Three days after the wedding, Wei Wei and Felix once again immersed themselves in a whirlwind of banquets. This time, as the newly minted Countess, Wei Wei became even more popular. The first words people greeted them with were congratulations on their happy marriage.
At the first banquet after the wedding, Wei Wei was promptly pulled aside by Countess Nelson for a private chat.
The Countess wore a slightly gleeful expression—not directed at Wei Wei, of course, but at Queen Mirabelle.
"You looked stunning at the wedding. Now the entire capital is talking about you and that wedding dress of yours. That woman is practically green with envy because her position is about to slip away."
Only Countess Nelson would refer to the Queen so casually. Unless speaking to her face, she never missed an opportunity to slight her.
"Position slipping?" Wei Wei asked, lowering her voice in confusion. "Is the King finally divorcing the Queen?"
"Sadly, not yet." Countess Nelson sighed with regret before brightening again. "I meant her title as the capital's most beautiful woman. Surely you've heard of it?"
Wei Wei nodded. "Yes."
She was indeed aware. Humanity's obsession with appearances had never changed, whether in her past life or now. Rankings like these were always popular. Though she didn't know who had previously held the title, ever since Mirabelle married into the Pradian Empire, she had monopolized it.
The women of Pradia were naturally indignant. How could their capital's most beautiful woman be an outsider? And Mirabelle's temper was notoriously foul. If not for her lofty status, which forced others to flatter her, she would have earned countless disdainful glares long ago.
But no matter how much they resented it, the fact remained that no woman in the capital could rival her beauty. Men wouldn't ignore her looks just because of her temper, so what could they do but swallow their pride?
Now, thanks to Wei Wei's breathtaking appearance at the wedding, everyone—just like Felix when he first saw her—suddenly grasped the unique allure of her exotic beauty. Under the guidance of certain influential figures (such as a certain Countess), comparisons between her and Queen Mirabelle began to surface.
Though their styles were entirely different, Mirabelle was now considered somewhat older by societal standards. Moreover, after years of seeing the same face, the novelty of a foreign beauty like Wei Wei—younger and famously good-natured—had, unbeknownst to her, quietly positioned her as the potential new "most beautiful woman in the capital."
This infuriated the Queen. Rumor had it that her palace had recently echoed with the sounds of shattering objects, and her maids frequently bore injuries.
How could she not be furious? The wedding dress alone had already made her dislike Wei Wei. Now, even her cherished title was under threat. She must have been seething with hatred.
The most ironic part? The only reason Mirabelle hadn't already lost her title outright was thanks to the cosmetics Wei Wei had gifted her, which enhanced her appearance. Without them, she would have been dethroned already.
Consumed by anger, the Queen's health took a turn for the worse.
"The court physician says she's seriously ill this time. It's been days, and she still can't leave her bed."
Days? So she fell ill, right after the wedding?
Wei Wei considered this but chose not to comment.
In truth, during her interactions with the Queen, she had noticed that Mirabelle's health was far from robust. Beyond her infertility, her seemingly healthy exterior was a facade. Like many women of the era, she adored makeup, but the toxic cosmetics of the time took a toll on her body. Moreover, her pulse indicated deep-seated emotional turmoil. If left unchecked, illness was inevitable—it had merely arrived ahead of schedule.
Wei Wei had no intention of offering treatment. She wasn't a saint. Knowing the Queen harbored hostility toward her, she wouldn't grovel for favor—especially since Mirabelle had nothing to offer worth groveling for.
With the Queen bedridden, attending future banquets—even those hosted by the King—no longer risked an encounter. Wei Wei was more than happy for the peace.
By the time they were ready to depart for Sardinson County, their days had passed smoothly, without further incident.
Naturally, the mastermind behind Wei Wei's attempted kidnapping remained at large—a lingering regret.
But regrets aside, it was time to leave.
Their caravan was just as large and well-equipped as when they arrived. Fearing potential ambushes due to the unresolved threat, Felix even borrowed soldiers from Allen, who served in the military and commanded loyal troops. Officially, the soldiers were accompanying Felix to Sardinson to procure military supplies—specifically, meat sauce.
After pasta gained popularity in Pradia, its accompanying meat sauce also rose to fame. Sardinson's meat sauce, preserved using the original canning method, had a long shelf life and delicious flavor, making it ideal for military rations. Allen had long recognized its potential and had already signed a purchase agreement with Felix. Sending soldiers under the guise of escorting supplies was the perfect cover.
Their journey to the capital had been laden with goods, and their return was no different. Though the servant caravan had taken some items, the most valuable treasures—like the chests of gold coins Felix had discreetly withdrawn from the bank and the jewels he'd privately acquired—traveled with them.
Gold and jewels were hard currency. Though bank drafts were convenient, Sardinson had no banks, and the common folk didn't trust them. If Felix intended to pay wages, real currency was necessary.
