After Madam Su walked away, Su Zhe’s relaxed expression immediately tightened.
How could he not worry? He had only spoken so calmly to reassure his wife.
Whether Qing’er would wake up was still uncertain. The auspicious hour had already been set. If the bride remained unconscious when the groom arrived, who knew what disaster might follow?
Time passed bit by bit. Su Zhe felt no trace of sleepiness. He had long instructed Cuier to report the moment Miss woke.
Unknowingly, several hours went by. The sky in the distance was already turning pale. Su Zhe had stayed up the entire night; his eyes were red from exhaustion.
Still no news from Cuier.
He had already made up his mind—if Qing’er did not wake, he would send a fast horse to the Chen residence to explain first, and after discussing matters with General Chen, decide what to do next.
If General Chen were reasonable, all would be well.
But if he insisted on making trouble…
Su Zhe sighed. This marriage had been full of twists and turns. Could there be some hidden omen behind it?
He clasped his hands together and knelt before the household altar.
“Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva… I, Su Zhe, have served the people all my life and never committed a shameful deed. I have only this one daughter. I beg you, in your great compassion, help her through this hardship and turn misfortune into blessing.”
A sudden breeze stirred inside the room, causing the painting of the Bodhisattva to sway gently.
At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside. Cuier ran in, forgetting to bow.
“Master! Master! Miss has woken—she’s awake!”
“Truly?”
Su Zhe was about to rush out, but first bowed again toward the Bodhisattva, believing it must have been moved by his sincerity and had blessed Qing’er—and the Su family.
He hurried to his daughter’s room.
Qing’er’s complexion looked normal, as if nothing had happened.
“Father? Mother? Why are you both here?”
She felt as though she had just awakened from a long dream.
In the dream, everything had been pitch-black. She had fumbled her way forward, but the ground beneath her was uneven, and she kept stumbling.
Suddenly she slipped and fell into a lake.
She did not know how to swim. Water rushed into her mouth and lungs. The icy cold felt as though it would explode through every pore. She could barely breathe.
Just when she felt lost, a beam of white light appeared, lifting her to the shore and pointing her forward.
Following the light, she finally reached a stone archway. The moment she pushed open the gate—
She woke up.
Opening her eyes, she saw her parents and Cuier anxiously waiting by her bedside.
Su Qing’er sat up and calmly instructed Cuier to bring water so she could wash and dress.
Madam Su and Su Zhe exchanged a glance.
“Daughter… don’t you remember what happened yesterday?” Madam Su asked carefully.
Su Qing’er shook her head. “Mother? What happened?”
Madam Su was about to speak, but Su Zhe gently stopped her.
“Qing’er, today is your great day. Hurry and prepare yourself. The Chen family will be here soon to fetch the bride.”
“I know, Father. You and Mother should go tend to your duties. Cuier and the maids can attend to me.”
She smiled gracefully, just as she always had.
Seeing her daughter seemingly at peace, Madam Su felt relieved and pulled Su Zhe away. There were countless matters to attend to on the wedding day.
Before leaving, Su Zhe called Cuier aside and whispered, “If Miss shows any sign of discomfort, report to me immediately.”
“Yes, Master.”
Cuier returned and, together with the young maids, busied themselves—combing hair, shaping brows, applying powder, bringing out the wedding gown. The room was lively with activity.
Su Qing’er’s heart, however, was calm as still water.
She had lied to her parents. How could she possibly forget fainting the night before?
If she had not been utterly desperate, her heart would not have shattered so completely.
But after that dream, she felt suddenly enlightened.
If she was not afraid of death, why should she fear life?
It was only marriage. Then she would marry.
She wanted to see for herself what kind of man Chen Jinghan was—to have earned the emperor’s favor and a personally bestowed marriage.
“Miss, the auspicious hour is nearly here. In half an hour, the groom will arrive.”
Cuier entered to report. Outside, the household was already buzzing. The master and mistress were greeting guests; everywhere was festivity.
“I understand. Cuier, make my lip color a little darker.”
“Yes, Miss.”
When the crimson lips were finished, Su Qing’er pressed them lightly before the bronze mirror. It was the first time she had looked so radiant.
She grasped Cuier’s hand and spoke softly, “Sister Cuier, when I marry into the Chen family, I don’t know what life will be like. We grew up together. I will have to trouble you to accompany me. Rest assured—so long as I live, I will never let anyone bully you.”
Cuier’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Miss, you shame this servant with such words. Even if I had to give my life for you, I would do so willingly!”
“It’s a joyous day—don’t speak of ill fortune. We sisters will both live well.”
Su Qing’er wiped away her own tears. The bond between young women was the purest, untainted by gain or loss.
Leaving the Su household for a completely unfamiliar world, she would have only Cuier to rely on.
“The auspicious hour has arrived! The groom has come!”
Firecrackers burst noisily outside.
The courtyard was filled with commotion—Chen Jinghan had arrived on horseback to fetch his bride.
A group of children shouted happily, “The bride is being fetched! The bride is being fetched!”
“Miss, it is time.”
Cuier draped the red bridal veil over Su Qing’er’s head, and attendants led her slowly outside.
The groom, Chen Jinghan, dressed in bright red robes, leapt down from his horse and, surrounded by people, entered the main hall.
Su Qing’er was also led there. Beneath the veil, she could see nothing. Her heart pounded nervously.
Suddenly, a strip of silk was placed in her hand. She knew it was the red ribbon attached to the embroidered ceremonial ball. She accepted it gently.
When the Su parents entered and saw their daughter in her red wedding gown, countless emotions surged through them.
Madam Su wept uncontrollably, her handkerchief soaked through. Su Zhe barely restrained himself from losing composure.
Standing side by side, Su Qing’er and Chen Jinghan bowed farewell to her parents.
Chen Jinghan held the red silk ribbon and slowly guided her forward.
There had originally been many more elaborate rituals, but Chen Jinghan disliked such complexities. He had sent word earlier to simplify them. Thus, he led Su Qing’er directly to the bridal sedan chair.
Firecrackers exploded again in celebration.
Su Qing’er, dressed entirely in red and covered by her veil, remained unseen by Chen Jinghan. He caught only a glimpse of her graceful figure—slender and elegant in movement—and could not help but pause.
So this was the daughter of a scholarly family.
The phrase delicate and moving was no exaggeration.
Seated inside the sedan chair, Su Qing’er listened to the music and festive noise outside. It felt surreal—she was truly married.
She secretly lifted the edge of her veil to peek outside, but then remembered her mother’s repeated warning: the veil must be lifted by the groom himself for good fortune.
Her hand lowered again.
From time to time, she heard a deep, steady voice responding to the congratulations of neighbors along the road.
That must be her husband—
Chen Jinghan.
And for the first time, a small spark of anticipation rose quietly in her heart.