From New Year’s Day to the tenth day of the first month, time seemed to pass both slowly and quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was He Yan’s wedding day.

Early in the morning, Xia Chengxiu arrived by carriage.

The He family had very few relatives in Shuo Capital, and after Madam He’s death years ago, they lost touch with most of them. Worried there wouldn’t be enough women to help, Xiao Jue had asked Yan He to invite Xia Chengxiu to assist. Though Yan He was extremely reluctant, Xia Chengxiu readily agreed and arrived early.

While combing He Yan’s hair, she smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Miss He. Today I’ll make you the most beautiful bride in Shuo Capital.”

He Yan laughed, “Being beautiful isn’t that important anymore.”

“True,” Xia Chengxiu set down the comb, “as long as Commander Xiao thinks you’re beautiful, that’s all that matters.”

He Yan couldn’t help but cringe at those words.

Qing Mei approached with a box and said, “Miss, let’s change into your wedding dress first.”

The clothes had been sent from the Xiao family the previous evening. It had been quite late then, so He Yan had only briefly tried them on to confirm the fit. Now as the box was opened, Xia Chengxiu let out a gasp.

He Yan asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”

“This embroidery…” Xia Chengxiu gently traced the patterns, “It looks like the lost Wu Zhuang embroidery from Great Wei.”

“What’s Wu Zhuang embroidery?” Qing Mei asked, looking puzzled.

“It was a famous textile shop known for its embroidery techniques, but it disappeared long ago. The owner’s daughter, Lady Ruxing, had supernatural embroidery skills. Even the noble ladies in the palace rarely obtained a piece of her fabric.” Xia Chengxiu smiled, “Commander Xiao must have gone to great lengths to find an embroiderer to make this wedding dress. He put a lot of thought into it.”

He Yan was momentarily stunned as she lifted the wedding dress from the box. Qing Mei helped her put it on.

The wedding dress consisted of an upper and lower garment. The crimson upper robe was embroidered with dragons and phoenixes facing each other at the lapels. The long skirt beneath had an expansive hem, with its edges intricately embroidered with cloud patterns in gold and red silk threads. The overall effect was stunning. A ceremonial shawl draped from both shoulders to the front, adorned with a gold jade pendant.

The dress was not easy to put on, requiring both Xia Chengxiu and Qing Mei’s help, and it took quite some time to arrange properly. With He Yan’s hair still undone, Qing Mei cheerfully brought out the phoenix crown, playfully placing it on He Yan’s head, saying, “Miss, take a look at this first!”

He Yan looked at herself in the mirror. Unlike the phoenix crowns worn by other noble daughters, which were typically made of gold and jade and encrusted with emeralds and precious stones, this one was remarkably delicate. It appeared to be made of silk, as thin as cicada wings. It was adorned with tiny rubies and pearls, and when worn, it created the effect of being shrouded in red clouds. The crystal beads hanging by her ears made her face appear especially fair and beautiful.

“Miss, you look so beautiful…” Qing Mei stared in amazement. Having been by He Yan’s side since childhood, she knew He Yan was pretty, but now she looked like a precious gem that had been dusted off, so stunning that one couldn’t look away.

“Commander Xiao has excellent taste in wedding attire,” Xia Chengxiu said after a moment of stunned silence. “Among all the brides in Shuo Capital these past years, none had a wedding dress that could compare to Miss He’s.”

He Yan also thought the wedding dress was beautiful, but lacking talent in poetry, she couldn’t express it in elegant words. She could only silently appreciate its beauty in her heart.

When she had previously married into the He family, her wedding dress had also been precious and well-fitted, but He Yan had felt uncomfortable wearing it. Looking back, that dress had been extremely delicate and feminine, completely different from her natural disposition. But this dress in the mirror before her now, from head to toe, felt perfectly suited to her.

“Sit down,” Xia Chengxiu removed the phoenix crown, “Let me do your hair first. After it’s styled, we’ll put the crown back on. It will look even better then.”

He Yan sat down as instructed by Xia Chengxiu, watching her work on her hair.

Qing Mei stood beside them holding a small box of accessories, occasionally handing hairpins and ornaments to Xia Chengxiu. Suddenly feeling melancholic, she said, “From now on, Miss will wear her hair up. Time flies.”

After marriage, He Yan would naturally wear a married woman’s hairstyle. Back in this small courtyard, He Yan had still been a child. Qing Mei remembered the first time she saw her young mistress – when He Sui brought Qing Mei to the He family, she saw a little girl with messily tied hair standing at the door, fiercely staring at her, demanding He Sui send her away. Suppressing her fear, Qing Mei timidly stepped forward and said, “Miss, please don’t send this servant away. I know how to style hair.”

