Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

The auspicious hour has arrived, and the Su residence is bathed in a warm red glow.

When the Su family, one of the four great families of Jiangnan, held a wedding, the guests naturally received a distinguished welcome.

Managers of various chambers of commerce and elders from surrounding families all brought gifts to the door, with servants coming and going to respond, creating a lively but not noisy atmosphere.

In the main hall, Su Shunqin, the father of the deceased, sat upright, accepting congratulations from all sides with a calm and composed demeanor.

In fact, Su Shunqin was originally determined not to agree to this marriage.

Fu Yaoqin came from Ya Yin Fang, but was ultimately just a courtesan.

Although she sold her art but not her body, and her character and talent were first-rate, her social status made it difficult for her to rise above the status of a prominent family.

If Su Mubai hadn't threatened to remain unmarried for life and hadn't taken him to see Fu Yaoqin in person, he would never have agreed.

After meeting Fu Yaoqin, Su Shunqin felt that the girl had exquisite features and an otherworldly temperament, making her a good match for his son.

With her eldest son already married into the Murong family, the Su family's position was secure. As for the younger ones...

Well, if it's going to rain, and if Mother wants to remarry, let it be!

Madam Liu, Su's mother, sat beside her, occasionally giving instructions to the steward, and the scene was well managed.

Su Muqing was adept at entertaining guests and handling interpersonal relationships.

Murong Shishi greeted the female guests in the inner hall with composure.

As soon as the ceremonial music began, the master of ceremonies announced the greetings, and the room fell silent.

All eyes turned past Mr. and Mrs. Su and landed on the entrance to the wedding hall.

Fu Yaoqin was helped along as she slowly walked over.

The bright red wedding dress accentuated her exquisite figure, slender waist, and graceful shoulder and neck lines. Even just looking at her figure was enough to make one's heart itch.

Among the guests on both sides, there were some wicked江湖人士 (jianghu figures) whose eyes revealed a frivolous look.

"This bride has such a stunning figure! Slim waist, long legs—she's captivating just standing there. Young Master Su is truly blessed!"

The wealthy merchants and tycoons nearby also stared at Fu Yaoqin, their hearts filled with filth.

"Look at that figure, so supple and graceful. Marrying her would surely make her a rare beauty."

Even more disdainful scions of collateral branches of powerful families looked down on them, secretly sneering:

"It's a pity Su Mubai beat me to it. If he were on the bed, I could play with his waist for a year if I only looked at his face."

Fu Yaoqin had no idea that her figure alone had already aroused the fantasies of countless guests.

This is precisely why it is not the fault of the beautiful woman who is aroused by her beauty, but rather the fault of the observer.

Su Mubai stood in the center, dressed in wedding attire, with gentle and kind features.

When he looked at Fu Yaoqin, his eyes were filled with joy and solemnity.

The emcee announced loudly, "The newlyweds enter—"

Fu Yaoqin was led to Su Mubai's side.

The two stood side by side, a red veil covering her face and the turmoil in her eyes.

Su Mubai turned to look at her, his voice gentle: "Yaoqin, don't be afraid."

Fu Yaoqin's fingertips trembled slightly as she responded softly, "Mmm."

That sound, as light as the wind, made my heart ache even more.

The emcee chanted: "First bow to Heaven and Earth—"

The two bowed simultaneously.

The red veil swayed gently, and Fu Yaoqin's nose touched the gold thread of her wedding dress. Her body moved with the sound, but her mind went blank.

"Bowing to the parents twice—"

The two turned around and kowtowed to Su Shunqin and Lady Liu.

Su Shunqin nodded slightly, his expression calm and composed, showing no sign of emotion.

Madam Liu raised her hand and offered a slight gesture of support, and the scene remained orderly and proper.

With this bow, the Su family acknowledged their acceptance.

They recognized her as their daughter-in-law, added her to the family genealogy, and acknowledged her as a member of the Su family.

"Husband and wife bow to each other—"

The moment their eyes met, the entire room fell silent.

