Marrying the Sweet Story’s Melodramatic Villainess [Transmigration] - Chapter 28

Once the perfume business was decided upon, Cui Yi began her operations. She had very few people at her disposal, and after much deliberation, she ultimately chose Wu Liuniang.

Upon receiving word from her mistress, Wu Liuniang set up a meeting with Lu Ren, the steward in charge of the glass mirrors. Given the social distinctions between men and women, the two met at a teahouse to discuss business. After exchanging polite pleasantries, Wu Liuniang got straight to the point, stating her desire to collaborate with Lu Ren’s glass workshop to produce small, exquisite glass bottles.

Lu Ren looked at the blueprints Wu Liuniang handed over. He didn’t know much about the actual production, as he wasn’t the craftsman, but the terms Wu Liuniang offered were exceptionally generous. Feeling a bit uncertain, he deflected: “I’ll ask the artisans and get back to Manager Wu.”

Wu Liuniang replied amiably, “Then I shall await Manager Lu’s good news.”

Lu Ren took the gifts sent by Wu Liuniang to the workshop to find Taoist Zhang, the head of production. Zhang glanced at the blueprints. “What’s so difficult about this?”

With that, Lu Ren felt confident. The Lu family relied on the Prince of Yue’s mansion. As the eldest son of the second branch, Lu Ren had only been allowed to participate in managing the glass workshop because his father had pulled some strings. Naturally, he was extremely cautious. With Zhang’s assurance, Lu Ren went to consult his father.

His father listened and looked at his eldest son with a rare expression. “Do you know who Wu Liuniang works for?”

Lu Ren answered, “The household of Vice Minister Cui.”

His father asked again, “And do you know the identity of the eldest daughter of the Cui family?”

Lu Ren wasn’t stupid. “The fiancée of Commandery Princess Yongjia. By etiquette, she is also a relative of the Prince of Yue.”

His father nodded and asked with a touch of pride, “Then do you know who Wu Liuniang is?”

Wu Liuniang?

Lu Ren thought for a moment. “I don’t know.”

His father lowered his voice: “Wu Liuniang’s second sister-in-law was once the elder sister of the Prince of Yue’s heir. After the Heir returned to his rightful place, he visited their home several times…”

The case of the real and fake heirs was no secret. Lu Ren hadn’t expected the Heir to maintain private contact with that farming family and couldn’t help but sigh: “The Heir is truly a man of sentiment and righteousness.”

His father looked at his sincere son, said nothing of that, and simply asked: “Now you know what to do?”

Lu Ren certainly knew. It turned out they were all relatives; only his Lu family was an outsider.

Once Lu Ren made up his mind, he contacted Wu Liuniang the next day. Seeing the favorable contract Lu Ren offered, Wu Liuniang wasn’t surprised. She signed her name and stamped it with her red seal, finalizing the deal.

When Cui Yi found out, she was very satisfied with Wu Liuniang’s capability. Wu Liuniang was immediately promoted to general agent, responsible for the operations of both the wine shop and the perfume shop.

For the wine shop manager, Cui Yi promoted a young worker from the shop. The young woman, Li Erniang, hadn’t expected a “pie to fall from the sky.” With Wu Liuniang’s living example before her, she also wanted to build a career and earn her mistress’s appreciation. Wu Liuniang thought highly of Li Erniang and put in a few good words for her with Cui Yi, a favor that Li Erniang acknowledged.

Everyone likes a person who shows gratitude. Wu Liuniang was satisfied with Li Erniang’s conduct, and after giving her a few pointers, she returned to her official duties.

By the time she finished her work in the evening, Wu Liuniang bought some beef and mutton to take home for a hotpot. Her mother was pained by the expense, but before she could speak, Wu Liuniang announced her promotion.

Mother Wu quickly took the meat, saying joyfully, “This definitely calls for a celebration.” She then gave Wu Liuniang some silver to go out and buy a few more good dishes.

Wu Liuniang took the money and headed out with a smile. In the inner room, the Lin family’s melancholy face also flickered with a smile upon hearing the commotion.

While the Wu family was jubilant, the Cui residence was the same.

It was a night with bright stars and a sparse moon.

Cui Yi allowed Gu Jing to dry her wet hair. Dongzhi entered, lifting the pearl curtain. “Heaven be praised, tomorrow will surely be a beautiful day.”

