Tang Qiyue held her younger brother's arm. Looking at the living, breathing person standing before her, she suddenly felt a lump in her throat. Her eyes reddened, but she forced a smile and gently refused his attempt to take her away.
Tears welled up in Tang Xiuyuan's eyes.
After all, he was still young—he had only just come of age.
He and Tang Qiyue were twins.
"No! They forced you, Sister!" Tang Xiuyuan said angrily. "I'm here, and I won't let them ruin your life!"
He wiped his tears with his sleeve and glared fiercely at everyone who had come out of the main house—especially his father.
Like a small wolf cub ready to bite.
Tang Yaozong instinctively reached for the calming pills in his pocket.
Among all his sons, this youngest one resembled him the most—both in temperament and stubbornness. That was why Tang Yaozong both loved and hated him.
"You unfilial brat!" Tang Yaozong shouted. "What nonsense are you talking about? Move aside!"
But Tang Xiuyuan completely ignored him.
Instead, he grabbed Tang Qiyue's arm and tried to pull her away.
Tang Qiyue sighed softly. She stuffed the small box she was holding into Tang Xiuyuan's arms and turned to look at her father.
"Father," she said calmly, "don't forget my conditions."
Tang Xiuyuan was about to ask what conditions she meant, but Tang Qiyue grabbed his arm first.
"Xiaoyuan," she said gently, "listen to your sister. Send me off to the wedding."
At that moment, the wedding procession had already arrived at the gate.
Tang Qiyue gestured for Tang Xiuyuan to squat down.
Without hesitation, she climbed onto her younger brother's back.
Since childhood, Tang Xiuyuan had always listened to Tang Qiyue. Even though he was furious, he still obediently carried her.
The distance was short, but the sound of firecrackers exploded around them. Thick smoke filled the air, making it difficult for people to see clearly.
Tang Qiyue leaned close and whispered in Tang Xiuyuan's ear.
"Trust me. Getting married is actually a good thing for me. Don't argue with them."
Tang Xiuyuan was about to protest when Tang Qiyue gently tugged his ear.
"I know exactly what I'm doing," she whispered. "You must trust me."
Feeling wronged and helpless, Tang Xiuyuan finally placed Tang Qiyue into the wedding car.
Because this marriage was meant to bring good fortune, the groom did not appear at the ceremony.
Instead, a rooster was placed into Tang Qiyue's arms as a symbolic stand-in.
Tang Xiuyuan was still worried and insisted on going with her.
Tang Qiyue knew she could not explain everything clearly in such a short time, so she allowed him to get into the car.
The driver was a member of the Tang family, so Tang Qiyue could not speak freely.
She held the rooster in one hand and Tang Xiuyuan's hand in the other, quietly writing words in his palm.
The twins had often played this game as children.
Even without looking, Tang Xiuyuan could understand what she was writing.
As Tang Qiyue explained things through the palm-writing, Tang Xiuyuan gradually calmed down.
But the information he received still shocked him.
When the car finally stopped, Tang Xiuyuan couldn't help asking,
"Sister… are you sure about this?"
Tang Qiyue nodded firmly.
"Don't worry about the university's political background check. This time, you must go to university."
That was Tang Qiyue's greatest hope for him.
She then pointed at the small box.
"This contains your living expenses. Our mother will be depending on you to protect her."
Tang Qiyue straightened her wedding dress and patted Tang Xiuyuan on the shoulder.
Then she opened the car door, carried the rooster in her arms, and stepped out.
Compared to the lively atmosphere at the Tang family's house, the groom's residence was surprisingly quiet.
When they arrived, the people there looked at them with obvious disdain.
The Tang family's wedding escorts, however, acted shamelessly as always.
They simply pushed Tang Qiyue into the courtyard and quickly ran away.
It was obvious that the groom's family had no intention of welcoming the marriage, but the Tang family abandoned Tang Qiyue there anyway.
Before the ceremony even properly began, the courtyard filled with people.
Everyone stared at Tang Qiyue with contempt.
Tang Qiyue glanced back at Tang Xiuyuan, who stood there clenching his fists tightly.
She waved gently at him.
Tang Xiuyuan sniffed and forced himself to leave, clutching the small box.
If he stayed any longer, he feared he would lose control and take his sister away.
Tang Qiyue finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Tang Xiuyuan listened to her, everything she had done would be worth it.
"The bride has been changed."
A woman's sharp voice suddenly spoke.
The speaker walked slowly around Tang Qiyue, openly examining her face.
Tang Qiyue immediately recognized her.
She was Zhan Chunying, her future husband's younger sister.
She was known for her fiery temper and sharp tongue.
"Your Tang family is really interesting," Zhan Chunying said coldly.
"You insisted on giving my brother a wife. But the girl who came for the engagement is different from the one who came for the wedding."
Her words showed no courtesy at all.
Some time earlier, Zhan Chunying had accompanied her mother to the Tang family to cancel the engagement.
The Zhan family had already explained the situation and wanted to end the marriage.
But the Tang family refused, claiming that marriage was not a game and that once the engagement had been made, the wedding must proceed.
Because this marriage was meant to bring good luck, the Zhan family never expected the bride to be willing.
Besides, the groom's current situation was uncertain, so there was no festive atmosphere at all.
Holding the rooster, Tang Qiyue walked calmly toward an elderly woman.
"Auntie," she said respectfully, "I know the Tang family's actions have made you unhappy."
"But since I, Tang Qiyue, have chosen to marry into the Zhan family, I will never do anything to damage your reputation."
"It's getting late. We should begin the wedding ceremony."
Mother Zhan looked surprised.
She had not expected such calm composure from such a young girl.
Originally, she looked down on the Tang family.
But when she thought of her son's uncertain fate, she sighed and ordered the incense table to be prepared.
The ceremony still had to be completed.
Throughout the wedding ceremony, Tang Qiyue showed no dissatisfaction.
Holding the rooster, she performed every ritual seriously and respectfully.
After the ceremony ended, the onlookers gradually dispersed, leaving only the Zhan family members behind.
Mother Zhan personally led Tang Qiyue into the hastily prepared bridal room.
"I won't hide the truth from you," Mother Zhan said.
"My son's current situation is uncertain."
"I am not a heartless person. When I came to your house to cancel the engagement, I already told your father that my son's health had been seriously damaged."
"He might never be able to have children."
"But your father refused to cancel the engagement and insisted the wedding proceed as planned."
Mother Zhan had felt somewhat moved before.
But the daughter-in-law who arrived today was not the one originally promised, and she still felt resentment toward the Tang family.
Suddenly—
Tang Qiyue knelt down in front of her.
"Mother."
She bowed deeply three times.
Those three kowtows immediately softened half of Mother Zhan's anger.
"I believe Brother Zhan is blessed with great fortune," Tang Qiyue said sincerely.
"He will definitely return safely."
"Your good days are still ahead."
Mother Zhan quickly helped her up.
These were exactly the words she had been longing to hear.
She held Tang Qiyue's hand tightly.
"Good child," she said gently, "you've suffered a lot."
"As long as this old woman is alive, I won't allow anyone to bully you."
"Not even my own son."