Perhaps because she had slept too late last night, Wuyunzhu ended up waking late that day. By the time she got up, the hour for the morning meal had already passed, and the women hired for the facial threading were already sitting outside waiting.
Wuyunzhu was deeply embarrassed. If she were to miss the auspicious hour for her wedding because she overslept, she would become the biggest laughingstock in the capital. She hurriedly washed up, sat before the dressing mirror, and waited to be made up.
The woman who had come to perform the facial threading was the wife of Tabun, a General of the Imperial Guard. Her family was somewhat straitened, but she was considered a fortunate person—both her parents and parents-in-law were still alive, and she had both sons and daughters. Consequently, people frequently invited her to thread the faces and apply makeup for new brides. Having done it so many times, her craft was exquisite. As the requests for her services steadily increased, her family’s financial situation gradually improved.
She smiled genially. “The Ninth Primary Consort need not rush. Have some pastries first to line your stomach, for you won’t have time to eat later.”
The woman of good fortune also nodded in agreement. “Lady Tabun speaks wisely. Getting married is exhausting work; if you don’t eat, you won’t last. Furthermore, weddings in our dynasty all take place in the evening, so the hour is still early. There’s no danger of being late.”
Since both women said so, Wuyunzhu’s heart settled a little. She partook of some milk pastries and stopped only when her stomach was about half full.
After the meal, Lady Tabun washed her hands and proceeded to thread Wuyunzhu’s face.
Wuyunzhu had seen her own elder sister’s threading session; her sister had grimaced in pain, and Wuyunzhu was somewhat frightened. “I must trouble you to be gentle, Madam. I am afraid of pain.”
Lady Tabun carefully examined her face and smiled. “Rest assured, it won’t hurt. Your skin is as tender as skin on boiled milk; why would we even need to use the silk thread for facial threading? Still, we must go through the motions.”
“Mm.”
True to her word, Lady Tabun lightheartedly touched Wuyunzhu’s face with the silk thread, immediately withdrew it, and then began applying her makeup.
Wuyunzhu nervously stared at the person in the mirror, terrified that the other woman might paint her face like a monkey’s backside. However, Lady Tabun was truly a master of her trade, and the resulting makeup turned out remarkably lovely, carrying quite a bit of the feel of a modern bride’s makeup.
Once her makeup was complete, Wuyunzhu changed into her ceremonial attire. The wedding robes had been sent by the Imperial Household Department. Because the Ninth Prince had not yet been granted a title, his rank was equivalent to that of a Prince of the First Rank ($Qinwang$), and the imperial consort’s official crown and court beads were likewise equivalent to those of a $Qinwang$ consort. Complete with court crown and court beads, everything conformed to the highest specifications and was exceedingly intricate.
Dressing took a considerable amount of time. Once finished, after she had rested for a moment, someone came from outside to urge her on. Her red veil was lowered, she bid farewell to her parents, and she was placed into the bridal sedan chair.
The sedan chair rocked back and forth, jolting Wuyunzhu so much that she had no leisure to dwell on sorrow, her mind instead filled with anxiety about the future.
She was married, leaving the maternal family that had sheltered her for sixteen years to build a new home and start a new life with a stranger. But could she get along well with the Ninth Prince? Could she break apart the Eighth and Ninth Prince’s faction, change her tragic fate, and preserve the Niohuru clan?
“Lower the chair!”
The sedan curtain was lifted, and a pair of slender, capable hands reached inside.
“Consort?”
It was a young male voice, somewhat familiar.
Wuyunzhu’s gaze fell upon the hem of the man’s robe, recognizing the imperial prince’s regulations. Guessing the visitor’s identity, she placed her hand into his outstretched palm.
The moment she rested it there, it was tightly grasped. The other person seemed equally nervous; his palm was scorching hot and lightly damp with sweat.
With him holding her hand like this, the unease in Wuyunzhu’s heart eased somewhat.
The two were led into the main hall, and after completing the wedding ceremonies, they were escorted into the bridal chamber.
The woman of good fortune and her attendants finished scattering coins and dates and rolling across the bed before allowing Wuyunzhu to sit upon the bridal bed.
