Chapter 21 Getting Married

The days passed into the first month of the year, and Xu Rong celebrated her first New Year since transmigrating.

The Xu family was small, with only Xu Rong, Madam Xu, and Xu Huazhang keeping vigil on New Year’s Eve. The next day, some distant relatives and friends came to pay their respects. Xu Huazhang, representing the Xu family, went out to attend a few New Year banquets. As a bride-to-be with her wedding imminent, Xu Rong didn’t need to go anywhere and simply stayed at home.

The festive atmosphere of the New Year lingered in the capital until after the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first month. But just a few days later, the sound of firecrackers roused people from their slumber once again.

The Marquis of Changxing’s Mansion was hosting its second joyous event in just over a month—welcoming the former wife of the heir into the household as the bride of his younger brother.

Still immersed in the laziness and indulgence of the New Year, people weren’t keen on working but were more than happy to munch on melon seeds and gossip.

The Marquis of Changxing’s Mansion perfectly satisfied the public’s curiosity. The wedding procession was followed not only by crowds of children and idlers but even by servants sent discreetly by noble families to gather information.

How much they learned was unclear, but the endless, rosy-cloud-like dowry carried from the Marquis of Ji’an Manor was on full display for all to see.

Since both families resided in the same district, the groom, after fetching the bride, had to parade around the western part of the city to flaunt the dowry—a customary practice—before entering the Marquis of Changxing’s Mansion.

Xu Rong left at noon and stepped through the gates of the Xiao Family by early evening. At that moment, the last piece of her dowry had just crossed the threshold of the Xu household.

The idlers who had followed the procession, shouting blessings for rewards, had grown numb in their enthusiasm—how could there be so much? Just how wealthy was this family?

Elderly bystanders with more experience stood by the roadside, hands tucked into their sleeves, exhaling white puffs of breath as they chatted: “It’s been years since we’ve seen such extravagance, hasn’t it?”

“Indeed.”

“Even last month’s grand affair pales in comparison.”

“You’re absolutely right—it’s far from matching this.”

**

“Far from it…”

“They say there’s still more coming—you can’t even see the end of the procession from the street…”

“Did they empty their family coffers just to make a point?”

“How could that be? No one’s foolish enough to go that far. If they could bring this much, it only means the bride’s family has even more…”

“The eldest legitimate daughter is different, after all…”

Similar whispers echoed in every corner of the Marquis of Changxing’s Mansion. Madam Xiao was naturally the first to receive the news and urgently ordered a few rooms near the bridal chamber to be cleared out as temporary storage. Otherwise, once the bride entered, there’d be no place to put the dowry, and the embarrassment would be immense.

“Yin Niang, stop following me. Go to the flower hall and help entertain the guests.” Madam Xiao finished speaking but noticed no movement beside her. In the midst of her busyness, she glanced over and repeated more firmly, “Yin Niang?”

The young woman in a pomegranate-red long coat and adorned with jewels suddenly snapped out of her daze. “Madam, what did you ask me to do?” she hurriedly replied.

Madam Xiao frowned and repeated her instructions. The pretty-faced young woman flushed slightly and answered, “Yes, I’ll go right away.”

As she stepped away from Madam Xiao’s side, she nearly collided with a maid carrying a silver tray. The maid following the young woman immediately scolded the girl, but the young woman shook her head. “Never mind, let’s go.”

The group of three or four hurried out the door.

Watching this, Madam Xiao’s frown deepened. “Counting on her for help only adds to the chaos,” she muttered under her breath.

A woman in her forties, who appeared to be a servant, stood behind her and heard this. She smiled and advised, “Madam, don’t be anxious. The young mistress is also a new bride.”

As she spoke, another wave of people came seeking instructions. Madam Xiao had no time to be angry and busied herself with coordinating matters.

**

At the hour of You (around 5:30 PM), Xu Rong walked through the long front courtyard, about to enter the main hall of the Marquis of Changxing’s Mansion to perform the three bows of the wedding ceremony.

