Reborn in the Three Kingdoms: Da Qiao Doesn't Want to Be a Widow Anymore

Chapter 332 The Night Before the Wedding
If he had known that letting go that day would mean losing Qiao Rong, he would have used every means at his disposal, even kidnapping, to keep her by his side.

Qiao Wei looked at Zhou Yu, whose face had turned pale, and didn't feel much satisfaction.

“I’ve seen her cry more often than you have. But I don’t like Rong’er crying, and I can’t bear to see her cry.”

Qiao Wei told him, "If the Central Guard still cherishes any past feelings, then he shouldn't look for her anymore."

Zhou Yu's eyes flashed with anger. "Does your wife think it's honorable to bully others and forcibly break up other people's marriages?"

It's disgraceful.

"When the Central Protector General took Rong'er as his concubine, didn't he also rely on the power of the Zhou family and your Central Protector General? Does the Central Protector General feel that it was dishonorable?"

If bullying others can protect his family, Qiao Wei doesn't mind bearing such a reputation.

"In fact, for the Central Guard Army, there are countless women in the world."

Women who are more beautiful than Rong'er, gentler in temperament, or from better families are as numerous as carp crossing a river; there's no need to waste energy on an old flame.

This is true. In this era, a man like Zhou Yu could have many women willing to offer themselves to him simply by beckoning him.

Zhou Yu opened his mouth several times, but in the end he said nothing.

But Qiao Wei knew that he wouldn't give up so easily.

Qiao Wei knew he was no match for a clever man like Zhou Yu if he really got into a serious scheming contest.

She summoned Youxuan and said, "Recently, if you correspond with Youhui, please do not mention anything about the young lady. Just keep your daily correspondence as siblings."

"My subordinate understands."

In July, Sun An went north to marry Zhao Yun, and was personally escorted to Runan by Zhou Yu.

On the eve of her wedding, Sun An sat in front of the mirror in a daze, holding an extremely exquisite hairpin in her hand, which was a dowry gift from the Lu family of Wu County.

The hair ornament also bears the hidden mark of Henglan Tower.

Qiao Wei quietly entered the room, waved away all the servants around him, and stood behind the screen without making a sound to disturb Sun An's contemplation.

It wasn't until Sun An came to his senses that he realized what was happening.

"Sister-in-law."

Qiao Wei slowly approached. This hairpin was quite unique; it was clearly not an ordinary item. The person who chose it had put thought into it. Shall I put it on you?
Sun An was somewhat disheartened. "I already have a phoenix hairpin in my hair. Adding another hair ornament would be a burden."

That phoenix hairpin was a coming-of-age gift from Zhao Yun, and also a betrothal gift.

Qiao Wei looked at the hairpin that the Lu family had added to her dowry and said, "I feel like I've seen this hairpin somewhere before. The craftsmanship looks very familiar."

Sun An looked at Qiao Wei in the mirror and said, "Sister-in-law, you're asking a question you already know the answer to."

Qiao Wei's discerning eye for various crafts is renowned throughout Jiangdong, and the craftsmanship of Henglanlou could not escape her notice.

"But when I first saw this hair ornament, it was still being worn in Madam Huang's hair."

That was Lu Xun's deceased first wife.

“It’s the same style, but not the same one.” Sun An didn’t hide anything. They had met before Madam Huang passed away. At that time, Sun An had just casually mentioned that she liked the hair ornament on Madam Huang’s head.

The Lu family, catering to his tastes, had an identical one made and sent it to Sun An as part of his dowry.

It was just a casual remark from so long ago; why would the Lu family remember it for so long?

Qiao Wei looked out the window; there were still three hours until the auspicious time to send Sun An off.

“The time hasn’t come yet, and the Jin’an army won’t dare to stop you.” Sun An seemed to be frightened by the implication in Qiao Wei’s words.

"What does sister-in-law mean by this?"

Qiao Wei's tone was so calm it was almost incomprehensible. "It means exactly what it says."

"Sister-in-law, you're just saying that to provoke me!" Sun An pouted, indicating that he wouldn't fall for it. "If I run away, will my brother Zhong's attempt to win over important officials fail? It might even lead to a falling out between the ruler and his ministers."

"But if you're unwilling, and you go to Runan, causing trouble for the Zhao family at every turn, won't that still lead to discord between the ruler and his subjects, and create resentment between them?"

Sun An retorted, "No way! I've already curbed my temper. Even my brother Zhong said I've grown up and am no longer a child."

My sister-in-law is clearly looking down on me.

Qiao Wei was relieved that Sun An could still talk to her. Indeed, as she said, Sun An had tempered her temper in recent years and was no longer the arrogant young lady of the Sun family.

"Yes, yes, yes, sister-in-law underestimated An'er. An'er is quite magnanimous now and is a true daughter of a prominent family in Jiangdong."

Sun An playfully slapped Qiao Wei, "Sister-in-law is clearly mocking me."

The two played around for a while, and then it got really late. Sun An took off his coat, lay down on the bed, turned over, and snuggled tightly into Qiao Wei's arms.

“I know that Lu Boyan is not a good match for me. Like my brother Zhou Zhong, he will be my brother's right-hand man in the future. But they are fighting for the world, and I can't be a good wife to the Lu family.”

There are many rules and intricacies in aristocratic families. Without a keen mind, it is difficult to protect oneself in such a complex and intertwined family.

“I’m just worried that if I go to Runan, I won’t be able to live up to my brother’s expectations.”

I cannot win over Zhao Yun and the people of Runan for my brother.

Qiao Wei rubbed her head and said, "If that's how you think, your brother Zhong will really be heartbroken."

It is true that you need to win over your subordinates, but there are many ways to do so. Your elder brother doesn't necessarily need to send a younger sister over.

Your two older sisters' daughters are almost of marriageable age, can't they be sent off?
Your elder brother simply chose someone from among the officials he could assess, someone he thought would make you comfortable.

In this era of arranged marriages, Sun Quan, as the elder brother, actually allowed Zhao Yun and Sun An to exchange letters privately under the guise of military affairs.

This unconventional move was also intended to foster a stronger bond between the two, hoping that Sun An's marriage would be smooth sailing.

“You have been corresponding with him for some time, so you should know that he is a gentleman of upright character.”

When a woman chooses a husband, she shouldn't choose someone who is good to her, but rather someone who is already a good person.

The passion of love may fade with time, but responsibility and ingrained good manners will enable a person to uphold their bottom line at all times.

Sun An nodded, "It's just a little boring."

Sometimes I even felt that he was righteous to the point of being evil.

"But he respects women and can even admire your heroic spirit."

Sun An did not have a good reputation among the aristocratic families, partly because she was skilled in martial arts and had a reputation for being fierce.

Zhao Yun, however, was not prejudiced against because of this, which already surpassed many men.

With Sun An by his side, he could be himself with peace of mind, stand shoulder to shoulder with him, defend the city and protect the people, and live up to his martial arts skills and ambitions.

“The Sun family doesn’t need to sell their sister for anything, and your second brother wouldn’t stoop to that.”

Sun An nodded, "Brother Zhong may be strict in words, but he's actually very good to me."