Chapter 87: Being Married Isn’t As Terrible As I Imagined
Morning sunlight gently filtered through the paper windows, filling the room with a warm golden glow.
Standing before the bronze mirror, Wang Gege quietly admired the reflection staring back at her while Qing’er carefully adjusted the folds of her robe.
"This ribbon should be a little tighter..." Qing’er muttered to herself before taking a step back.
She nodded with satisfaction, "There. Our Young Madam is truly beautiful."
Wang Gege couldn’t help but laugh, "Qing’er, are you praising me or your own handiwork?"
Qing’er covered her mouth with a shy smile, "This servant believes it is both."
Just then, the wooden door was gently pushed open.
Xie Rong stepped inside.
Both Wang Gege and Qing’er instinctively turned toward him.
"Young Master." Qing’er immediately bowed, taking a few steps back.
Xie Rong gave a slight nod before his gaze naturally settled upon Wang Gege.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. He slowly walked toward her.
"Husband?" Wang Gege blinked curiously.
Without answering, Xie Rong raised his hand. His fingers reached toward the side of her hair before gently removing a slender jade hairpin.
Wang Gege instinctively froze, "Husband?"
Xie Rong quietly examined the hairpin before the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
"It was placed crooked." He calmly adjusted it before carefully sliding the jade hairpin back into her hair. "There."
Only then did he withdraw his hand.
Wang Gege instinctively touched the hairpin, "Was it really crooked?"
At that very moment, the familiar mechanical voice echoed inside Xie Rong’s mind.
[Host.]
[Target Favorability has increased.]
Current Favorability: 45
Previous Favorability: 30
Change: +15
Xie Rong remained motionless for a brief moment.
His gaze lingered on Wang Gege before he silently asked, ’That much?’
[Affirmative.]
Xie Rong’s brows subtly drew together, ’I merely adjusted her hairpin.’
Gemi’s emotionless voice replied,
[Correction.]
[Host adjusted Target Shen Taotao’s hairpin personally.]
[Physical proximity and intimate interactions may influence Favorability.]
Xie Rong fell silent. His gaze unconsciously shifted toward Wang Gege once more.
She was still touching the jade hairpin he had just adjusted, the corners of her lips curving into a faint smile.
"Will Husband accompany me to the palace today?" Wang Gege asked, snapping Xie Rong out of his thoughts.
Xie Rong looked at her before shaking his head slightly. "I has official matters to attend to."
Wang Gege nodded without the slightest trace of disappointment.
"I understand." She smiled, "Then I shall go with An’an."
Xie Rong gave a faint nod. "Mo Yan will escort the two of you."
Wang Gege’s smile widened, "Then Husband should also remember to eat on time. Don’t become too busy and forget your meals."
After reminding Mo Yan to prepare the carriage, Xie Rong turned and left the room.
The moment his figure disappeared beyond the doorway... A soft humming could be heard.
"Hmm... hmm... hmm..."
Qing’er paused while fastening Wang Gege’s outer robe.
She blinked, "Young Madam?"
"Hm?" Wang Gege raised her eyebrows.
Qing’er tilted her head, "Did something good happen today?"
Wang Gege looked at her own reflection in the bronze mirror before smiling.
"Something good?" She thought about it for a moment before slowly shaking her head. "Not really..."
She lowered her head, absentmindedly smoothing the sleeves of her robe.
"It’s just..." She paused, searching for the right words, "I suddenly realized.. .being married isn’t as terrible as I imagined."
Qing’er blinked in surprise.
Wang Gege let out a small laugh, "Actually... I think living as Husband’s wife is..." She looked toward the doorway where Xie Rong had just left, "quite nice."
Her smile became gentler. "Husband doesn’t restrict me. He doesn’t lose his temper without reason. He even remembers little things that I don’t."
She unconsciously touched the jade hairpin resting in her hair. "Somehow... it’s rather sweet."
Qing’er stared at her for several moments before her eyes curved into a smile. "This servant is truly happy for Young Madam."
Wang Gege chuckled softly. "So am I."
She never imagined that after dying once, she would unexpectedly find herself living a life that was far more peaceful than the one she had left behind.
Wang Gege smiled.
"Alright." She turned toward Qing’er, "Let’s go."
"Yes, Young Madam." Qing’er immediately picked up the embroidered gift box prepared for the banquet before following a step behind.
The carriage from the Xie Residence was already waiting outside the main gate.
Mo Yan stood beside it with several guards. Upon seeing Wang Gege, he respectfully cupped his fist. "Young Madam."
Wang Gege nodded, "Has Miss An’an arrived?"
"Miss An’an has been waiting inside the carriage." Mo Yon replied.
"I see."
With Qing’er’s assistance, Wang Gege stepped onto the carriage before gently lifting the curtain.
Inside, Xie An’an was already seated by the window.
The moment their eyes met, the two women exchanged polite smiles.
"Sister-in-law."
"An’an."
And after that neither spoke another word.
Wang Gege quietly took the seat opposite her while Qing’er settled beside the carriage entrance.
The atmosphere inside immediately became somewhat restrained. None choose to start a conversation.
Outside, Mo Yan gave a slight nod, "Depart."
The coachman cracked the reins lightly.
The carriage slowly rolled away from the Xie Residence, making its way toward the imperial palace.
For quite some time, neither of them spoke. It was Xie An’an who eventually broke the silence.
"I heard..." She gently brushed the folds of her sleeve before looking toward Wang Gege with a faint smile, "Sister-in-law has never attended a Flower Banquet before."
Wang Gege looked up. She smiled politely, "That is true."
Xie An’an slowly nodded.
"I suppose that is understandable." Her voice remained gentle, almost pleasant to the ears. "After all... The Shen Residence has only ever brought Eldest Miss Shen to such gatherings."
She paused before adding with a seemingly innocent smile, "As for Sister-in-law... I imagine there were never many opportunities."
Anyone else listening would think Xie An’an was merely stating a fact.
Yet every word quietly reminded Wang Gege... That Shen Taotao had never been favored by the Shen family.
Wang Gege simply smiled.
"It doesn’t matter." She looked out through the slightly lifted carriage curtain. "I’m here now, aren’t I?"
Xie An’an’s smile stiffened ever so slightly. She had expected Wang Gege to feel embarrassed.
Instead, Her sister-in-law answered as though the past no longer mattered.
After a brief silence, Xie An’an smiled once again.
"That is true." Xie An’an lowered her gaze. "However... This Flower Banquet gathers the wives and daughters of nearly every influential noble household."
Her eyes slowly returned to Wang Gege, "There are many rules... And many people who enjoy making things difficult for others."
The corners of her lips curved into a faint smile, "I only hope... Sister-in-law won’t bring disgrace upon the Xie Residence."
Wang Gege met Xie An’an’s gaze.
"I won’t." She smiled gently, "After all... You’ll be with me. If I happen to overlook any of those rules, I’m sure An’an will kindly remind me."
Wang Gege tilted her head ever so slightly.
"Unless..." She paused, her smile never fading, "You’re one of those people who enjoy making things difficult for others."