I was pampered like a treasure after being married off to the young marshal, but my father and broth

Red silk was laid out from the entrance all the way into the main hall.

Despite the grandeur of a Western-style wedding, the lintel was still adorned with the traditional double happiness character, and red lanterns hung on both sides.

Shang Sheyu, dressed in white gauze with her face veiled, was helped across the threshold by the matchmaker.

The guests on both sides whispered among themselves.

"You really came."

"A merchant would actually do that? That would be insane."

"I heard they'd pull out knives and attack people in the middle of the night; wasn't that a pretty detailed rumor before?"

"Shh, keep your voice down, this is the Quan Mansion!"

Shang Sheyu lowered her eyes to look at the red carpet beneath her feet, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings.

Everyone in the Northern Territory knows about the Quan family.

Rumor has it that the family is a military family. The father of the third master of the Quan family was a highly respected veteran cadre in the army, and the mistress Si Nan was also the company commander of the female soldiers in the military region. Unfortunately, the heavens are jealous of talent, and the master of the Quan family has passed away for many years. What is even more regrettable is that the eldest and second sons of the Quan family sacrificed their lives for the country on the battlefield many years ago, leaving behind only the two sons of the eldest son's family and the daughter of the second son's family.

Today, the pillar of the Quan family is Quan Tuo of the third branch, the respected military commander, also known as Third Master Quan.

Her understanding of this man came almost entirely from scattered rumors from the outside world.

Master Quan grew up in a military compound and now commands a large army, stationed in the northern border, earning him the title of "King of the North".

But compared to this illustrious identity, there is another rumor about him.

Three years ago, someone spread a rumor that Master Quan was a madman who would go crazy in the middle of the night and kill people.

And now, she is about to become the wife of this Third Master Quan.

"The bride has arrived!"

The matchmaker's loud singing pulled her back to reality.

Inside the main hall, ebony armchairs were arranged on both sides, filled with members of the Quan family's collateral branches.

Although they are called a collateral branch, they are actually several generations removed from the direct line. They are merely using the name to climb the social ladder.

In the main seat, the matriarch of the Quan family, Si Nan, sat upright.

The woman, in her sixties, wore a dark purple brocade cheongsam, a jade beaded necklace, her hair styled in a bun with a hairpin, and her back was straight, exuding the military bearing of a former female soldier.

Time has etched fine lines on its face, but it has not diminished its majesty in the slightest.

This appearance is completely different from the "ruthless and vicious" description that Shang Pengyue used to criticize her, but her ability to hold the position of mistress is no small feat.

The groom's seat was empty beside the matriarch.

In her past life, on the day Shang Pengyue returned to her parents' home, she cried her heart out, saying that on their wedding day, Master Quan had not arrived, and she would be alone in the bridal chamber on their wedding night.

"Third Master is busy with military affairs and really can't spare the time today," Xi Po explained with a smile. "I'm sorry to trouble Third Young Mistress to serve tea to the Old Madam first."

Shang Sheyu nodded slightly, showing no resentment.

She slowly stepped forward, took three steps to the head of the table, knelt down, and accepted the celadon covered bowl handed to her by the matchmaker.

The tea was slightly hot, and the temperature was transmitted through the porcelain wall.

She held the cups high with both hands, bowed her head respectfully, and said, "Daughter-in-law Shang Sheyu serves tea to mother-in-law."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Si Nan did not accept the tea, but frowned as he looked at the bride in front of him.

The veil obscured her face, yet it was enough to make out her features.

This was not the fourth daughter of the merchant family, Shang Pengyue, whom she had previously considered.

Si Nan's heart sank.

The business was incredibly audacious, daring to switch the wedding items on the day itself.

Although the Quan family mansion is no longer as illustrious as its ancestors who were kings and generals, and both the eldest and second sons have sacrificed their lives on the battlefield, it is still a powerful family in the northern border. How can it be mocked like this?

Moreover, when she went to propose marriage earlier, she overheard some gossip from the merchant's servants.

They said that the mistress of the merchant family died of poisoning in the room of the third young lady of the merchant family because she drank the bird's nest porridge given to her by the third young lady.

If this is true, then the merchant has sent over a matriarchal female demon.

