Chapter 1.3

“Matchmaker Zhang! Let Miss Du rest!” One of the two maidservants, a round-faced girl named Xiaoye, gave Matchmaker Zhang a significant look. Matchmaker Zhang understood and, without saying more, left with the two maidservants, only advising Du Bingyan to rest well.

Once the door curtain had fallen, Du Bingyan weakly sat back on the bed, her mind racing through every word Li Yuhu had said about Yuan Buqu. She concluded his character—he was a man driven by revenge.

— He had tortured his wife and concubine to death.
— He had fought on the battlefield for years, killing many and his hands were stained with blood.
— He was likely someone who bullied others with his power.

Men who are too strong often like to conquer women through violence! Her second brother was such a man He was skilled in martial arts and accustomed to beating his wife! Some scholars also beat their wives, but their strength is limited, and the harm they cause is less severe! Du Bingyan touched her cold cheeks; only when alone did she allow herself to show her loneliness and helplessness! In a situation where no one would cherish her, she had to protect herself with a cold facade! The future still seemed bleak to her.

She knew that deep within her, there was a desire gnawing at her heart during moments of confusion and loneliness. She didn’t understand what it was. She only hoped that one day, amidst the uncertainty, a harbor would appear to shelter her rootless body and soul. Does that harbor represent happiness? Or something else?

However, no matter what, as long as there are dreams, life won’t be too hard—she believes—the heavens will eventually favor her—one day…

In the second-class guest room, Matchmaker Zhang paced back and forth anxiously. She was determined not to return Miss Du to Yangzhou! If fortune favored them and no major mistakes were discovered or anyone was enraged, she might not have to continue as a matchmaker! She might even be unable to stay in Yangzhou. But she was not naïve enough to think that no one would be angry. Besides the anger from the Li and Du families, if General Yuan and the wealthy from Quanzhou were to get involved, no one would escape unscathed—death would be the only outcome.

So, no matter what, they absolutely could not return to Yangzhou. Let the mistake be a mistake! After all, both brides were great beauties, and no one was at a loss. The other two families also had beautiful brides, so it would work out!

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“Mbl jlu kp bso vs pwcewl Ykpp Pw!”

Dkysul rasewnle y pxyzz csvvzl.

“Mbkp kp y pzllrkdt rsoela. G pxyzz yxswdv ekppszhle kd vly okzz xyjl bla pzllr qsa yd ldvkal eyu yde dktbv. El nyd byhl bla eakdj psxl lynb eyu.”

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Mblal oyp ds vwadkdt cynj dso! Ls sdl nswze clya vbl nsdpliwldnlp sq tskdt cynj.

Everything was being rewritten in this mistake, and the two women’s fates had been changed unexpectedly!

They actually treated her like this! For nine days, she remained in a deep sleep, while the carriage stubbornly headed towards Chang’an.

When she finally woke up, she had already arrived at the General’s residence! The people who had accompanied her on the long journey had all returned to Yangzhou after a meal! The miserly Li Shengming had not even arranged for a maid to accompany her! So, she was not only facing a strange grand household but also entirely unfamiliar servants!

The wedding attire had been replaced with a snowy blouse and skirt, with the waist of the skirt high, highlighting her slim waist. The skirt was adorned with a jade ring, and the outfit was the latest fashion from the capital—things she would not have had. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the clothing was freshly made; such ornate clothing would only be found in the bustling city of Chang’an. In Yangzhou, many families still adhered to the clothing styles of the Sui dynasty, lagging behind the capital’s trends.

Du Bingyan stepped out of the inner room and through two layers of gauze curtains into the masculine flower hall. From where she had just awakened, there was no trace of feminine softness. Apart from a newly added large wardrobe and dressing table, the room’s masculine aura made her uneasy and restless. Perhaps it was because she was encountering things beyond her family for the first time!

Every item in the room seemed to be of extraordinary value, even priceless. Yet, at first glance, it appeared vulgar and hollow, almost as if a nouveau riche was showing off. The originally simple structure was lost among the excessive display of treasures. She felt an inexplicable disappointment, and her opinion of Yuan Buqu worsened. Despite being a rising general, his taste was… too ostentatious!

Two maidservants standing at the door greeted her respectfully, saying, “Young Mistress, Steward Li requests you to move to the ‘Jinwei Hall.’”

Steward Li was likely the highest authority when General Yuan was not home! She needed to speak with someone, hoping that Steward Li might understand the situation of the mistaken marriage! Whatever the case, they could not afford another mistake! While there was still a chance to recover, she needed to work hard… believing that Yuan Buqu would prefer a healthy and spirited wife, and she was not suitable.

The General’s residence was more than three times the size of the Du family’s home, with pavilions, towers, rockeries, flowing water, and gardens. Even a cursory glance revealed the meticulousness and intricate design. After leaving the bedroom, Du Bingyan was even more astonished! She had expected to see even more luxurious displays, but it was not as she imagined. In fact, only the bedroom—the place where she stayed—had the appearance of being overwhelmed by treasures, while the other areas were quite elegant and simple; apart from the original architectural structure, there were no other decorations. So why was the “new house” decorated in such a way? She had a significant question in her mind.

