Before they knew it, the wedding day had arrived.
I am now sitting in a sedan chair, dressed in my wedding attire.
To show his importance and joy in this marriage, the eldest prince, Yinzhi, personally went to the bride's home to fetch her, much to the delight of her parents.
After all, princes, dukes, and beiles do not need to personally welcome their brides; the Ministry of Rites will arrange the welcoming ceremony.
I was carried onto the bridal sedan chair by my eldest brother.
When I left, my older brother told me, "Don't be afraid, little sister, if you need anything, just ask your brother."
Thinking of my older brother's words and my mother's nagging before I left, and how my younger brother clung to my leg in his room, crying and not letting me go, warmed my heart. This is what family is all about.
My younger brother is my father's youngest son, born in the 21st year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign. More than two years after I returned home, my mother gave birth to a baby at the advanced age of 36.
When I returned home at the age of 7, I discovered that although my mother looked fine on the surface, the frequent births had taken a heavy toll on her health.
It may not be obvious now, but if you don't take care of yourself, you won't be comfortable in your later years.
Unexpectedly, two years after my mother gave birth to my younger brother, my father was overjoyed and wanted to treat my mother like a goddess.
With music and fanfare, they kicked open the sedan chair door, bowed to heaven and earth, and then entered the bridal chamber.
After Yinzhi lifted his veil, he went to the front to greet the princes and members of the imperial clan who had come to drink the wedding wine.
Before leaving, they specifically asked that they would send me a meal later to stave off my hunger.
The dowry maids in the bridal chamber were all happy to see the feast that had been delivered for their master; their son-in-law was truly considerate.
I couldn't help but feel a slight joy at Yinzhi's thoughtfulness, after all, one always hopes for a thoughtful husband.
The highest-ranking members of the bridal chamber were the wife of Prince Zhuang, the wife of Prince Ping, and several wives of members of the imperial clan, all of whom had both sons and daughters.
Princess Consort Zhuang even teased Yinzhi, saying he was so stunned by the bride that he blushed bright red. Amidst the teasing laughter of the other wives, he managed to say a few words, and after finishing the fertility buns, he fled in a panic.
As soon as Yinzhi stepped out of the gate, the wives burst into laughter. The princes were usually very serious in front of the imperial family, and it was rare to see them in such an awkward situation.
I could only pretend to be shy and lower my head, but it was only for a moment before I gracefully allowed the princesses and consorts to look me over. Because Yinzhi was Kangxi's eldest son, all those present were elders.
Princess Zhuang was pleased to see my poised and confident demeanor, and she specifically reminded me that the person who had been shouting "To have or not to have" outside was Akdun, the youngest son of Prince Kang's wife, who was only six years old this year.
I immediately understood: "Akdun's voice is loud and clear, he must be a strong and intelligent man."
I smiled gratefully at Princess Zhuang and said, "Bai Xia, give the Chengni inkstone I brought to Prince Akdun, and also give him some wedding candies and snacks to sweeten his mouth."
Bai Xia smiled and agreed, then left the bridal chamber. Just then, she heard a loud, clear child's voice outside the door: "Thank you for the gift, sister-in-law! Wishing you and your husband a loving marriage and many children!" Then, the child grabbed the gifts and ran off in a flash. Hearing this, the blush that had just faded from my face returned.
The princesses and their wives asked a few questions and then left.
After they left, the head maid also withdrew. I ate some of the food that Yinzhi had specially ordered the kitchen to send over. Donghui had already prepared the bath water. "Madam, would you like to take a bath and change your clothes first? The head maid just went to the front courtyard to inquire, and the master will be gone for a while."
"Um."
Donghui and Baixia were the maids I brought with me as part of my dowry. Along with them were Granny Shi and Granny Shao, whom I mentioned before, as well as the maids Chunfen and Qiufen.
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