Chu Mingxi naturally heard the commotion outside. Her hand, held by Wei Qingchen, tightened slightly, and a shyness inevitably rose on her face. But the wedding veil hid everything; no one noticed.
The golden phoenix bridal palanquin had a high shaft. Her vision blocked by the veil, Chu Mingxi could only dimly see the tips of her own shoes. She braced one hand in Wei Qingchen’s palm and lifted her skirt with the other, cautiously taking the first step. The person beside her chuckled softly and tightened her grip. A clear, bright voice rang out: “Let me carry you down.”
That person’s hands enfolded her, embracing her waist. Before she could utter a word, her feet suddenly left the ground. A flustered shock washed over her, and she let out a soft cry, raising her arms and hooking them around Wei Qingchen’s shoulders. The young person’s embrace was warm. Festive music and firecrackers sounded again by her ears. Subconsciously, she pressed closer to her.
Her heart pounded chaotically. Wei Qingchen held her tightly and whispered softly in her ear, “Don’t be afraid. I’m strong!”
Such a solemn, momentous life event, yet there was a hint of roguish mischief. Beneath the shelter of her wedding veil, Chu Mingxi bit her lip in a smile. Her frantic heartbeat steadied somewhat within those encircling arms.
Behind them, the wedding hostess hurriedly prompted, “Heir! The bride’s feet mustn’t touch the ground before entering the door!”
“Oh, oh, oh!” Wei Qingchen obediently complied, carrying her new wife steadily, step by step, up the stairs, across the threshold, and swaggering right into the Jingyuan Marquis Mansion.
Inside and out, the Marquis Mansion was a scene of festive joy. Large red lanterns hung under the eaves, and the window lattices were plastered with the character for “Double Happiness.” The mansion was packed with distinguished guests, a veritable cloud of visitors. Seeing Heir Wei himself carry the bride in, their eyes involuntarily widened, displaying expressions caught between laughter and restraint.
This must be a first in the history of this dynasty! The Grand General Wei was initially stunned, then exclaimed with boundless gratification, “Good lad! A tiger father doesn’t beget a dog son!” The Grand Princess, who had been speechlessly covering her eyes, reached over and pinched him at these words. He just chuckled and didn’t dodge, letting her pinch him.
“Heir! The red silk ribbon!!” The wedding hostess ran after them from behind and, with great difficulty, caught up when the Heir finally put the bride down. The hostess rushed forward and placed the ends of the red silk ribbon into each of their hands.
The Master of Ceremonies chanted the ritual loudly from the side. First bow to Heaven and Earth; second bow to the parents. Chu Mingxi bowed gracefully. Countless voices clamored around her. Every step felt like walking on clouds. After the ceremony, they were sent to the bridal chamber. Wei Qingchen led the way, holding the red ribbon. Chu Mingxi followed behind, escorted by the wedding hostess and maids, slowly walking back to the new courtyard.
It seemed they turned two corners, passing by a small courtyard. Only with great difficulty did they finally enter the room. Chu Mingxi was supported by the maids as she sat down on the bed.
The wedding hostess came forward and recited a string of auspicious words. Wei Qingchen finally received that glittering golden wedding scale. Chu Mingxi held her breath, her heart involuntarily beating faster.
The red veil before her was slowly lifted, inch by inch, as if the primordial chaos shrouding her all day was finally clearing, giving birth to heaven and earth. Chu Mingxi kept her eyes lowered, her long lashes fluttering slightly, like flower petals first blooming under an admiring gaze.
“The bride is truly beautiful. The Heir is very fortunate.” The wedding hostess offered sincere praise from the side. “The two newlyweds are truly a match made in heaven!”
The corner of Chu Mingxi’s mouth curved up. She raised her head slightly and saw Wei Qingchen flash a toothy grin, her eyes bright and clear.
A table laden with dishes was set out in the bridal chamber. The wedding hostess guided them through the ceremonial cup exchange. Wei Qingchen still had to go entertain guests in the front hall. As she rose, she gave Chu Mingxi’s hand a gentle squeeze, then released it. Her hand was very warm, even in the early winter season. Chu Mingxi thought it was probably a gesture of reassurance, here in this environment that was still unfamiliar to her.
