The Wedding Night
Wang Yue had only been teasing her. When he saw that Liu Yuru had taken him seriously, he dropped the act. He glanced around and saw that, apart from Yin Hong, no one else was there. Then he lifted Liu Yuru into his arms and settled her on his lap.
When Liu Yuru blushed, he finally said with a teasing smile, "Your husband forgives you. Today, you and Yin Hong first made paper as white as jade, and then I printed the red wedding contract on it. Don't you think that's a lot like the names of you two, mistress and maid? What a coincidence."
Liu Yuru realized that Wang Yue wanted to credit her and Yin Hong for the fine things they had made. Flustered, she tried to stand, but he pressed her back down before she could rise.
When she found she couldn't wriggle free, she said anxiously, "Husband, you mustn't. You're in charge of Qingzhou, and you need to build your reputation. It should go under your name. Besides, Yin Hong and I only made it according to your instructions. We really don't deserve the credit."
Wang Yue reached out and smoothed the furrow in Liu Yuru's brow. Then he sighed. "I know what you've been worrying about. You were born into a merchant family, and you're afraid you're not worthy of your position now. That's why I came up with this idea. It'll raise your standing, so you won't have to worry about your status anymore. Don't disappoint me by rejecting my good intentions."
At his words, Liu Yuru's defenses crumbled. She forgot all her worries, threw herself into Wang Yue's arms, and clung to him, unable to hold back her tears.
Ever since she had come to Langya, people had whispered behind