Chapter 2 The Next Day
The next day, Qin Mu called Qin Junyao awake early in the morning.
After breakfast, she began to bathe, wash her hair, change clothes, and comb her hair.
The full-fortune woman who combed her hair was invited from Yan County. She had parents and grandparents alive, and children. Her family owned shops and land, making her a professional full-fortune woman.
"One comb to the end."
"Two combs, may the maiden's white hair reach her eyebrows."
"Three combs, may the maiden's descendants fill the hall..."
The full-fortune woman offered auspicious words to Qin Junyao while combing her hair.
Initially, Qin Junyao wanted her paternal grandmother to comb her hair, but Grandma Qin refused.
She was not considered a person of great fortune, and it was already an exception for her to comb her granddaughter's hair at her coming-of-age ceremony.
After her hair was combed, it was time for facial grooming. Qin Junyao did not have much facial hair, but the full-fortune woman still meticulously plucked every stray hair from her eyebrows and sideburns.
Qin Junyao gasped in pain.
"Miss Qin's face is so delicate. I have been a full-fortune woman for many years, and Miss Qin has the best and most beautiful skin I have ever seen," the full-fortune woman said, trying to appease Qin Junyao, who looked uncomfortable.
Qin Junyao winced in pain, thinking that this was probably a phrase every bride had heard.
The application of makeup was not done by the full-fortune woman but by Liu Rong, Qin Junyao's head maid, who had been given a new name that day. Su Dan Novel Network
Liu Yu was responsible for Qin Junyao's diet, while Liu Rong handled her makeup, hair, and attire.
After applying makeup and donning her headdress, Qin Junyao, dressed in a red wedding gown, sat upright on the kang in her room, her beauty illuminating the ordinary room.
"The eldest daughter of the Qin family is truly beautiful when dressed up."
"If she weren't, would General Zhao marry her?"
"She usually wears black or blue, which doesn't show her beauty."
"Move aside, I haven't seen it yet..."
Many wives and matrons from the village crowded at the doorway of Qin Junyao's room, commenting on her appearance. Qin Junyao could only smile and respond.
This was the countryside, and it was already a sign of respect that they did not enter and touch Qin Junyao, considering she was marrying Zhao Liangcai.
The Hou family's daughter-in-law invited guests outside for melon seeds and peanuts, prompting the villagers to leave the room.
Once they were gone, Ling Manshuang, Sheng Yining, and others entered Qin Junyao's room to offer their congratulations.
After a short while, firecrackers sounded outside, signaling the arrival of the bridal procession.
So soon.
This was Qin Junyao's first thought.
Having been busy since morning, she hadn't realized it was almost noon.
Qin Jia San Niu and Qin Xiaoyu blocked the bridal procession at the courtyard gate. As Ling Manshuang and other guests went out to watch the spectacle, Grandma Qin approached Qin Junyao, holding a folded red cape.
"It's cold, and the wedding dress is a bit thin. Grandma is adding a cape for you."
"My granddaughter, Yao Yao, is getting married. Grandma couldn't afford to make you a Suzhou embroidery wedding dress, but a cape of gold and silver thread is still a must."
Grandma Qin unfolded the cape, and clusters and bunches of pink hibiscus flowers met Qin Junyao's eyes.
Unlike other flowers, hibiscus flowers did not have individual petals but resembled fine needles fanning out like a small fan. The entire cape was adorned with hibiscus flowers in various forms, making it difficult to embroider.
Upon closer inspection, Qin Junyao saw that gold and silver threads were interwoven with the hibiscus flowers. She instantly understood what Grandma Qin had been doing in her room during that time and what she had used the silver for.
"Grandma~~" Qin Junyao reached out to touch the cape, tears involuntarily welling up.
"Here, Grandma will put it on for you. You must not look back until you get to the Zhao family after getting into the sedan chair, do you understand?" Grandma Qin carefully tied a butterfly knot for Qin Junyao.
"Look down and cry, don't smudge your makeup."
"Eldest daughter-in-law, put on the veil."
Qin Mu, who was already in tears, stepped forward and, with trembling hands, covered Qin Junyao's head with the veil.
Qin Er Shen supported Qin Mu from behind.
"Miss, the groom has entered the courtyard."
Following Liu Yu's announcement, cheers erupted from the crowd.