Chu Yin cleared his throat outside, and Lady Chunhan immediately called him in.
“Chu Yin, come inside. Madam is behind the screen—no need to be awkward.”
“Alright. No need to fuss so much over the Hongzhuang preparations; it’s just a formality. Since Miss Zhang Wei’s clothes don’t fit, we’ll just use Madam’s usual attire. Comfort comes first for Madam!”
Chu Yin entered the room and quickly closed the door.
Behind the screen stood a graceful, curvaceous beauty, assisted by her maidservants as she prepared the bride’s ceremonial dress and robes.
Though Madam herself remained unseen, her silhouette cast on the screen was like a fragrant, alluring portrait of a beauty.
The profile on the screen clearly revealed her predicament: the undersized Blessing Undergarment was stretched tight by the heavy twin mounds it struggled to contain.
After much effort, the maid finally fastened the delicate strings.
Madam Chunhan didn’t consciously lift her chest; she simply took a few steps, and the small garment tore open.
The two soft globes broke free and even bounced slightly—a supple texture that was breathtakingly exquisite!
Chu Yin hadn’t expected to witness such an indecent scene even through the screen, stirring a faint unease within him.
Lady Chunhan sighed helplessly and replied:
“It can’t be done carelessly; it’s inauspicious. These clothes carry blessings. Although Madam is only standing in for the bride… I still hope you, Chu Yin, can receive these good wishes.”
Chu Yin had seen those clothes before—not only was the bride’s Blessing Undergarment embroidered with phrases like Early Noble Heir, but even the matching Red Stockings were decorated with Double Happiness and Good Match blessings, designed as tasteful openwork patterns rather than awkwardly stitched words.
Chu Yin smiled faintly, then suggested:
“If Madam doesn’t mind, why not wear the old Blessing Undergarment from back then? The size would definitely fit better~”
Those custom-made, expensive garments, though worn only once, were never discarded and usually kept carefully stored.
Lady Chunhan hesitated for a moment but decided to heed Chu Yin’s advice and fetched the old garment.
It was certainly better than forcing on Zhang Wei’s, especially to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions during the wedding bow.
With the undergarment issue resolved, the rest proceeded quickly.
She soon donned the bride’s red robes and wore the exquisite, elegant Phoenix Crown.
Emerging from behind the screen, her demeanor shifted from her usual commanding presence to a gentle, graceful beauty.
Though Lady Chunhan had long passed her youthful years, her beauty remained undiminished, with a mature and intellectual charm added.
When she lifted her eyes to meet Chu Yin’s, her radiance was stunning beyond measure, causing him to momentarily lose focus.
“What are you standing there daydreaming for? Have you been too tired lately?”
The beautiful lady chuckled, rarely seeing this boy so absent-minded.
She stepped up to Chu Yin, pressing her lips in concern as maternal affection quietly welled up, stroking his cheek.
Chu Yin shook his head, staring intently at the breathtaking beauty before him.
“It’s just that Madam is too beautiful; you distracted me. Luckily, it’s you wearing the bride’s Phoenix Crown and Xiapei, or else the elegance would have been wasted~”
It was somewhat odd for a son-in-law to praise his mother-in-law’s Hongzhuang, but beyond the strangeness, Chu Yin’s compliments pleased her deeply, as if honey had flowed through her heart.
“…You’re still so cheeky!”
The charming lady in red lightly scolded, flicking his forehead with a slender finger.
They didn’t chat long; the appointed hour was near.
Lady Chunhan gave final instructions on the finer points of ceremony and etiquette, not wanting Chu Yin, the New Lord, to lose dignity in the rites.
Seeing Chu Yin nod in agreement, she finally placed the Hongtou Gai over her head.
In the main hall, the Host’s voice announced the entrance of the groom and bride.
Chu Yin had changed into a well-fitted groom’s robe, looking dignified and spirited yet composed.
The bride beside him remained unseen, but her manner exuded exceptional grace.
