Supported by Fengli and Shulan on either side, Luo Chaoyan arrived at the front hall.
Huo Jin walked up to her, took her slender hand, and led her slowly to the Luo Family elders seated in the hall.
Yin Shi was weeping bitterly, and Luo Guan Qing’s eyes were red-rimmed. After all, she was their only daughter, and it was only natural for them to be reluctant to let her go.
Amid the blessings and ceremonial calls of the Ceremony Official, the newlyweds followed the steps one by one, bowing farewell to each elder.
Huo Jin’s expression was cool but earnest as he said, “Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, rest assured. I will fulfill my duties as a husband and treat her with mutual respect and affection.” After speaking, under their lingering, reluctant gazes, he wrapped an arm around her waist, effortlessly lifted her into his arms, and strode out.
Luo Chaoyan had been in a daze all along. Lack of sleep and physical discomfort had left her utterly exhausted. During the farewell to her parents, she had managed to muster some energy, but now, held in his embrace, her mind began to drift into a foggy haze. Just as she was about to fall asleep, she could only faintly perceive being carried forward and the unfamiliar, uncertain future ahead.
The wedding procession was lively all the way, with gongs and drums sounding in a festive clamor.
And the Luo Family girl’s Ten-li Red Makeup was particularly eye-catching.
Some remarked that although the Luo Family girl was marrying above her station, not everyone could produce such a Ten-li Red Makeup. At the very least, it made for an impressive display. One had to admit, the Luo Family girl was fortunate.
As the subject of these envious remarks, she had no chance to hear them. By the time she was placed in the bridal sedan, she had already fallen into a deep sleep. It was only when the wedding procession arrived at Huo Manor from Luo Manor that she was awakened by Fengli and Shulan.
At Huo Manor, another set of elaborate wedding rituals followed—worshipping heaven and earth, paying respects to the elders… Only after everything was completed was she escorted to the bridal chamber, dragging her utterly exhausted body.
In the bridal chamber, there was yet another series of customs: the Cross-cupped Wine, the Hair-tying Ceremony, the Early Birth of Noble Children, and so on. Only after these were finished did the wedding attendants and maids withdraw.
Luo Chaoyan finally let out a sigh of relief. She looked at Huo Jin and said, “Um… Lang Jun, I’d like to freshen up. Could you call Fengli and the others in for me?”
Huo Jin was unbothered by her formality. He nodded and went out to summon them.
Shortly after, Fengli and Shulan entered, helped her undo her hair, remove the wedding attire, and assisted her into the bath.
After she had washed up, Fengli brought her a bowl of brown sugar water. “Miss, drink this. It will help you feel better.”
Luo Chaoyan nodded. After drinking the bowl of sugar water, her stomach indeed felt warm, and she was much more comfortable.
Once the two maids tidied up, they withdrew.
When Huo Jin entered, he saw her sitting on the edge of the bed, yawning repeatedly, the dark circles under her eyes stark against her fair skin.
“It’s late. Let’s rest.”
Luo Chaoyan looked at him somewhat awkwardly. “Lang Jun, um… I’m afraid we cannot perform the Ritual of Duke Zhou tonight.” She pointed to her stomach, frowning slightly as if in discomfort.
Huo Jin was taken aback for a moment, then replied calmly, “It’s fine. I’ll sleep on the soft couch.” He walked over to the soft couch nearby.
Seeing this, Luo Chaoyan nodded inwardly in approval. Good, he truly had the demeanor of a gentleman. She had thought he might go to the study, but it seemed he understood that sleeping separately on the wedding night would invite gossip about her, the new bride. To return the kindness, she found a set of bedding and spread it over the soft couch for him.
“Thank you for your trouble, Lang Jun!”
Huo Jin watched as she smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons, sparkling with liveliness, and her expression so candid and natural, yet without a trace of the shyness a newlywed bride ought to have.
He twitched his lips slightly, lowered his gaze to study her for a moment, and softly uttered, “Let’s sleep.”
Luo Chaoyan nodded, then briskly walked toward the bed, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief. In truth, she felt somewhat grateful for the arrival of her monthly cycle. Otherwise, having to consummate the marriage with someone she could count the number of meetings with—even with her carefree nature—would have felt awkward.
Thus, the newlywed couple spent their wedding night “peacefully and uneventfully.”
The next morning
Luo Chaoyan, unusually, woke up early. When the maids entered carrying washing supplies, they found her already up.
Shulan, noticing her clear and alert expression, smiled and said, “Young Madam looks very refreshed. It seems you slept well yesterday.”
“Not bad!” After all, she had been exhausted from the previous day’s events and had the entire bed to herself. Thinking of this, Luo Chaoyan felt a twinge of guilt and glanced around the room. Seeing that the bedding on the daybed was gone—likely put away by Huo Jin—she felt reassured.
Fengli entered carrying a tray of fragrant breakfast dishes, her face beaming with delight. “Young Madam, the breakfast made by the Huo Manor’s chef smells absolutely delicious.”
Luo Chaoyan caught a whiff of the aroma and instantly felt ravenous. Just as she was about to pick up her spoon, Shulan stopped her.
Shulan subtly gestured with her lips, reminding her to be mindful of the Huo Manor maids, Yue Li and Liu Xu, who were standing in the room. These were former attendants of the late madam, now assigned here.
“Young Madam, the master is practicing his morning exercises in the courtyard and will be here shortly.”
She sheepishly rubbed her nose. According to the rules here, she was supposed to wait for her husband to dine together. But she swore it was only because she was so hungry that she had forgotten her new husband. Still, Huo Jin was truly disciplined—to go for morning exercises so early on his wedding day.
“What time did the master go?” she hurriedly asked, feigning concern.
Just as Fengli was about to answer, Huo Jin strode in.
Dressed in dark green robes, his features handsome yet aloof, he carried an air of refined steadiness blended with masculine vigor. No wonder the women of Jingdu “coveted” him. Her gaze swept over the maids in the room, noticing two who harbored secret admiration. Truly, a “beauty that brings trouble”!
Shaking off her daze, she smiled and said, “Lang Jun is truly diligent.”
“Morning exercises not only strengthen the body but also temper the will. You could try it, Madam,” Huo Jin said indifferently.
Luo Chaoyan smiled and shook her head, quickly changing the subject. “Lang Jun, let’s have our meal first! We mustn’t delay paying respects to the elders with tea later.” As she spoke, she obsequiously handed him a bowl of egg congee, hoping to drop the matter lest he really drag her along for daily morning exercises.
Huo Jin said nothing more and nodded.
Thus, the two began their first breakfast as a newly married couple.
After breakfast, they freshened up and headed together toward Old Madam Huo’s courtyard.
On the way, Huo Jin noticed Luo Chaoyan maintaining the poised demeanor of a well-bred young lady, quite different from how she had been with him earlier. He remarked, “Grandmother and Mother are both kind and approachable. There’s no need for such formality; just be natural.”
Luo Chaoyan smiled and nodded, but her demeanor remained unchanged. She thought it best to assess the situation first. After all, no matter how kind they were, it couldn’t be as comfortable as with one’s own parents.