Chapter 187: A woman should be reserved and restrained!
Time passed by amidst all the busyness, and before we knew it, it was the morning of my wedding day.
One of the wedding attendants was sent by the Duke of Wei's mansion, and the other was Granny Li, who served the Empress Dowager. Granny Li had been in the palace for fifty years and had seen seventeen or eighteen princesses off, so she had a wealth of experience in this area. Therefore, she took the lead in everything. Granny Lin from the Duke of Wei's mansion assisted her more from the side. As for the original servants of the Zhou family, some stayed behind to take care of Old Madam Li, while the others were assigned by Boss Tang and scattered throughout the banquet. Jiang Wuyu, along with Xiao Wu and Xiao Jiu, were responsible for receiving the guests.
Zhu Yan also arrived. She didn't say much and just stayed by Zhou Mujiao's side.
The shrewd Li Mama, who served the Empress Dowager, did not inquire whether Zhu Yan and Zhou Mujiao had known each other beforehand, and simply did what she was responsible for.
Zhou Mujiao was dragged out of bed before dawn, and was made to bathe, burn incense, dress in her wedding clothes, and put on makeup. After all that, she was so tired that she could barely keep her eyes open.
Finally, it was Mrs. Li who combed her hair.
Granny Li led the group out of the bridal chamber, leaving Zhu Yan to guard the door.
The noisy room fell silent. Zhou Mujiao saw the complicated expression on Grandma Li's face in the mirror and immediately turned around to hug her: "Grandma, I'm a little nervous."
Grandma Li turned her gaze away from the mirror, hugged Zhou Mujiao back, and sighed, "Since ancient times, which woman isn't nervous about getting married? Before I married your maternal grandfather, I had never even met him. I didn't know what he looked like, or whether his character matched the rumors... Ever since the engagement was arranged, I've been restless day and night, wishing the wedding wouldn't come so soon, yet also hoping it would come sooner..."
“You are better than your grandmother, who only got nervous this morning. You are also luckier than your grandmother, as you were able to spend time with your future husband before the wedding and get to know his character and the nature of his family.”
As Grandma Li spoke, she inevitably thought of her beloved daughter, Li Luo, and her eyes reddened instantly: "I wonder what your mother felt when she married your father. Did anyone comfort her and tell her not to be afraid?"
In the original owner's memory, Bai Xiuzhu and Zhou Wenchou were very loving. In particular, Zhou Wenchou doted on Bai Xiuzhu. Bai Xiuzhu was in poor health and could not do any heavy work, so Zhou Wenchou would not let her get out of bed. When Zhou Laotai and other aunts and uncles had objections, he would protect Bai Xiuzhu at the first moment. No matter how Zhou Laotai and the others beat or scolded him, he would never let Bai Xiuzhu suffer any criticism.
Unfortunately, Zhou Wen-Chu fell off a cliff and struggled for three months before finally passing away. Bai Xiu-Zhu also died less than a year after giving birth to Xiao Wu, due to the many hardships caused by the Zhou family.
The couple's lives were a tragedy, but Zhou Mujiao still tried to tell Grandma Li some good things to ease her pain. However, Li Luo was a permanent regret and pain in Grandma Li's heart, and nothing she said could comfort her.
Grandma Li wiped her eyes and picked up a comb: "First comb to the end, second comb to the white hair reaching the eyebrows, third comb..."
Soon, the wedding procession entered the Zhou family home with much fanfare.
Zhou Mujiao, her face covered by a veil, was led into the bridal sedan chair by two matchmakers. Zhao Yunjing, standing in front of the sedan chair, smiled like a fool, while Young Master Chen was stunned.
He had thought Zhou Mujiao would look beautiful in her wedding dress, but he never expected her to look this beautiful!
If she is his...
The music started again, and the wedding procession turned back. Young Master Chen clenched his hands tightly, but quickly let go.
