A single moment on a spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold.

Yu Ziqi suddenly reached out his hand toward Ning Qian. Instinctively, Ning Qian flinched and retreated. She couldn’t explain it, but there was an indescribable sense of threat emanating from him. Because of this, she had no desire to get too close. Although they were now husband and wife, she had never imagined herself spending her life in the Yu family. Yu Ziqi was merely a temporary stepping stone for her.

A flicker of harshness crossed Yu Ziqi’s face; never before had a woman dared treat him this way. This woman—she was remarkable. Yet he didn’t lose his temper. Now wasn’t the time, and he didn’t believe that intimidation was the best way to win someone’s heart.

How could Ning Qian not have sensed that oppressive aura from him just now? She quietly shifted further back, trying to escape the storm’s range. Yet, oddly, the storm lasted only a moment before dissipating, making her wonder if it had been her imagination.

She stole a glance upward, only to be caught off guard by his wickedly smiling eyes. With a startled cry, she nearly knocked over the dishes on the table.

Yu Ziqi smirked playfully. “What’s wrong? Is the food not to your liking?”

“No, no, it’s very good, very good,” she replied softly, tugging awkwardly at the corner of her mouth. Before marrying into the Ning family, she had known that in such a powerful household, her only path was to play the fool and hide her true strength.

“Have you had enough to eat?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m full.”

“Then shall I start eating now?”

“What?” Ning Qian dug at her ear, doubting what she’d just heard.

With lightning speed, Yu Ziqi scooped her up, strode to the bed in three swift steps, set her down, drew the bed curtains, and leaned over her. The sequence was so fluid, as if he’d practiced it thousands of times.

The room heated rapidly. Behind the crimson brocade curtain, spring’s delights unfolded. As the saying goes, a night of spring is worth a thousand pieces of gold; only a fool would waste such precious moments.

When the tearing pain reached her mind, Ning Qian understood: she’d been played. Unable to contain herself, she shouted inwardly, “Masked man, you won’t get away with this!”

The next morning, Ning Qian awoke alone. As soon as she sat up, Ruan Qin’s voice sounded at the bedside. “Madam, you’re awake?”

“Cousin? What time is it?”

Ruan Qin pulled open the bed curtains. “Madam, you mustn’t call me cousin anymore. And now, my name is Nian Yu.”

Ning Qian smiled apologetically. “I forgot.”

“Madam, it’s nearly dawn. I’ve prepared warm water for you. Please rise and bathe. The Third Young Master instructed that he’ll return soon to accompany you to today’s ceremony. Um…” Suddenly, Nian Yu hesitated, as if her next words were difficult to say.

“Speak your mind,” Ning Qian said; she knew well what Nian Yu was worried about.

“Well…” Nian Yu felt conflicted. She knew the truth, yet still hoped for a miracle.

Ning Qian smiled, understanding Nian Yu couldn’t bring herself to say it. She reached for her clothes, wrapped herself, and stepped barefoot from the bed.

When she lifted the quilt, a piece of white silk lay exposed, stained with bright red marks. Nian Yu couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Heaven bless, heaven bless, truly heaven bless,” she murmured, hands clasped together.

“So cold,” Ning Qian interrupted, breaking Nian Yu’s chanting. If she continued, who knew how long it would go on.

Nian Yu quickly turned, saw Ning Qian barefoot, and hurried over with a pair of shoes. “Madam, the floor is cold—please put these on.”

Shoes on, Ning Qian walked with Nian Yu behind the screen. There, a wooden tub awaited her bath, prepared by Nian Yu. Settling in, she asked, “Where’s Shuni? This isn’t the Ning residence; what if something happens?”

“I sent her for more hot water. I was worried the bath might cool before you finished.”

“Mm.” With that, she fell silent, closing her eyes.

The warm water soothed her fatigue; the soreness and weakness eased considerably. Sadly, the time was short—soon Shuni called her to rise.

Ning Qian disliked heavy makeup, but since it was her wedding day, Shuni gave her a delicate look. Just after she changed clothes, Yu Ziqi entered.

Nian Yu and Shuni stepped aside, heads bowed. After a moment of contemplation, Ning Qian stepped forward and saluted, softly calling, “Master.”

Yu Ziqi waved her off, walked past her, and took a seat by the window. He glanced at Ning Qian and nodded approvingly—she was quite attractive. “Once you’re ready, come with me.”

“Yes,” Ning Qian replied meekly.

Had he not met Ning Qian before, Yu Ziqi might have believed she was truly so docile. It seemed everyone liked to wear masks. What interested him now was who would be the first to unmask the other.

Together, Yu Ziqi and Ning Qian paid respects to the Yu family’s gods, Buddha, and ancestors. First, they visited the kitchen to honor the Stove God, one of the six household deities, overseer of good and evil, and the master of the house. A woman’s role could not avoid the Stove God; thus, the first rite after entering the household was to pay respects there.

Next, they went to the Buddha hall, as the Yu family matriarch was devout. Apples were laid on the altar by the tea servants, incense was offered by the male elders, and the couple bowed thrice, burning ceremonial paper to complete the ritual.

Then came the ancestral rites, bowing to the memorial tablets of the three generations. After three bows, they burned silk or presented a ceremonial parcel—carrying the wedding parcel to the main gate for burning. This concluded the ritual.

Finally, they paid respects to the elders: father, mother, and in-laws. At the entrance to the main hall, all eyes turned to Ning Qian. Her steps faltered—an inexplicable fear flashed in her heart, as if she were a student summoned by a teacher for some wrongdoing.

Sensing her hesitation, Yu Ziqi turned, noticing her anxious expression. So, she had her timid moments too. He smiled faintly, lowering his voice, “I’m here. Don’t be afraid.”

His words brought her a sense of security. Taking a deep breath, Ning Qian, supported by Nian Yu, walked slowly into the inner hall. There sat Yu Ziqi’s father and mother.

Shuni stepped forward and placed a brocade box on the table, opening it for the elders. They were surprised by the contents but said nothing; Shuni closed the box and withdrew.

A serving maid brought tea cups. Yu Ziqi and Ning Qian took them and bowed three times. Ning Zhixiong, the head of the Ning family, offered two red envelopes. “Live well together.”

Yu Ziqi and Ning Qian nodded in thanks. Then Yu Ziqi’s mother, Min Yao, produced two red envelopes as well. After handing them over, she presented a jade ring to Ning Qian. “This jade ring was prepared by the master when Ziqi was born, meant for his future wife. Keep it and pass it to your daughter-in-law one day. I hope to hear good news soon.”

Min Yao’s words were cold, devoid of warmth. Even though Ning Qian had prepared herself mentally, she still worried. To be unwelcome by her mother-in-law on the first day of marriage—how could the days ahead be smooth? But as the saying goes, when soldiers come, you defend; when water rises, you block. As long as she wasn’t provoked, she wouldn’t cause trouble.

After serving tea to her in-laws, it was time to honor the other elders, followed by the peers. Only now did Ning Qian realize how many people the Ning family had. Yu Ziqi’s two older brothers each had one wife and two concubines—those were just the ones officially recognized. Seeing this, Ning Qian secretly felt fortunate to have married Yu Ziqi.

The crowd chatted casually until the old lady, claiming fatigue, dismissed everyone.