Chapter Eighty-six: Xu Mingxia's Grand Wedding

  Xie Xuan and Yuan Qi finished the medicine in their bowls, one mouthful at a time. As soon as Yang Lian put down the bowl in his hand, he couldn't wait to say: "Can we talk now?"

  Yang Lian turned her head and looked at Xuan Yuan Qi, who was anxious, and said slowly: "You lie down first."

  Xuanyuan's anger rose in his heart, he really wanted to explode, but thinking about it, if he exploded, Yanglian might turn around and leave, then he wouldn't be able to hear any news about Jiner. He endured his temper and lay down according to Yanglian's orders, letting her tuck the rolled-up quilt under him. His eyes stared at Yanglian without blinking, as if urging her to hurry up and speak.

  Yang Lian was stared at by Xuan Yuan Qi with such concentration for the first time. From their grand wedding to now, he had never looked at her straight in the eye, and now he was looking at her like this because of another woman. Yang Lian's heart felt both sour and sweet, bitter and astringent, she really didn't know what to say. Xuan Yuan Qi became impatient, urging: "Hurry up and speak! What did you go find Jin Er for?"

  Yang Lian composed herself and said, "I went to the Xu family's residence to request an audience with Miss Xu Liu. At first, Minister Xu cited Miss Xu Liu being busy preparing for her wedding as a reason to refuse me. Later, I proposed that I would go in myself to see Miss Xu Liu and just say a few words before leaving. Minister Xu saw how sincere I was and had no choice but to agree. I followed the steward into the inner courtyard of the Xu family's residence, arriving at the Feicui Garden where Miss Xu Liu resided. Standing at the entrance, the steward went in to announce my presence. After a while, the steward came out and told me that Miss Xu Liu was inviting me in. Following the steward into the courtyard, I saw Miss Xu Liu smiling at me from under the shade of a tree."

  Yang Lian described, Xuan Yuan Qi thought to himself, that was him, he walked into Xu Ming Jin's courtyard, under the tree with lush flowers, a beauty stood there, smiling shallowly, her appearance was absolutely stunning. It was as if she was waiting for the return of her beloved... And he was the one being waited for...

  He was too happy, Xuan Yuan Qi's mouth corners involuntarily rose, and his eyes sparkled. However, in the blink of an eye, the light in his eyes dimmed. How could it be him? Xu Ming Jin would wait for the Second Prince Xuan Yuan Ze, not him Xuan Yuan Qi. At this moment, he felt a strong sense of envy and jealousy towards Xuan Yuan Ze.

  Yang Lian looked at Xuan Yuan Qi and saw him smile for a moment, then become sad, then clench his teeth in anger. All these expressions and emotions were changing because of another woman. And she wanted all this to be hers, but it was difficult and the future was uncertain. But no matter what, she wouldn't let go, he was her husband, even if it took a lifetime of effort, she would gladly do so.

  "After exchanging greetings, Miss Xu Liu led me to the hall to drink tea. I found that Miss Xu Liu was very cautious around me, as if she was afraid I would harm her. How could I dare to harm her? She is already engaged to marry the Second Prince and become a princess, her status is far higher than mine, even if I had ten times more courage, I wouldn't dare to harm her again!" Yang Lian said with a bitter smile.

  Xuan Yuan Qi's eyes widened as he listened to Yang Lian's description, and he seemed to see Xu Ming Jin like a small hedgehog, afraid, with all its sharp quills standing on end. He thought to himself: Of course, Jin'er is afraid of you! The last time you and Miss Xu were secretly plotting against her in the embroidery workshop, she already knew about it. She was with me at the time! Xuan Yuan Qi thought for a moment, suddenly realizing a problem he had been ignoring all along. Since Jin'er met him again, every encounter with him ended in disaster. The harm caused to Jin'er by Shi Zifei and Xu Mingxia were both consequences of his love for her. If he didn't love Jin'er, Shi Zifei wouldn't be jealous and want to kill her, and Xu Mingxia wouldn't have colluded with Shi Zifei to repeatedly harm her own sister...

  If he didn't love Jin'er, none of this would have happened, if he didn't love Jin'er...

  Xuanyuan Qiyue's head was splitting in pain. He stretched out his hand to tightly hold onto his head. Yang Lian had been paying attention to his expression all along, seeing that something was amiss, hastily ordered the maid to go call for a doctor. At the same time, she went forward to help him press on the Taiyang acupoint.

  After a while, Xuan Yuan Xi Wei was no longer in so much pain. Yang Lian finally breathed a sigh of relief and felt slightly more at ease.

  The doctor was already waiting outside, hearing the news, he immediately walked in. He went forward and carefully took Xuan Yuan Xi's pulse. At this time, Princess Ping Xi rushed in after hearing the news, she rushed in and threw herself in front of Xuan Yuan Xi's bed. That place was originally where Yang Lian was standing. However, a second ago, when Yang Lian saw Princess Ping Xi rushing in, he had already dodged out of the way.

  "Doctor, how is my son?" asked Queen Pinghee anxiously.

