Volume One, Chapter 18: Stunning the Entire Audience
For today's grand wedding, Ao Shuang Chu had meticulously prepared her appearance. Her looks were indeed quite good; otherwise, the Xiao family would never have chosen her and arranged her engagement to Yi Chen Xiao.
At this moment, her face was like a blooming peach blossom, cheeks flushed with a rosy glow, resembling the evening clouds painted by the setting sun.
Beside her, Chen Xing Fu had sharp brows and bright eyes, a tall and upright figure. Judging by appearances alone, they truly were a perfect match in talent and beauty.
Yet what astonished everyone was not just their looks, but the purple garments they wore.
This was a preparation long in the making by the Chu family. Days ago, they had dyed fabric in a unique purple, then rushed to craft the bride’s dress and groom’s attire, intending to showcase them at the wedding as a form of promotion.
The effect was remarkable. Seeing the amazed expressions of the crowd gathered in the courtyard, Ao Shuang Chu smiled faintly—she loved watching these unworldly reactions.
“Oh my, this purple is simply too beautiful.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen wedding clothes in purple, and they look stunning.”
“This purple is completely different from the usual, much brighter. How on earth did they dye it?”
“Is this purple fabric for sale? I want to make a dress too.”
...
Hearing these praises, the families of Chu and Fu couldn’t stop grinning.
It was a success!
This newly improved purple dye was indeed going to be sought after.
Chen Xing Fu proudly declared, “Ladies and gentlemen, this purple was painstakingly perfected by the Chu family, improving upon traditional dyeing methods. Such a shade is unique not only in Liang Country but throughout the entire realm.”
“In ten days, Luo Tailor Shop will begin selling this purple fabric and silk. Those interested may purchase it then.”
As his words fell, the crowd erupted in excitement.
They had thought producing just two sets of wedding clothes in this purple was already impressive, never expecting the Luo Tailor Shop to sell it openly.
They had to go!
No matter the cost, they must buy some.
Especially the ladies present, their excitement was palpable. They were tired of the usual dyed fabrics.
Now, finally, a new dyed fabric had arrived.
Though purple had existed before, none had been so exquisite.
For women who loved beauty, owning such a fabric meant endless bragging rights among their circle of friends.
Seeing the crowd so eager, all shouting that they would buy it in ten days,
Wei Ming Chu smiled broadly, his lips unable to close.
It seemed he could already see the silver coins flying into his hands.
The Fu family was also overjoyed—their investment was right, and they were about to get rich.
Not only would they recoup the betrothal gift they had given, but they would also profit handsomely.
These days had been so hard for them.
---
For that two hundred thousand betrothal gift, they had tried every means, even growing to resent Yi Chen Xiao.
If he hadn’t demanded the return of the betrothal gift, the Fu family would never have suffered so miserably.
But now, no need to scrimp and save anymore. They could eat meat whenever they wished, drink wine freely, and return to their former prosperous days.
Ao Shuang Chu felt proud in her heart.
“Yi Chen Xiao, you worthless man, do you see this? You thought demanding the betrothal gift back would bring my family to ruin?”
“The glorious and thriving days of the Chu family have arrived, while your Xiao family only faces decline.”
“Still hoping to force me to comply and win me back? Dream on.”
As she thought this, she searched for Yi Chen Xiao’s figure, wanting to tell him this:
The purple dye was improved by Zhang Tao, the very man Yi Chen Xiao had insulted and driven away.
She was eager to see his expression when he learned the truth—that he had personally handed wealth to the Chu family.
Yet after looking around, she did not see Yi Chen Xiao. She frowned slightly; without that worthless man here, the wedding felt incomplete.
At that moment, a respectful announcement sounded.
“From the Xiao residence, Yi Chen Xiao has arrived!”
The guests were stunned upon hearing this.
News of Ao Shuang Chu’s broken engagement had spread like wildfire across the capital. On the day she humiliated him at his doorstep, many citizens had witnessed it, spreading all the details vividly.
Logically, after such humiliation, the two families should have cut ties forever.
Yet here Yi Chen Xiao was, coming to the wedding.
Was he here to offer congratulations or to cause trouble?
Either way, watching his fiancée marry another man surely wounded his heart.
To them, Yi Chen Xiao’s arrival on his ex-fiancée’s wedding day was courting humiliation and would make him the laughingstock of the capital.
When Yi Chen Xiao appeared, both Ao Shuang Chu and Chen Xing Fu’s eyes lit up. Finally, he was here!
Everyone turned to the entrance and saw Yi Chen Xiao walking in.
Chen Xing Fu took Ao Shuang Chu’s hand, about to show off a little, but he hesitated.
He noticed three women beside Yi Chen Xiao.
Ling Xue Su and Zi Yun Han were arm in arm with Yi Chen Xiao on either side, while Wan Ying Luo held Han Zi Yun’s hand.
The three women’s appearance captivated the crowd.
Ao Shuang Chu was the bride today, specially dressed in purple, and indeed beautiful, but compared to these three women, she paled.
Each of the three had her own style and charm; any one of them outshone Ao Shuang Chu.
They seemed like celestial beings descended from the heavens, every step exuding enchanting grace.
---
All eyes fixated on the three women, unable to look away.
Only the sound of heavy breathing filled the courtyard.
Though rumors had circulated that these three women were to marry the eighth son of the Xiao family,
No one in attendance had taken it seriously. These women were no fools; how could they marry a worthless man like Yi Chen Xiao?
Now, the four of them arriving together, so intimate,
The three women wore a shy, newlywed expression, as if it truly was their wedding night.
Had they really married Yi Chen Xiao?
The men present felt a surge of anger and jealousy.
Those who had regarded Zi Yun Han as a dream lover, believing that with the eighth son dead they had a chance, ground their teeth in frustration.
This was like a fairy married to a mediocre husband, pearls thrown into a muddy pond, flowers placed in cow dung!
Why did this worthless Yi Chen Xiao deserve the favor of these three women?
Any one of them was a hundred or a thousand times better than him.
Why?
Why was this happening?
Zhao Gou’s eyes widened. Today, Ling Xue Su was the most beautiful he had ever seen her.
She was his fiancée, yet she was holding another man's arm.
Most infuriatingly, Yi Chen Xiao’s arm was nestled into the soft flesh of Ling Xue Su’s chest.
He was about to explode.
“Uncle Su, what is going on here?” Zhao Gou’s voice was icy, even addressing Su Jin Feng harshly.
He felt mocked, and his head was metaphorically green with jealousy.
Su Jin Feng, aware of his guilt, ignored Zhao Gou’s tone. He had not expected Yi Chen Xiao to appear here; otherwise, he would never have lied.
He sighed, “My daughter has already wed the eighth son of the Xiao family. Tomorrow, I will return the betrothal gift.”
Zhao Gou’s eyes blazed with fury. Yi Chen Xiao dared to steal his woman; he must teach him a lesson.
But with Ling Xue Su by Yi Chen Xiao’s side—a formidable woman—it was not easy to act now.
He would have to find another opportunity.
The most unsettled in the crowd was Chen Xing Fu.
He had wanted to flaunt his conquest to Yi Chen Xiao, to show off the affection between himself and Ao Shuang Chu.
He longed to see Yi Chen Xiao’s impotent fury.
Yet now, Yi Chen Xiao was accompanied by women more beautiful and renowned than Ao Shuang Chu—three of them.
He felt deeply unbalanced.
Why?
Had Heaven gone blind? Even a worthless man had admirers?
At this moment, he suddenly felt that the effort and military achievements he had used to win Ao Shuang Chu no longer seemed so precious.