In the early summer of the year 3, Dàxià Dynasty, Yongqing Prefecture, drums and gongs were blaring, bamboo flutes playing.

The entire street where Dingxi Houfu was located was decorated with red and green banners. The street was so crowded that people were shoulder to shoulder, and even the trees and walls were packed with onlookers.

"Such a grand wedding ceremony, we haven't seen one like this in Yongqing Mansion for ages."

In the crowd, gray-haired old men squinted with their dim eyes at the wedding procession before them.

A band of sixteen musicians, twenty tall horses, and thirty attendants in procession escorted a flower sedan carried by six men. Along the way, attendants kept scattering colorful silk flowers, like petals raining from the sky, which made the young girls, daughters-in-law, and children scramble to catch them.

The silk flowers from the Dingxi Marquis's mansion, the material and style are not something ordinary people can get.

Today, the eldest son of Houfu in Dingxi is getting married. This is no less than a major event like the birth of the eldest son. For this Houfu family, it signifies an important moment for the continuation of the family. Judging from the status of Hou Dingxi in court, perhaps these flowers are newly styled ones from the palace itself.

As the wedding procession passed, waves of people surged back and forth. Those jostled about cursed and laughed, some searching for their lost shoes, others holding onto their hats, creating a cacophony of noise. Yet, no one dared to take their eyes away, fearing that they might miss a detail that would make their tale less interesting than someone else's.

Walking at the front of the procession, the groom stood tall in his red robes and crimson veil. The vibrant color made it impossible to see his features. This was the eldest son of the Marquis of Dingxi, named Yun by the emperor himself. From a young age, he inherited his ancestor's legacy and followed his father into the military. It is said that he showed no arrogance typical of noble children, endured hardship without complaint, and fearlessly faced death, earning him a good reputation. Such an admirable man was simply the ideal husband in the eyes of every girl.

Today, the most enviable and envious person among this crowd of young men is undoubtedly the bride sitting in the flower palanquin.

The thick, decorated festive palanquin concealed its contents.

"I wonder which family's daughter is so lucky." Many people exclaimed, "To be betrothed to the Xīhòu Mansion, she must surely come from a wealthy and respectable family."

"You're mistaken, this bride is a commoner," someone in the crowd exclaimed aloud.

This caused an uproar, and even more people crowded around.

"Tell us, tell us, what's the story?" everyone asked eagerly.

"Speaking of this bride, she's accumulated good fortune over countless lifetimes. She was originally a destitute wanderer from another region, barely surviving by begging. By pure chance, she encountered the Old Hou Madam and cured her sudden illness. The Old Hou Madam, touched by the girl's kindness, took her in out of pity to repay her life-saving grace. After growing up, she became the chosen wife for the eldest grandson..."

This is an unexpected and rare occurrence, a legend that only exists in storybooks. It immediately captivated the audience's attention.

"As you can see, good people are rewarded. God sees everything. We should all do more good deeds in our daily lives; you never know when it might save your child's fortune and create a good marriage..."

All the unmarried women thought to themselves, and as they looked at the departing wedding procession, their faces were filled with longing.

Compared to the bustling excitement outside, the Hou Mansion seemed strangely subdued. The decorations were all festive for a joyous wedding, and everyone present wore celebratory attire. However, their faces held a somber air, and guests would often whisper amongst themselves, their expressions devoid of any genuine joy.

After the step-by-step ceremony of paying respects to the ancestors was complete, it had already grown dark. Lanterns hung everywhere, casting a crimson glow over the entire Hou Mansion. From afar, it appeared both real and unreal.

After the bride and groom had paid their respects to the ancestors, they were escorted to the bridal chamber. Once seated on the bed, the room was left with only the bride alone, sitting quietly on the wedding bed.

The autumn night wind blew in through the window panes, causing the large red candle to flicker, casting dancing shadows on the walls.

There were hurried footsteps running toward us.

"Miss," The door was flung open, but it wasn't the groom who entered.

Hearing this voice choked with tears, the bride stiffened suddenly and threw back her veil.

Although the important matter was at hand, the girl who rushed in lost her composure for a moment because of the sudden appearance of this face before her.

At seventeen or eighteen, she was already stunning, but now, with this new attire, her beauty was even more breathtaking. Under the light of red lanterns and candles, adorned with pearls and jeweled hairpins, she looked like a fairy from heaven.

"Arru, how did you get here?" The bride looked at the girl, a little dazed, and walked over a few steps anxiously. "But, Grandmother..."

The words brought her back to reality.

"Miss," the maidservant knelt down with a thud, tears welling up in her eyes, "The old madam is gone..."

In the blink of an eye, the festive colors gave way to plain white.

The bride, in a flash of red, ran through the courtyard, truly eye-catching.

"Grandmother, Grandmother..." Finally tripped by the heavy dress, her makeup was smudged from tears, and she couldn't stop crying. "You said you wanted to drink moon maiden tea. You said you wanted to drink moon maiden tea...You said that only the moon maiden could make a tea that would bring you good fortune..."

Her sobs were shrill and stumbling.

"Young lady, you cannot go in..." In front of the lofty main hall, maidservants and older women all dressed in plain white mourning attire had already formed a line to block her way. When they saw her approach, they all hurriedly stepped forward to stop her.

The bride was about to rush in.

"The old lady wants to drink my tea!" She just kept crying out, "Bring the tea! Bring the tea!"

“Don't cry now! Don't let the old Madam leave in such a state of unrest!” A low growl echoed, and the curtain parted, revealing a middle-aged man who had changed into mourning shoes and donned heavy filial robes.

"Take the young lady down!" A middle-aged woman followed him, dressed in the same heavy filial garb, and said to the maidservants in a low voice.

"My lord, madam... no... father and mother... let me see my grandmother..." The bride knelt down and wept.

Upon hearing the words "parents," a look of disgust flashed across the middle-aged woman's face.

"Young mistress, you're a happy bride now, you shouldn't come here. It wouldn't be good for you or for the old mistress." Mian He said with a gentle tone, while waving her hand as she spoke.

The maidservants all around immediately rushed over, grabbing his hands and pressing their bodies against him with practiced smoothness.

A bride in red trailed through the pristine white, struggling desperately to turn back, her gaze fixed on the imposing hall. Tears like rain soaked her garments, dripping onto the floor and spreading into a long, watery trail. top: 77step on: 516