The auspicious day for the wedding was set for tomorrow, and Ruyi Commerce Chamber only left a rice-selling stall at the front door, with prices as usual.

The rest were busy inside the mansion, decorating with lights and festoons.

The "happiness" character window decorations and lanterns strung with red cords made everything extraordinarily festive.

Due to the Ghost Tide surrounding the city, the commerce chamber had only sent announcements to some influential people in the county, writing with an apologetic tone that "due to the special circumstances, we will not be holding a banquet."

Those who received the announcement all understood.

After all, who would go to a banquet at a time like this?

However, those who received the announcement were also curious: Where did this fellow named Song Cheng emerge from? How had he suddenly been taken into Miss An's chambers?

Upon inquiring, many were baffled.

Song Cheng, seventeen years old, a refugee from Tang River Village.

A somewhat promising bladesman.

Moreover, he had brought a madam with him.

As for his appearance, although handsome, it wasn't to the extent that could captivate a woman at first sight, especially not a woman like Chenyu, who was quite resourceful.

Why him?

However, those who knew Song Cheng's capabilities were actually few, aside from Miss An, Ying, and Ling, that was all.

Thus, those who were keenly interested concluded that Miss An of the An Family had deliberately chosen this special period to quickly settle on a son-in-law living with his wife's family, so as to keep everything under her control.

As for Song Cheng, he was merely a pawn occupying the "husband" position brought in by Chenyu.

...

...

The matrons in the mansion did think the young man was quite popular with the ladies.

The stewards and a couple of old maids sent by the An Family elders thought that Chenyu did not want to be constrained by the elders anymore, so she sought a son-in-law living with his wife's family whom she could control.

Ding and others felt that Brother Song had good character and potential, and Miss An, being such a dominant woman, did not want to wait any longer, thus she took him into her chambers.

After a day of hustle, Ruyi Commerce Chamber closed its main doors.

In Miss An's courtyard, the big red wedding dress hung on the rack.

But Chenyu did not try on the wedding dress; instead, she clapped her hands, signaling Ying to fetch the box of clothes.

"Sister, try on the size." Chenyu didn't explain where the clothes came from but simply pulled Tong Jia's hand, smiling as she opened the box.

Tong Jia took one look.

It was a light pink silk dress, very ethereal.

She recognized it as belonging to the "High-End Clothing Section" of Colorful Brocade Fabric Shop, priced in the category "she and Song Cheng didn't even dare to glance at."

Tong Jia held her breath, cautiously handling the pricey ethereal silk dress, then shed her rough clothes and slipped it on.

Chenyu, taller than she, stood behind her like an older sister, arranging the silk dress, tightening the lacing, and then, after looking her over from left to right, she pressed down on Tong Jia's shoulders, and in a soft voice, said, "Sister, please sit down first."

All of Tong Jia's usual fierceness was gone, and she obediently sat in front of the bronze mirror, staring blankly at her own reflection.

'Damn, I've never seen myself look like this...'

Fierce Madam couldn't help but curse inwardly.

But she immediately became docile again.

It seemed that being with a cold and elegant woman like Chenyu, not only her behavior but even her mindset was being disciplined.

Becoming curious, she glanced sideward and saw Miss An choosing from a delicate accessory box, picking out an elegant plum blossom hairpin, then coming behind her.

"I'll style your hair, Sister."

Chenyu's voice was very gentle.

Tong Jia instantly sat up straight, feeling that Miss An was too feminine, far more so than herself...

Then, she looked into the mirror, watching Chenyu focus intently and skillfully manage her hair.

Strand by strand, coiled together at one spot.

Miss An's slender and elongated fingers held the hairpin, gently lifted it, hooked a curve at the base of the coiled hair, lifted it from the middle, then with the left hand loosely holding, the right hand firmly inserted the hairpin.

Chenyu came closer, her chin resting on her shoulder, both looking into the mirror, and then she smiled, saying, "Sister, you are truly beautiful."

Fierce Madam blushed, responding, "Not at all! Not at all!"

Chenyu giggled.

She usually appeared aloof, but at this moment, her amiability was displayed to the fullest.

"Sister is decent, and as your sister, I am increasingly reassured about Little Song.

