Chapter 1: Wedding Day
On the sixth day of the fifth month, an auspicious day for matrimony.
Song Hemei was roused before dawn by her maids to begin the ritual face-waxing and bridal preparations. Though the sky was still dark when she opened her eyes, she felt not a trace of drowsiness. Anticipation and shyness churned together in her heart. Her sister-in-law's teasing voice rang in her ears, and she had to press a hand to her chest and take a deep breath every now and then to steady herself.
She had waited three years for this day.
She had known the Prefect's only son, Young Master Shao, since childhood. The two families had long ago settled the betrothal, but unfortunately, the year she came of age, Shao's grandfather passed away, and the marriage had to be delayed a full three years.
Now, the bond of childhood sweethearts was finally to be fulfilled. Both households were overjoyed. When the sounds of gongs and drums reached her from outside, her sister-in-law laughed, "Oh! The groom has arrived!"
Song Hemei could hardly contain her happiness and instinctively turned to look out the window. But she had been foolish with joy—the wedding procession was still at the main gate; how could she see it from her boudoir?
Her sister-in-law laughed at her impatience, pressing her shoulders to continue combing her hair. "Don't be anxious. Your elder brother is going to set some difficult challenges to give him a hard time."
Song Hemei was the second daughter of the family, with an elder brother and a younger brother. The Song family were merchants, but Young Master Shao came from an official lineage and had studied since childhood. She was not worried about whatever challenges her brother could devise.
The only thing that concerned her was her younger brother's study companion, Young Master Yu.
Yu Yeqing came from a poor family but was renowned for his scholarship. If her brother instructed him to set the questions, it seemed likely Young Master Shao would never manage to enter the Song residence at all.
However, yesterday she had secretly sought out Young Master Yu and asked him to go easy. Though Yu Yeqing was usually reticent, he had not refused yesterday, so she assumed he had agreed.
And indeed, as she had expected, Young Master Yu timed things perfectly. The moment she finished her toilette, sounds came from outside the courtyard.
Her elder brother, Song Yunyao, arrived with his attendants.
His first words to her were not praises for the bride's beauty, but a reluctant complaint: "That Shao lad must have stuffed silver into Yu's hands beforehand! I wasted my effort having him guard the door together with me, and he gave away my sister so easily!"
Her sister-in-law flicked her handkerchief at him to interrupt his words, then glanced meaningfully toward Song Hemei.
Song Yunyao finally came to her side, a smile appearing in his eyes. "Come, I'll carry you out on my back. From now on, I'll be your support so those Shao people dare not touch a single hair on your head!"
At this moment, the bridal phoenix crown on Song Hemei's head was heavy, preventing any large movements. She merely raised her freshly painted willow-shaped brows at him. "You promise?"
Song Yunyao thumped his chest. "I promise!"
Song Hemei opened her arms, her eyes curved in a smile, and let her brother carry her steadily on his back. Out of the inner chamber, through the moon gate, across the corridor. At the farewell to her parents, they both shed a few tears. Then the matron of honor urged them forward to the outer courtyard.
Holding a ceremonial fan to shield her face, before leaving, she caught sight of someone outside the crowd.
Yu Yeqing was wearing new clothes today—the Song residence must have made them for him. Not just him, but all the servants in the household had received new garments.
But the red celebratory attire suited him exceptionally well, dispelling much of his usual distant aloofness, like a bright moon brought down to earth, finally granting him a touch of the human world.
From afar, that one glance was enough for Song Hemei to notice him. Even though his dark eyes still carried no particular emotion, and he stood apart from the crowd as if he did not belong in this lively scene, she still smiled and blinked at him.
Thank you so much, Young Master Yu.
Shao Wen'ang was waiting anxiously outside the mansion, pacing back and forth at the gate, the corners of his mouth pulled back nearly to his ears. When Song Hemei was carried out on her brother's back, this was exactly what she saw.
Guests congratulating him laughed, which made his neck and ears flush crimson. He cupped his hands repeatedly in acknowledgment, then followed the crowd's gaze and saw Song Hemei, who had slyly revealed one laughing eye peeking at him from behind the ceremonial fan.
Her bridal gown was a vivid red, making her appear even more dazzling and alluring. Shao Wen'ang felt a sudden thump in his chest, his heart racing as he instinctively stepped forward.
The matron quickly stopped him, reciting several auspicious phrases before letting him go.
Shao Wen'ang swallowed, his eyes full of lingering love and satisfaction. "Mei'er… no, my lady."
