Chu Huaishan's eyes widened like bronze bells.
What kind of young lady would be so eager to marry herself off?
Wouldn’t that make the groom’s family look down on her?
Yet when he turned his head, he saw Yan Zheng’s lips curling uncontrollably into a smile, his joy radiating from his brows all the way to the depths of his eyes—nothing like the cold, stern Chief Minister whose mere glance could make one’s teeth chatter.
Chu Huaishan: "..."
He had overestimated him!
"Don’t worry, A’Yan. I will come to marry you within seven days!"
Seven days… Ordinarily, the three letters and six rites of betrothal would take at least a month.
But if he said seven days, Chu Ruoyan believed it would be seven days.
And not a single step of the formalities would be skipped…
"Alright, I’ll wait for you."
The young woman smiled gently, her expression serene.
Yan Zheng’s heart settled at once. After giving Chu Huaishan a slight bow, he turned and left.
The father, who hadn’t been able to get a word in the entire time: "..."
Now he understood why Grand Tutor Rong had been so distraught when marrying off his daughter.
Sometimes, one really wanted to strangle the brat who stole their precious girl away…
"Father."
Hearing his daughter’s voice, he quickly suppressed his melancholy and asked, "What is it?"
Chu Ruoyan pursed her lips. "There’s something I’d like to ask you…"
"Go ahead."
She lowered her gaze, hesitating.
Chu Huaishan seemed to realize something and chuckled. "Are you still worried that I hold a grudge against Third Yan? Don’t be. Before, I forbade you from associating with him because I feared he would bring you trouble. But now, it’s clear he is sincere and capable of protecting you. Naturally, that changes things."
Chu Ruoyan shook her head.
If she had once harbored resentment toward Yan Zheng because of her nightmares—believing he had driven her father to his death—then his taking a blade for her, that life-threatening wound, had already settled that debt.
What she wanted to ask was…
"Father… is there truly nothing unusual about my origins?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Chu Huaishan’s expression darkened. "Why would you ask that?"
Chu Ruoyan didn’t answer.
In her dream, the words Yan Zheng had used to force her father to his death were: "Your legitimate daughter."
That, of course, referred to her.
But aside from her origins, what secret could she possibly have that would make her father protect her with his life?
Moreover, Master Liaokong had once said that her mother bore the fate of a phoenix!
"You’re overthinking it. There’s nothing unusual about your origins," Chu Huaishan said sternly, cutting her off before she could speak further. "A’Yan, I don’t know what rumors you’ve heard, but you are my legitimate daughter. Your mother was the Eldest Daughter of the Jiang Family, whose wealth rivaled the nation’s. This is beyond doubt, and you need not ask again!"
With that, he turned away abruptly.
"Father!" Chu Ruoyan called out.
Chu Huaishan stiffened, about to find more words to dispel her doubts, when her soft voice reached his ears:
"No matter what, in this lifetime, Ruoyan will always be your daughter."
His eyes stung, and he fled almost in disarray.
Returning to his study, he twisted a hidden mechanism.
The bookshelf against the wall slowly slid aside, revealing a painting hanging on the wall.
It depicted a strikingly handsome man standing beneath a plum tree, a frost-white sword in hand. Even alone, he exuded an aura that could hold off a thousand armies.
Had Chu Ruoyan been there, she would have gasped—the man in the painting bore an uncanny resemblance to Young Master Lang!
Especially those peach-blossom eyes, so captivating that a single glance could ensnare a person’s soul…
Chu Huaishan stared at the painting for a long time before murmuring, "Your Highness… she’s begun to suspect… I fear we cannot hide it much longer…"
Back in the Bodhi Courtyard, Chu Ruoyan did not press the matter further.
Not because she didn’t care—but because she had little time left.
Rather than chasing the truth, she might as well do something carefree and indulgent. Like sleeping.
And so, she slept until noon the next day, only waking when Lady Jiang the Younger could no longer bear it and came to rouse her.
"Aunt, is something the matter?" Chu Ruoyan asked, yawning.
Lady Jiang the Younger rolled her eyes. "Has the young lady forgotten she’s to be married soon? Yuetao, summon the seamstresses from Seasons Workshop at once to take the young lady’s measurements!"
Yuetao promptly brought in two seamstresses.
Chu Ruoyan brightened. Last time, the wedding had been rushed, and her bridal gown had been provided by the Ministry of Rites.
This time, she could take her time preparing…
But before the seamstresses could finish measuring, the gatekeeper announced the arrival of Steward Fang from the Yan household—along with a mountain of gifts.
Lady Jiang the Younger felt a headache coming on at the mention of more gifts and hurried to the front hall.
There, she found piles upon piles of fabrics, with red cloth dominating the assortment.
Her eyelid twitched. "Steward Fang, what is the meaning of this? Does your household intend to take over even the bridal gown?"
Ever since the betrothal, the Yan family had been sending gifts nonstop, nearly covering every wedding necessity!
Surely the bridal gown ought to be prepared by the bride’s own family?
Steward Fang hastily clarified, "A misunderstanding, Madam! These are for the young… for the County Lady’s future wardrobe, unrelated to the wedding!"
Only then did Lady Jiang the Younger’s expression ease.
Steward Fang then introduced two women. "These are seamstresses from the Imperial Wardrobe, specially borrowed by our master from the Ministry of Rites to prepare a dozen sets of daily attire for the County Lady after the wedding. As you know, our master is now Chief Minister, and the colors and styles of his wife’s garments must adhere to certain proprieties."
Lady Jiang the Younger’s lips twitched.
They weren’t even married yet, and he was already planning her post-wedding wardrobe?
But the Imperial Wardrobe served only the imperial harem, and their craftsmanship was beyond reproach. So she had no choice but to agree. "Yuetao, fetch the young lady."
When Chu Ruoyan arrived, Chu Ruoyin and Chu Ruoyan, having heard the news, followed along.
The young ladies couldn’t resist the fabrics, chattering about which would make the best skirts or jackets…
Lady Jiang the Younger, exasperated, was about to shoo her daughters away when Steward Fang interjected with a smile, "Rest assured, young misses. Our master has instructed that these fabrics are for the County Lady first, but a new batch will arrive in a few days—specifically for you two! These seamstresses will tailor your garments as well!"
"Really? Even this Shu brocade—the finest this year? We can have some too?" Chu Ruoyan’s eyes sparkled.
"Of course! And this newly arrived Wujin satin from Suzhou—only a dozen bolts in total—our master insisted on reserving one for you, Madam!"
Wujin satin?!
That was reserved exclusively for imperial consorts! Last year, Consort Xue had kept a small piece for Old Madam Xue, who flaunted it as a shawl, parading around the capital as if the whole city needed to know!
Lady Jiang the Younger’s stiff expression softened. She was about to praise the Chief Minister’s thoughtfulness when Chu Ruoyan blurted out, "Heavens, Wujin satin? Wearing that would make the entire capital green with envy! Mother, our brother-in-law is the best!"
Lady Jiang the Younger and Chu Ruoyin choked.
Chu Ruoyan stifled a laugh.
Not even wed yet, and "brother-in-law" was already on their lips.
Was her third sister too easily won over, or was Yan Zheng simply too shrewd?
Under the guise of preparing her wardrobe, he had managed to charm the entire bride’s family.
Truly…
Calculating to the core!
Just then, Nanny Zhou appeared at the door, her brow furrowed.
Noticing her, Chu Ruoyan said, "You all carry on. I’ll step out for a moment…"
After speaking, she stepped out the door, where Nanny Zhou immediately approached and whispered, "Miss, the gatekeeper just reported that Second Miss Rong has arrived and wishes to see you..."