  "Back to the queen, the crown prince's condition has slightly improved." The white-bearded doctor finished taking his pulse and revealed an overjoyed expression.

  Princess Pingxi heard this and was overjoyed, tears streaming down her face as she repeatedly said "good" three times. She ordered the steward to heavily reward the doctor. Xuan Yuan Xizhi watched from the side with an expressionless face.

  Yang Lian looked at Xuan Yuan Qi and thought, "Is this what Miss Xu Liu meant by 'it's better to suffer a short pain than a long one'?" She wondered if everything would get better after the pain. As she thought about it, a faint smile appeared on Yang Lian's face. Xuan Yuan Qi really didn't want to face Princess Ping Xi's concerned expression, so he turned his head away and happened to see the faint smile on Yang Lian's face, which surprisingly resembled Xu Ming Jin's.

  Xuanyuan was stunned by what he saw.

  Princess Pingxi said, and as she spoke, she saw her son staring intently at Yang Lian's face. Suddenly displeased, she scolded: "I'm talking to you here, but your mind is all on your wife! Alas, it's true that once a man marries, he forgets his mother!" Princess Pingxi thought resentfully, casting a hateful glance at Yang Lian. She thought to herself: It's better for her son to be cold towards her, lest she gets too arrogant.

  Yang Lian saw it, really didn't know how she had offended this unpredictable mother-in-law. She could only put away her smile, stand there, lower her eyebrows and eyes, just like a submissive daughter-in-law. But this look was not like Xu Mingjin's, Xuan Yuan Qi immediately turned his head away. Thinking in his heart: Did I see flowers earlier?

  After dinner that day, Xuan Yuan Qi suddenly remembered that Yang Lian had only just reached the key point of what she was telling him and hadn't finished speaking. If he hadn't suddenly gotten a headache, leading to the doctor coming and his mother arriving, he would have already known everything by now. Xuan Yuan Qi looked around, discovering that Yang Lian wasn't even standing beside him serving him at this moment. Hadn't his mother just said that the Crown Prince's consort was always by his bedside, not leaving even for a moment? It seemed like she had gone back to rest. It appeared that his mother had also started deceiving him. Xuan Yuan Qi let out a sigh.

  Yang Lian walked in with the medicine bowl and saw Xuan Yuan Qi swearing sitting alone on the bed, sighing long and short. Suddenly hearing his own footsteps, he immediately turned his head excitedly, seeing himself, and a joyful expression appeared in his eyes.

  Yang Lian gazed greedily at Xuan Yuan Qi's oath, letting her forget Xu Ming Jin's existence! Letting Xuan Yuan Qi reveal this expression completely for her...

  "What were you just doing? Why did it take so long?" Xuan Yuan Qi Yu said somewhat impatiently: "Are you coming over? Stupidly standing there, what are you doing? Hurry up, if you stand there any longer, the medicine will get cold!"

  Yang Lian finally came to her senses from her self-absorption, and saw the impatience on Xuan Yuan Qi's face. She quickly hastened her pace and walked over. As soon as she approached, Xuan Yuan Qi grabbed the medicine bowl from the tray in her hand, took a sip, and found it wasn't hot. This was mainly because Yang Lian had stood at the door for a moment earlier, and the temperature of the medicine had already dissipated. Yang Lian said: "Young Master, let me feed you instead!"

  "No need, you're feeding me too slowly." As he spoke, Xuan Yuan Xi Yi tilted his head back and gulped down the entire bowl of medicine in one breath. He carelessly tossed the empty medicine bowl onto the tray in Yang Lian's hands, pulled off the handkerchief tied around Yang Lian's waist, and wiped clean the few drops of medicine that had dripped from the corner of his mouth. This entire series of actions was as smooth as flowing clouds and water, done in one swift motion. Yang Lian watched with wide eyes and an open mouth, she had never seen anyone drink a bowl of medicine so magnificently...

  Xuanyuan Qi looked up at Yang Lian and said: "Now, continue telling me the part you didn't finish at noon."

  。”

  Yang Lian had originally guessed that he was so eager to drink medicine, the purpose is to listen to himself continue to talk about Xu Mingjin's affairs. Therefore, it's not surprising that she sat down on the chair in front of Xuan Yuan Qi's bed and slowly continued from where they left off at noon: "I saw that Miss Xu was very cautious towards me, so I didn't say anything polite, and directly told her my intention."

  Xuanyuan Qishan burst out: "What's the meaning of this? Speak quickly!"

  Yang Lian smiled slightly and said: "The young master should not be impatient, a meal is eaten one mouthful at a time, words are spoken one sentence at a time."

  Xuanyuan Qishi looked at Yang Lian, who was deliberately not speaking, and couldn't help but feel angry again in his heart. However, he could only endure it. Otherwise, Yang Lian might not speak at all. In that case, wouldn't he be anxious to death?

  Yang Lian quietly appreciated Xuan Yuan's appearance of suppressing his anger, and laughed secretly in her heart. She continued to speak with an innocent face: "I knelt down to Xu Mingjin and asked her to come to the mansion to see you."