This address of "my lady" made Song Hemei a little embarrassed, but Song Yunyao reacted swiftly. He sent her straight into the bridal sedan chair, then turned and shooed the groom: "Go on, go on. You haven't even bowed in the ancestral hall yet—what 'my lady'?"
Shao Wen'ang turned even redder, covering his mouth with a light cough, then lifted his smile again, mounted his horse, and proceeded toward the Shao residence.
Everything went as smoothly as a dream, as if heaven itself were compensating her for the three years of delay.
Song Hemei used the ceremonial fan to gently cool her face, letting the heat subside.
The wedding ceremony: bowing, tying the hair, unveiling. All rites completed, she sat upright on the bridal bed, quietly waiting for Young Master Shao to return from entertaining the guests.
She was not exactly a demure person by nature, but today she followed the protocol strictly for everything. The more something mattered to her, the less she wanted any mishap in between, fearing it would spoil the auspiciousness.
She did not know how long she waited. As the daylight gradually faded into complete night, the door finally opened. She looked up. Shao Wen'ang was supported in by a servant, a smile on his gentle features. The candlelight of the dragon-and-phoenix candles reflected in his eyes like scattered starlight.
"My lady," Shao Wen'ang called softly, his tone carrying the satisfaction of a long-cherished wish fulfilled.
This was the modest gentleman she had admired since childhood. He was proper and restrained, unlike other young masters who frequented pleasure quarters and kept numerous concubines. Even though the two families were betrothed and they had exchanged affections, he had never overstepped boundaries. Even holding hands turned his ears as red as if they were burning.
Song Hemei sat on the bed, watching the man before her, so nervous he didn't know where to place his hands or feet. She could not help but laugh softly.
Her laughter dispelled half of Shao Wen'ang's tension, and he finally took steps toward her. "Don't laugh at me."
The moment Song Hemei's hand was held in his warm palm, she immediately gripped him back, letting him pull her up and guide her slowly to the table to sit down.
"I had some dishes prepared. Let's eat a little first, and then we can—"
Shao Wen'ang swallowed, his voice low and hoarse: "Then consummate the marriage."
Song Hemei's smile deepened. The more she looked at him, the more satisfied she felt.
He was always so considerate and thoughtful, so innocent that she wanted to tease him.
But today was their wedding night, and Song Hemei decided to let him off the hook for now. She reached out and poured two cups of nuptial wine. Without coyness, she said directly, "All right, husband."
They raised the cups, entwined their arms. As the wine went down their throats, their closeness filled her nostrils with the scent of the incense from the man before her. The trembling joy was so beautiful she could remember it for a lifetime.
That mouthful of wine warmed her from throat to chest. In that instant, Song Hemei had already imagined whether she would give birth to a boy or a girl in the future.
She would have a well-behaved little girl. When it was time to marry her off, she would also choose for her a husband as fine as her father.
They looked at each other. Watching him not know what to do with his hands resting on his knees, Song Hemei thought to herself: Forget taking a bite of food, just consummate the marriage directly. I've already been hungry for quite a while anyway.
But at that moment, the door was pushed open.
Song Hemei, sitting facing the door, saw the newcomer clearly. A foot stepped in first, followed by a dress stretched over a belly, then a tray bearing two small dishes and two bowls of rice.
"Greetings to the eldest young master and the eldest young mistress."
Recognizing the person, Song Hemei smiled broadly. "Lingchun! You went to the trouble of coming yourself."
How could she not know this woman? She was the personal maid serving Young Master Shao. How many times had they met in private, with Lingchun delivering the messages?
Familiarly, Song Hemei instructed her to put the dishes on the table. Noticing Lingchun's slightly swollen belly, she grew curious and teased, "I haven't seen you for a few months; how come you already have a child? When did you marry? Young Master Shao is really something—such a big event and he didn't even tell me. I should have prepared a marriage gift for you."
With that, she gave Shao Wen'ang a reproachful look, but when their eyes met, she saw him hastily avert his gaze.
Song Hemei froze, looked at him closely, then turned to look at the woman standing beside her.
Cao Lingchun was a house-born servant of the Shao family, ordinary in appearance and stature. Her mother had once told her that the Shao family was a household of propriety and that the servants attending the young master were not the type to be seductive or restless.
But now, the normally honest and obedient Lingchun glanced at her timidly and did not answer. Instead, she took a long pillow from the unfamiliar maidservant behind her. "The young master and mistress have just wed. This servant owns nothing of value, but my embroidery is passable, so I specially embroidered this Blessing Pillow, wishing the mistress an early son."
