Xu Xiao'e was to be married off, no matter to whom, she had to be wed. But she also wanted to spend her life with Shen Cheng, and she had three children to raise. She couldn't let Shen Cheng grow to despise her because of this.
So, Madam Xu adjusted her facial expression, putting on a smile. She bent down to help Xu Xiao'e up, saying, "Xiao'e, didn't we agree? Once you're married, you'll be the young madam, enjoying endless blessings. You promised, so why are you acting like this today? If your in-laws find out, they might misunderstand."
Xu Xiao'e was being helped up by Madam Xu. She hadn't wanted to stand, but Madam Xu pinched her arm fiercely. Unable to bear the pain, she had no choice but to get up.
Xu Xiao'e wiped the tears from her face and said to Madam Xu, "Mother, I..."
"Xiao'e, your eldest brother-in-law has been away for several months. He's had a tough journey. Even if you're happy to see him and happy for your eldest sister, there's no reason to cling to his horse. Let him go back and rest. You should be leaving too," Madam Xu interrupted, then gave Zheng Wei a flattering smile.
The moment Madam Xu helped Xu Xiao'e up, Zheng Wei had already jumped off his horse and walked towards Shen Xiaoyan.
Xu Xiao'e watched Zheng Wei's retreating figure, wanting to rush towards him, but Madam Xu held her back tightly, keeping her rooted to the spot.
"You wretched girl, if you dare to cause trouble for me again, I'll pretend I never gave birth to you," Madam Xu whispered threateningly in Xu Xiao'e's ear, her hand still gripping Xu Xiao'e's arm.
Although Madam Xu spoke harshly, Xu Xiao'e was her beloved daughter for fifteen years, her firstborn child. How could she not feel heartbroken? If Zheng Wei had shown the slightest bit of affection, if there had been any other way, she wouldn't have forced Xu Xiao'e into marriage.
Xu Xiao'e felt her heart shatter into countless pieces.
She had agreed earlier because she thought Zheng Wei had truly left and wouldn't return. But who would have known that on her wedding day, Zheng Wei would return, and even cross paths with her sedan chair?
She thought it was a sign from heaven, so she fought with all her might. But who would have known that Zheng Wei would be so heartless?
Watching Zheng Wei walk step by step to Shen Xiaoyan's side, gently embracing her as if she were a rare treasure, and then turn away together without even a glance at her, Xu Xiao'e felt a surge of hatred fill her chest.
This should have been hers. This home, this man, and that child. All of it should have been hers. Shen Xiaoyan had stolen it from her.
She would never let Shen Xiaoyan have an easy time, never.
Xu Xiao'e finally cast a hateful look at Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei as they walked away, then walked step by step towards the sedan chair.
Madam Xu watched Xu Xiao'e get into the sedan chair. She quickly ran forward, placed the veil over her head, whispered a few words of instruction, and then closed the curtain.
The sedan chair was lifted anew. The palanquin bearers and the welcoming party, who had been standing like statues, hoisted the sedan chair and proceeded with music and fanfare.
The onlookers, seeing that there was no more excitement to be had, all turned and headed towards the village.
Madam Xu and Shen Cheng watched the sedan chair disappear into the distance before returning to the village together.
As the crowd dispersed, Huo Si and his son, who had been standing aside, walked towards the courtyard, leading two horses.
Sima Han had dismounted when Zheng Wei did and quickly returned to the courtyard with Yue Qingxin in his arms.
Zheng Wei and Shen Xiaoyan entered the east wing of the main house. Zheng Wei picked Shen Xiaoyan up horizontally and carried her all the way into the inner room, stopping only by the kang. He then carefully placed Shen Xiaoyan onto the kang.
Zheng Wei crouched down, caressed Shen Xiaoyan's belly, and after a long while, said, "Mimi, you deserve a beating."
Shen Xiaoyan had expected Zheng Wei to be overjoyed and surprised upon discovering her pregnancy.
But who would have known that Zheng Wei had been expressionless since he arrived? And his first words were that she deserved a beating.
Perhaps it was the heightened emotions of a pregnant woman, but Shen Xiaoyan felt a surge of grievance well up inside her. Her nose stung, her eyes filled with tears, and they instantly spilled over, rolling down her cheeks and dripping onto Zheng Wei's wrist.
Zheng Wei felt a initial warmth on his wrist, which then instantly cooled. He immediately looked up. What met his eyes was Shen Xiaoyan's wronged, tear-streaked face.
"Mimi, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well? I'll send someone to fetch a doctor right away, or should we just go to town?"
As Zheng Wei spoke, he moved to scoop Shen Xiaoyan into his arms and run outside.
Shen Xiaoyan grabbed his hand, shook her head, and sobbed, "I'm fine."
Zheng Wei paused, then asked in confusion, "Then why are you crying, Mimi?"
Shen Xiaoyan's lips quivered, and tears continued to stream down her face. After a while, she said, "You just said I deserve a beating. I'm carrying your child, and the first thing you say when you come back is that I deserve a beating."
Shen Xiaoyan felt extremely wronged. Was it easy for her to be pregnant? Not eating well, not sleeping well... Well, none of that, but she had still gone through a lot, hadn't she?
