Chapter 261: Red Makeup Reflects the Snow, a Perfect Match
It was still dark outside, and the corner towers of the Forbidden City were just beginning to turn pale, but the lights in Shufangzhai were already bright and warm.
Little Swallow opened her eyes amidst a gentle rocking. The shadows of the red plum blossoms outside the window were reflected on the window paper, with a hazy beauty. She rubbed her eyes and saw that she was smiling before her, holding a set of neatly folded mauve pajamas in her hands.
"Princess, it's time to get up." Mingyue's voice was very low, but she couldn't hide her smile. "Today is your big day!"
Xiaoyanzi blinked, a moment too slow to react. She sat up abruptly, the blanket sliding off her shoulders, revealing her snow-white undershirt. She smoothed her sleep-disheveled hair, her face still tinged with sleep, but her eyes suddenly lit up, like falling stars. "Yes! Today I'm marrying Yongqi!"
Her cry was so loud that it startled Ziwei in the next bed. Ziwei sat up, her coat draped over her shoulders, her hair falling softly. A gentle smile crossed her face. "Look how anxious you are! It's still early." She looked out the window. "Look, it snowed a little last night. The roofs are all white, and against the backdrop of the red lanterns, they look really nice."
Little Swallow peeked out the window and saw a fresh layer of snow on the eaves. The morning light filtered through the snow, illuminating the red lanterns hanging in the corridor with even greater vividness. She couldn't help but laugh, threw back the covers, and tried to get out of bed, but Caixia held her back.
"Princess, be careful not to catch a cold!" Caixia held a copper hand warmer in her hand and put it in her arms, "Warm your hands first, and the servants will help you wash up."
Ziwei also got out of bed and walked to the dressing table. She picked up the phoenix hairpin with red gold and kingfisher feathers and examined it carefully. "This phoenix hairpin is really beautiful. It will look very beautiful on your head."
Xiaoyanzi hugged the heater, staring at herself in the bronze mirror. Her cheeks flushed slightly with excitement, and the faint wrinkles at the corners of her eyes had long since disappeared, leaving only a gleam of anticipation. Suddenly, she felt a little nervous, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corners of her clothes. "Ziwei, do you think...will I embarrass myself? Like, walk the wrong way, or forget what I was supposed to say?"
Ziwei came over and gently patted the back of her hand, her eyes gentle but firm. "No. Just follow Yongqi and the emcee's instructions. Besides, even if you do make a small mistake, everyone will just think you're cute." She paused, her tone full of sincerity, "Xiaoyanzi, you deserve the best. Today will definitely be the best day of your life."
Xiaoyanzi looked at Ziwei's sincere eyes, and the nervousness in her heart suddenly disappeared. She nodded vigorously and grinned, revealing two small, sharp canine teeth. "Yes! I'm Princess Huanzhu, so I won't embarrass myself that easily!"
As they were talking, Fang's mother came in with two nimble maids. She was wearing a brand new royal blue dress embroidered with a longevity pattern, her hair was meticulously combed, and her face was full of a gratified smile, but the corners of her eyes were slightly red.
"My Ci'er has grown up." Mother Fang walked up to Xiaoyanzi and gently stroked her hair, her voice choking with sobs, "You'll be married soon."
Xiaoyanzi threw herself into Fang's mother's arms, hugged her waist and acted coquettishly: "Mom, even if I get married, I will still be your daughter! I will come back to the Fang family to see you and dad often."
Mother Fang smiled, patted her back, and wiped her eyes: "Silly child, mother knows. Come on, let the maids put on your makeup, don't miss the time."
Two maids came forward, one applying a facial mask to Xiaoyanzi, the other combing her hair. Xiaoyanzi sat obediently, letting them do whatever they wanted, her eyes darting as she watched herself in the mirror gradually become more radiant and charming. Rouge on her cheeks resembled two delicate peach blossoms; lipstick on her lips gave them a rich, gentle hue.
