Chapter 204: The Wedding Day
As the days passed, two days before the wedding ceremony, Caifu and Xiuqu went ahead to the Chen Family in Wanping to prepare Jinchao's bridal bed.
The Gu household bustled with activity again as guests arrived one after another bearing invitations. Ji Wu Shi arrived the day before the wedding, accompanied by Eldest Aunt Song Shi. Since Chen Shi was in the later stages of pregnancy, it was inconvenient for her to travel, while Liu Shi stayed behind to look after the household.
The Chen Family had sent over the dowry chest yesterday, which included not only the customary offerings of meat and seafood but also an array of gifts, along with a complete set of phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes, as well as an embroidered bridal veil. After inspecting everything, Ji Wu Shi felt reassured that the Chen Family held this marriage in high regard.
These past few days, Jinchao had been frequently summoned by Madam Feng for long talks, during which she was given many instructions. Only then did Jinchao realize that everyone else seemed more nervous than she was, which in turn eased her own mind. When her grandmother arrived, she simply sat with her amidst the wormwood and chatted. As the lamplight gradually brightened, Qingpu lifted the curtain and entered with a smile, saying, "Miss, shouldn’t you rest soon? You’ll have to rise early tomorrow!"
Ji Wu Shi waved her hand with a chuckle. "You should go to bed first. The journey from Daxing to Wanping will take several hours."
Jinchao squeezed her grandmother’s hand. In the candlelight, her grandmother’s face looked especially gentle.
In her past life, when she had married into the Chen Family, her grandmother had said many things to her:
"...Do not strive or compete in all matters, and serve your husband well. The Chen Family is a good place to live. Madam Chen dislikes ostentation, so you must temper your temperament. A husband’s family is not like your natal home—no one will indulge you..."
She remembered how she had thrown herself into her grandmother’s arms and wept bitterly back then. She had been unable to voice her unfulfilled desires, and the stifled emotions had been unbearable.
For some reason, tears began to stream down Jinchao’s face now as well.
Startled, Ji Wu Shi took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "Chaojie, what troubles you?"
Jinchao shook her head and hugged Ji Wu Shi without speaking.
Assuming she was feeling melancholy about the wedding, Ji Wu Shi patted her back soothingly. "It’s alright, don’t cry... silly child. If you cry today, how will you have any tears left for tomorrow?" Tomorrow, she would still have to perform the traditional bridal weeping.
Jinchao laughed through her tears. None of those past events had happened—why should she dwell on them? After exchanging a few more words, she escorted her grandmother to the side chamber to rest.
The next day, just after 5 a.m., Qingpu woke her.
The sky had not yet fully brightened.
Madam Feng arrived with the "complete blessings" matron, Madam Fan. Cheerful and smiling, Madam Feng wore a long jacket embroidered with longevity motifs, her hair neatly combed and adorned with a pearl headband, each South Sea pearl as large as a lotus seed. Madam Fan, the matriarch of the Dingguo Duke Fan Family, had both parents living and children thriving. She wore a crimson gold-patterned sleeved jacket and a red-gold turquoise Jeweled Knot hairpin, dignified yet opulent. Soon, Xu Jingyi, Second Madam, Ji Wu Shi, and Eldest Aunt also arrived one after another.
For a while, the room buzzed with lively greetings.
Qingpu helped Jinchao wash and dress in her bridal attire before Madam Fan stepped forward to comb her hair.
Gu Dezhao’s birth mother had been a concubine-born daughter of the Fan Family, so Madam Fan felt particularly affectionate toward Jinchao. Holding her hand, she spoke several auspicious blessings before taking the ox-horn comb from Qingpu to style her hair. Once the hair was arranged, she first pinned it with a red-gold hairpin, and then the most skilled makeup maid from Second Madam’s household came to shape her brows.
Madam Feng watched from the side and couldn’t resist adding, "...Chaojie’s features are already striking—don’t darken her brows too much."
The maid bowed. "This servant understands."The sun finally emerged, and the bridal procession would soon arrive.
Madam Feng went to the main hall in the front courtyard first.
Second Madam had been in low spirits these days due to the incident involving Gu Lan and Yao Wenxiu. Seeing Gu Jinzhao getting married only worsened her mood, so she excused herself under the pretext of attending to guests. Xu Jingyi and Jinzhao’s grandmother then began chatting with her.