The path through the mansion was quieter than the streets, with fewer idle praises from common folk, replaced instead by the hushed discussions of guests and relatives from both families. Occasionally, the cheerful laughter of children could be heard.

“Look, the bride is coming!”

“What’s so special to see? We just saw one last month.”

“If you don’t want to look, I will. Let me tell you, this sister-in-law is the original one.”

“What don’t I know? The new sister-in-law is fierce—she snatched this original sister-in-law’s—”

“Shh!”

“Mmm—”

The two “well-informed” children were quickly muffled and carried away.

Xu Rong chuckled under her veil.

Step by step, she walked steadily, sensing a momentary slack in the red silk guiding her—likely because Xiao Xin had missed a step. She adjusted her stride accordingly, and soon the rhythm was restored. After another seven or eight steps, the pristine steps of the hall came into her limited view. Bai Fu whispered beside her, “Miss, we’re about to enter the main hall.”

Xu Rong responded with a calm “Mm.”

To her, this felt more like a grand real-life role-playing experience.

The ceremony had now reached the bowing ritual.

First bow to heaven and earth.

Second bow to the parents.

Third bow to each other.

Interspersed were countless auspicious phrases from the ceremonial assistants. After the bows, the newlyweds were helped to their feet, and another flood of blessings followed them all the way to the bridal chamber.

The bridal chamber was adorned with lanterns and decorations. Here, the role of speaker shifted to a wedding matron, and only female relatives remained. Yet the procedures were no less intricate than the bowing ceremony—sitting on the bed, scattering the canopy, lifting the veil, drinking the nuptial wine…

When the veil was finally lifted, Xu Rong’s vision was flooded with light.

But what shone brightest wasn’t just the red candles or lanterns—it was the people.

Since their parting at the teahouse, it had been over two months since she’d last seen Xiao Xin. Now, he sat across from her, clad in a bright red wedding robe—a color she’d never seen him wear before. It softened his usual gloom, his forehead neatly combed to reveal his long, arched brows and cold, star-like eyes. The restrained handsomeness usually overshadowed by his demeanor now shone through.

Even the maid handing him the wine blushed slightly.

Strange… she’d never noticed how handsome the second young master was.

Perhaps joy truly brings out one’s radiance.

Xiao Xin snatched the wine cup from her hand.

The maid, startled, quickly hid her wine-splashed hand in her sleeve and stepped aside, thinking resentfully: The second young master is still the same as ever.

Xiao Xin lowered his eyes and raised the cup.

The wedding matron’s cheerful voice rang out at the perfect moment: “The groom and bride shall now drink the nuptial wine—”

The wine was finished, and the ceremony complete.

**

Xiao Xin went out to attend to the guests, and the female relatives who had witnessed the ceremony gradually dispersed to take their seats at the banquet.

As soon as the guests left, Xu Rong pressed her fingers to her forehead and began issuing orders.

“Bai Fu, help me take off this headdress first. It’s squeezing my head so much it feels twice its size.”

“Qing Zao, bring the set of everyday clothes I entrusted to you at home.”

“Hong Liu, ask the maids here for some hot water. I need to wash my face.”

“Xin Cheng, go ask where the kitchen is and get a table of hot meals, enough for all of you.”

The maids who had gathered nearby responded in turn. Among them, Xin Cheng had only arrived by Xu Rong’s side just before the wedding. Though she came late, her background was notable—she was the daughter of Granny Qian, Madam Xu’s trusted confidante.

Xu Rong had initially refused to take on any additional maids. While she could manage with fewer at home, setting out with only three personal dowry maids would have been unseemly and inauspicious. So, she selected someone from the household to at least make up an even number.

As soon as the news spread, the first to step forward was Granny Qian, who had witnessed Xu Rong organizing her dowry in its entirety. She spared no effort, even going so far as to kneel and plead, ultimately securing the spot for her daughter.

Hearing the order now, Xin Cheng froze—what bride would demand food from her in-laws’ kitchen the moment she entered the bridal chamber? And not just a little, but a whole table’s worth.

