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The next day after breakfast, Chen Feng began her preparations.
In this era, during a wedding, the midday banquet was held at the bride’s home, and the evening banquet at the groom’s residence. Some guests would only arrive in the afternoon at the groom’s home, where the groom would formally welcome the bride into their new household.
Due to the unique relationship between Chu Lingxuan, Chen Feng, and the Fu family, they were expected to arrive early. The morning would involve inspecting the dowry, a midday feast, an afternoon gathering, viewing the bride, and concluding with the evening banquet—a full day’s schedule.
Chen Feng disliked drawing attention to herself and had no interest in mingling with noble ladies. However, as Chu Lingxuan’s wife, she needed to integrate into that social circle, despite her reservations. She was aware that many in the aristocratic circle liked to gossip about her dual identity as a “bastard daughter” and a “country girl.” This was her first public social event, so she had to dress beautifully to silence those critics.
However, as she beheld her round face and prominent belly in the mirror, her desire for an “elegant and refined” appearance seemed unattainable.
She couldn’t wear long robes or short jackets, as they would accentuate her belly and make her look larger. After rummaging through her wardrobe, she settled on the attire she had prepared the day before.
She wore a pink makeup with delicate flower-patterned satin short jacket, the length just below her belly, paired with a vibrant red floral embroidered long skirt. She draped a semi-transparent pale apricot silk scarf over her shoulders to cover her belly.
Adorning her head was a large golden hairpin with phoenix motifs, along with jade flower hairpins on each side. She also wore a jade forehead ornament and a pair of translucent emerald bracelets on her wrists.
Her makeup this time was in line with the aesthetic preferences of the era, leaning towards a more vivid style.
Despite being only seventeen years old, her pregnancy had added a touch of maturity to her appearance. Naturally beautiful, with this attire, she exuded elegance without being overly ornate, appearing as resplendent as a peony blooming under the spring sun.
Her dress had been scented with fragrant agarwood leaves overnight, resulting in a subtle and enduring fragrance. Although late in summer, the weather remained warm. The scent enveloped her, adding a touch of tranquility and freshness to her presence.
Moreover, today was also the day to officially name Chu Lingxuan’s eldest daughter, Chu Hanyan. She was bright, gentle, and charming, far from the “foolish girl” others had labeled her as.
After Mama Song brought the clothes to the main courtyard for her to wear, the young girl donned a light apricot silk short jacket with carved silk collar and a water-green soft satin long skirt. The belt was tied around her chest, adorned with a large apricot bow. Delicately embroidered green plum blossoms graced the neckline and cuffs, simple yet elegant in design.
Additionally, she slung a small rabbit-shaped purse diagonally across her body. The bag was shaped like a rabbit’s head with long ears, round eyes, a small vermilion mouth, and a bow tied on one ear. It contained a few candies and a handkerchief.
These were part of the doll and bag series designed by Chen Feng for the Ni Shang Embroidery Workshop, serving as both decorations for the young girl and a form of advertisement in high society.
Adorned with a small jade fan-shaped hairpin and several pearl flowers on her head, the young girl’s makeup was completed with a touch of rouge on her forehead.
After dressing up, the young girl looked into the mirror, feeling incredibly beautiful. She then bit her lip and asked, “Mother, if I bite my lip, will it turn as red as if I applied rouge?”
The young girl, eager to enhance her beauty, was intrigued by the idea of applying rouge by biting her lips. However, her mother advised against it. Remembering something she had heard from a servant girl about biting lips turning them red, she wanted to try it.
Chen Feng chuckled and explained, “Oh, my dear, you’re getting more interested in beauty. While it’s true that biting your lip can make it slightly redder, it’s not advisable. It could damage your lips, and the act itself isn’t attractive. If someone sees you doing that, it wouldn’t look good. Hanyan, you’re already very, very beautiful, you don’t need to make your lips red.”
Upon hearing this, the young girl refrained from thinking about her lips.
Chu Lingxuan was pleased to see this mother-daughter duo and at noon, he, along with Chen Feng and Chu Hanyan, set off for their destination.
As Little Xuan had taken the pets to row on the lake, there was no one to intercept them. Dabao knew they were going to the wedding banquet today, but he understood that studying was more important than attending the banquet. Despite his strong desire to go, he didn’t make the request.
Upon arriving at the General’s Mansion, Chu Lingxuan led his entourage carrying gifts through the main gate to the front courtyard, while Chen Feng and the other women entered through a side gate and were escorted by sedan chair to the inner courtyard.
They were directly ushered into the flower hall, where Mrs. Fu was welcoming guests along with her eldest daughter-in-law and the senior old lady Fu.
As Chen Feng and her daughter entered, they couldn’t help but attract attention, they were too eye-catching. Many conversations paused as people turned to look at them.
Mrs. Fu and her daughter-in-law greeted them warmly, with Mrs. Fu exclaiming, “Oh, Lady Chu is truly blessed to be expecting twins!”
A lady in her thirties joined in, jesting, “It’s all thanks to Mrs. Fu’s matchmaker skills.” Turning to Chen Feng, she said, “Lady Chu, we haven’t met before. I’m Mrs. Qin, surname Qin, my husband known as Qin Jian.” Chen Feng had heard of Qin Jian, the Gate Leader at the fourth rank, who had a close relationship with Chu Lingxuan, a deep friendship indeed.
Quickly, Chen Feng replied with a smile, “So you are Mrs. Qin. My husband often mentions General Qin.”
Mrs. Qin’s smile widened upon hearing this.
Subsequently, several women complimented Chu Hanyan.
Although a bit nervous, Chu Hanyan remained polite and courteous in the presence of the elders, with her mother by her side.
Chen Feng was escorted by Mrs. Fu to pay respects to the elderly old lady Fu. Old lady Fu warmly welcomed Chen Feng, invited her to sit down, and called Chu Hanyan, who had been holding onto Chen Feng, to come and receive a gift.
Seated beside Mrs. Fu were women of older age or higher status. Despite Chen Feng’s young age, as the wife of the heir apparent to the Marquis of Yongning and a third-rank General’s wife, her position here was respectable, particularly considering her pregnancy.
Mrs. Fu introduced the various ladies present, including military wives who had come from the capital and provincial city, as well as civilian officials’ wives. The presence of these guests from far and wide highlighted the Fu family’s prestige.
These women were all older, at least in their thirties or forties, with a couple even in their fifties. Chen Feng, being the youngest and of the lowest rank, respectfully greeted each of them.
Among the attendees were General He’s wife, Mrs. He, and Madam Jiang.
Women like Mrs. Qin, who were relatively young and whose husband’s rank wasn’t as high, tactfully seated themselves on the side or in a side room.