Just as she was about to lash out, a middle-aged man in a brown robe and with a goatee spoke up first: "Huh? This bride looks unfamiliar."

He squinted and leaned forward: "If I remember correctly, the one engaged to the Quan family should be the fourth young lady of the Shang family, right?"

The room erupted in uproar.

Guests outside craned their necks, and whispers began to rise.

Shang Sheyu held the teacup steadily without moving his hand.

Seeing that no one answered, the goatee-bearded man stroked his beard and laughed, "Miss Shang comes from a family of doctors. She has studied medicine since childhood and is truly skilled. She is also the Goddess Physician of the Northern Border. Only a girl like her is worthy of the Quan family."

He changed the subject and looked at Shang Sheyu.

"I wonder if this lady before me is also a renowned physician?"

Half a month ago, the name "Goddess Doctor" suddenly became popular in the North, with everyone saying that Shang Pengyue had miraculous skills and a kind heart.

Shang Sheyu knew this perfectly well.

It was Shang Pengyue who was imitating the path of her previous life.

Si Nan's expression grew increasingly grim.

The Quan family has lost most of its face today. She forced a smile and was about to try to smooth things over.

"What this old man said is true."

A crisp sound rang out, and it was Shang Sheyu who spoke first.

She remained kneeling, her back ramrod straight: "The marriage between the Quan and Shang families is certainly not for the sake of a doctor's title, but..."

She tilted her head slightly, turning towards the goatee-bearded man.

"If the elders value the identity of the goddess doctor, then I am no less than Fourth Sister."

The hall fell silent once more.

Before anyone could react, Shang Sheyu stood up.

As she walked step by step toward her distant uncle, her white veil trailing on the ground, she stopped three feet in front of him and carefully examined his face.

The goatee-bearded man felt uncomfortable under her gaze.

"Uncle, you have kidney deficiency, frequent urination at night, lower back and knee pain, flushed cheeks in the afternoon, and a thin yellow tongue coating. Could this be a symptom of yin deficiency and excessive internal heat?"

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

The goatee-bearded man's face flushed red instantly.

Suppressed chuckles came from all around, and several women covered their mouths with handkerchiefs, their eyes full of mockery.

Shang Sheyu remained expressionless, instead taking a half step closer and whispering, "The pulse is thin and rapid, especially weak in the cun position. If I'm not mistaken, has Uncle recently been taking aphrodisiacs such as deer antler or seahorse? The more he takes them, the weaker he becomes, isn't that right?"

The man's eyes widened, and the red on his face gradually turned into an embarrassed purple.

He was embarrassed to be told he had kidney deficiency in front of so many people and was about to scold the younger generation for their loose tongues.

"This condition requires nourishing yin and reducing internal heat, rather than warming and tonifying yang."

"If you trust me, Uncle, three doses of Zhi Bai Di Huang Tang (a traditional Chinese medicine formula) with modifications should alleviate the symptoms."

Shang Sheyu looked at him quietly.

Can it be cured?

The man was taken aback and immediately became speechless. After a long while, he awkwardly lowered his hand and said, "I was just asking the merchant if the bride had been changed. I didn't mean anything else. Since she is the bride approved by the Quan family, I naturally have nothing to say."

Shang Sheyu smiled slightly, turned around and returned to the main seat, kneeling down again and offering tea with both hands.

This time, no one raised any objections.

Si Nan gave her a deep look, the anger in his eyes having mostly subsided.

He reacted quickly, resolving the crisis with just a few words; he was quite clever.

Let's examine the matricide case again.

Today is, after all, a celebratory banquet for the Quan family, and if things get out of hand, the Quan family will lose face.

She took the teacup, lifted the lid, took a small sip, and said calmly, "Get up."

"Thank you, Grandma."

Shang Sheyu stood up and stood to the side with his hands at his sides.

The wedding continued.

Without a groom, the bride completes the remaining ceremonies alone.

Shang Sheyu did as instructed.

As night fell, the elaborate wedding ceremony finally came to an end.

The matchmaker escorted Shang Sheyu to the second-floor bridal chamber, said a few auspicious words, and then left.

As soon as the door closed, Shang Sheyu slumped onto the velvet sofa, rubbing her sore neck.

Western-style wedding dresses are beautiful and novel, but they are cumbersome to wear and can make it hard to breathe.