Su Mubai's eyes were filled with light, warmth, and hope.

The two slowly bowed, their foreheads touching, completing this final bow.

The master of ceremonies announced loudly, his voice echoing throughout the wedding hall: "The ceremony is complete—offer them to the bridal chamber!"

A gentle smile spread across Su Mubai's face as he reached out and gently took Fu Yaoqin's arm, his voice soft and gentle: "Yaoqin, let's go."

Fu Yaoqin was stiff all over, letting him support her as she turned and stepped onto the red carpet, walking step by step toward the main entrance of the wedding hall.

......

Su Mubai helped Fu Yaoqin into the bridal chamber. The dragon and phoenix wedding candles were burning brightly, and the warm light of the red candles filled the room with a cozy atmosphere.

Fu Yaoqin was helped to sit on the bed, and Su Mubai only gently instructed her:

"Yaoqin, please sit down. According to etiquette, I need to go to the front hall to entertain the guests. I will be back in a little while."

Fu Yaoqin sat upright on the edge of the bed, her red veil concealing all her emotions, and simply responded with a soft "Okay".

Su Mubai turned and left, the door closing softly behind him.

Outside the window, there was a lively atmosphere with clinking glasses and the sounds of drinking. In the front hall, guests gathered, exchanging toasts and toasts.

Su Mubai had a decent alcohol tolerance, but he couldn't withstand the constant toasts from everyone. After a dozen or so cups, he felt dizzy and weak all over.

Finally, after the banquet ended, he forced himself to go back to his room to see Fu Yaoqin.

Fu Yaoqin remained seated on the edge of the bed, her red veil still on, her posture as serene as a painting.

Just as Su Mubai was about to step forward, a soft laugh suddenly came from outside the door.

It turned out that a group of young members of the Su family were making a ruckus in the bridal chamber, and Su Mubai had to go to great lengths to get rid of them.

Then he sent away the maids and servants so that he and Fu Yaoqin could be alone.

Everything was settled, and he breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to get what he wanted.

He quickly closed the door, and just then, a night breeze blew in through the window, causing the curtains to flutter and the candlelight to flicker.

Su Mubai staggered slightly as he went to close the window...

On the edge of the bed, Fu Yaoqin sat motionless, her red veil blocking out the outside world. Only a very light footstep could be heard approaching, followed by a slight thud beside her, as if someone had sat down.

Her heart tightened slightly. She lowered her eyes, her fingers gripping the hem of her wedding dress tightly, her heart pounding like a drum.

She waited for Su Mubai to lift her veil, but after a long silence, she finally couldn't hold back and spoke softly:

"Mu Bai, there's something I want to tell you."

The person beside him remained silent, with only a faint, cool aura lingering around him, exuding a sense of desolation.

Fu Yaoqin assumed Su Mubai was simply tired from socializing and didn't think much of it. Her throat tightened slightly, and she spoke with difficulty, each word uttered with difficulty:

"I've kept this to myself for a long time, and if I don't tell you, I'll be doing you a disservice. If you're unwilling after I tell you, then this marriage... can be called off."

She took a deep breath, her eyes, hidden beneath the red veil, warmed slightly, and her voice trembled softly: "In my heart, there is already someone else."

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell silent except for the flickering candlelight.

Fu Yaoqin lowered her head, her fingertips turning white, and continued speaking to herself, filled with remorse:

"I know that it would be unjust for me to have another lover after marrying you, but I do not wish to deceive you."

You are a gentle and refined gentleman, deserving of a better woman, not someone like me... whose heart is already attached to someone else.

"If you wish to annul the engagement, I will have no complaints whatsoever; the Su family can do with me as they see fit."

She waited for a long time, but there was still no response from her side.

She had thought that even though Su Mubai was a gentle and refined gentleman, he would be somewhat surprised and angry at her for saying such immoral things.

But there was only silence in the room, so quiet that you could hear the soft cracking of the candle wick.

Su Mubai... could he be so angry that he's speechless?