Shortly after, Gu Xi, Gu Yi, and Jinrong also came to bid her farewell.
After the incident with Gu Lan and Yao Wenxiu, Gu Lan had been confined by Madam Feng to the eastern side courtyard, unable to go anywhere. Gu Xi and Gu Yi clung to Jinzhao, crying uncontrollably, reluctant to see her marry.
Outside, firecrackers crackled as the bridal procession arrived.
Gu Dezhao stood on the steps outside the main hall of the front courtyard, flanked by Second Master Gu, Gu Wuye, and two uncles from the Ji family. His colleagues from the Ministry of Revenue dared not attend, but many of Second Master Gu’s associates from the Censorate were present. The highest-ranking among them was Feng Xianlun, the Deputy Chief Censor of the third rank, who was promptly seated in the place of honor by Second Master Gu. The crowd buzzed with lively conversation as the vermilion-lacquered gates adorned with red silk slowly swung open. Gu Dezhao hastily straightened his robes.
Dressed in a crimson court robe with black trim and a rhinoceros-horn-patterned belt befitting his second-rank status, Chen Yanyun strode in with measured steps. His tall and imposing figure only accentuated his dignified handsomeness. Behind him followed three men of extraordinary bearing, causing Gu Dezhao’s head to spin slightly. There was Zhao Huai, the Assistant Commander of the Five Military Commissions and concurrently the Shaanxi Regional Commander, clad in an imperial-bestowed python robe. Next was Liang Lin, the Grand Academician of Huagai Hall and Minister of Personnel, and lastly, the amiable and smiling figure of Chang Hai, the current Duke Zheng and son of Chang Laofuren.
Gu Dezhao’s legs nearly gave way. How had his son-in-law managed to bring such distinguished figures for the bridal procession? Should he accept Chen Yanyun’s formal greeting first, or should he offer his respects first?
Before he could decide, Chen Yanyun stepped forward and respectfully knelt to greet him with a smile. Gu Dezhao stood stiffly, sweating nervously before finally saying, “Please rise.” Only then did the three men behind Chen Yanyun approach.
Second Master Gu hurried forward to greet each of them in turn, but Zhao Huai waved him off with a laugh. “If you all start bowing one by one, when will the wedding happen? We’re just here to see Third Master Chen get married—no need for formalities.”
Chen Yanyun said quietly, “Father-in-law, there’s no need to worry. The gesture has been made. Please take me to pay respects to the elder madam.”
Gu Dezhao flushed. He had privately spoken to Third Master Chen before, insisting that the ceremony must be proper and the face must not be lost. Chen Yanyun had readily agreed, saying, “Rest assured, I will ensure she marries in grand style.”
But he hadn’t expected him to bring three such high-ranking figures…
Gu Dezhao coughed lightly, his gaze lingering on the rhinoceros-horn-patterned belt at his son-in-law’s waist—a mark of second-rank status—and felt another wave of dizziness.
He led Chen Yanyun into the main hall.
Chen Yanyun served tea to Madam Feng, who in turn presented him with a red envelope. Shortly after, they moved to the banquet and rest area, where the first course was a lavish spread of fish lips and sea cucumber, followed by a three-shredded delicacy platter and a whole lamb feast. Zhao Huai remarked to Chen Yanyun, “The banquet is impressive—your father-in-law spared no expense…” No sooner had they taken their seats than officials began approaching one after another to offer toasts. Chen Yanyun disliked drinking, but considering this was his wedding day, refusing would be impolite. He accepted each cup and drank in turn.
As firecrackers sounded once more, Jinzhao’s dowry procession departed the Feng residence, stretching magnificently in a grand and imposing display.Jinchao had only a bowl of lotus seed and lily congee in the morning, still half-cooked as per tradition. By noon, the maids had already begun restricting her diet, allowing her only a few longans. Not only was she hungry, but her mouth was also parched. Soon after, she was supported by Qingpu to bid farewell to Madam Feng and Xu Jingyi. Madam Feng gave her a pair of golden candlesticks as a dowry gift, while Xu Jingyi presented a pair of pure white jade hairpins adorned with bamboo and plum blossom patterns.
