Yan Mansion.
Yan Lin supported Grandma Yan as they greeted guests at the entrance. The elderly woman grumbled, "It was overcast yesterday, but today the sun is blazing! And these guests just keep coming—my old bones can hardly stand it!"
Yan Lin quickly reassured her, "Mother, you mustn’t say such things! Our family now relies entirely on Third Brother. Even if you don’t think of the Yan family, at least consider Little Six!"
At the mention of Yan Zhao, Grandma Yan glanced back and saw the child standing by the gate, his face smeared with dirt as he pretended to be a servant. Her heart ached with bitterness. "Fine, fine. I’ll endure a little longer."
Yan Lin sighed in relief, then turned to welcome a new arrival. "Elder Gu, you’ve come as well!"
The guest was none other than Gu Sun, who had recently been demoted and sent back to his hometown. However, after the death of An Sheng, the Emperor had immediately recalled him to the capital. Though his official rank had not yet been restored, it was clear he would be reinstated soon.
Yan Lin treated him with great courtesy, and Gu Sun returned the gesture with a respectful bow before helping a gorgeously dressed young woman out of the carriage—his beloved granddaughter, Gu Feiyan.
"Lord Yan, you flatter me. My Gu family owes its survival entirely to the Chief Minister’s intervention. Especially my foolish youngest son, who wounded the Chief Minister yet was shown mercy—only exiled to Xiao Pass for three years. Such magnanimity is a debt we can never repay."
With a wave of his hand, Gu Sun signaled for his attendants to present lavish gifts.
After exchanging pleasantries, the Yan family directed them to the banquet. Gu Feiyan ascended to the second floor, where the women’s seating was arranged. Familiar faces like Zou Yue and Rong Su were absent, so she took a seat beside Princess Yongyang, a distant relative of the Gu family, and Princess Jiahui.
"You should have seen it! The wedding procession stretched from one end of the street to the other—the entire capital turned out to watch. It was absolutely spectacular!" Xie Yaozhi was mid-story when Gu Feiyan interjected, "The procession may be provided by the groom, but the grandeur of a wedding also depends on the bride’s dowry."
The table fell silent.
Everyone knew that although Chu Huaishan held the prestigious title of Duke, he never amassed wealth. Moreover, he had already given away a dowry for his daughter’s previous marriage. This time, while not shabby, it was far from extravagant.
Princess Jiahui, the sole royal representative, finally brightened at the remark. "Sister Feiyan speaks the truth. I sent someone earlier to inspect the dowry—barely thirty-something chests, not even meeting the standard for a county princess. And over a dozen of those were gifts from Her Majesty the Empress. Hmph! Clearly, this Chu... this County Princess Changle isn’t particularly favored in her own family."
No one dared to respond, knowing well of the princess’s animosity toward Chu Ruoyan.
Xie Yaozhi retorted indignantly, "Even if the County Princess isn’t favored at home, her husband’s family is making up for it splendidly. Anyone would envy such a display."
Princess Yongyang chuckled. "Miss Xie, you’re mistaken. While the Chief Minister did arrange a grand procession, the County Princess simply lacks the fortune to match it..."
Before she could finish, Jiang Yi suddenly exclaimed, "Look!"
The women turned to see the bridal procession approaching in magnificent array. At the rear, the dowry chests initially numbered only thirty-something. But as the procession advanced, more and more chests joined the line...
"The Jiang Family’s eldest branch congratulates County Princess Changle on her wedding—100,000 taels of gold and one hundred bolts of Shu brocade!"
"The Jiang Family’s second branch congratulates County Princess Changle—four golden scales of fortune and multiple sets of Huanghuali wood furniture!"
"The Jiang Family’s third branch congratulates County Princess Changle—fifty prime shops in the capital and three thousand acres of fertile land..."
As the announcements echoed through the streets, the dowry swelled from thirty-something chests to over a hundred. The sight of the 100,000 taels of gold—actual gold, gleaming brilliantly—left the onlookers dazzled.
"It’s the Jiang Family—wealth rivaling the nation! They’re County Princess Changle’s maternal family!" Xie Yaozhi gasped in awe.
Princess Jiahui and Princess Yongyang’s expressions darkened instantly.
Inside the bridal sedan, Chu Ruoyan nearly lifted the curtain at the commotion.
"Miss, it’s Eldest Young Master Jiang and Second Young Miss Jiang!" Yulu whispered by the window.
Peeking out, Chu Ruoyan spotted a pair of siblings standing side by side on a distant tavern balcony—the elder brother as noble as orchids and jade, the younger sister as serene as a valley lily. It could only be Jiang Huaian and Jiang Jinxue of the Jiang Family’s eldest branch.
Meeting her gaze, they gave a slight nod.
Tears welled in Chu Ruoyan’s eyes.
So, her grandfather hadn’t abandoned her. He had sent Huaian and Jinxue in his stead, showering her with this mountain of gold and jade to bolster her dignity. It was... it was truly...
"Miss, don’t ruin your makeup with tears!"
Yulu hastily passed her a handkerchief. Chu Ruoyan dabbed her eyes, the last traces of regret dissolving in her heart.
Even without her grandfather’s presence, this wedding was now perfect.
Just as she was lost in emotion, Yulu suddenly shrieked, and the sedan slowed.
Puzzled, she saw Yulu excitedly part the curtain. "Miss, look!!"
Holding a golden silk fan to shield her face, she cautiously raised her eyes.
The streets were now lined with soldiers—rows upon rows of them, clad in identical silver armor, gripping halberds adorned with fluttering red silk.
Chu Ruoyan was speechless. As the procession entered their formation, the soldiers snapped to attention in unison, raising their halberds and shouting—
"The Yan Family’s former troops welcome the Young Madam!"
"The Yan Family’s former troops welcome the Young Madam!"
"The Yan Family’s former troops welcome the Young Madam!"
Each cry grew louder, shaking the heavens. The entire capital trembled at the display.
Guests at the Yan Mansion’s banquet rose to their feet. Elder statesmen like Gu Sun frowned at the excess.
Such pomp surpassed even the Crown Prince’s wedding. Did the Chief Minister have no reservations?
But the women’s reactions were far more visceral—screams, dazed stares, envy. Even Princess Jiahui, ever the critic, was stunned.
What was this? A ten-mile military escort?
A general’s wedding, soldiers in formation—such a spectacle was far more moving than any procession of riches.
Xie Yaozhi clutched Jiang Yi’s hand, breathless. "If I could have a day like this, I’d die happy!"
Meanwhile, the bride at the center of it all gazed in disbelief.
This Yan Zheng... this Yan Zheng...
Tears spilled freely now, streaking down her cheeks like broken pearls.
She clenched her handkerchief, yet her lips curled upward, higher and higher...
By deploying the Yan Family’s former troops, he was telling her: henceforth, through fire and sword, she would never lack support.
Such thoughtfulness, such devotion—it outweighed any vow of gold or silver.
Just then, the man at the head of the procession turned.
Clad in crimson wedding robes, a golden crown upon his head, his eyes found hers through the crowd. He clasped his hands and bowed—a salute unique to the Yan Family’s army.