Tomorrow was the day the Cui family would deliver the betrothal gifts to the Grand Princess’s mansion. A fine day would be a wonderful omen.

Although it was technically Cui Yi “marrying” Pei Mingjiao, the two would live in the Commandery Princess Mansion after the wedding. With no elders above them to manage their affairs, one could imagine how pleasant their lives would be.

Under the candlelight, Cui Yi’s face was clear and beautiful. The dressing mirror sent by Pei Mingjiao reflected her current appearance with startling clarity.

So, I’m getting married.

Cui Yi suddenly felt a sense of reality. She had never intended to marry in this world, but this was ancient times, where “parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words” ruled. Her cousin Du Wenyu was living in the residence; she knew her parents’ intentions well. Pei Mingjiao had conveniently provided a ladder. After weighing the pros and cons and considering that the female lead’s plot had already collapsed, Cui Yi ultimately decided to marry Pei Mingjiao.

In the mirror, Cui Yi pursed her lips slightly, her face showing a rare hint of bewilderment.

Can I fulfill the role of a good wife?

“I will definitely be a good wife,” Pei Mingjiao said with absolute certainty, her brow high with spirit.

Caizhu gently brushed Pei Mingjiao’s dark, lustrous hair. Discussing post-marriage life and hearing such a confident declaration, Caizhu met the eyes of the youthful-featured Pei Mingjiao in the mirror. With eyes curving into crescents, she said, “The Princess is the best lady in the world, and you will be the best wife in the world.”

“Exactly, that’s right.” Pei Mingjiao didn’t feel the least bit embarrassed. She tilted her chin slightly, the flickering candlelight outlining her decadent features. Her dark eyes were bright and sparkling.

Seeing this, Caizhu was also infected by her mood and began to look forward to the life of Pei Mingjiao and Cui Yi after the wedding.

A night of good dreams.

The next day, the elders of the Cui family from Qinghe arrived at the Grand Princess’s mansion with a lavish array of betrothal gifts.

Given such emphasis from the Cui family, Yan Linlang was naturally satisfied. This marriage was granted by the Emperor to unite two families. Yan Linlang did not put on airs; the Grand Princess was polite, and the Cui elders were even more so. With both sides intentional, the conversation was exceptionally pleasant.

Caizhu went to the front to investigate and returned to tell Pei Mingjiao, “The Cui family truly values the Princess.”

Pei Mingjiao was naturally very happy. If the Cui family valued her, didn’t that mean Cui Yi valued her too? Suddenly, Pei Mingjiao desperately wanted to see Cui Yi and know what she was doing.

However, on a day like today, the two could not meet.

On the day the gifts were delivered, Cui Yi wore a brilliantly colored gown. Seeing her still calmly playing Go, Dongzhi grumbled, “I wonder if things are going smoothly?”

Gu Jing tended to the incense ash while the other maids went about their business in an orderly fashion. Dongzhi cricked her neck, looking at the black and white stones on the board. Having picked up a bit of knowledge through observation, she looked at them for a while until she felt dizzy. “My Lady, aren’t you curious at all?”

Her slender, jade-white fingertips picked up a black stone and placed it on the board. Cui Yi’s eyelashes remained lowered. “It will go smoothly.”

An imperial marriage with a formal ceremony—how could it not go smoothly?

Outside the Grand Princess’s mansion, many commoners peered inside with curiosity. Seeing the scale of the betrothal gifts, they had endless things to say.

“The marriage of princes and nobles is truly different from us common folk. Look at this display.”

“Who says otherwise? I can’t even imagine how much silver those gifts are worth.”

“I heard it’s two ladies marrying. When they’re old, won’t they be without heirs?”

“Can’t they just adopt?”

“Bah, what do you know? This Princess’s title can be passed down. Isn’t this just giving it away to outsiders for nothing?”

“They’re all family; what ‘outsiders’ are you talking about?”

No one cared about the commoners’ chatter. Inside the mansion, Pei Mingxuan and Cui Ting stared at each other. Neither had expected the two families to unite in marriage; from now on, they were official relatives. With the betrothal finalized, the Imperial Academy had granted them both a holiday. Cui Ting had returned home in a daze, unable to believe that in the time it took him to attend school, his elder sister was already getting married. He also hadn’t expected to share such a bond with Pei Mingxuan; it was truly a surprise.