The sunlight gradually dimmed, yet the Gu household remained bustling with people and brilliantly lit.
Madam Feng calculated the time and had Qingpu cover Jinchao’s head with a gold-embroidered red bridal veil. She was then carried on Gu Jinxian’s back into the bridal sedan. The maids from her room who were to accompany her had already dressed and prepared themselves early, leaving the Gu residence in another carriage.
The sedan moved smoothly, the sound of firecrackers fading into the distance. The clamor of gongs and drums, however, continued all along the way.
Ye Xian, who had come to attend the wedding banquet at the Gu household, drank his last cup of wine, a faint flush appearing on his jade-like cheeks. Yet when he stood up, he was perfectly sober. He watched silently as the bridal sedan departed.
Ye Xian’s presence at the wedding banquet had kept Fifth Madam on edge. Seeing him merely sitting at the table drinking, ignoring anyone who spoke to him, she finally relaxed. Her younger brother had always been reckless—what if he did something outrageous like snatching the bride right then and there? Only after Gu Jinzhao’s bridal sedan had left the Gu residence did she approach Ye Xian: “...You’ve drunk so much. Come with your sister to rest.”
Ye Xian gently pushed Fifth Madam’s hand away and stood up, whispering to Li Xianhuai, “...Let’s go back.”
From now on, she would belong to someone else. She would have nothing to do with him... and they could never meet again.
Ye Xian was the first to leave the banquet, leaving all the noise and revelry far behind.
...
Gu Lian had not attended the banquet, believing that out of sight meant out of mind. Instead, she sat in her room embroidering, listening to her maid’s account of the event. The maid mentioned the arrival of a general and a duke... Gu Lian frowned. How could a wedding for a second wife be so grand? She set down her embroidery frame, interrupting Lan Zhi: “Where’s Lan Er? I haven’t seen her all day. Did she go to the banquet?”
Lan Zhi shook her head. “Third Young Miss said she’s copying scriptures for Tai Furen and won’t be able to visit you for half a month.”
Gu Lian had no one to confide in and felt stifled. Watching the sky darken... she wondered if Gu Jinzhao had even left Daxing yet!
Gu Jinzhao was also thinking about this.
The sedan moved smoothly, but she could only see the red bridal veil and couldn’t lift the curtain to look outside. Glancing down, she saw only the narrow gold bangle with auspicious cloud patterns on her wrist... She didn’t know if Qingpu and the others had reached Wanping yet... Third Master Chen was probably ahead. She had been carried onto the sedan by Gu Jinxian right after the veil was placed, without even catching a glimpse of him.
The sound of gongs and drums persisted, and Jinchao dozed off briefly. She hadn’t slept well the night before. When the noise outside grew louder again, she opened her eyes. Mama Tong’s voice came from outside just then: “Young Miss, we’ve arrived at Rongxiang Alley...”
Jinchao straightened up, holding the cloisonné treasure vase with red plum patterns. Soon, the sedan stopped, and she heard ceremonial announcements outside. Supported by Madam Fan and another well-wisher, she stepped onto a soft cushion. Amid the clamor of guests and the lively gongs and drums, she momentarily lost her bearings. After stepping over the saddle and the basin of coins and grain, she was led to perform the wedding ceremony.From beneath the hem of her bridal veil, Jinchao caught sight of a pair of brand-new black boots. His feet seem quite large... she mused silently.
She had never paid attention to such things before.
After the wedding ceremony, she was still supported by the matron of honor as she entered the bridal chamber. Jinchao sat on the wormwood-covered bed, hearing only faint murmurs around her. The rituals of pressing the lapel and scattering the bed were performed, followed by Madam Fan's voice urging, "Groom, quickly lift the veil now!"
She tilted her head slightly, unsure why she felt so nervous... Hadn't she married him once before in her past life?
But when the veil was lifted, her eyes immediately met Third Master Chen standing before her. Dressed in his second-rank official robes with black trim and crimson silk, adorned with a rhinoceros-horn-patterned belt, he stood tall and straight. He looked down at her with smiling eyes, exuding complete composure.
Jinchao felt her cheeks might be flushing—fortunately, the maid had applied thick powder... It probably wouldn't show!
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