There are fifty strings of Jinse for no reason, each string and one column reminds me of my good years.
I was sitting in the embroidery pavilion in the west wing of Shen's mansion, and my fingertips touched the dowry brocade. The body of the harp is made of fine red sandalwood, and the strings are made of ice silk, which is cool to the touch. Outside the window is the rain of late spring in March, pattering down, beating the begonias all over the garden to pieces. My mother came and cried yesterday, saying that this marriage was a disaster for the Shen family, and it was also my life.
"Qing Ci, the imperial edict has been issued. Although King Jing'an is seriously ill, he is still a prince. You marry him to celebrate. If the prince gets better, it will be the blessing of the Shen family; if not..." My father did not finish the second part of the sentence, but I understood. The Shen family has been in turmoil since the incident three years ago. Most of the salt business left by my grandfather was cut off, and my father's job in the Ministry of Household Affairs was also in jeopardy. This marriage was a result of the Queen Mother's mercy and royal pressure.
The maid Yunxiu put on a red wedding dress for me. The phoenix embroidered with gold thread has a dull luster under the candlelight. This wedding dress was from the palace. It was gorgeous but cold, like a carefully sewn yoke.
