Chapter 9
Only two months remained until the grand wedding, so the time was too tight and everything had to be kept simple.
Although it was all kept simple, the truth was that I was just a maid and Madam did not want to spend too much effort.
The betrothal gift from Ling Anping had half of it cut by Madam. She also stuffed an idle estate that had not been managed for a long time, and that became my dowry.
I picked a piece of malt candy from the bag by the window, placed it in my mouth to melt slowly, and carefully sewed my wedding dress.
A peace I had never felt before spread in my heart.
On July 25th, it was the day Ling Anping came to pick up the bride.
The Xu residence was no different from usual except for a few red lanterns and sections of red silk.
Xu Fengwan had led me to the front of the imperial censor to persuade the old master of the Xu family. She had cried and made a fuss for a long time.
So the old master of the Xu family knew the situation clearly.
Thinking of this, I could not help but laugh coldly.
I had not taken much of the Xu residence's things with me, only a wooden hairpin that was out of place on my head.
The noisy firecrackers, the big red wedding robes, the steady sedan, and the laughing crowd carried me little by little away from that cold Xu residence.
I tightly clenched the apple in my hand, but tears welled up in my eyes.
This place that had trapped me for seventeen years, I would never want to return to in this life.
After completing all the complicated etiquette in a daze, I was helped into the bridal chamber.
I took a shallow breath. Since the hunting ground, my emotions had never fluctuated like this before.
Outside, the noise continued, and the sky was gradually darkening. Ling Anping had sent away the soldiers who wanted to make trouble at the wedding and staggered into the room himself.
I clutched the clothes in my hands, but a pair of big hands wrapped my hands.
The matchmaker slowly reached in and gently lifted the red cover from my head.
I saw a young man whose face was red from embarrassment.
He had a sharp and clear face, with thick brows and eyes, yet a tenderness in them. His thin lips were lightly pursed as if suppressing his emotions. The big red wedding robe on his tall and strong figure actually looked a little charming.
He looked at me too, but seemed a bit nervous. He pulled me to sit at the table and raised the nuptial wine, signaling me to toast with him.
I laughed lightly and extended my arm to link with his.
As if we would be deeply linked for the rest of our lives, never parting.
I forgot what happened next. I only remembered the feeling left on my lips.
Like the freshness of the East City Peach Blossom Pastry, the sticky fragrance of the West City Glutinous Rice Cake, the softness of the Juxiang Pavilion Braised Pork Knuckle, and the sweetness of the malt candy melting in my mouth.
The red candles burned warmly. How could such a spring night be wasted?