Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Wedding
As time passed and Nan Xu's throat gradually got better, the imperial concubine from the palace sent two maids over, along with a ceremonial officer from the Ministry of Rites and wedding attire.
Nan Xu was lazy and let the Marquis's wife and sister-in-law Yin Wu take care of all matters. No matter how lively the Marquis's mansion was, she only practiced archery and painting, and showed no joy or anticipation for the wedding.
The Marquis's wife saw it and was worried.
Taking advantage of the free time in the afternoon, I took Mother Lu to Xiefangyuan with some books.
In the yard, Nan Xu was being supported by Yu Ming to help her digest her food, with a little maid fanning her behind her.
The corridors are winding, and the beauty strolls among them, showing a sense of leisure and tranquility.
Thinking of what she was about to say to Nan Xu, the Marquis' wife actually felt timid and couldn't bear to disturb her.
How can a woman feel more comfortable staying at home after getting married?
"Mother, why are you here at this time?" Nan Xu withdrew his hand, quickened his pace, and went to meet the Marquis's wife into the inner room.
It’s not the height of summer yet, and there’s no ice in the house yet, but one can still feel a cool breeze.
When choosing a courtyard for Nanxu, the Marquis' wife spent a lot of effort. She wanted one with a good location, spaciousness, close to her, warm in winter and cool in summer, and one that Nanxu liked.
This place embodies all the hard work of a mother and her love for her daughter.
Madam Hou stroked Nan Xu's face and gently tucked a few strands of hair behind her ears. "It's just for these few days. Mother wants to see you, so anytime is fine. In a few days, when you're married, it will be difficult for me to see you again."
A woman is supposed to obey her father at home and her husband after marriage; even a woman as noble as a princess may not be able to completely abandon these rules.
Nan Xu leaned on the Marquis's shoulder, nuzzling her affectionately. She said nonchalantly, "Don't be afraid, mother. The Marquis's and the Earl's mansions are only a few blocks away. Once I marry there, I'll talk to the Earl and come back to see you." She paused for a moment before adding, "If he dares to disapprove, I'll let him taste the crossbow arrow again."
As soon as she finished speaking, the Marquis's wife pointed her finger at Nan Xu's forehead in a scolding tone, "You're getting more and more unreasonable."
Nan Xu stuck out her tongue playfully, lying on top of the Marquis's wife, but her eyes were particularly determined.
She is serious!
The Marquis' wife didn't see Nan Xu's expression, but her daughter's words and the arrow that had hit Duan Wenpei weighed heavily on her mind. She put away her smile and, with deep concern, pulled Nan Xu toward her. "Ah Xu, even if some of these words may not sound pleasant, I still want to tell you that getting married is no joke; it's a matter of lifelong happiness."
Nan Xu nodded and then shook her head, "But if the man she marries isn't someone she likes, nor someone she's destined to be with, she won't be happy."
Looking at the stubbornness and arrogance in her eyes, the Marquis' wife was in a trance for a moment. Not long ago, in that boudoir full of bright red, there was a woman who also said resolutely that she would not marry.
Whether to get married or not is not up to a woman to decide.
"Ah Xu, you are still young. You don't understand what love is, what kind of person is a good person, let alone whether you will be happy after marriage."
Nan Xu felt something was wrong and wanted to refute, but the Marquis's wife raised her hand to stop her. "No matter how much power one has, it will eventually disappear. No matter how deep the love, there will be a time when both sides grow tired of each other. Marrying someone is not just about short-term happiness, it depends on whether the love between husband and wife is long-lasting. Preferences can change. Just because you don't like someone today doesn't mean you won't like him forever. You don't know someone well enough to say he won't be a good husband. And if you haven't tried happiness, how can you know what it's like?"
"Having been childhood sweethearts with Li Zhan for so many years, Ah Xu, are you happy now?"
Are you happy?
It must be bitter.
It was not just because he did not marry her as agreed, but also because she discovered that the man she had known for more than ten years was so cowardly and hypocritical.
The stars change, people's hearts are unpredictable, and nothing in this world remains constant.
