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In the evening, Chen Feng sat in a daze at the desk, while Mrs. Li led five maids in packing up her belongings. Mrs. Zeng couldn’t make it and was left at the Dingzhou Prefecture Residence, where she would manage the Fengyunlai with Zeng Shuang in the future.
At that moment, Madam Jiang arrived. Chen Feng quickly got up to offer her a seat and personally served tea. The servants knew that the mother and daughter were about to have a heart-to-heart conversation and quietly left the room.
Madam Jiang began with some customary words about respecting her husband’s family, being filial to her in-laws, expanding the family tree, and so on. Blushing, she handed Chen Feng a book, a pre-marriage essential in those times, for her to read carefully. Chen Feng pretended to be embarrassed as she lowered her head to accept it.
Chen Feng then presented a piece of leaf agarwood incense to Madam Jiang, claiming she obtained it by chance and didn’t mention her friendship with Master Wuzhi. She felt that during her time at Chen Shiying’s house, Madam Jiang had taken care of both the substance and the appearance. While the dowry was modest, it helped Chen Shiying resolve potential dangers for her at the Chen Residence, dealing with the old lady, Mrs. Tang, and Chen Yuhui. Regardless of Madam Jiang’s motives, Chen Feng ultimately benefited.
She enjoyed interacting with such intelligent individuals and hoped for a pleasant cooperation in the future. Lastly, she instructed Madam Jiang not to disclose the source of the incense to anyone except Chen Shiying.
Receiving this incense, Madam Jiang was delighted beyond measure. She had heard that this type of incense was crafted by Master Wuzhi, and Third Madam Chu had obtained one but hadn’t used it, instead offering it to the Empress Dowager. It was said that only the Emperor and those with good relations with Master Wuzhi, had received one…
Madam Jiang’s hand trembled as she said, “Feng, rest assured, I won’t even tell Yuqing and Yulan. They are still young and unaware of the need for secrecy.”
At night, lying in bed, Chen Feng found it hard to sleep. She longed to relax in her space and work with small things but hesitated to disappear during the warm summer night in the chamber. The moonlight of early spring was clear and bright, casting a vibrant glow on the ceremonial robes hanging on the rack, with golden auspicious birds seeming ready to take flight.
She had fantasized countless times in her past lives about her wedding day, wearing a white wedding gown, holding roses, half-embraced by Liu Xudong, receiving blessings from others… Yet, until her death, she never got married.
Having lived for two lifetimes, she was finally going to marry herself off. It was unexpected and different from what she had planned, marrying into a family with complexities, an evil stepmother, a pitiable yet lovely stepdaughter, and getting involved in the swirl of succession. Of course, it wasn’t all the prince’s family’s fault, she herself brought along an even more dangerous little trouble.
After the marriage, she wouldn’t immediately live the dreamy and peaceful life she had hoped for, at least not in the coming years. She would stay at home, anxiously waiting for the men who were out there fighting battles, providing various logistical support for them, ensuring they were well-prepared for the frontlines…
She fell asleep in a haze.
It felt like she had just dozed off when she was awakened.
Upon rising, she ate a small bowl of breakfast under Hong Feng’s care before heading to the cleansing room for a bath. Old Li and the others were preparing to go to the Chu Residence, and once they were ready, they would carry the dowry ahead. Therefore, Chen Feng was attended to by Hong Feng and several other maids.
When Chen Feng emerged, Madame Jiang led the entire Fu family, along with Madame Wu, the wife of Wu Hanlin, followed by the Chen sisters and several female cousins from the Jiang family, into the room.
Hong Feng quickly handed two red packets to Madame Wu with a smile.
Chen Feng sat on the bed, and Madame Wu combed her hair while singing, “First comb, reaching the end. Second comb, reaching the white hair at the temples. Third comb, grandchildren filling the house. Fourth comb, silver shoots in full bloom.”
Afterward, Madame Wu applied crabapple powder to her face, used a cotton thread to remove any facial hair, followed by hair styling, inserting golden hairpins, wearing a phoenix crown, and putting on the bridal gown.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Chen Feng noticed various people coming in to see her, saying auspicious words and praising the bride’s beauty. Although most brides looked similar with heavy makeup, Chen Feng’s exquisite features stood out, showcasing her uniqueness.
Most of these people were likely unfamiliar to Chen Feng, mainly Jiang family relatives and friends, as well as Chen Shiying’s friends and their families. She didn’t have any friends of her own present. She knew Chen Yu would come but could only stay in the front courtyard, not here.
As Chen Yulan was too young to carry her, Madame Jiang arranged for a cousin from the Chen family’s hometown to do so. Although Chen Feng secretly wished for Chen Yu to carry her, despite their lack of blood relation, their relationship was harmonious. However, Madame Jiang had already made arrangements, and Chen Shiying had agreed…
Chen Feng smiled with her head slightly lowered, allowing them to observe freely.
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed, “Aunt Chen, my brother and I have come to see you.”
It was Yang Qian, who pulled Yang Chao through the crowd and made her way in.
The young girl had grown taller and more lively. A few days earlier, she and her brother had helped Chen Feng with her makeup. Chen Feng thought they would go to the Chu Residence for the wedding banquet, given their familiarity with the Chu family compared to the Chen family.
The little chatterbox cleared up the confusion, saying, “Grandma, my brother and I are here to attend Aunt Chen’s wedding feast. My dad is at Uncle Chu’s house for the groom’s feast. Hehe, our family is attending two feasts.” She laughed proudly after explaining.
Her words brought laughter to those around, and Hong Feng quickly grabbed some candies for her and Yang Chao to enjoy.
Just then, someone announced that the banquet was ready, and the guests were invited to dine.
The bride couldn’t eat or drink at noon, fearing it might affect the ceremony. Sometimes, the formalities in ancient times lacked human touch.
Shortly after, Yang Qian returned.
Chen Feng asked, “Why aren’t you eating?”
Yang Qian replied, “I’m not hungry. I wanted to accompany Aunt Chen.”
With the company of the little chatterbox, time flew by. After the banquet ended, the groom came to escort the guests.
Drums and firecrackers sounded in the front courtyard.
Many more people streamed into the room, blocking Chen Feng’s view with a red veil.
Accompanying Chu Lingxuan to receive the bride were General Fu and the Seventh Prince. They bowed to Chen Shiying and Madame Jiang in the main hall, now addressing them as father-in-law and mother-in-law. Chen Shiying and his wife handed them two red packets as a “fee” for the change in address.
Amidst the ceremonial music, Chu Lingxuan led Chen Feng out, bid farewell in the main hall, and then a cousin carried Chen Feng on a sedan chair.