Chapter 11: Mutual Respect as Between Guests

"Please, Heir, do not take offense. My daughter is unrefined in her speech. Your presence brings great honor to the Shen household," Shen Tao hurriedly apologized with a flattering smile.

Turning his head, he snapped at Shen Mengqing, "You wretched girl, get back to your room at once! Stop making a spectacle of yourself here."

"You shouldn't have come! Why treat us so differently? What makes Shen Mengli better than me?" Shen Mengqing seemed possessed; she lunged forward, grabbing Qi Yunyan’s sleeve and screaming.

"You mad woman! I have no idea what you are talking about. Let go at once!" Qi Yunyan shook his sleeve impatiently, trying to cast her off, but she held on with a desperate grip.

The scene descended into chaos. Shen Tao quickly signaled his servants, "You two, hurry up and drag her away! She has completely ruined my reputation today."

Terrified of punishment, the two servants rushed forward, each grabbing one of Shen Mengqing’s arms and wrenching her away. As she continued to shriek, an infuriated Shen Tao barked, "Stuff her mouth shut!" The servants shoved a rag into her mouth and dragged her away forcibly, finally ending the unseemly spectacle.

***

Shen Mengli, standing to the side, was stunned. She had never expected Shen Mengqing to act so deranged toward Qi Yunyan. What surprised her even more was that Qi Yunyan had come to collect the bride in person—something that had never happened in her previous life.

She surmised that by making a good impression on Nanny Lin, the woman had spoken well of her to the Princess Consort of Duan, who in turn must have pressured him. That was the only reason Qi Yunyan would have changed his behavior.

Her strategy of currying favor with Nanny Lin had yielded unexpected results. Had she known this would happen, she would have been more reserved. Her goal was to please the Princess Consort to ensure a comfortable life in the estate; she had no desire to catch the Heir's eye. If he took a genuine interest in her, her peaceful retirement plans would be ruined. She was marrying into the Duan estate to live a life of stable prosperity, not to compete for favor with concubines.

"Heir, pray, do not be angry. Collecting the bride is the priority; we must not miss the auspicious hour."

Prompted by Shen Tao, Shen Mengli was led by a woman of good fortune to the main hall to bid farewell to her parents. Then, carried on her younger brother’s back, she boarded the bridal sedan chair.

Qi Yunyan, his face dark, mounted his steed, which was decorated with bright red silk. A perfectly good wedding procession had been marred by a lunatic; it was truly bad luck. Had he known, he would have stayed home with Qingyu.

Amidst the festive sounds of pipes and drums, the sedan chair was carried into the Duan estate.

***

Under the guidance of the master of ceremonies, the couple bowed to heaven and earth and, accompanied by the well-wishes of the guests, entered the bridal chamber.

Qi Yunyan took a weighing rod and lifted the red veil from Shen Mengli’s head.

The man’s handsome face came into view, leaving Shen Mengli momentarily dazed. Qi Yunyan stood tall and straight like a slender bamboo; he had a high bridge of the nose, thin lips, and hair as dark as lacquer. His expressive peach-blossom eyes, when fixed intently upon someone, made it seem as though they were the woman he loved most in the world.

He was indeed the renowned gentleman of the capital. His looks and presence were so striking that even Shen Mengli, who had seen countless beauties in her previous life, could not help but admire him.

"Shen Mengli, I will grant you the respect due to a wife, but I will not love you, and you should not expect too much. Our marriage is by the order of my parents and the words of a matchmaker; you are not the type of woman I prefer. If you are sensible, keep to yourself within the estate and do not harbor foolish thoughts. If you do that, it is not impossible for us to live together in mutual respect."