Nan Xu bit her lower lip, suddenly feeling confused. "Mother, what should I do?"
She has a tough personality, but after all, she has lived a life of luxury for more than ten years. Even though she knows that the house is about to collapse, she still doesn't feel it deeply.
Just know to follow your original intention, never bow, never compromise, and never look back.
Madam Hou took a book from Mother Lu's hand and handed it to Nan Xu personally. Several huge secret techniques for controlling husbands jumped into her eyes. Nan Xu felt it was too hot and wanted to throw it away, but Madam Hou held her down firmly.
"The situation is already settled. Thinking too much will only lead to trouble. It is better to take a bold step and just focus on solving the problem at hand."
"My daughter is smart and beautiful. If you are willing to put in the effort, this cold-hearted Wei Yangbo may fall in love with you. As long as there is affection between the two of you, all the worries will be solved."
Seeing Nan Xu's indifference, the Marquis's wife changed the subject and continued, "If after some time, you develop feelings for him and feel that he is trustworthy, then naturally everyone will be happy. But if nothing is concluded, your mother and father will risk their lives to find another way out for you."
These words were mostly meant to comfort her, but Nan Xu still curled her lips. At least, when she really couldn't make it in her uncle's house anymore, her parents wouldn't leave her alone.
She stroked the book for a long time, then nodded obediently.
In Kyoto, there are precedents of noble ladies divorcing their husband's families.
Matters of marriage concern moral principles and ethics, and the emperor would not control a couple for their entire lives.
She raised her hand, stroked her neck where the pinch marks were no longer visible, and smiled meaningfully.
*
Ever since the Marquis' wife sent the book, Nan Xu found everything interesting.
Listening to the etiquette officer's instructions was not boring either.
From time to time, a few close friends would come to deliver gifts and add to the makeup, and the whole Xiefangyuan was filled with laughter and joy.
Yin Ruizhu informed her parents early on and moved into the Marquis's residence two days before the wedding to help Nan Xu pack the things she was going to bring with her.
Accompanying her was another close friend of hers and Nan Xu, Zeng Ling, the daughter of the Minister of War.
Nan Xu hadn't seen Zeng Ling for a while, and when she saw him suddenly, she was a little dazed.
Zeng Ling didn't expect that after not seeing her for a while, when she met her best friend again, she was about to get married.
He couldn't help but resent Li Zhan for being a sycophant and a villain who didn't keep his word. He also advised Nan Xu to protect himself more than living under the same roof with someone like Wei Yangbo.
The six ministries were not allowed to get too close to the Marquis' Mansion. Zeng Ling sat for a while, handed the things he had prepared to Nan Xu, and then said goodbye to Nan Xu reluctantly.
Looking at his friend's receding back, Nan Xu felt lost. He didn't know what the situation would be like when they met next time.
Fortunately, Yin Ruizhu was the best at telling jokes. In just a moment, she made Nan Xu forget all the sadness before her marriage.
A nanny brought people in to paste wedding characters and hang lanterns. The maids and servants ran around to tell each other and congratulate Nanxu. Under the golden and warm sun, Nanxu felt anticipation for some reason.
Get married.
It should be a beautiful thing.
*
The seventh day of the seventh month is a rare auspicious day.
Before dawn, the Yong'an Marquis's Mansion became busy.
The servants coming and going were all dressed in red, with bright smiles on their faces. As they ran around, they were like a red ocean, scattered in the alleys, under the kitchen, on the rockery, and in front of the door.
In Xiefang Courtyard, Nan Xu was pulled out from under the quilt.
The few maids who were in charge of the wedding had no time to apologize and hurriedly asked the maid who was supposed to help with washing to come in.
The figure was hazy and her steps were silent. After being trained by the maids in the palace, she washed her face and dressed herself in one go. When Nan Xu opened her hazy eyes, her most beautiful face was reflected in the bronze mirror.
She touched her face, then stroked the delicate embroidery of hundreds of butterflies, flowers and peonies on her wedding gown, and felt that everything was like a dream.
"The girl must be captivated by her own appearance!"