  "What!" Xuan Yuan Qi exclaimed in disbelief: "You, to get down on your knees and beg Xu Ming Jin to come see me? Why would you do that?"

  Yang Lian said calmly, "Why can't I kneel down to Xu Mingjin? At that time, I only had one thought in mind, which was, you can't die! You are my husband! The doctor said your illness was a heart disease, and heart disease requires heart medicine. You were bedridden and unconscious, but still muttering the words 'Jin Er' from your mouth. What could I do? I had no choice but to go beg her, beg her to come see you, maybe then your illness would be cured."

  Xuan Yuan Qi swore that for the first time in his life, he looked at Yang Lian with a serious gaze. It wasn't because of Xu Ming Jin's sake, but simply because she was Yang Lian. At this moment, Xuan Yuan Qi's emotions were complex, and he hadn't expected that Yang Lian would put aside her own dignity to ask for help from someone she deeply hated in order to make him feel better. Despite not getting any happiness out of it, she still did it without hesitation.

  Yang Lian smiled slightly and said: "Unfortunately, Miss Xu Liu did not agree with me."

  Xuanyuan Qiyue actually already knew this result. Although his heart was filled with overwhelming sadness, he calmly asked: "Why? She said why?"

  Yang Lian clearly saw the painful color in Xuan Yuan's eyes. She thought painfully: It hurts, after hurting, you will be relieved. She sighed and vowed to Xuan Yuan: "She said that even if she left, it wouldn't change anything. Even if you wake up, if you mistakenly think she has feelings for you and do something irreparable, it would be bad for everyone. Long pain is not as good as short pain."

  "It's better to have a short pain than a long one..." Xuan Yuan Qi Yu muttered to himself, tears suddenly streaming down his face. Yang Lian saw this and was heartbroken, she rushed over and hugged him tightly, using her lips to wipe away the tear stains on his face, comforting him: "Miss Xu Liu hopes you can walk out of this emotional entanglement. Don't disappoint her expectations."

  Xuanyuan Xie suddenly hugged Yang Lian and burst into tears.

  Yang Lian comforted him, but in her heart she was excited beyond words. He hugged her, and finally, after all this time, the day had arrived! Heaven rewards those who persevere!

  That night, Xuan Yuan was crying uncontrollably.

  That night, Yang Lian comforted him...

  Before long, it was October 9th. This day was the wedding day of Miss Xu Mingxia, the eldest daughter of the Xu family, and Li Muzi, the third son of Li Yu Shi.

  The weather was very bad today, and the sun didn't come out all day. The whole sky was gloomy.

  Just like Xu Mingxia's mood at this moment.

  Now is the time when morning sickness reaction is most intense, but before dawn, she was called up from bed, then bathed and dressed, and then she was pressed to sit on a chair. A group of old ladies who came from nowhere combed her hair for one or two hours, while muttering in their mouths: "One combing to the head, two combing to the end, three combing to white hair and eyebrows..." She felt that her head was getting heavier and heavier, pressing her dizzy. Finally, she couldn't bear it anymore, so she jumped up from the chair, ran to one side and vomited a lot. The people in the house looked at each other in dismay, not knowing what was going on.

  Xu Mingxia's maid, Qiao Yin, couldn't help but feel anxious when she saw those people looking at her mistress with suspicious eyes. She glared at Xu Mingxia, who was vomiting without any reserve, and quickly jumped in to explain: "My mistress had a bad stomach yesterday, please forgive us. Please wait for a moment." After finishing speaking, she pulled Xu Mingxia into the next room. Behind them, an old servant woman muttered: "Bad stomach? But she's been throwing up for half a day, and there's only acid water on the ground... this is clearly pregnancy..." A nearby servant quickly covered the old woman's mouth: "Sister, please say less! If you know something, keep it in your heart. You forgot that this family still has a future second imperial concubine! If your words leak out, be careful that your whole family will not be safe..."

  The old woman was startled and seemed to have recalled something. Her face turned pale with terror. She didn't dare say another word.

  Qiao Yin quickly pulled Xu Mingxia into the next room, hastily pouring her a cup of tea to rinse her mouth, while checking her clothes. Although she hadn't changed into her wedding dress yet, the undergarments Xu Mingxia was wearing were matching with the wedding dress, and if they got dirty, it would be disastrous. Qiao Yin finished checking and let out a sigh of relief, fortunately, Xu Mingxia hadn't vomited on herself. Only then did Qiao Yin say: "Miss! Even if you want to throw up again, you'll have to hold it in for now. Just now, you were throwing up at our own home, those maids might have seen, but we can just pay them off with some silver and they'll keep their mouths shut. And even if that doesn't work, we still have a future second princess consort! They wouldn't dare spread the word about this even if they wanted to. But if you throw up in the sedan chair or during the ceremony, your face and the faces of the Xu and Li families will be completely lost!"

  Xu Mingxia snorted coldly and said: "What's lost is lost! What can they do to me?"

