chapter 4
On the day of Father’s wedding, the arrangements were hasty, and even the princess’s wedding gown was borrowed overnight from the Eldest Princess.
She had originally set her sights on the wedding dress Mother wore at her own wedding. Father had commissioned it and it took a whole year to make. At that time, Father was studying while copying books for others to sell, all so that after passing the imperial exam, he could give Mother a surprise.
The pearls on Mother’s wedding dress were all collected by Father himself, who went out to sea with the pearl divers.
When the princess expressed her desire to wear Mother’s wedding dress, Father’s expression changed. He smiled faintly, “Is the princess comparing herself to a courtesan?”
The Third Princess only thought Father was teasing her, and pushed him away in embarrassment and annoyance. “I am a princess-how could I be compared to such a lowly woman?”
The coldness in Father’s eyes deepened. “Indeed, there is no comparison.”
Because of this, the princess gave up the idea of wearing Mother’s wedding dress. Perhaps she finally remembered that half a year ago, when she first met Mother, she had spat at her and insulted her, saying, “How can someone as lowly as you be worthy of wearing the same color as me!”
She ordered her servants to strip Mother of her clothes, and if Father had not arrived in time, Mother might have died of shame and humiliation that day.