Chapter 42 Getting Married
The girl is still young and doesn't feel anything now, but how will she survive in a few years, a dozen years, or even the decades to come? You damned lord!
Granny Pei cursed inwardly but dared not show it on her face, for fear that the young lady would be upset if she saw it.
In most families, elders will come over at this time to give the bride intimate gifts and teach her about the wedding night, essentially giving her a heads-up so she won't make a fool of herself on her wedding night because she doesn't know anything.
Although the girl may not need this, the elders should still remind her of the proper etiquette.
It is clear that this Earl's mansion is no ordinary family.
Pei Mama had no idea that the mistress of the house, Madam Qiao, was so angry about the stimulating events of the day that she almost vomited blood on the spot. At this moment, she was lying in her own courtyard clutching her chest and unable to get up. How could she possibly think of coming to visit Yu Qingci, her daughter who was about to get married?
Not only did she not come, but her daughters had also told her long ago not to go to the Wisteria Courtyard. The marriage by substitution was a done deal and there was no room for reversal.
However, Yu Qingci didn't care whether anyone accompanied her at this time. As long as Pei Mama and Tong'er were by her side, that was enough. Besides, she was going to bring the memorial tablet with her when she entered the house tomorrow. There would be no wedding night, so what did it matter whether she had any knowledge about the wedding night?
Tong'er walked in from outside and said, "Granny Pei, Granny Wu just came over and said that the lady who will do the young lady's makeup tomorrow will not arrive until 9:00 AM. Does that mean we can get up at the same time as usual tomorrow?"
Upon hearing this, Granny Pei became anxious: "What? They only arrived at 9 AM? Did you hear me right? Which bride isn't urged to get up and start dressing before dawn? The customs in Lu Fei's capital are different from other places!"
Yu Qingci raised an eyebrow, understanding the situation. She reassured Pei Mama, "Actually, it's good that you came at 9:00 AM. You can sleep a little longer, and we're not in a hurry to get into the bridal sedan chair."
Tong'er was a little confused, but Pei Mama and Yu Qingci knew very well that brides usually had to be urged to get up before dawn, then start bathing, changing clothes, and dressing up. While they were getting their faces scrunched up, they would listen to the female elders in the family nagging and giving all sorts of instructions, for fear that there wouldn't be enough time.
However, Wu Mama's arrival to deliver the message must have been at Qiao Shi's behest. She used the tactic of displaying the dowry to prevent them from tampering with it, forcing Qiao Shi to shoot herself in the foot. Naturally, she was unhappy after suffering such a loss and would seek trouble elsewhere.
Unfortunately, what Qiao didn't know was that she was no longer a young girl getting married for the first time, and she no longer cared about these pre-wedding rules and etiquette.
After comforting Granny Pei, Yu Qingci slept soundly without any burden. She didn't get out of bed until it was fully light, and then leisurely took a bath and changed her clothes. When the Lady of Blessing arrived late to do her makeup, Yu Qingci was just in time for the dressing and grooming. Only Granny Pei and Tong'er accompanied her throughout the process, but Yu Qingci felt extremely at ease.
In her previous life, when she got married, both she and her mother were filled with suppressed sadness. Her mother cried uncontrollably, and she also got into the bridal sedan chair with tears streaming down her face.
The scene in this life was even more heartbreaking to outsiders, but she remained unmoved.
Before she could think any further, a black lacquered memorial tablet covered with white silk was quickly placed in her hand, her head was covered with a veil, and she was put into a bridal sedan chair.
The sedan chair that came from the General's Mansion to pick up the bride was a bright red sedan chair embroidered with gold patterns, carried by eight people. All the sedan chair bearers were young and strong men, dressed in matching red short jackets, looking spirited and imposing.
In front of the festive bridal sedan chairs, two groups of men and women dressed in white, wearing mourning clothes, walked side by side, scattering white paper money as they went.
The stark white and festive red overlapped, making the crowds watching along the way much quieter.
In this eerie atmosphere, they finally arrived at the General's Mansion. After the bridal sedan chair landed, Yu Qingci was helped out from inside, and only then did everyone see the bride's attire clearly.
The bride wore a bright red wedding dress embroidered with peonies in gold thread, and her veil was also embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water. She was slender and walked with a steady gait. The most eye-catching thing was that she was holding a black memorial tablet in her hands, which was covered with a white cloth.
The crowd of onlookers fell silent.
Holding the memorial tablet, they bowed to heaven and earth, and were then helped along a winding path before finally stopping and sitting down.
Listening to the sounds outside while wearing the veil, it seemed that because there was no groom, the surroundings were quiet and there was no one to join in the fun. Occasionally, she could hear footsteps coming in.
"You've worked hard, young lady. Let this old servant remove your veil for you."
Yu Qingci stopped Pei Mama's outstretched hand and removed her veil herself, revealing a bright and clear view.
This was her bridal chamber. The room was spacious and bright, and the furniture was different from what she had imagined. Apart from the necessary bed, cabinets, and a set of tables and chairs, the chaise lounge placed in front of the window and the rosewood dressing table in the corner seemed a bit more lively, adding a touch of softness to the room.
Looking at the camphor wood daybed where she was sitting, with its indigo soft silk brocade curtains and a plain silk quilt embroidered with moon and white cloud patterns, the entire bridal chamber showed no sign of celebration.
This will be where I live from now on.
Footsteps sounded outside again, and this time it was Granny Gui and Siqin who pushed open the door.
Seeing Siqin Yuqingci was not unexpected. Last time, Siqin messed up the task her master had given her, and she hadn't been seen in the Wisteria Garden for several days. Unexpectedly, she was sent by Madam Qiao to be a maidservant accompanying her in her dowry.
As for Granny Gui, she was a servant who had served Qiao for many years. Although she was not as high-ranking as Granny Wu, she was still one of Qiao's confidantes. It seems that Qiao had not given up and had placed her trusted servant in the position.
Besides these two, there was also a maid named Ling'er. These three were all servants who came with her into the inner courtyard as part of her dowry. In addition, there were two other households of servants, plus the several households that her mother sent, who were all placed in the outer courtyard to serve her. If they were used well, they could help her manage the estates, shops, and other properties outside.
Siqin came in, put down the tray she was carrying, placed the pastries on the table and said, "Third Miss must be hungry after a long day. I have prepared two kinds of pastries for you to have something to eat first. Dinner will be delivered from the main kitchen after 5 pm."
Granny Pei wanted to help Yu Qingci over to have some snacks, but Yu Qingci said, "No rush. It seems no one will bother me anyway, so let's remove my makeup first before we eat."
Granny Pei then instructed Granny Gui and Siqin to fetch hot water. Siqin accepted the order without saying anything and left, but Granny Gui stood there without moving, her gaze fixed on Yu Qingci.
However, seeing that Yu Qingci was completely obedient to Pei Mama's instructions and didn't even look in her direction, Gui Mama reluctantly and slowly left.
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