  "Oh dear miss!" Qiao Yin exhorted with a bitter tone: "If you really think so, then the old master and the Li family will have no way to deal with you. However, once you enter the Li household, you'll become an object of ridicule for everyone. You've also heard that the first and second mistresses of the Li family haven't given birth yet, and as soon as you join the family, they'll be pregnant. They're already jealous of you, and with this excuse, they'll make things difficult for you openly or secretly in the future. Your days in the Li household won't be easy.

  Moreover, miss, you've lost face for your husband. Today he's angry, and from now on, he'll keep his distance from you. Who knows, he might even take a few more concubines to humiliate you and ruin your life. When you return to your parents' home in the future, the old master might give you a cold shoulder... and when you're bullied by your in-laws, don't come back to find the old master to stand up for you, because he won't care about you..."

  Xu Mingxia listened to Qiao Yin's analysis, her face turned from red to green and then white, a colorful and lively scene. After a while, she said: "What if I really want to vomit later? This kind of thing is unbearable."

  Qiao Yin heard Xu Mingxia say this and knew that she had already taken her advice to heart, so she was overjoyed. When Xu Mingxia asked her like this, Qiao Yin thought for a moment and said: "Miss, how about this? I'll prepare a flower vase for you to hold in your hand. If you feel like vomiting, just vomit into it. After you get off the sedan chair, I'll take care of the vase. But during the wedding ceremony, there are so many eyes staring at you, Miss, you can only endure it for a while. Anyway, the time will pass quickly. Once you enter the bridal chamber, there will be no one else in the room, and you can vomit as much as you want without anyone knowing."

  Xu Mingxia listened to Qiao Yin finish speaking, then thought for a moment herself before nodding and saying: "Qiao Yin, what you said is very right, let's do it as you said."

  Qiao Yin nodded and said, "Miss, it's getting late, let's hurry up and go out. Otherwise, when the groom comes to pick you up, you'll still be dressing up!" She then supported Xu Mingxia as they walked out together.

  Xu Mingxia found the atmosphere in the hall to be somewhat strange. She looked at everyone in confusion, then followed their gaze, and saw a person, someone who couldn't possibly be here: Ye Yiniang.

  Yanni's appearance was far from the elegant and noble one she had before. It had only been two months since they last met, but Yanni seemed to have aged twenty years.

  Her hair, once a rich black, had turned white at the temples. Her face, formerly radiant and unlined, was now etched with deep wrinkles. Her eyes, which used to sparkle with vitality, had lost their luster. She wore no jewelry, her clothes were simple and plain, making her look like one of the lowliest servants in the mansion. She stood at the entrance of the hall, blocked by a young maid from entering, her hands stretched out in front of her, calling out in a mournful voice: "Xia'er! Xia'er! My Xia'er!"

  Xu Mingxia's blood rushed to her head, and for a moment, she couldn't help but feel like vomiting again. Qiao Yin saw Xu Mingxia's face twisted in distress and thought to herself: "This is bad!" She hastily ordered the maids who were blocking Ye Niang at the door: "Why haven't you taken her away yet? How can she be allowed to barge in here? You few, go down and receive ten slaps as punishment!" After Qiao Yin finished giving orders, she turned back to look at Xu Mingxia, but saw that she was only pale-faced and didn't seem like she was going to vomit. Qiao Yin was stunned - she had already thought of an excuse for Xu Mingxia's vomiting, but now she wasn't vomiting after all.

  "Wait! Let her go!" Xu Mingxia shouted.

  Those two maids heard Xu Mingxia say this and quickly let go of Ye Niang. Ye Niang, no longer bound, stumbled forward and rushed to Xu Mingxia's face. Xu Mingxia ordered the two maids at the door: "You should do what you need to do, today is my big happy day, seeing blood is unlucky, I'll spare you this time." The two maids heard Xu Mingxia say this and immediately knelt down on the ground, thanking her profusely. The people in the courtyard originally had a different opinion about Qiao Yin's actions, but Xu Mingxia's move changed their impression of her.

  Xu Mingjin stepped forward, hugging Ye Yiniang and said to the crowd: "When a daughter gets married, shouldn't she receive her mother's blessing? Without my mother's blessing, how can I get married with peace of mind?" After speaking, he buried his face in Ye Yiniang's arms and sobbed loudly.

  "Xia'er, look at your makeup, it's all ruined. Don't cry anymore, let me help you reapply it! If we miss the auspicious hour, it won't be good." Ye Niangniang also had tears streaming down her face, yet she managed to say these words. Everyone in the hall was moved by what they heard. Ye Niangniang was Xu Xiaojie's biological mother and Xu Shangshu's original wife. The incident where she was demoted to a concubine after being exposed for faking a pregnancy by Princess Jinglin at the Pingxi King's estate, and subsequently being demoted by the Emperor, was something that everyone present was well aware of. However, what was astonishing was that after Ye Niangniang was demoted to a concubine, Xu Shangshu treated her so cruelly, tormenting her until she became like this?