Yet her tightly clasped Yuguan betrayed her nervousness.
The guests found this understandable; such an important day naturally brought anxiety.
Chu Yin took Madam’s Yuguan, sensing her unease, and gently interlaced his fingers with hers to soothe her.
Following the Host’s lead, they proceeded step by step through the ritual.
“First bow to Heaven and Earth—”
“Second bow to the elders—”
The elder seats, where Lady Chunhan should have been, remained empty since she stood in for the bride.
Fortunately, Chu Yin had already explained this to the guests, and none made a fuss.
They simply regarded it as an ancestral homage.
“Third, the couple bows to each other—”
Chu Yin and Lady Chunhan turned to face one another.
Beneath the red veil, the breathtaking beauty blushed deeply.
She had mentally prepared herself, constantly reminding that this was just acting—a reluctant sacrifice to preserve the greater good.
Yet at this moment of the couple’s mutual bow, her heart was far from calm, as if surging waves boiled within her.
Through the veil, she glimpsed Chu Yin’s piercing gaze—his eyes filled with sincerity.
Inwardly, she asked herself…
If the man before her were not Chu Yin, would she have agreed to stand in as the bride at the couple’s bow? Probably not.
Given her past resolute dignity, when her daughter deliberately ran off on the wedding day for so-called independence, freedom, and honor, she would have canceled the banquet then and there rather than consent to a bride substitute.
Lost in thought, Lady Chunhan bowed deeply.
When she came to herself, she lifted her head and met Chu Yin’s gaze through the red veil once again.
The guests cheered and toasted.
One respected elder stood and said with satisfaction:
“Lady Chunhan has managed Luoshui City with tireless effort and dedication, as we all know. Now, finally, there’s a reliable junior to help her share the burden. She can at last enjoy a moment of respite.”
The crowd laughed and teased:
“Yes, Young Lord Chu must hurry—after the wedding night, keep at it for a few more nights to ensure Lady Chunhan soon holds a grandson. Otherwise, how will she get used to leisure?”
Lady Chunhan blushed deeply, embarrassed beyond words.
Chu Yin whispered softly, “Alright, the hardest part is done. Madam, please go rest in the back. Leave this to me.”
“O-okay…” Lady Chunhan’s response was uneasy, still shaken.
The Qin Xin, Hufa, and maids nearby all exhaled in relief, knowing this trial was over.
They quickly accompanied the bride to the rear.
Chu Yin raised a glass to the remaining guests and solemnly said:
“This is not to dampen the celebration, but due to unforeseen circumstances, troublemakers may appear later. Elders, please leave the Lord’s residence for now. If uneasy, retreat outside the city walls.”
The guests, still in high spirits, thought this was part of the toast but were sobered by Chu Yin’s grave tone and realized the seriousness.
This was a rare grand event for Luoshui City.
The last was the old city lord’s assassination. Could this be another such crisis?
The attendees, all prominent figures, understood Chu Yin’s warning and did not refuse.
They respectfully excused themselves and arranged their juniors to remain as Chu Yin’s Hufa.
“We will promptly dispatch reinforcements!”
“Truly despicable to cause trouble on such a day. The old city lord’s case was never solved, and now this again!”
Outside the city, Zhang Wei and Senior Brother Jin Liang stood puzzled.
They had waited long, expecting Lady Chunhan to announce the bride’s escape and see the guests awkwardly depart.
Why was there no sign of this?
They sent someone to inquire and learned the bride was bowing with groom Chu Yin—only then did they understand the situation.
Zhang Wei seethed, “Shameless! I ran off from the wedding, and yet that woman sends someone to impersonate me and marry in my place. She can’t ruin my marriage, so she targets my reputation!”
Their original plan was to disgrace Lady Chunhan, then return with Senior Brother and the Tianxing City Elders to pressure her into retreat, so Zhang Wei could legitimately bring Luoshui City under Tianxing City.
