Маdаm Мian cоuldn't hеlр but wоrrуingly embraсе Zhou Shaоjin, asking softlу, "Whаt's wrоng? Аrе уou feеling unwell somewhere?"
Zhou Shаоjin toоk two dеер brеaths bеfоrе rерlying, "Рerhaps I'vе bеen indоors too lоng, now I'm feеling a bit dizzy."
Маdаm Мiаn nоddеd deeрlу in agrееmеnt.
Cоming from thе sоuth, they wеrеn't quite аccustomеd to northern wintеrs. Stауing indoоrs too long mаdе thеm feеl сhеst tightnеss аnd shоrtness оf brеath—thеy nеeded tо get оutsidе fоr fresh аir.
Тhinking shе hаd alreadу explained еverything neсessarу, and thе rеst cоuld be understood by reading alone, Madam Mian said gently with a smile, "Then you rest first! I'll tell Chunwan, have them not disturb you. You can read quietly by yourself, then put it at the bottom of the chest to take along."
In the future when she has a daughter, she can take it out for her daughter's use.
Zhou Shaojin felt as if granted amnesty, rising to see Madam Mian out.
But Madam Mian urged Zhou Shaojin to rest early: "Don't let yourself feel unwell on the wedding day, that would be troublesome."
Zhou Shaojin agreed, escorting Madam Mian to the door curtain, watching her lift the curtain and exit before returning to the inner chamber, sitting alone on the bed lost in thought.
What should she do?
Should she tell Uncle Chi?
As the thought arose, she remembered the warmth when Uncle Chi held her, and his gentle face while holding her...
Perhaps she could endure it a little longer?
Zhou Shaojin wanted to ask her sister or Cheng Jia how they spent their wedding nights, but she was too shy. Several times she approached Zhou Chujin but couldn't bring herself to speak. Zhou Chujin was busy with Madam Mian directing maids, matrons, and servants to place her dowry onto the wedding carriers, having neither time to talk with her nor notice her unusual state. As for Cheng Jia, needless to say, she had already gone to the Chaoyang Gate area.
Gu Shiqigu did notice her unusual behavior, but she thought it was because Zhou Shaojin was about to become a bride.
Hadn't she herself felt anxious for several days before marrying Cheng Yi?
After marrying, thinking of "not yet familiar with mother-in-law's tastes, first send little sister-in-law to taste," hadn't her heart remained unsettled for several more days?
Gu Shiqigu teased Zhou Shaojin with a smile: "Don't worry, we won't lose your dowry. Just marry over with peace of mind. Old Madam Guo watched you grow up since childhood, otherwise she wouldn't have chosen you as daughter-in-law. She must be extremely satisfied with you, and in the future there will just be one more person who dotes on you. You, just set your heart at ease. I guarantee nothing will go wrong."
Everyone burst into laughter, looking kindly at Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin was too embarrassed to lift her head, fleeing back to her room like escaping, where would she have the nerve to mention wedding night matters?
But deep down she felt somewhat apprehensive. Amidst the dowry display, makeup preparation, wedding haste, and bustling voices, she dazed was supported to the main hall, kowtowed and bowed toward the vacated official's chair, was carried on Cheng Yi's back into the bridal sedan.
Amidst the crackling firecrackers, Zhou Shaojin's tears suddenly fell.
She was really getting married!
She was really marrying Cheng Chi!
Although expected, when it actually happened it still felt unreal.
Zhou Shaojin hurriedly took out the handkerchief hidden in her sleeve, gently dabbing the corners of her eyes. Afraid of ruining her makeup, even more afraid of inauspiciousness.
She would definitely live well!
Zhou Shaojin secretly clenched her fist.
Exiting the sedan, crossing the fire basin, bowing to heaven and earth. Escorted into the bridal chamber.
Zhou Shaojin walked steadily.
In her previous life, she had also walked this path once.Back then, there was only panic and confusion.
She didn’t know where the future lay.
Nor did she know whether her choices were right or wrong.
There was only one thought in her mind—she couldn’t fall into that swamp and rot into mud; she couldn’t let her father and sister forever bear shame on her behalf.
But now, her heart was filled with a steady hope.
