This night, Wang Qingyao was sent to bed early by Nian Mama. "You have to get up at the fourth watch tomorrow, and you'll be exhausted, my lady."
The fourth watch was around two or three in the morning. Wang Qingyao's head spun at the thought, and she rolled to the innermost side of the bed. She closed her eyes, but sleep wouldn't come.
Humans have biological clocks. It wasn't her usual bedtime, so how could she fall asleep?
She didn't know when she finally drifted off. When Yin Zhu shook her awake, the moon was still in the sky, and two candles were already lit in the room.
Nian Mama and several maids had only slept for three or four hours. Now, they brought hot water and asked Wang Qingyao to bathe and change.
A wedding ceremony valued auspiciousness. Today, even the undergarments she wore were embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water. From the inner garments upwards, everything followed a strict protocol, one piece after another, layer upon layer. Wang Qingyao quickly began to sweat from the heat.
Coral came with a fan and fanned her, stroke by stroke.
The fan was also from the Prince of Ding'an's mansion. Made of some unknown material, the breeze it produced was cooler than that of ordinary fans. She soon stopped feeling hot. Fearing Coral's hand would get tired, she asked her to rest for a while.
Zhen Zhu chuckled, "My lady, it's no trouble. Coral has strong arms. The Prince sent her specifically to fan you."
Xiao Yunzhen had thought of everything. Yin Zhu was about to start praising her future husband again when Wang Qingyao stopped her with a look.
Praise now was meaningless; it had to be done in front of Xiao Yun.
Nian Mama brought a plate of pastries. "My lady, have something to eat. You won't be able to eat again later and will have to go hungry all day."
She couldn't drink water either. It was considered undignified for a bride to use the restroom, so she had to endure until after the wedding ceremony.
Wang Qingyao ate two pieces but couldn't swallow any more. They were too dry, and she wanted water.
The lady who performed the facial hair removal for Wang Qingyao was invited by Zuo Yun's mother, Mrs. Zuo. They were not a prominent family, but both parents and in-laws were alive, they had a son and a daughter, no concubines or maids in the household, and were known for their virtue and filial piety.
Such good fortune was not something everyone had.
Moreover, she was a bit plump and always smiling, looking like a person blessed with good fortune.
Perhaps having performed the ritual many times, she recited auspicious phrases effortlessly and without repetition, making Yin Zhu and the others laugh. They even learned a few phrases from her. Facial hair removal involved using a fine thread to gently scrape the skin, repeated several times. It was slightly painful but also quite comfortable.
The wedding beautician who styled her hair was also hired from outside. She specialized in bridal makeup, similar to modern wedding planners. With nimble hands, she applied makeup layer by layer to Wang Qingyao's face, like plastering a wall, quickly turning her face a pale white.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Wang Qingyao felt like laughing. If it were the bridal chamber with only two candles lit, would Xiao Yun think he saw a ghost when he lifted the veil?
Thinking of the wedding night, Wang Qingyao couldn't laugh anymore.
It was her first time too...
Wang Qingzhen and Wang Qingzhu, as daughters of the Wang family, came to Lengxiang Courtyard to accompany her once her makeup was nearly complete.
Wang Qingzhen was sweet-tongued, showering Wang Qingyao with compliments like "Second Sister looks so beautiful" and "Second Sister is like a celestial being."
She used to praise Wang Qinglin in the same way. Now, she switched to another person and spoke with the same ease, her expression appearing as sincere as ever.
Wang Qingzhu was much more reserved, only saying, "Congratulations, Second Sister." But it was clear she was very happy.
Now that Bai Shi had been sent to the countryside and Wang Qinglin was disfigured and confined, no one mentioned her marrying Prince Ding'an. Wang Qingzhu breathed a sigh of relief and eagerly hoped Wang Qingyao would marry smoothly.
The wedding beautician casually said, "May you have sons soon." Wang Qingzhu's face suddenly dimmed. She knew that some women who married into prominent families, unable to bear sons themselves and unwilling for their husbands to take other women who might threaten their status, would take their husband's concubine sisters from their own families to bear sons and then adopt them as their own...
The more Wang Qingzhu thought about it, the more frightened and worried she became, as if Wang Qingyao would truly be unable to bear sons and would have to take her in. Her expression was close to tears.
Wang Qingyao was unaware of her rich inner monologue, only finding it strange that she had been happy moments ago, but now looked as if her parents had died.
Yin Zhu was displeased. It was her young lady's joyous day, so why was the Fourth Young Lady wearing such a mournful face?
"Fourth Young Lady, if you are feeling unwell, you should go back and rest," Yin Zhu said impolitely.
Wang Qingzhu opened her mouth, feeling wronged. However, everyone had seen her grief-stricken expression, and no one wanted her lingering around.
Seeing that no one was speaking up for her, Wang Qingzhu reluctantly returned to her courtyard.
Wang Qingzhen's smile remained unchanged, but there was a hint of triumph in her eyes.
Now that Wang Qinglin was ruined and Wang Qingzhu was useless, she was the only usable daughter in the Wang family. Although not a legitimate daughter, she was better than one. As long as she maintained a good relationship with Wang Qingyao, she wouldn't worry about her future.
The entire Wang family was bustling with activity today. Red banners and decorations had been hung everywhere, and the servants wore large red sashes around their waists, exuding an atmosphere of joy.
A crowd of onlookers had also gathered at the entrance.
Everyone wanted to know if Wang Qingyao's fate could truly break Prince Ding'an's curse.
When Xiao Yun arrived at the Wang family's gate on his magnificent horse, it caused another stir.
A prince's wedding was unlike that of ordinary people. Five armies led the way, followed by eunuchs holding various ceremonial items in pairs. The procession welcoming the bride was not a sedan chair, but a large, golden phoenix carriage, radiating an aura of immense wealth.
The drums and music began to play, and firecrackers crackled loudly.
Someone ran to Lengxiang Courtyard to announce, "Prince Ding'an has arrived!"
Wang Qingyao had already put on her wedding dress, donned her phoenix coronet, and was sitting on the bed, holding an apple.
Upon hearing the firecrackers, the wedding beautician placed the red veil over her.
She had clairvoyant eyes and could see the scene outside regardless of the veil. Seeing it made her feel secure.
The wedding beautician helped Wang Qingyao up. First, she went to the ancestral hall to kowtow to her parents and then bid farewell to Old Madam Wang.
As she walked to the main gate, all the servants were gathered to watch.
She saw clearly that Wang Qinglin, who should have been confined, was also among the servants, dressed in coarse cloth and with a thick layer of brown powder on her face, disguised as an old woman.
Her alarm bells rang. She didn't stop walking and quietly instructed Zhen Zhu on a few things.
The maids Xiao Yun had given her all possessed martial arts skills, with Zhen Zhu being the best.
Upon reaching the main gate, she saw Xiao Yun in a bright red wedding robe, looking heroic on his horse. She thought, "Putting aside everything else, this man is truly handsome!"
As soon as Xiao Yun saw her emerge, he dismounted to help her. The wedding beautician smiled and said, "Your Highness, please don't rush. According to custom, the Wang family's young master must carry the bride out."
Xiao Yun sheepishly withdrew his hand, a silly smile on his face.
Wang Qingyao chuckled from beneath her veil and secretly poked his waist with her finger. His eyes widened, and he looked at her several times.
Wang Zijin knelt down and signaled the wedding beautician to help Wang Qingyao onto his back.
Amidst the cheers and laughter of the crowd, a figure quietly approached.