Days passed one after another. Two days before the wedding, Cai Fu and Xiu Qu first went to the Chen family in Wanping to prepare Jin Chao’s bed.

The Gu household became lively again, with an endless stream of people arriving after receiving invitations. Madam Ji Wu arrived the day before the wedding, bringing along the Elder Aunt Madam Song. Madam Chen was heavily pregnant and couldn’t travel, while Madam Liu stayed home to look after her.

Yesterday, the Chen family sent over the bridal trousseau box, which included sacrificial offerings, seafood, various gifts, and a complete set of phoenix crowns, ceremonial robes, and a gold-embroidered veil. Madam Ji Wu had examined them all and felt that the Chen family took this marriage quite seriously.

These past few days, Jin Chao was constantly summoned by Madam Feng for conversations filled with many instructions. Jin Chao felt that everyone was more nervous than she was, which put her mind at ease. When her maternal grandmother arrived, she simply sat on the bed chatting with her. As the lamps gradually lit up, Qing Pu lifted the curtain and said with a smile: “Miss, you should rest now. You must rise early tomorrow!”

Madam Ji Wu waved her hand with a smile: “You should rest first. It takes several hours from Daxing to Wanping.”

Jin Chao held her grandmother’s hand. In the candlelight, her grandmother’s face looked especially gentle.

In her previous life, when she married into the Chen family, her grandmother had told her many things: “…Don’t fight or compete for anything, just serve your husband well. The Chen family is a good place to live. Old Madam Chen doesn’t like ostentatious people, so you need to be more restrained. Your husband’s family is not like your maiden home; no one will indulge you…”

She remembered crying in her grandmother’s arms at that time. She felt unfulfilled yet unable to express it, making her heart ache with suppressed emotions.

Somehow, Jin Chao began to tear up now as well.

Madam Ji Wu was startled and wiped her tears with a silk handkerchief: “What troubles you, Jin Chao?”

Jin Chao shook her head and embraced Madam Ji Wu without speaking.

Madam Ji Wu thought she was distressed about leaving home for marriage. She patted her back: “It’s alright, don’t cry… silly child. If you cry today, I wonder if you’ll have any tears left for tomorrow!” Tomorrow she would still need to cry during the traditional “crying bride” ceremony.

Jin Chao broke into a smile through her tears. Those things had never happened, so why should she care? After a few more words, she accompanied her grandmother to the side room to rest.

The next day, just after five in the morning, Qing Pu woke her up.

The sky was not yet fully bright.

Madam Feng arrived with Madam Fan, a woman of complete fortune. Madam Feng was smiling, wearing a long jacket with longevity patterns, her hair neatly combed, and adorned with a pearl headband. Each South Sea pearl on it was as large as a lotus seed. Madam Fan was the matriarch of the Marquis Fan’s family, with both parents alive and children of both genders. She wore a crimson gold-threaded wide-sleeved jacket, with a golden hairpin set with green turquoise, looking both dignified and luxurious. Soon, Xu Jingyi, the Second Madam, her maternal grandmother, and the Elder Aunt also arrived one after another.

For a while, everyone exchanged greetings, creating a lively atmosphere.

Qing Pu helped Jin Chao wash up and change into her wedding dress. Madam Fan came over to dress her hair.

Gu Dezhao’s birth mother was a concubine-born daughter from the Fan family, so Madam Fan was especially kind to Jin Chao. She held her hand and said several auspicious words before taking the buffalo horn comb from Qing Pu to dress her hair. After arranging her hair, she first placed a pure gold hairpin. Then the most skilled makeup maid from the Second Madam’s household came to draw her eyebrows.

Madam Feng watched from the side, adding a few more comments: “…Jin Chao’s features are beautiful. Don’t make the eyebrows too heavy.”

The maid bowed: “This servant understands.”

The sun finally rose, and the wedding procession would soon arrive.

Madam Feng went to the main hall in the front courtyard first.

The Second Madam had been in a foul mood these past few days because of Gu Lan and Yao Wen Xiu’s affair. Seeing Jin Chao getting married made her feel even worse, so she used the excuse of entertaining guests to withdraw. Xu Jingyi and her maternal grandmother stayed to chat with Jin Chao.

