moment— Maybe I’ll just call him Your Highness.

Having decided, she gave Prince Rong a brilliant smile and greeted him with great familiarity. “Hello, Your Highness! I’m Cheng Ruyi. You can call me Ruyi.”

Rong Mo: “…” His little fiancée was being a bit too warm; he felt a tiny bit unhappy.

Prince Rong already had an excellent impression of Cheng Ruyi. He glanced at his slightly jealous son and said beamingly, “Alright, I’ll call you Ruyi from now on. The eggs you sent the other day were very delicious.”

“Your Highness has a good eye! If you want more, just let me know and I’ll send another two crates. However, that century-old ginseng you sent back was only average. I’ll send you some high-quality ones another day to help your health. Your constitution is too weak.”

Cheng Ruyi lifted her chin proudly, her smile growing even brighter. Prince Rong laughed in spite of himself. This future daughter-in-law was truly extraordinary—giving away century-old ginseng like it was nothing. But then, considering how popular her Divine Medicine was, it made sense.

“Very well, I’ll thank you in advance then.” He didn’t take it too seriously in his heart.

Cheng Ruyi waved her hand grandly. “No need for thanks. You’re A-Mo’s father; it’s only right for me to show you filial piety.”

Prince Rong glanced at his indulgent son and chuckled secretly. He liked her personality—simple, generous, and devoid of deep, hidden schemes. This was very good! The Prince Rong Estate would be much more lively in the future.

“I originally wanted to give you some Divine Medicine, but A-Mo said you dismissed all your concubines, so I didn’t send any. Your Highness, since you’re A-Mo’s father, if you ever need Divine Medicine in the future, just tell me. I’ll make sure you have plenty!” she declared boldly.

Prince Rong suddenly noticed that many people nearby were staring at him. He looked at his carefree future daughter-in-law, feeling both helpless and amused. However, the medicine was indeed a good thing. His brother, the Emperor, was looking younger by the day, and he heard the Empress had even become pregnant after using it.

“…Thank you for your kindness, Ruyi, but I have no use for it.”

Cheng Ruyi paused, then looked at him strangely. Who knows what she imagined, but she said with a face full of sympathy: “Your Highness, you’re so pitiable. You’re not even fifty yet and you’re already ‘not capable.’ That’s not good at all.”

“But don’t lose heart! With Divine Medicine around, ‘not being capable’ isn’t a problem at all.”

Being told to his face by his future daughter-in-law that he was “incapable” made Prince Rong feel incredibly awkward. He found it embarrassing to refute her directly—this girl truly dared to say anything. The two bodyguards’ mouths twitched; the personality of the future Consort was truly beyond words.

Rong Mo watched Prince Rong struggle for words and stifled a laugh. But since he was his father, he had to give him some face. “Ruyi, he is fine. You’ve misunderstood.”

Cheng Ruyi’s face turned red, and she gave an embarrassed smile. “Your Highness, I’m sorry! I got it wrong. But since your health is so poor, it’s good to cultivate your spirit. You can soak the ginseng I send in water and drink it. Within a month, you’ll be in top shape—so strong you could kill a calf with a punch!”

“When that time comes, I’ll send you the Divine Medicine.”

Prince Rong glanced at the passersby who were pricking up their ears. Fearing she would say something even more shocking, he hurriedly nodded. “…Alright!” His future daughter-in-law was very filial, but her way of expressing it was… unique.

Cheng Ruyi looked happy, but a worry flickered in her mind. If the Prince’s health got better and he had her medicine, what if he married a new Consort and had a bunch of kids? She didn’t want a mother-in-law over her head and a string of younger brothers and sisters-in-law below her.

She said with a serious face: “Your Highness, once you’re healthy, you can keep some ‘honeybees’—no, I mean concubines—if you need to. But you can’t marry a new Consort or have a bunch of kids. Otherwise, I’ll commit domestic violence against your son right in front of you!”

Prince Rong was dumbfounded. Did his future daughter-in-law have to be this fierce?

The eavesdropping passersby all cast looks of deep sympathy and pity toward the perfectly calm Rong Mo. Miss Cheng was truly terrifying.

Sansukini: The FIL is also a bit cute like the parents.

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