MCSCPM -Chapter 352 Refusing to Marry

After thinking it over, Ding Ying felt that Yin Qingyue was right. This was her own marriage, and she really should choose her wedding dress herself. Smiling, she nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll listen to you, Miss Yin.”

Yin Qingyue then took her out of the residence. Originally, this was something the matchmaker should have arranged, but Ding Ying felt Yin Qingyue was right—it was better to handle it personally.

The two left the residence quietly and went to a shop to look at red fabric.

As soon as the shopkeeper saw customers arrive, he immediately greeted them with a smile. “What kind of fabric do the two young ladies need?”

“Red fabric, for making a wedding dress,” Yin Qingyue said.

“Oh, a joyous occasion! Our shop has many fine fabrics specifically for wedding dresses. Please, this way,” the shopkeeper said.

Leading them to the other side, he took out several bolts of red fabric and said as he did so, “I’m not sure what kind you prefer, but many brides in the capital come here to choose their wedding fabrics. You can rest assured—everything here is top-quality.”

Before them were bolts upon bolts of red fabric, which made Ding Ying’s complexion look even rosier. She lowered her head shyly. Yin Qingyue glanced at her and began choosing fabrics for her, saying, “Ding Ying, take a look. See which one you like. If you don’t like any here, we can go to another shop.”

“I… Miss Yin has good taste. I’ll just go with what you choose,” Ding Ying replied.

“How can you leave it to me? This is your wedding—you’re the one getting married,” Yin Qingyue said as she handed a piece of fabric to Ding Ying. “Look at this one—how about it?”

Ding Ying examined the fabric carefully, then shook her head. “This one is good, but the pattern is a bit too bright.”

“That’s true. You’ve always preferred simplicity.”

Yin Qingyue picked out several more pieces, but Ding Ying was still not fully satisfied. No matter how she chose, she couldn’t settle on one.

In the course of the morning, they visited several shops and picked out quite a few suitable fabrics, but in the end, she still couldn’t make up her mind about which one to choose.

In the end, they simply took the fabrics back with them.

After returning to the Ding residence, the suitable fabrics were laid out before her, but Ding Ying still couldn’t decide.

Yin Qingyue smiled and said, “Ding Ying, I think all of these fabrics are quite good. No matter which one you choose, it’ll be suitable.”

“Yes, exactly because they’re all so good that I can’t decide. Why don’t you help me choose one, Miss Yin?”

Yin Qingyue was just about to refuse when Ding Ying added, “Miss Yin, please help me make this choice. After all, you’re the one who brought Leng Feng and me together. Without you, we wouldn’t be where we are today. You’re practically the matchmaker between Leng Feng and me.”

“Since you’ve put it that way, it seems I can’t refuse,” Yin Qingyue said.

Ding Ying smiled.

Yin Qingyue carefully examined the fabrics and finally chose a red cloth patterned with glazed phoenix flowers. It wasn’t overly bright, nor was it too dull. She said, “The glazed phoenix flower is an auspicious flower. It blooms once every year in the second or third month, and again in the eighth or ninth month—having a beginning and an end, symbolizing good fortune.”

“What Miss Yin says sounds wonderful. Then we’ll choose this one. I hope Leng Feng and I can be like this glazed phoenix flower too—full of joy, with a good beginning and a good ending.”

“You definitely will. Leng Feng is a good man. He’s just a bit playful, but once he’s married, he’ll surely settle down.”

“Whether he changes or not, he’s still Leng Feng. I’ll accept him just as he is,” Ding Ying said shyly, like a delicate pink blossom.

Yin Qingyue simply smiled and didn’t tease her further.

The fabric pattern and style for the wedding dress were settled. The remaining matters were all arranged by Lord Ding. As for Leng Feng, being rather clumsy with such things, he naturally needed Prince Jing’s help.

Of course, news of Leng Feng’s wedding soon spread throughout the prefecture. By then, a new magistrate had already arrived. The new magistrate was very responsible—within just a few days, all the affairs of the prefecture were already in perfect order.

Leng Yi could finally return to the capital. With Leng Feng getting married, how could he, as a brother, not be present?

That day, he had already packed his things and was preparing to leave for the capital. Just as he was about to depart, Kong Ling suddenly rushed over, her eyes filled with tears, and said, “Young Master Leng, could you take me with you to the capital?”

Regarding the past matters between Kong Ling and Yin Qingyue, Leng Yi had already figured things out during this time.

He said, “Miss Kong, I’m truly sorry. Without Miss Yin’s instructions, I’m afraid I can’t take you with me.”

“It’s already been so long. I think I’ve passed the third trial by now. Miss Yin must have forgotten about me. Just take me with you,” Kong Ling pleaded.

Leng Yi was cold by nature, but faced with a woman crying and pleading before him like this, he couldn’t help feeling troubled.

Kong Ling continued, “Young Master Leng, please—just consider it my begging you. I promise I won’t delay you on the road or cause any trouble. I only ask that you take me to the capital.”

“I’m really sorry, Miss Kong. Please don’t make things difficult for me,” Leng Yi said, his tone turning a bit firm, unwilling to be persuaded. “You know my brother is getting married, and I need to hurry back to the capital. If you were with me, the journey would be delayed. But don’t worry—once I return, I’ll tell Miss Yin about you. If she allows you to enter the palace, I’ll immediately send someone to fetch you. For now, just wait here a little longer.”

