"Girl, wipe yourself first, there's still a long way to go."
Chunling followed outside the sedan chair, smiling as she walked alongside Liandong. The two of them were considered part of the dowry maids and were also required to walk around the sedan chair once more.
Li Shiyue sat in the sedan chair, took the handkerchief, and gently wiped the corners of her eyes. Tears slid down her eyelashes, but the corners of her mouth were curved.
Xu Yunci, sitting on his horse at the front, looked at the street ahead and couldn't help but turn back to glance at the bridal sedan chair.
"Second brother, stop looking. You can look however you want after the wedding ceremony. People are watching now."
Yang Ke also glanced back, but seeing the crowds of people gathering on both sides of the street, she couldn't help but tease them.
Xu Yunci remained silent, though his gaze was fixed ahead; the upturned corners of his mouth were undeniable.
The bridal sedan chair entered through the main gate of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion. Li Shiyue sat in the sedan chair and felt that a long time had passed before it finally stopped.
But before Granny Xi could speak, the music and commotion outside the sedan chair continued. Just as she was wondering what was going on, she suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from outside the sedan chair.
"Madam, please alight from the sedan chair."
Xu Yunci's voice was low, but he couldn't hide the joy in his tone.
As soon as he finished speaking, the curtain was lifted, and through the red veil, Li Shiyue saw a familiar figure at first glance.
He was wearing a wedding robe that he had embroidered himself. He reached out and helped her out of the sedan chair. He waited until she was steady before taking his own steps, but he also waited for her to step into the gate of the Duke's mansion together.
As you walk towards the main hall, there are many formalities to observe, until you see the crowd and realize you've arrived at the main hall.
Seated at the head of the table were the Duke of Rongguo and the dignified and elegant Lady Yang. To the left were Old Madam Xu, the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and Xu Lingzi. To the right were the three wives from the third and fourth branches of the family.
Xu Yunbo and the others stood with Old Madam Xu.
Granny Xi's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for her to hear, and she gave her instructions on what to do and what not to do.
"First bow to Heaven and Earth—"
The red silk in Li Shiyue's hand seemed to be wrapped around the golden ruyi, the red silk and the ruby on it complementing each other.
"Second bow to the parents—"
She turned around, was helped to kneel down, and then stood up. Xu Yunci's hands were broad and thick, but Li Shiyue didn't find them unfamiliar; instead, she felt a sense of familiarity.
"The couple bows to each other—"
Their eyes met through the red veil, and Li Shiyue's cheeks flushed. Even though the red veil made it impossible for outsiders to see clearly, she still couldn't help but smile.
"The ceremony is complete—"
The words had barely left her lips when the main hall erupted in a flurry of activity. Before Li Shiyue could even process what was happening, she was suddenly surrounded by a group of people.
The familiar warmth was placed in her palm, and she gently held it in her arms, heading straight for the inner courtyard.
The main house is located in the center of the Duke's Mansion, and their courtyard is located to the south of the main house, in the Tongxin Hall.
The courtyard was spacious, divided into front and back courtyards, which Yang had prepared for Xu Yunci long ago.
However, Xu Yunci completely renovated the interior, and Yang also added many items from the storeroom.
The winding corridors and cloisters lead through the small garden, past the main courtyard gate, and around the rockery and stone bridge.
They were ushered into the main room, where a thin, bright red quilt was laid on the bed. As soon as the two of them sat down, Granny Xi picked up the items that the four maids were carrying and threw them onto the bed.
He kept saying auspicious words, and the phrase "May you have a son soon" was thrown on the bed, on his clothes, and at his feet.
"Young Master".
Lian Dong stepped forward and handed over the auspicious banner, which was tied with a big red flower.
"From one end to the other, I'm overjoyed, everything is perfect!"
Xu Yunci took the red veil and the ceremonial title and handed them to Lian Dong beside her. When she looked at Li Shiyue again, she was clearly stunned for a moment.
However, with so many onlookers, Xu Yunci's gaze seemed to wander off somewhere, and she actually saw a hint of shyness and bewilderment on the face of the aloof young master.
Li Shiyue's cheeks turned even redder, as if the fiery sunset clouds from when she left the house had been transferred to her own face, burning hot.
Granny Chang led Chunling forward, holding a pair of scissors. She walked up to Xu Yunci and cut off a lock of her hair. Then she walked up to Li Shiyue, cut off a lock of her hair, and tied their hair together with a red string.
Granny Xi stepped forward again, with Qiu Fan behind her holding two wine cups tied with red ropes.
"Let's drink from the same cup!"
Li Shiyue raised her head and met Xu Yunci's gaze. The jeering sounds around her seemed to be suddenly blocked out, and she could no longer hear anything else.
His eyes met those tender phoenix eyes, and he couldn't help but smile, picking up the glass of wine as well.
As the distance between them gradually closed, Li Shiyue could clearly see his eyelashes.
Then another bowl was brought over. Li Shiyue didn't know what it was, but after taking a small bite, she was somewhat surprised: "It's raw?"
As soon as she finished speaking, laughter filled the room. Granny Xi, in particular, couldn't stop smiling: "If the county princess says she'll give birth, then she'll give birth."
After the ceremony, Xu Yunci was dragged out by Yang Ke and the others, who couldn't wait any longer. They ostensibly wanted to have some fun, but it wasn't really for Xu Yunci's enjoyment, since they probably didn't want to be drunk on their wedding night.
After closing the door and shutting out the noise from outside, Li Shiyue tried to move her neck.
Fortunately, I can still move my neck a little.
Granny Chang did not leave, but helped her sit down in front of the dressing table: "The young master will be gone for a while, so Madam can change into a lighter outfit."
"good."
Li Shiyue glanced at herself in the bronze mirror and saw the smiles on the faces of Granny Chang and the others, so she couldn't help but lower her head.
She took off her elaborate and gorgeous wedding dress and put on a light and simple brocade quilt with a bright red lining.
She removed the phoenix crown, loosened her hair and then put it back up, wearing only a five-phoenix red gold tassel crown.
When Xu Yunci returned, his steps were unsteady. He passed over the other people in the room and saw the person who had already fallen asleep.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Li Shiyue's cheeks were smooth and delicate, and the flickering candlelight made her look like a freshly peeled egg.
Xu Yunci stopped raising her hand, looked at herself, stood up, and took quiet steps.
When she came back, she had changed into a clean undergarment, bright red, exactly the same as the one Li Shiyue was wearing.
The others understood and left, not daring to linger any longer.
Li Shiyue seemed to sense something. She opened her eyes, slightly dazed, and looked at the man who was carefully about to lie down. Suddenly, she sat up.
"Cousin."
Seemingly not yet used to having someone beside her, the confusion in Li Shiyue's eyes instantly vanished, replaced by clarity.
Seeing this, Xu Yunci stopped being so careful and just stood on the edge watching her.
With a smile in her eyes and a tone of affection she herself hadn't even noticed, she said, "You're awake. I just got back too."
Noticing his undergarment, Li Shiyue looked away, realizing that it didn't cover anything at all.
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