Chapter 29: The Bride of Fortune

Three days later, Lady Su received word from Daoist Chongxu that Jiang You'an and Su Mingxiu’s astrological charts were a perfect match. If they were to marry, it could ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune to the household.

Lady Su was overjoyed, yet she could not understand why Su Mingxiu was being so difficult, forbidding her from making any arrangements. But if she didn’t handle it, who would? Was she really expected to watch him remain a bachelor forever? Assuming he was simply shy, Lady Su decided to take matters into her own hands and act as the matchmaker.

Spring had arrived, a season of brilliant sunshine and fragrant blossoms. It was the perfect time for outings, and with the Shangsi Festival approaching in a few days, she decided to seize the opportunity to let Su Mingxiu and Jiang You'an meet. Without telling her son, she sent a personal invitation to Jiang You'an, requesting her presence by the Tianming River for the festival.

...

Upon receiving the invitation, Jiang You'an was filled with delight. Days earlier, she had received a message from Daoist Chongxu confirming he had spoken to Lady Su about their compatible horoscopes. Now that the invitation had arrived, it was clear that Lady Su was eager to finalize the match. As long as nothing went wrong, she would soon be a bride in the Su household. With a heart full of joy, she began preparing her attire for the festival.

Elsewhere, Lady Zhao had also learned of the invitation.

"What was written in that note?" she asked.

Nanny Wang shook her head. "I do not know. The invitation was addressed to Jiang You'an alone."

Lady Zhao raised an eyebrow. "It seems Lady Su is serious about making Jiang You'an her daughter-in-law."

Nanny Wang clicked her tongue in disbelief. "What kind of luck does this girl have to marry into the Marquis’s estate? My Lady, do you think this talk of 'warding off evil' is true? Can she really bring such fortune to Su Mingxiu?"

"Whether it is true or not is irrelevant," Lady Zhao replied coldly. "Did you not hear the Old Madam? It is simply her fate."

"But it is too generous to her. Once she becomes a lady of the Marquis’s household, won't she be even more arrogant?"

Lady Zhao sneered. "A lady of the Marquis’s house—so what? Even if she flies to the heavens, I have ways to deal with her. Don't forget her history with Lu Xuanheng. Once she is married to Su Mingxiu, if he finds out she once shared Lu Xuanheng's bed... Hmph, that alone will give me a tight grip on her."

Nanny Wang fawned, "You always have a plan, my Lady."

"Has Lu Xuanheng been to see her these past two days?"

Nanny Wang opened her mouth but hesitated. Seeing her lingering doubt, Lady Zhao sighed.

"Forget it. I have no desire to watch him all day. Send him a message. Since he is to accompany the Princess on an outing in two days, tell him to prepare properly."

...

Two days later, the third day of the third lunar month—the Shangsi Festival.

The banks of the Tianming River were bathed in spring light, with lush grasses and soaring orioles. It was a popular destination, crowded with groups of travelers and young couples.

Lu Xuanheng arrived to meet the Princess as promised. He wore a dark blue brocade robe with a gilded crown, his belt cinched to emphasize his tall, athletic frame. His natural composure drew the eyes of all around him.

When Li Lianzhu saw him, her eyes brightened. A year ago, when Lu Xuanheng had earned military honors on the border and traveled to the capital to receive his title, she had caught a glimpse of him from afar and had been unable to look away since, secretly planting the seeds of love in her heart. Now, they were betrothed, and this handsome, dashing man would soon be her husband. As she gazed at him, a faint blush rose to her cheeks.

Lu Xuanheng approached and bowed, offering a polite but distant, "Greetings, Princess."

Li Lianzhu replied warmly, "Calling me Princess is so formal. You may call me Lianzhu."

Feeling awkward, Lu Xuanheng ignored the request. "I have had a pavilion set up by the river. Let us go sit there."

Li Lianzhu smiled and agreed. Inside the pavilion, they sat facing the water, enjoying the view while sipping tea.

"I brought some pastries from the palace. Do try some." Li Lianzhu opened the food box, revealing plates of delicate treats. "This is lotus crisp, this is water chestnut cake..."

As she introduced each item, Lu Xuanheng—who disliked sweets—felt he could not dampen her spirits. He picked up a piece of lotus crisp and ate it. It was, as expected, cloyingly sweet. He swallowed it with forced composure. Just as he reached for water to wash it down, Li Lianzhu leaned in and gently wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief.

He stiffened. Li Lianzhu laughed softly, "Why are you eating so hurriedly?"

A vein pulsed at Lu Xuanheng's temple, and he silently turned his head away. Although they were betrothed and ostensibly close, to him, this marriage was merely a political alliance. He felt no affection for her, viewing her no differently than a stranger, yet she seemed quite enamored with him.

He did not know how to respond to her affection. Unaccustomed to such intimacy, he felt restless and uneasy. Under her lingering, affectionate gaze, he drank several cups of tea, lifting and setting down his cup repeatedly.

Seeing his discomfort, Li Lianzhu stifled a giggle and turned to speak with her maid instead. "It has been so long since I've been out. I saw some beautiful apricot blossoms over there earlier."

Hearing this, Lu Xuanheng said, "I shall go pick some for you."

Before she could reply, he hurried out. Once clear of the pavilion, he let out a long breath, as if he could finally breathe again.

Nearby, his attendant Xiuzhu glanced at him, lips pressed tightly together to suppress a laugh.

Lu Xuanheng shot him a glare. "What are you laughing at?"

Xiuzhu scratched his head. "Young Master, the Princess isn't going to eat you. Why are you so flustered? You two are about to be married; this coldness won't do."

"Hold your tongue."

Lu Xuanheng rubbed his temples and walked toward the nearby apricot grove.

At the same time, a bright and vibrant figure stepped into the grove. Jiang You'an had come to keep the appointment according to the time and place in Lady Su's letter. She had dressed with care, wearing a pale pink gauze dress and a simple white jade hairpin—elegant and modest, not too flashy, just as she thought an elder like Lady Su would appreciate.

However, after searching the grove for a while, she could not find Lady Su.

"We've searched the whole area," Qiulan said, worried. "We only see young people here; there is no sign of Lady Su."

Jiang You'an frowned. "The letter clearly said this place. Why is she not here?"

As she worried, she suddenly heard voices nearby.

"Young Master, look how beautifully the flowers are blooming. Let us walk a while longer."

"It is too crowded here; it is irritating. Let us return early." The voice was cold and refined, and to her, it sounded hauntingly familiar.