My Lady Says She Wants to Marry Me - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

There are three major joys in life: passing the imperial examinations, meeting an old friend in a distant land, and the wedding night.

Lu Youming stood in the bridal chamber illuminated by dragon-and-phoenix candles. Inside the room, the wedding matron was urging her to lift the veil. She glanced at the sky outside, which wasn’t quite dark yet, and then at Su Wanrou, who was dressed in a formal phoenix crown and embroidered robe.

She exhaled nervously. Under the watchful eye of the matron, she picked up the Ruyi scepter—a wooden rod used to lift the veil, symbolizing that everything would go “according to one’s wishes.”

Lu Youming gripped the scepter, kept her wrist steady, and gently flicked open the red veil. As the silk rose, Su Wanrou looked up at her with watery eyes, filled with a mix of shyness and modesty.

The sight made Lu Youming daze for a moment. The girl’s eyebrows were naturally delicate, and a vibrant petal pattern had been painted between them, adding a touch of seductive charm to her already youthful and beautiful face.

Lu Youming grew even more nervous and subconsciously swallowed. Her light brown eyes betrayed her bashfulness. Oh no, she thought, I feel even more like I’ve actually married a lovely wife.

Lu Youming tightened her grip and, with a bit of strength, lifted the veil completely. Their eyes met, and both of them blushed. The wedding matron, delighted by the scene, poured out a stream of auspicious blessings.

Su Wanrou watched the red-clad figure approach. Her nose was caught off guard by a faint, woody fragrance. Lu Youming’s body briefly closed in on her and then pulled away. Lu Youming placed the veil aside and handed a “joy money” tip to the talkative matron.

“Thank you, Groom! I wish you and the Madam a long life together, marital harmony, a son soon, and a thousand years of wealth!” With her auspicious words finished, the matron departed to join the banquet.

Suddenly hearing phrases like “a son soon” and “marital harmony” made both Lu Youming and Su Wanrou feel a bit awkward. They stared at each other for a few seconds before simultaneously bursting into laughter. “Hahahaha!”

Lu Youming covered her mouth as she laughed, her eyes curving into crescents. Su Wanrou couldn’t help herself either. She smiled gracefully, thinking that the way Lu Youming laughed while covering her mouth was quite cute—her whole face seemed to light up with genuine joy.

“Are you satisfied with this new room? Everything was arranged according to what you wrote in your letter,” Lu Youming said, wiping away a tear of laughter and pointing toward the furniture.

Su Wanrou stood up elegantly, walked around the room, and nodded with satisfaction. “You were very diligent.”

“After all, the house was bought with your money,” Lu Youming said, pouring a cup of water and sipping it slowly. “It should be arranged according to your ideas.”

“Does your neck hurt, wearing so many headpieces?” Lu Youming looked at the beautiful gold ornaments on Su Wanrou’s head, which made her look regal and emphasized her noble temperament.

“It hurts, but I must endure it,” Su Wanrou replied, her voice sounding a bit aggrieved but resigned.

Lu Youming chuckled. “Let me help you take them off.”

As Lu Youming leaned over slightly, standing beside her, Su Wanrou felt a surge of tension; it was the first time she had been so close to a stranger. A shadow fell over her, and the fixed hairpins were gently removed.

Looking at the complex hairstyle, Lu Youming felt a bit out of her depth. It was beautiful, but she didn’t know where to start, so she only removed the easiest hairpins. She held a finely crafted step-shake (Bu Yao) and looked innocently at Su Wanrou. “Maybe… should I let your maid come in to finish this?”

Su Wanrou looked at her innocent, cat-like expression and felt that she was actually quite pleasant—a bit different from their first meeting. The Lu Youming under the apricot trees had been cold and detached, her gaze devoid of warmth even when seeing her drenched.

Liu Qing, waiting outside, heard the door creak open and stepped forward. “Does the Master have orders?”

“Go in and help her… serve the Madam,” Lu Youming said, smoothing her wide sleeves. The rustling of her robes made her look quite dashing.

Lu Youming then asked another maid to bring some food from the kitchen. After a busy day, she was starving, and her stomach was starting to protest. She went to the room she had been staying in for the past few days, called for hot water, and took a comfortable bath before returning to the bridal chamber.

Su Wanrou had also changed out of her crimson gown. Her long black hair was loose over her shoulders, and her regal air had been replaced by a soft, charming clarity. When she saw Lu Youming return in a set of light white sleeping robes, Su Wanrou’s toes curled and her pupils contracted. Is this person going to go back on our word?!

“What’s wrong?” Lu Youming saw her panicked gaze and thought something had happened. She turned to look at the equally nervous Liu Qing, several large question marks flashing in her mind.

“Nothing. Is… is Husband ready to eat?” Su Wanrou forced the word “Husband” out. This time, it was Lu Youming’s turn to be startled.

Seeing Lu Youming’s shocked expression, Su Wanrou felt satisfied. She used her handkerchief to hide the smirk at the corner of her mouth.

Lu Youming didn’t notice. She sat at the round table and ate slowly, even finding the time to critique which dishes were the tastiest. Having been served for the past few days, she found this lifestyle quite comfortable.

At night, Lu Youming looked at the bright moon and missed her large wolfhound. Fortunately, she had asked Grandpa Wang from the village to feed it. She didn’t realize yet that tomorrow morning, her newlywed wife would be going home with her.

As the night grew dark, Lu Youming turned and closed the door. She wanted to have a proper talk with Su Wanrou to finalize their future arrangements—especially their pact, which needed to be in black and white.

“Miss Su, we need to talk,” Lu Youming said with a candid look.

“Indeed, we should, Benefactor.” Su Wanrou sat opposite her and produced a stack of papers detailing the terms they were to agree upon.

The Five Articles of Agreement:

1. Contractual Marriage: The two are not a real couple but a “contractual” pair; neither shall interfere with the other’s private affairs.

2. Right to Divorce: If either party finds someone they truly love within three years, they may propose a divorce.

3. Property Division: Upon divorce, in addition to Su Wanrou’s dowry, all other assets will be split equally as compensation to Lu Youming for the first marriage.

4. Loyalty: Both parties shall remain loyal to the marriage as long as it lasts (no public scandals).

5. Non-Malice: Lu Youming shall do nothing to harm Su Wanrou.

Lu Youming scanned the list. There were no major issues, and it barely constrained her at all. She realized Su Wanrou was being cautious—if Lu Youming chose not to honor these verbal agreements after the wedding, she could legally demand her “husband’s rights.” Su Wanrou was smart; she knew how to “advance by retreating,” offering benefits while ensuring no harmful conditions were placed on Lu Youming.

After finishing the five articles, she picked up the pre-written divorce letter. Even the date was left blank for future use.

“‘Parting on good terms, each seeking their own happiness,'” Lu Youming read the final line aloud. She nodded in approval. “This is good. It only states that our personalities were incompatible and our feelings faded; it doesn’t harm either of our reputations.”

Su Wanrou felt the tension in her chest vanish. “Since you find it appropriate, let’s sign and press our thumbprints.”

“Alright.” Lu Youming neatly wrote her name with a brush and pressed her thumb into the red ink pad, then onto the divorce letter.

They made two copies, each keeping one set of the agreement and the divorce letter. Lu Youming felt quite pleased—she had successfully achieved the milestone of “getting a divorce” on the very first day of her marriage.