She curved her lips into a faint smile. Her heart, which had been floating among the clouds for half a day, suddenly settled down.
Several senior maids remained in the room to keep the Young Mistress company. Seeing the Heir so openly affectionate right after the wedding, they all exchanged glances. Chu Mingxi noticed and inexplicably blushed again.
The Jingyuan Marquis Mansion was truly lively today. The legitimate son of the Grand General of Northern Pacification and the Grand Princess was getting married. Near and distant relatives, along with court dignitaries, mostly all came to offer congratulations. Even those who couldn’t make it sent gifts.
Wei Qingchen was cornered and forced to drink. Her brothers helped block some of the toasts from noble scions, and the Kang brothers blocked some more. But this one table wouldn’t do. This table held the princes. Not just the Crown Prince, who represented the Emperor in officiating the ceremony, but also the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth princes had all come. Wei Qingchen was caught in a shoulder lock by Mu Qishao, the Fifth Prince: “Good lad, you actually got married before me! You have to drink a few extra cups today. No leaving until you’re drunk!”
“No way!” The Third Prince was already married and had an uninhibited temperament. He spoke without taboos on a big happy day: “If you get him drunk, teasing the bridal chamber later won’t be any fun.”
“Hahahahahaha!”
The boisterous waves of laughter faintly reached the new chambers, though it was calm and quiet there. Qingdai and Yining stood on either side of the bronze mirror, helping the Eldest Young Miss freshen up. Removing the phoenix coronet took considerable effort—it was so heavy, they were terrified of knocking it against anything.
A senior maid from the Marquis Mansion, Jingyun, came in and kowtowed. Her Highness the Grand Princess was worried the Young Mistress might not adjust to the Marquis Mansion right away, and Jingyun had met her once before, so she was sent to serve.
A young maid had already fetched hot water. As Chu Mingxi washed her face and hands, Jingyun curtsied and said, “Has the Young Mistress not eaten yet? The Heir gave instructions to invite you to dine. He said the Young Mistress, just like him, has been busy since early morning, and that bit of breakfast was just a picture to stave off hunger.”
The whole room burst into laughter at her words.
She hadn’t yet changed out of her ceremonial robes. Qingdai supported the Eldest Young Miss as she walked over. The large red wedding table was filled with dishes, but as it was early winter, the food already looked cold and congealed. Just as she hesitated, a maid outside suddenly called out, “The Heir has returned!”
Everyone in the room was stunned. Wasn’t the groom supposed to be toasting in the front hall?
The door curtain lifted, and a person stepped over the threshold. Dressed in full wedding attire, her cheeks flushed red—who else could it be but Wei Qingchen?
“Back so soon? How impatient is the Heir?!” Jingyun teased, and the maids all chimed in with playful jeers.
Wei Qingchen just smiled and strode directly to the wedding table. Chu Mingxi looked up at her. The bride’s makeup had been removed, but her usually cool face still held a hint of pink, like freshly applied rouge or a new bride’s shy blush.
“Why are you back so early?” Chu Mingxi gave a faint smile. Wei Qingchen’s heart was filled with happiness.
The wedding table was in the middle of the Flower Hall. Qingdai at least had some tact; she stepped back from her mistress’s side, leaving space for the new son-in-law.
Wei Qingchen sat down at the table and happened to see Chu Mingxi’s hands resting on her lap. The bright red wedding dress made her fair, jade-like fingers stand out even more. Wei Qingchen looked twice and then did something she’d always wanted to do.
Her hand casually came to rest, not daring to touch Chu Mingxi’s leg, but when it found Chu Mingxi’s hand, she took hold of it.
Before Chu Mingxi could react, Wei Qingchen had already clasped her hand in her palm and gave it a squeeze. Perhaps because she’d just been drinking, a gentle warmth transmitted over, accompanied by her smiling words: “It’s cold out. They’ve set out hotpots in the front. I’m afraid it’s not easy to arrange that here, so I had someone prepare a few new dishes. Let’s eat here in our room.”
