Chapter 273 - 272: The Grand Gift
Lianfu Garden was lively around Old Mrs. Xia.
The ladies from the in-laws who came to the mansion to celebrate surrounded Old Mrs. Xia, offering a stream of auspicious words.
Du Yunluo, dressed in full regalia, approached Old Mrs. Xia.
Old Mrs. Xia examined her carefully from head to toe: "Our Yunluo is truly leaving her maiden home. This wedding gown is exceptionally beautiful, just like a fairy’s attire."
Du Yunluo offered a gentle smile.
The Western clock ticked steadily, with maids occasionally coming to report the latest riddles posed by the young masters in front, and how the Young Master responded.
Old Mrs. Xia kept saying, "Go and tell Yun Lang and the others that it’s about time, don’t miss the auspicious hour."
"The girl hasn’t even left yet, and the Old Madam is already feeling for the son-in-law."
This comment elicited a burst of laughter from everyone.
In front of the mansion, Du Yunlang and others were also mindful of the time, and seeing it was getting late, called the welcoming party inside through the main gate.
Mrs. Tian Wu led the joyful wedding maids toward the Flower Hall in the back courtyard.
Upon entering the Flower Hall, there were Du Gongfu and Old Mrs. Xia sitting prominently in the center, with Du Huaixi and Mrs. Zhen below, followed by Du Yunluo’s uncles and aunts according to their seniority.
Mrs. Tian Wu stepped over the threshold, happily urging Du Yunluo onto the sedan chair.
The urging to get married came thrice.
Du Yunluo knelt on the leather mat, solemnly kowtowed three times to the elders, and when she stood up, her eyes were sparkling.
She had no time to wipe them as the brightly colored bridal veil fell, blocking her vision, leaving nothing but red in sight.
Du Yundi squatted by the door, waiting for Du Yunluo to be securely on his back before he lifted her.
The uncle carrying the bride followed by the attendees watched, laughter continuously in the air.
"Yunluo."
Amidst the laughter, Du Yunluo heard Du Yundi’s voice.
Perhaps due to carrying her, Du Yundi’s voice was slightly subdued, yet every word was clear: "Yunluo, if he dares to bully you in the future, come back and tell your brother, and I’ll go teach him a lesson."
Du Yunluo’s lashes trembled, she sniffed, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
On a usual day, she would certainly laugh at Du Yundi, saying, "With that little bit of skill you learned at the academy, how could you even fight him," but now, she couldn’t utter a single word.
She tried hard to keep her tears from falling, slowly nodded her head, and replied softly, "Alright."
The curtain of the sedan was lifted, and Du Yunluo was assisted onto the sedan chair by the wedding maids.
The sound of firecrackers exploded in her ears, crackling nonstop.
The bearers hoisted the bridal sedan, which swayed slightly, and instinctively, Du Yunluo clutched the handkerchief in her hand.
With each breath, the pungent smell of firecrackers lingered; Du Yunluo was not averse to this scent, she sat upright, gazing calmly ahead—even though all she could see was the red of the bridal veil.
But she knew, not far ahead, Mu Lianxiao was there, riding a tall steed, waiting to escort her over the threshold.
The bridal sedan went further and further, Mrs. Zhen couldn’t hold back, tears streaming down.
Du Yunru handed Sister Yi to the wet nurse, personally supporting Mrs. Zhen, her eyes red while comforting her mother.
The Du Mansion opened the feast, the Miao Family wouldn’t let Xia Anxin be busy, keeping her by Old Mrs. Xia’s side, while they were so busy they couldn’t even stop to chat with Du Yunying who had returned for the wedding feast.
And inside the bridal sedan, Du Yunluo couldn’t distinguish east from southwest, only feeling like the procession circled around the Capital twice before finally arriving at Qingshui Alley.
The sound of firecrackers erupted again, louder than at the entrance of the Du Mansion.
The bridal sedan landed smoothly.
A red silk was placed in her hand, and Du Yunluo was assisted out of the sedan chair, with the wedding maid whispering guidance as she stepped over the fire pan and across the threshold, step by step, entering Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.
The wedding hall was bustling with excitement.
Mrs. Tian Wu said, "Old Madam, this niece-in-law has successfully brought the bride back."
Madam Wu laughed heartily, raising her eyes to see the pair of newlyweds entering.
With the bridal veil covering, Madam Wu couldn’t see Du Yunluo’s face, her gaze fell on the wedding gown with its elaborate phoenix and peony embroidery.
Even though her eyesight wasn’t as sharp as it used to be, Madam Wu could see the exquisite embroidery on the gown; recalling the lifelike flower melons sent over the past two years, she realized this young lady was indeed very skilled.
The newlyweds bowed to the heavens and the earth.
During the couple’s ceremonial bow, Du Yunluo noticed Mu Lianxiao’s greeting hands, his clearly defined knuckles holding the red silk, and she subtly curved her lips, almost as though he was holding her hand.
The couple was led into the bridal chamber.
A double happiness character was pasted on the window, and the large red candles burned on the candlestick, Du Yunluo sat by the bed, her hands folded on her knees.
The red silk was taken away, leaving an emptiness in her hands.
Mu Lianxiao stood in front of Du Yunluo, his eyes slightly lowered to look at her, aware of how tense she was, just as he felt.
The wedding maids joyfully urged the groom to lift the bridal veil.
Du Yunluo pursed her lips, and her vision suddenly brightened; she instinctively raised her eyes, meeting Mu Lianxiao’s gaze.
His dark pupils, seemingly glistening, reflected her in her wedding attire.
All full of her.
Du Yunluo’s almond-shaped eyes curved into a smile.
Mu Lianxiao paused, his mind blank, taking a while to come to his senses.
It turned out that this was how she looked in the wedding gown, far more beautiful than he imagined, so captivating that he was reluctant to look away.
The wedding maid handed them cups of wine.
Slim fingers held the cups, the faint aroma of wine lingering at the nose...
It’s not the wine that intoxicates, but the person themselves.
As they drank the wedding toast, Mu Lianxiao recalled only this phrase.
Du Yunluo was right beside him, during the toast they were very close, closer than any previous moment, the scent of rouge enveloping him, stirring a warmth in his heart.
The bed was scattered with dried longans, lotus seeds, peanuts, and slightly uncooked dumplings were brought up, Du Yunluo, with the help of the wedding maid, took a bite, and when asked if it was "raw," she replied softly, "raw."
The grand wedding came with numerous customs, and by the end, even Du Yunluo, who eagerly anticipated the marriage, found it a bit exhausting.
Fortunately, all the rituals were properly completed.
The wedding maids and servants withdrew, leaving only Du Yunluo and Mu Lianxiao in the inner room.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Du Yunluo was contemplating what to say when she turned to look at Mu Lianxiao and suddenly exclaimed, "Ouch."
She raised her hand to massage the back of her neck; the weight of her attire was too much, and after the whole day, her neck couldn’t bear it.
Mu Lianxiao heard her cry out and hurriedly supported her neck with his hand: "Rub it first, then let the maid come in and take it off for you."
It wasn’t that Mu Lianxiao didn’t want to help remove the phoenix crown; he simply didn’t know how.
He had previously heard Yun Qi say not to underestimate the bride’s ensemble. It might look pretty, but heavy is the reality; the delicate bride could hardly bear it. Moreover, removing it wasn’t that simple. Once, Yun Qi attempted to help Jin Ling take hers off, but his clumsy efforts ended up breaking a few strands of her hair.
With such a precedent, Mu Lianxiao dared not to recklessly attempt it.
The lush black hair of Du Yunluo was something he couldn’t bear to damage.