“Invite the groom to lift the veil!”
As the words fell, the red veil was lifted. Wuyunzhu slowly raised her head as well, adjusting to the indoor light, and her pair of beautiful eyes fell upon Yingtang.
“Ah! The bride is so pretty!”
“Ninth Brother-in-law has quite a good appearance!”
“Ninth Brother is truly blessed with fortune!”
“Our Ninth Brother is also a dashing fellow; the two of them are truly a match made in heaven.”
…
Yingtang was teased by everyone until his face turned redder than crimson, and he hurried the woman of good fortune. “It is time to drink the nuptial wine.”
The woman of good fortune covered her mouth and smiled. “Look at our Ninth Prince; he really is impatient. Quickly now, pour wine for our Ninth Prince and Ninth Primary Consort!”
With those words, a servant stepped forward to present the wine.
Yingtang accepted it, handing one cup to Wuyunzhu. As their arms intertwined and they lowered their heads to drink, forehead touched forehead, and their breaths mingled. Before they even drank, both felt a mild sense of intoxication.
After the wine was cleared away, a plate of raw dumplings was brought in.
The woman of good fortune picked one up, fed it to Wuyunzhu, and promptly asked, “Will you have children?”
They were really doing the child-bearing question?
Wuyunzhu suppressed the urge to gag, forced out a trace of shy amusement, and replied in a soft, delicate voice, “Yes.”
“I couldn’t hear clearly. Will you have children or not?”
“Yes.” Wuyunzhu’s voice was a bit louder than before.
“If yes, then that’s good. Once more, have many more.” The woman of good fortune picked up another raw dumpling, intending to feed it to Wuyunzhu.
Wuyunzhu had no desire to go through that again. She turned her head to look at Yingtang, her large, watery eyes filled with entreaty.
Yingtang’s heart softened at her gaze, and he took the initiative to eat the dumpling himself.
“Will you have children?”
Yingtang declared with grand boldness, “Yes, yes, yes, we’ll have seven or eight of them…”
The room burst into laughter. “Splendid, the Ninth Prince has spirit!” “Seven or eight is certainly not a few; the Ninth Prince must work hard~”…
Through the playful banter, the newlywed couple’s complexions turned as red as dripping blood.
Having completed her mission, the woman of good fortune led the imperial clan matrons to the front courtyard for the banquet, leaving only a few imperial princesses to keep company.
“Ninth Brother, why haven’t you left yet?” The Third Primary Consort looked at the Ninth Prince, who lingered behind, and smiled. “I know you are anxious, but do not rush just yet. There are still guests in the front waiting for you to toast them.”
“Indeed, the bride is right here. We’ll guard her for you; she isn’t going to run away.”
Embarrassed by his sisters-in-law, Yingtang squeezed Wuyunzhu’s hand. “I will be right back. If you need anything, just tell my sisters-in-law.”
Wuyunzhu nodded gently. “Mm.”
“Then wait for me to return.”
Only then did Yingtang leave with lingering reluctance.
Once he departed, the atmosphere within the bridal chamber cooled considerably. This was hardly surprising; aside from the Third Primary Consort, none of the others were familiar with Wuyunzhu.
As a newly arrived bride, Wuyunzhu could not afford to appear too lively, so she maintained her persona of being “shy and quiet,” smiling without speaking a word.
The bridal chamber could not remain silent indefinitely, as it felt rather desolate. Thus, the Third Primary Consort—who was both sister-in-law and cousin—took the initiative to start the conversation.
“We haven’t seen each other in years, Sister has grown all the more lovely. When the veil was lifted just now, I hardly recognized you, and thought a fairy had descended to the mortal realm.”
The Seventh Primary Consort, being lively, took up the thread. “Indeed she has! Ninth Brother is usually so clever, but just now he looked completely dazed and foolish; I suppose he was stunned by the Ninth Consort’s beauty.”
“That’s right, if we hadn’t chased him out just now, he probably wouldn’t have been willing to leave.”
“Never mind Ninth Brother; even I am reluctant to leave.”
