At the same time, the wedding sedan chair departed from Renxin Medical Hall on West Street, the Pei Mansion was also bustling with activity. The residence was decorated everywhere with lanterns and festive red paper cutouts. This estate had always seemed cold and empty before, without a single flower in its gardens. Now that someone was getting married, every corner became lively. Not to mention the wooden barrels in the garden, even the ornate decorations had increased significantly, causing the Imperial Guards from the Palace Service to quietly comment among themselves: “Who would have thought that Lord Pei, so stern and serious in the Palace Command, would fancy flowers, plants, and precious ornaments at home – truly one cannot judge a book by its cover.”
Qing Feng, who was pinning a red flower to his chest, remarked: “Pei Yunling has arranged this wedding quite grandly. Regardless of his connections, Pei Yunmo is now a trusted confidant of the new emperor. Many people want to curry favor with those close to the stars. Even before the wedding invitations were sent out, some had already delivered gifts to the Pei residence, saying casually, ‘On the day of Commander Pei’s wedding, please don’t forget my toast.'”
They were so busy that Pei Yunmo couldn’t finish writing thank-you notes. Not to mention the matchmakers, among Pei Yunmo’s guests, the Palace Guards were the most numerous. Five hundred ducks noisily made their way from the Palace Command to the Pei residence, causing the veins on Xiao Zhufeng’s temples to throb.
A not-so-familiar guest noticed Xiao Zhufeng had been holding a little girl in his arms the whole time without putting her down, and joked: “Vice Commander Xiao, when did you get married? How come we heard nothing about it? You even have a child now! Back when we met at the training grounds, you looked so gallant. Who knew you were such a doting father? To be honest, if it were me, I couldn’t be so patient.”
Xiao Zhufeng: “…”
Pei Yunmo’s sister, who happened to overhear, was startled. She quickly took Baozhu from Xiao Zhufeng’s arms and hurriedly explained with a red face.
“Oh,” that guest suddenly realized, and feeling awkward, tried to smooth things over, “I see. I thought the little girl looked somewhat similar to Vice Commander Xiao’s features, so I assumed he was her father.”
This blatant lie made both of them even more uncomfortable.
Xiao Zhufeng had come to help at the Pei residence early in the morning. Pei Yunmo’s sister was also busy at the time. As soon as Baozhu saw Xiao Zhufeng, she grabbed onto him and wouldn’t let go. So Xiao Zhufeng took on the duty of being the little girl’s guardian, conscientiously carrying out his responsibility of watching over the child.
Those who didn’t know better really might have thought she was Xiao Zhufeng’s daughter.
“Thank you, Vice Commander Xiao,” Pei Yunshu said awkwardly while holding Baozhu. “The work up front is done. You can go sit in the hall for a while. I expect Ah Ying and the others will arrive soon.”
Just as she finished speaking, firecrackers started exploding outside the gate – the wedding procession had returned. Pei Yunshu’s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly carried Baozhu toward the entrance.
At the main gate of the Pei residence, a crowd had already gathered to watch the festivities. Blind He stood to one side, holding a large bowl filled with grains, beans, coins, fruits, and grass knots, both praying for blessings and scattering them in all four directions.
Yinzheng helped Lu Tong down from the bridge. Lu Tong was wearing a veil and couldn’t see anything, but she felt someone place the connected “heart-knot” ribbon in her hand.
Pei Yunling held the other end of the ribbon. Seeming to sense her nervousness, he gently tugged on his end of the ribbon. Lu Tong paused, then tugged back to acknowledge, making him chuckle softly. He then led her across the threshold’s stirrup and grass, symbolizing “peace and safety.”
Cheers and applause erupted from all around, with the Palace Guards’ voices being especially loud. Although it was indeed disappointing that Lady Lu the physician had ended up marrying their superior, the guards later thought: that at least their commander had fallen for Lady Lu, which meant that any future ladies coming to the Palace Command wouldn’t be interested in a married man. This way, they would have their chance – wasn’t this another kind of perfect ending?
Therefore, they might as well offer their blessings.
Pei Yunshu handed Baozhu to Xiao Zhufeng and then led the couple to the hall. Lu Tong and Pei Yunmo faced each other and bowed three times, completing the marriage ceremony.
Throughout it all, Lu Tong kept tightly holding the connected heart-knot ribbon. The gold-threaded veil blocked everything from view, and outside was too chaotic to make out what was happening. She had witnessed many weddings before – in Chang Wu County, in Su Nan, on West Street – but now that it was her turn, she couldn’t remember at all what she was supposed to do.
When the ceremony was complete, cheers and congratulations erupted from all around. Some enthusiastic guests urged Pei Yunmo to lift the bride’s veil, but after one look from him, they shuddered into silence, not daring to say more.
