Chapter 85 Leaving the Cabinet (Middle) (Pink Tickets 600)

  Qiu Ju hastily gave two red envelopes to Madame Zhang.

  Amber and a few others are going to ride in the carriage of Mrs. Quanfu today, accompanying Eleventh Sister to the Xu Mansion, so they need to dress up. Therefore, Autumn Orchid and Apricot Forest, who serve beside Big Madam, are helping with the preparations in Eleventh Sister's room.

  Mrs. Zhang smiled and accepted, congratulating the eleventh girl. The eleventh girl then went to take a bath, attended by Dong Qing. When she came out, she just heard Mrs. Zhang laughing and saying: "...First, Master Zhang passed the imperial examination as a scholar, then Fifth Aunt became the wife of a successful candidate, Tenth Aunt married the young master, and now Eleventh Miss has been matched with Marquis Yongping. This year is truly a lucky one!"

  Big breasts full of smiles: "Thank you for your auspicious words, thank you for your auspicious words."

  It's really true what they say: onlookers see the fun!

  Eleventh Sister sat in front of the dressing table, with Madame Ren helping her to comb her hair and insert pearl pins. Autumn Chrysanthemum and Apricot Forest served Eleventh Sister as she changed into a bright red wedding dress, then draped a pink silk handkerchief over her shoulders. Madame Ren stepped forward to paint Eleventh Sister's eyebrows and eyes.

  Before long, everything was packed up and ready to go.

  Eleventh Sister looked at the person in the mirror. A snow-white face, curved eyebrows, and a small cherry mouth, although she had changed her appearance, but looked like Ah Fu doll, very festive.

  Thinking of Wu Niang's wedding day, she was also dressed like this, knowing that it was the usual bride's makeup, and she couldn't help but smile.

  The kitchen brought over the meal.

  Eleventh daughter learned from Fifth daughter's wedding and took a big mouthful, then spat it onto the red paper in Madame Zhang's hand. Madame Zhang would divide what she spat out into two portions: one half would be put on the rice cabinet of the Luo family, and the other half would be taken back by Full Fortune Madame Xu and placed on the rice cabinet of the Xu family.

  What's the point of this?

  She thought for a moment, then Second Mistress and Third Mistress, Fourth Girl and Fifth Girl came in, each surrounded by their own maids.

  The big milk busy beckoning several people to sit down.

  Qiu Ju and Xing Lin were busy brewing tea and pouring water.

  A few people sat down, and Fourth Daughter looked at Eleventh Daughter with a smile: "Today is really beautiful!"

  Eleventh girl smiled slightly and asked Fifth Girl: "Why haven't we seen Tenth Sister?"

  The fifth daughter rolled her eyes: "Mother sent someone to pick him up yesterday. Wang Lang said he had something to do and only arrived late when the banquet started. The tenth daughter didn't come at all. When Mother asked, Wang Lang just said that the tenth daughter was not feeling well. When she asked again, he became somewhat impatient. With so many guests in the house, Mother couldn't keep questioning him, could she?"

  Eleventh girl listened with some concern.

  I hope it's just Xiǎo Niáng having a temper and nothing more...

  The little maid came to report: "Dinner is served!"

  The big milk led everyone to sit down.

  Qiu Ju took out a Qinghua porcelain box containing ginseng slices: "Miss, would you like to have one?"

  Perhaps afraid of having to go to the bathroom during the wedding procession, Eleventh Sister didn't eat or drink anything in the morning, and Madame only allowed Qiuju to bring her some medicinal lozenges to suck on.

  "No need. I'm not hungry!"

  In her two lifetimes as a human being, this was still her first time being a bride... She felt a bit nervous.

  "Has anyone collected my 'Records of the Nine Regions of Great Zhou'? I'd like to take a look."

  Qiu Ju could feel that Shier Niang was a bit tense, and quickly went to fetch some books.

  Eleventh Sister was lying on the kang by the window reading a book.

  But in her heart, she felt a little flustered, holding the book in her hand, yet not reading a single word.

  Put down the book, and felt very bored, then picked it up again.

  This went on back and forth for half a day, until the banquet outside also dispersed.

  Some people stayed in the main house to watch the excitement, while others came to the eleventh daughter's house to sit.

  The wedding procession has arrived.

  The three wives were busy, one hand pulling Luo Zhenkai and the other hand pulling Luo Zhenyu: "You two stay here honestly."

  Although no one pursued them last time, thinking of Shining's situation at that time made them feel uncomfortable. The two became much more honest.

