All eyes were focused on Wang Qingyao, and no one noticed a figure quietly approaching.
Wang Qinglin had been waiting for this day for a long time.
She endured when Madam Bai was sent to the countryside.
She endured Wang Qingzhen's repeated provocations.
She endured the disdain of the maids and servants.
She endured being confined for over two months.
She had endured everything, all to wait for this day of Wang Qingyao's wedding.
She wanted this wedding to be unforgettable for Wang Qingyao!
Wang Qingyao was on Wang Zijing's back. The matchmaker let go, and just as Wang Zijing was about to stand up, Wang Qinglin rushed forward.
She held a sharp dagger, its cold gleam flashing as she lunged towards Wang Qingyao's face!
Even the veil was useless; this dagger could slice through iron!
She wanted to carve two large Xs on Wang Qingyao's face, one on each side, deep enough to the bone.
She wanted Wang Qingyao's wedding to be stained with blood, to make her lose face in front of all the guests, to have her rejected by the Xiao family, and to make her regret disfiguring her!
Wang Qinglin's expression was ferocious, her eyes burning with bone-chilling hatred.
It all happened in an instant. Before anyone could react, Wang Qingyao agilely leaped off Wang Zijing's back.
Wang Qinglin lunged at empty air, her dagger nearly piercing Wang Zijing. She barely managed to control her strength. As she was about to strike a second time, a maid leaped out and kicked her to the ground.
"Assassin! Protect the Prince and Princess!" someone shouted.
A swarm of guards suddenly appeared, surrounding Wang Qingyao and Xiao Yun.
Wang Qinglin scrambled to her feet and yelled, "I am Wang..."
Before she could finish, Zhenzhu delivered a chop to the back of her neck with her hand. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
Zhenzhu waved her hand, and immediately, people came forward and dragged Wang Qinglin away like a dead pig.
Wang Zijing stared blankly. "Who was that? What happened?"
Bai Junya, following Zhenzhu's instructions, politely apologized to the surrounding guests. "My apologies for alarming everyone. It was just a foolish servant from our household. It's nothing. Please, let the wedding continue."
Wang Zijing looked at Bai Junya. Bai Junya nodded slightly. Wang Zijing still didn't quite understand, but seeing Bai Junya's calm demeanor, his heart settled.
The guards dispersed, and he once again carried Wang Qingyao out.
From Wang Qinglin's disruptive appearance to her being carried away, it was but a fleeting moment. The music resumed, Wang Qingyao boarded the phoenix sedan, and everyone quickly forgot the brief interruption.
The phoenix sedan looked luxurious from the outside, but it was even more so inside. Xiao Yun, fearing Wang Qingyao would be hot, had placed ice within, making it as cool as sitting in an air-conditioned room.
Once inside the carriage, Wang Qingyao became restless. She lifted her veil to get some air and sprawled comfortably on the seat, completely disregarding her image.
The discussions outside grew louder.
The Xiao family was renowned throughout the Great Sheng Dynasty. Commoners had only heard of Prince Ding'an's title but had never witnessed his glory.
This wedding procession, a rare horse-drawn parade, was the first time many had seen the prince who bore a curse.
"The Prince is so handsome. I've heard the Princess is also exceptionally beautiful."
"Doesn't the Prince's face suggest he won't live past twenty-five?"
"What do you know about physiognomy? The past three generations of the Xiao family..."
"But isn't there the Princess? The Imperial Preceptor Feng Fu said the Princess's destiny is noble and she can break the Xiao family's curse."
"The Princess is indeed a lucky star. I heard that..."
Gossip about royalty and the powerful was of interest to everyone. The commoners whispered amongst themselves, filling the entire street with a buzzing murmur.
Xiao Yun didn't mind and even proudly clasped his hands in greeting to the onlookers.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of Prince Ding'an's mansion. Wang Qingyao quickly put on her veil and sat up straight. The matchmaker came to help her alight and handed her a red silk ribbon, which she and Xiao Yun each held one end of.
She glanced at Xiao Yun. Xiao Yun knew she could "sense" him and smiled happily at her, even shaking the red ribbon.
The onlookers burst into laughter.
A geomancer emerged, holding a grain-filled winnowing basket. The basket contained grains, beans, fruits, and straw. He chanted incantations while scattering the contents from the basket towards the main entrance. A group of children rushed forward, scrambling to pick up the scattered items.
Wang Qingyao found it amusing but didn't know what it was called.
Another person holding a mirror stood before Wang Qingyao and walked backward, guiding her to step over a saddle, a small pile of Qianmou grass, and a scale.
The matchmaker supported and assisted her, occasionally offering reminders.
Xiao Yun glanced at Wang Qingyao, seeing her walk steadily as if she weren't wearing a veil. He felt immensely proud.
Wang Qingyao was led into the bridal chamber, and the matchmaker asked her and Xiao Yun to sit on the bed.
After a while, they were asked to rise. Xiao Yun walked backward, and they walked out of the bridal chamber facing each other, then proceeded to the ancestral shrine to pay respects to their ancestors. Only then would the formal wedding ceremony take place, followed by their escort to the bridal chamber.
With this series of rituals, it was fortunate that Shanhu was fanning her all along, otherwise Wang Qingyao might have fainted from the heat. Her neck was a bit stiff, and she was utterly exhausted.
Getting married in this sweltering heat was truly an ordeal.
Was the Emperor doing this deliberately?
Xiao Yun, however, was not tired. He happily lifted her veil with a golden scale, his face beaming with joy. But upon lifting it, he paused, then chuckled, "How many pounds of powder have you put on your face? I almost didn't recognize you."
The guests erupted in laughter.
The Xiao family had only three generations of single male heirs, with a simple lineage and no collateral branches. The attending relatives were primarily the female members of the Fang family and the Zuo family.
Wang Qingyao could hear Fang Yuan laughing the loudest without even looking.
The matchmaker brought the cross-cupped wine. Then, she cut a small amount of hair from each of their heads and tied them together, signifying "結髮" (binding hair).
After drinking the cross-cupped wine, they were to throw the wine cups under the bed. Fang Yuan eagerly said, "I'll throw them."
The matchmaker handed the wine cups to her. It was likely she who had thrown the wine cups for Fang Zheng and Zuo Yun's wedding, as she handled it with great expertise. After she threw them, the others clapped and praised her.
One wine cup landed facing up, and the other facing down – a sign of great fortune.
Fang Yuan winked triumphantly at Wang Qingyao, and everyone offered their congratulations again.
With this, the wedding procession ritual was finally complete.
After the ceremony, Xiao Yun went outside to toast the guests.
Several princes had attended. Such great honor made Prince Ding'an's mansion bustling with activity. All the families connected to them were present for the banquet and ceremony, and those who couldn't attend sent gifts to offer their congratulations.
As soon as Xiao Yun left, Madam Zuo beckoned the others to leave as well, allowing Wang Qingyao some rest.
Fang Yuan refused to leave. "I'll stay and chat with Sister Yao Yao."
Madam Zuo smiled. "You should call her 'sister-in-law'."
Fang Yuan giggled and changed her address. Wang Qingyao pretended to have Yin Zhu give her a "change of address" gift. Fang Yuan, holding the small silver ingot, was unsure whether to accept it or not, which again caused everyone to laugh.
"We'll have plenty of time to talk later," Wang Qingyao said, urging her to leave. "I'm exhausted. Let me change my clothes."
Madam Zuo had never seen a bride openly complain about being tired before. She thought the Second Miss Wang was truly open-minded and not at all demure, which was likely why Prince Ding'an favored her.