Song Hemei's eyes lit up. She took it eagerly, her fingertips lightly tracing the stitches. Her face reddened with embarrassment. "The embroidery is excellent. I am not skilled with needlework; luckily you are so clever."
Her mother had once said that having a pregnant woman embroider the Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons cloth could best attract joyful news. Embarrassed, she glanced up at Shao Wen'ang, but noticed he looked uneasy. A sheen of sweat had appeared on his forehead, and the gaze he returned carried guilt.
Song Hemei found his reaction strange. Before she could ask, the unfamiliar maidservant spoke up: "This servant said the mistress would surely like it, worthy of the concubine's efforts even while suffering from morning sickness, staying up day and night to embroider this pillow."
Song Hemei was stunned. Concubine?
Shao Wen'ang was the only son of the Shao family—how could there be a concubine? Lingchun was so young. Could it be that they hadn't told her because they were unwilling to admit that, during Senior Lord Shao's mourning period, he had taken a concubine young enough to be his daughter?
She was bewildered, feeling she shouldn't ask further, making the situation so awkward. But just as she was thinking of how to ease the tension, Lingchun seemed startled and knelt directly. "Forgive me, mistress. This girl is new to the household and doesn't know the rules. This servant is merely someone who waits on others—my status must be decided by the mistress. I dare not presume to call myself a concubine!"
A momentary ringing filled Song Hemei's ears. She raised her eyes and stared at the woman before her. "What?"
The room fell silent, the only sound the faint crackling of the dragon-and-phoenix candles.
Cao Lingchun bit her lip, her eyes instantly misting over. Her gaze flitted toward Shao Wen'ang, saying everything without words.
A lump lodged in Song Hemei's throat. Her heart felt as if it were being tightly squeezed, then abruptly yanked downward.
She watched as Shao Wen'ang stood up directly, his expression a mix of disguise and displeasure: "You're pregnant; why are you wandering around? Get out!"
The maidservant behind quickly helped Lingchun up, and they tottered out. Before stepping out, Lingchun glanced back at Song Hemei, making her breathing feel choked, a roar in her ears.
Now only the two of them remained in the room. Song Hemei raised her head in disbelief, never feeling that the man before her was so unfamiliar.
This was the maid who had served him since childhood, three years older than him.
When he had spoken of undying love, he had been so sincere. When exactly had he started an affair with Lingchun?
A child… he had even produced a child! Did he not know he was still in mourning?
They had treated her like a fool, watching her remain in the dark, watching her smile warmly at his concubine!
Shao Wen'ang panicked. He came forward to take her hand. "My lady, listen to me explain. It was only before the wedding that my mother ordered her to teach me about matters between husband and wife. My heart truly belongs to you alone. She is of humble birth—how could I be satisfied with her? I was compelled, too—"
Before he finished, a crisp slap resounded through the room.
Both of them stiffened.
Impulse had taken over. Song Hemei had put all her strength into that slap. It struck Shao Wen'ang's head to the side, and he stood there dazed for a long moment.
Her own palm tingled, reminding her how much force she had used.
Her clear eyes trembled. In the extreme rage of being deceived and betrayed, she panted heavily. "Do you even know what you're saying? 'Compelled'? Was someone tying you down, forcing you?"
Shao Wen'ang's eyes reddened. He swallowed. "I know you're angry, but I only… I only wanted you to be happy on our wedding night. I was afraid of hurting you, too."
"Enough!"
Song Hemei cut him off with a loud shout. Her stomach churned; if she had eaten anything, she would have vomited on the spot.
In his panic, Shao Wen'ang lost his composure. He stepped forward and hugged her tightly. "I know I was wrong. Don't be like this. My heart is breaking…"
Song Hemei's vision blurred. She took two deep breaths to suppress the urge to cry. "Don't touch me!"
She pushed him away with all her strength. Seeing him about to come forward again, without thinking, she grabbed the wine cup and hurled it at him.
It hit Shao Wen'ang square on the forehead, immediately bruising it blue. He felt dizzy and had to steady himself against the window frame.
Song Hemei came to her senses. It felt as though airless walls were closing in on her, suffocating her. The entire room was unbearably hot.
Only one thought remained—Get out of here!
Before Shao Wen'ang could recover, she rushed out the door. The clear breeze outside brought her tears, which finally spilled over.
She wanted to go home, to find her parents and her brother. She did not want to marry a man like this!
Afraid of being stopped, she fled through the back gate. At a turn in the road, she caught sight of a familiar figure on horseback swaying forward.
All her grievances surged up at once. Stumbling as she ran, she choked out, "Elder Brother!"
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