There was no way to break off the engagement, so she had no choice but to accept it.
The two weddings held consecutively at Duke An's mansion demonstrated its immense wealth to everyone. The wedding of the illegitimate daughter was, of course, spectacular.
The wedding of the legitimate daughter was truly a spectacle of a thousand miles of dowry, with fully packed dowry chests that opened everyone's eyes.
The family to whom Tang Le Yi married was initially somewhat dissatisfied with her, but upon seeing such a dowry, they couldn't help but show some satisfaction.
Tang Le Yi slowly followed the bridal attendant towards the wedding hall. Today was her wedding, but she felt no anticipation.
It was merely a formality, something she couldn't refuse, only accept. Still, the person in front of her should be better than her husband in her previous life.
Regardless, she would be a Duke's wife from now on, which was much better than in her past life.
What of Princess Jiayi? Once the Emperor abdicated and a new one ascended the throne, she wouldn't be able to be so arrogant.
She waited for the day Princess Jiayi would bow to her.
After her elder sister's marriage, Tang Shi Yi's wedding arrangements could finally commence. However, unlike the grandeur of the Duke's legitimate daughter's wedding, Tang Shi Yi's was much more low-key.
As for Tang Xin Yi's wedding, it was even simpler. But Tang Xin Yi didn't mind; she could do more once she left Duke's mansion.
Three years passed in the blink of an eye, and Xing Shao Jun finally returned from the Northwest. In these past few years, he had sent letters almost every month.
This time, because he was returning, he sent several letters in quick succession.
Upon learning of his return, Lin Yan began to instruct people to make preparations. After all, he would likely propose soon after his return, and her dowry should be made ready.
Lin Yi and Xu Ling arrived together. Seeing Lin Yan poring over account books, they couldn't help but tease her.
"Grand Aunt, how can you still be so calm?" Xu Ling teased Lin Yan, only calling her Grand Aunt when she was being playful.
"And what should be different?" Lin Yan ignored her.
Since Xu Ling and Lin Yi got married, she had become more at ease. This also made the Xu family look upon Lin Yan more favorably.
"Grand Aunt truly shows no shyness of a new bride!" Xu Ling couldn't help but complain. Lin Yan always seemed to be this calm. She had never seen Lin Yan's expression change.
"What new bride, it's still early!" Lin Yan poured them each a cup of tea.
"Does Grand Aunt really intend to marry that young Duke?" Lin Yi was very worried. He truly felt that he and his Grand Aunt were not a good match.
Hadn't Grand Aunt suffered enough grievances at the Marquis of Huaiyin's mansion? Why would she choose to enter another noble family?
He only wished for his Grand Aunt to live a simple, carefree life.
"Yes, why not? Since he can promise me a lifetime of happiness, I will trust this general who keeps his word. Yi'er, I am your elder. You seem to be meddling a bit too much." Lin Yan shot him a glance.
"But Grand Aunt, life in the Duke's mansion is too complicated," Lin Yi was still very concerned.
"That's not necessarily true," Xu Ling chimed in. "This young Duke's inner court is far cleaner than those in the capital!"
From the moment she knew Xing Shao Jun wanted to marry Lin Yan, she had been astonished.
After all, she had lived in the capital for a long time, yet she had never heard any scandalous tales about this young Duke Xing.
"All those people you wanted to introduce to Yan Yan before, which one of them didn't take concubines and maids not long after getting married!"
Lin Yi felt a bit embarrassed hearing this, and indeed, he had misjudged people.
But those people were indeed of good character. It was just that men and women considered different aspects.
"Alright, let's not bring up the past," Lin Yan gently dismissed the topic, as Lin Yi had been acting out of concern for her.
"Thank you, Grand Aunt, for your magnanimity!" Lin Yi bowed deeply.
"Alright, stop your chatter. Come and have some tea!" Lin Yan beckoned him.
"Thank you, Grand Aunt!" Lin Yi came over and sat down directly.
In the past few years, Tang Le Yi's life had been relatively good, at least better than in her previous life. She and her husband in this life treated her with respect.
Although he didn't dote on her exclusively, he didn't engage in acts of favoring concubines over his wife.
However, she remained dissatisfied. Especially when she saw Princess Jiayi and Feng Feiyu together, their relationship harmonious, with no one else intruding.
She tried many methods to cause them trouble, but she only managed to strengthen their bond.
Even the Marquis's wife was disdained by the Marquis, and the two young masters of the Feng family were very displeased with her.
Just when she felt her life was quite good, she saw her illegitimate sister again.
This time, she had married her husband from her previous life. But unlike her, who was exhausted and weary, her illegitimate sister had changed into someone unrecognizable.
No, she had become as dazzling as she was in her previous life.
Her ex-husband, Young Master Li, did not frequent brothels in this life, nor was he as unsuccessful as he had been in the past.
He had become completely different from her memory. In her memory, he was a spoiled rake; no matter what he did, his parents and grandmother would always cover for him.
As a result, he became more and more excessive, completely disregarding her.
She could only fight with his concubines, with his mother, and even, one could say, with his entire family.
But her illegitimate sister was gently supported by that rake, as if afraid she might get bumped or hurt.
He would often ask if she was thirsty or hungry. It was just pregnancy, wasn't it? She had given birth to two children for him in her previous life, so why had he never even bothered to ask her like this?
Tang Le Yi looked at Tang Xin Yi with a resentful gaze. Why, why, even though she had married this man, could she still live so happily!
"Madam, what is wrong?" Her husband, standing beside her, inquired. They were at the entrance of Duke's mansion, and he had to give Tang Le Yi face, no matter what.
But he truly thought Tang Le Yi was a lunatic. They were already married, yet her heart was clearly not with him.
She was either meddling in the affairs of Marquis Huaiyin's mansion or targeting her illegitimate sister.
Clearly, they were both married, so shouldn't they let go of any grievances they had?
Today was Duke An's birthday. Why was she glaring at her pregnant illegitimate sister with such resentment, especially considering what outsiders might think?
"I'm fine, let's go in quickly. Mother should be waiting for us," Tang Le Yi withdrew her gaze and walked to her husband's side.
"Eldest Young Lady, the Eldest Son-in-law has returned, please come in quickly!" The servant greeted them enthusiastically.
"Thank you for your trouble!" Tang Le Yi maintained a normal demeanor in front of outsiders, which was why her husband always gave her face.
After all, a noble lady from such a prominent family had commendable upbringing.
Whether it was in receiving guests or in her etiquette and manners, there was nothing to fault. Except that her thoughts were never focused on him.