Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the wedding procession arrived at the Governor's Mansion.
Hongtun, dressed in the court robes of a prince's heir, rode a snow-white steed, followed by a procession stretching for miles.
Royal musicians played "Dragon and Phoenix Bring Auspiciousness," and cannons roared, their sound echoing through the sky.
The crowds lined both sides of the street, their exclamations of amazement ringing out: "This spectacle is more impressive than even a princess's wedding!"
The dowry procession set off first, escorted by 108 guards. The chests were all covered with bright yellow silk and decorated with red "囍" (double happiness) seals.
Lin Ruhai's dowry list included gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, calligraphy and paintings, as well as land deeds for ten manors in Jiangnan and a complete set of rosewood furniture. It is said that twenty official ships were used just to transport these pieces of furniture.
Even more eye-catching is the gilded sedan chair carried by eight people. The chair is carved with intertwined peonies, and golden bells hang from the four corners. When a breeze blows, the bells ring out as clear as heavenly music.
Lin Ruhai stood in front of the mansion gate and personally covered his daughter's head with a red veil embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water.
His voice trembled slightly: "Yu'er, from today onwards, you will be the Heir Apparent's Wife of Prince Yi's Mansion. Your father wishes you a peaceful and joyful life."
Daiyu knelt down and kowtowed, tears silently streaming down her face: "Father, take care. Your daughter will certainly live up to the name of the Lin family."
When the wedding procession arrived at Jinling Wharf, ten ornately decorated official boats were already waiting.
The ship was adorned with red decorations, and the royal flag flew from its mast.
Emperor Yongzheng specially appointed the Minister of Rites as an imperial envoy to read out the imperial edict bestowing upon Daiyu the title of "Princess Jiayi" to demonstrate the imperial favor.
The onlookers knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
Daiyu boarded the boat with the help of her nanny, followed closely by Hongtun.
As the fleet slowly sailed away from the dock, countless fireworks suddenly rose from both banks, their dazzling light illuminating half the sky.
This was arranged by Hongtun.
All restaurants and teahouses in Jinling City were ordered to offer free meals for three days, and the whole country celebrated this grand wedding.
After several days of sailing, they arrived in the capital.
The Prince Yi's Mansion was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. A nine-zhang-tall lantern tower with the character "囍" (double happiness) stood in front of the mansion gate, which could be seen from ten li away when lit at night.
On the day of the wedding, Prince Yi's mansion was brightly decorated and filled with guests.
Yunxiang and his wife sat high in the hall, while Daiyu, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, and Hongtun, holding a love knot together, slowly stepped into the wedding hall.
The master of ceremonies chanted loudly: "First bow to Heaven and Earth—Second bow to our parents—"
As he bowed for the third time, Hongtun quietly grasped Daiyu's hand and whispered, "Yu'er, I will never fail you in this life."
Daiyu's ears turned slightly red, and she nodded gently.
The guests all saw the Crown Princess's graceful demeanor, unaware that her eyes were already brimming with tears beneath her veil.
Inside the bridal chamber, red candles were lit.
The wax dripping from the gilded candlestick made a soft sound in the still night.
Daiyu sat upright inside the tent with a hundred sons and a thousand grandsons, her folded hands trembling slightly, her nails almost digging into her palms.
The pearls on her phoenix crown swayed slightly with her soft breathing, casting dappled light and shadow beneath her red veil.
"The Crown Prince has arrived—"
The announcement from the maid outside the door made Daiyu stiffen.
The crisp sound of the beaded curtains clattering drew closer, and through the gap beneath her veil, she saw a pair of cloud-patterned black boots stop in front of her.
The scent of ambergris mixed with the smell of alcohol wafted over, making the tips of her ears burn.
"All of you, step back."
Hongtun's voice was three degrees lower than usual. With a wave of his hand, the maids filed out.
After the door creaked shut, the room was so quiet you could hear each other breathing.
Daiyu suddenly noticed that the tassels under her veil had been gently lifted. She hurriedly closed her eyes, and her thick eyelashes cast butterfly-wing-like shadows on her cheeks.
The moment the veil was lifted, Hongtun's breath hitched.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were full of affection, and her porcelain-white skin was tinged with honey.
Her lips were as red as if they were stained with crushed rose juice, and the pearl tassels hanging from her phoenix crown hung just above her slightly trembling eyelashes.
Noticing the burning gaze, Daiyu mustered her courage to look up, only to find that the usually gentle and refined young master's eyes were surprisingly deep, and his court robes and jade belt had somehow become loose.
"But is the phoenix crown too heavy?" Hongtun reached out to straighten the slightly crooked crown for her, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against her earlobe, causing Daiyu to tremble slightly.
He recalled that the palace maids had told him that young women needed to use fragrant ointment for their first time, and these maids were about to demonstrate it themselves when they spoke. He immediately turned stern and sent them all away.
Looking at Daiyu's fingers, which were white with nervousness, his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
Seeing that he was not moving for a long time, Daiyu peeked at him and met her husband's gaze.
Those phoenix eyes, which always held a smile, were now as deep as a pool, reflecting the flickering candlelight and her flushed face.
Suddenly, the world spun around her, and when she came to her senses, she was already being lifted up and placed on a brocade quilt covered with red dates and peanuts.
"Don't be afraid."
Hongtun's movements as he untied her clothes were awkward.
Daiyu turned her head away in embarrassment, but saw the mandarin ducks playing in the water embroidered on the pillow, and the silk threads of the twin lotus flowers shimmered softly in the candlelight.
As the last piece of clothing was removed, she instinctively hugged herself, only to have her hand covered by a warm palm.
After the sharp pain subsided, she noticed that her husband's forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat, clearly indicating that he was also trying his best to control himself.
"Bite me if it hurts." Hongtun offered his wrist to her lips, but Daiyu shook her head and wrapped her arms around his neck instead.
This action was like opening a floodgate, and the previously cautious touch suddenly became intense.
The first time they made love ended quickly, and Hongtun was annoyed to find that he had failed to let his wife experience the pleasures of the bedroom.
He fetched warm water, wrung out a cloth, and gently wiped her down.
Daiyu, curled up in the brocade quilt, watched as he clumsily wrung out his handkerchief, knocking over the copper basin. The water stains spread dark marks on the scarlet carpet, and she suddenly chuckled softly.
"What are you laughing at?" Hongtun returned with his ears burning red. His hair ornament was nowhere to be found, and his dark hair fell over his shoulders.
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