Chapter 1458 - 1456: Qiqiao Festival (Part 2)
"I wonder, what does he look like!"
Jiang Wanrong thought shyly.
If she knew at this moment that her marriage would be thrown into chaos by Lv Zhaoliang, what would she think?
...
The seventh day of the seventh month, Qixi Festival.
From morning, the Capital City was already filled with a festive atmosphere.
Street vendors had set up their stalls, just waiting for the crowds of customers to arrive in the evening.
The shops along the street were also well-prepared, displaying their attractive goods outside to draw more customers.
The broad bluestone road was swept clean, and the trees on both sides were hung with festive lanterns and Qixi lamps.
During the day, they seemed ordinary, but at night, they would shine brightly and beautifully adorn the entire street.
Although it was just past Chen Hour, a whole day away from evening, the streets were already much busier than usual.
People came and went, chatting and laughing, the air filled with the warmth of human presence.
The sons and daughters of noble families in the Capital City had risen and begun to dress themselves.
In this season when the heat had faded and the cold had yet to arrive, choosing clothes was easy.
Not too thick, not too thin, no need to worry about cold or heat, or that carefully painted makeup might be ruined by sweat.
They could freely choose their favored clothes and jewelry and dress up as they pleased.
The young ladies eagerly brought out pouches embroidered with their names and birthdates, along with red ribbons.
Hoping to meet someone they fancy, so they might give away their pouches, or perhaps tie a match under the old locust tree at the city gate.
Either way, it was a good omen.
The pouches, embroidered by themselves, also showcased their skills in needlework.
Therefore, all the young ladies prepared the most exquisite pouches, for a girl with poor needlework skills wouldn’t find a good family.
If the pouch wasn’t pretty enough, it showed she wasn’t skillful!
At this moment, they felt their years of hard practice in needlework had finally found a purpose.
As for the young gentlemen.
They needed to prepare a fan, on which they would write a famous quote, an ancient poem, or a personal motto.
No matter what, the writing had to be done by their own hand, and it must look good, most importantly, it had to be stamped with their red seal and signed.
Just like the young ladies, if the young gentlemen’s handwriting wasn’t good, they wouldn’t find a good match either.
...
The young gentlemen and ladies would appear in the evening.
Most of the well-bred young ladies would veiled their faces, while the young gentlemen dressed elegantly, roaming the streets in groups of three or five.
If they took a liking to each other, they could openly exchange tokens.
One would give a pouch, the other a fan.
Such actions wouldn’t be mocked nor accused of being unchaste at this time.
Therefore, any young lady hoping for a good marriage would seize the opportunity to appear.
Some young ladies could receive several fans in one evening.
Some young gentlemen could also receive numerous pouches in one night.
This was the time to test each other’s skills.
Those with good handwriting and fine embroidery skills often held an advantage.
...
Early in the morning.
Madam Shi came to Jiang Wanrong’s room, seeing her blushing as she prepared her pouch, and she chuckled.
"Don’t be afraid, today is the Qixi Festival, no one will laugh at you!"
Jiang Wanrong nodded.
"Don’t worry, Aunt, Wanrong knows!"
Madam Shi patted her shoulder, exchanged a few words, then took her to have breakfast.
After breakfast, for the entire morning.
Madam Shi was busily telling her about these young gentlemen.
Because of past events, the idea of Pingan Marquis Mansion was out of the question.
So, the families she was considering now were of slightly lower status.
Yet even so, they still remained within the realm of the third or fourth ranks in the Capital City.
For instance, the second son of the Assistant Minister of Rites, the eldest son of the Prefect of the Capital, or the eldest legitimate grandson of the Hanlin Academy Scholar, etc.
No matter what, they were still considered good matches, which Madam Shi was quite satisfied with.
Jiang Wanrong nodded at once.
"Wanrong does not seek a prominent family, only a good man who will treat me well, then I would be content!"
For a girl who lost her birth mother early and tasted all the bitterness and sweetness of life.
The warmth and happiness of a family carried infinite allure.
She did not seek vast wealth and honor, only peace and safety, a husband singing in harmony with his wife, growing old together in harmony, was her greatest wish.
Madam Shi smiled.
"Auntie understands, don’t worry, good child, you don’t need to be afraid; I will ensure a thorough investigation and check for you!"
"Yes!"
Jiang Wanrong nodded, completely immersed in her longing for the future.
...
Night fell quickly.
Madam Shi had already prepared the carriage, and Jiang Wanrong had dressed up early.
She was wearing a goose-yellow crossed-collar long dress embroidered with patterns of Hai Tang flowers, a crescent white belt embroidered with Molli flowers, with a silver edge cinched at her waist, and a small fish-shaped exquisite fragrance sachet dangled from her waist.
Her hair was styled in a high half-bun adorned with a set of glimmering yellow jade hairpins, her wrists decorated with goose-yellow translucent jade bracelets, her ears with silver-set Eastern Pearl earrings the size of a thumb, even her feet clad in exquisitely crafted shoes made of Wave-Light Brocade embroidered with images of Fish Playing with Lotus Leaves.
The entire persona exuded the grace and charm of a young maiden, yet not lacking the grandeur of a young lady from a noble family.
Elegant and yet presentable, charming and yet refreshing.
Finally, a veil intricately embedded with tiny millet beads was draped over her face.
A gentle and beautiful yet mysterious young lady from a noble family appeared at once.
Madam Shi was quite pleased.
"Just like your mother when she was young, those brows, that poise, tsk tsk!"
Jiang Wanrong blushed and lowered her head.
"Auntie, you’re teasing me!"
"Alright, it’s getting late, we should get going!"
"Yes!"
Jiang Wanrong turned to leave with her aunt.
...
The carriage was luxurious and exquisite, the oiled cloth shimmered with a warm and robust luster, and small gourds made of amber hung from the four corners.
As the carriage swayed, the gourds swayed along, exuding a sense of prestige and grandeur.
Behind the carriage, a few ordinary carriages followed, carrying house servants, escorts, and maids.
In total, there were about ten carriages, which slowly moved along the winding bluestone-paved streets at the coachman’s command, heading towards the liveliest area.
After half an hour on the road.
The group finally reached their destination.
As the carriage couldn’t pass further, Madam Shi ordered it to be parked nearby.
Upon alighting, Madam Shi cheerfully took Jiang Wanrong’s hand.
"Off you go!"
Jiang Wanrong was a bit surprised.
"Aunt, aren’t you going with me?"
Madam Shi shook her head.
"I’d like to, but look, over there are all young girls!"
"I wouldn’t feel comfortable joining in!"
"Go on, I’ve brought more than a dozen house servants, escorts, and maids, they will stay by your side to protect you!"
"Besides, today is the Qixi Festival, and this place is surrounded by the Imperial Court’s escort guards, there won’t be any trouble!"