At the break of dawn, Mu Lianxiao got up.
The charcoal brazier in the room made him feel hot all over. He slid on his shoes and pushed open the window, letting the cold northern wind rush in, which made him feel much more comfortable.
Practicing martial arts was something he did every day, regardless of the season. It had been a rule set by the Old Marquis, and over the years, Mu Lianxiao had become accustomed to it.
Yun Qi jogged into the courtyard and immediately saw Mu Lianxiao practicing his punches.
Even though it was the coldest winter, Mu Lianxiao was sweating profusely.
Yun Qi grinned and called out "Master", then turned to fetch water from the kitchen with another servant, Jiuxi.
Jiuxi rubbed his hands, exhaling a puff of white breath: "Tell me, who else does what our master does? Practicing on New Year’s Eve, practicing during the New Year, and even on his wedding day, he’s practicing."
Yun Qi burst out laughing.
Jiuxi looked at him confused: "What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
"Hehe..." Yun Qi chuckled privately, "You’ll understand when it’s your turn to get married."
Jiuxi stumbled slightly. Just twelve years old, he hadn’t yet shed his childishness. Hearing this, his face turned red: "Everyone treats me like a kid. You’re the one who understands, right, since you’ve already married?"
Yun Qi laughed so hard he clutched his stomach. Of course, he understood. Their Young Master had all this energy to burn, practicing to his heart’s content, but how could he explain this to Jiuxi?
Even if Yun Qi was thick-skinned enough, he feared being discovered by Mu Lianxiao.
The last time he laughed at Mu Lianxiao in the lane, it left him anxious for a long time, fearing that Mu Lianxiao would hold him accountable later.
The hot water was brought into the room.
After washing up, Mu Lianxiao received the wedding robe from Yun Qi and put it on before heading to the back courtyard.
In Baijie Hall, Madam Wu was already up.
Elderly people tend to sleep lightly, and since it was a special day, she had opened her eyes early.
Mrs. Zhou served her a cup of tea.
Madam Wu smiled and said, "Lian Xiao is finally getting married. In the past two years, everyone who has met Lian Xiao’s bride has praised her, saying she’s beautiful, well-mannered, lively, and graceful. They’ve praised her so much that I’ve become eager to know what my granddaughter-in-law is really like, but today, I’ll finally know."
Mrs. Zhou also laughed: "Not just you, Madam, I’ve been looking forward to it too.
I asked Lian Xiao a while ago to tell me about his bride, but the rascal didn’t say a word.
It’s evident that his bride likes him, as we saw with the flower melon. Even if he didn’t say, I suspected he wasn’t satisfied with his bride, so I asked Yun Qi.
Madam, can you guess what Yun Qi said?"
Madam Wu’s interest was piqued, and she inquired, "What did Yun Qi say?"
"Yun Qi," Mrs. Zhou laughed for a moment, "Yun Qi was surprised and said ’Master treats Miss Du well.’ I couldn’t quite decipher the ’well’ before Yun Qi picked a horse and sent it to the Du Mansion."
Madam Wu clapped her hands and laughed: "Yes, yes, that horse was originally wanted by Lian Yu, but Lian Xiao didn’t know and picked it out. Lian Yu realized later, but by then, Lian Xiao had gone to De’an, and he had nowhere to appeal."
Someone announced outside, and Mu Lianxiao drew back the curtain and came in.
Madam Wu looked at the respectfully saluting Mu Lianxiao, her smile was affectionate, and she said to Mrs. Zhou, "I always said Lian Xiao looks good in red, but he never liked to wear it. Today, he can’t avoid it. Look at him in this outfit."
Mrs. Zhou stepped forward to straighten Mu Lianxiao’s collar and cuffs: "Soon, you should first bow to the ancestors."
According to the hour, Mu Lianxiao paid respects to the ancestors.
Mrs. Tian Wu was the blessed lady from the Marquis Mansion going to the Du Mansion to receive the bride. Brightly dressed today, she said to Madam Wu: "Rest assured, I will bring the bride back to you."
The wedding party began to arrive, with Duan Guanqing at the front.
"Ah Shao, did you sleep last night? Or did you stay awake till morning?"
As Duan Guanqing finished speaking, the young men burst into laughter.
Mu Lianxiao blushed slightly but didn’t pay mind to their teasing gestures, instead, he mounted his horse.
Mu Lianyu warmed up his hands: "Third Brother, the Du Family brothers are all scholars. What if they block the gate? If we can’t answer, should we climb the wall?"
Mu Lianxiao paused, and Yun Qi, who was holding the reins nearby, nearly fell. Had he not known that Mu Lianyu was kept in the back courtyard on New Year’s Eve, Yun Qi might have thought that what Mu Lianxiao had said to him that day had been overheard.
Mu Lianxiao came to his senses, shaking his head with a smile: "What nonsense are you talking about? We’re here to marry, not to rob. If you don’t know the answer, isn’t Guanqing here?"
The previously laughing Duan Guanqing suddenly went quiet, rubbing his nose: "You want me to deal with Yun Di? Do I look like I can out-talk him?"
"Then what are you good for?" Mu Lianxiao laughed loudly, and amidst the sound of fireworks, he urged his horse to set off.
"I know my place," Duan Guanqing shouted as he mounted his horse, not caring if anyone heard amidst the fireworks, "If it doesn’t work out, we’ll just climb over the wall. Marrying or capturing, she’ll still be your bride!"
The Princely Heir of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion’s grand wedding attracted a large crowd of onlookers.
The horses were adorned with red silk, festive and merry, accompanied by the beating of drums, with Mu Lianxiao cutting a heroic figure that made young ladies on the roadside blush at a single glance.
He turned his head to look at the bridal sedan behind him.
It’s empty for now, but soon, his bride would be in there, coming home with him.
Mu Lianxiao smiled, pressing his lips together.
Indeed, he hadn’t slept well throughout the night, half-awake with visions of Du Yunluo, her teasing, her smiles, her soft hands, her kiss gently placed on his lip corner, and that unforgettable, faint scent of rouge lingering in his heart.
He was always imagining what Du Yunluo would look like in her bridal attire, pondering it throughout the night.
And now, he was about to find out.
The procession moved through the streets and lanes, arriving outside the gates of the Du Mansion.
The stone lions at the gate were adorned with red balls, with large red lanterns hanging above. The Du Family people blocking the gate made it watertight, with Yun Di and his brothers standing at the forefront.
Duan Guanqing took a few steps forward, smiling: "Yun Di, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be hurrying to carry your sister to the sedan?"
The gate-blocking is more about the lively exchange than the contest itself.
It’s one act after another, delighting all those witnessing the ceremony.
The excitement outside vividly reached Lianfu Garden, where Old Mrs. Xia couldn’t stop smiling.
Someone came to inform Du Yunluo.
Zhen Shuren finished styling her hair and threading her face, making her already fair skin even more luminous like jade. Once a thin layer of rouge was applied, her reflection was charming, almost making Zhen Shuren lose herself in admiration.
Du Yunru, holding Sister Yi, came to see her. Ready to make a jest, the words hadn’t left her mouth before her eyes turned red.
"Nannan is all dolled up, so don’t mess with her, or she’ll look like a clown and have everyone laugh," Mrs. Zhen gently tapped Du Yunru, pausing to wipe the corner of her own eyes, "And don’t mess with me either."
Du Yunluo, her eyes tender, looked at Mrs. Zhen. Just as she was about to speak, she was urged towards Lianfu Garden.