Chapter 1: The Woman Who Blocked the Marriage

  The housekeeper hastily came up to mediate: "Fourth Master's unruly behavior is already a common occurrence, it's strange that the younger one didn't inform Fourth Master of the rules beforehand."

  Gu Zhoubei shrugged: "So you can't show dissatisfaction? Sorry, sorry, I didn't know about this beforehand, it wasn't intentional to make things difficult for the Shen family. This gift list, just stick it back up then?"

  Mrs. Shen's face turned green, outside was a burst of laughter, many people pointed and whispered at the dowry piled up on one side of the Shen family. Twenty boxes were not a small number, but after being made a fuss by Young Master Gu Si, many idle people gathered together to laugh at the Shen family's dowry.

  Mr. Shen's face didn't look too good either, the blue veins on his neck were almost popping out. Gu Chaobei bowed to them and returned the torn gift list to Mrs. Shen, then acted as if nothing had happened and went to welcome the bride.

  "Housekeeper, come with me!" Madam Shen stomped her foot in anger and beckoned to Housekeeper Shen before retreating back into the courtyard where the dowry was stored.

  "Add ten more boxes, brocade or red satin, whichever you like, just make up thirty boxes for me and carry them out one by one from the door!"

  "Madam, what's going on? The mansion doesn't have that many things..."

  "Then go to my warehouse and get it!" Madam Shen's eyes turned red: "The Shen family has never lost such a big person, later Master may still vent his anger on me. This Fourth Young Master Gu is really infuriating, he has no sense of propriety, he loses face himself but also wants to drag the Shen family down with him."

  Shen Guan's family hung their heads and sighed, as for the twenty boxes of things, only he knew the most clearly. Although Fourth Master Gu was too rude, it was indeed Mrs. who was rude first, and she was really too harsh on Third Miss.

  "Yes." With the warehouse key in hand, Shen Guanjia went to Madame Shen's warehouse and selected a full ten boxes of goods to add to Shen Guiyan's dowry.

  Shen Guiyan was supported by the matchmaker to bid farewell, and Madame Shen was so angry that she didn't say a word. Only Old Master Shen sighed: "You should be obedient, filial, and serve your parents-in-law well, teach your children well, and not disappoint your father's teachings."

  She bowed her head and said with a choked voice: "My daughter will certainly not disappoint her father's teachings."

  After a series of ceremonies, she was led away by Gu Zhaobei and helped into the bridal sedan chair.

  Covering her head with a hood made it hard to see the road, Shen Guiyan took every step very carefully, but Gu Zhaobei's palm was warm and he held her hand tightly.

  "Don't worry, I won't let you fall." Gu Zhaobei said softly.

  Shen Guiyan finally put her mind at ease and followed him step by step out of the Shen Mansion's gate and into the flower sedan chair.

  The wedding procession returned to the Gu's residence by another road, with Madame Wu and other ladies watching at the gate. The dowry carried behind was in box after box and pole after pole, very clear-cut. Madame Wu even counted them one by one, and found there were thirty of them.

  Madam Shen stood at the door, although she felt a little heartache when looking at those dowries, but as soon as she saw Wu's speechless expression, she became happy, twirling her handkerchief and touching her hair bun, very pleased with herself, rolling her eyes upwards.

  Madam Wu smiled and called out to several ladies to get into their sedan chairs and head to the Gu residence for a drinking party.

  This wedding was not as grand as Gu Zhaodong's, for two reasons: one was that it was rushed, and the other was that Gu Zhaobei was only a concubine's son. The people around them all felt a little sorry for Shen Guiyan.

  "The first wedding was so grand, with over 80 tables of wine and food. But in the end, it was snatched away by my own sister."

  "Isn't it? Gu Da Gongzi is so good, but due to some misunderstanding, she ended up marrying Gu Si Gongzi instead, sigh..."

  Shen Guiyan sat in the sedan chair, feeling nothing wrong at all. The grandeur of the wedding was just a temporary glory, and what really mattered was who she was marrying anyway.

  The Grand Preceptor Gu specially instructed the mansion to set up thirty tables of wine today, and just gather some relatives and friends. Madam Gu and the other aunts didn't put their minds at ease on this matter, because now everyone's focus is on Shen Guiya's belly.

  What's wrong with Lao Si getting married? Anyway, it's a good-for-nothing. But Gu Zhaodong is different, the eldest son of the direct descent, and also the new star of the Zhao family with unlimited prospects, his pregnant wife is much more impressive than the bride.

  Shen Guiya was wearing a peony-patterned gold-edged jacket, sitting in a chair on one side, staring at the door. In the few days she had been in the mansion, she had already gotten familiar with every house and courtyard, and most people in the mansion liked her. Shen Guiyan, who had just married into the family, was destined to be under her control.

  The greater the contrast between this marriage and that one, the happier she became. Isn't Shen Guiyan just a pretty face? She can't stand people like that, who think they can get away with anything just because of their good looks?

  A man like Gu Zhao Bei who can stir people's hearts, how could he be wasted on an ancient feudal woman? He is so unrestrained and should have more to say with her.

  Shen Guiya smiled brightly, propping up her chin and waiting for the newlyweds to enter.

  Guo Zhaobei's wedding procession had just walked to a street near the Guo Mansion when the crowd in the distance suddenly surged forward, and then for some unknown reason, all the common people on both sides of the street knelt down.

