After waking her sister-in-law, Xu Cuicui immediately began to prepare with haste.
Washing up, dressing, and doing her makeup—it wasn't until the face-threading that Chen Qiuyue finally became fully alert.
Next came the makeup: applying powder and rouge, and pursing her lips with vivid red lip color, Chen Qiuyue was transformed into someone bright and lovely.
Usually she dressed plainly, but now, wearing a bright red bridal gown with her black hair coiled high, she had a stunning beauty about her.
Mother Chen had just finished her tasks and happened to enter the room. Although she knew her daughter had grown up well, at this moment, she too was struck by the sight of her daughter in red.
Chen Qiuyue blushed under Mother Chen's direct gaze and called out softly, "Mother."
Mother Chen came back to her senses, walked over to Chen Qiuyue, and embracing her daughter, said with satisfaction, "Yue girl has really grown up. For a moment there, I hardly recognized you. Whose girl is this, grown so neat and proper!"
Chen Qiuyue nestled in Mother Chen's arms and said with a coquettish smile, "Yours, of course!" Mother Chen laughed so hard her mouth couldn't close.
Over on this side, Zhao Huaiyu had also been woken early by Mother Zhao.
Today, Zhao Huaiyu was not his usual clear and bright self; the red robe lent him a different kind of splendor.
Mother Zhao looked at her son, who had grown up so outstandingly, and felt immensely proud. Thinking that her son was about to marry and have his own small family, a trace of reluctance also arose in her heart.
When the auspicious hour arrived, Zhao Huaiyu set out with his people to the Chen family to fetch the bride.
Chen Qiuyue was already sitting on the edge of the bed with her bridal veil over her head, waiting. In the room, the women of the Chen clan had gathered, chatting idly.
"It feels like just yesterday that Yue girl was sweetly calling me Auntie, and now she's grown so lovely. She's about to leave the family—I really can't bear to part with such a good girl!"
Chen Qiuyue's eldest aunt said, her eyes reddening slightly.
"Sigh, girls all have to marry out when they grow up. Fortunately, the Zhao family is a good match. Qiuyue will surely live well after marrying in."
Another elder of the Chen clan chimed in.
As they spoke, a burst of crackling firecrackers sounded from outside, and the bustling noise of the crowd drew closer to the door.
The bride-fetching party had arrived at the door. Chen Qiuyue's eldest brother entered and hoisted Chen Qiuyue onto his back to carry her out.
As she climbed onto her eldest brother's back, Chen Qiuyue heard Mother Chen's uncontrollable sobbing, and her eyes instantly reddened.
Tears rolled slowly down her cheeks, falling into the collar of Chen Qiuyue's eldest brother.
The Chen siblings had always been close. The moment he felt his sister's tears fall, Chen Shitou tightened his grip on the hands supporting her.
He said in a low voice to Chen Qiuyue, "If that Zhao fellow ever treats you badly, come home and tell your eldest brother. I won't let him off!"
Hearing this, Chen Qiuyue cried even harder, only nodding vigorously.
Zhao Huaiyu saw his brother-in-law carrying out the girl he had been longing for, and he couldn't help but show his joy on his face.
After taking Chen Qiuyue, he whispered to Chen Shitou in assurance, "Eldest brother, I will definitely treat Qiuyue well!"
Chen Shitou looked at Zhao Huaiyu with a threatening gaze and said, "I hope you mean what you say!"
The bride-fetching party played music and slowly departed from the Chen family. Father Chen and Mother Chen watched the long procession gradually disappear from sight, and the emotions they had been holding back finally broke through.
Their daughter was married out; from now on, she would be part of the Zhao family. No matter what, the natal family would always be one layer removed. Mother Chen's tears would not stop.
Father Chen, Elder Brother Chen, and his wife all had red-rimmed eyes. Father Chen turned away and wiped his eyes forcefully, then wrapped his arm around Mother Chen, comforting her in a low voice as they went inside.
Only Chen Xiaodi was still at an age of carefree innocence, playing happily with the village children.