That began years of doing her hair.

The reflection in the mirror showed long hair being smoothed like silk under Xia Chengxiu’s hands, then skillfully arranged into an updo. Hairpins were inserted one by one, followed by silk flowers, agate ornaments, and silver pendants…

Xia Chengxiu styled with great care as if decorating a flower about to bloom, wanting to adorn her with everything beautiful and precious.

The woman in the mirror transformed from bare-faced to gloriously adorned, her features becoming increasingly distinct.

He Yan gazed somewhat dazedly at her reflection in the bronze mirror, not realizing until now that a bride could be so beautiful on her wedding day.

At this moment, there was a gentle knock at the door. Qing Mei opened it and, seeing who stood there, asked uncertainly, “You…”

“Miss He?” He Yan was startled, then stood up.

He Xinying stepped in from behind the door, appearing nervous. She stared at He Yan for a moment, frozen until Xia Chengxiu’s soft voice asked, “Miss?”

“I heard Miss He was getting married today, so I came to see,” He Xinying bit her lip and brought out a small box from behind her back. “This is my wedding gift… After what happened to my family, we don’t have much left. These are the earrings my mother gave me at my wedding. They were supposedly left to her by my grandmother.”

“I don’t have anything valuable, just these…” He Xinying paused, lowering her head, and said, “If Miss He finds them beneath her…”

Before she could finish, the box was taken from her hands. He Yan smiled at her, “This is perfect! I’m getting married today, and none of the several pairs of earrings I have look quite right.” She opened the box to reveal a pair of amber phoenix earrings with pearls in their beaks. Taking them out, she said, “These earrings look just right and match my wedding dress perfectly.”

“Xinying,” she called intimately, “help me put them on.”

He Xinying was startled, asking uncertainly, “Me?”

“Yes,” He Yan took her hand and placed the earrings in her palm, “You help me put them on, and maybe some of the wedding fortunes will rub off on you too.”

Though it was winter, the hand holding hers radiated warmth. In that instant, He Xinying felt deeply moved. Coming here today had required immense courage. As the daughter and wife of condemned officials, she faced contempt wherever she went. Coming here, she had truly feared He Yan would despise her. It had taken great effort to explain to Madam Wei, and even at the door, she had hesitated for a long time, afraid to enter. Yet now, He Yan looked at her as if she were no different from anyone else.

He Xinying steadied herself and carefully took the earrings, placing them on He Yan’s ears. Stepping back to look at her, she murmured, “Miss He, you look truly beautiful.”

Her eyes gradually filled with tears as she recalled her wedding day. She too had been nervous and anxious then, with a touch of anticipation and shyness. At that time, the second Madam He had done the same for her, putting these earrings on her ears. He Xinying had thought she was beginning a new, happy life, but that marriage had turned out to be so unbearable.

The bride before her was so beautiful, He Xinying thought, feeling envious of He Yan.

He Yan noticed He Xinying’s eyes becoming distant, and after a pause, she suddenly stepped forward, disregarding her elaborate dress and headdress, and gently embraced He Xinying.

He Xinying was startled: “Miss He…”

“You too will be this beautiful one day.”

The warmth of the embrace felt so real, providing a moment of comfort, but she only lowered her head in confusion, responding helplessly, “No… I won’t have better days ahead.”

After a series of family misfortunes and sudden changes in status, it was enough to transform a once proud and willful young lady into someone insecure and timid in such a short time. He Yan felt a pang in her heart and tightened her embrace of He Xinying slightly. She said softly, “Don’t forget, you’re General Feihong’s sister.” After a pause, she continued, “And my sister too.”

He Xinying’s heart trembled.

The bride had already released her hold and stood looking at her, her gaze genuinely warm and intimate. “The first time I met you was at Yu Hua Temple. Xinying, you might not know this, but Yu Hua Temple is truly miraculous.”

“Buddha blesses those who are sincere with their wishes coming true, so you will have better days ahead,” she said.

He Xinying stood stunned for a moment, then slowly smiled and looked at He Yan, “Alright.”

“Since you’re here,” He Yan pulled her to one side, “you might as well help. We have so few women in our household, and Chengxiu can’t manage everything alone. Xinying, I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble you for a while.”

He Xinying quickly waved her hands, “It’s no trouble at all.”

