Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Every word I spoke was sincere, but my heart was colder than paving stone.

Once I left, my parents would remain in the mansion as hostages.

Even dressed decently and taught to read and write, I was still nothing more than a plaything to these people.

But I could not feel wronged. I did not dare feel wronged.

My masters had planned a future for me. They wanted me to become a young madam. That was an enormous blessing.

In the end, it was still marriage.

What I could be thankful for was that I had become someone useful, and that I was being married to a merchant magnate whose wealth dominated an entire region.

The Wen Family moved very quickly. In less than half a month, they sent people to deliver the betrothal gifts.

A full twenty-four carrying chests were lined up across the courtyard, filling the entire space.

I stood beneath the veranda and watched as the steward tallied the gift list.

“One bushel of South Sea pearls, two He Tian Jade Ruyi, four Suzhou embroidery screens…”

With each item he called, a servant opened the corresponding chest for inspection.

Fourth Young Lady leaned by the window, idly fiddling with the jade bangle on her wrist.

“This Wen Family truly has brought out all the treasures from the bottom of their coffers.”

The momo beside her chimed in, “Exactly as you say, Young Lady. Take that cloud brocade, for instance. It looks bright enough, but it can’t compare to the imperial kesi silk our mansion received last year. And however exquisite those enamelwares are, they still fall short of the former-dynasty official kiln set in the Old Madam’s rooms.”

Fourth Young Lady had the momo pick out a few practical items and bestow them on my father and mother.

Then she casually drew a sheet of paper from her own vanity box and handed it to me.

Listed densely across it were costly goods, each one a priceless treasure that money alone could not buy.

“These are the personal items I am granting you. My elder brother has also prepared another twenty carrying chests of dowry for you. We will make sure you marry out with full dignity.”

In the face of Fourth Young Lady’s warning, I lowered my eyes and said nothing.

She was telling me that even after I went to the Wen Family as their young madam, these priceless items were nothing more than ordinary trinkets.

She was also reminding the Wen Family that even if I was only a maid, I was a maid who came from the Kong Mansion. She was making it perfectly clear who stood behind this marriage.

One must never forget one’s roots.

That was the unspoken understanding between master and servant.

The fifteenth day of the fourth month was an auspicious day.

At the third quarter of the Tiger hour, I knelt outside the main courtyard and respectfully kowtowed three times in the direction of the Master and Madam.

Fourth Young Lady personally escorted me to the side gate. Before the bridal veil was lowered, I took one last look at the place where I had lived for nineteen years.

Zifu and Momo Chen supported me on either side as I slowly stepped into the sedan chair.

The journey from the Capital to Qingzhou would take a month, followed by another ten days by water.

The Wen Family had spared no expense in ceremony. The bridal boat was a specially made pleasure barge, lacquered vermilion and carved with floral patterns, with bright red lanterns hanging from it.

They had also sent clan elders and a momo of perfect fortune to escort me the whole way.

Unfortunately, I was not blessed enough to enjoy it. The first time I boarded a boat, I became violently seasick, vomiting until the world spun around me, unable even to sit up.

Zifu was not much better off than I was. Her face had turned bluish, and she had even come down with dysentery.

“You’ve never traveled far, after all. To think you can’t withstand even this bit of wind and waves.” Momo Chen shook her head as she took a small enamel box from her sleeve.

“This is the mint balm Fourth Young Lady specially had this old servant bring. Press some onto your temples, and you should feel better.”

I could not help marveling at Fourth Young Lady’s thoughtfulness. Once I applied it, I truly felt much better.