Seeing this, Meng Jingjing frowned slightly. She cast a questioning look at Young Master Chen, but he ignored her, jumped onto his horse, and followed behind Zhao Yunjing.
The two families lived not far apart. Ning Xian originally suggested that Zhao Yunjing should circle the city when he brought back his bride, so that all the people of the city could witness their joy. However, this was rejected by Old Madam Li. Zhao Yunjing and Zhou Mujiao also thought that they should keep a low profile as much as possible. Even if they couldn't keep a low profile, they shouldn't deliberately show off, lest they accidentally offend someone and cause some unnecessary trouble.
The wedding procession walked towards the Zhao family along the planned route. Zhou Mujiao quietly lifted her veil and peeked out from behind a corner of the sedan curtain. Just then, Zhao Yunjing also looked in. Their eyes met, and they smiled at each other, then blushed at the same time.
In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the bridal sedan chair returned to the Zhao family. Zhou Mujiao was taken to the bridal chamber, where two matchmakers accompanied her. She didn't know how much time had passed, but Zhou Mujiao dozed off for a long time and finally fell asleep.
"Miss, Miss!" Granny Li called softly, "The young master is coming in, wake up!"
Who, who's coming in?
Zhou Mujiao suddenly stood up and assumed an attacking stance. The movement was so big that she knocked off her veil. She quickly grabbed the veil and met Li Mama's gaze.
As expected of someone who had seen a lot, Granny Li reacted quickly. After only a moment of hesitation, she immediately put the veil back on and pulled her back to sit on the bed in a very ladylike and dignified posture.
“Miss, the young master will be coming in soon. I have a few words to tell you.” Li Mama leaned close to her ear and lowered her voice. “I know that you and the young master are in love and have a deep affection for each other, but no man wants his wife to be as uninhibited as a courtesan. So remember to restrain yourself and be reserved later.”
Zhou Mujiao wanted to say that if two people who love each other can't even have sex freely, then what's the point of getting married? Are they going to share a blanket and talk about everything from poetry and songs to the philosophy of life, and then from the philosophy of life to daily meals?
However, she still nodded obediently: "Granny Li, I understand."
Granny Li opened the door, but Zhao Yunjing was nowhere to be seen. Confused, Granny Li lowered her voice and asked, "Didn't the young master arrive? Where is he?"
The servant shook his head and said, "Young Master was indeed here just now, but he was pulled away by Chen Tanhua again."
It's almost dark. Why isn't Chen Tanhua out eating and drinking? What is he doing here dragging the groom?
Rumors are circulating in the palace that the third-ranked scholar also has feelings for Miss Zhou, but today he actually agreed to be Zhao Yunjing's best man. After being the best man, he dragged her away just before their wedding night. What is he trying to do? Could it be that he wants to steal the bride?
Granny Li quickly retreated to her room and locked the door tightly.
Zhou Mujiao had just woken up and was still half asleep when she could not quite hear what Li Mama was saying to the servants outside. Now that her veil was over her head, she could not see the expression on Li Mama's face, but she could feel that the atmosphere in the room had suddenly changed.
She immediately removed her veil and asked Granny Li, "Granny Li, what happened?"
Granny Li didn't know how to put it, and after stammering for a while, she finally said, "The young master was just outside, but he was pulled away by Scholar Chen. I think—"
"It has nothing to do with Chen Tanhua, I'm afraid something's happened outside. Quickly help me pull these ornaments off! Sister Zhu!"
Zhu Yan swung down from the beam, and Zhou Mujiao grabbed her: "Sister Zhu, something's happened outside, come with me!"
Zhu Yan didn't move. Her face was expressionless as she said, "Even if the throne of Great Liang changes hands, you will stay here and not take a single step out."
Even if the throne of Liang changes hands?
The implication is that the emperor has arrived and has encountered a coup at their wedding banquet!
Holy crap, is this some kind of thrilling game?!
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