The red veil was lowered, and Yun Sister's vision was completely obscured. She lowered her eyes and tightly gripped the sleeves of her dress as the carriage rocked back and forth, moving farther away.
The journey from Qingshi Town to Qingshan Village, which normally took a day and a half, was now going to take three days due to a blocked road. Yun Sister heard the people and the driver whispering that the snowy path would be difficult to traverse.
It was almost completely dark by the time they reached their lodging. The matchmaker helped Yun Sister into the room, and as soon as they entered, she removed the veil from Yun Sister's face. With a solemn expression, the matchmaker said, "The veil is supposed to be removed by the groom."
Yun Sister furrowed her brow, "But I can't sleep with the veil on, and there are still two more days to go."
The matchmaker thought that it would be unpleasant for Yun Sister to be confined with the veil on at night, and since there was no one else in the room, it didn't matter if she took it off for a while.
"Then you just stay in the room and don't go out where anyone can see you."
Yun Sister nodded, "Understood, don't worry."
She then sat down on the bed. Although she had been sitting in the carriage the whole time, she couldn't move around much, and her waist, back, and feet were a bit numb. She gently massaged them, waiting to wash up and then lie down to rest.
Knock, knock, knock...
The sound of knocking at the door came, and the matchmaker thought it was the hot water that had been requested, so she hurriedly went to open the door. However, she saw Qing Song, the young man from the Wan family, standing outside. She quickly turned back and saw Yun Sister hastily covering her face with the veil again, letting out a sigh of relief.
"Auntie, this is the dinner for you and the sister-in-law."
"Okay, okay, okay." The matchmaker took the tray and shooed him away, then closed the door and called Yun Sister over to eat.
Yun Sister picked up the bowl and softly asked, "Who was that?"
"It's Qing Yang's cousin, named Qing Song. He lives next door to your future in-laws. You'll get to know him once you've moved in."
"Oh." Yun Sister nodded, not wanting to raise the matchmaker's suspicions by asking too many questions. In her mind, the image of the tall figure kept flashing by. As his cousin, he should resemble Qing Yang to some degree, and he seemed a bit better than she had imagined.
Before, she had heard from Chen Matchmaker that Qing Yang was quite good-looking and had received an education. Now, after seeing Qing Song, she couldn't help but feel a little hopeful. Perhaps Qing Yang's absence was just due to an unexpected illness.
Sighing, Yun Sister's spirits lifted a bit. They had arrived a little late, and the banquet hall was already full of people, waiting only for her to come and pay her respects before the meal could begin.
Weaving through the noisy crowd, she reached the main hall. A person handed her a red silk scarf, and they walked forward together to perform the rituals.
"First, bow to Heaven and Earth!"
"Second, bow to the elders!"
"Third, the bride and groom bow to each other!"
Yun Sister bent down, only able to see two pairs of legs. It seemed he was being supported, as he had some difficulty turning around. No wonder he couldn't come - he must be quite ill.
After the ceremony, the matchmaker brought Yun Sister into the room and had her sit and wait. Soon, a woman came in, gently guiding Yun Sister to the table, and with a soft voice said, "You must be hungry, have a bite to eat. There's still a while to go."
"Okay."
Hearing the woman leave and close the door, Yun Sister lifted the veil and looked at the sumptuous meal in front of her, a slight smile on her lips. The person who had brought the food and the one who had given her the red envelope in the main hall had the same voice - it must be her mother-in-law, without a doubt.
She seems like a gentle person, and they should be able to get along well.
Yun Sister heaved a sigh of relief and happily ate her meal, quietly waiting in the room until the light outside gradually faded, and then sounds came from the doorway again.
Yun Sister quickly straightened her back, and the footsteps drew nearer and nearer, making her increasingly nervous. Her hands were clasped tightly together.
But in addition to the footsteps, there also seemed to be the sound of a wooden cane tapping on the floor. Was he ill and unable to walk steadily?
Just as she was puzzled, the person arrived in front of her, and the veil was abruptly lifted. She looked up, meeting his stern gaze, and her heart began to race a little faster.
Is this her husband-to-be?
Her face flushed slightly, and she shyly lowered her head. Seeing him leaning on a cane, she hurriedly stood up, wanting to help him sit down. "You're not ill, please, sit down."
"Ill?" Qing Yang was puzzled, looking down at his own legs. If this could be considered an illness, then he was indeed ill.
Yun Sister tried to pull him, but he wouldn't budge. She hesitantly withdrew her hand, her gaze falling on the wheelchair in the corner. She took a step forward, running her fingers over the backrest. It didn't look like it was newly made.
She quickly turned her head, staring at Qing Yang's feet, and forced a smile. "Is your leg injured?"
Qing Yang's gaze coldened as he watched her actions. Guessing a few things, he tapped his cane and called out, "Mother."
Wan's Mother, not wanting her son to be inconvenienced, had been waiting nearby, and quickly entered the room upon his call.
Qing Yang reproached her in an unhappy tone, "Didn't I say I wanted to explain the situation clearly to her?"
"I did explain it clearly!" Wan's Mother was a bit confused. She had told the matchmaker everything clearly.
Wan's Mother slapped her thigh in annoyance. "Twenty taels, didn't I tell the matchmaker that? That's enough to marry three good daughters-in-law, or even four for a lower price!"
Qing Yang's expression softened a bit as he turned to look at Yun Sister. Could it be that the matchmaker had concealed this from her?
Wan's Mother quickly stepped forward and pulled Yun Sister aside, whispering, "You didn't know?"
Yun Sister's expression darkened, and she bit her lip without speaking. At the moment, her head was spinning, unable to tell if it was the matchmaker who had failed to explain properly, or if the family had known but hadn't told her.
Seeing Yun Sister's reaction, Wan's Mother understood the situation. She glanced back at her displeased son, thinking, "Oh, this is not good at all."
"You..." She said angrily, "I'll go settle the score with that matchmaker!"
Yun Sister held her back, "It's alright."
The matchmaker had concealed this fact, but that's only because she didn't want to ruin her own reputation. The problem probably lies with Yun Sister's own family.
"Then what about you?"
"Since I've already come here as the daughter-in-law, I'm a part of the Wan family now. The rest..." Yun Sister's gaze fell on Qing Yang. At this point, she really didn't have much choice. Even if the Wan family was willing to send her back, would her own parents honestly return the betrothal gifts?
Wan's Mother's face lit up with joy. "You really mean it?"
"Yes." Yun Sister forced a smile and called out, "Mother."
"Oh!" Wan's Mother's smile widened as she comforted Yun Sister, guiding her to sit on the bed, then turned and whispered to Qing Yang.
"She says she's willing. You just go ahead. The family has spent so much money, even if you don't like her, you still need to leave an heir for the family."
"Mother!"
Wan's Mother turned and left, the door slamming shut behind her. Qing Yang stood in place for a while before approaching Yun Sister.
His voice was a bit low, "If you're not willing..."
Yun Sister slightly lowered her head, interrupting him, "I am willing."
Qing Yang was silent for a moment, then tossed aside his cane and removed his outer garment. Limping towards her, he grasped her chin and tilted her face up, staring down at her from above. "Are you sure?"
He used a bit too much force, and Yun Sister turned her head uncomfortably. "Yes!"
"Hmph."
Qing Yang took it as her resistance. He sneered and leaned in, pressing her down onto the bed. Bringing his mouth close to her ear, he said in a dark tone, "You can still change your mind now."
"I won't regret it."