Then the couple was escorted into the bridal chamber.
There was a whole set of procedures to follow in the bridal chamber. Pei Yunshu had specially invited women known for their harmonious marriages to scatter coins and colored fruits, requesting “subtle blessings.” With others’ help, Pei Yunmo and Lu Tong each cut a lock of their hair and bound them together.
Pei Yunshu smiled and recited: “Having cut clouds to adorn, also sharing silk strands, seeking a place with no one else, tied together in a heart-knot.”
“Binding hair and hearts as one, joining in unity!”
Duan Xiaoyan’s voice squeezed through from behind the door: “Quick, isn’t it time for the wedding toast now? Why is getting married so complicated?”
He had specially changed into crimson brocade clothes today, looking every bit the innocent youth. During the wedding ceremony earlier, his voice had been the loudest. Pei Yunling gave him a look, but perhaps because of the crowd, this look carried little intimidation. Duan Xiaoyan urged: “Hurry up, what are you waiting for?”
Pei Yunshu smiled and pushed Pei Yunying: “Ah Qi, it is indeed time for the wedding toast.”
Pei Yunmo looked at the person before him.
Lu Tong sat by the couch, wearing the veil, showing an unusual docility not seen in normal times. She had been very calm from start to finish today. If not for almost tripping over the threshold earlier, one could hardly tell she was nervous at all.
He picked up the wine vessel and filled two silver cups, which were connected by colorful ribbons. Taking one cup, he gently placed the other in Lu Tong’s hand, softly reminding her: “Hold it steady.”
When Lu Tong’s hand touched the silver cup and his voice came from so close, she instinctively raised her head, but all she could see was the dim light through the gold-threaded veil.
She felt someone’s arm reach across her space, firmly supporting her. Though they were in separate positions, it felt extremely intimate, like the heart-knot ribbon they had held while entering – two originally unrelated people, somehow now entangled together, joined as one.
She lowered her head, and fragrance wafted from the cup’s rim. The wine seemed to be honey wine, sweet and mellow without any harshness. After they both drank the ceremonial wine in one gulp, Lu Tong and Pei Yunmo simultaneously let go. With a “thunk,” both wine cups fell to the floor below the bed, one face-up and one face-down. Pei Yunshu immediately exclaimed joyfully: “A most auspicious sign!”
Since ancient times, the ceremonial wedding toast has also been called the “crossing cups wine.” After drinking, the cups are thrown to the ground, and their position – whether face-up or face-down – can predict good or bad fortune. This was indeed a very good omen.
Duan Xiaoyan was the first to offer congratulations: “Of course! A match made in heaven, two perfect people, surely they will love each other until their hair turns white!”
Xiao Zhufeng, holding Baozhu, gave him a suspicious look: “How come you’re so good with words today?”
The youth muttered quietly: “I collected a bunch of blessing phrases before coming.”
At this point, all the wedding ceremonies were complete. Pei Yunshu arranged the bed curtains and shooed all the guests out of the room. Although Pei Yunmo still wanted to stay and talk with Lu Tong, he was pushed away by Pei Yunshu before he could get close: “We mustn’t break tradition, go to the front hall and attend to the guests!” She then turned and quietly instructed Yinzheng: “Finally some peace. Miss Yinzheng, after we leave, please let Tong have something to eat. She’s been busy all day without a moment’s rest – she worked hard today.”
Yinzheng nodded in agreement, and only then did Pei Yunshu leave the room.
After she left, with no one else in the room, Lu Tong unceremoniously removed the veil from her head and let out a long sigh of relief. Yinzheng wanted to stop her, but seeing her suddenly relaxed expression, thought for a moment and said nothing, letting Lu Tong set the veil aside.
“It was tiring,” Lu Tong said.
Actually, before the wedding, when she first heard about all these complicated procedures, she had felt a headache coming on. So she had discussed it with Pei Yunmo, and they had simplified everything as much as possible.
Today’s wedding had omitted all procedures that could be omitted, making it much simpler than when Pei Yunshu had married the Prince of Beiwang’s family. However, when going through with it, Lu Tong still felt dizzy and overwhelmed.
Or perhaps as the residual poison in her body gradually cleared and she lived more leisurely and peacefully at Renxin Medical Hall with no more worries, her constitution had become more delicate, unable to withstand even slight exhaustion.
Yinzheng picked up some heart-shaped candied fruits from the scattered bedding and handed them to Lu Tong: “Miss, please eat something first, you must be hungry after being busy for so long.”
In her words, Lu Tong did feel somewhat hungry, so she and Yinzheng picked out some snacks and fruits to eat. After having something sweet, she felt her energy returning somewhat. After sitting and resting for a while longer, she finally had the energy to look around the room.
