Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

Xiangxiang ate cautiously. Gong Jianyun didn't say much, showing no remorse whatsoever for yesterday's events. Xiangxiang dared not feel wronged. She had forced this man into her life by threatening suicide. She knew he still thought of the Seventh Miss. She wasn't afraid; the first few days would be tough, but eventually, Liu Ye'er would have to marry. Then they'd see what else he could possibly want!

Gong Jianyun had actually woken up in the middle of the night. Last night, staring at the ceiling, he suddenly realized something: why had he gone to comfort Xiangxiang? Nothing real had happened between them; she had come to take care of him of her own accord, and the damage to her reputation was her own doing! He had been greedy and had suffered a great loss! If he hadn't gone, how would she have had the chance to extort him? And why should he admit to being extorted, just for a hairpin? Thinking about all this, he was filled with resentment!

At the banquet, Xiangxiang disregarded the custom that newlyweds should not leave their bridal chamber for three days and acted as the hostess, shyly and diligently attending to each table, blushing as she endured the guests' teasing, whether well-intentioned or malicious. The atmosphere was joyful, and Gong Jianyun was once again plied with alcohol until he was drunk.

That night, Xiangxiang decided she wouldn't stay alone in her room any longer. She brought a large basin of water and thoroughly washed Gong Jianyun from head to toe. Then she washed herself in the same basin, changed into a soft satin nightgown scented with jasmine, and crawled into bed! She thought bitterly: From now on, he's my man, whether I like it or not! The deed is done, so I might as well eat him; it would be such a waste to throw him away!

Gong Jianyun's face was a bit dark, but his body was fair, with well-developed muscles, broad shoulders, a slender waist, and long legs. Xiangxiang steeled herself and reached out to gently stroke the man. Gong Jianyun's body was burning hot, and Xiangxiang was secretly delighted. Before the wedding, her father had spent three strings of cash to have the family's maidservant tutor her. The maidservant had indeed lived up to expectations; being experienced, she had carefully guided her through any questions she didn't understand. She hadn't expected men to be so easy to seduce. Xiangxiang couldn't help but regret her weakness the night before. Hearing Gong Jianyun's breathing gradually become heavier, Xiangxiang pressed her body even closer, burying her head in Gong Jianyun's chest, her face burning hot…

Poor Gong Jianyun, just an ordinary mortal...

Old Cangtou cooked breakfast. Gong Jianyun looked a little embarrassed, unsure how to face this person he was destined to spend his life with. Suddenly, he felt relieved. How could that poor little one resist? It seemed Old Man Huo wasn't just making excuses. Alas, what's the use of saying all this now? No fate! He could only blame himself for being too hasty!

Today was the day for the bride to return to her parents' home. After a quick breakfast, the pre-booked carriage arrived. Xiangxiang had difficulty moving, and Gong Jianyun even helped her. The neighbors watched with great interest. Amidst the onlookers' gazes, Gong Jianyun calmly climbed into the carriage. He suddenly understood a truth: embarrassing Xiangxiang was actually embarrassing himself; he and she were already bound together! In that moment, he matured into a worldly-wise man, whereas yesterday he was just a naive young man, thinking that sulking could change anything! Sometimes, maturity comes in an instant!

Zheng Tu waited at the alley entrance with a very thoughtful smile on his face. When he saw Gong Jianyun personally helping Xiangxiang out of the car, his smile became even more enthusiastic, extending from his face to his eyes. Xiangxiang's awkward walking posture and the large bags and small packages in Gong Jianyun's hands forcefully refuted the rumors of forced marriage. The onlookers immediately lost interest and no longer had any interest in probing further.

The custom for the bride's return visit is to stay for three days and then return for nine. During these nine days, Gong Jianyun behaved impeccably. Zheng Tu's business couldn't be idle for too long. When Zheng Tu slaughtered pigs, Gong Jianyun would help pull his legs, proving more capable than the shop assistant. When Zheng Tu cooked meat, Gong Jianyun would help carry firewood, squatting beside Xiangxiang who was tending the fire. He even helped Xiangxiang lift her skirt, which had fallen to the ground. The father-in-law and son-in-law got along very well. Over drinks, Gong Jianyun even learned that Zheng Tu's real name was Zheng Tu, and that his mother had given birth to him while delivering meat, hence the name Tu (meaning "journey").

The rumors about Xiangxiang being forced into marriage were dispelled, and Gong Jianyun was certainly no longer the naive fool who would be manipulated without realizing it. As for the matter of proposing marriage to the Huo family, Gong Jianyun did not shy away from it, saying, "The Seventh Miss is only thirteen, and Doctor Huo wants to keep her until she's eighteen. That's five or six years! Who can afford to wait that long?" The people chatting nearby nodded in agreement, deeply agreeing; indeed, they couldn't afford to wait!

Life went on uneventfully like that.

Waimao's wife finally couldn't stand being at home any longer. People were constantly throwing bricks and tiles at her, and several of her brothers took turns coming to persuade her to wait for Waimao, their eyes fixed on her from head to toe, almost piercing through her clothes. Waimao's wife wanted to wait peacefully, but whether she wanted to or not was her business; whether she could was not. In the end, Waimao's second brother succeeded in taking her. His sister-in-law gathered some local ruffians and stormed over, vandalizing and humiliating her. They then wrote a letter of divorce on Waimao's behalf, driving her out. The woman cried out to heaven and earth in vain, and her own family refused to tolerate her. Helpless, she filed a lawsuit in the magistrate's office. The magistrate inquired for a while and then dismissed her—if the case had been taken over, it would likely have been even more humiliating for her. The woman, having nowhere else to go, left the city and stood by the canal, staring blankly at the water. She happened to meet Mr. and Mrs. Gong Jianyun, who were returning to the city. As it was getting dark, Mr. Gong Jianyun suggested that they go home to rest first and talk about it tomorrow.

Although the woman had caused trouble at the Zheng family's house before, Xiangxiang generously forgave her. The woman tearfully recounted her ordeal, and Gong Jianyun, on a whim, pulled Xiangxiang into the inner room. The two discussed it in hushed tones for a while, and then Xiangxiang came out with shining eyes. She persuaded the woman to eat something first, and then went out to order the old servant to boil water.

The next day, Gong Jianyun went out early in the morning to find an official matchmaker, explained the situation to her, and handed her a tael of silver. The matchmaker, seeing the gleaming silver, was naturally flattered, patting her chest and readily agreeing.

The woman didn't want to die; it was just a momentary lapse of judgment. The matchmaker, with her silver tongue and beautiful words, quickly persuaded her, and she followed the matchmaker with her head down.

Ten days later, Zheng Tu got married; the bride was none other than Waimao'er's ex-wife. To be honest, Zheng Tu really needed a woman who cared for him, and the woman also wanted a reliable and hardworking man. Therefore, the couple were very loving.