She knew she might still fall far short of Old Madam Guo’s ideal of a good daughter-in-law, but for Cheng Chi, she would strive to learn from Old Madam Guo and take charge of the household affairs at Chaoyang Gate. Just as Cheng Chi had once done for her, she would also share his burdens, allowing him to focus on external matters with peace of mind.
The bright red, gold-woven bridal veil was lifted with the wedding scale.
She saw Cheng Chi’s handsome face.
Neither gaunt nor sunburned.
In his bright eyes, there was unmistakable joy.
Zhou Shaojin suddenly felt as if all her past suffering had drifted away.
What she had sought across two lifetimes was precisely a pair of eyes that could look at her as gently, intently, and joyfully as they did now.
The corners of Zhou Shaojin’s lips lifted, revealing a gentle smile.
From within the room came a woman’s amused voice: “The bride is truly beautiful today!”
Zhou Shaojin looked up and saw the auspicious matron, Third Madam Wu.
Besides her, there were four maids in the bridal chamber.
One of them was Zhenzhu, while the others were unfamiliar faces, likely newly arrived in the household.
Seeing her glance over, Zhenzhu smiled at her.
If it wasn’t Old Madam Guo who had arranged for Zhenzhu to be on duty, fearing Shaojin might feel uneasy, then it must have been Cheng Chi’s doing.
Zhou Shaojin felt reassured and turned her gaze to Cheng Chi.
Cheng Chi was dressed in bright red wedding robes.
Such a vivid color—she was seeing it for the first time, yet Cheng Chi didn’t appear the least bit out of place. He looked as natural and relaxed as usual, exuding an air of effortless grace.
Zhou Shaojin pursed her lips and smiled.
It seemed as if nothing could ever trouble Uncle Chi…
Third Madam Wu handed the wedding wine cups tied with colorful silk threads to Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi.
Zhou Shaojin and Cheng Chi drank the wedding wine.
Cheng Chi’s warm breath brushed her cheek, mingled with the slight intoxication of the wine. She couldn’t help but whisper softly, “You… drink less wine, be careful not to harm your health!”
“Understood!” Cheng Chi smiled slightly, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Zhou Shaojin’s face flushed crimson like a sunset, and she dared not meet Cheng Chi’s gaze again.
His little girl was just as amusing even on their wedding day!
Cheng Chi didn’t restrain himself but followed his heart, gently patting Zhou Shaojin’s head before rising to say, “Stay here in the bridal chamber. If you feel bored, have Zhenzhu keep you company, chat, or do something else. If you’re hungry and want something to eat, just tell her. I’ll go out to entertain the guests. I might return a bit late. If you’re tired or sleepy, go to bed on your own. Tomorrow morning, we’ll have to go to the ancestral hall to pay respects to our ancestors and meet the relatives. It’ll be a busy day.”
In scholarly and well-mannered families, ancient customs were often followed, so there was no rowdy wedding-night teasing. If there were many younger members in the family, little girls and boys might sneak in to catch a glimpse of the bride.
Unfortunately, Cheng Chi’s nephews and nieces were all grown up, so naturally, no one felt bold enough to come and see her.
Zhou Shaojin let out a long sigh of relief and asked Zhenzhu whether Chunwan and the others had arrived.
Her usual maids and matrons, including Madam Fan Liu and her son, had all come as her accompanying attendants.According to etiquette, they would follow at the very end of the wedding procession in sedan chairs, entering the mansion. They would be arranged to sit separately for the wedding banquet. Only after the bride had completed the formal introductions to relatives the next day would they come to kowtow to the groom and officially begin their duties.
Zhenzhu smiled and said, "Fourth Madam, don't worry. Nanny Lu is personally accompanying them!"
Of course, the choice of accompanying guests also carried significance.
Typically, the higher the status of the accompanying guests, the more it demonstrated the groom's family's regard for the bride.
Nanny Lu was one of Old Madam Guo's most trusted confidantes.
This arrangement could be said to have given Zhou Shaojin considerable face.
Yet Zhenzhu's address of "Fourth Madam" still made Zhou Shaojin blush like rosy clouds.
Zhenzhu then said with a smile, "Fourth Madam, would you like me to help you remove your hairpins and ornaments so you can lean against the headboard for a while?"