Some of the gold and a few boxes of jewels were stored beneath the raised "bed" in Wei Wei and Dolores's carriage, replacing the chests of gifts for the Queen and once again serving as bed supports.
The rest were placed in the maids' carriage. To ensure their comfort, Felix had even modified their carriage to match Wei Wei's, allowing the maids to lie down comfortably during the return trip.
However, this made the carriages noticeably heavier. Fortunately, they were designed for long-distance travel, with larger interiors and higher weight capacities. By adding more horses to each carriage, speed wasn't compromised.
Unlike their arrival, their departure was seen off by many—particularly noblewomen drawn to Wei Wei. Their expressions, however, were peculiar. Though they pleaded for the couple to stay longer, their tones and faces betrayed eagerness for them to hurry back.
A shared glance confirmed it: They were all desperate for Wei Wei to return and start selling cosmetics.
When the carriages finally left the capital, both women inside let out sighs of relief.
Dolores: "Though I like Evelina, I never want to return to the capital."
Unlike the women hounding Wei Wei for cosmetics, Dolores had spent her time in the capital fending off prospective mothers-in-law eyeing her as a daughter-in-law. Their conversations always circled back to introducing her to suitors, and unmarried men—handsome and well-dressed—frequently appeared, either inviting her to dance or showering her with gifts in ardent pursuit.
Had this been the old Dolores—naive, introverted, and craving attention—she might have been swayed by such fervent courtship, choosing the most appealing suitor as her fiancé. But the current Dolores, though still somewhat shy, had learned much from Wei Wei. The tactics these men employed were straight out of the stories Wei Wei had shared during embroidery lessons—often followed by cautionary tales of women whose poor choices led to tragic lives. These lessons had not only dashed Dolores's romantic hopes but left her wary of marriage altogether.
Moreover, Dolores had witnessed Felix's genuine courtship of Wei Wei. In comparison, these men—likely assuming her youth made her an easy target—couldn't hide their greed. Dolores's sharp eyes caught every flicker, reinforcing her understanding that their interest wasn't in her but in her family's status and her siblings' affection for her.
Strip that away, and there was nothing left.
"Though I feel the same, I'm afraid we'll have to visit at least once a year."
This was unavoidable. Noble social circles required maintenance, and the capital was the empire's political heart. Felix couldn't afford to distance himself, and as his wife, Wei Wei would naturally accompany him.
This visit had been for the Queen's birthday. Next would likely be the King's.
If memory served, his birthday was in May.
Heavens. Traveling twice in six months was already giving her a headache.
"Don't worry about that," Felix said, riding closer to the carriage window. "I've already apologized to the King. At least this year, we won't need to attend his birthday banquet."
The King understood the hassle of border nobles like Felix traveling to the capital twice in quick succession. He'd readily accepted the apology—as long as gifts arrived, his presence wasn't mandatory.
In truth, had Felix not suddenly risen to prominence, piquing the King's curiosity about his former knight, they wouldn't have been summoned in the first place.
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Wei Wei and Dolores brightened. Dolores pressed further: "Does that mean if the Queen has another birthday, we won't need to attend either?"
"Of course," Felix nodded, smiling. "And I suspect the Queen would prefer not to see us."
He knew about Mirabelle's illness—spurred by Wei Wei's rising status.
As long as Wei Wei stayed away, the Queen could cling to her title. She'd probably prefer Wei薇 never returned!
Though Wei薇 would love to oblige, duty would eventually call.
And even without her, other women would rise. Once the new cosmetics were launched, beautification tools would empower others to challenge the Queen's title. In truth, the capital wasn't lacking in beauties—it was just that those of Mirabelle's age couldn't compare, while younger girls hadn't yet matured. Once they bloomed fully, the title would inevitably change hands.
The first few days outside the capital were cautious. Beyond potential ambushes, the roads—where daytime snowmelt refroze at night—were treacherously icy. Though they traveled only by day, patches of lingering ice made for hazardous conditions.
After a supply wagon overturned, they proceeded even more carefully.
Fortunately, beyond that mishap, the journey was smooth. Whether due to absent threats or their formidable numbers deterring attackers, they encountered no trouble.
The return trip took half again as long as the outbound journey. By mid-February, they finally reached Sardinson County.
February in Sardinson was still winter, but the season was waning. Temperatures had begun to rise, and the people no longer feared freezing to death.
Of course, this winter had been far kinder than most. The entire county had been busy working for the Earl. Though less leisurely than usual, earning wages and receiving free food outweighed all else. For the first time in memory, no one in Sardinson had perished from cold or hunger—even the youngest children had survived unscathed.
And after a season of construction, the county's transformation was undeniable.
The carriage's sudden smoothness prompted Wei Wei to peer out the window.
Unbeknownst to her, the main road into Sardinson had been fully paved with cement—wide, level, and stretching straight to Dingle Town, then onward to Sardinson Castle.
