Zong Yanxi stared at the box on the table. She touched it and said, “This is also for someone.”
Shen Xinyao was curious. She side-eyed the box and spoke slowly, “It’s not for me, right? Haven’t you already given me the gifts?”
“Yeah, indeed I have, but this isn’t from me. It’s from your mother-in-law.” Zong Yanxi punched in the passcode on the keypad of the silver box on the table.
She picked up the box and showed its content to Shen Xinyao. “Do you like it?”
Shen Xinyao was stumped when she saw what was inside the box. Even the stylist behind her was also mesmerized. The stylist gasped, “Is this real?”
There was a crown with an enormous diamond sitting in the middle of the box. The craftsmanship of the jewelry seemed to be dated.
But more importantly, Shen Xinyao wondered if it was real diamond.
A real diamond this big would cost an insane amount of money.
Zong Yanxi took out the crown and replied, “It’s a bridal gift from her mother-in-law. Do you think it can be fake?”
Then, Zong Yanxi placed the crown on Shen Xinyao’s head. “You look dazzling in it.”
The latter shook her head. “No, this is too expensive. I can’t accept it.”
“It’s from your mother-in-law. Just accept it.” Zong Yanxi had her hands on her shoulder as she looked at Shen Xinyao’s reflection in the mirror. “You look so pretty, just like a princess. The crown fits your dress so much. I’m sure my little brother would be enchanted by you later.”
Shen Xinyao blushed hard.
She lowered her head bashfully. “Stop flattering me.”
“I’m only saying the truth.” Zong Yanxi then called the stylist over and let her continue with Shen Xinyao’s makeup. She didn’t want her to be late for the wedding later.
Zong Yanxi’s words knocked the despondence Shen Xinyao had earlier right out of her. Right now, she was only a shy girl who was looking forward to the moment she exchanged vows with her soon-to-be husband.
Zong Yanxi leaned against a table and stared at the bride.
She let out a heavy sigh in relief.
Zong Yanxi had gone all out just to make Shen Xinyao forget about the unpleasant event. Today was the most important day in Zhuang Jiawen and Shen Xinyao’s life. She just hoped for everything to be perfect at the wedding.
Meanwhile, in a town close to both Country Z and Country F, a girl with a delicate face was tying up her hair into a ponytail. She then picked up the sack on the ground and continued her journey home.
The girl’s home was on top of a mountain in the West. It was a building with two stories. However, the girl lived alone. Her parents passed away when she was young. Even her grandmother, who raised her into the fine maiden she was now, passed on the previous year.
Actually someone else stayed with her. Half a month ago, when the girl was out collecting herbs in the mountains, she came across an injured man. The guy had a camouflage uniform on and was covered in blood. As a doctor, the girl felt compelled to save the man’s life. She carried him on her back all the way home by herself.
The girl descended from a line of doctors. According to her grandmother, her ancestors once served in the palace and were highly regarded by many. Yet, the glory days of her family didn’t last long. The size of her family clan dwindled with time and now the girl was the only descendant in her clan. Also, with the advent of western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, which the girl practiced, slowly lost its popularity.
Earlier today, the girl traveled to a small town nearby to look for a rare herb for the injured man. But after visiting all of the parlors selling traditional Chinese medicine, she still couldn’t find the particular herb she wanted.
She figured that she might have to travel a bit farther. Hmm, the larger shops in the city might have it.
Upon reaching home, she unlocked the gates and strode into her front yard. Before entering her house, she locked the gates. As she lived alone, she always had to make sure that her house could not easily be trespassed by strangers.
She put down the sack in her hand on a table and went to the second floor. She opened the windows and saw a man standing next to the windows. She hurried over to him and closed the curtains. “Have you lost your mind?”
The man turned around, but his eyes wandered aimlessly across the room.
“You know who you are. Today, when I was in town, there were many people searching for an injured man, which I assume is you. Also, those men were here earlier, you remember? If I didn’t stash you underneath the medical supplies in the store, you would have been caught. So don’t you stand at the window and let the world know that you’re in here!” The girl helped the guy to sit down.
“I couldn’t find your medicine in town today. I’ll head to the city tomorrow to look for it. Hopefully, they have it at the larger chain stores there.”
There was no expression on the man’s face, only the scar from the gash that had recovered. His eyes were beautiful but a tad dim. “Am I troubling you too much?”
The girl sat by the bed and replied, “Maybe. But you’re too good looking I just cannot leave you alone.”
Zong Yanchen was speechless.
“You seem quite downcast today. Care to share?” The girl turned to look at Zong Yanchen.
“Mhm. Today’s my little brother’s wedding but I can’t make it home.” There was a hint of regret in his voice.
The girl hurriedly changed the topic. “I bought a chicken today. I’ll cook you some chicken soup. It’s good for your body.”
As soon as she was done talking, she headed downstairs.
“Yuan’er, are you really hideous?” Zong Yanchen couldn’t believe that the girl had an unsightly face as her voice was as sweet as a canary’s.
“Yes, I am ugly and many people have said so.” Mu Yuan’er purposely tried to convince Zong Yanchen that she was hideous.
She hoped that she could surprise Zong Yanchen once his eyes were healed. She figured that he would have too high expectations if she told him that her looks were not bad.
Thus, Mu Yuan’er wanted to set the bar low. Then, when Zong Yanchen could finally see her, he would be pleasantly surprised.
“But your voice sounds so angelic.”