If outsiders questioned, Tianxing City could disavow involvement, claiming this was the city lord’s daughter’s defection to save Luoshui City from decline.
Senior Brother Jin Liang decided swiftly:
“We should break through the city gates and expose the fake bride in front of everyone while there’s still time!”
Zhang Wei’s eyes brightened:
“Exactly! Revealing the false bride publicly will make everyone understand the runaway bride scandal. Then all will see how chaotic and failed Luoshui City is under Madam’s management!”
Lady Chunhan’s prestige was too high; if they didn’t take this chance to ruin her credibility, Zhang Wei would never stand firm.
A Tianxing City Elder urged, “Hurry inside, don’t delay!”
This elite group of several elders and inner disciples charged into Luoshui City.
Yet they found the city gates strangely unguarded.
“During the day, the guards were so tight. Why are they suddenly gone?”
The Tianxing City Elder looked to Zhang Wei, but she shook her head, having never involved herself in guard duty or patrol schedules.
“Forget it, head straight to the Lord’s residence. The guests haven’t left yet!”
Their path through the city was unimpeded—no guards appeared, no fights broke out.
Soon, they burst into the Lord’s residence’s wedding hall.
Inside, Chu Yin sat sipping tea, his face dark.
His gaze fixed on the uninvited guests at the entrance, finally settling on Zhang Wei.
“The wedding ceremony has ended. If you want to join the banquet, bringing gifts isn’t necessary. So why are you late?”
Many guests had already left, leaving some younger ones who stared at Zhang Wei in confusion.
“This is strange. Why is Miss Zhang Wei here?”
“Wasn’t she just at the wedding? What’s going on?”
Zhang Wei’s voice was sharp and vulgar, lacking the poise of a Luoshui City Lady, as if she were cursing:
“Bah! That wasn’t my wedding! Sacrificing my freedom and ruining my reputation! Does that honor my father? Where’s that woman? Stop hiding!”
Her gloating attitude amused Chu Yin.
They say family scandals shouldn’t be publicized, yet she had pushed this far and proudly fancied herself clever.
“I’m curious: you’ve ruined Madam’s painstakingly managed Luoshui City so badly. Don’t you feel ashamed? You’re also a Luoshui City Lady. Its glory is yours to share, as is its disgrace. If you’re unhappy, why not speak to Madam earlier?”
Zhang Wei didn’t understand Chu Yin’s calmness but since he asked, she answered:
“Does talking help? She’d still use my freedom as a bargaining chip to hold power!”
“Also, don’t say ‘sharing disgrace.’ Luoshui City’s decline under her has embarrassed me at the academy! I’m ashamed to admit I’m a city lord’s daughter!”
“Luoshui City must rid itself of an incompetent lord and be annexed into Tianxing City. That’s the only right path!”
Chu Yin suddenly laughed:
“So that’s it. You never considered yourself part of Luoshui City. Now I understand your actions.”
“But if you thought that way, why shamelessly accept Madam’s money? Why not refuse? All your comforts in Tianxing City come from Madam’s enterprises!”
Zhang Wei retorted matter-of-factly:
“That was left by my father. Why refuse? Everything in Luoshui City belongs to me. Why say it’s hers?!”
Her words barely fell when Chu Yin made a sweeping palm gesture from a distance—a heavy slap landed beside Zhang Wei, making her see stars as a few teeth flew out.
“Madam’s biggest mistake was protecting you too much and not hitting you enough!”
The Tianxing City Elder frowned, eyes flashing not with anger but astonishment—
He had clearly seen the slap coming and tried to stop it, but why had he failed?
Chu Yin’s cultivation was obviously inferior.
How could a simple remote palm strike not be intercepted?
Coincidence?
Accident?
Chu Yin stood and pulled a letter from his pocket, tossing it to the ground.
It was Zhang Wei’s self-written runaway confession, left early this morning.
He said calmly:
“Zhang Wei, you proudly think you fooled everyone and called my divinations a scam, but did you ever think that I was the one who watched you escape?”
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