  Xu Mingxia sat down on the chair, and Ye Yiniang began to comb her hair. As she combed, she recited: "One combing, wealth and honor are not to be worried about; two combings, no illness or worry; three combings, many children and long life...". The crowd only then discovered that Ye Yiniang's hands were nimble and white, and could actually comb a good head of hair. Xu Mingxia's re-combing this time was more than twice as beautiful as before. After finishing her hair, Ye Yiniang put on the phoenix crown for Xu Mingxia. Next was putting on the wedding dress; when everyone wanted to come forward to help, Ye Yiniang stopped them. She personally helped Xu Mingxia put on the wedding dress one piece at a time. At this point, a smile finally appeared on her face. Xu Mingxia stared blankly at the smile on Ye Yiniang's face, and her eyes began to redden again. Ye Yiniang hastily said: "Don't dare cry again! Just finished putting on makeup, don't mess it up!" As she spoke, taking advantage of everyone's inattention, she secretly stuffed something from her hand into Xu Mingxia's sleeve.

  Xu Mingjin was stunned, and the thing Ye Yinniang handed over to her felt like a silver note. Ye Yinniang nodded at her. Xu Mingxia quietly took advantage of the opportunity to turn around and carefully put away the silver note in her hand with her back to everyone.

  At this time, Xu Mingjin followed Xu Mingying and others to the hall, they came to give Xu Mingxia a dowry gift. Seeing Ye Niang in this place, everyone was slightly stunned.

  Xu Mingying let out a cold hum from her nose and said, "Ye Yiniang, didn't Father say so? He doesn't allow you to step out of the Buddhist hall again, how did you end up here?"

  Xu Mingjin said, "Second sister, just say a few less words! Eldest sister is getting married today, and naturally, Aunt Ye will come to see off her daughter. This is the last thing a mother can do for her daughter. I think even if Father knew, he would agree. We're here to give the dowry gift, hurry up and bring it out!"

  Xu Mingying heard this and glared fiercely at Xu Mingjin, but because of Xu Mingjin's current status as the future crown prince's consort, she didn't dare to be rude in front of her.

  He snorted twice, but said nothing. He took the box from Yaotou's hand and walked in front of Xu Mingxia, saying: "Sister, this is my dowry gift to you, it may be a bit thin, but after all, it's my intention, I hope sister won't despise it." As he spoke, he opened the box, inside was an ordinary gold hairpin, and nothing else. Everyone saw it, and couldn't help but show disdain: Xu Erniang is really too stingy! Even when rewarding servants sometimes give more than this!

  Xu Mingxia's face was expressionless, and she only said faintly: "Thank you." Then there was nothing else to say. Xu Mingying didn't think much of it either, she looked at Xu Mingxia with a pleased glance, then stood aside. Next was Xu Mingyu, everyone was looking forward to seeing what kind of decent dowry gift the third miss of the Shangshu Mansion could come up with, and not be stingy like the second miss Xu Mingying.

  From then on, the reputation of Miss Xu's stinginess spread like wildfire. This was something that Xu Ying had not anticipated; she had only wanted to stimulate Xu Mingxia a bit. She hadn't expected to lose everything in the process.

  Xu Mingyu stepped forward, taking out her dowry gift: a pair of gemstone-encrusted phoenix hairpins with gold and silver inlays. This was no ordinary gift. Everyone's eyes on Xu Mingyu were filled with admiration: it seemed that the third young lady of the Xu family was indeed generous and impressive.

  Xu Mingxia received the dowry gift and took a glance at Xu Mingyu, not expecting that this third sister who didn't usually interact with her would have such kindness. Xu Mingyu saw Xu Mingxia's gaze and smiled slightly, without saying much.

  Then there were Xu Mingfang and Xu Mingshuai, who gave Xu Mingxia a pair of golden hairpins as dowry gifts. One was a golden hairpin with a swallow pattern, and the other was a silver hairpin with a double phoenix pattern. These two gifts were also not ordinary. When Xu Mingying saw that everyone's dowry gifts to Xu Mingxia were so valuable, she felt embarrassed about her own gift, which was just an ordinary golden hairpin. However, when she thought about how Xu Mingjin had not yet given her gift and how Xu Mingxia had repeatedly harmed Xu Mingjin, Xu Mingying secretly wished in her heart: "Xu Mingjin, please don't give any valuable dowry gifts! She has harmed you so much, just giving her a broken silver hairpin would be enough!"

  However, she was ultimately disappointed. Xu Mingjin saw that everyone had sent out their betrothal gifts, so he took out his own gift, a red jade and pearl phoenix hairpin, and a crystal blue sapphire hairpin. This gift was the most valuable among all of them. The crowd widened their eyes, "Red jade! That's really rare!" This future second prince's consort was indeed generous!

  Xu Mingjin didn't care, anyway she had a lot of silver in her hands now. A hairpin and a hair clip were just small change to her. The share from Uncle's embroidery shop and the share from Wang San Niang's place, Xu Mingjin already had more money than anyone else in the Xu family, she was a real little rich woman. Moreover, the person she was going to marry wouldn't be short of money either.

