Su Hui adjusted her phoenix coronet and turned slightly. Xiangcao, with keen insight, called out, "The young lady says she invites you in."
Liu'er could tell from Su Hui's expression that she was very surprised.
She smiled and said, "After today, you will be the only official wife of Prince Kang."
Su Hui usually kept to herself and rarely went out. Even though she was engaged to Prince Kang, she didn't go to the Prince's mansion every few days.
Many of the daughters of officials here had only met her once, but they never expected that everyone would come to help her with her makeup.
"Congratulations, Miss Su."
"Miss Su is the most beautiful bride today."
Before Su Hui could even put on her wedding dress, several girls walked in.
"Thank you, everyone. Please come inside and have a seat."
Just as Su Hui was about to get up, Xiangcao pressed her down, saying, "Miss is the most important today, so there's no need for you to get up. This servant will take care of the young ladies."
Perhaps it was because she married Prince Kang that everyone's dowry gifts were so valuable.
Vanilla opened each makeup box she received and sang aloud.
"A gold-threaded hairpin with eight treasures and pearls, a pair of gilded hairpins inlaid with gemstones and butterflies, a gilded hair ornament inlaid with gemstones and butterflies, and a pair of jade bracelets..."
The girls put on their makeup, and the maids outside came in to welcome everyone to the small hall for tea.
The customs in Yannan are different from other places; the dowry can be added on the day the betrothal gifts are sent.
Everyone unanimously chose today to take the opportunity to watch the prince come to fetch the bride.
Among them were also girls with ulterior motives, hoping to take the opportunity to show their faces in front of the prince. If the prince remembered them, they might have a chance to enter the prince's mansion as concubines.
When only Xiangcao and Liuer remained in the room, Su Hui got up, walked behind the screen, and took off her outer garment.
Xiangcao and Liuer took the wedding dress from the clothes rack and followed.
A moment later, Su Hui, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, emerged from behind the screen.
Beautiful and dignified, with exquisite features, her eyes radiant with a happy smile.
One glance is enough to captivate.
Inside the hall, Su Huai-ren had already made preparations to receive the wedding procession.
Xu Dong, dressed in brocade robes, would occasionally go to the main gate to look out.
Su Jin and Su Nan were not at home, so Madam Su arranged for Xu Dong to escort the bride.
The neighborhood boys all came to help.
A young man asked Xu Dong, "Since we are the bride's family today, and the prince has come to fetch her, shouldn't we at least stop him as a gesture of respect?"
Another boy said with a grin, "That's right, that's right. We can't let the prince think that marrying Sister Hui'er is too easy."
Xu Dong thought for a moment and said, "His Highness is skilled in painting. After all, he is a prince. Let's not go too far. Let His Highness recite a poem, that's enough."
Amidst the laughter and playful chatter of the boys, the sounds of ancient music, played on flutes and drums, grew louder as they approached.
"They're here! Everyone, hurry to the gate!"
"Don't forget to set off firecrackers!" Xu Dong's father shouted as he saw the boys running outside.
"Uncle Xu, don't panic. We know what to do. We'll light the firecrackers as soon as the wedding procession enters the alley."
Doctor Xu thought that since Prince Kang had only recently recovered, it would be best for him to avoid inhaling the pungent gunpowder fumes.
He strode out, saying, "You all go about your other business, I'm going to light the firecrackers."
Doctor Xu went out the gate, took the tinderbox from a young boy, and looked up at the big tree not far away.
After observing the wind direction, he moved the firecrackers to an open space about ten feet away on the other side of the gate.
When he saw the figure riding a tall horse appear at the entrance of the alley, he quickly lit a tinderbox and blew on it a few times.
Suddenly, music mingled with the sound of firecrackers, creating a deafening noise.
Prince Kang was dressed in a bright red wedding robe, with gold thread embroidery visible on the lapels and sleeves, making it extremely beautiful and displaying royal grandeur in every way.
Her phoenix eyes were clear as a lake, their bright, star-like light restrained, full of wisdom, and a gentle smile played on her lips.
Some of the young men, upon seeing the prince's handsome face, forgot what they were supposed to do next.
Someone couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "The prince is so handsome!"
After the firecrackers went off, the smoke was blown away by the wind.
As the prince approached, Xu Dong stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Welcome, Your Highness."
Immediately, a tall boy greeted him with a smile.
"This humble subject offers his congratulations to Your Highness, but today we represent Sister Su's family, so we must not disregard the custom of blocking the door."
King Kang asked with a smile, "Will you paint, compose a poem, or perhaps compose a couplet with everyone?"
The boy waved his hands repeatedly, "This humble subject cannot compose couplets; Your Highness, please recite a poem instead."
“Singing is fine too,” someone in the crowd shouted.
Xu Dong couldn't help but laugh out loud when he heard everyone talking at once.
Among this group, Xu Dong was the most well-read. If the prince were to choose the right couplet, none of these young men could come up with a decent one.
Several elegantly dressed young men stood quietly behind the prince, ready to rush towards the gate at his command.
The prince turned around and exchanged a glance with Xiao Guizi behind him, who nodded slightly.
"The ospreys cry 'guan guan' on the river islet, graceful and charming..."
Before the prince could finish reciting his poem, a handful of golden peanuts mixed with silver peanuts fell from the sky.
The boys' eyes lit up, and they all rushed to pick them up.
Before they had finished picking up the golden peanuts on the ground, another handful of glittering golden melon seeds fell down.
The prince clasped his hands in thanks and stepped forward, saying, "Thank you all for showing mercy."
Xu Dong's identity is special today, so he can't go and pick up the golden peanuts.
He respectfully cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, please come in."
Thank you.
In the backyard, Su Huai-ren and his wife heard the joyful music and hurried to the hall to greet them.
Xiao Kang performed the junior's greeting as soon as he entered the hall.
Without any grand promises, just the simple statement, "I will treat Hui'er very well," brought tears to Madam Su's eyes.
Su Huai-ren, worthy of being a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), suppressed his excitement and offered his blessings.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, several refined and honest men escorted the prince to the backyard.
Xiao Guizi followed behind, scattering golden and silver peanuts all the way.
The group arrived at the boudoir without any hindrance.
In the small hall next door, all the young ladies who had come to do their wedding makeup came to the bridal chamber to catch a glimpse of the groom's handsome appearance.
"His smile is so beautiful, like a gentle spring breeze and a warm, jade-like smile, making people feel like they are bathed in a spring breeze," a young lady whispered in praise.
A young woman immediately chimed in, "That's right. 'A gentleman as handsome as jade, unparalleled in the world,' this phrase is just like it was tailor-made for the prince."
Inside the room, a bright red wedding veil blocked Su Hui's view. Supported by Xiangcao and Liu'er, she followed the matchmaker out of the boudoir.
Feeling a warm, large hand reach towards her waist, she was lifted into the air, and a familiar voice rang in her ears, "Hold my arm tight."
In the weightlessness, Su Hui instinctively wrapped her arms around the prince's neck. Hearing someone laugh, she quickly moved her hands to his strong arms.
The crowd escorted the newlyweds into the hall, and Xiao Kang said goodbye to his parents while holding Su Hui in his arms.
Seeing the prince carrying the bride toward the bridal sedan chair, Xu Dong strode forward and lifted the curtain of the sedan chair.
After the bride was seated, the groom mounted the horse adorned with a large red silk ribbon, and the matchmaker called out, "Start the sedan chair!"
The drums and music started again.
Amidst the sound of firecrackers, the dowry items were brought out one after another.
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