Chapter 182: The Successor Wife – 4

In the inner chamber, Ren Xin was making faces at Chunya. Chunya smiled, then reached out and gently closed Ren Xin’s eyes with her hand.

Ren Xin: “…” If you do that, I’m going to think I’ve kicked the bucket.

Ren Xin had no idea how the matter was eventually resolved, but in the end, her compensation was substantial.

First was the dowry. Her uncle had tacitly agreed to add four more carrying-chests, and her grandmother had given her the precious heirlooms she had kept at the bottom of her trunks, not to mention the silver, manors, and shops, which were doubled. Combined with her own private treasury and the bride price, it could be considered a budget version of a “ten-mile red dowry.”

Although Ren Xin still had to marry into the Duke’s estate, her aunt had originally intended to cancel the engagement. After all, given Ren Xin’s status, she truly couldn’t reach the threshold of such a prestigious family.

But to everyone’s surprise, the Lord Duke personally sent an official matchmaker to deliver the betrothal gifts.

The marriage was officially set.

Ren Xin was to be the first to marry out. By the time the tedious pre-wedding rituals were completed, several months had passed. Every day, Ren Xin was urged by Chunya to embroider her wedding dress and was forbidden from going anywhere.

Feng Qingyue had been very quiet lately. Word was that her mother had hired a very formidable governess to teach her etiquette.

Ever since the last incident, the aunt seemed unwilling to maintain her “kind soul” persona any longer. She treated Ren Xin with cold indifference. For instance, she completely ignored the fact that Ren Xin needed etiquette training even more than Feng Qingyue when she hired the governess. She simply turned a blind eye, and the grandmother had no choice but to do the same.

On the day of Ren Xin’s wedding, everyone was so busy their feet hardly touched the ground.

The higher the status of the household, the more complicated the rules. The wedding matron had been sent by the Lord Duke. She gripped Ren Xin’s arm tightly and whispered instructions, “I will stay by your side and guide you quietly. Do not be afraid, Miss.”

Ren Xin thanked her and had Chunya give her a reward.

The wedding matron felt the weight with a practiced touch. It was light—a banknote.

Her smile immediately widened until her eyes were mere slits, and she became even more devoted to serving Ren Xin.

By the time she was escorted into the bridal chamber, Ren Xin was as calm as could be. It didn’t feel like she was getting married; it felt more like she was swearing a blood brotherhood.

“Shen Shen, aren’t you nervous?”

Ren Xin replied nonchalantly, “Nervous my foot. I only care about when I can finally get a four-course meal!”

“Are you our stepmother?”

“Are you going to hit us?”

Two milky, childish voices rang out.

One of the children, acting quite familiar, reached up and lifted Ren Xin’s bridal veil.

Ren Xin looked down to see two toddlers who looked like plump little birds, staring at her with adorable eyes.

The governesses and maids in the room watched with terrified expressions, not daring to intervene.

Before Ren Xin could speak, the little boy added, “You’re really pretty!”

The little girl chimed in, “Sister, you’re a big sister~”

Where did these little angels come from?

“You two look very festive as well! Although you’re not as good-looking as me, you’re still better than most people.”

The children: “???”

“What are your names? My name is Ren Xin. You can call me Mother, but whatever makes you happy, you can also call me… actually, never mind, just call me Mother!”

The little boy wasn’t shy at all. With a hop, he sat down on the wedding bed and introduced himself, “My name is Qiao Wuenci, and my sister is Qiao Jiaojiao.”

The little girl was anxious to get up there too, but her short little legs wouldn’t cooperate.

She could only look at Ren Xin pleadingly.

Ren Xin reached out and scooped her onto the bed.

When the Lord Duke finally finished dealing with the guests outside and returned, he saw one adult and two children sitting cross-legged on the wedding bed like a tripod, snacking on the “Early Son¹” dried fruits and chatting away.

The Lord Duke: “…” It is my wedding day, right?

Translator’s Notes