It was a bit early but the guests weren't supposed to arrive for another 10 minutes.
I opened the door. Su Man Lin, my cousin stood in front of me, Martial Zhen behind her. She was my cousin but 6 years older than me.
Her mother and my mother were sisters. She smiled apologetically.
"Hi, cuzzy. I know I'm early."
"It's fine," I said, stepping back so she could walk in.
As Martial Zhen sat back on the chair outside my door. I really liked Man Lin Sis so I didn't mind spending some time alone with her. She was tall and graceful, with dark, almost black hair and eyes that were the darkest brow imaginable.
Man Lin sis wore a cream dress with a pencil skirt that reached her knees. Her husband Zheminh had died 7 months ago, and my wedding would be the first time that she'd wear something other than black.
Sometimes widows, especially older women, were expected to wear mourning for a year after their husband's death, but Man Lin sis was only 24 age.
So I caught myself wishing her husband had died sooner so she could have married Fu Shao and then I felt horrible. I shouldn't be thinking like that.
As Xu hovered beside the window.
"Could you please wait outside? A bridal shower is no place for a man."
He tilted his head, then walked out without another word.
"Your husband sent you his own bodyguard?" Man Lin sis asked.
"He isn't my husband yet."
"Yes, you're right. You look sad, sweetheart," she said with a knowing expression as she sank down on the sofa.
Champagne, soft drinks and an array of sweets dessert were set up on a table behind it.
I swallowed.
"So do you." And I felt immediately stupid for saying something like that.
"My father wants me to remarry, Shen Mi," she said, twisting her wedding band.
My eyes widened.
"So soon?"
"Not right away. Apparently he's already talking to someone."
I couldn't believe it.
"Can't you say no, Sis? You were already married."
"But it was a childless marriage, and I'm too young to stay alone. So I had to move back in with my family. My father insisted on it to protect me."
We both knew that code. Women always needed protection from the outside world, especially if they were in a marriageable age.
"I'm sorry, Sis," I said.
"It is what it is. You know that as well as I do, sweetheart."
I laughed bitterly.
"Hmm."
"I saw your husband when I visited the the Great Hall White mansion with my parents yesterday. He's indeed imposing."
"Terrifying, exactly," I added quietly.
Man Lin sis expression softened, but our conversation was cut short when my Mother and Qina came out of the bedroom. As soon after that more guests arrived.
The gifts were everything from lingerie over jewellery to certificates for a day in a luxury ticket in the most luxurious yacht. The lingerie was the worst though, and when I opened the gift from FU Shao stepmother, Lady Rara.
As I had trouble keeping a straight face. I lifted the barely-there white nightgown and smiled tightly. The entire middle was see-through and it was so short it wouldn't even cover much of my legs.
Under it in the gift box was an even smaller piece of clothing with white lace panties that revealed most of my butt and were held together by a bow in the back.