amaotonovel Chapter 900: Has any letter been sent back?
Chapter 900: Has any letter been sent back?
Because Princess Anyang came in person and brought such exciting news, everyone at the banquet was smiling.
Even Jing Mingyue, the bride-to-be who was usually the most dignified and reserved, could not help but be infected by the cheerful atmosphere. A genuine smile appeared in the corners of her eyes and brows. She no longer cared about her modesty as a newlywed and chatted and laughed with her sisters. A few more dishes were served.
After the banquet, everyone moved to Jing Mingyue's boudoir to chat.
While the others were gathered around to admire Jing Mingyue's embroidered mandarin duck pillowcase, Jing Chunxi quietly moved to Princess Anyang's side. While pouring honey water for her, he curled his delicate fingers around the edge of her sleeve and leaned slightly, almost close to Princess Anyang's ear, and asked softly, "Xuecheng, has your eldest brother... received any letters recently?"
Princess Anyang turned to look at her, a knowing smile flickering across her eyes. She lowered her clear voice and replied, "Yes! A letter arrived just two days ago saying that work is very busy and I'm afraid I won't be back until near the end of the year."
As she spoke, she suddenly looked a little surprised and widened her eyes slightly.
"Why? Didn't my brother write to Sister Xi? He even specifically instructed two capable eunuchs in the Wude Hall to go early and clean and tidy up the small house west of the city, making it look brand new inside and out. Mother even whispered to Father about this, wondering what his purpose was in making such arrangements."
I heard that he couldn't make it back for his cousin Tao Chengrui's wedding, so he must have been held up by some extremely important matters. Fortunately, he was able to return before the New Year, and Jing Chunxi's worries were finally put to rest.
She originally wanted to ask in detail what was written in the letter, but when she saw Princess Anyang finished speaking, she smiled and picked up a candied fruit, showing no intention of talking further. She thought that she might not have read the letter with her own eyes, but only heard a few words from the Queen or the Emperor.
Jing Chunxi suppressed her subtle inquiring thoughts and hid a trace of loss behind her eyelashes. She then picked up the handkerchief and joined in the sisters' laughter and conversation.
...
The auspicious date chosen by the Imperial Master himself was absolutely perfect. December 21st was an auspicious day, and everything was suitable.
It had been snowing for a few days and stopped the night before.
"Sleep well!"
On the night before the wedding, Jing Chunxi came as agreed to chat and sleep on the same bed with Jing Mingyue. When he opened his sleepy eyes, he saw that Jing Mingyue beside him had also woken up. She was lying on her side with a pair of clear eyes and staring at him.
Her hair was slightly loose, but her face was rosy and smooth, without a trace of fatigue.
Jing Mingyue's lips curved softly as she replied softly, "I thought I'd be restless and unable to sleep, but I didn't expect to have a dreamless night. I slept so soundly that I was just about to wake up."
She herself was also surprised. She had no previous contact with Tao Chengrui. They had only met a few times before and had never exchanged a few words. Yet, she felt close to him and had no qualms or resistance to this marriage.
Until last night, the eve of her wedding, she did not feel panic or nervous as others said. Instead, she was calm and slept soundly until dawn.
"This must be fate sent by heaven!" Jing Chunxi sat up, hugging the quilt. "Cousin, are you secretly looking forward to the new life in the Ningguo Mansion?"
Jing Mingyue also sat up, picked up a soft satin cloak draped beside the bed and put it on Jing Chunxi's shoulders. She gently called the maid outside the door to come in and serve, then turned her head to think for a moment.
"From now on, you don't have to rush to ask your mother-in-law to set rules early in the morning. Just serve your husband wholeheartedly."
As she spoke, a smile still lingered on her lips, but she couldn't help but sigh softly, "I just think about the complexity of things in the future. I won't be able to have sisters and elders around to make decisions like I do now. I don't have anyone to discuss things with immediately, and I feel a little unsure."
