A’jiao remembered that when she had married into the palace in her past life, her dowry had stretched in a continuous line from the Princess’s Manor all the way to the Sima Gate.
Yet, she had never felt much of an impression of it back then. Perhaps it was because her lifestyle had always been superior to others, making such extravagance seem ordinary. This time, however, Wei Yuan’s wedding allowed A’jiao to truly empathize with how her mother must have felt in those days.
The two families consulted the almanac and selected the twenty-eighth of the month as the auspicious day for the betrothal. From that moment on, the Chen household busied itself with preparations inside and out.
Funds, venues, and guests—each was a significant matter requiring careful deliberation. Old Madame Chen, who had long since retired from managing household affairs, took the lead this time. She guided the First Madam, Lady Yan, and the Second Madam, Lady Guo, along with A’jiao’s mother in this life, Ruan Qing, as they threw themselves into the work.
While everyone was still counting coins in the accounting room, a sudden report arrived: the Great General Wei had sent gifts.
A’jiao, who was being held by Granny Li to watch the adults balance the books, saw several large chests of gold and treasures carried in. Along with them came a land deed.
Wei Qing had purchased the estate neighboring the Chen Manor and gifted it to the Chen family. He even sent a steward to assist with the wedding preparations.
A’jiao marveled at the sight—Wei Qing certainly had a lavish hand! At the same time, she felt more and more that Wei Yuan’s marriage was being rushed. Even if Wei Yuan didn't marry at fifteen, or even twenty, the Wei family could easily afford to pay the spinster tax!
The Chen family also began to sense that something was amiss, but since the matter was settled, they neither could nor dared to decline. Upon further inquiry, some startling news indeed came to light.
One night, A’jiao overheard the young Chen couple chatting. It turned out that Old Madame Wei had privately invited the Crown Prince to the Wei residence, intending for him to have a secret tryst with Wei Yuan. However, Wei Qing, having rushed back from the palace, blocked them right at the main gate. Afterward, it was said that Wei Yuan was taken to a separate Wei estate to wait for her betrothal and wedding.
Liu Che had also heard of the matter. He reprimanded the Crown Prince and remarked, "Zhongqing is indeed no fool."
The members of the Chen family were shaken by these tidings, and they dared not neglect a single detail of the upcoming nuptials.
Once the betrothal rites were completed, the wedding was set for the tenth day of the eighth month. An auspicious day for marriage.
The Chen family had merged the estate gifted by Wei Qing with their original manor, renovating the entire grounds. Fortunately, the original buildings were well-constructed, so no major structural changes were needed. Of course, while the estates were joined in name, the Chen family had agreed that the new section would be reserved for Chen Chuo and his bride, while everyone else remained in their original quarters.
While the adults were flying about in a frenzy of activity, A’jiao was quite at leisure. Xia Zhu spent her days carrying her around the manor to watch the excitement.
It had to be said that Xia Zhu was truly a beautiful and kind-hearted girl. She had personally embroidered A’jiao’s swaddling clothes, hand-drawn and sewn her dolls, and fed her every meal. Ruan Qing trusted her completely.
In the blink of an eye, the tenth of the eighth month arrived.
By now, A’jiao’s eyes could see things clearly at will. Before dawn, Chen Yang and his wife rose to begin the day’s preparations.
"Jiaojiao, be good and sleep a little longer," Ruan Qing said, kissing A’jiao’s small face as the infant was stirred awake by the noise.
Chen Yang also stepped forward to hug the child, instructing, "Xia Zhu, keep Jiaojiao in the courtyard. Don't go out wandering. There will be many guests today and it will be noisy; don't let her get frightened. If you need anything, tell the maidservants to find Granny Li or Chun Lan."
Xia Zhu nodded vigorously. The young couple then headed out together.
"Hmph, it seems you’re living quite the comfortable life!" Yuan Deng’s figure flickered in and out of view under the lamplight.
A’jiao glanced at Xia Zhu, whose head was nodding with sleepiness even as she forced herself to stay awake and pat A’jiao gently. A’jiao let out a yawn. "You bet! It’s wonderful. Every day is nothing but sleeping, eating, or playing!"
"I’m envious. Sigh, you don't know—another one from our group is gone." That made four.
"Hmm? What happened this time?"
"...A cold."
"That... illness and pain are unavoidable, after all."
"True. So, you few better stay safe, or I’ll find myself out of work early in this first round!"
"Lord Yuan Deng, how can you say that? Of course I want to live a long life!" As she spoke, a smile bloomed on A’jiao’s chubby face. "By the way, am I the one living the best life in our group?"
"I can't tell you that! But you are certainly doing well. Alright, enough chatter, let me check on you."
"Mhm, the Soul-Guiding Plaque is normal, and the state of your soul is excellent. In fact, you’re in the best condition," Yuan Deng noted during his routine inspection.
