Yun Ran suddenly understood. “No wonder they all looked at me so curiously just now. I thought it was because my makeup was too heavy.”
So they were surprised she was still alive.
“Wedding makeup is always like this, makes you look more dignified,” Elder Sister-in-law Li Wanrong comforted.
Qian Sijin added, “Exactly! Last year when I married your third brother, my blush was even redder than yours!”
Yun Ran exclaimed, “Wouldn’t that make you look like a monkey’s bottom?”
Qian Sijin laughed, “It did! When we got to the bridal chamber and he lifted my Red Veil, your third brother was so startled he thought I’d been stung by bees!”
Thinking of last year’s chaotic wedding night, Qian Sijin blushed shyly.
Yun Ran, however, couldn’t help thinking of the Spring Painting Album from last night—
On their wedding night, did Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law really…
Stop, stop, can’t think about that.
She closed her eyes, trying hard to drive those images from her mind.
Second Sister-in-law, Lu Lingzhen, saw her like this and grew worried. “Sister, are you feeling unwell?”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but the previously relaxed, cheerful atmosphere in Listening Summer Pavilion suddenly went silent.
Countless eyes, some worried, some shocked, some anxious, all turned to Yun Ran.
Yun Ran quickly waved her hands. “No, no, I’m fine!”
Seeing her look normal and healthy, everyone relaxed and went back to chatting and drinking tea.
Before long, a servant woman announced from outside, “Young Miss, are you ready? The Bride Price Procession has arrived at the manor gate!”
Immediately, Listening Summer Pavilion was bustling again.
Yun Ran watched everyone busying about. As the bride, she was actually the most idle one, feeling almost like an outsider.
When everything was finally ready, Li Wanrong came over with the Red Veil embroidered with golden thread. “Sister, let me put this on you.”
Yun Ran obediently bowed her head. “Thank you, Elder Sister-in-law.”
Li Wanrong looked at the young girl who had only just come of age this year. Her neck was slender, yet she bore the heavy hairdo and ornate crown.
Li Wanrong suddenly felt a pang of sorrow, and even the light veil in her hand seemed heavy.
Such a child at heart.
Yet now she had to pile up her hair and become the Princess Consort, and her husband was such a strange and frightening man.
“Don’t be nervous, and don’t be afraid.”
After placing the veil, Li Wanrong bent down and squeezed her sister-in-law’s hand. “No matter what happens, you can always come home. We’re all here.”
Yun Ran’s vision was now filled with bright red, unable to see her sister-in-law’s face, but she could feel the warmth and strength in her hand.
“Mm, I know.”
With that, Yun Ran was led out by the palace maids, leaving behind the courtyard she had lived in for less than half a year.
Amidst congratulatory voices, she reached the front hall, only to learn that the procession had arrived, but the groom had not.
Standing in for the groom was a younger member of the Sima clan, who by seniority should call Yun Ran “Aunt Wang.”
Everyone in the Marquis of Changxin Manor looked grim, feeling that the Jing Prince was being far too disrespectful.
It was the Sima family who insisted on this marriage, yet now they were treating it so lightly— what did it mean?
Yun Ran herself didn’t care whether the groom came or not, but having a seven-foot-tall nephew suddenly call her “Aunt Wang” was a bit much to accept.
The stand-in nephew explained awkwardly to the Yun family, “Uncle Wang… he’s recently had a rash on his face and isn’t fit to be seen in public, so the Empress Dowager specially appointed me to fetch Aunt Wang. I beg Aunt Wang and the Marquis to forgive us.”
The Changxin Marquis sneered. “A rash? How convenient.”
The nephew was embarrassed. “Please calm down, Marquis. It’s a happy day, after all.”
Changxin Marquis: “You know it’s a happy day, yet you…”
“Father.”
Yun Ran spoke softly, using the light to judge her position as she walked to the side of the Changxin Marquis and Zheng Shi. “I know you both feel wronged for me, but… since things have come to this, we can’t just send the procession back and tell the guests to go home, saying I’m not getting married, can we?”
