Chapter 346 – The Capital Wind and Clouds (Part 3)
Jiang Pengji rode atop Big White, with numerous cooks following behind, carrying wedding dowries into the city. On either side, formidable guards stood watch, drawing the curiosity of the common people in the capital city. More and more gathered along the streets, whispering excitement in hushed tones.
“So much wedding dowry… which noble girl is about to be married?”
It could be described as the spectacle of a ten-mile bridal procession. They had watched for so long as one dowry after another was brought forth, seemingly never-ending.
“My goodness, even the Northern Border princess who married into the royal family a few years ago didn’t bring this much!”
“Hey, aren’t you supposed to be well-informed, the one everyone calls the know-it-all of the capital? Surely you’ve caught wind of something?”
The common folk murmured, most astonished by the lavish dowries, while a few were curious about which family’s daughter was worth such a considerable expenditure.
Such an extravagant display seemed like emptying the entire family’s wealth.
To the townspeople, even if the emperor’s daughter were marrying, it seemed unlikely she could afford such treasures.
The chatter reached Liu Huan’s ears—the illegitimate daughter of the Liu residence—her lips curled with an uncontrollable smile and delight.
As a daughter who had never been acknowledged by the Liu family, she had never imagined becoming the center of attention, envied by so many.
She clenched the napkin in her hand, took a deep breath, and restrained the tumult of emotions within her.
This was just her arrival in the capital; once she became the Fourth Prince’s wife, not only would the citizens of the capital know her, but the world would as well!
Before she could steady her emotions, even more excited voices erupted from outside.
Liu Huan perked up, her expression gradually darkening.
Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji turned to see what was causing the commotion.
In the middle of the procession, a carriage suddenly drew the attention of many townsfolk. Some even tossed aromatic pouches at the carriage, and young men blushed, wrestling with a mix of wanting to approach the beauty while trying to maintain their composure.
Upon closer inspection, the carriage curtains had been slightly lifted, revealing an extraordinarily beautiful lady within.
A gentle breeze wafted by, carrying an indescribable fragrance that intoxicated the senses.
Alas, the beauty only showed her face for a moment.
When the curtains fell back, many felt an emptiness inside, as if they had just experienced a heartbreak.
Jiang Pengji noticed and quickly smiled, tugging on the reins.
Big White snorted unhappily but obediently turned back, carrying Jiang Pengji onward.
She asked, “Why did Hui Jun lift the carriage curtain just now?”
“I was merely curious about the capital, wanting to know more about its grandeur. I lost my composure for a moment; please forgive me, Young Master.”
The townspeople, upon hearing Jiang Pengji approach, braced themselves, thinking she would scold Hui Jun.
But then they heard a voice as clear and delightful as a lark, and remembering that perfect, heavenly face, they all became entranced.
“I see. Then it’s fine for you to lift the curtain and take a good look. Before you get married, you can enjoy this freedom for a moment.”
Jiang Pengji generously agreed.
With permission granted, Hui Jun commanded her maidservants to pull back the curtains on both sides of the carriage.
Her beautiful eyes briefly glanced at the streets beside her.
A few years back, these areas seemed like unattainable paradises to her, places her tainted body didn’t deserve to step foot in.
Now, however, she could proudly sit in the carriage, with common folk enamored by her beauty, sighing in admiration.
Due to Hui Jun’s actions, the previously orderly crowd descended into chaos, with enthusiastic citizens chasing the carriage to throw pouches of fragrance.
“Wow, is this what a new bride looks like? Truly a sight to behold, unforgettable, not even a fairy could compare!”
Just as those words left his mouth, someone quickly retorted, “That can’t be the new bride! The carriage ahead is grander, with the real bride inside.”
“Not the new bride? Then who could she be?”
“She must be the supporting maid! I heard from that scholar in the village that big households usually have such customs, sending a bunch of girls to serve the newlywed husband, to… to ensure favoritism… Don’t you think that’s morally questionable? Who treats their daughters like that? Yet, that’s what big households do…”
The surrounding common folk wore expressions of disbelief.
“Tsk tsk, the supporting maid… Now that husband has struck it rich, marrying one lady while tripping over four or five warm beds!”
“This supporting maid is so beautiful; what if she snatches the husband’s heart away?”
“Who knows, the daughter might be even prettier…”
As the banter continued, a brazen rogue suddenly broke into a creepy grin, saying, “I reckon this family has it out for their son-in-law. If the daughter is already a knockout, and the supporting maid is a fairy, how on earth will the husband manage? You’d think he wouldn’t leave her side, day after day, he’d be all over her; no one could handle that! Tsk tsk, leave it a couple of months and these ladies will have him drained dry!”
Such lewd talk made married women blush and spit in disdain, while the men nodded in agreement.
If their wives were that beautiful, and if they brought home four or five fairies, they believed… they wouldn’t be able to handle it either.
Most of the gossip revolved around Hui Jun. These discussions subtly reached Liu Huan’s ears, causing her to tear two napkins in anger, her face contorting from rage and jealousy, becoming ghastly, like a nightmarish apparition.
Hard to imagine this was still the innocent twelve-year-old girl.
A bridal procession, famed beyond the capital.
On this day, two news items spread through the capital like they had grown wings.
First, the future Fourth Prince’s wife was of immense value, her ten-mile dowry overshadowing that of the Second Prince’s wife, who happened to be the Northern Border princess.
Second, the supporting maid was devastatingly beautiful; many young scholars who caught a glimpse fell head over heels and found themselves sleepless that night.
Additionally, some learned that Hui Jun was the supporting maid of the Liu residence, and hurriedly sent invitations through their servants, regardless of how much money the Liu family offered for her release, seeking to take Hui Jun as a prominent concubine, vowing to cherish and treat her like a gem.
A supporting maid, in simpler terms, was just a bed warmer, tasked with helping the husband maintain favor.
As long as the husband didn’t loosen his hold, she would never have an official title in her lifetime. Wasn’t a prominent concubine a better place to be?
Some clever suitors even used fragrant flower paper to pen their love poems as a way to gauge Hui Jun’s feelings.
Regardless of the approach, Hui Jun politely declined everything, leaving people awash in disappointment yet unable to harbor resentment.
Seeing this, Jiang Pengji couldn’t help but muse,
“A calamity for the country’s beauty, beginning to take shape.”