Over at the Zhao family, it was the lively time of taking a wife, and the bridal procession arrived at the Zhao household on schedule.
After Chen Qiuyue and Zhao Huaiyu bowed to Father Zhao and Mother Zhao, Chen Qiuyue was escorted into the bridal chamber.
Chen Qiuyue sat quietly on the edge of the bed with the veil covering her head, unable to see her surroundings, able only to hear the laughter and chatter of the various women around her.
After a while, when the banquet began, the crowd slowly dispersed.
Chen Qiuyue sat with her hands clasped together, her fingers clenching and relaxing by turns. She did not know how much time had passed when she suddenly felt something soft being pressed into her hands.
At the same time, a little girl's voice sounded by her ear.
"Second Sister-in-Law, this is a pastry that Second Cousin asked me to bring you. He said to let you fill your stomach first. Eat it quickly—I still have two more in my hands!"
Chen Qiuyue looked at the red bean cake in her hands and listened to the little girl's soft voice, and in an instant her whole body relaxed.
She said softly to the little girl, "Thank you. What's your name?"
"My name is Xiao Yan," the little girl replied softly.
Zhao Xiaoyan was the youngest daughter of Zhao Erqing, Father Zhao's younger brother. She was usually obedient and well-behaved.
Today, having been entrusted with an important task by her Second Cousin, the little girl felt she could help like a grown-up and was very enthusiastic.
Hearing the little girl's reply, Chen Qiuyue smiled and said, "Then please help me thank your Second Cousin too, Xiao Yan."
Chen Qiuyue brought the red bean cake to her lips, and the sweet taste spread through her mouth, as if her heart had been tinged by that sweetness as well.
It felt so good to be remembered by someone, Chen Qiuyue thought.
Over on Zhao Huaiyu's side, he was toasting table by table. When he heard Xiao Yan's message, his spirits rose even higher.
When the sun set and the crowd dispersed, Zhao Huaiyu, reeking of alcohol with his cheeks flushed red, carefully pushed open the door to his room.
Chen Qiuyue heard the door being pushed open and sensed footsteps unlike a woman's, and knew it was Zhao Huaiyu entering the room.
Her whole body suddenly tensed up. The footsteps drew closer and closer, and Chen Qiuyue gripped her hands tightly on her lap.
After a brief silence, Chen Qiuyue's vision suddenly brightened—Zhao Huaiyu had lifted the veil from her head.
She raised her head and met Zhao Huaiyu's eyes. Zhao Huaiyu was dazzled by the beauty before him.
Today Chen Qiuyue was especially radiant. In the instant their eyes met, Zhao Huaiyu felt the intoxication rush to his head, and his whole being was dazed for a moment, with the illusion that he did not know what year it was.
This was also the first time Chen Qiuyue had properly sized up Zhao Huaiyu.
At that hurried glance last time, she had only felt that he was gentle and reserved. Today, in his red robes with flushed cheeks, Zhao Huaiyu was handsome and elegant.
Just one look from him made an unnatural blush rise on Chen Qiuyue's cheeks.
Zhao Huaiyu took a cup of wine and handed it to Chen Qiuyue, calling softly, "Wife." Hearing this, the blush on Chen Qiuyue's face deepened.
She carefully took the cup, and after their fingers briefly touched, both of them withdrew their hands awkwardly.
After drinking the cross-cupped wine, it was impossible to tell whose face was redder.
Chen Qiuyue looked up at Zhao Huaiyu and said softly, "Thank you, Husband, for specially preparing the pastry for me."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Huaiyu reached out and gently held the jade-like hand of the person before him, speaking softly, "My dear wife, I will always treat you well from now on."
With that, Zhao Huaiyu rose to trim the lamp wick, then turned back and drew Chen Qiuyue into his embrace, coaxing her gently, "My dear, with such a beautiful night before us, let us retire early!"
Before Chen Qiuyue could respond, her lips were already sealed, and her body was swept onto the bed, where the red quilt tumbled like waves.
A night passed, and the next day's sun rose as scheduled.