The bridal chamber was decorated festively, with colorful ribbons adding splendor everywhere. By the rosewood couch sat a pair of lotus vases, symbolizing the wish for noble sons in succession, and a statue of He-He Erxian (the Two Immortals of Harmony), representing conjugal love and affection.
As Lu Tong was staring at the statue of He-He Erxian, Yinzheng suddenly drew close from behind and softly called, “Miss.” Lu Tong turned around.
Yinzheng’s expression suddenly became bashful, and she stammered: “Well, there’s something I want to tell you…”
Lu Tong looked at her in confusion.
“When a woman gets married, the wedding night’s chamber pleasures are the first experience. Families with maidens getting married usually have them read some instructional books, otherwise they wouldn’t know what to do… I previously asked Widow Sun for several volumes. I figure Young Master Pei hasn’t returned yet, would you like to… would you like to…”
As Yinzheng spoke, she became embarrassed. She wasn’t shy, but discussing such matters with Lu Tong felt strange. However, she was the only one who could speak about these things with Lu Tong.
“I don’t need to look,” Lu Tong said. “I know what to do.”
The words Yinzheng had prepared got stuck in her throat, and she stared dumbfounded: “Ah?”
“I’m a doctor,” Lu Tong looked at her strangely, as if her reaction was the abnormal one. “Of course, I know these things.”
Yinzheng was stunned: “Is… is that so?”
“Yes, so there’s no need to show me. I’m very familiar with the human body.”
Yinzheng suddenly felt somewhat absurd.
Although she knew Lu Tong approached everything pragmatically, wasn’t this a bit too calm? The words “human body” made it sound like tonight wasn’t meant to be a romantic wedding night, but rather like dissecting a dead pig in the courtyard.
Her calmness was frightening.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside. The two women exchanged glances, and Yinzheng said: “Young Master Pei has returned, quick!”
Lu Tong sat back by the couch, and Yinzheng helped replace the gold-threaded veil. Pei Yunmo pushed open the door and entered.
Behind him followed Duan Xiaoyan and Xiao Zhufeng. Xiao Zhufeng was fine, leaving after delivering the groom, but Duan Xiaoyan persisted, “Can I look again? At least let me see when the veil is lifted before I go.”
Pei Yunmo impatiently replied with a “Get out!”
“Not even a peek at the bridal chamber?”
The young man gave him an icy look. Duan Xiaoyan turned away reluctantly: “Fine, I won’t look. I’m leaving.” He even dragged Xiao Zhufeng away with him.
Yinzheng stood up, curtsied to Pei Yunmo, and said softly: “I’ll take my leave too. Master Pei, please take good care of Miss.” With that, she hurriedly fled the room, closing the door with a “bang.”
The room suddenly fell silent. Lu Tong: “…”
She hadn’t noticed it with others present, but now with just the two of them in the quiet night, she inexplicably felt somewhat uncomfortable. Looking down, she saw a pair of black leather boots stop before her.
Lu Tong clutched the bedding tightly.
A hand gently reached over and lifted the veil from her head. Lu Tong looked up, immediately meeting a pair of deep dark eyes.
Pei Yunmo stood before her.
From morning until night today, this was the first time she truly saw him. He wore a bright red brocade robe – Lu Tong was used to seeing him in official uniform, but these vibrant colors made him appear especially handsome and spirited, different from his usual stern demeanor.
He smiled at Lu Tong, but his gaze was like the midsummer sun, making Lu Tong’s face grow warm.
“You seem very nervous, Doctor Lu,” noticing her momentary embarrassment, Pei Yunmo’s lips curled up. “Want some wine to build courage?”
What courage needs building with wine?
Those words somehow carried a hint of intimidation, yet with an undertone of sensuality that sparked the imagination. Both appropriate and inappropriate thoughts rushed to mind at once – Lu Tong had never known herself to be such a licentious person.
She struggled to maintain a calm expression, as if showing any hint of timidity would mean defeat, and said: “What’s there to need courage for? Nothing is frightening… wait.” Lu Tong suddenly looked up, eyeing Pei Yunmo suspiciously: “How come you’re not drunk?”
Lin Danqing said that at wedding feasts, the groom inevitably gets plied with alcohol, and a drunk man naturally can’t accomplish anything. Lu Tong had been mentally prepared since Pei Yunmo didn’t handle alcohol well. Yet looking at him now, his eyes were clear without the slightest hint of intoxication – he was stone-cold sober.
“Why should I be drunk?”
“Isn’t your alcohol tolerance poor?”
Pei Yunmo smiled with amusement: “I don’t believe I’ve ever said my alcohol tolerance was poor.”
