in2ebook Chapter 151 Getting Married (2)
Chapter 151 Getting Married (2)
Zuo Ci, standing in front, was dressed in a vibrant red wedding gown inlaid with gold thread, the threads gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight. The delicate jade belt around his waist accentuated his tall and straight figure. The golden crown on his head, paired with the phoenix crown, shimmered brilliantly. At this moment, he rode a majestic steed, a dashing figure, remarkably handsome. While usually dashing and suave, today, as a groom, he was a monstrous creature, causing many women from aristocratic families to weep and cover their faces. Such a stunning man had married that very woman.
Indeed, gossip about Chu Wange's actions back when she was still the legitimate daughter of the Mu family was resurrected by gossipers and spread like wildfire. Coupled with the subsequent incident of Chu Wange divorcing her husband on behalf of her mother, it sparked widespread discussion, leading to numerous books and lyrics criticizing her, saying she was unworthy of being a woman and too unconventional. Numerous storybooks and plays were based on this incident. Chu Wange, the person involved, didn't seem to mind the incident, but those around her were filled with righteous indignation. Even the Emperor threw his imperial seal to the ground and, overnight, bestowed numerous treasures on her in the name of the Empress Dowager, simply to appease her.
Wangge, now sitting upright in her room, had finally finished her makeup. She was practically frozen in time; who could have imagined that bridal makeup would take so long? As soon as she emerged from bed, she was immediately given a series of tasks. First, she cleansed her face and plucked away the lint. She paused briefly to apply her foundation, only to have her grandmother come to offer her some heartfelt words. Then, she put on her wedding gown, three layers under and three layers beneath. It took a full quarter of an hour, requiring the help of Shiqi, Qingzhu, and Yihua. Now, with her makeup finally complete, she put on the phoenix crown and the veil, and she was done.
But at that moment, everyone in the room was stunned. Chu Wange didn't usually wear makeup, especially when she was bare-faced, so today's vibrant bridal makeup astounded everyone. She was always stunning without makeup, but now with makeup on, she was even more captivating. Even Chu Haolin, watching from the window, subconsciously held his breath.
Chu Haolin was supposed to wait in front for Zuo Ci to come and pick up the bride and block the door, but he wanted to put the phoenix crown on his sister Chu Wange personally, so he begged his grandmother to do this task, otherwise why would his grandmother say such sweet words to Wange in advance.
Suddenly, a joyful music sounded, and the sound of gongs and drums was deafening. It was Zuo Ci who came to pick up the bride. Chu Lixiu and his three brothers were blocking him in front of him, and the noise also woke up everyone who was intoxicated by Chu Wange's beauty.
"Wange, you are really as beautiful as a fairy. Zuo Ci is so lucky." The only two people who could call her by her name were Chu Moxuan and Chen Yueyao. However, Chen Yueyao remained silent. Naturally, these words were said by Chu Moxuan, because she was Chu Wange's sister and Zuo Ci's elder sister-in-law.
"But Prince Heng is also very handsome, and they are a perfect match."
"But I still..."
"Ah Xuan!" Yu Yan'er interrupted Chu Moxuan, "Today is Wange's big day. As her elder sister, you should be more steady."
"Aunt, it's okay." Chu Wange comforted Yu Yan'er. Over the years, both aunts had doted on her. Therefore, it was always Chu Moxuan who got scolded.
"Lin'er! Come in!" Huang Qinya spotted Chu Haolin outside the house and called him in. "Auntie will watch you put the phoenix crown on your sister."
Inside the room, Gong Qingyu was surprised, yet she understood. After all, Wange only had her younger brother by her side. According to tradition, it was her mother or grandmother who would have given her the phoenix crown before she was married. However, Wange's mother was deceased, and her grandmother, Jiang, had never appeared. They had expected Lu Yishan, Wange's grandmother, or one of her two aunts. No one had expected it to be her younger brother, Chu Haolin.
Chu Haolin carefully took out the phoenix crown from the brocade box and gently placed it on his sister's head. He looked so focused as if he was treating the most precious treasure in the world, afraid of hurting her. He then fixed it with the matching gold hairpin and slowly let go of his hand.
Yu Yan'er and Huang Qinya had been watching from the side, worried that Chu Haolin wouldn't know how to put the phoenix crown on a woman. They'd planned to teach him how to put it on Wange, but they hadn't expected Chu Haolin to be so adept, as if he'd done it all the time. Besides Nanny Chen, the only people serving him were servants. He had no maids, and he certainly didn't go out to look for other women.
Unbeknownst to Yu Yan'er and Huang Qinya, Chu Haolin, upon learning of this custom, sought permission from his grandmother and then practiced it in his own courtyard. First, Qingyu, then even Jiang Lin, fell victim to it. Unable to bear it any longer, the two of them begged Nanny Chen for help. Poor Nanny Chen, in her forties, was sent to Chu Haolin by Jiang Lin and Qingyu, having lost a significant amount of her hair by Chu Haolin, which is how she became so skilled.
After watching Chu Haolin put the phoenix crown and veil on Wange, Yu Yan'er and Huang Qinya left hand in hand. They couldn't let their mother-in-law and the maids entertain the guests, and the only people left in the courtyard were Wange's peers, not to mention His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and the Crown Princess. Unbeknownst to them, Chu Haolin had been outside the window to provide cover for Chen Yu. Although Chen Yu was unaware, Chu Haolin knew she would definitely come, so he deliberately sent Jiang Lin and the others away.
At that moment, Chu Wange's courtyard erupted in a clamor. It turned out that Zuo Ci had successfully surmounted the checkpoints set by Chu Lixiu and the others and arrived to pick up Wange. Holding Chu Wange's hand tightly, Zuo Ci slowly walked toward the main hall, bidding farewell to the Chu family. Then, Chu Haolin, carrying Wange on his back, slowly made his way toward the bridal sedan, surrounded by glances of envy and well wishes. The sedan bearers were already ready. As soon as Wange entered the sedan, a command of "lift the sedan" sounded, and the procession departed with great fanfare.
People along the way gathered to watch and discuss the marriage of Chu Wange and Zuo Ci, while Zuo Ci rode his horse in front with an upright posture and a solemn expression.
Arriving at Prince Heng's residence, the blast of firecrackers was deafening. He dismounted first, walked to the bridal sedan, gently lifted the curtain, and carefully helped Chu Wange out. The Emperor, Chen Yu, the Empress Dowager, and others acting as Zuo Ci's elders made sense, considering the Emperor had once addressed Zuo Ci's father, Zuo Xiang, as "brother." Since the Emperor had come to officiate, it was inevitable that all the officials would be absent. It was the Crown Prince's teacher who greeted them at the door. Then, led by maids, Zuo Ci and Wange crossed the brazier and entered the main hall. They began to pay their respects to heaven and earth, and to their parents.
When the ceremony was over, everyone cheered.
Then came the wedding banquet, with civil and military officials, along with other guests, taking their places. The Chu Lixiu brothers accompanied Zuo Ci as they toasted at each table. When they reached the Crown Prince's table, he glanced at Zuo Ci with a half-smile, a subtle flicker in his eyes. Zuo Ci nodded slightly, pretending not to notice, and walked to the next table without changing his expression.