Chapter 167: Love Makes One Feel Inferior

Chapter 167: Love Makes One Feel Inferior

Lu Mingchao gave a look of helplessness.

Among the male members of the Xie family, the elderly patriarch was over seventy, old enough to be Wei Tang's ancestor; Xie Ru'an, just a kid, whose biggest daily worry was when he could eat grapes whenever he wanted; and Shu Yuan, who hadn't yet been added to the Xie family registry. Shu Yuan was in his thirties, not obviously old, handsome and learned, but the crucial point was that he had been castrated.

Could Wei Tang, who wasn't even twenty, marry Shu Yuan?

Especially since Wei Tang's heart was still clouded, with the name "Lu Yao" etched in the deepest part of her heart.

And Shu Yuan regarded Lu Yao as a friend.

If she dared to meddle in matchmaking, she feared Shu Yuan, in his anger, might have the Shadow Guard take care of her.

Shu Yuan, who had weathered life's storms and setbacks, was not one to show mercy.

Lu Mingchao said quietly, "Xie Yan was originally a refugee who fled to this place, settled down thanks to the court's lenient policies. Most of his brothers and uncles in the clan had not survived, only an older brother in his thirties recently managed to find his way here."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Wei Tang realized her mistake and knew it was inappropriate.

Seeing this, she went along with it, "It was my fault for speaking out of turn and making a fool of myself."

Lu Mingchao raised an eyebrow, "Marriage concerns a woman's entire life; it's only natural to take it seriously."

Wei Tang felt that every smile and frown of Lu Mingchao's was full of spirit and exactly to her liking, like an uncut gem from the mountains, utterly endearing.

If she were a man, she would have to challenge Xie Yan to an arm-wrestling match!

Inside the carriage, the charcoal brazier was blazing, the heat rising steadily, making Wei Tang's cheeks flush and her eyes glisten.

Lu Mingchao sighed softly, pulling a handkerchief from her sleeve and offering it to Wei Tang, "Sister Wei, why grieve in silence?"

Wei Tang silently turned her head, a single tear sliding down, lightly touching the brazier, causing a wisp of white smoke to rise.

Rationally, it made sense, but emotionally, it was difficult to accept.

She felt Lu Yao deserved the best, yet she couldn't accept that she wasn't the best.

The wheels rolled on, and the carriage continued forward.

After a long while, Wei Tang whispered, "I just blame myself, why can't I be more dazzling."

Lu Mingchao: Indeed, love makes one blind, and even more, it makes one feel inferior.

Was Wei Tang lacking?

Not really.

She was beautiful, intelligent, and literate.

Though confined to the small Lotus Town, her ancestors had been officials for generations, and though the family had temporarily declined with no clear day of resurgence, she could still be considered from a scholarly and official background.

Objectively speaking, she was a match for Lu Yao at this moment.

But Lu Yao wanted to rise high, wanted to kill Lu Minghui, and had no romantic feelings whatsoever.

"Sister Wei, don't belittle yourself, it's just a matter of fate not being enough," Lu Mingchao gently advised.

"People always have to look forward and keep moving."

Wei Tang linked arms with Lu Mingchao, her voice calm yet firm, "I will look forward."

A long silence settled over the carriage.

In this silence, Wei Tang gradually adjusted her mood.

Once you understand, acceptance isn’t far behind.

The carriage pulled up outside a quaint, fragrant perfume shop.

Lu Mingchao looked up at the Wei family emblem in the corner of the shop's sign, "Cheng Jian Xue? (Clear Snow Between Clouds)?"

"I’ve passed by a few times but never noticed the name change."

"The new sign went up just three days ago," Wei Tang's face showed no trace of sorrow, her sparkling eyes like jade inlaid on a rouge box. "This shop used to belong to Squire Zhang and was called Wan Xia Ge."

"Maybe the Zhangs hit hard times—Grandfather Zhang sold off his land and shops quickly, so the prices were low. My mother bought two of the shops to add to my dowry."

"One’s a perfume shop, the other a clothing store."

"Since the shops are mine, I renamed them—Wan Xia Ge is now Cheng Jian Xue, and Yu Yi Fang is Lan Mei Fang."

"Come in, and you’ll see why I chose those names."

Inside, a stunning double-sided embroidered screen elegantly split the shop into two spaces. One side showed snow drifting over a vast landscape, with green pines and red plums standing resilient in the frost.

The other side captured the moment after the snow cleared—a red sun rising over gleaming white snow, creating a breathtaking contrast.

The screen was truly remarkable.

Lu Mingchao thought it, then said it out loud.

Wei Tang lifted her chin proudly, "I did the embroidery!"

Lu Mingchao's beautiful eyes sparkled, "The embroidery is exquisite—grand, meticulous, and refined, like a painting. A true masterpiece."

"From the style, is this Xiang embroidery?"

"Yes, it’s Xiang embroidery!"

"In Daqian’s capital, the nobles prefer Su embroidery, and everyone follows suit. Other styles are fading."

"My mother’s from northern Xiang and is skilled in Xiang embroidery. I learned directly from her when I was young."

"Do you know much about Xiang embroidery, Mingchao?"

"Just a bit."

"Don’t laugh, but I know the theory—my stitching’s just a mess."

"Great at theory, terrible at practice."

Wei Tang waved it off, "No problem—if you like it, I’m happy to help."

Wei Tang led Lu Mingchao to sit by the tea table and chairs behind the screen. A window on the side wall was slightly ajar, faintly letting in the noise from the back street.

Lu Mingchao casually raised her hand and pushed open the window. The wind rushed in, but the blazing charcoal brazier kept the chill at bay. Instead, it added a subtle refreshing touch to the air.

The shopkeeper of the rouge shop entered with a tray of rouges, placing them one by one on the wooden table in front of the two women. The scent of rouge mingled with the breeze, evoking the feeling of a garden in full bloom.

Wei Tang lowered her eyes, carefully applying the rouge to the back of her hand and wrist, comparing each one. Her brows furrowed and relaxed as she compared them.

Through the window, Lu Mingchao gazed at the back street.

People on the winter streets hurried by.

Not from busyness, but from the cold.

After Wei Tang carefully selected her favorite rouge, Lu Mingchao smiled softly and spoke, "Shall we go for a walk?"

Wei Tang nodded, packed the chosen rouges into a wooden box, and handed it to Lu Mingchao.

Lu Mingchao looked puzzled.

Wei Tang smiled and explained, "Mingchao, your skin is as fair as jade and smooth as silk. Whether you wear light or heavy makeup, it always suits you."

"Take it," Wei Tang continued. "At your wedding, we hadn’t met yet, so I couldn’t give you a gift. Mingchao, allow me this opportunity to make up for that regret and offer you a heartfelt gift."

"Otherwise, I’d feel awkward accepting your gift at my wedding."

Hearing Wei Tang's words, Lu Mingchao no longer refused.

The wooden box was placed in the carriage, and Lu Mingchao and Wei Tang strolled along the most bustling and prosperous street in Lianhua Town, lined with shops.

It’s clear Squire Zhang sold everything off completely.

Not a single Zhang family emblem remained on the street.

"I believe in Mingchao."