The auspicious time was set for the fourth quarter of the You hour.
Most neighbors had arrived early before noon to offer their congratulations. They could enjoy the feast in the wedding canopy at midday, watch a few theatrical acts in the afternoon, and spend a joyful day of celebration. With guests filling the house, the Zhao family sought to create a festive atmosphere.
After presenting their gift wrapped in red paper, even if it contained just two copper coins, the steward would politely guide guests to dine under the canopy. Thinking Madam Zhao would be too busy to attend to them, Madam Ji had no intention of entering the Zhao residence as honored guests with their invitation. The family of three ate lunch at home, took their afternoon rest, and then strolled casually to the Zhao family’s ceremonial gate.
The Zhao family’s steward, overwhelmed with tasks, was unaware of the mistress’s plans. Treating the Ji family as ordinary neighbors, he recorded their congratulatory gifts and had them seated under the wedding canopy.
The Zhao family had stationed servants along the route leading out of the city. From the moment the bridal sedan left the city gate, someone reported its progress every incense stick’s time. When the sedan was less than five li from Sandaoyan, Madam Zhao had finally finished arranging everything. Looking at the time, it was already early Shen hour. Once the sedan entered, the bride would rest briefly before coming out at the auspicious time for the ceremony. The feast would begin after the ceremonies.
Madam Zhao was leisurely drinking tea, having completely forgotten about inviting Madam Ji and her daughter.
Seeing she finally had a moment, Governess Gu quickly reminded her: “Madam, it seems Madam Ji and her daughter haven’t arrived yet.”
“What? Do they not take the Zhao family seriously? All the neighbors came except their family. Go invite them!” Madam Zhao was furious.
Governess Gu responded with a sigh and led two maids away.
Afraid of missing today’s drama, she walked quickly upon leaving.
Madam Ji sat with Ji Yaoting and Ji Yingying under the wedding canopy outside the ceremonial gate, watching Governess Gu pass by without calling out to her.
“Mother, it seems they’re determined to make us observe the ceremony today. Won’t the Niu family have many relatives coming to deliver the bride? How will Madam Zhao have time for us?” Ji Yingying found it strange.
“Perhaps she just wants us to see the Niu family’s grandeur and status. At the Wei hour, the dowry arrived first, escorted by a fifth-rank Mobile Corps Commander. When those spear-wielding soldiers appeared, even the opera stopped for quite a while,” Madam Ji replied calmly.
Let them watch then. Did they think she would shed tears in the main hall and cry out to be Zhao Xiuyuan’s second wife? Ji Yingying muttered, “Mother, let’s go home after watching the ceremony.”
Turmoil flickered in Madam Ji’s eyes. She too hoped her guess was right, but instinct told her it wasn’t that simple.
As they spoke, Governess Gu hurriedly returned from the direction of the Ji house. The three sat among the crowd, watching her rush to the ceremonial office to check the gift registry. Just then, cheers erupted from the front: “The bride has arrived!”
Playful children and curious young men and women all pushed toward the main road. Everyone craned their necks in anticipation. The wedding canopy emptied by half. The maids accompanying Governess Gu had sharp eyes and spotted the three members of the Ji family.
Governess Gu quickly approached, bowing slightly: “How can Madam Ji sit outside? My mistress instructed this servant to invite Madam Ji, Young Master Ji, and Second Miss Ji into the residence to observe the ceremony.”
The three Ji family members obligingly stood up. At this moment, Zhao Xiuyuan led the bridal sedan to the ceremonial gate.
Ji Yingying stopped to make way for the wedding procession.
She didn’t raise her head. A millet-colored horse slowly appeared in her vision. Red silk hanging from the bridle swayed before her eyes. She knew Zhao Xiuyuan was the rider. Just endure it. Endure it, and he would lead the sedan inside.
Zhao Xiuyuan saw her. Standing in the crowd like a crane among chickens, she was delicate and beautiful. After a month without seeing her, Zhao Xiuyuan felt an impulse to rush over and pull her to his side. She didn’t spare him a single glance, her face calm and undisturbed. As if she didn’t know him. Did she think he would let her go?