The Marquis and Zheng Shi: “…”
Obviously, they couldn’t.
Yun Ran smiled. “It’s fine. Everyone knows what the Jing Prince is like. If he actually showed up today, the sun would be rising in the west.”
She had already mentally prepared for the worst with this strange future husband—
At worst, after marrying, he’d treat her coldly and ignore her.
She’d be happy to be left alone.
Seeing their daughter being so sensible despite her grievances, the Changxin Marquis and Zheng Shi felt even more bitter.
Looking at the Sima youth, who stood there with a forced smile, clearly at a loss, the Changxin Marquis relented. “Fine, since His Highness is indisposed, we’ll trouble you to stand in for him.”
“Thank you, Marquis, for your understanding.”
The youth heaved a sigh of relief, bowed deeply, then turned to Yun Ran. “Aunt Wang, the auspicious hour is near. Let’s go.”
Yun Ran replied, then, following custom, bowed three times to the Marquis and Zheng Shi before leaving.
She couldn’t see what was happening behind her, but as she climbed onto her eldest brother Yun Yi’s back, she could faintly hear her mother’s stifled sobbing, and her father’s low voice comforting her.
“Eldest Brother.”
Yun Ran hugged Yun Yi’s neck and whispered, “Did Mother cry again?”
Yun Yi paused, walking forward, his voice a bit muffled. “Our mother… she loves her children dearly.”
Yun Ran was silent for a while, then replied softly, “I know.”
Even though they’d only been together for half a year, she could feel Zheng Shi’s wholehearted, generous love for her children—
If she hadn’t been kidnapped back then, she would surely have been the happiest girl in the world.
Yun Yi actually wanted to say a lot to his sister, but remembering how she had interrupted their optimism last night, he held back, only making sure to walk steadily so she wouldn’t be jostled.
When he finally carried Yun Ran to the grand sixteen-man bridal sedan, Yun Yi looked back at his little sister in her bright red Marriage Robe. “Go boldly. Fourth Brother went to Zui Xian Tavern early this morning and ordered some of the best Western Market Brew. When you come home to visit, we’re not letting you go until you’re drunk!”
Yun Ran, from behind the Red Veil, laughed. “Alright, just you wait!”
“The auspicious hour has arrived— lift the sedan!”
With the Matchmaker’s loud, clear singing, the bridal sedan was lifted smoothly amid festive and solemn music.
Sitting inside, Yun Ran couldn’t see outside, but she could hear the constant sound of coins being scattered and people offering congratulations.
She didn’t know how many truly wished her well in this marriage.
But hearing the clatter of coins along the way, she couldn’t help but wonder: was it only because the Prince was getting married that so much was scattered, or did all high-ranking families in Chang’an do this?
Too bad she was the bride. Otherwise, she’d want to pick some up herself.
As her thoughts wandered, the sedan entered Changren Ward and the Jing Prince’s Manor.
The usually cold and quiet Jing Prince’s Manor was brightly decorated and wide open today, but despite the festive decorations, after Yun Ran crossed the threshold, all she could hear was the music— there was no noisy crowd.
Only when the Imperial Attendants helped her to the main hall did she finally hear some voices.
“Princess Consort, the Empress Dowager and His Majesty have also arrived.”
The Imperial Attendant at her side smiled. “This is a tremendous honor.”
They actually came in person?!
Yun Ran was surprised and wanted to ask more, but the attendant suddenly trembled as she held Yun Ran’s hand.
The next moment, through the Red Veil, Yun Ran vaguely saw a tall figure approach.
The person said nothing but stopped right beside her.
Was it the Sima nephew, or… the Jing Prince?
Yun Ran wanted to lift her veil and see, but given the occasion, she suppressed her curiosity, took the red silk offered by the other, and performed the bows to heaven and earth, and to the elders, at the ritual master’s command.
“Now, bow to each other as husband and wife—”
Yun Ran bent at the waist and, through the bottom of the veil, saw the other person’s boots.
Black satin, embroidered with fine gold python patterns.
