In the mansion of Li Qingruo in the prefectural city.
Today, all members of the Li clan have gathered here, and Madam Cao has also come. She was the matchmaker and is now related to the Li family by marriage, so of course she had to come today.
However, she was the only one who came to the Li family, while Cao Qian and Cao Ying went to the Gao family.
Li Qingruo got up early this morning. Mo Qiaoniang asked Pan Jinhua to personally make noodles for Li Qingruo. Pan Jinhua practiced many times in private for this day.
She held one end of the thin thread in her mouth, while the other end was wrapped around her hands. The thread was close to Li Qingruo's face, and with the opening and closing of her hands and the coordination of her mouth, the noodle twisting was finally completed.
"Good child, the days to come will surely be peaceful and happy."
Li Qingruo smiled and agreed, then hugged Pan Jinhua tightly. She had learned a lot from her grandmother, which she felt would benefit her for a lifetime. Moreover, she could make hairpins, and she was confident that she would live a good life in the future.
The makeup artist was hired from the family. First, she changed into the wedding dress made by Mo Qiaoniang and the others. Because Gao Chuan was a scholar, Li Qingruo could also wear a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe today.
The phoenix crown was designed by Gao Chuan himself, decorated with gold, jewels and kingfisher feathers. It was beautiful and precious, and was delivered to the Li family a month ago.
The makeup artist styled her hair in a peony-patterned updo and wore a phoenix crown, making her look magnificent. Her makeup today was also extremely glamorous, with bright red lips and a floral decoration between her brows, making Li Qingruo resemble a blooming peony.
The younger sisters crowded the room, all reluctant to part with Li Qingruo, wishing they could say goodbye to her in these final moments.
"Sister, you must come back often in the future. We will miss you."
"That's right, Sister Qingruo."
Before the children could say more than a few words, their voices choked with emotion, making Li Qingruo want to cry as well.
"What are you doing? You can't let the bride cry and ruin her makeup."
Yao Niang also came to persuade them. She had been sent by Pan Jinhua to keep an eye on things, fearing that the family would be in tears before the wedding even started, which would be bad.
With her elders present, Li Qingruo's tears were quickly dispelled.
After some time, a commotion broke out outside, and someone shouted, "The groom is here!"
Li Qingruo blushed slightly upon hearing this.
Today, Gao Chuan was dressed in a red wedding suit, tall and handsome. Behind him was a bustling crowd of Gao family members and Gao Chuan's classmates, all young men, quite eye-catching.
The Li family was not to be outdone. Li Qingzhang, Li Qingyao, and others of all ages blocked the road, preparing to stop the marriage.
This is also a custom, indicating that women from the Li family are not so easily married, which shows that Li Qingruo is highly valued in the Li family.
Many onlookers were filled with envy as they watched the large number of men from both sides, thinking how prosperous their families were.
"Brother-in-law, we won't make things difficult for you. There will be two tests, one literary and one martial. If you pass them, you can go in and marry my sister!"
Li Qingyi stepped forward and challenged him.
"Younger brother, please go easy on him."
Gao Chuan dismounted and responded loudly, which made everyone burst into laughter.
Li Qingyao stepped forward and presented a couplet: "Brother-in-law, please listen to the first line: May you be happily married for a hundred years!"
Gao Chuan cupped his hands in greeting. The question this brother had posed wasn't difficult, and he answered without hesitation.
May we be forever united and achieve everything!
"Wishing my sister and brother-in-law a perfect match, a long and happy marriage."
Gao Chuan thanked her, and Li Qingyi then asked Gao Chuan to compose a poem on the spot to urge him to get ready for the wedding.
After pondering for a while, Gao Chuan read the poem aloud.
"It is said that rouge is mixed under the candlelight, and spring is created before the mirror. There is no need for a full face of makeup, just leave the eyebrows for the one who will paint them." (From Xu Jie's "Urging to Make Up" in the Ming Dynasty)
Those present applauded, acknowledging Gao Chuan's talent.
"Now that we've finished with the literary exercise, it's time for the martial one. It's not difficult. Brother-in-law, you just need to stand here and shoot the target with an arrow."
As soon as Li Qingduan finished speaking, a servant immediately brought up a target and set it up, about ten meters away, not too far.
A man stepped forward and whispered in Gao Chuan's ear, wanting to help him complete the task. The people Gao Chuan brought were all capable of answering the questions for him.
After thinking it over, Gao Chuan decided to give it a try himself.
Knowing that Li Qingruo's two younger brothers were primarily skilled in martial arts, he quietly began to find a teacher to practice archery. Li Qingruo must have known that he had practiced archery when she presented this question.
Gao Chuan took the bow and arrow prepared by the Li family, nocked the arrow, aimed at the target, and amidst the gazes of the crowd, the arrow shot out and hit the target.
Cheers resounded through the sky.
"Oh~ Time to get married!"
"I've yielded to my younger brother."
Gao Chuan smiled happily, his heart pounding with excitement at the thought of winning the heart of his beloved.
The Li brothers made way, and Gao Chuan led everyone into the house.
Hearing the deafening noise outside, Madam Cao knew the groom was about to enter, and she covered Li Qingruo's head with a red veil.
"Come with me."
He led Li Qingruo slowly out of the boudoir and into the outer room.
Pan Jinhua, Li Xushi, and Mo Qiaoniang sat upright in the hall.
Gao Chuan was already standing at the lower end, and his eyes lit up when he saw Li Qingruo come out.
"Pay respects to your parents!"
Li Qingruo and Gao Chuan had already stood together. Upon hearing the lyrics, the two knelt down and kowtowed three times.
"My daughter, now that you are married, you must uphold the family precepts and live in harmony with your husband."
Li Xushi spoke first, and Mo Qiaoniang's eyes were already red. She was only glad that her daughter was wearing a red veil and could not see her current appearance.
"My son, remember this: no matter what the future holds, our family will always be your support."
After hearing her parents' earnest words, Li Qingruo was overwhelmed with sorrow at the thought of leaving home, and her heart ached unbearably.
"Grandmother, parents, I am unfilial for leaving home today. I wish you both long life and good health, and please do not worry about me."
"Grandmother, father-in-law and mother-in-law, please rest assured, Gao Chuan will take good care of Qing Ruo and will not let her suffer any grievances. He will also bring her back to visit often."
Seeing that Li Qingruo was heartbroken, Gao Chuan also made a promise.
The auspicious time couldn't be delayed, so after bidding farewell to her parents, Li Qingruo was about to get into the bridal sedan chair.
Li Qingyi stepped forward and carried Li Qingru on his back.
"Sister, let me see you to your sedan chair."
Li Qingruo nodded, then realized that Li Qingyi couldn't see her, so she quickly agreed.
When she leaned on Li Qingyi's back, Li Qingruo's sadness reached its peak. Unlike the last time when Li Qing carried her on his back, this time she was truly someone else's wife.
"Don't cry, sister. Your brother and I will support you. You can come back anytime you want. If you're unhappy, just tell us."
Tears fell onto Li Qingyi's neck, soaking his heart and reddening his eyes.
He and Li Qingduan had been cared for by Li Qingruo since they were young. Such a good older sister is getting married today.
Li Xushi and Mo Qiaoniang watched eagerly as Li Qingruo left the house.
She burst into tears, unable to hold back a single sob.
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