  Xu Mingxia looked at Xu Mingjin's dowry gift, her face was extremely complex, after a long time, she finally forced a smile and said to Xu Mingjin: "Thank you, Sixth Sister!"

  Xu Mingying widened her eyes, staring at the red coral and pearl phoenix coronet that Xu Mingjin had taken out. She couldn't help but wish that the coronet was a gift for herself. Xu Mingjin was actually giving away such a valuable item; she was truly an idiot! Xu Mingying thought resentfully in her heart, this way, wouldn't it mean that only her dowry gifts were the least impressive? Xu Mingying regretted not being more generous earlier, if only she had given more valuable items as dowry gifts, then she wouldn't be so embarrassed now. However, she began to suspect: how could Xu Mingjin, a country bumpkin, afford to be so generous when her father hadn't given her anything? Xu Mingying couldn't guess that Xu Mingjin had a way of making money. She thought in her heart: could it be that her father had secretly given it to her? Thinking this way, Xu Mingying began to resent Xu Ruoyi's favoritism.

  Ye Yiniang was also stunned when she saw Xu Mingjin give her daughter such a valuable dowry gift.

  For Ye Yiniang, she had killed Xu Mingjin's mother and repeatedly harmed Xu Mingjin and his sister. They should hate her to death, so why would they give Xia'er such an expensive gift? Was it just because they wanted people to praise her for being generous? Anyway, Xia'er got real benefits, with the silver that Ye Yiniang had just given her, plus the dowry gifts from Xu Mingjin and his sisters. With all this, Xia'er should be able to live well in the Yu Shi Fu, so Ye Yiniang was at ease.

  Yè Yí Niáng looked at Xú Míng Xiá, wearing a wedding dress and a phoenix coronet, she was so beautiful, this is her daughter.

  Yè Yí Niáng's heart was filled with pride.

  Xu Mingjin stood there, looking at Xu Mingxia like this, and couldn't help but think that when she got married, was it also so beautiful? Immediately she threw away this idea, after all, her wedding is still more than half a year away!

  Soon, the welcoming procession arrived. Qiao Yin replaced Xu Mingxia's red hood with a mandarin duck play water cover, and then Xu Mingxia was surrounded by everyone all the way out of the courtyard, finally being stuffed into the bridal sedan chair.

  Xu Mingjin stood there, watching as Ye Yiniang reluctantly bid farewell to Xu Mingxia's sedan chair as it disappeared into the distance.

  Xu Mingjin thought that there shouldn't be anything else, so she went back to her own courtyard. Last time Xu Ruoyi got married, she was pulled away by Xuan Yuan Jinglin to ride horses and didn't see the ancient wedding scene, today she finally got what she wanted. The Li family's welcoming procession was quite grand. Yu Zhu knew Xu Mingjin's thoughts and snorted: "Miss, your vision is too shallow! This is still considered a big show? Wait until you marry the second prince, then you'll know what a real big show is!"

  "Can it be the same? The young lady is marrying the second prince, entering the imperial family, not marrying a idle rich young master!" Qiu Yun said from the side.

  Xu Mingjin rolled her eyes silently beside them, she just casually praised a sentence, did they have to react so big?

  It was soon time for Xu Mingxia's three-day return home.

  Xu Mingjin got up early and rushed to Spring Huiyuan, the residence of Old Lady Xu. This was because Xu Mingxia would definitely go there first with Li Minzhi after returning. When Xu Mingjin arrived, Xu Mingying, Xu Mingyu, and others were already all present. It seemed that they had the same thoughts as Xu Mingjin, which was to take a look at how Xu Mingxia's new marriage was going. Lady Xu was also there, holding Seventh Young Miss Xu Mingcan in her arms. Xu Mingjin went forward to pay respects to Old Lady Xu and then greeted each of them before sitting down beside Xu Mingshan.

  "Jin'er, come and sit here." Madam Xul suddenly pointed to the seat next to her and beckoned Xu Mingjin to come forward. Xu Mingjin heard what Madam Xu said and had no choice but to walk over and sit down beside her. This was originally Xu Mingxia's privilege, but now that Xu Mingxia was married, this seat belonged to Xu Mingjin. Others didn't seem to mind, but Xu Mingying couldn't bear it. As the second young miss, after the eldest young miss got married, Madam Xu should have favored her more. Her aunt had already told her that now that the eldest young miss of the Xu family was married and the sixth young miss had also been betrothed, she was the oldest in age. She had to hurry up and win over Madam Xu's favor so that she could find a good marriage for herself. Since Xu Mingjin was going to be the second imperial princess, the proud Xu Mingying thought to herself, if this country bumpkin Xu Mingjin could have such a great marriage, then shouldn't she, Xu Erlang, who had grown up in the capital since childhood, also be able to marry an imperial prince?

  Now, looking at Mrs. Xu, she didn't hate her more, but instead pitied Xu Mingjin, the man who had a famous flower with a master, and Xu Mingying's heart hated Xu Mingjin even more. Her gaze flew towards Xu Mingjin like a knife.

