The next day, Di Jingcheng finally finished his work. When Azi woke up from her afternoon nap, she saw the man lying beside her with a beaming smile, looking at her. She reached out and hugged him: "You're free today?"
"Everything has been arranged for our return trip, and we will set off in three days."
Azi nodded and sighed softly, "After this parting, I don't know when I'll be able to see my grandfather, father, mother, and brother Yimeng again..."
Di Jingcheng knew that no matter what he said, he could not dispel her sorrow, so he patiently repeated the same words he had said before.
The next day, Di Jingcheng got up early and left his room. After Azi finished washing up, Qinghe brought in breakfast.
Looking at Qinghe's hesitant manner, she couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Qinghe, what's wrong with you today? Are you feeling unwell?"
Qinghe opened her mouth, then awkwardly touched her head, her eyes darting around, as if something was on her mind.
"Ah, it's nothing, I... I'm fine." She patted her forehead in annoyance, then stood up straight, clasped her hands over her stomach, and lowered her head without saying a word.
Azi drank some flower tea and looked at her suspiciously. What's wrong?
Seeing that she seemed normal, Azi didn't say anything more. While eating her jujube cake, she thought about the surprise Di Jingcheng had mentioned preparing for her the other day, and a smile appeared on her face. She wondered what Di Jingcheng had prepared for her; she was really looking forward to it!
After finishing her breakfast and taking her pregnancy-stabilizing medicine, Azi wanted to go for a walk. She got up cheerfully, and Qinghe hurriedly asked in a flustered manner, "Your Highness, where are you going?"
"I want to go for a walk to digest my food," Azi said, heading towards the door. Qinghe quickly stepped forward to stop her, standing in front of her with her arms outstretched, her movements cautious, as if afraid of bumping into her.
Azi found Qinghe's behavior very strange, but when she thought that it must have been Acheng who told her to do it, she felt relieved.
"Alright, alright, I won't go out. Go to Grandpa's and get me two new medical books. I'll wait for you here." Azi turned around, walked to the sandalwood table by the window, sat down, and picked up a book to read.
Qinghe curtsied and breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that Her Highness didn't go out; that way, the Emperor's instructions wouldn't be exposed. She was afraid that Azi might run away while she was away, so she went out to instruct the maid and then quickly returned to keep watch.
Azi glanced at her secretive and furtive demeanor out of the corner of her eye, growing increasingly curious about what Di Jingcheng had prepared for her. She had initially been able to concentrate on her book, but gradually her mind was consumed by the "surprise," and she didn't even react when Qinghe placed the medical book in front of her.
Qinghe didn't disturb her. Time passed, and at noon, Di Jingcheng didn't come back to have lunch with her, which made Azi even more upset. She was so sleepy after lunch that she fell asleep.
When she woke up, Qinghe walked in with two maids, all smiles. The two maids were dressed in Yi ethnic costumes, which was not only unusual, but also in formal attire. Moreover, even Qinghe herself was dressed in Yi ethnic costumes, which caught her off guard.
Qinghe and the two maids exchanged a smile and stepped forward: "Your Highness, let us help you change your clothes and do your makeup. Today is an important day."
Ah Zi seemed to have thought of something, but wasn't quite sure. Her throat tightened, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. The maid took out her finest clothes from her beautiful wardrobe, and several people helped the dazed Ah Zi to get ready.
Qinghe saw that she looked thoughtful, but her beautiful face clearly showed joy: "Your Majesty looks so beautiful in this dress, but Your Majesty and the little prince in your womb will have to work hard today, so this dress is a bit heavy."
Azi gently stroked the clothes on her body. She had embroidered them herself, stitch by stitch. From a young age, her grandmother had taught her Yi embroidery. Every girl had to sew her own splendid clothes from childhood, which would be worn when she grew up and would also be the most solemn clothes when she got married.
The traditional attire of Yi men and women consists of an upper garment, a lower skirt, a belt, and headdresses. The upper garment is generally a double-breasted or diagonal-breasted garment, with exquisite patterns and designs embroidered on the collar, cuffs, and hem. The main color is red, with yellow as a secondary color, symbolizing good fortune and celebration.
The lower skirt is a loose, long skirt embroidered with various patterns and designs, including flowers, birds, animals, figures, and geometric shapes, with colors echoing the upper garment. The symbolism is quite profound; for example, the flower and bird patterns symbolize beautiful love and a happy life, while the animal patterns symbolize strength and courage.
The waistband is an important part of Yi wedding attire. It not only serves to cinch the waist but also decorates the dress. The waistband is typically made of colorful strips of cloth, adorned with silver ornaments, and embroidered with various exquisite scenes of labor and ears of wheat, making it very beautiful. The headdresses are also distinctive. Men usually wear black headscarves embroidered with intricate patterns and designs, while women wear various styles of hats decorated with patterns and tassels, primarily adorned with silver ornaments.
Ah Zi looked at the elaborate dress she had painstakingly sewn, stitch by stitch, and was now finally wearing it as her wedding gown. She was overjoyed; she could finally wear this wedding dress and marry the man she loved. She was so excited, so happy, and so looking forward to seeing her husband in their tribal attire.
As she was thinking this, Di Jingcheng pushed open the door and entered, his eyes filled with amazement. Looking at Azi's red makeup, his love deepened. Qinghe, understanding the situation, led the maid away, leaving everything else to Huang Huang.
Di Jingcheng stepped forward and took her small hands in his, a happy smile almost overflowing as he admired his radiant bride. She was beautiful from every angle!
Azi was also amazed by Di Jingcheng's attire. Wearing a headscarf and changing into their clothes, she unexpectedly appeared quite handsome.
"Ah Cheng looks incredibly handsome in this outfit."
"My Azi is so beautiful, she's like a celestial being!" he said, leaning down to kiss her blushing cheek.
Azi suddenly remembered that she hadn't given him the belt she had sewn herself yet, and today was the perfect opportunity. She let go of the man's hand, ran to the chest, took out the mahogany box, and handed the exquisite box to him under his curious gaze.
"Open it and take a look!" Azi thought he would definitely like it.
Di Jingcheng opened the box and looked at the man's belt lying quietly inside. His nose suddenly stung, and tears fell. This belt was exactly the same as the one A Zi had given him in his previous life. After A Zi left, he carried that belt with him every day and often took it out to touch and remember it.
The belt slowly grew old and faded, but it was his only memento, just as Ah Zi would always be by his side. Until his last breath, he held it tightly in his hand as it went into the tomb with him.
His hands trembled as he took the belt, and to Azi's astonishment, he pulled her tightly into his arms, wanting to meld her into his very bones. His Azi, his darling, his lover, his wife.
No matter what, she was always wholeheartedly devoted to him.
Azi didn't understand where his emotions came from, only that he was excited, thrilled, and yet also sad. Was he unhappy? She gently patted his back: "Husband, don't be sad, Azi is always here for you."
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