The carriage moved slowly through the city streets. Lanterns flickered in the night. Nai Yunxia sat quietly, her hands in her lap. Her heart was full of fear, but also determination. She had no choice. Her mother was sick, and her family owed a lot of money. That was why she was being sent away.
She was now to be part of the most powerful family in the city — the Ao Family.
Ahead, Autumn House appeared. Its gates were tall and strong. The courtyard was almost empty, except for a few servants who bowed deeply as the carriage stopped. Yunxia stepped down. Her silk dress brushed the stones. She looked up at the big mansion. It was grand… but cold and silent.
Inside, her new family greeted her politely.
"Welcome, Yunxia," said Ao Renyi, the family head, with a small smile."Please, make yourself at home," said Chen, her mother-in-law, nodding kindly.Ao Ying'er, the younger sister, curtsied and whispered, "It's nice to meet you."The elderly grandparents watched quietly. Their eyes were soft, but distant.
Yunxia bowed her head. "I am honored to join your family," she whispered. Her voice was barely heard.
They walked her through long halls. Portraits of Ao ancestors hung on the walls. Their painted eyes seemed to follow her. The air smelled of incense and old wood. Everyone treated her politely, but she could feel the pressure. She was not fully part of the family yet. She was… a bride waiting to belong.
That night, her room was beautiful. Silks covered the bed, and carved furniture filled the space. But it was quiet. She lit a candle. The small flame cast shadows on the walls. The wedding dinner had ended. The family had gone to their rooms. And her husband, Ao Rui, was not there.
Yunxia swallowed hard. Her hand touched the silk of her sleeve. "I will do my best," she whispered. "I will be worthy."
Alone in the big, silent house, she realized something. Her husband might not return tonight. Maybe not for many nights. But she could not give up. She had come too far. She had to stay strong.
......
Far away, on a quiet street near the city gates, Zhen Jinmei stopped suddenly. Her heart beat fast. She was running errands for her father when she saw him — Qiao Wuxie. The man she had loved secretly for many years.
He walked quickly, not noticing her. His face was serious, lost in thought.
For a moment, everything seemed to stop. Jinmei's breath caught. She whispered to herself, "It's really him… after all these years."
No one else noticed. The city moved on as usual. But for Jinmei, her world had changed in a single moment. Deep down, she felt this meeting — though brief — could change her life forever.
.....
The Story Isn't Over !