NFBE Chapter 422 It's better to die sooner.
Chapter 422 It's better to die sooner.
The Marquis of Zhongyong's residence is brightly decorated today, with red ribbons filling the sky and drums and music filling the air.
Lu Yun wore a magnificent and elaborate bright red wedding dress, with a phoenix crown adorned with gold and kingfisher feathers on her head. The beaded curtains swayed, making her beautiful face look like a flower. She was both nervous and full of anticipation.
Although she was a concubine's daughter in the Marquis's household, Wang Min was always generous, and the marriage was held in the most respectable and grand manner.
The Wan family may seem insignificant, but they are related to the Crown Princess's family, so naturally no one would overlook them.
Lu Yun was from the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion, and Lu Song and his son were very influential. When their family had a happy occasion, all the prominent guests in the capital were happy to come and offer their congratulations.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, Yuan Wanru walked through the crowd and came to Lu Yun, who was in her boudoir finishing her makeup and waiting for the auspicious hour.
Today, she was also dressed in a festive pink brocade dress, exuding an air of elegance and nobility. She usually didn't like to go out and socialize, so not many people knew her. But seeing her with such an air, people couldn't help but marvel, thinking that the young master's wife truly lived up to her reputation as a girl raised in the Marquis's mansion.
Yuan Wanru's gaze towards Lu Yun at this moment was filled with blessings and reluctance.
"Sister Yun."
Yuan Wanru gently grasped Lu Yun's hand, which was a little cold from nervousness.
Lu Yun looked up and saw Yuan Wanru. Her eyes reddened again: "Sister-in-law."
Yuan Wanru looked at her with a smile: "On your big day, you mustn't cry, or your brother-in-law will be heartbroken."
Lu Yun blushed at her words.
Yuan Wanru raised her hand to straighten the tassels on her phoenix crown, her gaze gentle yet firm: "Sister Yun, I only wish that you and your husband will live in harmony, in perfect accord, and that you will have a peaceful and joyful life, free from worries."
She gently hugged Lu Yun and whispered in her ear in a voice only the two of them could hear: "You and Wan Bin are in love with each other. Remember, don't let a third person come between you. Don't let the words 'virtuous and generous' ruin your happiness."
Lu Yun's heart tightened.
"is it possible?"
Of course, she hopes to be with the person she loves for life.
Yuan Wanru looked at her firmly: "If you've tried your best, you won't regret it. Don't easily give up your principles."
Lu Yun nodded vigorously, tears finally streaming down her face: "Sister-in-law, I'll remember! Thank you!"
The auspicious hour had arrived, and the joyful music outside urging people to get ready for their wedding grew even louder.
Yuan Wanru wiped away her tears and gave her an encouraging smile: "Be happy, be the most beautiful bride!"
With the help of the matchmaker, Lu Yun had her red veil covered and was escorted to the bridal sedan chair amidst blessings and merriment.
Yuan Wanru stood under the corridor, watching the bright red color gradually blend into the festive crowd. Her eyes held both relief and a hint of barely perceptible melancholy.
-
In the front garden, a banquet was held, with toasts and laughter filling the air.
Zhou Jianming, dressed in a brand-new brocade robe and trying to straighten his back, was mingling among the guests.
He held a wine glass in his hand, but his eyes, like searchlights, scanned the elegantly dressed women in the garden.
The wealth and luxury of the Marquis's mansion had already dazzled him. Among the guests in this hall, there must be a young lady from a good family who seemed gentle and easy to manipulate.
If he could marry into a wealthy and powerful family, Zhou Jianming would rise to the top in one step!
It's so unfair! His unromantic and aloof older cousin has beautiful wives and concubines and enjoys wealth and luxury. Why can't the dashing Zhou Jianming live such a blissful life?
His gaze swept greedily over the well-dressed young women adorned with expensive jewelry, his mind racing as he calculated:
The girl in the pale yellow dress, I overheard people talking about her, seems to be the legitimate daughter of a high-ranking official.
She looks innocent and naive; she should be easy to fool.
The one in the light blue top had a cool and aloof air, but the pearl hairpin in her hair was clearly very valuable, indicating that she must come from a wealthy family.
And that girl surrounded by a group of maids and servants, who looked a bit spoiled, is said to be the only daughter of a wealthy merchant.
The dowry will definitely be a mountain!
Zhou Jianming became more and more excited as he thought about it, as if he could already see himself becoming a son-in-law of a dragon, living a life of luxury and having servants at his beck and call.
He forced out what he considered his most refined and elegant smile, straightened his clothes, and walked towards a pink-clad girl who looked relatively alone and was chatting and laughing quietly with her companion.
After walking over, he secretly took the handkerchief that the girl had tucked into her waistband.
"This young lady,"
Zhou Jianming bowed in the manner of those young noblemen, "Is this handkerchief yours?"
When the girl in pink saw Zhou Jianming, who had red lips and white teeth, she blushed and whispered her thanks.
Zhou Jianming was secretly pleased, but he was very modest: "It was nothing. I am a relative of the Marquis of Zhongyong. My name is Zhou Jianming. You are a graceful and elegant young lady. No wonder this handkerchief is so elegant."
The girl in pink blushed even more as she looked at his intense gaze and polite manner.
"You flatter me, sir..."
Just as Zhou Jianming was about to continue, he suddenly felt a chilling coldness coming from his side and behind!
Someone had already called out softly, "Greetings, Lady of the Heir Apparent."
Zhou Jianming froze, like a frog being stared at by a venomous snake, his neck stiffly turning around.
In the shadows of the corridor not far away, Yuan Wanru was staring at him with a cold smile.
Her smile was perfectly appropriate, but Zhou Jianming could see the murderous intent in her bright almond-shaped eyes.
Yuan Wanru's eyes were sharp as knives, clearly conveying one message: Zhou Jianming, you'd better behave yourself.
That look in his eyes chilled Zhou Jianming to the bone even more than when the golden hairpin pointed at him that day!
He was terrified, all the lines he had prepared for striking up a conversation vanished instantly, and even his fake smile froze on his face, leaving only a heart full of fear.
Zhou Jianming took a step back abruptly, almost tripping over his own foot. His face turned ashen, and cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead.
He didn't dare look at the girl in pink again, let alone try to strike up a conversation. He hurriedly lowered his head, like a frightened quail, shrinking his neck, and disappeared without saying a word.
The girl in pink looked at his retreating figure with a puzzled expression, reluctant to leave.
Yuan Wanru sighed inwardly: "The young women in ancient times were so innocent and naive."
Zhou Jianming is the kind of person who has ruined countless women; it would be better if he died sooner.
-
His grand dream of marrying into wealth and becoming a "phoenix man" shattered into dust the moment Yuan Wanru gave him that cold glance.
When Zhou Jianming returned to the men's section, he was still in shock, his heart was pounding, and his back was soaked with cold sweat.
He no longer had any desire to seduce or climb the social ladder. His hand holding the wine glass was trembling. If he hadn't been unwilling to give up this great opportunity to build a relationship, he would have wanted to find a corner to hide in and stay as far away from that terrible woman as possible.
Well, it seems I can't make a move today. Anyway, there's plenty of time in the future. Since I can't get to know the noble lady, I'll take this opportunity to get to know the young masters in the capital. These connections will always be useful.
His luck wasn't too bad that day, and he soon became sworn brothers with the sons of two officials.
The two men were also generous and easygoing. The three of them got together, drank quite a bit of wine, and had a great time.