Once the betrothal process was complete, the elders and juniors took their leave, and the Grand Princess saw them off politely. Yan Linlang looked at the courtyard overflowing with gifts and ordered them to be organized. Taking a sip of tea, she asked, “What is Jiao-niang doing?”

“The Princess is staying in her courtyard.”

Pei Heng gave a smile. “She’s learned some manners, it seems.”

Yan Linlang glanced at him but didn’t speak. Pei Heng let out a long sigh. “I still have to return to the main family residence.”

For many years, Yan Linlang had maintained only surface-level politeness with the Pei family—not because of any deep grudge, but simply because they didn’t get along. Hearing this, Yan Linlang said in annoyance, “Fine, I’ll accompany you back when the time comes.”

Pei Heng cried out, “Madam loves me!”

At their age, Yan Linlang simply couldn’t bear to look at him.

The Cui elders returned to tell Cui Yan and Madam Du about the day’s events, ending with a sigh: “I wonder what fortune the Thirteenth Lady will have in the future.”

By the family genealogy, Cui Yi was the Thirteenth Lady. Madam Du and Cui Yan were open-minded; children have their own fortunes.

The wedding date was set for the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month. It was currently mid-August, less than three months away. Aside from the two participants, everyone else was quite busy. Cui Yi was waiting for the artisans to finalize the perfume; it was delicate work, but fortunately, she had plenty of time to wait.

In her leisure time, Cui Yi accepted an invitation from Tang Wensi to go see a play. They sat in a private box. Before the performance began, Tang Wensi looked at Cui Yi, feeling that fate was unpredictable. Not long ago, Cui Yi had been quarreling with her cousin, and now they were engaged. From now on, she would have to call Cui Yi “Sister.”

Heaven knows, she was stunned when she heard the Emperor had granted the marriage. Wasn’t this just a muddled matchmaking? But with the imperial decree issued, Tang Wensi didn’t dare say more, sincerely wishing that Cui Yi and her cousin would be well and fight as little as possible.

Tang Wensi truly liked Cui Yi as a friend, and now that their relationship had changed, she wasn’t awkward about it, happily calling her “Sister Yi.”

“Sister Yi, I never expected we’d become one family.”

“It truly is fate.”

Cui Yi hummed in response. Tang Wensi’s round cheeks were flushed, appearing a bit embarrassed to speak. Cui Yi looked up at her and asked, “What is it?”

Tang Wensi was only sixteen and naturally looked forward to marriage, hoping to find her “one and only.” Blushing, she plucked up her courage. “Sister Yi, the Princess… she is different toward you.”

The way she said it sounded as if she were confessing on Pei Mingjiao’s behalf.

Cui Yi, however, understood Tang Wensi’s meaning. Her brow was clear, carrying a shallow tenderness. “I know.”

Tang Wensi was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but grin sillily. Just then, there was a knock on the door. To the sound of the lead actress’s singing, Pei Mingjiao stepped inside.

Tang Wensi said happily, “Cousin, you’ve come to see the play too.”

“Mhm, yes.” Pei Mingjiao sat down next to Cui Yi with an air of “what a coincidence.”

Cui Yi glanced at her and gave a light greeting. Pei Mingjiao immediately dropped the act. “Yi-niang, if you want to hear a play, you can just ask me. My mother has a theater troupe; you can order whatever play you like.”

In public, Cui Yi always gave her fiancée face and agreed softly.

Hearing this, Tang Wensi thought of such a good opportunity and spoke up: “Cousin, I want to hear them too.” The Grand Princess’s theater troupe had many famous actors.

Pei Mingjiao glared at the interrupting Tang Wensi and said perfunctorily, “I’ll have to ask my mother.”

Tang Wensi, feeling the differential treatment: “…”

In that short time, Cui Yi’s attention had shifted back to the stage. Rarely getting to hear an authentic performance, she wasn’t going to miss it. Seeing this, Pei Mingjiao swallowed what she wanted to say, looking at the stage one moment and at Cui Yi the next, perfectly capable of entertaining herself.

After an hour, the play ended. Cui Yi gave a tip, and Pei Mingjiao, not wanting to be outdone, gave one as well. Cui Yi finished her tea and prepared to leave. Pei Mingjiao followed half a step behind, leaning toward Tang Wensi to whisper her dissatisfaction: “Remember to go through me next time you want to invite my fiancée.”

Because of her, Pei Mingjiao’s trip to the Cui residence to find Cui Yi today had been in vain.

Tang Wensi: “…”