  Xu Mingjin sat beside Madam Xu, feeling the sharp gaze of others like a sword array flying towards her. It was really a feeling of sitting on pins and needles. Since Xu Mingjin arrived at the Shangshu Mansion, Madam Xu's attitude towards her had changed from indifference to warmth due to her good relationship with Xuan Yuan Jinglin, then to coldness because of Xu Mingxia, and now that she was about to marry into the imperial family as the emperor's daughter-in-law, Madam Xu had started to treat her with a warm smile. This person was indeed influenced by power! Xu Mingjin knew it clearly in her heart, Madam Xu's current kindness towards her was entirely due to her engagement to Xuan Yuan Ze; if she were to marry some wealthy young master like Xu Mingxia, Madam Xu would not only be cold but might even mock her.

  Xu Mingjin's expression was dull, and Old Lady Xu asked her many questions, such as whether she had been eating well lately, whether she lacked anything, and told her to come talk to her grandmother if she wanted something. Xu Mingjin either only answered with a "yes" or just hummed. The atmosphere was very distant. Old Lady Xu saw the situation and was so angry that her teeth itched, but there was nothing she could do about it. She also became less affectionate towards Xu Mingjin.

  Xu Ruoyi came down from the morning and also went to Lao Furen's side. He thought that since they were going to meet anyway, it didn't matter where they met. Not long after Xu Ruoyi arrived, the doorman reported: "The eldest young lady and her husband have come."

  ！

  The crowd's spirits were lifted. Mrs. Xu couldn't help but sit up straight, her eyes fixed intently on the door, her expression agitated. Although Xu Ruoyi didn't want to see his daughter, he was ultimately worried about her safety. Mrs. Xu's eyes never left the seventh miss in her arms. Xu Mingying was eager to catch a glimpse of the true face of the number one young master of Beijing. Xu Mingjin was also curious, wondering what had become of Xu Mingxia now and whether she still remembered Xuan Yuan Qiyue. Based on Xu Mingxia's past crazy behavior for Xuan Yuan Qiyue, Xu Mingjin didn't believe that Xu Mingxia could forget Xuan Yuan Qiyue just because she got married.

  Finally, Xu Mingxia supported Li Minzhi's arm and slowly walked into everyone's line of sight.

  Xu Mingjin looked up and saw Xu Mingxia combing her hair, wearing the red phoenix coronet he had given her, dressed in a large red embroidered shirt and skirt, with rosy cheeks and a radiant complexion. This new attire brought out her beauty to the fullest.

  Looking at Li Minzhi beside her, he originally had a refined and elegant appearance like a scholar, but his previous dissipation had ruined this impression. Now, it seemed that Li Yushi's restrictions on him before their marriage had limited his actions, and these days of not indulging in sensual pleasures had improved his complexion.

  As he stood next to Xu Mingxia, the two of them made a stunning couple, attracting everyone's attention.

  Xu Mingying's jaw almost dropped to the ground, she originally thought that people called "dandy" should look sly and cunning, or stupid like a pig, Xu Mingxia married such a person, Xu Mingying had laughed secretly in her heart. But unexpectedly, it turned out that this Li San Gongzi was actually a handsome young master. Li Minzhi's gaze swept over, Xu Mingying was completely stunned by that gaze.

  Xu Mingyu looked at Li Minzhi, and indeed there was no extra expression. Xu Mingfang, however, revealed the same infatuated gaze as Xu Mingying. Xu Mingsi and Xu Mingjin, on the other hand, only took a glance at Li Minzhi before turning their heads to look at Xu Mingxia.

  Li Min gazed at Xu Mingjin in front of Old Lady Xu. Although it was his first time seeing Xu Mingjin, this woman had bright eyes and a stunning face, more beautiful than all the other women in the room. Without needing anyone's introduction, he already knew that she was the one who made Prince Ping Xi's son melancholy, but would eventually marry Second Prince Xuan Yuanze - Miss Xu, the sixth daughter of the Xu family.

  Xu Mingxia felt Li Minzhi's gaze on Xu Mingjin, and unexpectedly, Xu Mingjin's charm was so great that even her husband couldn't escape. She couldn't help but glare at Xu Mingjin fiercely, secretly making up her mind: from now on, before Xu Mingjin gets married, she must not let Li Minzhi see Xu Mingjin again.

  Xu Mingxia pulled Li Minzhe's hand hard, and Li Minzhe only reacted to turn his head and smile at Xu Mingxia, following her to the front of Old Lady Xu and kneeling down together: "Granddaughter, grandson-in-law, greetings to grandmother."

  Mrs. Xü laughed and helped the two get up, then Xü Míngxiá pulled Lǐ Mǐnzhī to stand in front of Mr. and Mrs. Xü Ruòyì, just as they were about to kneel down, they were stopped by Mr. Xü and his wife on either side, so they could only bow their heads slightly and get up.

  Xu Mingxia brought Li Minzhi in front of Xu Mingying and said, "This is my second sister." Li Minzhi smiled slightly and bowed her hands: "Nice to meet you, Second Sister."

