As soon as Li Ying returned to the mansion, A Man couldn't wait to rush up to her. With a worried look on her face, she asked anxiously, "Sister, did everything go smoothly? Did the Princess Yongning make things difficult for you?"
She took Li Ying's hand and examined her carefully from head to toe, as if she was afraid that Li Ying might have lost a single hair.
Li Ying couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
"Silly A Man, I'm fine."
Hearing this, A Man finally put her heart at ease, though still a bit skeptical. Then, together with Granny Sun, she started to ask about Li Ying's experience in the princess's mansion.
After Li Ying briefly told them what had happened, A Man said indignantly, "Sister! It's obvious that the princess is trying to snatch Brother-in-law Lu from you. Why do you still help her make money? Anyway, we've made full preparations. If the Princess Yongning dares to steal your baking soda, we'll let the gossips of the common people crush her!"
Li Ying couldn't help laughing again. "Silly A Man, the Princess Yongning is the most beloved offspring of the emperor. Although there is now a legitimate son, the little prince is still young. The Princess Yongning is still a royal relative that we can't afford to offend. Public opinion is a powerful weapon, but if we use it to provoke the majesty of the royal family on every occasion, we may incur the emperor's hatred."
She and Lu Xunguang had walked a long and perilous path together. The unjust case of the Lu family's private salt trade was finally redressed, thanks in part to the public opinion of the common people.
Brother Lu was now at the peak of his power, but he was also walking on thin ice. She would never let a trivial matter of her own cause him to be suspected by the emperor.
There was no need to explain these considerations to A Man in detail.
Li Ying paused for a moment. Thinking about the words and deeds of the little princess, she carefully said, "Moreover, from what I saw of her today, she doesn't seem like a person who deliberately makes things difficult. If we plan this business well, it may really be of great benefit to me."
Seeing the look of confusion on A Man's face, Li Ying didn't say any more. Instead, she smiled and said, "Silly girl, sister has her own plans. You should worry less and just focus on preparing to be a bride!"
A Man blushed and stamped her foot. "Sister!"
This coquettish look of hers made Li Ying and Granny Sun exchange a knowing smile.
The eighth day of next month was an auspicious day for weddings. Li Ying was as busy as a bee. On the one hand, she continued to brew beer for Uncle Pei who was guarding the border. On the other hand, she was making intensive preparations for the toothpaste shop of the Princess Yongning. At the same time, she was also taking care of A Man's wedding. She was so busy that she hardly had time to rest, wishing she could grow three heads and six arms.
Shi Hu was an honest and kind - hearted man. Fortunately, he was very sincere to A Man.
He used to be the most unremarkable poor apprentice in the pharmacy. But he was loyal and down - to - earth. He was ordered to travel between the capital and A Man's village. After being trained by Old Zheng, he showed a decisive and capable side.
As the wedding day was approaching, Shi Hu came to Li Ying's mansion again and again, bringing all kinds of jade and gemstone jewelry for A Man as wedding gifts. Only then did Li Ying realize that the silly boy from the fishing village had actually saved up such a rich family fortune.
He took out several land deeds and carefully held them out to A Man.
"A Man, I'm a rough and unskilled man... I haven't achieved much yet. I can't afford a shop in the capital. I've only managed to buy a mansion in the city. These shops are either in your father's village or in the fishing town. Although they don't make a fortune, they still have some income. I'll leave them all in your charge from now on..."
Li Ying looked through the deeds one by one. Her heart was filled with more joy and relief.
In her previous life, she had seen many lovers. When they were in love, they would make solemn vows and were willing to give their hearts to each other. But when they fell out of love, they would be cold and calculating, trying to get back every penny they had spent on the other. She had also seen many married couples sleeping in the same bed but having different dreams, secretly guarding against each other. People would do anything for money, just like birds would fight for food.
Now seeing Shi Hu so trustingly hand over his entire fortune to A Man without any hesitation, she was deeply touched.
This silly boy, Shi Hu, was truly sincere.
A Man was also deeply moved, with tears glistening in her eyes. Li Ying understood and quietly left the room, leaving the young couple to have a private conversation.
She poured herself a cup of hot tea and slowly sipped it. Looking at Lu Xunguang sitting beside her, she couldn't help but praise Shi Hu's actions.
Lu Xunguang didn't comment. When he heard that Shi Hu had used all his shops as betrothal gifts, he wasn't surprised at all. He said calmly, "As long as A Man likes it."
Li Ying raised her eyebrows in surprise. "It seems that you knew long ago that Shi Hu would use his entire fortune to marry A Man?"
Lu Xunguang replied frankly, "Of course. A Man is our younger sister. How could we neglect such an important wedding? I came up with this idea for him."
Li Ying said with a smile, "Master Lu is really generous with other people's money."
But Lu Xunguang frowned and said matter - of - factly, "It should be like this. A Ying, you should make preparations early. There are a lot of property deeds and account books in the Lu family. I'm afraid you'll need both hands to handle them."
Li Ying was stunned for a moment, but he continued on his own, "A Ying is the mistress of the Lu family. Naturally, all these properties and shops will be handed over to you."
He held Li Ying's hand tightly and said softly, "A Ying, my fortune and my life are all yours. I'm yours too. No one else can take even a bit of me away. I'm only yours."
Li Ying looked into his eyes, holding hands with him. Although they didn't say much, there was a deep and tender affection lingering in their eyes.
In a blink of an eye, it was A Man's wedding day.
Although she was just a Hu - ethnic dance girl, with Li Ying and Lu Xunguang backing her up, she was quite well - known in the capital. Therefore, there were many distinguished guests at the wedding.
Li Ying knew that A Man had lost her mother when she was young. She didn't want A Man to be sad on this happy day, nor did she want to treat her badly. So she closed the Li's Restaurant for three days and held a grand wedding banquet.
Several court officials who were on good terms with her sent their female relatives to offer their congratulations. Even the eldest princess and the Princess Yongning sent their personal maids with some gifts, giving Li Ying and A Man enough face.
Granny Sun sat behind A Man, holding a peach - wood comb with a smiling face. A Man's long hair was like a cloud, shining faintly. The gardenia - scented hair oil on her temples gave off a delicate fragrance.
"Comb once to the end, the couple will respect each other."
"Comb twice to the end, the couple will fly together like a pair of lovebirds."
"Comb thrice to the end, they will enjoy wealth and honor in this life."
Granny Sun murmured these words. Before she knew it, two lines of turbid old tears had rolled down her cheeks.
She had no children of her own and regarded A Man and Li Ying as her own flesh and blood. Sending her "daughter" off to get married, she couldn't help but be emotional.
Li Ying gently wiped away her tears. Then she carefully covered A Man with the festive red wedding veil and took her little hand.
"A Man, let's go out."
Shi Hu was dressed in a bright red wedding gown. He looked neat and tidy, quite different from his usual honest look. He actually looked quite heroic and handsome.
Li Ying looked up and saw Lu Xunguang following behind him. He also had his hair tied up with a red silk ribbon. His face was as fair as jade.
He usually dressed in black and rarely wore such bright colors. Today, the red made him look even more upright and imposing. Li Ying was so captivated that she blushed.