Zhou Shaojin, always mindful of propriety, hesitated and asked, "Is it permissible to remove them?"
Creating such an elaborate bridal hairstyle would take even an experienced hand half a shichen. She had to rise before dawn tomorrow, and Chunwan and the others would not yet be able to come attend to her. She would still have to wear this hairstyle for the introductions to relatives...
"Of course it is!" Zhenzhu replied with a laugh, then beckoned a maid over, saying, "Her name is Yuanyuan. Her hands are the most nimble—she knows how to style fifteen or sixteen different hairstyles. Fourth Madam, you can have her try styling your hair in the future."
Zhou Shaojin breathed a sigh of relief.
She did not have a dedicated hairdressing maid; she either casually tied her hair into a simple bun or had Chunwan help her style it into twin spiral knots or twin loops.
Yuanyuan came over to help her remove the hairpins and ornaments.
Her hands trembled slightly, as if afraid of pulling out even a single strand of hair.
For some reason, watching this made Zhou Shaojin feel considerably lighter in mood, and she smiled, saying, "It's all right. Take your time."
Yuanyuan blushed, and indeed her movements became much more relaxed.
Someone knocked on the door.
Everyone exchanged glances.
"It's me!" came Cheng Jia's deliberately lowered voice from outside the door. "I've come to see you!"
Zhenzhu looked rather helpless as she went to answer the door.
Cheng Jia walked in with a grin, exclaiming from a distance, "Oh my, this bridal chamber is decorated so lavishly! Are these dragon-and-phoenix candlesticks made of pure gold? And these wedding curtains—they look like crimson kesi silk!"
Zhou Shaojin was both amused and exasperated. "Have you gotten so used to being the mistress of the house in Luoyang that you see everything in terms of silver?"
"Exactly!" Cheng Jia declared without a hint of shame. "I'm a merchant's wife now."
Zhou Shaojin couldn't help but laugh. "Why aren't you at the wedding banquet? What are you doing here?"Cheng Jia showed some consideration by not sitting directly on the wedding bed, instead taking a seat on the brocade stool beside it. She said, "What a pity! Today is your big day, and you have to stay in the bridal chamber as the bride, so you missed it all. The second wife of the Fang family also came to the wedding, though Fang Xuan wasn’t there. But from her expression, it looked like she’d swallowed a fly. Several of the Min family’s wives and ladies also attended. One of them seemed to be Min Jianxing’s first wife—I made a point of looking at her. She’s quite plain in appearance, but her demeanor is decent, likely from a respectable family. However, her sister-in-law was another story, always probing about you, whether intentionally or not. The most ridiculous was Wu Baozhang. In front of all the relatives and friends who came to celebrate, she claimed to be your close friend, talking about how you were back in the fourth branch, how you caught the old madam’s eye, copying sutras for her in Cold Green Mountain House, winning her favor, and even accompanying Uncle Chi and the old madam to Mount Putuo… And Madam Yuan didn’t say a word! Second Wife Wei tried to intervene, but with her soft, glutinous-rice-ball-like temperament, she was cut off by Wu Baozhang after just a few words. I was so anxious listening that I had to step forward and introduce myself, greeting the Min family. Then I jabbed at Wu Baozhang, asking her: ‘Who are you? I don’t think I know you.’
"She was taken aback but quickly replied: ‘I’m your cousin-in-law from the Nuo branch…’
"I cut her off and said: ‘That can’t be! My cousin-in-law from the Nuo branch married the eldest daughter of the Jinling Prefect’s family. You, chattering away with so much to say, don’t seem like her at all! Could you be my cousin’s chamber maid, pretending to be the lady while the real one isn’t here?’
"You should have seen Wu Baozhang’s expression—turning pale one moment and green the next, like she’d been painted with colors. It absolutely delighted me!"
※
Sisters, this update is for tomorrow.
O(∩_∩)O~
PS: Finally, a little off-topic note.
A friend left a comment saying the female lead is too weak.
I sighed deeply.
Everyone loves Shu Ting’s "To the Oak," but there is more than one kind of love in this world.
Life has turned us girls into tough women… We mothers are raising our daughters like sons…
Sisters, when you can afford to be weak, it’s okay to be a little weak sometimes!
※ (To be continued ~^~)
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