"Ah?" Xueyan was caught off guard by Shen Ruoxi's question, and she immediately became flustered, biting her lower lip as if at a loss.
After a long while, she finally whispered, "How could a servant like me be comparable to you? Since he could be swayed by Ning Zhen, betraying you, how could he even spare a glance for a servant like me? I've already given up on such thoughts."
"Then what do you plan to do in the future?" Shen Ruoxi asked again.
Xueyan was so startled by her question that she hurriedly knelt down. "Young Mistress, have I done something wrong? Please don't send me away..."
Shen Ruoxi quickly helped her up, speaking gently, "It's not that I want to send you away, but I believe that a woman's life is not solely dependent on a man.
There are many things we can do to realize our own value.
If you're willing, I'll provide you with enough silver taels to live freely outside, no longer a maid, wouldn't that be liberating?"
"No, I don't want to go anywhere. I just want to follow Miss, wherever you go, I'll go. Please don't abandon me, I can do anything," Xueyan choked up as she spoke.
Shen Ruoxi realized she misunderstood but before she could speak, there was a knock at the door.
It was Nanny Yu from Fulai Courtyard. She bowed to Shen Ruoxi and said, "Young Mistress, today is the General's big day, and the Old Lady asked you to go and greet the guests early."
Shen Ruoxi nodded, "I'll go after I change my clothes."
After Nanny Yu left, Chuntao stomped her foot angrily, "It's simply outrageous!"
Shen Ruoxi was clear-minded, understanding that the Old Lady wanted her to go early as a way to remind her of her identity and status.
Once married, the husband is the sky; whatever he wants, he gets.
If she disobeyed or threw a fit, she would be put in her place.
"Enough with the complaints!" Xia Lian said impatiently.
"What's there to be angry about? There's no escaping today, let's just go," Shen Ruoxi said calmly.
Today, she had specifically chosen a light purple dress, one that wouldn't overshadow the bride but also wouldn't appear too plain.
Chuntao carefully accessorized her, and when Shen Ruoxi looked at herself in the bronze mirror, she couldn't help but pause.
The woman reflected in the mirror had skin like congealed fat, with exceptional beauty.
Her cheeks were lightly blushed like peach blossoms in spring, a heart-shaped floral ornament meticulously embedded between her brows. On each side, the colorful phoenix hairpins shone brilliantly, with gold tassels swaying gently like a fairy descending to earth.
Her eyes, painted with golden hues at the corners, were incredibly enchanting, leaving anyone who looked at them captivated.
Except for her wedding day with Xiao Chengyi, when her mother had personally dressed her up beautifully, these past two years she had mostly worn simple clothes, barely any makeup, with only a simple gold hairpin adorning her head.
Chuntao was immensely pleased with Shen Ruoxi's look, thinking that she must show everyone who could be more outstanding than her mistress.
Just now, she had placed all the various gold and pearl hairpins she had at the bottom of the chest onto her mistress's head.
Although the items were originally gaudy and rich, they made Shen Ruoxi look dignified and exceptionally graceful, making it hard for people to look away.
Xueyan's mouth dropped open. The young mistress was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. What blindness and foolishness must Xiao Chengyi have had to neglect such an outstanding woman and fancy someone else.
Shen Ruoxi frowned, "What is this! Quickly, remove it."
After speaking, she took the phoenix hairpin out of her hair.
Such an outfit would surely make the guests think she was trying to steal the show or seek attention, leading Xiao Chengyi to believe she still had feelings for him.
"No, go like this." Chuntao insisted stubbornly.
"I agree with Chuntao, why remove it? Your looks are a gift from your parents; if it's beautiful, it's beautiful. Others without it should not be jealous," Xia Lian concurred.
"Is today the right day for this?" Shen Ruoxi glared.
She rarely got angry. These two maids had been with her since she returned home, and she treated them like sisters, but she was truly annoyed now.
Yet, the two maids were unusually stubborn today and wouldn't budge.
Xueyan chuckled, "I think Xia Lian is right; miss, you're overthinking this. Let me adjust it slightly for you."
Shen Ruoxi nodded, "Alright."
Xueyan wiped away the golden paint at the edge of her eyes, restoring her cool and ethereal demeanor, removing all the clutter from her head, and leaving only a colorful phoenix golden hairpin.
"Miss, now take a look," Xueyan smiled.
Shen Ruoxi glanced at the woman in the mirror. Although she wasn't as eye-catching as before, she still radiated charm.
Just as she was about to suggest more changes, Nanny Yu's voice came urging from the doorway, "Young Mistress, the Old Lady is pressing, the guests have arrived, you need to go greet them."
Shen Ruoxi replied calmly, "Coming."
Oh well, she understood their intentions, so just let it be.
When Shen Ruoxi walked into Fulai Courtyard, Old Mrs. Xiao was taken aback because it was the first time she had seen Shen Ruoxi dressed so meticulously.
She was naturally beautiful, usually dazzling even without makeup, and today's look was breathtaking, almost unreal.
Xiao Chengyu's eyes flashed with jealousy. She sneered and mocked, "Sister-in-law, today is our new sister-in-law's big day, what are you planning by dressing up so lavishly?"
A hint of indifference flashed across Shen Ruoxi's eyebrows, she responded calmly, "This is just a show of respect for the guests. But you, Chengyu, you're already sixteen this year. Stop acting so unruly, mind you don't marry off poorly in the future."
"You!" Xiao Chengyu was so angry her face turned livid, yet she had no retort.
Old Mrs. Xiao said lightly, "Alright, enough from both of you, Ruoxi, go to the front hall to greet the guests. Chengyi should be fetching Zhen'er now."
"Yes." Shen Ruoxi responded and went on her way.
Xiao Chengyu glared at Shen Ruoxi's departing figure, snorting disdainfully, "It's clearly the new sister-in-law's wedding, but she dresses like a vixen. So calculating."
Old Mrs. Xiao chuckled indifferently, "Her little tricks are just to get Chengyi to notice her more.
The more she cares, the easier she is to handle.
Today, I'll have your brother confront her; no dowry, then divorce her; that'll surely work."
"Grandmother, you are wise, she'll definitely be frightened!" Xiao Chengyu flattered.
The old lady smiled confidently, "With Mrs. Ning restraining her, let's see how she'd dare act out.
Disrespecting me, not honoring her husband, once the celebration is over, I'll hold her accountable."
"Grandmother, you are truly wise." Xiao Chengyu praised.
When Shen Ruoxi stepped into the front hall, Mrs. Zhou was enthusiastically welcoming the guests, with several ladies and young misses gathered chatting.
Her arrival made the previously lively front hall suddenly fall into an eerie silence.