The great hall of the Zhang Family, the most prominent family in Phoenix City.
A young woman stood below the main dais, where a middle-aged man sat in the seat of honor. Numerous others were seated in descending order of rank or stood along the sides, a clear display of the strict hierarchy and orderly system.
The young woman's beautiful face and exquisite figure radiated youthful vitality and playfulness. This was none other than the daughter of the Zhang Family Patriarch, Zhang Hui.
"I won't marry him! I will not marry Wen Qingye! If it were Wen Tongyu, I might consider it, but Wen Qingye? What is he? Does he think he's worthy of me?" A trace of disdain flashed in Zhang Hui's eyes. "I've barely even heard his name in Phoenix City. I won't marry him. From the Wen Family, the only one I approve of is Wen Tongyu."
When Zhang Hui spoke of Wen Tongyu, a distinct glimmer appeared in her eyes.
Zhang Hua's expression was grim as he said, "Wen Tongyu is considered a prodigy of his generation in our Celestial Martial Country. He is, indeed, the ideal son-in-law in my heart."
An Elder stood and added his agreement, "Yes, Patriarch. If you have Hui'er marry Wen Qingye, won't you be ruining her entire life?"
Hearing this, Zhang Hua could no longer contain his fury. "Outrageous! My intention was for Wen Tongyu to be the one to come. But the Wen Family... they sent me this piece of trash instead! They're treating me like a fool! It's just that I've already given the Wen Family my word. To go back on it now, I'm afraid..."
When Zhang Hua had gone to the Wen Family to discuss the marriage with Wen Xu, the terms had been veiled. Wen Xu had promised that Zhang Hua would be satisfied. He never expected Wen Xu to play word games with him. Satisfied? How could anyone be satisfied with Wen Qingye? Naturally, Zhang Hua was furious.
A young man slowly rose to his feet, a confident smile on his face. "Patriarch, I have a method, if you would care to hear it."
This young man was Zhang Hui's cousin, one of the few outstanding disciples of the Zhang Family's younger generation, Zhang Chuan.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hua quickly asked, "Oh? Chuan'er, what is your plan?"
Zhang Chuan sneered, "The Wen Family used a bait-and-switch on us, so why can't we do the same? Uncle Hua, you said you would marry off *a* daughter. Don't you have another one?"
Zhang Hui's eyes lit up. "Are you talking about that girl born from a lowly slut, Zhang Xiaoyun?"
"Hui'er, don't speak such nonsense!" Zhang Hua chided.
Although he chided her, there wasn't a trace of anger in his eyes.
"Patriarch, I think Chuan'er's method is excellent."
"Indeed, Patriarch. This plan is feasible."
Hearing Zhang Chuan's method, the surrounding crowd nodded one after another in agreement.
Seeing that everyone was in agreement, which perfectly matched his own thoughts, Zhang Hua put on a troubled expression and said, "Very well. Since you all say so, and since the Wen Family tricked us first, we shall give them a taste of their own medicine."
Zhang Chuan sighed softly. "The only downside is that it's a waste of food."
An Elder beside him snorted. "Hmph. When the time comes, we'll just cut their allowance in half, won't we? The Zhang Family doesn't support freeloaders."
.......
"Young Master, we've arrived at the Zhang Mansion."
Wen Qingye was meditating with his eyes closed when a voice suddenly sounded.
"Alright, I understand," Wen Qingye nodded.
Wen Qingye stepped out of the carriage. The Zhang Mansion was bustling with activity, decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, with auspicious characters pasted everywhere. He saw an old woman and four or five servant girls standing at the entrance, seemingly waiting for him.
"Young Master Wen, I am the Matchmaker. Please, come in!" the old woman said with a smile when she saw Wen Qingye.
Wen Qingye followed the Matchmaker into the Zhang Mansion, and the carriage returned to the Wen Family.
Wen Qingye asked, somewhat puzzled, "Where are we going?"
The Matchmaker said with a smile, "The Zhang Family Patriarch told me that to save some unnecessary trouble, Young Master Wen will proceed directly to the bridal chamber today, forgoing the other ceremonies."
Hearing this, Wen Qingye frowned. How could he not sense that something was fishy? A man's own daughter was getting married; how could the affair be handled so hastily? 'There must be some hidden secret here.'
