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“Well…

Qiao Mai realized she couldn’t continue wasting time, so she spoke up.

“Have someone take her away for now. I’ll handle the wedding dress. Today is Rul er’s big day, and we should let her get married before discussing anything else.”

After saying that, she left the room and disappeared. The maidservants carried the unconscious girl away, and the minister’s people cleaned up the living room. Jiaru sat in the living room, gazing absentmindedly at the door.

The three brothers stood obediently behind Old Mistress Wang with Ling’er.

Fifteen minutes later, Qiao Mai entered the room holding a large wooden box. She placed the box on the table and opened it.

“Men, please leave the room. The bride needs to change now.”

Once the men left, she took a fiery-red wedding dress from the box. The women in the room couldn’t help but exclaim at its beauty.

“It’s so beautiful!”

Rul er, who had been feeling down, brightened upon seeing the dress.

“Sister, this dress is so beautiful.’

“Come, put it on. Today, I’ll do your makeup. You’ll be the most beautiful bride.”

“Sister, you’re the best to me. If it weren’t for you today, I would have become the laughingstock of the whole city.”

“Come on. The groom will come to pick you up soon.”

“Sister, can you escort me to the wedding?”

Qiao Mai looked at Old Mistress Wang and Madam Wang. They both nodded with teary eyes.

“Don’t worry. Follow her. We will watch your kids.”

Qiao Mai nodded and helped Ruler put on the dress. The two maidservants felt guilty for what happened earlier and had swollen eyes from crying. “Why are you crying? It’s a happy day. You can make up for it later.”

“Yes!”

After dressing Ruler, Qiao Mai styled her hair and took a set of cosmetics from the box to do her makeup. Finally, she placed a red crown adorned with rubies and gold on Ru’er’s head.

Wang Jiaru asked for a mirror, and Qiao Mai handed her one.

“Sister, how are you so good at everything? Your makeup skills are amazing!”

The women and girls in the room nodded in agreement; Qiao Mai’s makeup skills were remarkable.

“I’ve given you the cosmetics as a gift. Later, have the maidservants apply them for you.”

“Okay!”

Qiao Mai helped Ruler stand up and had her spin around to check her appearance. Satisfied, she then took out a red veil.

“Once you put this on, you can’t speak,” She said as she handed Ru’er an apple.

“Take this and don’t eat it. Apples symbolize peace.”

After everything was ready, Qiao Mai looked at the ladies.

“Go to the front hall and wait. I’ll stay here to guard.”

“Madam Wang, Old Mistress Wang, you can go now. We’ll follow the bride and groom later.”

Qiao Mai glanced at Yue Hong. She nodded. They carried the children while following Old Mistress Wang out of the room.

She didn’t concern herself with the matters between the two Wang families; her main focus was ensuring that Jiaru had a smooth wedding.

She sat by Jiaru’s side, whispering words of advice. Jiaru nodded like a docile child, resembling the familiar girl that Qiaomai knew so well.

When she heard the firecrackers outside, Jiaru became nervous, clutching the apple tightly. Qiao Mai patted her hand.

“Don’t worry. I won’t leave tonight. If anything happens, call me softly, and I’ll know.”

Qiao Mai accompanied Wang Jiaru. When the groom came to fetch her, she stepped back slightly. They walked side by side to the front hall, where they greeted Wang Zongsheng and Madam Wang.

An unmarried male member of the Wang family approached to carry Jiaru to the bridal sedan chair. Qiao Mai never left Jiaru’s side and escorted her to Prince Shunqin’s residence and then to the bridal chamber.

After seeing Prince Shunqin lift the bridal veil and exchange gentle words with Jiaru before leaving, Qiao Mai turned her attention to Wang Jiaru.

“Sister, you can speak now.”

“I was almost suffocated. This substitute scheme is definitely the work of the Wang family. Even if the Minister doesn’t know, his wife is aware.”

“You’re clever. That’s why they insisted on having you marry out of the Minister’s residence. If their plan succeeded, it would benefit their family. Even if it failed, they would still maintain an image of benevolence and virtue.”

“My father was wary of this, but I never expected they would come so close to succeeding. ”

“Let’s not dwell on this. You’re married into their family now. I’ll stay with you tonight. Tomorrow morning, I’ll return to Bichun Garden. After three days, you can go straight there. I’m sure your parents are quite upset with their family.”

Jiaru bit her lip and said, “Even if they ask me to return to the Minister’s residence, I won’t go. That’s not my home.”

“Good. I’ll stay with you tonight. As long as we make it through this night safely, everything will be fine tomorrow.”

Jiaru’s face turned slightly red. “Sister, I’m hungry!”

Qiao Mai led her to the table and said, “Eat without worry. Even if the food is poisoned, I have an antidote.”

Speaking of which, she took out a bottle of medicine and handed it to Jiaru. “This is the antidote. There are too many schemes in the mansion, so take one every few days to detoxify and maintain your beauty.”

“Sister, eat with me. You rushed to the Minister’s residence early this morning without breakfast, right?”

While eating, Jiaru kept feeding Qiao Mai. They chatted while having their meal, and Qiao Mai occasionally glanced at the room’s ceiling, checking the area outside.

The Wang mansion had sent hidden guards, and Wang Zongsheng had also dispatched guards. Both groups were stationed around the bridal chamber, hoping that nothing unexpected would happen tonight.

“With so many guards sent by your father, they still nearly succeeded in switching you. We mustn’t let our guard down tonight. If anything unusual happens, call for me immediately.”

“Sister, you are amazing.”

“I’ll have to leave in two days. If you need anything, send me a letter.”

“After this incident, the relationship between my family and the main branch will likely end.”

“It depends on your grandfather and father.”

“They care about their reputation and have maintained a good relationship with the main branch. Unfortunately, some people are never satisfied and always want more. I never intended to flatter the prince and marry him. I am the most innocent person in this ordeal.”

Qiao Mai planted a trace of her spiritual sense in Ruler. “If anything unusual happens tonight, call me softly, and I’ll know.”

“Thank you so much, Sister!”

“If you keep being polite, I’ll leave now.”

“Don’t go. I can talk freely with you. I don’t know when the prince will finish his socializing.”

“Do you trust these two maidservants by your side?”

“They’re trustworthy. They grew up with me and have no ulterior motives. But they don’t have any martial arts skills and can’t defend against people with ill intentions.”

The two chatted until the lanterns were lit. The maidservants removed the wedding feast.

Qiao Mai inspected the food and tasted each dish, even the wine, to ensure nothing was amiss.

With so many people watching the Prince, Jiaru was like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. Even if she wanted to follow certain customs, they had to be cautious.

After inspecting everything and confirming there were no issues, Qiao Mai approached Jiaru. Just as she was about to speak, the drunk prince stumbled into the room, pushing the door open.

Qiao Mai slightly bowed to him, and the prince waved his hand, mistaking her as a maid.

“You can leave.”

Qiao Mai glanced at the prince but didn’t reply. She turned around and left..