“Oh, right,” the bride seemed to remember something and smiled at their reflection in the mirror, “From now on, you can call me ‘Elder Sister.'”

…

“Is she ready yet?” He Yunsheng paced back and forth outside, feeling nervous.

“What’s the rush?” He Sui scolded him, “Your sister is getting dressed inside, of course, it takes time.” Despite his words, his own eyes were filled with anxiety, and he had wrinkled his new clothes from fidgeting.

He and He Yunsheng had also changed into new clothes. He Yunsheng had grown quite tall, and in his new attire, he looked like a handsome young man. He Sui had been a warrior all his life and rarely dressed up formally. Thinking back, the last time he had dressed so formally was probably at his wedding. Time had flown by, and now it was his daughter’s turn to get married.

Just then, the door inside creaked open. Xia Chengxiu and He Xinying came out, followed by Qing Mei. Xia Chengxiu smiled and said, “Master He, Miss He is ready. You can go in and talk to her now.”

“Ah… good! Thank you, Miss Xia.” He Sui immediately rose and walked inside, with He Yunsheng following. Qing Mei covered her mouth with a smile and closed the door behind them.

He Yan turned around to see He Yunsheng and He Sui standing before her, staring speechlessly.

“What’s wrong?” She carefully took a step forward, worried about disturbing the ornaments in her hair, and could only slightly raise her head, “Does it not look good?”

“No, no, no… you look beautiful!” He Sui came to his senses, “Yan’er, you look so beautiful!” As he spoke, he suddenly choked up, “You look just like your mother…”

Since regaining consciousness, He Yan had known that He Sui and his late wife had shared a deep love, and because the eldest Miss He resembled Madam He, he had spoiled her since childhood. Seeing He Sui like this now, he must be reminded of his wife. She could only take small steps to He Sui’s side and gently pat his shoulder in comfort.

“Father,” He Yunsheng rolled his eyes, “It’s a joyous day, why are you crying? Isn’t that unlucky? Besides, how could He Yan compare to his mother’s beauty? You’re exaggerating.”

His words pulled He Sui out of his melancholy, and He Sui scolded him, “Is that how you should talk?”

“It’s true.”

“Go away.” He Sui pushed him aside and pulled out a thick stack of papers from his sleeve, “These are some property deeds and land titles, Yan’er. Take them.”

He Yan was startled, “What do you mean?”

“I’ve looked over the betrothal gifts from the Xiao family,” He Sui said. “While we can’t compare to the Xiao family, your dowry, given our family’s circumstances, isn’t shameful to speak of. These aren’t listed in the dowry list – keep them hidden, and don’t tell Huaijin. If you’re ever short on money or need funds in the future, use these…”

“Wait, Father,” He Yan asked, “Our family’s resources are almost depleted just from the betrothal gifts. Where did these properties and deeds come from?”

A hint of pride appeared on He Sui’s face: “When your mother and I married, I became a live-in son-in-law. Well, I had no betrothal gifts, but your maternal grandparents loved your mother dearly and gave her a full dowry. After your mother passed, I didn’t touch a single coin of the dowry all these years. I thought that when you got married, part of it would show others that the He family has money, so your in-laws wouldn’t look down on us. As for the other part…” He pushed the deeds into He Yan’s hands, “Keep it yourself. You’re not taking a live-in husband; you’re going to someone else’s house. There will be times when you need money, and don’t ask Huaijin for it – take what Father has given you. Having money in hand will make you more confident.”

He Yan had never imagined that He Sui, who appeared to be such a rough and casual man, could be so thoughtful. She pushed the deeds back into He Sui’s hands with a mix of laughter and tears, “Father, I don’t need these. I have my salary, and I won’t be short of money. Yunsheng is at an age where he needs money – keep these for him.”

“I don’t want them,” He Yunsheng refused before He Sui could speak, “What kind of man just relies on family money? If I want something, I’ll earn it myself. Keep what Mother left for you.”

“I…”

He Sui slammed the deeds on the table and showed rare firmness toward He Yan: “No, you must listen to me on this matter, Yan’er. Take them! If you don’t take them, I won’t let you leave this door.”

He Yan: “…”

She said, “Alright, I’ll keep them.” In her heart, she thought, never mind, she could find a way to return them the next time they met.

He Sui looked at He Yan and sighed, “When your mother was dying, she worried most about you two siblings. I swore at her deathbed never to remarry, and to raise you both well. Yan’er, now that you have a good marriage ahead, half the weight has been lifted from my heart.” He reached out to pat He Yan’s head but worried about messing up her hairstyle, only lightly touched her before withdrawing his hand: “Your personality is very different from your mother’s. At first, I thought you were too willful and spoiled, and worried you’d suffer. Now I see you’re strong and determined. Even if you weren’t marrying Xiao Huaijin, even if it were someone else, you’d still make a good life for yourself.”

