Chapter 171: Wedding Gown

Shen Qiu praised Xie Jingxing to Rui's face—ordinary men would wince—mask hid color—but corner always lifted—voice gentle—eyes pleased.
Pleased?
Qiu talked dry—no embarrassment—Rui agreed—"Indeed a pity."
Qiu deflated—more wary.
Luo Xueyan satisfied—not childish like Qiu—not picky like Shen Xin—short meeting—Rui seemed good—handsome manner—bold ease—likable.
Mother-in-law lens—Rui beat Su Mingfeng steady—crown prince frank—Feng Zixian grand—Luo Ling kin—skip.
Luo Tan pleased too—odd questions about Great Li—Rui patient at tribute feast with Wenhui—now answered all—owed life debt—only Rui fits Shen Miao—"Only such spirits match her temper."
"Brother-in-law"—room quiet—Rui royal—Luo Tan careless—parents watched Rui.
Rui smiled—"Thank you, Cousin."
Cousin—
Qiu exploded—"Who's your cousin—don't!"
"Qiu-ge—" Luo Tan glared—grin—"I'm younger—call me Cousin Tan."
Qiu glared—pretty face and title—women fooled—mother and cousin—hateful!
Luo Ling laughed—then bitter glance at Shen Miao.
Shen Miao incredulous—Luo Tan thought Xie good-natured—threats and mockery—wire walk—if she saw calm killing—
Shen Xin sour—Luo Xueyan and Rui warm—coughed—cut talk—dry to Rui—"Wedding gown—or tea freeloading?"
Luo Xueyan glared at husband—turned soft rain voice never used on him—"Jingxing—gown today?"
"Decree rushed—no time embroider—brother bade bring Great Li's best seamstresses—if I loved a girl—best gown in the realm." Light smile—eyes spring-soft—"Three months done—for mistress to see."
Three months?—suddenly remembered hug for measure—knew size already—another lie—believed—cheated—glared—he smiled.
Luo Xueyan delighted—exchange impossible—comfort—this pair's play—daughter usually old—girlish here—Rui doting—heaven match—
Rui thousand Luo Lings above Fu Xiuyi in her book.
Qiu yelled—"Three months? Decree just came—prophet?—how size—wrong fit won't wear!"
She looked—how answer?
Master—"Three months ago saw Jiaojiao in street—one glance— vowed only her—brother said gown for beloved—not after wedding only. Finally won." Joy—glance at Qiu—pure provocation.
Qiu no match in talk—pretty loss.
"Size—" Smile—"Want to know—can know."
Signal Tieyi—run out—run in—huge fragrant chest on table.
Sandalwood—pear blossom scent—crowd—
Even calm Shen Miao hoped.
Past life gown—stitched alone—eager for Fu—wanted splendor—bride's brightest hour—Fu hiding—simple wedding—plain dress.
Still vain—red outer dark-red twin lotus—peach blossoms under gauze—hidden—looked plain—
Proud secret—night whisper—make Fu guess—see her skill—love slowly—
Brilliant night—waited till candles melted—cold heart—Fu drunk in study—no sleep—palace homage next day—disgrace—Fu displeased—
Two months cold before touch.
Gown—pain's start—marriage night's wrong—endless wrongs after.
Thought kindness warms hearts—even dislike moves—some enjoy all—curse your best.
Hidden joy—never asked—"Husband, see my gown—find anything?"—lifetime never—eyes she wanted never looked.
Dazed—Luo Tan's cry—pulled back.
Luo Xueyan lifted gown careful—
Scarlet fine silk—gold dust woven—flash like stars—
Sea mermaid gauze thin— rosy mist—twelve-color dragon-phoenix—black gem eyes—cat's-eye scales feather by feather—
Wide red skirt—pure—wind—immortal step—lotus hem auspicious—
Veil—filigree—inlay—engrave—kingfisher—hundreds pearls—
Heir bag—fixed gold silver— demon mirror— heaven lock—
Phoenix crown—
Gold rim—twelve gems—six pearl each—six phoenix panels—gold dragons—jewel flowers—Qiu counted—hundred colored gems—
Luo Xueyan heavy crown—speechless—even act—too much—women's dream— rivals empress—"Jingxing—phoenix unsuitable?"
