In the third year of Xizong, the officials of the current dynasty finally completed the national mourning, and the major aristocratic families began to arrange marriages and burials!

“Xian, tomorrow is your big day…” Mrs. Ning stroked Yao Mengxian’s soft hair. This marriage had indeed encountered many twists and turns.

Originally it was an imperial betrothal bestowed by Emperor Huiming, and the wedding date could be fixed once Xian came of age. However, Emperor Huiming suddenly passed away, so the officials had to observe mourning for a year. Just a few months into this mourning period, Emperor Guanghui also died, requiring a return to mourning.

Yao Mengxian blushed, shyly lowering her head, though she felt somewhat anxious inside.

“Third sister is truly lucky. The betrothal gifts sent by the Regent King nearly filled the entire courtyard, a total of eighty lifts! They say the Prince Mansion is wealthy, and now the Regent King is extremely powerful. Everyone in the Capital envies you for marrying him!”

Yao Mengdie clutched the handkerchief in her hand, offering her congratulations verbally, but her smile was so stiff and awkwardly unnatural.

This third sister is indeed fortunate. Who would have thought a rural-born son of a farmer would leap through the Dragon Gate to become today’s Regent King, wielding power across the land?

The third sister effortlessly benefits, becoming the Regent Princess Consort upon marriage. This is a first-rank title, akin to ascending to heaven in a single bound.

Moreover, the Regent King is known as the most handsome man in Dayan, and it is said he doesn’t even have a concubine. Being so virtuous that people often think he is a monk, where could one find such a perfect man?

But Yao Mengdie wiped the corner of her mouth with her handkerchief, as she recently heard a rumor. They say the Regent King dislikes concubines because he prefers the company of men. Thinking of the Regent King’s elegant and handsome appearance, Yao Mengdie couldn’t help but believe it somewhat.

The stewardesses who went to the Prince Mansion to prepare the room confirmed that the Regent King indeed doesn’t have a concubine, only a maidservant for close service. And that maid was scrutinized by the sharp-eyed stewardesses and is assuredly a young girl.

To say that the Regent King is already eighteen, his brothers in their mansion had long had concubines at such an age. To be so virtuous to this extent, it inevitably raises suspicions.

What’s more, the Regent King has two close-serving followers who often handle secretive matters and take care of his daily life, fueling further baseless speculation.

With these thoughts, Yao Mengdie looked towards Yao Mengxian with a hint of schadenfreude in her eyes.

Mrs. Ning’s expression darkened upon hearing this, “Where does such talk of supreme power come from? Fourth girl is also from an aristocratic family and should be cautious with her words!”

Mrs. Ning highly disapproved of this girl’s character. Not only is she petty, but she also envies others and assumes no one can see her heart’s desires.

This girl was born into a household with few sisters, but if it had been a household full of sisters, her nature would have led her to be outmaneuvered countless times already.

Yao Mengdie’s smile instantly froze, “Aren’t I just praising sister’s good fortune?”

Yao Mengdie was inwardly fuming. This old lady seizes every opportunity to lecture her, thinking she is in the Liang Mansion?

“Third girl, our second aunt’s health is unwell, so she couldn’t personally come to add to the dowry. Thus, she specifically sent me here!” A maid dressed in a moon-white double-breasted gown bowed slightly toward Yao Mengxian.

She was followed by two other simply dressed maids, one of whom held a small brocade box.

“This is a token of our second aunt’s heart, wishing the third girl happiness and well-being in the future!”

“Thank you on my behalf to second sister! Is her health not well, has a physician been consulted?” Yao Mengxian instructed someone to receive the brocade box and asked with concern.

“In response to the third girl, it’s nothing serious, just caught a cold yesterday, causing some dizziness today. She has already taken medicine and gone to rest. I must return to attend to her, please excuse me!”

After the three maids left, Mrs. Ning sighed but said nothing.

Yao Mengxian also felt a sense of loss. Although Prince Jing was not favored, when her second sister married him as a concubine, the second household had their moment to shine. During that time, the servants in the mansion all flattered them, and the second household was truly impressive for a while.

But the good times didn’t last. Prince Jing plotted rebellion and was caught by the Regent King, leading to his suicide under the Imperial City, which caused many in the Capital’s aristocratic circles to sigh with emotion.

The sisters, one married Prince Jing as a concubine and ended up a widow. The other is to marry the enemy, truly illustrating the unpredictability of life.

However, the reason her second sister sent someone today to add to the dowry is because Gu Chengyu pleaded with the Emperor for mercy, leniently treating her. Prince Jing’s grave crime originally would have wiped out his family.

With Gu Chengyu’s and her wedding date already set, involving the Duke Mansion would complicate the proceedings, thus saving Yao Menglian.

For a widow, attending such a grand celebration is indeed inappropriate, as it’s considered inauspicious for newlyweds.

“Since so many people came to add to the dowry, third sister, you should be busy. I’ll head back now and come to congratulate sister again tomorrow!”

Yao Mengdie’s expression had darkened ever since that maid arrived with the dowry addition, leading her to propose taking her leave.

“Hmph! This girl has a sharp tongue but a twisted heart, you should interact less with her in the future. I see she’s jealous of you inside but acts friendly on the outside, clearly wanting to bask in your glory!”

After others left, with no one present, Mrs. Ning immediately said to Yao Mengxian.

Yao Mengxian smiled, knowing she’d be married tomorrow, reducing future encounters. Therefore, she didn’t bother with Yao Mengdie, simply keeping her distance in the future.

However, she felt extremely anxious, having heard the rumors circulating outside.

“Xian, the wisest decision your grandfather made in his life was seeking an imperial betrothal from the Emperor for you and Jinyu. Jinyu is a good young man, intelligent, industrious, responsible, and respectful to teachers, rare to find in this world. After marrying him, you should take him as your sky, manage the household, raise children, and fulfill your duties as a wife. Do not hope he remains solely devoted after marriage, but if you both live harmoniously, it would be sufficient.”

Mrs. Ning, recalling her early deceased daughter, couldn’t contain her tears. Her words were a reminder to her granddaughter: men who remain solely devoted are few, even Liang Zhirui had concubines in his youth, though he didn’t take additional wives.

Her daughter was too deeply emotional, idealizing spousal affection, leading to her untimely demise. She didn’t want her granddaughter to harbor such extravagant dreams.

“I understand, grandmother!” Yao Mengxian, remembering her mother, also felt deeply sorrowful.

Her eyes welled with tears, but remembering the joyous occasion, she hesitated to start any troubles, quickly changing the subject: “Is grandfather’s health improving?”

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