"Thank you, Lord Yuan Deng!"
"Alright, I’m off. I have to go back and organize your files. Leaving now!"
"Farewell, Lord Yuan Deng."
Yuan Deng never stayed long; he would depart immediately after checking the plaque and the soul. A’jiao wanted to ask about her mother and the others in the Underworld, but Yuan Deng refused to tell her.
"According to the rules, under normal circumstances, we cannot disclose the situation of the Underworld to you."
***
Wei Yuan had been woken by her wet nurse early that morning.
Makeup was applied, and she was dressed in her finery. Once everything was ready, she waited in her boudoir for Chen Chuo to arrive and fetch her. Since her mother had passed away years ago, her eldest sister-in-law, Lady Han, took over the maternal duties for the wedding.
As Lady Han reached the door, she saw Wei Yuan’s wet nurse, Nanny He, standing there looking distressed.
"Nanny, what is the matter?"
"The young miss says the makeup is uncomfortable and wants to wash it off!"
Lady Han knew that wedding makeup was solemn and complex, and indeed quite burdensome. "Yuan’er, today is your wedding day. Be good. Once you reach your husband’s house and perform the Hejin Ritual, you can wash it off. Just endure it; it’s only for today!"
"Hmph! But I’m just so uncomfortable! Besides, no one else can see it anyway!"
"...Others might not see it, but your husband will! Don't you want your husband to see you at your most beautiful?" Lady Han knew she couldn't let Wei Yuan have her way today and could only coax her gently.
As they were speaking, someone came to report that the groom had arrived!
Wei Qing had set out a banquet in the manor and personally led his sons to the gate to welcome his son-in-law. Chen Chuo stepped forward with a bow, carrying a pair of wild geese as he entered the manor.
The father-in-law and son-in-law exchanged ritual bows and ascended the steps to the main hall. There, Chen Chuo performed the kowtow of the twice-repeated bow and placed the pair of geese on the ground.
Only then did Wei Qing’s expression soften into a smile. "My worthy son-in-law has worked hard."
Chen Chuo could not hide his joy. "Father-in-law, please do not say such things. To have my cousin as my wife is my greatest fortune."
Wei Kang went inside to lead Wei Yuan out. Wei Qing walked over and took his daughter’s hand. "Yuan’er, you are getting married today; you are no longer a little girl. In your husband’s home, remember that you and your husband are one. You must not throw tantrums as you please." His eyes reddened as he spoke. "If... if you miss your father, you two should come home and visit me..."
"Father!" Wei Kang reminded him in a low voice, seeing two lines of clear tears already streaming down his father’s face.
Wei Yuan pouted, unable to stop herself from crying as well. Lady Han hurried forward with a handkerchief to dab at her eyes, lest she ruin her makeup.
Wei Qing held his daughter’s hand, leading her step by step until he placed it into Chen Chuo’s. The couple bowed their farewells to Wei Qing and walked out hand-in-hand.
Chen Chuo helped Wei Yuan into the carriage. Once she was seated, he took hold of the carriage ropes and, according to ritual, personally drove the carriage for his wife. Under Wei Qing’s watchful gaze, even though Chen Chuo had practiced driving thousands of times, he was still nervous.
Fortunately, nothing went wrong. After the wheels had turned three times, Chen Chuo breathed a sigh of relief and handed the reins to a servant, taking his place in the lead carriage to guide the way.
Wei Qing leaned against the gate, watching the carriage carrying Wei Yuan grow smaller in the distance. Wei Kang and his brothers followed as the bridal escort.
"My lady, look... I have seen Yuan’er safely married off!" Wei Qing’s tears would not stop.
Inside the carriage, Wei Yuan cried for a moment before slowly gathering her emotions, her heart filling with a mix of nervousness and shyness. A maidservant carefully helped her touch up her makeup.
Before long, they arrived at the Chen Manor, where a large crowd had gathered at the entrance. A maid presented a fan. Wei Yuan took it, her heart fluttering like a trapped deer.
Chen Chuo’s father, Chen Ao, personally welcomed them at the gate. Chen Chuo bowed to his father, then approached Wei Yuan’s carriage and made a deep bow toward the interior.
"I invite the bride to descend from the carriage!"
Wei Yuan demurely extended a hand, and Chen Chuo led her inside. As the bride entered, servants scattered coins before the manor gate, and a swarm of children rushed forward to gather them.
Xia Zhu had quietly carried A’jiao out to mingle with the guests and watch the spectacle. A’jiao was indeed curious about folk wedding customs and watched with wide, attentive eyes. Seeing the coins being scattered outside, A’jiao couldn't help but giggle and clap her hands.
This was certainly much more lively and fun than the palace!
As A’jiao laughed, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure outside the manor gate.
Liu Che? What was he doing here?
***
