Chapter 69 Getting Married

Hualan looked at Wei Xiaoniang in front of her and felt that she was different from usual. She was more lively, but also more real, which made Hualan want to get closer. Mingxi handed two books to Hualan and told her to read them. Mingxi's words seemed to have magic power, which could seduce people's hearts and made Hualan nod in agreement.

"I also want to remind you, young lady, remember to read this book behind your back. Don't let others read it and reveal the secret." Mingxi turned around and joked to Hualan. Hualan immediately stuffed the book into her sleeves, looking like a thief who was afraid of being discovered. After Mingxi

gave the books, he didn't care about Minglan anymore and left Huaxuan with Chengzi. Hualan returned to the house carefully with the book in her pocket. The eldest lady was still chatting with the women from various families who came to add makeup. Although Sheng Hong had been in office for a short time, he was always good at dealing with people and had made many friends and colleagues. Therefore, in addition to the relatives and friends of the Sheng family, many women from Sheng Hong's colleagues came to add makeup for Hualan. The eldest lady wanted to greet everyone. Seeing that only Hualan came back, she did not ask too many questions in front of others. Everyone talked about the marriage of their children and daughters together.

There was an endless stream of people coming to add makeup, and the mansion was always bustling, which also diluted the sadness of the eldest lady and Hualan's separation.

During this period, the Sheng family sent someone to take part of Hualan's dowry to the Yuan family to prepare the house. The day before the wedding, the bride's family went to the groom's family to decorate the new room and sent some dowry in advance. The bride's family "hung up curtains, laid out the dowry, jewelry and other items"; afterwards, the bride's family's close people came with gifts to warm up the new room for the newlyweds; after the room was decorated and warmed up, the bride's family would arrange trusted women and maids to guard the new room to prevent outsiders from entering.

This excitement continued until the next day, when Hualan officially got married. Yuan Wenshao came to welcome the bride, and Hualan had to say goodbye to her father, mother and old lady. The eldest lady looked at the auspicious dragon and phoenix pattern on Hualan's bridal veil, and tears fell down. She didn't even dare to look up at Hualan's face, for fear that she would not be able to control her tears.

Sheng Hong's eyes were red, and he kept reminding Yuan Wenshao, "My Hua'er is the eldest daughter of the Sheng family. She was raised and spoiled by the whole family. She is filial to her parents and cares for her younger siblings. Everyone who sees her would praise how lucky I am to have such a well-educated, sensible, dignified and steady daughter. Today I will marry Hua'er to you. I do not ask you to pamper her like a treasure, but only hope that you respect her. I hope you two will support each other and live in harmony!"

"Please rest assured, father-in-law. I will follow your teachings and take good care of Hualan and never let her suffer any grievances." With Yuan Wenshao's affirmation, Sheng Hong felt better.

"Hua'er, you grew up under the care of your grandmother. You are good in every way, but you are too gentle. I am afraid that you will be wronged. Hua'er, remember, if you are wronged, don't be afraid, don't bear it, come back and tell your grandmother, I will take care of it for you!" The old lady stroked Hualan's hand with tears in her eyes, admonishing her, and her words were full of deep reluctance and worry.

Before Hualan could comfort the elders, the auspicious time had arrived, and the singing of the ceremony urging her to go out sounded. Hualan was urged to go out, but her steps stopped involuntarily, and her eyes were cast on her relatives behind her again. She clearly saw the red eyes of her mother and grandmother, and the reluctance in her father's eyes, and the voices of her brothers and sisters calling "big sister" reluctantly in her ears. Hualan deeply felt the indescribable warmth and reluctance that permeated. Hualan wanted to say something, but the bridesmaid held her back, "Once the bride leaves this door, she can't look back!" Then, the bridesmaid sang loudly, "The bride is leaving the house, as constant as the moon and as rising as the sun. May the two of you have a love as deep as the sea and as heavy as the mountains, grow old together, and be together forever."

Hualan had no choice but to follow the bridesmaid out the door. She saw Changbai wearing a festive dress. The young man stood there with his back straight, his eyes full of love and reluctance for his sister. When Hualan approached, he bent down and let Hualan gently lie on his back. The action was both steady and tender, as if it had been rehearsed thousands of times.

"Big sister, I'll carry you out the door." Changbai's voice was low and firm. Hearing this, Hualan nodded gently and gently wrapped her hands around Changbai's neck. Following Changbai's steady steps, the two walked slowly forward, passed through the beautifully carved threshold of the Sheng Mansion, and walked out of the main gate of the Sheng Mansion.

Changbai carried Hualan on his back and walked step by step towards the sedan chair that had been waiting outside. Every step he took was so firm and powerful, as if he was announcing to everyone that the Sheng family and Sheng Changbai would always be Sheng Hualan's strongest backing.

When Hualan finally sat in the beautifully decorated sedan chair, as the sedan bearers slowly lifted it up with their steady steps, she knew that she was about to embark on a new journey in her life. The wedding procession set off in a mighty manner. Drums and suonas rang out in unison. In the bustling atmosphere, the wedding procession moved forward, passed through the bustling streets, crossed the small bridges and streams, and finally headed towards the Yuan family. Hualan, who was about to become the new bride of the Yuan family, also gradually adjusted her mood during this journey and prepared to welcome her new life. Hualan was sent

to the new house of the Yuan family. After the bride-sitters left the new house, the wedding room became quiet. Hualan could hear her heartbeat like a drum. She gently stroked the complicated and gorgeous wedding dress on her body, breathed slowly, and tried to calm her heartbeat, but she couldn't suppress the restlessness in her heart.

Hualan listened to the bustling noise outside, smelled the rich floral fragrance and the festive scent of red candles, and tried to calm herself down, but she gradually became irritable and uneasy. She even began to sweat uncontrollably, seeping out from her forehead, nose, back, and even all over her body, forming fine water droplets, which eventually gathered into a stream and slid down her skin, leaving wet marks. Hualan felt an indescribable stuffiness and discomfort, and even breathing became heavy and difficult.

When Hualan was about to shout out loud, Huixin suddenly said, "Why is there no ice in this ice basin?"

"In such hot weather, how can there not be enough ice? The Yuan family is so negligent!" Jingxian also began to complain.

"Miss, you've sweated a lot, but are you feeling hot?" Huixin's words brought Hualan back to her senses. It turned out that the ice in the house had run out. No wonder she was so anxious and upset just now.

"Miss, I'll go outside and ask someone to bring some ice. The weather is so hot, and the wedding dress is so heavy. Without ice, you'll get prickly heat." Jingshu looked at Hualan worriedly, and was about to go out to ask someone to bring ice.

"Jingshu, you should change your words. Don't call me Miss when you go out." Hualan reminded her.

Jingshu was stunned for a moment, then bowed and responded, "Second Madam!" Jingshu called out, and Hualan let her go out.