Lu Tong was surprised.
Earlier at Renxin Medical Hall’s celebration, Pei Yunmo hadn’t drunk much before showing signs of intoxication. Back then, Lu Tong had thought his tolerance was even worse than hers. However, thinking back to New Year’s Eve in Sunan, when Chang Di and other physicians had plied him with drinks, he hadn’t seemed affected at all. So his tolerance was quite good?
Lost in thought, she hadn’t noticed Pei Yunmo sitting down beside her. When she came to her senses, the cool fragrance of “Night Light” mixed with a faint wine scent from his body, like a gentle misty cloud gradually enveloping her.
“Lu Tong,” Pei Yunmo stared at her, his expression unreadable, “The night is short, and a good match is hard to find. At a time like this, you surely don’t plan to just discuss alcohol tolerance with me?”
At the words “good match,” Lu Tong’s face reddened slightly. Her uncertain gaze fell on the wedding candles on the table, where the tall red candles dripped wax-like flowers, accompanied by the flickering flame of the copper lamp.
“The wick has grown too long,” Lu Tong found an excuse. “You should trim it.”
He followed her gaze, remained silent for a moment, but ultimately said nothing as he leaned forward to take the silver scissors and trim the wick, adding oil to the lamp.
Lu Tong secretly breathed a sigh of relief and looked at him.
The young man in his red robes bent down to carefully tend to the wick. The flickering candlelight was warm and golden, the hanging beaded curtains casting shadows that made his eyelashes look like butterfly wings, especially gentle.
For some reason, Lu Tong suddenly remembered the lamp they had lit together in that abandoned temple in Sunan years ago. Back then, he had told her: “When the lamp flame dances, all things bring joy – our future luck won’t be bad.”
But that night in Sunan had been bitterly cold with heavy snow. She had just returned from examining corpses at the execution ground, while he was severely injured and still being hunted. They were both at their worst, most difficult times. What seemed like casual words of comfort, not worth putting much hope in, had somehow come true as fate took its turns. Though it took some time, the auspicious sign of the dancing lamp flame had finally manifested.
Pei Yunmo raised his eyes to find her staring at him silently, and raised an eyebrow: “Is it beautiful?”
Lu Tong’s gaze rested on his face, his beautiful deep eyes, thin lips curved in a smile, and as if enchanted, she unconsciously replied: “Beautiful.”
This man was never too proper to begin with. When wearing his official robes, he could still suppress it somewhat, but now in these red wedding robes, with that ambiguous smile, he carried a hint of temptation.
It was impossible to deny it in good conscience.
Pei Yunmo paused, his smile deepening: “I was asking about the lamp.”
Suddenly realizing she had been teased, Lu Tong coughed lightly and tried to cover up: “I was talking about the lamp too.”
He stared at her for a moment before finally breaking into laughter.
Lu Tong turned her head away in annoyance. After some thought, she poured herself a cup of honey wine and drank it down, for the first time cursing her good alcohol tolerance.
Seeing this, Pei Yunmo moved the copper lamp to the corner of the table, then got up and sat down beside her, taking the silver cup from her hand: “Really need that courage?”
“I’m not afraid.”
He nodded, drawling lazily: “I know, Doctor Lu is a physician, naturally knowing these things.”
“You-“
He raised an eyebrow, his dimple especially captivating in the lamplight, deliberately speaking suggestively, “You’re very familiar with the human body, naturally knowing what to do.”
“Pei Yunmo!”
Lu Tong was furious – these were her earlier words with Yinzheng. He had heard everything and was deliberately teasing her. He stared at Lu Tong, his smile playful: “Unfortunately, I’m not a physician and don’t know anything. Tonight I can only rely on Doctor Lu’s help.”
Lu Tong could bear it no longer and pushed at him with her palm, but Pei Yunmo caught her wrist.
She still wore the jade bracelet he had given her – the jade was cool, but where he held her wrist burned hot. The young man looked down at her, those pitch-black eyes falling on her face. As their gazes met, his darkened and drew closer.
She reached up to wrap her arms around Pei Yunmo’s neck.
The cool fragrance mixed with the sweet wine scent on his brow wafted over. Lu Tong couldn’t tell if it was from the honey wine she had just drunk or something else. She could only instinctively cling to him as he lowered the curtains decorated with colorful ribbons.
The night deepened, and the wedding candles on the table burned shorter and shorter. In the swaying red candlelight, the beautiful night was still long.
Moonlight-like water enveloped the fragrant curtains, golden rings clattered as doors first closed. Cold shadows fell on high eaves, hooks suspended on one side of curtains. Blue smoke curled gently upward, and red candles’ flames smiled, right here was paradise, behind screens, autumn dreams lengthened.