"What are you talking about? How can you say there's no one to discuss this with?" Upon hearing this, Jing Chunxi immediately grabbed her hand in a scolding tone. "Even if it's inconvenient for you to go back to your parents' home often, can't you come to the Rong En Marquis's mansion to visit me and my aunt? Does Duke Ning dare to stop you from visiting your parents' home?"
"That's what my mother said, too." Jing Mingyue thought of her mother's advice, and the slight sadness on her face immediately dissipated. Her smile became genuine and bright. "It's just that I'm not used to having to handle everything myself from now on."
"What do you have to worry about?" Jing Chunxi smiled and advised her, "Didn't I tell you before that Brother Chengrui is a very responsible person who plans everything carefully? He is both opinionated and gentle. As a couple, we should naturally be of one mind. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to discuss it with him."
As they spoke, the maids standing outside the door filed in, carrying copper basins and handkerchiefs. The leading maid, a personal maid, smiled and urged, "Miss, Princess, hurry up and wash up. If you delay any longer, the bridesmaids will be here soon. If the Madam comes to urge you, it will be a hustle and bustle!"
Before she had finished washing up, she heard the sounds of hurried footsteps and laughter outside the door. Led by Madam Jing, several aunts, matchmakers, maids and servants, as well as Sister Jin, they poured into Jing Mingyue's boudoir.
The room, which had been quiet just a moment ago, was suddenly filled with laughter and became crowded and lively.
"Oh, my bride, hurry up, the auspicious time cannot be delayed!" The bridesmaid's voice was loud and clear, her face flushed with ruddy light, and she ordered, "Hurry and prepare the hot water, scented soap, dowry box, and phoenix coronet and bridal robe!"
Everyone responded immediately, and the room was filled with a busy yet orderly scene with people rushing around.
The maids skillfully helped Jing Mingyue put on her close-fitting undergarment.
While saying auspicious words, the matchmaker began to knead her face. Jing Mingyue frowned slightly and endured the slight pain. Then she applied powder and rouge, drew eyebrows and black eyebrow, pasted a gorgeous flower on her forehead, and painted her lips with bright lip balm.
The sisters gathered around, sometimes handing over jewelry, sometimes praising her, and sometimes laughing and joking with rouge and powder.
After finishing her makeup, she put on her elaborate and gorgeous red wedding dress. The layers of clothing were exquisitely embroidered, and the heavy phoenix crown was carefully placed on her head, with pearl and jade tassels hanging down, swaying and shining.
When everything was ready, Jing Mingyue, dressed in her best clothes, sat in front of the mirror. She was so radiant that she looked around with radiance, but she was restrained by her clothes and dared not move easily.
The eldest lady looked at her daughter carefully, her expression very satisfied, her face full of smiles, without a trace of reluctance.
He checked the hourglass beside him again to confirm the time, then stood up, his tone a little surprised. "Alright, alright, thanks to the Bodhisattva, everything is finally settled. According to the old rule of 'marry first, marry later', the wedding party cannot enter the house until the welcoming party has finished their ceremony. The bride will have to wait for a while."
"Mingyue, take this opportunity to eat something to fill your stomach. Don't starve. Don't worry, mother has to go to the front to supervise the wedding procession and the ceremony, so that those servants won't make mistakes in their haste and miss the auspicious time."
"Ah! Mother!" Jing Mingyue almost burst out in anger upon hearing this, but she didn't dare to move too much due to the heavy phoenix crown on her head. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? If I had known this, I wouldn't have had to be dragged up before dawn to dress up. Now I'm so cumbersome, I can't even lie down or rest for a moment. I can only sit here and wait!"
Her complaint, which was filled with grievance and a bit of coquettishness, immediately caused everyone in the room to burst into laughter, and the atmosphere, which was slightly tense due to etiquette and rules, also relaxed.
Sister Jin was even more clever. Upon hearing this, she immediately called out to Mingzhu and Sister Yan, "Come on, let's go! It must be very lively up there. Let's go take a look and tell the bride about it later!"
As they spoke, several young and lively girls happily surrounded the eldest lady and rushed to the front yard to watch the excitement like a gust of wind, leaving the room full of laughter and the helpless and expectant bride, who continued to wait for her auspicious time to come.