When the groom didn’t move forward, the bridal sedan stopped.
“What’s happening?” The rough voice belonged to another escort commander. Seeing Zhao Xiuyuan motionless, he urgently spurred his horse forward, “Why has the groom stopped here?”
Zhao Xiuyuan withdrew his gaze and looked up.
Spear-wielding soldiers stood every ten steps under the ceremonial gate. A wave of irritation surged in his heart. These soldiers had held back the neighborhood onlookers, clearing a wide passage. When he went to receive the bride, soldiers had filled the Niu family compound inside and out. A group of military officers had blocked the door, only laughing and letting him pass after watching him humble himself enough. Deputy Governor Niu, determined to maintain his beloved daughter’s dignity, had bluntly told the Zhao family that their daughter-in-law would not be easy to bully.
He looked up at the towering stone gate and smiled: “I once made a vow to our ancestors. When I win the Jin throne and take a wife, I must first pay respects to the ceremonial gate before entering.”
“What? Having my family’s young lady leave the sedan before entering? Not!” the commander shouted.
The wedding attendant was also startled: “How can the bride leave the sedan before entering the house?”
Marry me, and you’re a Zhao family bride. Zhao Xiuyuan decided to teach Niu Wu Niang a lesson. He said coolly, “This ceremonial gate was established by Zhao’s family ancestors. Respecting the gate is respecting the ancestors. Go, invite the young madam to leave the sedan and pay respects to the gate before re-entering to cross the threshold.”
The Niu family’s escort party erupted in outrage.
A rouge-colored figure rushed in front of the Zhao family’s maids. Niu Qi Niang, wearing a silver-red crossed-collar wide-sleeved dress, leaped from her horse and blocked the Zhao family servants, berating them: “Who dares ask my sister to leave the sedan?!”
The Zhao family’s servants, who had already suffered at the Niu residence during the bride pickup, suddenly grew bolder on their territory. They thought, no matter how impressive your sister is, isn’t she still warming our young master’s bed? If you have the ability, to carry the sedan back—the shame and mockery will fall on the Niu family. They immediately began smiling coldly while pelting Niu Qi Niang with a basketful of rules about “husband’s authority over wife” and “the proper way of being a wife.”
Finally, one elderly servant said: “Young Miss of the in-laws’ family is still young, don’t let momentary impulse damage the young madam’s reputation.”
This comment thoroughly enraged Niu Qi Niang. She easily picked up this servant and threw her into the crowd, putting her hands on her hips and saying: “Bah! This young lady has never heard of leaving the bridal sedan to bow to some gate before entering the house and completing the ceremony! Second Young Master Zhao, if you don’t apologize to my sister, don’t even think about letting the sedan cross the threshold!”
As she spoke, she stomped her foot. The blue stone slabs under her feet split with a “pu” sound, cracking into pieces.
Everyone was so frightened that no one dared speak up for the Zhao family anymore.
Ji Yingying watched clearly and couldn’t help but smile. She liked Niu Qi Niang’s temperament. She looked up and met Sang Shisi’s gaze directly. Sang Shisi had come to escort the bride—had Yang Jingyuan come too? Ji Yingying involuntarily recalled that rainy night and quickly lowered her eyes.
Zhao Xiuyuan’s eyes narrowed—was she mocking him? He dismounted and walked to the sedan, saying: “If the young lady is unwilling, I won’t force it.”
Before even entering the house, he wanted to pin the label of disrespecting Zhao’s family ancestors on her. If she complied, she would be lowering herself before everyone. Zhao Xiuyuan had thrown Niu Wu Niang a difficult challenge.
The sedan curtain moved, and a slender, graceful hand emerged: “If my husband commands it, this wife shall naturally obey.”
Her fingernails were painted with true red safflower dye, her joints as white as jade. Her voice was gentle, like the lingering sound of a zither string, ethereally pleasant. Zhao Xiuyuan was stunned, a hint of hope rising in his heart—hoping that Niu Wu Niang’s appearance wasn’t as unattractive as rumored.