"That's right. I've been a wedding nanny for so many years, but this is the first time I've seen a bride as gorgeous as Miss Runan."
"You old fellow, you've said all the good things. If only my granddaughter could be half as pretty as you are, I'd be satisfied."
Compliments are endless.
Yu Ming smiled and brought honey water for Nan Xu to drink. Looking at Nan Xu, whose every frown and smile was like a painting, she agreed very much in her heart.
Yuxiang walked in holding the dressed-up Jinqiu and Yin Ruizhu, who was dressed in women's clothes.
Yin Ruizhu put her hand on Nan Xu's shoulder and said, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, if I were a man, I would marry Ah Xu and hide her away from everyone."
Seeing that she was still teasing herself as usual, Nan Xu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, and reminded her not to forget that she was dressed as a woman now.
As he spoke, he picked up the golden ball and held it on his lap, stroking its fur. Suddenly, he felt sleepy again and dozed off with his eyes closed.
At some point, there were a few quarrels outside the courtyard, and then the pearl and jade curtain was forcefully opened, making a crisp crackling sound.
Nan Xu slowly opened her eyes and saw two cute little maids rushing in despite being stopped.
Yu Ming recognized him at a glance as the person who served Nan Yun in Aunt Zhou's courtyard. She quickly winked at Yu Xiang and they stood in front of Nan Xu, one in front and one behind.
"What are you two doing here? Don't you know today is the girl's wedding? Is this how the third girl taught you the rules?"
The two maids bowed, their manners rather defiant than respectful. "Don't be angry, Sister Yuming. We are here to deliver something to the Second Young Lady at the Third Young Lady's order. As for barging in, we absolutely wouldn't dare. It's all because of those ignorant maids at the courtyard gate who don't recognize us, not even the Third Young Lady."
The wedding was complicated, so the Marquis's wife specially transferred some people to help. Naturally, it was impossible for her not to know the maid who was respected in the mansion.
Sure enough, a well-mannered maid kowtowed outside the curtain. "Young lady, please understand. It's not that we don't know them. It's simply that Madam has ordered that today is your wedding day, and you should be given priority. They said the Third Young Lady had something for them to bring to you. We treated them well and asked them to hand it over to us. But they were relentless, insisting that the Third Young Lady's gift was a gift from her heart, and that she had to see it in person and have it handed over to her."
Although Nan Yun is a concubine's daughter, she is still the master. If she is accused of disrespecting the master, she will never be able to stay in the mansion again.
Nan Xu nodded, raised her hand to indicate that she understood, and asked the maid to leave. She turned around and looked at the two maids, only then she realized that they were not wearing the uniform red clothes of the maids, but only light pink plain skirts.
"Tell me, what did Third Sister ask you to bring over?"
There was no anger in her eyes, but a smile that did not reach her eyes. She sat there upright, like a superior looking down on the lowly people who were as low as the dust.
The two maids swallowed their saliva. This didn't seem like their daughter was unwilling to get married as she said.
Facing Nan Xu's gaze, the two had no choice but to bite the bullet and take out the things hidden behind them.
The velvet cloth was slowly lifted, revealing a statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Childbirth.
Nan Xu suddenly realized that he was here to cause trouble for her.
Her expression remained unchanged. "It's hard for Third Sister to still care about me, her elder sister. Yuming, please accept the things." After saying that, she lowered her eyes and turned around, no longer paying attention to the two of them.
She didn't want to ruin her mood because of these little thoughts.
The maidservant hadn't expected Nan Xu to react this way. Looking at the servant who came to ask them to leave, the two of them exchanged glances, then remembered what Aunt Zhou had told them before they left, and hurriedly shouted, "Our young lady said, please don't be sad, Second Young Lady!"
Yin Ruizhu, who was accompanying Nan Xu, looked puzzled, "Why are you so sad?"
"Today is not only the Second Miss's wedding day, but also the wedding day of the Li family's eldest son and Princess Jingyi, so...so please don't be sad..."
Before she could finish her words, Yin Ruizhu ripped off the beads on her wrist and slammed them forward, "Nonsense! Get out!"
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