Hearing this, Zheng Wei laughed. He stood up, sat beside Shen Xiaoyan, gently embraced her, and said, "You're pregnant while I'm not by your side. I was so worried. It's only been a little over four months, and your belly is already this big. It must be multiple babies. What if I hadn't returned, and you had to face this alone until the New Year? How dangerous would that have been? Tell me, don't you deserve a beating?"
"Is this something I can decide? If anyone is to blame, it's you. It's all your fault for leaving me alone at home," Shen Xiaoyan pouted.
Zheng Wei smiled helplessly, patted Shen Xiaoyan's shoulder, and coaxed her gently, "Mimi is right. Every mistake, every fault, is mine."
Shen Xiaoyan turned her head to look at Zheng Wei. She immediately saw the pampering look on his face, but she still said, "Don't think you can appease me just by agreeing with me and I'll forgive you."
Zheng Wei said, "Then what will it take for Mimi to forgive her husband?"
Shen Xiaoyan pondered for a moment, then a spark of inspiration struck her. She said, "You said you were going on a business trip and would buy that mountain when you returned, right?"
As Shen Xiaoyan spoke, she looked at Zheng Wei teasingly. Zheng Wei had only been gone for four months. What kind of business could earn him so much money that he could buy the mountain behind them?
Seeing the slyness in Shen Xiaoyan's eyes, Zheng Wei reached out and gently pinched her cheek. "Oh, Mimi, are you trying to laugh at me?"
Shen Xiaoyan proudly lifted her chin. "Don't break your promise and get fat!"
Zheng Wei immediately feigned fear. "Then if I get fat, will Mimi still want me?"
Shen Xiaoyan knew Zheng Wei was trying to cheer her up, but she was still very happy with his playful response.
"If I will," Shen Xiaoyan said, nodding to indicate that she wasn't superficial, and then continued, "but when the children grow up and ask why their father is fat, what should I tell them?"
"Clever girl," Zheng Wei said, reaching out and ruffling Shen Xiaoyan's hair, making it messy. Shen Xiaoyan giggled uncontrollably after her own remark, and hearing Zheng Wei call her a clever girl made her even more delighted.
Before Shen Xiaoyan could finish laughing, Zheng Wei had already gotten up to unbuckle the bundle he was carrying.
He had placed the bundle on the round table when they entered the room. Now, Zheng Wei went over and quickly untied the bundle. Shen Xiaoyan could then see what was inside.
The clothes were the same ones he had taken with him, but there was an additional red lacquered wooden box inside.
The wooden box was about a foot square, carved with exquisite patterns, far more intricate than anything Shen Xiaoyan had seen since she arrived.
"What is this?"
Shen Xiaoyan asked, looking at the wooden box Zheng Wei handed her.
Zheng Wei did not answer, but gestured for Shen Xiaoyan to open it and see.
Shen Xiaoyan stopped asking and took the wooden box with both hands, placing it on the kang table beside her.
She didn't rush to open it immediately, but carefully examined it from all sides before lifting the lid.
The wooden box was not small, but the contents inside were definitely not too much, nor could they be considered too little.
Inside was a very small wooden box, about the size of a ring box from her previous life.
Besides this small wooden box, there was only a stack of papers.
Shen Xiaoyan picked up the small wooden box to examine it, then looked at Zheng Wei and said, "What's on this side?"
Zheng Wei said, "Open it and you'll know."
Shen Xiaoyan gave him a sidelong glance, still playing mysterious.
She followed his instructions and opened the wooden box. At the bottom of the box lay two rings.
One ring was large, the other was small. The large one was black, the small one was purple. Both were simple in design, yet they were captivating.
Shen Xiaoyan looked at Zheng Wei in surprise. "Are you proposing to me?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Shen Xiaoyan regretted them. They already had children, so what was the point of proposing? Besides, Zheng Wei probably wouldn't know what proposing meant.
"What is proposing?"
As expected, Zheng Wei raised his eyebrows in confusion, with an expression that clearly said, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, it's nothing. You just brought back two rings for me?" Shen Xiaoyan said, taking the rings out of the wooden box. She handed the black one to Zheng Wei. "And there's one I can't wear?"
Zheng Wei took the ring and said calmly, "This one is mine."
Shen Xiaoyan: ...
Ignoring Shen Xiaoyan's stunned silence, Zheng Wei took the other ring from her hand. He drew the short knife he carried with him and quickly made a cut on both Shen Xiaoyan's and his own finger.
The sharp blade sliced through, and before Shen Xiaoyan could feel any pain, she saw blood welling up.
"What are you doing?"
Zheng Wei didn't answer. He reinserted the short knife and then placed both rings on their blood.
Shen Xiaoyan watched Zheng Wei's actions, confused. When she saw the blood being absorbed by the rings the moment it touched them, she was truly stunned.
Who could tell her what was happening?
As the black and purple ring bands absorbed more blood, they began to redden.
When the ring bands were completely filled with blood, both rings simultaneously emitted a dazzling light.
Shen Xiaoyan's eyes were blinded by the sudden light. She instinctively closed her eyes. After a few seconds, when she opened them again, she found that the purple ring was already on her right middle finger. The black one was on Zheng Wei's left middle finger.
"What exactly is this thing?" Shen Xiaoyan looked at the rings, then back at Zheng Wei and asked.