  Xu Mingxia saw Li Minzhi up close, her heart beating faster. Xu Mingxia, who was standing beside her, couldn't help but reveal a look of disgust. Just now, these sisters had only taken one glance at Li Minzhi, how come Xu Mingying saw Li Minzhi and couldn't move her eyes away? How despicable! She even dared to have such filthy thoughts about her own brother-in-law. Truly shameless! Just like her mother, they're a match made in heaven!

  "I've seen my sister's husband." Xu Mingying said with a blush.

  Xu Mingxia hastily pulled Li Minzhi and Xu Mingyu to greet each other. Xu Mingyu greeted Li Minzhi with poise, without a sideways glance. Only then did Xu Mingying's heart feel at ease.

  Next was Xu Mingfang, when Xu Mingxia saw Xu Mingfang also showing that shy look, Xu Mingxia couldn't help but get angry. When did my husband's turn come to you these cheap women one by one?! She couldn't help but glare at Xu Mingfang angrily. The place was made uncomfortable by her sharp gaze.

  Even though Xu Mingxia has not been the legitimate daughter of the Xu family for many years, that air of authority still lingers. It's normal for Xu Mingfang to be afraid.

  Then there was Xu Mingqi, Xu Mingjin. When introducing Xu Mingjin, Li Minzhi didn't wait for Xu Mingxia to speak and hurriedly said: "I know this one! Isn't she the sixth sister who is engaged to the second prince? Right?" Her eyes were filled with delight. Xu Mingxia felt a bad taste in her heart. How did Li Minzhi know Xu Mingjin before?

  "Nice to meet you, brother-in-law." Xu Mingjin bowed neatly and then stared at his toes without looking up.

  Xu Mingxia's eyes finally softened.

  After exchanging greetings, Xu Mingxia said to Xu Ruoyi: "Father, today is the day of my return home, can you let my aunt out and let us see each other? After all, she raised me for a lifetime, I heard that her illness has become more serious..." As she spoke, Xu Mingxia's eyes turned red, and tears were about to fall. Li Minzhi hastily added: "Father-in-law, may we ask you to bring out Xia'er's aunt, so that the young son-in-law can pay his respects?"

  Xu Ruoyi was stunned. He had never thought that Xu Mingxia would bring up the idea of meeting Ye Yiniang at this point, and he found himself in a difficult position.

  Mrs. Xü watched from the side and couldn't help but interrupt: "Yi'er, why not just let Ye Niang out? She's been locked up for so many days, she should have reflected on her actions by now. Besides, with her being locked up all this time, Xia'er is thinking about her and feeling uneasy in her heart. It's also not good for the child in her belly, let Ye Niang out!"

  Xu Mingjin's sharp eyes saw that Mrs. Xu's eyes narrowed dangerously when she heard Old Lady Xu's words, and a sharp glint flashed in her eyes.

  Xu Ming sighed in his heart: Xu Mingxia, you tried your best to rescue your mother, do you know that this will put her life in danger? In the Buddhist hall, at most she was just being deprived of food, but no one wanted to harm Ye Niangniang. If you beg Father to release her, some people won't let her off!

  What Xuming Jin thought in his heart was unknown to Xu Mingxia. At this moment, Xu Mingxia stared at Xu Ruoyi with her eyes fixed on him, waiting for his answer.

  "Alright!" After a long while, Xu Ruoyi let out a sigh and said.

  Xu Mingxia's eyes curved into two crescent moons as she smiled happily. Xu Mingjin looked away, unable to bear it.

  After leaving Spring Huiyuan of Mrs. Xue, Xu Mingxia took Li Min to the Buddhist hall and released Ye Yiniang personally.

  The old woman guarding the Buddhist hall had already received Xu Ruoyi's order to release, and hastily opened the large door with a flustered expression. Xu Mingxia was about to enter when Li Minzhi stopped her, saying: "You wait here, the air inside is not good for you, it will be bad for the child in your belly if you go in, let me take someone in instead!"

  Xu Mingxia also felt a bit uncomfortable, listening to Li Minzhe's words, nodded and stood obediently on the side. Li Minzhe saw this, lowered his head and kissed Xu Mingxia's cheek.

  Xu Mingxia was so embarrassed, this man! At home, he wasn't as wild and reckless, but outside, how could he be so careless about the occasion! However, after she got over her embarrassment, when she looked up to see the maids and servant girls standing around them, their eyes all showed a look of admiration. Xu Mingxia was stunned for a moment, before Li Minzhi had already turned around and led the people inside.

  Maybe finding such a husband is not bad either. Xu Mingxia thought in her heart.

  Nowadays, she has put Xuan Yuan's name in the deepest part of her heart and will never mention it again.

  After a moment's effort, Li Minzhi and the others supported Ye Yiniang out slowly. Xu Mingxia hurried to meet them.

  "Xia'er!" Aunt Ye saw Xu Mingxia, and her eyes, which had been as dull as dead wood, finally showed some light.