Sure enough, two maids entered from outside, both carrying food boxes. They had been standing by the door all along, and only now, upon the Heir’s signal, did they lay out the dishes. The wedding hostess looked at the dishes on the table, opened her mouth to speak, but didn’t dare defy the master’s wishes.
Jingyun understood the etiquette. Once the young maids had laid out all the hot dishes, she used a spoon to take a ladle of soup from the now-cold “Dragon and Phoenix in Auspicious Harmony” soup on the table and added it to the newly heated hot soup.
“Heir, Young Mistress, please enjoy your meal,” she said. After setting out the chopsticks and spoons, she stepped aside.
A look of pleasant surprise appeared in the eyes of both Qingdai and Yining. Even the wedding hostess beside them beamed and exclaimed, “How thoughtful of the Heir!”
In this way, the newlyweds could be considered to have eaten their wedding feast.
Only then did Wei Qingchen release her hand and pick up her chopsticks with a smile.
“Are you not going back to the front?” Chu Mingxi asked casually as she accepted a bowl of soup from a maid.
“Not going back! They’re all making me drink!” Wei Qingchen winked. “I’ll stay here and eat with you.”
Chu Mingxi lowered her gaze and curled the corners of her mouth.
After dinner, the wedding hostess led the servants to clear the table. Qingdai and Yining came forward to help the Eldest Young Miss and the Heir change out of their wedding attire.
The earrings she wore today were part of a matched set—Southern Pearl pendants, round and lustrous, but very intricate. When removing them, a strand of long hair somehow got tangled in them. Wei Qingchen saw this, stepped forward, and said, “Let me.”
Qingdai and Yining exchanged a look and tacitly let go at the same time. Wei Qingchen stood by the dressing table, cradling the string of pearls in one hand while using the other to gently work loose the tangled strands of black hair.
The maids silently withdrew. Chu Mingxi sat before the large bronze mirror, watching the person beside her now standing so close. The large red wedding candles illuminated her focused, handsome features. The elegant side profile gradually merged with the memory of the youth she had first met years ago in the Northern Region.
In the blink of an eye, she had known her for so many years.
“Got it!”
Her earlobe felt light. Wei Qingchen held up the earring, her eyes curved in a smile. That smile was so pure, one could instantly read its meaning: Hurry up and praise me!!
Should she tell her that if she’d done it herself, she could have removed it in moments?
Chu Mingxi tilted her head up and looked at her. “So capable.”
Mm… let her have some face.
Wei Qingchen happily went to remove the other side!
A cool breeze seemed to brush past the window, making a faint sound. Wei Qingchen turned her head to look, a trace of puzzlement in her eyes. Then she glanced over and saw Chu Mingxi raise a hand to rub the back of her neck, her brow furrowing slightly.
“What’s wrong?” she asked with concern.
“A little sore.” Chu Mingxi turned her head, frowning. “That phoenix coronet today was way too heavy!”
Hearing her slightly coquettish complaint, Wei Qingchen instead laughed. “Then let me massage it for you?”
As she spoke, she’d already started.
But being accustomed to martial arts training, her hand strength was much greater than an average girl’s. She’d also never served anyone before. The moment she pressed down, Chu Mingxi couldn’t help but cry out in shock!
“Ah!!!”
Wei Qingchen was so startled she immediately let go, her eyes widening with a bit of panic. “What’s wrong, what’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”
Chu Mingxi raised her eyes and glared at her, tears already pooling in them. “What do you think!”
“I…” Wei Qingchen had only gotten half a word out when she suddenly stopped, her expression turning serious as she stared at the window.
Chu Mingxi stared at her, puzzled. Wei Qingchen strode over and abruptly flung the window panels wide open. From outside came a burst of laughter, mixed with the chaotic, stumbling sounds of people in a commotion.
Someone was eavesdropping outside the window!!
Wei Qingchen raised her fist threateningly. The young men quickly fled, laughing as they ran. Through the not-yet-closed window, their affected, teasing voices drifted in from afar:
“Did I hurt you??”
“What do you think~~~”
A wave of heat steamed up on Chu Mingxi’s face, and her cheeks instantly flushed bright red.