Soon after, she entered the solemn main hall with the maidservants.

Steward Li Cheng, who greeted her with a respectful posture, looked arrogant; he appeared to be a tall, thin man in his fifties, with sharp, stubborn eyes scrutinizing her harshly.

It seemed that before she even married into the Yuan family, Steward Li had a deep-seated prejudice against her. Or perhaps servants in the capital held more power than elsewhere?

“I am Li Cheng, and I have served the General for eight years, from hardship to glory, from having nothing to the prestige I have today. The young mistress may think me audacious, but I ask for your understanding. In the General’s absence, I have been entrusted with the responsibility of managing the household. If the young mistress has any needs, please let me know, and I will do my best to meet your requirements.” He spoke with a slight bow, neither servile nor overbearing, making it clear that as the General’s wife, she could enjoy luxury but would not need to concern herself with household matters! No one intended to grant her any authority to command the household.

Du Bingyan was taken aback, suddenly understanding Yuan Buqu’s intentions!

After Li Shengming’s exorbitant demand for a dowry of five thousand taels of gold and silver, all the General’s household staff had come to view her, the “young mistress,” as vain and insatiable. Yuan Buqu had even “thoughtfully” decorated the bedroom with dazzling gold; it seemed to cater to her preferences but was more likely a satire of her vulgarity.

In the plain blue silk robe of Steward Li, the marks of a life of hardship were apparent. The wrinkles from years of toil and the thick calluses on his hands showed his long struggle for survival. His eyes were straightforward but held a deep contempt for vanity; naturally, his opinion of her, the “Li” young lady, was not very favorable.

No wonder the wardrobe contained luxurious and vibrant bridal clothes, with jewels sparkling like a “golden thread dress,” making her gasp at the colors and lacking the courage to wear them. Du Bingyan shook her head; thankfully, this was not where she was to spend her life. She needed to have a serious talk with Steward Li. So she spoke softly, “If… if that is the General’s intention, I will not interfere. However, there is one thing that has been misunderstood, and I must make you understand…”

Steward Li’s sharp eyes scrutinized her delicate features, while she met his gaze with her clear, calm eyes.

Steward Li dismissed the maidservants.

“Please, have a seat.”

She sat on a soft-cushioned rosewood chair.

Before she could speak, Steward Li began, “At noon, before Matchmaker Zhang and her party returned to Yangzhou, she privately informed me that the young mistress was suffering from acclimatization, feeling faint and unwell, and hoped the young mistress would recover soon.”

“No, I am not unwell from the climate. In fact, I am not the Li Yuhu that the General is supposed to marry. My name is Du Bingyan! I am the daughter of the Du family in Yangzhou, and I was supposed to be married to Quanzhou, but due to a hurried journey, I was mistakenly placed in the wrong bridal sedan.” Du Bingyan directly revealed her true identity, expecting Steward Li to at least show disbelief or shock before probing further.

However, Steward Li simply clapped his hands, summoned two maidservants, and said dismissively, “Young Mistress, I must speak frankly. After your father accepted the substantial dowry, you should not consider others fools, thinking that you can return to Yangzhou with a mere excuse. The General is a generous man, but that does not mean he is a fool! When your father signed the agreement in black and white, it meant you were the General’s wife! Unless you die, you will forever be Mrs. Yuan. As for your family in Yangzhou, you may dream of them. The General has decreed that you must remain in the residence, and I am to guard you diligently. Until the General’s triumphant return, I must act beyond my authority.” He paused and glanced at the waiting maidservants. “Take the young mistress back to her room.”

“Steward Li! You… you must at least verify this! The General saw Li Yuhu many years ago, and he should know what his fiancée looks like. You must believe me, or at least be half-convinced! You can send someone to Yangzhou to inquire! Perhaps Li Yuhu, heading south to Quanzhou, has already been sent back to Yangzhou! The General spent a great deal of gold to marry a healthy and strong Miss Li, not a frail woman like me! If he only finds out he married the wrong person when he returns, who will bear his anger?” Du Bingyan was almost drenched in cold sweat! No one believed her! If Steward Li was stubbornly blinded by prejudice, she would truly waste her life due to this mistake… The battlefield’s campaigns could last from a year to an indefinite period, and by the time Yuan Buqu returned, it would be too late to recover anything! He would know she was not Li Yuhu, and might chase her away or vent his anger on her!

Oh! Why did things have to come to this?

“Steward Li will investigate. Please return to your room, Madam!”

Li Cheng was just placating her! She could see that his disdainful eyes held no trust! Instead, they seemed to confirm her lower status even more. He did not glance back, simply leaving the hall. She was then half-dragged back to her room by the maidservants!

Heaven! What should she do? She could almost see the bottomless abyss waiting before her, while ruthless and cruel hands pushed her from behind!

Once again, she understood the cruelty of fate.

In the vulgar grand bedroom, she could no longer contain her overwhelming sorrow and anger, collapsing on the brocade bed and crying uncontrollably…

Yes, that was the sorrow of being a woman… What kind of heavy curse does heaven place upon women?

Sansukini: We should be glad we’re born in this era.
　

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