“I’m proud of you.”

He Yan looked at the man before her. In her previous life, the word ‘father’ had only brought her exploitation and disappointment. Now it seemed heaven wanted to compensate her by giving her the best father in the world. She finally understood that a father’s presence could be both gentle and strong, silently loving his children, constant and unchanging.

“Father,” she held He Sui’s calloused hands and smiled brightly, “Thank you. I’m proud of you too.”

From outside, Qing Mei’s voice came in: “Miss, the wedding procession is almost here. Master, if you’re done talking, please come out quickly. Don’t miss the auspicious time.”

He Sui awkwardly released his hands, and looked at He Yan once more with reluctance, as if he had countless things to say, but in the end could only manage: “Yan’er, Father will go out first.”

He Yan nodded.

Qing Mei came in, had He Yunsheng wait at the door, adjusted He Yan’s dress once more, and then carefully placed the veil over He Yan’s head. As she led He Yan to the door by hand, she said softly, “Miss, don’t be nervous, don’t be nervous.”

Her voice was trembling as she spoke.

He Yan wanted to laugh. She was getting married, not walking into a fire pit, yet everyone in the He family was creating an atmosphere of life and death separation.

When they reached the door, Qing Mei said, “Young Master, Miss is coming out.”

For a bride leaving her home, tradition dictated that her brother should carry her to the bridal sedan. He Yunsheng half-crouched, also nervous as he spoke: “Come on up.”

He Yan climbed onto his back.

Though the young man looked tall and thin, his back was broad and warm. He Yan’s hands held onto his neck, and taking advantage of others not being able to hear, she whispered, “Yunsheng, did you eat breakfast this morning?”

“Shut up,” He Yunsheng had been feeling emotional, but her comment dispelled all sentimentality. He just said, “I told you not to eat, you’re so heavy.”

“Am I heavy?” He Yan frowned slightly, “If you can’t even carry me, how will you carry your beloved lady in the future?”

“If that lady is as heavy as you, she won’t become my ‘beloved,'” He Yunsheng said through gritted teeth.

He Yan: “When I was at Liangzhou Garrison, I could lift two stones my weight at once. Little brother,” she kindly suggested, “you need to exercise more.”

“Can you please stop talking?”

He Yan gave an “Oh” and indeed fell silent.

The path from the door to the bridal sedan wasn’t long, but He Yunsheng walked very slowly. After He Yan truly stopped talking, he grew quiet too. After a moment, he said, “He Yan.”

“What?”

“At the Xiao family, eat whatever you want.”

“Didn’t you just tell me to eat less?”

“If you want to eat, then eat,” He Yunsheng frowned deeply, “If you’re like this at home, you shouldn’t have to be restrained at someone else’s house. Just treat the Xiao house as your own home, don’t shortchange yourself. If anyone bullies you, tell me. Even if I have to tear down the Xiao family’s gate, I’ll get revenge for you.”

He Yan lay on his back, and no one could see her face under the veil shaking with laughter. “Thanks, but I don’t think anyone would dare bully your sister. If someone bullies me, I’ll get even myself. As for you,” she lectured He Yunsheng, “after I’m gone, don’t always oppose Father. He’s getting old – why do you always argue with him? Give the old man a break. And for yourself, be more generous at school. Your sister is a court official after all, and your brother-in-law is a Great Wei general. I’m not saying spend money like water, but occasionally acting like a wealthy young master is fine…”

Seeing her talk more and more off track, He Yunsheng was speechless. After a moment he said, “We’re here.”

The bridal sedan was right in front of them. He Yan got down from He Yunsheng’s back and was helped into the sedan by Qing Mei and Xia Chengxiu.

The wedding procession had arrived, and she could hear the crowd’s discussions, some voices reaching her ears.

“Look, is that Commander Xiao? Commander Xiao is here!”

“He’s here, he’s here! Oh my, he’s so handsome! And noble too! That He girl, what good fortune she has, how did she manage to get such a good marriage?”

“Well, our little Huasheng isn’t bad either. Are they still taking people? Even being a concubine would be fine, the children would be beautiful too.”

“Pah! You’re dreaming! If they were taking people, it wouldn’t be your turn first. My little Yezi is still unmarried!”