Soon, Gu Xi, Gu Yi, and Gu Jin Rong also came to bid her farewell.

After the incident with Gu Lan and Yao Wen Xiu, Gu Lan was confined by Madam Feng to the east wing courtyard and couldn’t go anywhere. Gu Xi and Gu Yi embraced Jin Chao and cried, very reluctant to see her marry out.

Outside, firecrackers started to sound—the wedding procession had arrived.

Gu Dezhao stood on the steps outside the main hall of the front courtyard, followed by Second Master Gu, Fifth Master Gu, two maternal uncles from the Ji family. His colleagues from the Ministry of Revenue dared not come, but more colleagues of Second Master Gu from the Censorate were present. The highest-ranking was Deputy Censor-in-Chief Feng Xianlun, a third-rank official, who was immediately invited to the seat of honor by Second Master Gu. Just as everyone was chatting animatedly, the black-lacquered gates adorned with red silk slowly opened, and Gu Dezhao hurriedly adjusted his attire.

Chen Yan Yun walked in slowly, wearing a red ceremonial robe with black borders and a rhinoceros-flower belt of the second rank. His tall stature made him appear even more upright and handsome. Behind him followed three distinguished men. Gu Dezhao felt dizzy at the sight—Zhao Huai, the Military Commissioner of the Five Military Commissions and Provincial Commander of Shaanxi, wearing a court-bestowed robe; Liang Lin, a scholar of the Imperial Hanlin Academy and concurrent Minister of Personnel; and a kind-looking, smiling man who was the son of Old Madam Chang, the current Duke of Zheng State, Chang Hai.

Gu Dezhao felt his legs weaken. Why had his son-in-law brought such important people to the wedding? Should he accept Chen Yan Yun’s bow or should he greet them first?

Before he could decide, Chen Yan Yun stepped forward with a smile, bowed, and kowtowed to him. Gu Dezhao stood straight, his hands sweating, before saying: “Please rise.” Then the three men behind Chen Yan Yun came forward.

Second Master Gu hurriedly came out to greet each visitor, but Zhao Huai smiled and stopped him: “If each of you comes to bow, when will this wedding proceed? We’re just here to see Third Master Chen get married. Don’t stand on ceremony.”

Chen Yan Yun said softly: “Father-in-law, don’t worry about it. The face has been given. Please take me to pay respects to the Old Madam.”

Gu Dezhao’s face reddened. He had privately met with Third Master Chen before, telling him that the ceremonies must be complete and face must not be lost. Third Master Chen had readily agreed: “Rest assured, I will give her a grand wedding.”

But bringing three such prestigious guests was unexpected…

Gu Dezhao coughed, looking at the rhinoceros-flower pattern on his son-in-law’s belt, indicating the second official rank, and still felt dizzy.

He led Chen Yan Yun into the main hall.

Chen Yan Yun offered tea to Madam Feng, who gave him a red envelope. Soon, at the banquet, the first table featured a fish lips and sea cucumber feast, followed by a three-shredded dish feast and a whole lamb feast. Zhao Huai said to Chen Yan Yun: “The banquet is good. Your father-in-law has spared no expense…” Shortly after they were seated, officials came one after another to toast. Chen Yan Yun didn’t like drinking, but considering he was marrying Jin Chao today, refusing would be inappropriate. So he drank each toast that was offered.

As firecrackers sounded again, Jin Chao’s dowry left the Feng household, magnificent and grand all the way.

Jin Chao had drunk a bowl of lotus seed and lily bulb porridge in the morning, deliberately half-cooked as tradition dictated. By noon, her maids began restricting her food intake; she only ate a few dried longan fruits. Not only was she hungry, but also parched. Soon, supported by Qing Pu, she went to bid farewell to Madam Feng and Xu Jingyi. Madam Feng gave her an additional gift of a pair of gold candlesticks, while Xu Jingyi gave her a pair of pure white jade hairpins with bamboo and plum blossom patterns.

The sunlight gradually turned golden, while the Gu household remained bustling with people coming and going, brilliantly lit by lamps.

