Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 493

Awakened by Mrs. Wang’s gentle nudge, Gu Yin found her reflection in the mirror sporting a neatly arranged bun and vibrant makeup.

Finally, a beaded crown adorned with red gold beads was placed on her head, followed by several embroiderers presenting the wedding dress.

Gu Yin, having previously tried on the wedding dress, was already well-acquainted with the attire, making her ready in just fifteen minutes.

Observing her from the side, Mrs. Wang noted how the thick makeup complemented Gu Yin’s already beautiful face. The well-cut wedding dress, adorned with exquisite and gorgeous patterns, further enhanced her figure.

Mrs. Wang couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the young woman. The thought crossed her mind that if Gu Yin hadn’t married into their family and had to hand her over to another, it would be as painful as having her heart ripped out with a knife.

In the final preparations, Mrs. Wang personally placed the red veil on Gu Yin, and outside, Wu Qingyi came to welcome her.

As it was time for the bride’s family to make their appearance, it wasn’t going to be as simple as the groom arriving and taking the bride away.

Chef Xu took it upon himself to stand at the door, creating a barrier. Wu Qingyi and others had anticipated this and were prepared for the questions that might embarrass him.

Acknowledging Wu Qing’s lack of literary talent, Gu Yin’s side decided to keep it simple. They only requested him to compose a poem.

Wu Qingyi promptly recited a poem with a limerick-like quality.

The poem was straightforward, easily understood even by children, but they unmistakably conveyed Wu Qingyi’s genuine thoughts. His sincerity and honesty were evident, and he successfully cleared the first hurdle.

Moving on, Gu Ye presented the next challenge. He instructed a servant to bring in a heap of firewood and asked Wu Qingyi to chop it.

Given his mother’s fondness for cooking, and since culinary activities inevitably involved firewood, this task seemed fitting.

Without hesitation, Wu Qingyi, accustomed to such rough work, took up the ax.

However, the soldiers accompanying him in picking up the bride couldn’t stand idly by. They quickly dispatched messengers to Duke Ying’s Mansion next door to procure additional tools.

While there might not have been enough axes, they managed to find makeshift implements like sickles and kitchen knives, eagerly joining in the wood-chopping efforts.

The courtyard was soon filled with the rhythmic sound of wood being chopped. Despite the physical exertion, there were no complaints—only the collective determination to complete the task.

Song Shiliu, the dowry maid, couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement as she observed the scene unfolding before her.

With everyone’s assistance, the hill-like pile of firewood was swiftly chopped into pieces. As all the soldiers hailed from humble backgrounds, they willingly and conscientiously stacked the chopped wood, leaving the entire courtyard surprisingly neat.

The challenges were twofold—first academic, then martial. It was evident to everyone that the groom had put thought into both aspects, and with that, everyone relaxed.

By this time, the sun had fully risen, and daylight flooded the surroundings. It was now the moment for the bride to make her appearance.

Following tradition, the bride would be carried by either the matron of honor, the matchmaker, or her maiden brother. Gu Yin, having no brothers, relied on the matron of honor. She observed a middle-aged woman, slender and shorter than her by half a head. Despite Mrs. Wang’s assurance, Gu Yin couldn’t help but wonder, considering the weight of her beaded crown and jewelry—she was certainly not light!

Sensing Gu Yin’s hesitation, the matron of honor reassured her hastily, “Don’t worry, dear bride. I am genuinely strong and will definitely carry you out with ease.”

Gratefully, Gu Yin lay back on the matron’s back as they headed towards the door. Suddenly, her body felt lighter, and Wu Qingyi effortlessly lifted her from the matron’s back.

Quickly freeing her hands from the matron’s grasp, Gu Yin secured her veil with one hand and wrapped the other around Wu Qingyi’s neck.

Laughter erupted from the onlookers, exclaiming, “The groom is impatient!”

“You haven’t bowed yet; why is the groom in such a hurry? Isn’t he afraid that the bride will crush him in the future?” Teased the crowd.

Unfazed by the tease, Wu Qingyi disregarded everyone’s comments and allowed Gu Yin to stand on the ground. He crouched down in front of her once again. Laughter echoed all around, but Gu Yin, concealed under the veil, paid little attention, her cheeks blushing in secrecy.

Once Gu Yin was securely on his back, Wu Qingyi stood up effortlessly. Chef Xu and others continued their laughter, exclaiming, “My master has climbed onto the husband’s head!”

Upon hearing this, Gu Yin couldn’t help but feel the urge to scold him on the spot.

Wu Qingyi carried Gu Yin towards the sedan chair, followed by everyone helping transport Gu Yin’s dowry—a collection that rivaled those of noble girls in Beijing. Notably, these were not items already stored in Duke Ying’s or Prince Lie’s residences; Mrs. Wang had meticulously arranged everything.

Additionally, the one hundred and twenty-eight dowry gifts sent earlier by Wu Qingyi were part of the procession. This journey was not a mere transfer from Prince Lie’s Mansion to the Duke Ying’s Mansion next door; the wedding entourage paraded through the entire capital.

Before departing, Wu Qingyi rode his horse and walked beside the sedan chair, whispering softly to Gu Yin, “You can do whatever you want inside. We won’t return until noon.”

Having been briefed on the wedding proceedings, Gu Yin responded softly within.

The grand and lively wedding procession set off, circling the city and attracting countless well-wishers.

By noon, the sedan chair returned to the Duke Ying’s Mansion’s gate from the opposite end. Following tradition, the groom opened the door of the sedan chair, and the bride emerged to cross the brazier. This ritual aimed to establish the husband’s authority before marriage, ensuring the bride would not dare to be arrogant in her husband’s house in the future.

These steps were naturally absent. Wu Qingyi directly carried Gu Yin all the way back to the new house. 

Later, he naturally couldn’t stay in the new house for too long, so he entrusted Mrs.Wang with taking care of her.

Mrs. Wang hadn’t followed them around the city; she had arrived long before.

The veil couldn’t be lifted, but Mrs. Wang had a solution. While making the bridal bead crown, she attached two gold rings—one on each side—to the edge of the red veil.

She asked people to tie two ropes to the canopy bed and lifted the two gold rings together. Although the bead crown remained on Gu Yin’s head, it alleviated most of the weight, immediately relieving the strain on her neck.

Then came the rock sugar bird’s nest prepared by the house cook. Mrs. Wang brought a bamboo straw, allowing her to drink without smudging her lips, effectively filling her stomach.

Gu Ye and Wu’an also visited her from time to time, chatting with her and making the half-afternoon time pass easily.

As dusk approached, it was time to bow.

Assisted out of the new house, Gu Yin proceeded to the hall.

A length of soft, red silk was handed to her, and the other end naturally found its way into the pair of tanned palms she was familiar with.

“One, bow to the heavens and the earth—”

“Two, bow to the high hall—”

“The husband and wife bow to each other—”

Amidst the high-pitched worship and the sincere congratulations of everyone, Gu Yin took each step of the bow. For a while…

Gu Yin felt that it was all a dream.

Though she wasn’t originally from this world, the individuals surrounding her were now her family, friends, and partners. In front of these witnesses, she married the person she loved.

Everything unfolded beautifully, akin to a dream from which one hesitates to awaken from.

In that moment, her eyes stung, her heart softened, and she experienced a satisfaction and peace previously unknown to her.

“Escort them to the bridal chamber!”

The red silk in Gu Yin’s hand was taken, her hand finding its place in the warm, sizable palm. A slight trembling accompanied an indomitable firmness as their hands tightly clasped.