After spending time together, Kong Ling also understood what kind of person Leng Yi was. He respected his master deeply and obeyed Yin Qingyue absolutely. No matter what she said, he would only refuse politely—there was no chance he would take her to the capital. And if she went alone and something happened on the road, what would she do then?

Lowering her head with a look of grievance, her voice growing softer, she said, “Alright, I won’t trouble you anymore. But Young Master Leng, you must promise me—you must tell Miss Yin about this. I… I can’t keep waiting here forever.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely tell her. Miss Kong, please stay,” Leng Yi said. Then he mounted his horse, glanced once at Kong Ling, and rode away.

Kong Ling could only grieve in silence. Now that even Leng Yi had left, she could only stay here and wait. Otherwise, what else could she do? All she could do was wait quietly. If she couldn’t go to the capital, then she hoped Yin Qingyue would return instead.

Over these few days, Prince Yi’s wedding filled his residence with lanterns and decorations, and the Shangguan residence was also festooned with red banners. Who would have known the sorrow hidden in the hearts of the two newlyweds?

One was unwilling to marry Prince Yi because of Prince Jing; the other was unwilling to marry Shangguan Jiaoran because his heart belonged to Hai Qing Shuang.

But the wedding day had arrived. Now, even if they wanted to flee, it was utterly impossible.

At last, the day came.

With the maids’ assistance, Shangguan Jiaoran had already changed into her red wedding dress, but no matter what, she refused to wear the phoenix crown. Pouting stubbornly, she refused to step outside.

At this moment, the wedding procession was already waiting outside. Missing the auspicious hour was absolutely unacceptable.

Yun’er kept persuading her, “Miss, please go out now. They’ve been waiting outside for a long time.”

The matchmaker also urged her, “Yes, Miss Shangguan. Missing the auspicious hour would be terrible. Stop making trouble and hurry onto the sedan chair. Prince Yi is waiting.”

Shangguan Jiaoran was still furious. With a forceful sweep of her arm, she knocked all the rouge and powder off the dressing table onto the floor, leaving a mess everywhere.

“I’m not marrying! All of you get out—get out!” she shouted angrily.

“Miss, it’s already come to this. The sedan chair is right outside the door. Please stop throwing a tantrum,” someone tried to persuade her.

“Are you all deaf? I said I’m not marrying, so I’m not marrying! Even if you kill me today, I won’t marry!”

“Oh dear, please don’t say such inauspicious words. Today is a joyous day,” the matchmaker quickly said.

On a wedding day, talk of death was indeed extremely taboo.

Shangguan Jiaoran, seething with anger, simply sat down.

No matter how Yun’er and the matchmaker tried to persuade her, they couldn’t get her to step outside. In the end, they had no choice but to inform Shangguan Qingyun.

Shangguan Qingyun had been receiving guests in the front hall. Helpless, he could only excuse himself and rush to his daughter’s room. As soon as he entered, he saw the room full of maids, with the matchmaker in the middle still trying to persuade her. The sight gave him a terrible headache.

“Master, you’re finally here. Miss… no matter what, she refuses to get into the sedan chair,” Yun’er said.

Shangguan Qingyun waved his hand and ordered, “All of you, go out.”

At his command, the maids froze for a moment, then filed out one by one.

Shangguan Jiaoran’s anger instantly turned into sorrow when she saw her father. Tears spilled uncontrollably as she looked at him pitifully and said through sobs, “Father, I really don’t want to marry. You clearly know who’s in my heart.”

“Ran’er, Father understands your thoughts,” Shangguan Qingyun said. “But at this point, no one can change anything anymore.”

“It can be changed,” Shangguan Jiaoran suddenly became agitated. She grabbed her father’s arm and pleaded desperately, “Father, it can be changed. Please go beg His Majesty. Ask him to issue a decree so I don’t have to marry Prince Yi.”

“Why don’t you understand?” Shangguan Qingyun flung her hand away. “Think carefully. You and Prince Yi have already done that, and the Emperor knows about it. Once the imperial edict has been issued, how could it possibly be withdrawn? Besides, His Majesty is determined to have you marry Prince Yi.”

“No! I won’t marry!” Shangguan Jiaoran cried, tears streaming down her face. “Father, I beg you—please!”

“By today, nothing can be changed anymore,” Shangguan Qingyun sighed. “If you don’t get into the sedan chair today, do you know what the consequences will be?”

Of course Shangguan Jiaoran knew—but at this point, how could she still care?

Shangguan Qingyun’s expression was grim, filled with pain. He spoke each word clearly: “Ran’er, Father’s life doesn’t matter. But think about it—once you defy the imperial decree, it won’t just be one life. It will be the entire Shangguan household—eighty-three lives in total. Do you really want to watch everyone die with you?”

At this moment, Shangguan Qingyun was utterly helpless.

Eighty-three lives now rested in Shangguan Jiaoran’s hands. If she truly refused to marry, not only would she die—her father’s life, and the lives of everyone in the Shangguan family, would all be dragged down with her.

Shangguan Qingyun tightly grasped her hand and said, “Ran’er… do you really want to see that day come?”