Chapter 48: The Grand Wedding of Tong Yu'er

The cap of this Lingzhi mushroom resembled a pig’s kidney, covered with a fine layer of brown powder.

Tong Chuxue took out a plain porcelain bottle from her pocket, which she had specially prepared to collect Lingzhi spores. Carefully, she gathered the spores little by little into the bottle and then sealed it with a stopper.

“As for this Lingzhi mushroom, let it grow freely here,” she said.

Luo Huian had no objections.

By the time the two descended the mountain, the morning sun was already rising over the eastern ridge; unknowingly, the entire night had passed.

Though dawn was breaking, Luo Huian insisted on escorting Tong Chuxue back, citing concern for her safety.

When they arrived at the doorstep, just as Tong Chuxue raised her hand to knock, the door suddenly opened from within.

Xu Jinniang stood in the courtyard, her expression stern. “Where did you run off to in the middle of the night? Why have you only just returned? Do you know how worried I was being home alone?”

Caught off guard by the barrage of questions, Tong Chuxue hurried to explain, “Mother, don’t worry. I only went to the mountains to find Lingzhi spores.”

“Looking for spores?” Xu Jinniang was skeptical.

“Yes, I want to cultivate Lingzhi for everyone, so I needed to collect some spores from the mountain,” Tong Chuxue replied.

“I went with Miss Tong,” Luo Huian added.

Xu Jinniang grew even more agitated. “Together? Where exactly did you go?”

Tong Chuxue noticed her mother’s strange demeanor and asked, “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Xu Jinniang’s gaze toward Luo Huian turned sharp and wary. She pulled Tong Chuxue behind her and spoke to Luo Huian with a stiff politeness, “Huian, you should leave now.”

With the matter put so plainly, Luo Huian had no choice but to withdraw.

Once he had left, Xu Jinniang’s expression relaxed slightly. She glanced around before closing the gate.

“Mother, what’s wrong?” Tong Chuxue found her mother’s behavior truly odd.

Xu Jinniang looked at Tong Chuxue’s puzzled face, unable to vent her frustration, and said coldly, “You were with Huian all night yesterday?”

“Yes,” Tong Chuxue nodded, exhausted from staying up all night with Luo Huian on the mountain. She yawned as she spoke.

Xu Jinniang grew even more anxious. She paced around Tong Chuxue several times and even reached to unbutton her clothes, startling Tong Chuxue and wiping away much of her sleepiness.

“Mother, what’s going on? Why are you doing this?” Tong Chuxue asked.

“Tell me honestly, what exactly did you two do last night?” Xu Jinniang’s voice faltered, eyes locked on her daughter.

Tong Chuxue was at a loss for words but soon understood her mother’s unusual behavior—it was worry that something improper might have happened between her and Luo Huian.

“Mother,” Tong Chuxue wrapped her arms around Xu Jinniang’s shoulders, “we just went to the back mountain to find Lingzhi spores. Nothing else.”

Xu Jinniang scrutinized her daughter, as if trying to discern the truth.

Seeing this, Tong Chuxue pouted playfully, “Mother, I didn’t sleep all night. I’m really tired.” She even staggered a little in cooperation.

“You really didn’t do anything, right? You mustn’t lie to me!” Xu Jinniang still wasn’t convinced.

Tong Chuxue was truly at a loss. “Mother, do you think I don’t cherish myself? Besides, Luo Huian isn’t that kind of person—he’s so weak.”

Somewhere in those words, Xu Jinniang was finally persuaded to accept the explanation. She changed tone and expressed concern, “Child, if you have to go to the back mountain, why not go during the day with more people? Why run into the mountains at night and cause such worry? Sigh, go to your room and get some rest. How can you stand not sleeping all night?”

Amid her mother’s gentle scolding, Tong Chuxue returned inside to rest.

While the Lingzhi cultivation business was about to get underway, the Tong family was experiencing a stir of their own.

But it was a joyous occasion.

Tong Yuer was getting married—to Yao Tianyuan, the very same man Tong Chuxue had once been betrothed to.

At first, this had nothing to do with Tong Chuxue, but Tong Yuer personally invited her to witness the ceremony. Since Tong Chuxue was still connected to the family, she could hardly refuse such an invitation.

There was no harm in attending; after all, it was Tong Yuer’s wedding. Surely she would not cause trouble—only wanting to show off a bit in front of Tong Chuxue.

Both the Yao and Tong families had made thorough preparations for the match.

Although the Yao family was not wealthy, their most promising son’s wedding had to be grand—there was no room for embarrassment.

The Tong family shared the same sentiment. Their granddaughter marrying Yao Tianyuan meant the family might soon have an official relative. Though Old Lady Tong was frugal, she spared no expense on such a significant family matter, purchasing an exquisite wedding dress for Tong Yuer in town.

Usually, rural families made wedding garments themselves, often cutting a piece of red cloth to fashion a simple dress. For villagers, having a ready-made wedding dress like Tong Yuer’s was almost unimaginable.

Tong Yuer was quite proud. The dress had cost the family a whole ounce or two of silver. Paying for it, she could feel Old Lady Tong’s heartache—but the dress was truly stunning, vivid patterns blooming on rich red fabric, breathtakingly beautiful.

The village girls gazed at the dress with envious eyes, dreaming that one day they might wear something so splendid at their own weddings, content for a lifetime.

According to wedding customs, the Yao family would come to fetch the bride. In the countryside, there were no bridal sedan chairs, so they typically used ox carts or donkey carts adorned with red silk ribbons.

When Tong Chuxue arrived, she happened to cross paths with the wedding procession.

Yao Tianyuan walked at the front. Glancing sideways, he spotted Tong Chuxue and immediately frowned. “What are you doing here?”

Tong Chuxue thought the question foolish. “Of course, I’m going to the Tong family’s house.”

“I know you’re displeased, but today is my big day. I advise you not to cause any trouble,” Yao Tianyuan said condescendingly, with a hint of reprimand.

Tong Chuxue silently rolled her eyes. Had it not been for Tong Yuer inviting her, she wouldn’t have come at all. Still, she kept her temper and promised, “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything today. I’ll give my gift money and leave.”

Yet Yao Tianyuan was not satisfied. “Some things cannot be forced. Miss Tong, you should let it go.”

Tong Chuxue was speechless. Let it go? Did he think she still harbored feelings for him? Men were truly conceited and arrogant.

In a way, Tong Chuxue was right. After the incident at the town inn, where she had confronted Yao Tianyuan, he had been embarrassed. Upon learning the full story, he concluded that Tong Chuxue’s coldness stemmed from unreciprocated feelings and resentment, which explained her sharp attitude toward him.

Though Tong Chuxue never took Yao Tianyuan seriously, this did not change the Yao family’s perception. After his words, the relatives accompanying the bride began to look at Tong Chuxue with subtle suspicion.

Meanwhile, inside the Tong household, Tong Shuangling, a family relative, was among those seeing the bride off. Upon entering, she saw Tong Yuer holding a copper mirror, endlessly scrutinizing her bridal makeup.

Tong Shuangling rolled her eyes and sighed. Tong Yuer looked up, displeased. “It’s my wedding day. Why are you sighing?”

“Do you know who Yao Tianyuan is chatting with right now?” Tong Shuangling hesitated.

“Who?” Tong Yuer had a bad feeling.

Leaning close to her ear, Tong Shuangling whispered, “It’s Tong Chuxue.”

Tong Yuer was stunned. The copper mirror slipped from her hands and clattered to the ground, her joyous expression instantly drowned in hatred.