  In the distance stood a man and a woman, both wearing brocade finery, with several attendants following behind them. They glanced over at the wedding procession before heading towards the Prime Minister's residence.

  The common people knelt for a long time and didn't dare get up until that group of people had disappeared from view.

  "What's going on?" Gu Zhaobei frowned and asked the butler beside him.

  The housekeeper frowned and his face suddenly changed: "Your Majesty has gone out in disguise."

  What? Gu Zhaobei's mouth twitched, and this is called a disguise? The common people saw it and knelt down, what kind of disguise is this?

  The welcoming procession fell silent for a moment, Gu Zhaobei looked ahead for a while, then turned his head and smiled: "Continue back to the mansion, don't stop your trumpets and suona."

  Everyone came back to their senses and continued walking forward again.

  The Emperor rarely leaves the palace, but this time he suddenly had the urge to bring Consort Yu to play in the capital. Coincidentally, they encountered a joyful event at the Prime Minister's residence and decided to join in on the fun.

  The Gu's residence was thrown into an uproar upon hearing the news. Fortunately, Gu Gonggong remained calm and composed, rearranging the people to redecorate the hall in preparation for the imperial visit.

  "How would the Emperor be interested in the marriage of the Grand Preceptor's family?" Consort Yu smiled slyly: "Didn't we agree to accompany someone to take a look at the east city?"

  The emperor looked at her deeply, put his arm around her waist and said: "It's been a long time since there was good news in the palace. I want to join in the excitement and take a look at Gongsun Gongzi, who Duanwen talks about every day, what does he look like?"

  Nian Gui Fei pouted: "You know I've never gotten along with Grand Councilor Guo, and yet you deliberately brought me to the Guo residence."

  "What's the harm in taking a look?" The emperor smiled lightly and, accompanied by Consort Yu, stepped into the Gu manor.

  With the emperor's presence, this wedding was instantly different. All the female relatives retreated, leaving only Mrs. Gu and Mr. Shen kneeling in the hall to welcome the imperial carriage. The entire mansion was hastily cleaned up, with bright red silk hung neatly everywhere, and the dishes prepared in the kitchen were also replaced with better ones.

  When Gu Zhaobei led Shen Guiyan in, the ones sitting on the main seats were the Emperor and Empress Dowager. Gu Chengxiang and Madame Gu sat on one side, while the various ministers' wives who had come all stood obediently in the courtyard.

  He slightly furrowed his brow, and Gu Zhaobei took a glance at the emperor above him. The man in his thirties had a wise and gentle glow in his eyes. The woman beside him was enchanting, with layers of powder on her face, and a pair of eyes that seemed to be able to entice people. Even though she should have been over thirty years old, she looked very young.

  "...one bow to heaven and earth."

  Gu Zhoubei curled his lips and naturally turned around to kowtow towards the door, Shen Guiyan also followed suit.

  "Bowing twice in front of the ancestral hall."

  The two turned around and Gu Zhaobei frowned at Gu Chengxiang, who slightly shook his head and pointed to the emperor and the imperial concubine on the upper seat.

  Should he bow to them? Gu Zhaobei let out a light hum, but still bowed down. After all, they were the most honorable people in this country, naturally more important than his parents.

  Husband and wife bow together.

  Shen Guiyan pinched the red silk, her mind a complete blank, and bowed in the direction of Gu Zhaobei. As a result, the flower crown on her head crashed into the person's head with a loud thud.

  Gu Zhaobei took a deep breath in reverse, while the noble consort above couldn't help but laugh out loud.

  What's so funny! Gu Zhaobei turned his head to glance at her, and the woman laughed with a gloating expression, her face was really unpleasant to look at.

  "The ceremony is complete, let's send them into their bridal chamber." The matchmaker hastily came over to support Shen Guiyan, and led her away in a flurry.

  "How could the Emperor and the Imperial Consort have arrived?" Shen Guiyan asked, sitting in the bridal chamber.

  Bao Shan stood beside him, saying in a low voice: "No one can guess the emperor's mind, but it is well known that Concubine Gui and Grand Preceptor Gu are not on good terms. It is said that Grand Preceptor Gu even petitioned the emperor to depose Concubine Gui in the past."

  But with the emperor's arrival today, this wedding instantly transformed from a ordinary marriage of a commoner to an imperial wedding. I reckon that by tomorrow, the capital will be abuzz with gossip, and who knows if Young Master Gu Si will turn his fortunes around because of this wedding?

  Shen Guiya was sent back to the East Wing, and Yu Chai, who was standing beside her, said discontentedly: "I didn't expect His Majesty would come at this time to join in the excitement. Isn't it just benefiting Third Miss? It's just an ordinary wedding, but with the imperial presence, it's been gilded."

  "What's so great about it." Shen Guiya sneered: "She won't have a good ending either."

  Yu Shu looked at her mistress with some confusion, but Shen Guiya waved her hand to let her out: "Go find Madam Xu and have her see me."

  "Yes." Yu Shu replied.

  Rubbing the bottle in her hand, Shen Guiyan hummed a soft tune. What's the big deal about the Emperor coming? It's still Gu Zhaobei's face that's being given, what does it have to do with Shen Guiyan? Isn't she just relying on her face to be arrogant here? Then let's ruin her face and see if Gu Zhaobei really loves her or not.

  The face reflected in the mirror was a bit distorted, Shen Guiya immediately wiped her face. She wasn't a bad person, she just didn't want to be punished by heaven and earth for not being selfish. She was just trying her best to get what she wanted.