Chapter 32

Chapter Thirty-Two: Take Off the Wedding Dress and Give It to Jiaojiao! On this point, Pei Wuliang had absolute confidence. In his past life, he knew exactly how Jia Qingcheng had adored him. Jia Qingcheng would have died for him. Tell me, how could she ever abandon such a fervent love? Not to mention the wealth she left behind. "Mother, you underestimate your son. Jia Qingcheng is nothing but an ugly woman. With that face of hers, my willingness to take her is a blessing she cultivated in her past life. Why would she secretly hoard wealth?" "As the saying goes, people may be clear but money matters are never clear. Many things should be made clear upfront, lest we become a laughingstock later. The Pei family is not short of ugly women." "Alright, Mother, rest assured. Qingcheng loves me like her own life—she'd give me her very life, let alone the wealth and secret family recipes behind her. Once I grace her with a son or daughter in the future, won't those secret family recipes of the Jia family all belong to us Peis?" "Very well then. Don't go out every day these next few days—the wedding is approaching and there's much to prepare at home. Look at these groom's outfits for the wedding and see which one suits you. I've picked out several sets for you; go try them on in a bit." "Mother, no need. I'll look good in any of them. It's just..." "What is it?" Pei Wuliang suddenly remembered that Song Jiaojiao's wedding dress had been torn by a cat today, and Madam Jia had already sent someone to prepare a new one. He wondered if it would arrive in time. He would need to return to the Jia residence later to check. "It's nothing, Mother. I just remembered there's something I haven't taken care of. I'll head out for a bit." "Oh? Will you be back for dinner?" "No." Madam Pei watched her son leave and let out a deep sigh. "Truly, once sons grow up, they no longer listen to their mothers. Look how happy Wuliang is." "Madam, the young master is naturally happy to be marrying the girl he loves." "Enough. Go notify the clothing shop and have them send over a few more sets of mother-of-the-groom attire." A few more sets? "Madam, haven't you already chosen two sets? The wedding only happens once, after all?" "Who says that's enough? Pick a few more. When Wuhua marries in the future, won't she be able to wear them too?" "Miss Wuhua is indeed of marriageable age. What you say makes sense, Madam. But the silver..." "Charge it all to Jia Qingcheng's account. If she wants to marry my precious son, she should contribute more. The Pei family's willingness to accept her is her blessing. If she's sensible, she won't need me to say another word." Word soon reached Jia Qingcheng's ears that the Pei family wanted to order two sets of mother-of-the-groom attire, and the shopkeeper was currently looking at her with a troubled expression. "Eldest Miss, what do you think about these garments—should we deliver them or not?" That's right—Jia Qingcheng owned countless shops under her name, and the shop Madam Jia frequented happened to be one of hers. In her past life, she had never told Pei Wuliang about this. Why hadn't she told him? It wasn't out of concealment, mainly because Pei Wuliang's mind was focused entirely on his official career, and she felt such trivial matters didn't need to be shared with him. So... That had led to the current situation. Pei Wuliang didn't know how many shops in the capital were under her name—he only knew her grandfather was very wealthy. That was all. In her past life, she had worried Pei Wuliang wouldn't like her engaging in business, so she never told him about her shop operations. Now, she was very glad she hadn't told him... "Since Madam Pei wants them, we're in the business of selling—of course we deliver. What garments did she select?" "Reporting to you, Miss, one set is made of Shu embroidery, quite valuable, and the other is made of Su embroidery. Together, these two sets cost a full two thousand taels of silver." "In that case, what are you waiting for? Why haven't you delivered them to Madam Pei yet?" "But Madam Pei wants them charged to your account. What do you think—should we accept that?" "Miss, that won't do! Madam Pei has no relation to us—why should we pay the silver?" Chunyan was the first to object, but Jia Qingcheng furrowed her brows slightly. "Tell the Pei family this: if they charge it to Pei Wuliang's account, we can deliver. If not, then don't bother. We run a business—how can we be taken for fools?" "What you say is absolutely right, Miss. This old servant will go handle it right away!" Outside, as the steward was leaving, he happened to run into the shopkeeper, and Pei Wuliang also recognized the shopkeeper. "Manager Li, what are you doing here?" Manager Li smiled awkwardly. "Young Master Pei, this old servant is here on business." Business? Pei Wuliang immediately understood something. "Did the Eldest Miss send you to deliver new garments to my mother?" He had seen the Pei steward when he left—the steward was going to the clothing shop to pick out mother-of-the-groom attire. He hadn't expected Qingcheng to have already chosen garments for his mother so quickly. At least she was sensible, knowing to curry favor with her future mother-in-law. Manager Li didn't deny it. "This old servant must be off to attend to business." After Manager Li left, Hu Ba grinned from ear to ear. "Young Master, the Eldest Miss may act angry with you on the surface, but look—she's already bought the garments Madam likes in private." "Hmph. If she didn't do this, how would she get along with my mother in the future? At least she's smart!" As he spoke, Pei Wuliang strode toward the room where Jia Qingcheng was staying. "Qingcheng!" "Miss, why is Pei Wuliang here again?" Jia Qingcheng was just about to try on the wedding dress she had made with her own hands. She had started this dress three years ago, but her needlework was slow and she refused to ask embroiderers for help. Finally, she had finished it just in time for her wedding to Prince Chu. The wedding dress was as bright as fire, exuding joy and festivity. Golden mandarin ducks were embroidered on the sleeves, looking prosperous and auspicious. The pattern she had spent a long time choosing was the White Bird Facing the Phoenix... Her mother had once said, "My Qingcheng is the most beautiful phoenix in this world. Since she is a phoenix, she must naturally wear a phoenix wedding dress when she marries..." Unfortunately, her mother would never see her married. "Miss, he's coming in." "What's there to fear? This is the Jia residence. Has an outsider scared you that badly?" Chunyan: "..." The moment Pei Wuliang entered, he caught sight of a breathtakingly beautiful back view. In that instant, he froze at the doorway, eyes wide open, as if unwilling to believe what he was seeing... There stood a graceful beauty, her slender shoulders traced by the red satin fabric, a golden-threaded phoenix spreading its wings as if about to take flight at her waist. Only the faint glimmer of the hairpin in her tresses betrayed the myriad charms hidden in that still silhouette... At this moment, even Pei Wuliang, a man who had seen countless beauties, was utterly stunned by the sight before him... Hu Ba's eyes were also wide open, and it took him a while to snap back to reality. "Young master, who is this beautiful bride?" The ugly daughter of the Jia family? "Qingcheng, what are you doing?" Pei Wuliang snapped back to his senses and hurriedly tried to approach Jia Qingcheng, but she had already known he had arrived. Unhurried and unflustered, she slowly turned around, facing him in her wedding dress... When he saw Jia Qingcheng's ugly, dark face—especially the large black mole on the bridge of her nose—it was truly hideous beyond compare. The admiration Pei Wuliang had felt moments ago vanished without a trace. A hint of self-mockery crossed his mind. Truly, a goddess from behind, a ghost from the front. What a waste to have such a fine wedding dress on her. "What are you here for?" Jia Qingcheng walked over to the side and sat down casually, seemingly with no intention of entertaining Pei Wuliang. He, however, failed to notice the indifference in her tone. "Is your wedding dress finished?" Jia Qingcheng did not answer. Pei Wuliang said coldly, "Well then, take it off quickly. Such fine clothing is wasted on you. I'll have someone deliver it to Jiaojiao—she'll surely dazzle everyone when she wears it, and it will bring out the full value of this dress."