In the bridal sedan, He Yan found listening to these conversations unbearable. She wanted to lift the sedan curtain to see what this groom, who was already being eyed by the neighbors, looked like. Come to think of it, she had never seen Xiao Jue in red clothes before, wondering if he would look as graceful as the moon, flawless as jade…

She could only faintly hear Xiao Jue and He Sui exchanging bows and farewells, seemingly presenting the betrothal gifts and sending the wild geese. Then the bridal sedan gently lifted and moved forward.

The sedan was starting its journey.

As the sedan lifted, children’s cheers erupted around them. For Commander Feng Yun’s wedding in Shuo Capital, while it might not have emptied the streets, both sides were packed with spectators. The Xiao family’s wedding procession was generous, scattering wedding money as they went. Children laughed and scrambled for it, sharing wedding candy with new friends.

Shen Han and Liang Ping’s group were walking on the bridge when they heard the drums and gongs in the distance. The instructors from Liangzhou Garrison, including Wang Ba’s group, had been given rare leave to attend Xiao Jue and He Yan’s wedding feast. They were now following the wedding procession toward the Xiao residence.

“I want to see what Brother He looks like in wedding clothes,” Xiao Mai stared unblinkingly at the approaching sedan.

“Still calling her Brother He?” Hong Shan asked.

“Can’t break the habit,” Xiao Mai scratched his head.

Wang Ba snorted: “I can’t imagine what she looks like in wedding clothes, she’s just a female bandit anyway.”

“Not so,” Jiang Jiao smiled, “Brother’s beauty must be unique.”

“Almost there,” Huang Xiong also smiled, “Should we try to grab some wedding money too? Get some of the wedding luck?”

“Uncle, how old are you?” Xiao Mai couldn’t help saying, “What use is wedding luck to you? It’s better if my brother goes.” He pushed Shi Tou, “Big brother, you go grab some.”

Shi Tou watched seriously, saying nothing.

As they were joking, more children following the wedding procession ran over. The Xiao family’s wedding money was generous, and the poor children of Shuo Capital followed from start to finish, creating quite a commotion.

Just then, a man walking in front scattered another handful of wedding money. The copper coins tied with red string bounced near the bridal sedan and rolled off the bridge. A thin boy bent down to pick up the coins at people’s feet, but being too weak, he was accidentally pushed slightly and stumbled backward. At that moment, they were right by the bridge’s edge with its low railing. The crowd gasped as the child began to fall off the bridge.

“Ah—” the child cried out in fear.

In the next instant, someone flew out of the bridal sedan, their red robes like flowing clouds at sunset, one hand grabbing the falling boy and pulling him into their embrace, stepping on the bridge railing before landing gracefully.

The veil had fallen to the ground the moment she leaped out, revealing the bride’s face beneath the phoenix crown. By her dark hair, the amber earrings trembled slightly, and her red phoenix-embroidered dress was resplendent. Her eyes were clear, like the purest stream in Shuo Capital, showing both confusion and realization, completely different from the coy, shy typical brides, yet radiant like the morning sun on snow.

The bridge fell silent, whether shocked by the sudden incident or stunned by the bride’s unveiled beauty.

“Oh no,” someone’s voice broke the silence, “the veil has fallen, what should we do? This is so unlucky!”

He Yan released the boy, who, realizing he had caused trouble, ran away quickly. She stood there, at a loss. In the sedan, hearing someone in danger, she had acted without thinking, forgetting she was in the middle of a wedding procession.

Was this unlucky?

He Yan felt anxious.

Someone walked toward her, stopping at the fallen veil and bending to pick it up.

He Yan looked up at him.

It was her first time seeing someone wear the color of fierce flames with such restraint yet such perfect harmony. The crimson ceremonial robes made the young man appear like jade and gold, each step flowing with grace.

The handsome youth who once rode a golden saddle and white horse had, through the flowing years, grown into a figure of distinguished elegance. In his fine clothes, his bearing was ice-cold yet magnificent, his jade ornaments tinkling.

He walked step by step closer until he stood before the woman in the phoenix crown and cloud cape.

He Yan looked at him, seeing herself reflected in his autumn-water eyes.

“Young Master…” a servant woman gathered her courage to step forward and say, “The veil has fallen to the ground, it’s unlucky…”

“So what?” he replied coolly.

Then he took the retrieved veil and gently, tenderly placed it back over the bride’s phoenix crown.

He Yan’s vision was covered again, but at this moment, even in darkness, she felt completely at ease.

She heard Xiao Jue’s voice.

“It’s alright.”