Switched Marriage: The Coddled Little Wife Chapter 5 Marriage (Part 1)

Chuxia found it surprising that despite residing in the adjacent village, the Li Family arrived even later than the Qin Family.

During her former life, the Li Family’s tardiness was due to their struggle to secure the three hundred yuan bride price. That amount was a fortune for them, and they only managed to scrape it together on the actual day of the engagement.

In this current life, even though Lin Jiayi had reduced the demand to a mere eighty yuan, they still showed up late. It was clear now that her stingy and difficult mother-in-law wasn't just targeting her; it was simply the woman's nature.

Aside from the delay, the engagement proceeded without a hitch. In addition to the three hundred yuan, the Qin Family provided six yards of fabric. The Li Family also brought cloth—eight yards in total—which filled Lin Jiayi with a sense of triumph.

Chuxia, however, saw the truth behind the pride. Since three hundred yuan had been slashed to eighty, the Li Family had secured a massive bargain, even if they threw in a few extra yards of fabric.

The day of the wedding arrived in the blink of an eye. Local traditions dictated that the bride's family host a gathering for friends and kin the day before the ceremony, making the Lin household exceptionally lively.

With both daughters marrying at once, the Lin Family set up multiple tables for guests, even though lavish banquets weren't the custom of the era.

That evening, once the final guests had departed, Mother Lin convened a family meeting.

“Your father and I have finalized tomorrow's schedule. Since the Li Family is closer, Jiayi will be sent off first. Lin Chu, stay inside and wait patiently. Once your elder sister has departed, we will see you off. Don't fret over the details; we’ve instructed the Qin Family to arrive later so both weddings can happen without a clash.”

In this region, the bride’s parents typically do not travel to the groom’s home; they merely bid farewell from their own doorstep.

However, some families choose to show extra respect for their daughter by escorting her to the groom’s house, a tradition known as 'walking the new kin.' Mother Lin intended to accompany her eldest daughter to the Li household for this visit.

Lin Jiayi was quick to agree, saying, “I’ll do whatever you say, Mom.”

Chuxia nodded as well. “Understood.”

In her previous life, Lin Jiayi had also been the first to leave. Her mother had claimed the Qin Family lived too far, so the elder sister should go first.

Back then, when the Li Family arrived to collect the bride, Chuxia had been left waiting alone and awkward until the afternoon. By the time her parents returned, they were drained from the day's excitement, and she simply followed the Li Family’s party away.

Because of that neglect, her husband’s family looked down on her from the very start. If she hadn't been so submissive that her mother-in-law couldn't find fault, and if she hadn't convinced Guang Yuan to start a business that brought the Li Family wealth, her life would have been unbearable.

Shaking off these memories after listening to Mother Lin’s long-winded instructions, she finally retired to her room.

Lin Jiayi was in high spirits, repeatedly trying on the new garments she would wear the next day. She turned to Chuxia and asked, “Which of these looks better? Store-bought clothes all look the same; there’s no real flair to them. They aren't as nice as the ones you sew, which always fit perfectly. My hands are just too clumsy, so I have to settle for what Mom buys at the department store. If I had your talent, I wouldn't need to buy two outfits; I’d just sew whatever I wanted.”

Despite her words, her tone was one of boasting rather than genuine admiration.

Chuxia let out a yawn. “Mom is just looking ahead. She knows that once you marry into the Li Family, getting new clothes won't be easy, so she’s stocking you up now. Who knows when you’ll get another new outfit? If I were you, I’d have Mom turn that fabric into clothes immediately, or you might find there's nothing left for you later.”

Since the wedding was tomorrow and she had escaped marrying Guang Yuan in this life, Chuxia offered this piece of sincere advice.

Guang Yuan had two sisters, and neither of them was easy to live with.

Lin Jiayi didn't see the kindness in the remark; the more casually Chuxia spoke, the more Jiayi assumed she was rotting with jealousy.

What did she mean by 'nothing left'?

Her dowry belonged to her; how could it possibly vanish?

Jiayi wanted to argue, but seeing that Chuxia had already shut her eyes, she merely snorted and went back to admiring her new clothes in the mirror.

Chuxia was eventually jolted awake by a commotion. It was still dark, but the house was already buzzing with activity.

Lin Jiayi was already up and dressing herself in a red and purple plaid coat that bore a striking resemblance to one Chuxia had once made.

Chuxia also reached for her new wedding clothes. As Lin Jiayi finished styling her hair and turned around, she froze at the sight of her younger sister.

For years, Chuxia had never owned anything new. As the eldest, Jiayi always got the new clothes sized for her, which were only passed down to Chuxia once they were worn out.

In Jiayi's mind, her sister was always scrawny and unkempt. But in these new clothes, Chuxia looked elegantly slender rather than thin, and even her usually dry hair seemed lustrous. Was it the red plaid that made her look so radiant?

Lin Jiayi looked at her own reflection and then back at Chuxia.

Jiayi looked the same as always, her complexion somewhat sallow, while Chuxia appeared healthy with rosy cheeks, bright teeth, and skin that looked remarkably fair.

A frown deepened on Jiayi's face.

She had always envied Chuxia’s porcelain skin. Despite having the same parents, Chuxia’s skin never tanned regardless of the sun, while Jiayi could never seem to brighten her own complexion.

“Go change. You aren't allowed to wear that outfit,” Lin Jiayi snapped irritably.

Chuxia didn't even look at her. “I'm sorry, but this is all I have. If someone needs to change, it’s you.”

Lin Jiayi became frantic. “If you don’t change right now, I’m calling Mom!”

“And tell her what? That we’re wearing the same thing and I look better? Are you scared Li Guangyuan will see me and regret switching brides?”

“You're talking nonsense!” Lin Jiayi barked, refusing to admit that Chuxia was currently the prettier of the two.

After living together for so long, Jiayi had never considered Chuxia a beauty. Now, two decades of believing she was the family's most attractive daughter were being shaken.

She had felt confident about the marriage swap because she believed her beauty would ensure Li Guangyuan preferred her instantly. Once the swap was done, she was sure she would live a better life and capture his heart entirely.

She couldn't let Chuxia outshine her now.

Chuxia gave a cold laugh. “You're being paranoid. I’m a bride today; I’m supposed to stay hidden. What does it matter what I wear? We aren't going to be seen together anyway.”

Lin Jiayi paused, realizing that was true. She had let the girl's transformation rattle her. “Fine. But stay in this room. If you ruin my luck today, I won't forgive you, and neither will Mom.”

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t step outside even if you begged me.”

If she could help it, Chuxia never wanted to lay eyes on that two-faced man again for the rest of her life.

Even with that assurance, Lin Jiayi remained anxious and made Mother Lin go in to warn Chuxia one more time.

Before long, neighbors and close friends began to fill the house with noise. Sun Lanlan arrived shortly after.

Upon hearing that Jiayi would be leaving first, Sun Lanlan patted her chest and promised to stay by Chuxia's side and see her married off, just as she had in their previous life.

Chuxia felt a wave of genuine emotion. “Lanlan, you’re the best. When you find a suitor, you must let me check him out for you. I’ll be there for your wedding day too.” She secretly vowed to prevent her friend from marrying that lowlife again.

Sun Lanlan smiled and agreed.

As the two friends talked, the celebration outside reached a fever pitch. Firecrackers erupted, signaling that the Li Family’s procession had finally arrived at the gate.