She stood motionless in shock. Xu Rong, who had been sitting with her head lowered while Bai Fu removed her hairpins and ornaments, sensed the hesitation. Her lashes lifted slightly as her gaze swept coolly over Xin Cheng. The girl shuddered, suddenly recalling the words her mother, Granny Qian, had impressed upon her:

“Madam is simple-minded, and the eldest young lady used to take after her. But after that ordeal, all her sharp wit came out—just like the marquis. Don’t follow me anymore; go serve the eldest young lady. That’s where your future lies. Don’t question anything—just do whatever she says. Understand?”

“Young mistress, I’ll go right away.”

Snapping out of her daze, Xin Cheng hurriedly turned, lifted the curtain, and scurried out.

But Xin Cheng wasn’t the only one startled. A few maids from the Xiao Family stood in the corner of the room, exchanging bewildered glances—

What kind of bride was this?

Too bold.

Even the eldest daughter-in-law hadn’t been this at ease when she first arrived. To this day, she still didn’t dare take a single step out of line, always deferring to her mother-in-law’s wishes.

“Sister, is there hot water? Our young mistress would like to wash her face. Could you show me where to fetch some?”

Hong Liu’s clear voice rang out. At just twelve years old, she was still small for her age. The maid she addressed stood a head taller and blinked in surprise—though it was rather forward to ask for things so freely, it was just hot water. Surely they couldn’t say no?

After a hesitant pause, the maid replied, “—Yes, come with me.”

Hong Liu, feeling halfway successful in her task, cheerfully followed her out.

Before long, the maid returned carrying a pot of hot water while Hong Liu held a small basin of cool water. Together, they mixed the water at the washstand. Hong Liu then reached into the little pouch tied at her waist, pulled out a silver bean, and pressed it into the maid’s hand, saying sweetly, “Sister, thank you for helping me.”

Dazed, the maid returned to her original spot. The silver bean was no larger than a soybean, but it was still a token of appreciation—something she hadn’t expected. She had only helped Hong Liu carry the hot water because the girl was so tiny, and she worried she might trip over the threshold and spill it.

The other maids glanced at Hong Liu, amused. They had initially wondered why the bride would bring such a little girl as a personal dowry maid, but it turned out that despite her size, she knew how to handle things.

Hong Liu carried the basin of warm water to the bedside, looking at Xu Rong expectantly.

Xu Rong smiled at her.

Hong Liu beamed. Each of them had been given a pouch of silver beans—a little reward for those who were helpful and obliging.

But Xin Cheng’s task wasn’t going as smoothly.

Xu Rong removed her ornate and elaborate headdress, changed into casual home clothes, washed off the thick layer of makeup from her face, and sat waiting in a much more relaxed state until Xin Cheng finally returned.

She was carrying a heavy food box in each hand, panting from exhaustion.

Bai Fu hurried over to help her.

In the bitter cold of midwinter, Xin Cheng was drenched in sweat from the effort. After finally setting down the food boxes, the two younger maids, Qingliu and Hongzao, rushed to the table to help unpack the dishes inside. Wiping her sweat, Xin Cheng approached Xu Rong to report.

“Miss, I was delayed. When I got to the kitchen, the kitchen staff didn’t dare make the decision and said they had to ask the madam. The madam was entertaining guests and couldn’t break away, so they had to ask the young mistress. Only after the young mistress gave her approval did the kitchen pack a few dishes for me.”

Xu Rong nodded. “Did you give them any tips?”

Xin Cheng replied with a hint of indignation, “No.”

Initially, she had felt Xu Rong’s request lacked the modesty expected of a new bride. But after facing cold shoulders in the kitchen and braving the chilly wind all the way back, her perspective changed: By all reason, everyone knew the bride had been exhausted all day, and a well-mannered household should have proactively sent some fine dishes to satisfy her hunger. Yet when she went to ask, they made excuses, passing the buck from one person to another. Was the esteemed Marquis of Ji’an Manor really so stingy over a few bites of food?

Even their own Marquis of Ji’an Manor wouldn’t act this way.

Xu Rong was relieved. “Good, you didn’t give them anything.”

Why reward disobedience? Her money didn’t grow on trees.