Chapter 688: The Grand Wedding (1)
The commotion outside suddenly grew louder. Ying Chun ran to the door for a look and returned with a smile. "Miss, the dowry procession has begun."
Unable to resist, the young girls hid behind the courtyard gate to watch the lively scene outside. Servants dressed in brand-new clothes with red belts tied around their waists carried the dowry in pairs, lifting load after load in high spirits as they filed out in a continuous stream.
Unlike other dynasties where dowries were sent the day before the wedding, in Great Qing, the dowry was delivered on the morning of the wedding day, and the bride would leave her home in the afternoon.
On this day, the main gate of the Hua family residence was wide open. The first to emerge was the freshly dressed Hua Bolin, who today would escort his sister as a member of her maternal family.
Behind him were ten children around seven years old, carrying bamboo baskets filled with wedding candies and red envelopes. Dressed in red, they looked extremely festive. Following them were numerous loads of wedding candies and red envelopes, all to be scattered along the way by these children.
Hua Bolin glanced back and, seeing that everyone was ready, signaled to the large wedding music band waiting outside to begin playing. To the joyous music, the dowry procession filed out one after another, the distance between each load as if measured with a ruler, perfectly equal. They moved with a rhythmic pace, the dowry loads bobbing up and down in sync.
Children from the Lin family giggled as they slipped out the gate, reaching out for wedding candies. Hua Bolin grabbed a large handful and gave it to them, and they followed the procession all the way out of Hua Lin Alley.
Once they reached the main street, even though Hua Bolin had mentally prepared himself, he was still startled by the massive crowd waiting to watch the spectacle. But then he grew even happier—if even half of these people sincerely blessed his elder sister, that would be enough.
He was the first to grab a handful of wedding candies and toss them into the air. The children followed suit, throwing candies and red envelopes into the crowd. Immediately, people scrambled for them, some cheerfully shouting auspicious phrases. To those, Hua Bolin threw an extra handful.
Both the Hua family and the Regent’s residence were located in the northern part of the city. However, the Hua family had long been rooted in Hua Lin Alley, and even at the peak of their influence, they had only upgraded the specifications of their residence without relocating. Strictly speaking, their location was already on the fringe of the noble district. In contrast, the Regent’s residence had been converted from the Heir Apparent Residence, which was built on land personally designated by the Emperor. Its location was impeccable, offering great convenience for both entering the palace and leaving the city. After becoming a prince’s residence, its specifications were further elevated.
If they took the direct route, the two residences were only four or five li apart. But the Hua family wanted their eldest daughter to have a grand, glorious wedding—such a short distance was far from enough!
Thus, the Hua family replanned the route, choosing the longest path possible. A "ten miles of red dowry" truly had to cover ten li.
The commoners who had been waiting along the expected route were baffled when they heard the wedding music taking a detour. They hurried to catch up with the long procession and, upon learning the reason, could neither laugh nor cry. Everyone had expected the eldest daughter to have a grand wedding, but no one had anticipated that the usually low-key Hua family would go to such extravagant lengths this time.
Marriages among noble families in the capital had always been lavish, but the last time a dowry procession stretched ten miles was when the Duke of An married off his daughter. Indeed, that Lu family daughter had also married into a prince’s household, eventually giving rise to today’s Regent. And now, another ten-mile dowry procession was entering the very same household. It was uncertain whether Ling Wang would appear today—as the father, he ought to receive the newlyweds’ formal bows.
Amid the lively music and celebrations, some were still concerned about this matter. Meanwhile, discussions were also underway at the Regent’s residence.The Grand Empress Dowager was dressed in ceremonial robes. Perhaps because she had left the palace, she no longer appeared as imposing as before, instead carrying a certain amiability reminiscent of an elderly lady from an ordinary family.
She lifted her eyes to glance at her grandson, who had been adjusting his clothes countless times, and asked with feigned nonchalance, "What about your father..."
"I sent someone to inform him."
The Grand Empress Dowager's heart leapt with joy, thinking Yanxi had softened, and quickly asked, "Will he come?"
Gu Yanxi naturally didn't mention that he had specifically instructed his father not to appear today, instead giving an ambiguous reply: "Gu Yanze is gravely ill."
The Grand Empress Dowager gritted her teeth in frustration, furious at the young man's lack of sense. What a perfect opportunity to mend their relationship, ruined just like that! What day was today? His eldest son's wedding day, yet he still prioritized that younger son he had been doting on for ten years. Would missing a few hours of vigil really cause any harm?
Just as she was about to send someone to reprimand him and summon him over—how could he not appear on such an occasion—Yanxi added: "Let it be. Staying out of each other's way is best for us. There's no need to force it."
The Grand Empress Dowager looked at him for a moment, then could only sigh deeply. Her grandson was exceptional in every way, yet fate had been unkind in granting him familial warmth. But now, at last, he had someone she had fervently prayed for. Once they established their own family and enjoyed long years of happiness, those past sorrows and grievances would gradually fade from memory.
Chen Qing hurried in and bowed hastily. "The wedding procession is only two li from the manor."
"Is everything prepared?"
"Yes, all is ready."
Gu Yanxi nervously adjusted his clothes once more, particularly around the collar, which felt somewhat tight to him. "The space might still be insufficient. Immediately arrange for another courtyard to be prepared."
"Yes." Chen Qing rushed off to issue the orders, nearly tripping over his own feet. This was his first time handling such duties, and he had been losing sleep for several nights, terrified of making any mistakes. But now that his master's wedding day had finally arrived, even exhaustion felt worthwhile!
Before long, the faint sounds of celebratory music could be heard. Gu Yanxi grew restless and turned to say, "Grandmother, please rest here. I shall go out and take a look."
"The bride won't be arriving just yet. Why the hurry?" The Grand Empress Dowager was both exasperated and amused. His eagerness truly knew no bounds—the bride hadn't even crossed the threshold, and already he was abandoning his grandmother.
Yet, recalling all that had transpired between the two, she hadn't the heart to keep him. Waving her hand, she said, "Go on, then. This old lady can take care of herself."
Gu Yanxi didn't dwell on it further and strode quickly outside.
The Regent's Manor was adorned with exceptional festivity today, draped with Red Silk everywhere, a far cry from its usual cold and desolate appearance.
Knowing the manor lacked a mistress, both the Emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager had sent people to assist with the arrangements. The women of the Anguo Duke's residence had even taken up temporary residence here in recent days, and the results were evident—the manor now felt much more lively and inhabited.
The entire Anguo Duke's household had arrived early today and had been busy for quite some time. The Duke smiled at the sight of his grandson. "I've heard the Hua family has spared no expense for this wedding, more lavish than any previous marriage. You'd best prepare extra space, lest there be insufficient room when the dowry is displayed. That would certainly invite ridicule."
"Understood.""It's fine. If there really isn't enough space, we can just place them in this large courtyard. It'll actually make them easier to see clearly." The Duke of An joked with hearty laughter. Gu Yanxi couldn't possibly agree - when it came to matters concerning A Zhi, no amount of meticulousness could ever be excessive.
PS: No matter how I revise it, it's still garbage, as if my brain has been filled with cement. I always feel like something is blocked and not flowing smoothly.
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