Zhao Wan Niang had grown very thin.
Bao Niang, on the other hand, had become plump.
Finally, they were nearing the Gu residence.
That morning, Zhao Wan Niang forced herself to brighten up. She placed the prepared gifts in the carriage and dressed herself in front of the mirror.
The Gu family had received word earlier. That day, when they spotted several carriages approaching, they immediately brought out the firecrackers.
Amid the crackling of firecrackers, Zhao Wan Niang saw such an imposing mansion for the first time.
She alighted from the carriage and paid respects to her parents-in-law.
Her father-in-law looked scholarly and very amiable. Her mother-in-law still retained her grace, clearly a beauty in her youth. Wan Niang stepped over the high threshold and entered the hall. A crowd of women appraised her, and she greeted each one in turn.
Relatives from the various branches came forward with meeting gifts, and she had to reciprocate.
Back and forth, she grew dizzy.
She gritted her teeth, pinching her fingers inside her sleeve, trying to hold on. But her body was too weak. When a child behind her bumped into her, she didn't react in time and toppled like a willow in the wind.
"Oh no, your daughter-in-law has fainted!" The second branch's wife caught her quickly. Feeling her bones, she clicked her tongue. "Why is this child so thin?"
Madam Zhou inhaled sharply and instinctively glanced at her son.
Seeing that he hadn't noticed, she called two strong maids to help carry Wan Niang to her own room.
"Fetch a doctor quickly."
Wan Niang was taken to Madam Zhou's room.
Madam Zhou pushed up her sleeve a little and frowned at the slender arm. When she later touched her waist, she couldn't help saying, "How can such a body withstand any hardship?"
She didn't like this girl from the Zhao family at all, but her son insisted on marrying no one else.
For this, he had even left the academy and stopped studying. His father had hung him up and beaten him severely. If she hadn't feared he'd be beaten to death, Madam Zhou wouldn't have helped him marry this Zhao Wan Niang.
She had a pretty face, but her health was so poor. The first time she entered the house, she collapsed in front of the relatives. Who knew what they would say later?
Madam Zhou worried inwardly but dared not say anything disparaging.
Her son came quickly, as if afraid someone would harm her.
Madam Zhou sighed and couldn't help complaining to her husband.
"They say a married son forgets his mother. Look at him!"
Master Gu was more broad-minded. "Even if he hadn't married, he'd forget you sooner or later."
"You were the one who agreed to this marriage first. Now that she's here, why do you want to reject her?" Master Gu said with a smile. "If you ask me, anyone can look down on this child except you."
Madam Zhou had slept in separate quarters from him for years. Tonight, she rarely entered his room, only to be scolded like this. She shot him a glare and slammed the door in a huff.
She held this grudge against Wan Niang.
Yet it wasn't until Wan Niang had fully recovered that Madam Zhou had the chance to see her a second time.
By the end of the year, the embroiderer had finally delivered the wedding gown. The Gu family prepared another wedding banquet, inviting many friends and relatives.
On the day of the feast, Madam Zhou rose early, filled with pent-up anger, but thinking of her son, she gritted her teeth and endured.
The wedding rites were numerous and solemn. Wan Niang dared not make a mistake and was careful in everything.
Finally, when it was time to bow to the elders, the tea was scalding hot.
She took it from the tray and nearly dropped it, her wrist trembling uncontrollably.
Through the red veil, Wan Niang's eyes reddened.
How could she present such tea to her mother-in-law...
Author's note: None