A Fleeting Moment

Li Qingyan knew that her appearance was not the type that Si Zhong liked. She was not considered a beauty. If anything, she knew that she was even a little plain. After so many years, she had only been praised as a woman of humble beginnings.

Even so, the same question haunted her. Why would si Zhong marry her?

As her thoughts churned, she couldn't help but recall the first time she met Si Zhong.

"A single glance could ruin a lifetime," or so she sometimes thought. It would have been great if she hadn't met him.

She did not know how much time had passed. Li Qingyan eventually found herself left on the cold and freezing bed. The room was filled with a strange odor that was mixed with sandalwood.

Li Qingyan still lay on her stomach. One side of her face was stuck to the mat, and there were marks on it.

For the most part, Si Zhong had still treated her with basic decency. He was probably just in a bad mood today.

Li Qingyan consoled herself with that thought, but she didn't know why she couldn't stop her tears from falling from the corners of her eyes. Her tears fell on the mat, creating a wet spot.

Li Qingyan frantically raised her hand to wipe it away, but the moment she raised her hand, she saw the blood on her fingertips.

It finally broke the dam. Her cries startled the servant maids who were guarding the door.

Xiao Rui was Li Qingyan's personal maidservant. She had followed her from the Wang Residence. After hearing the cries, she ran in hurriedly.

As soon as she entered, she saw Li Qingyan lying on the bed.

Xiao Rui hurried forward, but after seeing the bruises on Li Qingyan's body, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Madam, you... This, ah, why is his lordship so careless?"

Li Qingyan was like a marionette. She didn't utter a sound as she let Xiao Rui clean her.

...

The news of Si Yan and Shen Li's marriage had spread like wildfire. On the surface, it marked the beginning of a powerful alliance between the Marquis and the family of the late Imperial Censor Earl.

However, anyone who knew a little about the inside story would know that Si Yan, the bastard son of the Marquis's residence, was not favored at all. He had been a general at the border for some unknown reason, and he had been wounded. They could not even guarantee his return to the battlefield.

On the other hand, none of the Shens had any real power, and no one could inherit the title of Earl. Shen Li, the legitimate daughter, could only be known as "the daughter of that man, bless his soul". In addition, she had caused a stir in the capital before. This was not a story that could be summarized in a few words.

This was a match made in hell. They were made for each other.

The emperor's bestowment saved a lot of steps compared to a normal wedding process. Since that the wedding date was approaching, everyone wanted to see how the Marquis's residence would act.

After all, when their first son married, the betrothal gifts of the entire street and various treasures were still fresh in their minds.

Some of them who were close to Lu Xiangwan couldn't help but ask about it, but Lu Xiangwan simply said,

"We offered to help him, but that child refused and said that he would rely on himself.

"Sigh... You know how it is between the father and son, so I can't say anything."

Lu Xiangwan's words were like a stone thrown into the lake, immediately causing a ripple.

The people in the capital only knew that Si Yan was originally a general, but he didn't come back often and didn't like to socialize, so no one knew just where he stood in the social circle.

There were many civil officials in the capital. In their impression, being a soldier and fighting a war could only be described with one word — poor.

After all, how could his military pay be compared to the strategic planning in the court?

The moment they heard that Si Yan was handling the wedding, everyone immediately lost interest.

However, on the fateful day, the people on the street all stopped in their tracks and started to talk about the passing carriages.