Chapter 8: Competing in Prestige

Madam Chen felt even more satisfied after hearing Li Hongyun speak.

They endured their impatience, determined not to let the Zhao family become the village’s laughingstock.

With Zhao Ruhua’s wedding, the Zhao family needed to host a grand banquet to earn her face and honor.

Madam Hu went out to chat idly with the neighbors, boasting that this time the banquet would have ten dishes, most of them meat. Many people were waiting to see the spectacle.

From ancient times to the present, in these nearby villages, no family had ever prepared ten dishes for a banquet. The Zhao family wasn’t wealthy—how could they afford such a lavish spread?

Time flew, and before anyone realized it, the eighth day of the tenth lunar month arrived.

That morning, Zhao Ruhua rose early.

Her Sister-in-law Li and Second Sister-in-law Yang were already waiting outside her room, eager to help her dress up for the wedding.

The moment Zhao Ruhua opened her door, the two sisters-in-law walked in.

“Little Sister, finally you’ve opened the door. Hurry inside, we’ll help you dress and style your hair.”

The two sisters-in-law bustled in with a flurry of urgency, making Zhao Ruhua laugh and cry at the same time. “Dear Sisters-in-law, I haven’t even washed up yet. Can I at least wash first?”

Li lightly patted Zhao Ruhua’s shoulder with a smile. “Wash up in your room. I’ll fetch some hot water for you.”

“Second Sister-in-law, you prepare Little Sister’s clothing and jewelry. Bring out all the necklaces and hairpins the groom’s family sent; we’ll put them all on her.”

Yang smiled. “Understood, Big Sister-in-law.”

The two sisters-in-law began busily preparing.

Yang pulled Zhao Ruhua to sit in front of the bronze mirror, holding a wooden comb to start on her hair.

Her hair was jet-black, glossy, and silky. Just a few strokes and it was smooth as flowing water.

While combing her hair, Yang praised its beauty, and Zhao Ruhua in turn praised Yang’s skillful hands for being able to create such lovely hairdos.

After a while, Li returned carrying steaming hot water so Zhao Ruhua could wash her face.

She washed quickly and then let her sisters-in-law fuss with her hair and adornments.

Outside, the courtyard grew lively.

Zhao Ruhua heard the sound of pigs squealing.

Yang explained that for her wedding, the family had bought two pigs to slaughter and serve to the guests.

At this moment, all the men and women of the village had come over to help.

Men and women, young and old, all were busy with their tasks, creating an extremely bustling scene.

In the midst of the commotion, the Li family members also quietly arrived.

Today was Zhao Ruhua’s wedding day, and the Li family was waiting to see what sort of feast the Zhao family could produce.

Madam Hu had bragged boldly that the banquet would be extraordinarily lavish. If it fell short of her claims, they would become a laughingstock.

In the future, in Baishi Village, the Zhao family would lose all credibility; no one would be willing to associate with them.

Once Zhao Ruhua was nearly ready, Yun Shiyue’s wedding party also arrived to escort the bride.

Along with him came seven or eight young men Zhao Ruhua had never seen before.

These young men were not from Baishi Village; where they came from, no one in the Zhao family knew.

The crackling of firecrackers rang out.

Li and Yang, who had gone out to check the situation, came running back into Zhao Ruhua’s room.

Seeing her seated, Li smiled and said, “The groom has arrived.”

It was Zhao Ruhua’s joyous day. All unhappy thoughts were set aside for now. Even if the two sisters-in-law were not entirely satisfied with Yun Shiyue’s looks, today they had to put on cheerful faces.

Yang followed with a smile. “Hurry and put on the bridal veil. Before you enter the groom’s home, it mustn’t be lifted. It’s auspicious only if the groom himself unveils it.”

Li laughed in agreement and draped a red veil embroidered with mandarin ducks over Zhao Ruhua’s head.

When the firecrackers burned out, laughter and boisterous shouts rose outside.

“The groom is here! The groom is here!”

Soon, Yun Shiyue stepped into Zhao Ruhua’s room.

A large group of villagers, men and women, young and old, followed behind him.

Everyone who had been working saw the lively commotion and rushed over to join in the fun.

Some still wore aprons, holding spatulas, ladles, and bowls in their hands.

Someone shouted for Yun Shiyue to say some sweet, romantic words of eternal love. After much teasing and laughter, Zhao Ruhua only heard him say, “Come home with me.”

Then, a large hand appeared before her.

Beneath the edge of the red veil, Zhao Ruhua saw that hand.

It was beautiful—fair, long-fingered, and well-defined, pleasing to the eye.

She stared at it for a moment, then placed her own hand in his.

His fingers immediately intertwined with hers.

Her palm pressed against his, and her heart skipped an inexplicable beat.

She frowned slightly, puzzled by the unfamiliar sensation.

She didn’t feel any aversion to touching Yun Shiyue.

“Let’s go home.”

He spoke again.

His voice was pleasant, like a mountain spring—clear and gentle—forming a stark contrast to his face.

Instinctively, Zhao Ruhua followed him out step by step.

Behind her, she heard Madam Hu’s sobs.

A moment later, she heard Li and Yang sniffling as well.

They were reluctant to part with her, unable to hold back their tears.

Zhao Ruhua stopped briefly, her heart swelling with emotion.

They truly cherished her. Though the family wasn’t rich, on her wedding day they spent generously to prepare her dowry.

The more substantial a daughter’s dowry, the more confidence she had when living in her husband’s home.

“Daughter, from now on, Mother won’t be by your side. You must take good care of yourself.”

“If you suffer any grievances, you must tell us…”

At last, Madam Hu and the others could no longer hold back their tears.

Zhao Ruhua’s eyes grew slightly red as well.

Having such loving family here was enough to make her feel content.

“Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters-in-law, please rest assured. I will never let Ruhua suffer grievances.”

Yun Shiyue spoke beside her.

Hearing only his voice, Zhao Ruhua almost suspected he was a peerless handsome man.

But…

Amid her parents’ and sisters-in-law’s heartfelt reluctance, Zhao Ruhua left with Yun Shiyue.

They held hands, palms pressed together, fingers interlocked.

Outside, firecrackers exploded once more.

Madam Hu and Zhao Father followed them out.

Watching Zhao Ruhua, veiled in red, leave with Yun Shiyue, their eyes reddened again.

At this moment, Li Hongyun also appeared.

He hid among the crowd, watching Zhao Ruhua and Yun Shiyue walk out hand in hand, his face full of disdain.

Yun Shiyue looked as hideous as ever.

How much silver could a man like that have? How capable could he possibly be? Even the betrothal gifts he gave Zhao Ruhua might very well be fake.

Li Hongyun was certain that breaking off the engagement with Zhao Ruhua was the wisest decision he had ever made.

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