In the blink of an eye, it was the second day of the second lunar month.
The sky was overcast that day, threatening rain. The bridal attendant helped the bride out, her face beaming with joy. "Ah, heaven sends sweet rain—a most auspicious sign! Congratulations to the groom! This new bride will surely bring wealth and boundless blessings to your household!"
Jiang Huaian couldn’t stop grinning. With a wave of his hand, he tossed out a golden leaf as a reward.
The crowd surged forward, showering the couple with well-wishes. For every word of blessing, golden peanuts and leaves were scattered as if they cost nothing.
The sight brought tears to Lady Jiang the Younger’s eyes.
"Mother, why are you crying? Weren’t you quite pleased with Second Sister’s marriage?" Chu Ruolan asked, cracking pumpkin seeds with a hint of irritation. Lady Jiang the Younger shot her a reproachful glance. "These are tears of joy! Your brother-in-law spares no expense for your Second Sister, which means he’ll treat her well in the future. But you—you rejected the Yan family, then drove away the Han family. If only you were half as obedient and sensible as your Second Sister, I wouldn’t be so worried!"
Chu Ruolan hadn’t expected the criticism to turn her way. She straightened up, abandoning the seeds. "Mother! That Yan gentleman may hold a decent official rank, but he’s nearly thirty. Should I call him ‘uncle’ after marrying him? As for the Han family—how dare they show their faces? They were the ones who broke off the engagement! Now that the Feng and Qiao families have been dealt with, and Second Sister has become Prince Qin’s sworn sister, they come crawling back? Disgusting!"
Lady Jiang the Younger’s eyes flashed with anger, ready to scold, but Chu Ruoyan quickly interjected, "Enough, enough. This is a joyous occasion. Aunt, spare Third Sister a lecture."
"It’s not that I want to berate her, but look how spoiled she’s become!"
Chu Ruolan stuck out her tongue playfully. Chu Huaishan coughed twice. "And who spoiled her? Ruoyan is right. Ruoyin’s wedding is a happy event. Ruolan’s matters can wait."
With the master of the household speaking, Lady Jiang the Younger finally fell silent.
Just then, a voice announced from outside: "The Chief Minister has arrived—"
All eyes turned toward the entrance, where Yan Zheng stood in a violet robe, a golden jade belt cinching his waist, exuding an air of noble elegance.
The crowd bowed in unison. "Greetings to the Chief Minister."
With a slight nod, he exchanged pleasantries with the bride and groom before naturally making his way to Chu Ruoyan.
He didn’t forget to address Chu Huaishan. "Father-in-law, His Majesty learned of your daughter’s wedding today and asked me to convey his congratulations on his behalf."
Chu Huaishan gave a hum of acknowledgment, watching as the man took his daughter’s hand. One was coolly dignified, the other gentle and graceful—a perfect match. Glancing at his second daughter, soon to be wed, his heart swelled with contentment.
Yan Zheng paid no mind to his father-in-law’s thoughts, leaning in to whisper, "Prince Qin has arrived. He’s just outside."
Chu Ruoyan’s gaze sharpened. The bridal attendant was already guiding her younger sister out...
Amid the deafening drums and gongs, Chu Ruoyin kept her eyes fixed on her toes as she walked step by step.
The moment she crossed the threshold, the music abruptly stopped.
Her heart lurched. A misstep sent her stumbling forward, her foot catching on her hem.
The bridal attendant failed to steady her. Just as she was about to hit the ground, a sword flashed out, catching her wrist just in time.
"Cousin! Are you all right?"
Jiang Huaian rushed over, supporting her anxiously. The sword withdrew as swiftly as it had appeared, as if it had never been there.
Chu Ruoyin bit her lip and murmured, "I’m fine. Thank you... Your Highness."
She recognized that sword. During her time in the palace, its owner had shown it to her more than once.
He had told her it was a gift from the late emperor to the current emperor, who then passed it to him—a symbol of brotherhood and the sovereign’s expectations: to wield the sword against invaders and defend the borders.
Back then, he had often sighed, burdened by the duties of court, unable to leave.
Now, with her elder sister’s husband handling state affairs, he would finally fulfill his wish to go to the battlefield, wouldn’t he?
Lost in thought, she heard a familiar voice. "No need for formalities, sworn sister. I came to see you off on your wedding day."
With a wave of his hand, the synchronized stomp of boots echoed.
Even through the veil, she knew—behind him stood countless soldiers. He was leaving, but only after ensuring her well-being...
Tears welled up, but she forced them back, taking a deep breath before curtsying. "Thank you, Prince Qin."
Then, a warm hand enveloped hers. A gentle voice followed. "Prince Qin is most generous. Huaian thanks you on behalf of my wife."
The words carried both warning and hostility. Murong Jin chuckled dryly. "Changhua."
Reluctantly, Changhua stepped forward, holding out an envelope. "Young Master Jiang, my prince gifts you fifty-eight shops on Vermilion Bird Street in celebration of your union with Miss Chu!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Vermilion Bird Street was the capital’s most prosperous thoroughfare. Those shops brought in no less than ten thousand taels annually—a fortune worth millions. And they were being given to a sworn sister he’d only just acknowledged?
The most stunned was Jiang Jinxue, who turned pale and clutched Chu Ruolan’s arm. "W-what did he say? Shops on Vermilion Bird Street?"
Chu Ruolan yelped in pain. Lady Jiang the Younger blinked, dazed. "Aren’t those... the shops our Jiang family lost?"
The Jiang siblings had come to the capital not only for Chu Ruoyan’s wedding but also to reclaim those very properties. A rival merchant, backed by officials, had seized them. They had resigned themselves to the loss, trading them for safety.
Yet Prince Qin had intervened and returned them!
Jiang Huaian’s expression darkened. He made no move to accept. "Your Highness, such a gift is too generous. I cannot accept."
Murong Jin replied, "Whether you accept or not, this is the only time. By the day I return to the capital, you’ll already be in Yangzhou. Mountains and rivers will lie between us, never to meet again. Consider it... a parting gift."
His tone was heavy, but his gaze never left Chu Ruoyin.
Jiang Huaian glanced at his cousin. Seeing her composed, he relaxed slightly. "Very well. Thank you, sworn brother. May your campaign in the northern borders be swift and victorious, defending the lands of Great Xia!"
Murong Jin gave a solemn nod. After a pause, he finally stepped forward.
Chu Ruoyin’s heart pounded as those deerskin boots drew closer, stopping just a step away—
"Have you... made your choice?"
Silence fell. The man’s voice was rough with suppressed emotion.
All eyes were on the bride. Jiang Huaian’s face tightened, but he, too, watched his cousin, awaiting her decision.
A cold wind gusted, lifting the crimson veil.
The crowd saw her nod—slowly, firmly.
Jiang Huaian exhaled in relief. Murong Jin closed his eyes.
"Sworn sister... this farewell may be our last. Take care... of yourself."
His voice trembled by the end.
Chu Ruoyin clenched her teeth, nails digging into her palms.
It took every ounce of strength to force out a single word: "Okay."
Murong Jin opened his mouth to speak again, but seeing the groom standing resolutely beside her, he knew it was too late.
He was always a step behind—realizing his feelings too late, seeing through childhood affections too late. And now, too late again, he could only watch as she became another man’s wife...