Ziwei helped pass the jewelry and chatted with Fang's mother from time to time. The atmosphere in the room was warm and lively.
At the same time, Prince Rong's mansion was also bustling with activity.
Yongqi was dressed in a dark blue imperial robe, embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon on the chest and a bright yellow belt tied around his waist, which made him look tall and majestic. He faced the mirror, letting the servant adjust his clothes, but his brows were slightly furrowed, and he looked a little nervous.
"Your Highness, do you think this belt fits properly?" the servant asked cautiously.
Yongqi murmured, his gaze wandering, as if he were looking through a mirror at the figure in the wedding gown in Shufangzhai. He raised his hand and touched the dragon embroidery on his chest, his fingertips trembling slightly. Today, he was going to marry Xiaoyanzi, and the thought filled him with a burning feeling of anticipation and a strange nervousness.
"Xiao Luzi," he suddenly said, "Do you think...Xiao Yanzi will think I'm not pretty enough today?"
Xiao Luzi was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Your Highness, what you said is true. You are the most handsome prince in the Qing Dynasty. Princess Huanzhu will definitely be happy to see you."
Yongqi was amused by him and smiled, and the tension in his heart dissipated a little. He took a deep breath and straightened his back: "Let's go, it's time to go to the palace."
As the morning light deepened, the red walls of the Forbidden City shone with a warm glow in the sunlight. Eunuchs and maids from various palaces moved hurriedly, yet in an orderly fashion. The air was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood and a festive atmosphere.
In Shufangzhai, Xiaoyanzi had finally finished dressing. She wore her modified red wedding gown, the phoenix on the hem of her skirt looking as if it were about to take flight. On her head, she wore the red gold and kingfisher feather phoenix hairpin, the tassels swaying gently with her movements, bringing out the radiance of her features.
Mother Fang looked at her graceful daughter, her eyes welling up again. She took Xiaoyanzi's hand and put a warm red silk bag into her hand: "This is what mother prepared for you. Inside is a pair of jade ruyi. May you and Prince Rong live in peace and happiness for many years and grow old together."
Xiaoyanzi clenched the jade ruyi in her hand, feeling its warmth. She looked at Fang's mother and nodded heavily, "Mother, I understand. You should also take good care of yourself. I will come back often."
"Oh, okay, okay." Fang's mother responded with a smile, but tears couldn't help falling from the corners of her eyes.
Ziwei walked forward, straightened the collar of Xiaoyanzi's wedding dress, and said softly, "Are you ready? Yongqi should be waiting outside."
Xiaoyanzi took a deep breath and a bright smile appeared on her face: "I'm ready!"
She turned and, accompanied by Fang's mother and Ziwei, walked out of Shufangzhai. The red lanterns in the corridor swayed gently in the breeze, making her red dress even more dazzling. The Forbidden City was exceptionally clean after the snowfall. The sunlight reflected off the snow, creating a shimmering light that seemed to lay a dazzling carpet for this grand wedding.
Not far away, Yongqi was standing there waiting for her in his court robes. When he saw Xiaoyanzi coming out, his eyes lit up instantly, like a ignited spark, and he walked towards her step by step.
The two met on the red carpet. Yongqi looked at her with eyes so gentle that they could drip tears. He stretched out his hand, his voice trembling with a barely perceptible tremor: "Xiaoyanzi, I'm here to pick you up."
Xiaoyanzi looked at him, the smile on her face growing brighter. She placed her hand in his palm, feeling the warmth and strength of his hand: "Yongqi, I'm here."
Fang's mother looked at the two hands tightly clasped together and smiled with relief. Ziwei stood aside, looking at the newlyweds, her eyes full of blessings.
From afar, the sound of ceremonial music drifted in, melodious and joyous, heralding the official start of this grand wedding ceremony. Xiaoyanzi and Yongqi smiled at each other and walked side by side towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Behind them lay the sun-drenched Forbidden City, a future filled with hope, and the fulfillment of two lives, exchanged for reincarnation.
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