Birds of a feather flock together."

"Being with someone like you every day is good, very good."

Fierce Madam said, "Of course! My Song Cheng, he's great!"

Upon saying this, she felt something was off, so she slightly modified and repeated, "Our Song Cheng."

Chenyu covered her mouth, laughing.

Fierce Madam blushed at the laughter and whispered, "Sister, why don't you really go for him? He's quite good."

An Chenyu leaned in and asked, "In bed?"

If someone else had asked, Fierce Madam would definitely have yelled, "Scram!" followed by "What are you talking about?" But somehow... when Miss An asked, it only made her blush.

She was about to say something when An Chenyu softly interjected, "Don't really spill the secrets; someone might hold a grudge."

Fierce Madam muttered, "There aren't any secrets, really."

The two women continued to chat about other things, laughing and enjoying a harmonious atmosphere.

How harmonious?

That evening, when Song Cheng was holding Madam Tong in bed, Madam Tong said, "It's always so boring with you; I want to go see Sister An."

Song Cheng: ???

"What kind of love potion has An Chenyu given you?"

"None! I just feel like Sister An is really nice and sincere. I enjoy talking with her; it feels like there are endless things to discuss. Not like with you!"

"Then, did you talk to her about the ghosts?"

"What ghosts? I don't know." Madam Tong had never planned to reveal that secret, then added, "Besides, Sister An keeps reminding me not to mention anything about you. She said she and you are allies now, and prying into an ally's secrets is malicious. She's not malicious."

Song Cheng felt an involuntary surge of trust and reassurance.

He then laughed, saying, "Tomorrow night, you won't like her as much."

Madam Tong snorted, "You're just in the same house, she doesn't sleep with you!"

Song Cheng: ...

...

...

The night passed, and the mood remained at a steady high, without the slightest dip.

Clearly, Madam Tong genuinely liked An Chenyu.

By noon, Song Cheng was led to the front of the Ruyi Commerce Chamber.

Even though Ghost Tide surrounded the city, the front of the chamber cracked with festive little firecrackers.

People buying rice crowded three layers deep to see the excitement. Those at the back unable to see were either tiptoeing or climbing up on rocks.

At the entrance, Song Cheng wore a groom's attire.

In front of him, however, was a large bridal sedan.

Only brides traditionally board the bridal sedan.

But a son-in-law living with his wife's family is the same as a bride...

"My dear son-in-law, please," said Ying.

Ling looked at this scene with a complex expression, her mind in chaos: Why does such a fearsome man have to sit in a bridal sedan? My eyes must be going bad.

After being punished to stand for a day and a night, she obediently admitted her wrong, and then continued to stay by Miss An's side. The reason, as Song Cheng guessed, was that Ling already knew a lot of Miss An's secrets and felt a bond with her. Now that her accomplice Shi Yi was dead, the danger had essentially passed.

"My dear son-in-law, please get into the sedan," Ying urged the man who had defeated her with a single blade just days ago.

The onlookers outside, hearing the urging, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

A grown man boarding a bridal sedan, what a rare sight!

Song Cheng swiftly entered the sedan, and then the bearers lifted it.

The bridal sedan swayed and moved toward the depths of the household.

Inside the sedan, Song Cheng felt this was a first-time experience and thus, his many memories since crossing over flashed through his mind like a slideshow.

Tang River Village, Yune, the lame man, Ding Family brothers, Nan Hui, Guan Xi...

He sighed softly, then clenched his fist.

Soon, the bridal sedan stopped.

The curtain was lifted.

Outside the sedan, the bride hadn't worn a veil, but stood there holding a large embroidered ball, smiling at him on the red carpet in front of the brazier.

He stepped forward to take the embroidered ball, accompanying the bride as they walked to the end of the path, where two chairs sat vacant.

A senior woman from the chamber started shouting, "Bow to heaven and earth..."

They knelt and bowed.

"Bow to the high hall..."

They bowed towards the empty chairs.

"The couple bows to each other..."

They bowed to each other.

Once the ceremony concluded, the banquet began.

Song Cheng and An Chenyu sat down at the table, exchanging glances: From now on, they were the closest of allies.

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