Madam Feng, calculating that the time had come, had Qing Pu cover her with the gold-embroidered red veil. Jin Chao was carried onto the bridal sedan chair by Gu Jin Xian. The maids who were to accompany her had already washed and dressed up, sitting in another carriage that left the Gu household.

The sedan chair moved very steadily. The sound of firecrackers faded away, but the gongs and drums continued playing all the way.

Ye Xian, who had come to the Gu family for the wedding banquet, drank his last cup of wine. His jade-like face showed a hint of blush, but he was clear-headed when he stood up. He watched silently as the bridal sedan left.

During Ye Xian’s attendance at the wedding banquet, the Fifth Madam had been watching him anxiously. Seeing him just sitting at the table drinking, ignoring anyone who spoke to him, she finally felt relieved. Her brother had always been unrestrained, and she feared he might do something rash like trying to steal the bride… Only after Jin Chao’s bridal sedan had left the Gu household did she go to find Ye Xian: “…You’ve drunk so much. Come rest with your sister.”

Ye Xian coldly pushed away the Fifth Madam’s hand, stood up, and said softly to Li Xian Huai: “…Let’s go back.”

From now on, she would belong to someone else. He would have no connection with her… and could no longer see her.

Ye Xian walked away from his seat first, leaving all the noise and excitement far behind.

…

Gu Lian didn’t attend the banquet, feeling it was better not to see what would upset her. Instead, she sat in her room embroidering, listening to her maid’s account. The maid said a Provincial Commander had come, and even a Duke… She frowned. Could marrying a second wife warrant such a grand occasion? She put down her small embroidery frame and interrupted Lan Zhi: “What about Lan? I haven’t seen her at all. Did she go to the banquet?”

Lan Zhi shook her head: “The Third Miss said she needs to copy scriptures for the Old Madam and won’t be able to see you for half a month.”

Gu Lian couldn’t find anyone to talk to, feeling very depressed. Watching the sky gradually darken… she wondered if Jin Chao had even left Daxing yet!

Jin Chao was pondering the same thing.

The sedan chair moved very steadily. She could only see the red veil and couldn’t lift the curtain to look outside. Looking down, she only saw a finger-width gold bracelet with auspicious cloud patterns on her wrist… She wondered if Qing Pu and the others had reached Wanping yet… Third Master Chen should be ahead, she thought. She had been veiled and carried to the bridal sedan by Gu Jin Xian, without even seeing his face.

The sound of gongs and drums continued. Jin Chao dozed off for a while, as she hadn’t slept well the night before. When the sounds outside grew louder again, she opened her eyes, just as Madam Tong said outside: “Miss, we’ve reached Rong Xiang Alley…”

Jin Chao sat up straight, holding a cloisonné vase with red plum blossom patterns. Soon the sedan chair stopped, and she could hear someone announcing the ceremonies outside. She was helped out by Madam Fan and another woman of complete fortune, stepping onto a soft cushion. She could only hear the clamor of guests, the festive sounds of gongs and drums, and for a moment didn’t know where she was. After stepping over a saddle and a basin full of money and grain, she was escorted to bow at the ceremony.

Through the gap in her veil, Jin Chao saw a pair of brand-new black boots. His feet seemed quite large… Jin Chao thought to herself.

She had never noticed such things before.

After the ceremony, she was still supported by the woman of complete fortune as she entered the bridal chamber. Jin Chao sat on the bed, hearing only soft talking around her. After the pressing of the lapel and the scattering of the bed curtains, she heard Madam Fan’s voice: “Bridegroom, quickly lift the veil!”

She lifted her head slightly, not understanding why she felt so nervous… In her previous life, hadn’t she already married him once?

But when the veil was lifted, she immediately saw Third Master Chen standing before her. He wore a red ceremonial robe with black borders, the second-rank official attire, with a rhinoceros-flower belt at his waist, tall and straight. He bent his head to look at her, his gaze containing a smile, yet completely composed.

Jin Chao felt her face might be turning red, fortunately, the maid had applied thick powder… Hopefully, it won’t show!