Despite winter, traffic hadn't slowed. If anything, the road bustled with unprecedented activity. Merchant caravans arrived laden with goods and departed equally full, carrying local specialties like essential oils, perfumes, floral waters, pasta, and meat sauce—all highly sought-after elsewhere, guaranteeing hefty profits upon resale.
Felix's caravan was unmistakable. The family crest on the carriages and the banners left no doubt as to their identity. The moment they crossed into Sardinson, word spread: Their lord had returned.
Merchants yielded the road, bowing as they passed. Townsfolk flocked to Dingle, where the mayor and residents lined the streets in welcome—many having rushed from nearby workshops or construction sites just to glimpse their long-absent Earl and Countess.
Thanks to Butler Barton's efforts, all of Sardinson knew of their grand wedding in the capital—officiated by a cardinal and witnessed by the King. The servant caravan's vivid descriptions of the event had painted a picture of the couple's perfect union and Wei Wei's astonishing background. Her silk wedding dress spoke of unimaginable wealth and nobility, leading many to doubt her claim of being an ordinary noblewoman.
"If not a noblewoman, then what?"
"A princess, of course! What ordinary noblewoman could afford a silk gown? Only royalty could possess such treasures."
Unable to envision the East, the locals superimposed their understanding of nobility onto Wei Wei, convinced she was a princess in hiding.
This theory spread rapidly, and before Wei Wei knew it, she'd become the "tragic shipwrecked princess" in local lore.
Wei Wei: ???
The crowd at Dingle's entrance was massive, forcing the caravan to slow. At the sight of their mounted Earl, cheers erupted, and early blossoms were tossed his way.
"Lord Earl, welcome back!"
"Lord Earl, try our family's bread!"
"Lord Earl, here's a chicken—happy marriage!"
The chorus of voices, the heartfelt offerings of food and drink—all to welcome him home and celebrate his union—stirred something in Felix.
Never before had he felt such genuine adoration.
Not even the old Earl had commanded this level of devotion.
Though eager to return to the castle, Felix reined in his horse at Dingle's gates.
His halt brought the caravan to a stop.
Guards swiftly formed a barrier, holding back the eager crowd.
Dismounting, Felix approached the carriage and helped Wei Wei down.
"We'll be staying in Dingle for a while."
Wei Wei smiled. "Perfect. I've been wanting to see how it's changed."
Their decision to linger sparked a fresh wave of cheers.
"Lord Earl! Countess! Happy marriage!"
"May you never part!"
The cacophony of blessings, though chaotic, warmed their hearts. The couple waved, further electrifying the crowd. Had the guards not intervened, the well-wishers might have mobbed them.
Order was eventually restored, thanks to Felix's calming words and the mayor's assistance.
Once the crowd dispersed, the couple found themselves surrounded by gifts—mostly food.
"These were prepared to celebrate your marriage," the mayor explained, sweating nervously. "Ever since hearing of your wedding, everyone wanted to send gifts to the castle. But the castle refused them, so… this happened."
It was customary for subjects to gift their lord upon his marriage, but such enthusiasm—and fear of rejection—was rare. Given the short notice of their return, the offerings were humble yet heartfelt: bread, wine, poultry, even a half-grown lamb. To the givers, these were significant sacrifices, making their gestures all the more touching.
Felix's improvements to their lives had won their loyalty.
"How does it feel?" Wei Wei murmured, leaning into Felix. "Touched?"
Felix pressed a hand to his chest, silent.
Of course, he was.
Once, he'd improved his subjects' lives because Wei Wei had shown him the benefits.
Now, he realized that doing so for their sake—not just profit—felt equally rewarding.
This revelation deepened as they toured Dingle's expanded, thriving streets before finally returning to Sardinson Castle.
"Welcome home, Lord Earl, my lady, young miss."
Butler Barton and the servants had long awaited them at the gates, joined by a crowd of serfs who bowed from a distance, their smiles unmistakable.
Beaming, Barton updated them on the castle's affairs during their absence—including the gifts.
"Not just the townsfolk, but the serfs also sent wedding gifts. I declined for now." Barton had refused not out of disdain, but because Felix would host another celebration upon their return. He'd instructed everyone to bring gifts then.
Dingle's impulsive display had been unexpected.
"Since we've already received these, we needn't accept more," Felix said. Their sincerity was enough. He even considered waiving further gifts—after all, he'd rather profit from noble guests than his people.
Wei Wei interjected, "If more gifts come, accept them. But we must reciprocate—including Dingle's offerings."
"Reciprocate?" Barton was stunned. Lords didn't return subjects' gifts—that was unheard of.
"In my homeland, wedding gifts are repaid with banquets or reciprocal presents," Wei Wei explained. "Since we can't host everyone, we'll send gifts."
"What do you propose?"
After a moment's thought, Wei Wei decided: "Wedding sweets."
Sweets? Sugar?!