Phoenix—queen or princess—consort should be pheasant—
Smile—"Brother knows—Great Li royalty—two brothers—she joins house—phoenix—she bears it."
Shen Xin thoughtful—Luo Tan—"Beautiful shoes!"
Palm-sized red—tiny phoenix gem feathers—sole lotus—step blooms—two large South Sea pearls on toe—
Shen Miao startled—
Pearls rare—shallow harvest—deep divers lucky—Consort Xu one on head daily—two on shoes—
Shen Xin slow—"Thoughtful."
Unmatched in Ming Qi—needn't—yet did—envy not mockery at wedding.
Smile—"Jiaojiao happy enough."
Heart stir—splendid crown and veil—shoes— wearing must be glory.
Never so grand past life.
Fu poor then—plain habit—hostage in Qin—no splendor—return—Mei Consort prettier—queen must be sober—aged beside Mei—
Girlhood ended wedding night—forced growth and pain.
Xie sent to finish old wishes?—smile—regrets filled unknowingly—fate perhaps.
Even Qiu silent.
Honest—Qiu couldn't make this—would give all to beloved—couldn't—Rui could—because Rui.
Looked at sister—if such man—wealth—if character holds—life worth—
Talk—Luo Xueyan invited dinner—Rui accepted—"Private words with Jiaojiao—permit?"
Qiu alert—"Say to me—yard spar—"
Luo Xueyan ear-drag—"Rough man—can't spar Rui—" Beaming—"Jiaojiao take him in—don't long—dinner soon."
Shen Miao Qiu: "……"
Mother—remember your birth—
Rui polite asking—happy couple time—saw looks—never glared at Luo Ling Su Feng—playful lovers—storybook—
Kitchen orders—Shen Miao speechless—"Follow me."
Qiu wanted follow—"Brother stay."
Qiu betrayed—"Sister!"
"Cousin Tan—couple whispers—big eavesdropper—" Glance at Luo Ling—"Spar him."
Luo Ling bitter smile—"If cousin wants—I'll oblige."
Women united exclude Qiu—test groom—words and mask—women fooled—
Looked at Shen Xin—"Let him go?"
Shen Xin—"After dinner—spar—test skill."
Qiu bright—"Yes!"
Father ally—Rui must know Shen women aren't easy!
……
Her yard—maids trimming—man—fright—Guyu Jingzhe bow—maids bow.
Bedroom direct—not first visit—tea and cakes often—paths known—he looked around—"First time front gate—feels good."
Mock—"Complaining no title—illicit visits?"
"Smart." Tea.
"Your fault—uninvited." Gnash.
Smile—"Wife kind—cousin too."
Eye roll—they hadn't seen his cruelty.
"Why called me."
"Your request—found out."
"Request?" Busy—forgot—"What?"
Flash—"Pei Lang."
Remembered—anxious—"What happened—trouble?"
"Worried?" Brow.
"My man." Frown.
"Fine." Shrug—"Bad shape—Fu found him—private dungeon—torture for truth."
Heart tight—"Alive?"
"Won't kill before answers." Stare—"Not afraid he'll sell you?"
"He won't."
Xie frowned.
Principle man—loyal to Fu once—Zhou couldn't poach—principle above all—used everyone including her—Wanyu plea ignored—Shen fell—maybe helped—loyalty never doubted.
Fu cold after marriage—she alone in Ding Manor—sought Pei to please Fu—Pei taught patiently—much of her statecraft from Pei—Guangwen Hall teacher—Ding Manor teacher—
Won't betray.
"Fu's methods—" Rare anxiety—"traitors never trusted—eventually killed—alive for now—doesn't mean—crippled—" Shudder.
Saw betrayal treatment—dungeon—fear beyond love—gentle face—cruel back—chill.
Sharp—"How know traitor treatment?"
Usually she'd catch odd tone—mind elsewhere—"Can you save him?"
Hand withdrew from tea—"Reason."
Looked—sharp unyielding—
"No reason to stand by."