The Matchmaker led the way, but the path became more and more remote. If the Matchmaker hadn't been right in front of him, Wen Qingye might have thought he'd already left the Zhang Mansion.
After a while, the Matchmaker led Wen Qingye into a small courtyard and said, "Go on in. You and the bride will be living here from now on, Young Master Wen. The bride is waiting inside for the consummation."
KNOCK, KNOCK!
As she spoke, without waiting for Wen Qingye to ask anything, she knocked on the door and announced, "The groom has arrived!"
"Young Master Wen, we will take our leave now."
With that, the Matchmaker ignored Wen Qingye and left with the servant girls, leaving him standing there alone.
Wen Qingye scanned his surroundings. The brick walls were old, glowing with a faint greenish hue. But the night was clear, and the courtyard was clean, though desolate. A single peach tree stood in the yard, and nothing else.
The feeling it gave off was one of desolate coldness.
Wen Qingye couldn't help but find it all absurd. He hadn't even seen a single member of the Zhang Family, yet he was about to be married. The whole situation was simply unbelievable.
'Still, this is my first time entering the bridal chamber.' A flicker of curiosity rose in his heart. He slowly pushed the door open. Upon entering, he found the furnishings inside were old, but they were wiped clean, reflecting a faint light from the flickering candles.
The red decorations around the room were just casually laid-out scraps of red cloth. The only decent thing in the room was the pair of red candles.
A person sat by the side of the bed, a red veil covering their head. Yet, they were dressed in simple cloth garments, a very hasty arrangement. He couldn't see their face, but their hands were clenched tightly, revealing their inner anxiety.
Wen Qingye slowly walked over. As he stood before her, he noticed that her hands were covered in calluses. 'How strange,' he thought. 'How could the pampered young lady of the Zhang Family have hands full of calluses?'
Despite his thoughts, he gently lifted the red veil.
He saw a slender woman with a full head of beautiful, glossy black hair that carried a light fragrance. A single silver hairpin was her only adornment. Her eyes held a trace of shyness, and the right half of her face was smooth, fair, and utterly captivating.
But in the next moment, as Wen Qingye's gaze slowly shifted...
The left side of her face was marred by a heartbreaking scar, as if from a burn. It destroyed the otherwise perfect beauty, giving one a jolt. A sense of shock filled his heart. The base of the woman's neck was flushed red, revealing her nervousness.
Wen Qingye slowly sat down beside her and asked, "What is your name?"
"My name is Zhang Xiaoyun," the woman said, lowering her head. Her voice was like a soft, fine thread, weaving its way directly into Wen Qingye's heart.
'Zhang Xiaoyun.' Wen Qingye thought for a moment and realized he had no impression of that name.
"And your father is?"
Zhang Xiaoyun's expression dimmed. She slowly said, "My father is the Zhang Family Patriarch, Zhang Hua. My mother was a servant girl. I was born by... accident."
Wen Qingye nodded. Things were just as he had expected. That Zhang Hua had used a classic bait-and-switch. He hadn't been allowed to marry the man's treasured pearl, but instead one of his illegitimate daughters.
Wen Qingye looked at Zhang Xiaoyun and continued to ask, "What about your mother? Is this where you two lived?"
"Yes... but my mother passed away not long ago." As Zhang Xiaoyun spoke, she kept her head lowered. Towards the end, her voice choked with emotion. "So now... it's just me."
After a long silence, Zhang Xiaoyun finally raised her head, her cheeks so red it seemed as if blood might drip from them. A glimmer of longing shone in her eyes as she said softly, "Husband, let me help you undress."
Saying this, Zhang Xiaoyun stood up and walked to Wen Qingye's side.
"No need. I can do it myself."
At this moment, Wen Qingye's heart was incomparably calm, like the still water of an ancient well.
Wen Qingye pulled back the covers for her and said with a faint smile, "Go to sleep. It's cold out."
Hearing his words, Zhang Xiaoyun's face flushed red, and a warmth spread through her heart. It had been so long since anyone had spoken to her with such kindness. She slipped under the covers like a little kitten, feeling as if her heart was about to leap out of her chest.
Wen Qingye gently blew out the candles, then sat down on the edge of the bed.