Her breath caught, and she didn’t come to her senses until she heard, “The ceremony is complete, escort them to the bridal chamber.” She was led away by the attendants, dazed, to the wedding room.
–
The bridal chamber was also decorated in bright red. Yun Ran was helped to sit by the bed, and an Imperial Attendant stepped forward to ask,
“Princess Consort, do you need the chamber pot?”
“Would you like some water?”
“Would you like something to eat?”
Yun Ran was not shy— she went to relieve herself, drank two cups of honey water, and, under the surprised eyes of the attendants, ate several wedding pastries and a pile of red dates and longan.
Her Red Veil was half-lifted the whole time. Anyway, there was no one else here, so half-lifted didn’t count as lifted.
When the attendants wanted to suggest she try some peanuts— after all, it wouldn’t look good to finish all the red dates and longan— Langui Mama came in carrying a food box.
Seeing Yun Ran already eating, she was only surprised for a moment, then smiled. “The Empress Dowager guessed you’d be hungry and sent me with some food.”
Yun Ran looked at the dishes set out— steaming crystal buns, a plate of marinated pork tendon, a plate of stir-fried bean sprouts with jellyfish, and a bowl of black chicken soup with red dates and wolfberries.
Her eyes lit up. “The Empress Dowager is so thoughtful. Please thank her for me, Mama.”
“Of course.”
Langui Mama watched Yun Ran eat with a loving gaze, and when she was full, she told the other attendants, “Clear the dishes and leave us.”
The attendants quickly cleaned up and left.
The room, which had just felt lively, suddenly became quiet and still.
Yun Ran asked, “Mama, why did you send them all out?”
Langui Mama replied, “His Highness the Jing Prince will be here soon. He doesn’t like crowds, so I sent everyone else away.”
“Did you have to send them all away?”
Yun Ran looked around the empty wedding room, feeling a little uneasy. “Mama, can you call Qingling in to keep me company? It’s really boring sitting here alone.”
Langui Mama saw her nervousness and soothed her gently. “Don’t be anxious, Princess Consort. They’re all waiting outside. If you need anything, just call.”
This was a gentle refusal.
Yun Ran knew well— Langui Mama’s words were as good as the Empress Dowager’s. Orders from the Empress Dowager were not to be disobeyed.
“Alright then.”
After all, she wasn’t unused to being alone.
After a few more comforting words, Langui Mama also took her leave.
Now, in the wedding room draped with red silk and covered in Double Happiness characters, only Yun Ran was left.
She stared at the two thick Double Happiness Candles by the window and sighed a little.
But then, remembering the Prayer Talismans hidden in her sash, she perked up—
She had planned to wait until she could wash off her makeup and bathe, then secretly stick the Prayer Talismans up.
Now that no one was here, she could not only paste the Prayer Talismans wherever she liked, but also use her Peachwood Compass to find the best spots!
Yun Ran had always been a woman of action.
As soon as the thought arose, she took out the evil-warding charms drawn by Ziqing Daoist Master, then fished out a Peachwood Compass from her dowry trunk, and began walking around the four corners of the wedding room.
Unconsciously, night had fully fallen outside, but the red lanterns under the eaves glowed bright.
As Yun Ran carefully climbed onto the bed, reaching up to paste the last Prayer Talisman on the northwest pillar, the sound of boots suddenly came from outside the door.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
The maids’ voices of greeting rose one after another, and Yun Ran’s heart clenched.
She scrambled down from the bed, torn between hiding the compass and straightening her messy skirt, when the door with the big red Double Happiness character was pushed open—
A gust of wind swept through.
Yun Ran saw a flash of yellow before her eyes, and then— smack!— it flew straight at the face of the person at the door.
Yun Ran: “…!!”
Disaster!
Without time to think, she grabbed her skirt and rushed over. “I’m so sorry! I just thought the room was a bit stuffy and opened the window for some air— I didn’t expect the wind outside to be so strong. Here, let me take that off for you…”
Ancestor above, please don’t let him be angry.
Yun Ran prayed silently, but as her fingers lifted the yellow charm and revealed the man’s full face, her pupils suddenly widened.