“That won’t do. If you stay and disrupt Ninth Brother’s wedding night, watch out or he’ll go complain to Noble Consort Yi…”
“Hahaha…”
Through this exchange of lighthearted banter, Wuyunzhu gradually grew familiar with her sisters-in-law and came to recognize each of them.
Clad in a purple Manchu robe was the Eldest Primary Consort. With delicate features and a tranquil disposition, she looked somewhat weary, likely due to successive childbearing.
Beside her was the Crown Princess of the Guwalgiya clan, dressed in an apricot-yellow robe that lent her an even more dignified and majestic bearing. Having given birth to a daughter just last year and not yet fully recovered, her figure appeared somewhat full.
In a light blue robe was the Fourth Primary Consort of the Ulanara clan. She was a gentle woman who spoke little but frequently wore a soft smile, making it very easy for others to feel drawn to her.
The Fifth Primary Consort wore a lotus-pink robe, appearing graceful and lovely, though her demeanor lacked a sense of ease.
The Seventh Primary Consort wore a water-red robe, which, combined with her lively personality, made her appear exceptionally charming and dainty.
The Eighth Primary Consort wore a begonia-red Manchu robe, adorned with several gold hairpins set with red rubies, making her look extraordinarily opulent.
After this round of observation, Wuyunzhu formed a general impression of her sisters-in-law’s temperaments.
Hearing the night watchman’s drum outside, the Crown Princess was the first to rise. “The hour is late, we should be returning as well.”
“It is indeed time to go; if Ninth Brother comes back later and sees us still here, he’ll be annoyed.”
“Hahaha~”
After everyone departed, Wuyunzhu exhaled a pent-up breath. They were finally gone. Wearing that heavy court crown for so long had left her neck nearly stiff.
“Caiyue, quickly help me take it off.”
After changing out of that cumbersome and expensive ceremonial attire, Wuyunzhu felt her breathing grow much smoother.
“Does the Primary Consort wish to dine first or bathe?”
“Dine first.” Without a full stomach, she lacked even the strength to walk.
“Understood.”
Shortly after, Caixia brought in two young eunuchs carrying food boxes, placing the dishes on the table one by one: a plate of hibiscus duck, a plate of pork stir-fried with leeks, a serving of roasted roe deer, a serving of stewed mutton with pumpkin, a plate of cold dishes, a small side dish, a plate of red pastry cakes, and a bowl of bird’s nest porridge. In addition to these, there was actually a plate of watermelon! It had even been iced, with water droplets beading on the rind.
She was pleasantly surprised. “Where did the watermelon come from?”
The young eunuch replied, “It was prepared by the Prince himself. He said the weather is hot today, and eating these warm dishes might lead to a poor appetite, so it would be better to have some fruit, which can stimulate the appetite, refresh the palate, and dispel the summer heat.”
Wuyunzhu curled her lips into a smile. This Yingtang—she hadn’t expected him to be so considerate.
In the front courtyard.
Yingtang, who had finally finished making the rounds of toasts, slumped over the table to rest. Once he finished toasting the brothers at this final table, he would be able to return to the bridal chamber.
“Old Nine, come, Third Brother will toast you… Eh, there’s no wine left, Brother will use yours…” The Third Prince picked up the wine flask before Yingtang, poured it into his own cup, took a sip, and then spat it out. “It’s actually water! Well, you rascal Old Nine, cheating are you? Drink it again!”
The very instant the Third Prince lunged forward, Yingtang decisively made his escape!
Jokes aside, if he didn’t cheat and actually tried to drink a round with everyone, he could forget about entering the bridal chamber tonight.
“Fifth Brother, Eighth Brother, Old Ten, help me block him…”
Reaching the inner courtyard, Yingtang straightened his robes before stepping inside, only to find no sign of the bride.
He panicked. “Where is the Primary Consort?”
Where is my dewy, fragrant wife!
“The Primary Consort has gone to bathe. Does Your Highness wish to bathe as well?”
“Of course I do.”
“Shall His Highness bathe with the Primary Consort, or in separate quarters?”
“Of course…” Yingtang’s face instantly flushed crimson. Of course he wanted to share quarters, but he was afraid the Primary Consort would be shy and grow angry with him.
As he hesitated, footsteps sounded from behind, and he turned his head.