At the break of dawn, the sound of firecrackers was already erupting before the main gate of the Earl of Changning’s mansion. Layer upon layer of common people had already gathered around to watch the excitement. Young servants carried out baskets full of copper coins, scattering them by the handful—this was a custom that had only become popular in the capital in recent years. When a household had a joyous occasion and people gathered to share in the happiness, they always had to show their appreciation. The household had already exchanged a great amount of copper coins in preparation.

Song Chuyi was awakened by the firecrackers and cock’s crow. She hadn’t been sleeping deeply to begin with, and last night she had whispered with Cui Hualuan and Cui Huayi until late into the night. Counting it up, it seemed she had only briefly closed her eyes before the time had arrived.

Outside, Nanny Xu was already leading Qing Ying and the others in, treading softly with light steps. Through the lifted bed curtains, she could faintly see the bright red lanterns pasted with the character for “double happiness” outside—it was already the beginning of the Yin hour.

Outside, wash basins had already been brought in. The freshly heated water was still steaming in this weather. Nanny Xu hurried forward in quick steps, first taking clothes to dress Song Chuyi while lowering her voice to tell her: “First go to Old Madam’s room to pay respects. The Grand Madam will accompany you to the ancestral hall to kowtow, then you’ll return to be made up. The firecrackers have already been set off—we can’t delay. We must move quickly.”

As she spoke, she had already helped Song Chuyi dress, attended to her washing her face, and first applied pearl cream to her face so that when the rouge and powder were applied later, it wouldn’t look as thick and heavy as painting a wall.

Everyone in Ningde Courtyard had already risen. From the little maids sweeping the floor to the maids and old servants carrying hot water and lifting food boxes, when they saw her they all smiled and said congratulations to Sixth Miss. Ziyun and Qing Ying were all smiles, each giving out red packets.

Yushu and Yulan came out smiling, first performing a courtesy to her and offering congratulations before smilingly leading her inside.

Old Madam Song didn’t wait for her to pay respects, but first pulled her to sit beside herself, pointing at the refreshments Yushu was laying out one by one: “First eat something to settle your stomach. I’m afraid you won’t eat well later.”

Old Madam Song had thought things through very thoroughly. Even congee had been prepared in three or four varieties. Song Chuyi glanced at her, bit her lip, and hugged her arm, then properly and formally kowtowed three times to her.

Nanny Huang busily went to help her up. Seeing that Old Madam Song was about to be moved to tears, she quickly interjected with a smile: “Our Sixth Miss values propriety. Old Madam should accept Sixth Miss’s filial devotion. In the future, when she must observe state protocol, even if Sixth Miss wants to perform family rites, she probably won’t have this opportunity anymore.”

These words made Old Madam Song’s eyes shine with tears, but she managed to hold them back. She patted Song Chuyi’s hand and urged her to drink some congee, then gave Song Chuyi a large red packet. Outside, voices were already repeatedly calling for the Grand Madam.

Grand Madam Song walked in, first paid respects to Old Madam Song, then led Song Chuyi to the ancestral hall to kowtow.

Coming out from the ancestral hall, the sky had already brightened. Everywhere was suffused with fresh coolness. Grand Madam Song squeezed her hand and smiled at her kindly, saying sincerely: “Xiaoyi, your eldest aunt and your elder sister wish you peace and smooth fortune.”

She didn’t mention the ugly rumors that had been raging through the capital recently, and seemed not at all affected by these rumors, nor did she seem to notice anything amiss about the large number of Imperial Guards now stationed outside the Earl’s mansion these past two days.

That Old Madam Song had only now fully handed over power of the inner residence to Grand Madam was not without reason. Song Chuyi smiled at her and still respectfully assented, allowing Grand Madam Song to personally escort her back to Guanju Courtyard to be made up.

The one combing her hair was Old Madam Chang. She and her husband were harmonious, had both sons and daughters beneath their knees, and she herself was long-lived with a healthy body—she was an extremely rare woman of complete good fortune. It was only because Old Madam Song had personally come out of retirement to request her, and the Crown Princess had also appealed, that they could move her. Ordinarily, she was always as low-key as Chief Minister Chang.

—

Old Madam Chang took the comb from Cui Hualuan and combed her hair, while smiling and talking with her: “I saw the young miss once on Zhuque Street. I never imagined I would have the fortune to comb the young miss’s hair.”

Yin Yunduan had already arrived early to wait. Seeing Old Madam Chang begin combing, she stroked Song Chuyi’s shoulder and began to cry.

First came soft sobbing, then gradually increasing sniffling, finally building to wailing.

Song Chuyi opened her mouth slightly in surprise. After a long while, she realized that Yin Yunduan was actually performing the marriage lament—Great Zhou had a custom of marriage lamentation, where one absolutely had to cry until listeners shed tears for it to be considered successful.

Before long, Third Madam, Cui Huayi, Cui Hualuan, and others in the room all began crying. Song Chuyi, who originally hadn’t been particularly sad, was involuntarily infected by this crying and Yin Yunduan’s verses about parental kindness, her eyes slightly reddening.

Old Madam Chang wore a gentle smile on her face, repeating auspicious phrases over and over: “First combing to the crown, wealth and nobility need no frown; second combing to the crown, without illness or concern; third combing to the crown, many children and long years found; another combing to the tail, mutual respect never shall fail; second combing to the tail, like paired birds you shall sail; third combing to the tail, eternal union shall prevail. With head and tail complete, wealth and fortune you shall meet.”

When Old Madam Chang finished combing, the nannies sent from the palace came forward to apply her makeup.

Cui Huayi and Cui Hualuan helped her change into wedding attire. The undergarments had already been worn, so the outer robes wouldn’t disturb her hair and makeup. Before she had finished dressing, Grand Madam Song had already pushed the door open and entered.

When Song Chuyi emerged from behind the screen, everyone couldn’t help but have their eyes light up. They all knew Song Chuyi was beautiful—her appearance had taken all the best features of Song Yi and Cui Shi, with snow-white skin and flower-like countenance. Her eye corners lifted upward yet showed not a trace of frivolity, a naturally exquisite appearance. But they had never seen her in heavy makeup before. Now this bridal makeup that would normally seem too thick and heavy appeared on her face without the slightest incongruity. Instead, it made her eyes appear even more like autumn waters and her brows like distant mountains. Set off by this bright red color, she was simply stunningly beautiful.

Even Grand Madam Song couldn’t help being stunned for a moment before reacting. With a smile, she praised her, held her hand and spoke some more auspicious words, invited Old Madam Chang to take a seat at the front, and only then personally placed the phoenix coronet on Song Chuyi.

“Everything is ready.” Grand Madam Song looked at her with a smile, couldn’t help but recall the flowing grace and composure of six-year-old Song Chuyi when she paid respects in Old Madam Song’s room all those years ago. Who could have imagined then that a young lady nearly ruined would have this day? Her smile deepened: “Old Master told you to set your mind at ease.”

The sky was pure and clear as a wash. The bamboo at the corner of the wall made rustling sounds as the wind blew. Song Chuyi glanced once more through the window at the courtyard she now lived in, the tassels on her phoenix coronet trembling lightly. She also raised her head and broke into a smile, her expression radiant as she nodded to Grand Madam Song.

The memories of her previous life had gradually faded like that layer of white frost on winter mornings at frost’s descent—once the sun shone on it, not even a shadow remained. From this day forward, her life was completely and utterly separated from her previous life.