  With the crackling sound of firecrackers, Luo Zhenxing and others symbolically gave red envelopes and opened the door.

  Xu Lingyi walked in calmly, wearing a bright red cheongsam.

  Behind him were two young men with a humble and slightly majestic expression.

  Yu Yiqing was taken aback and exclaimed: "Shun Wang, General Fan!"

  Qian Ming shivered all over as he listened.

  Shun Wang's father was the younger brother of the previous emperor, and Shun Wang is the current emperor's cousin. He is a true dragon son and phoenix grandson, in charge of the Imperial Household Department. General Fan's name is Fan Weigang, originally the emperor's personal bodyguard, who followed Xu Lingyi to pacify the Miao rebellion, now a third-rank military general - Zhongtong General.

  Fan Weigang smiled with a smirk: "Today there is only the welcoming of relatives by marriage, no Shun Wang and Fan General!"

  Luo Zhenxing felt a bit uneasy and muttered: "This, this can't be right..."

  Xu Lingyi asked him: "Are you getting used to being in the Hanlin Academy?"

  Luo Zhenxing respectfully said: "I have gained a lot of experience."

  Xu Lingyi nodded slightly and said, "Lord Zhou and Lord Hu are both great scholars. Being able to listen to the two lords' lectures is a rare opportunity and a rare privilege..."

  Someone beside him laughed and said: "Master Hou, today is indeed a grand day for you. Otherwise, why don't you change the date again?"

  Shun Wang and Fan Weigang both burst out laughing.

  Fan Weigang patted him on the shoulder: "Old brother, what should I call you?"

  "In the lower hall, Zizi Chun." Qian Ming smiled and said, "It's the fifth uncle of the Luo family."

  Shun Wang then smiled and said to Xu Ling: "This brother-in-law of mine is quite interesting!"

  Xu Lingyi's mouth corners slightly curled up, with a hint of a smile.

  Qian Ming let out a subtle sigh of relief, his smile growing even more serene: "It's getting late, and Father-in-law is still waiting for the Duke to pay his respects with tea!" He took the opportunity to lead them to the main hall.

  Xu Lingyi kowtowed to the old master and went to the old lady's room according to custom.

  Mrs. Dai drank the tea respectfully presented by Xu Lingyi, without saying a word, and handed her a red envelope. Xu Lingyi accepted the red envelope, bowed to Mrs. Dai, and returned to the hall. Qian Ming took a small wine cup to toast Xu Lingyi with a farewell drink before she mounted her horse.

  Shun Wang didn't hold back with his teasing: "Are you afraid of getting Lord Hou drunk? Don't worry, he still has a few cups' worth of capacity!"

  Qian Ming nodded and said seriously: "I'm also in the same situation!"

  Everyone was amused and burst out laughing.

  The old master said: "It's getting late, let's send off the relatives!"

  Eleventh Girl covered her head and couldn't see the outside scene, but when Luo Zhenxing carried her into the sedan chair, she only heard the crackling of firecrackers, but didn't hear the noisy laughter.

  She thought of her first meeting with Xu Lingyi in the small courtyard.

  There's a bit of a flavor of Taishan crumbling in front but the face doesn't change color...but people who are usually like this are a bit rigid and not very good at accepting joking words.

  The girl's thoughts flashed by, and the sedan chair had already been lifted up. The firecrackers sounded even more densely, and the gongs and drums also started ringing.

  Among the noise, the sedan chair shook slightly and started moving forward.

  As the sound of cheering and applause faded away, Shíyī Niáng knew she had left the Ló family's Huāguì Gate, passed through the main gate, and exited the alley... Then the firecracker sounds gradually disappeared, leaving only the sound of gongs and drums.

  Is it just going to end like this?

  The eleventh girl suddenly felt a little uneasy.

  Although that home made her feel suffocated, when she really left, she still had some lingering attachment.

  She subconsciously turned her head back.

  Still in front of me is a bright red color.

  Tears fell down without warning.

  She didn't know how long she had walked when she heard someone shouting: "Here they come, here they come..."

  Immediately afterwards was a deafening firecracker sound, which covered up the sound of the gong being struck.

  Eleventh girl busily pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes, then held the precious bottle and sat up straight.

  The sedan chair stopped, and Mrs. Quanfu Xu helped her down from the sedan.

  The hubbub of voices, the boisterous laughter, came pouring in from all sides, making her feel a bit disoriented. The soft, thick carpet underfoot made it seem as if she had fallen into a pile of silk fabrics, unable to find any solid ground to stand on.

  The eleventh girl somewhat dazedly and confusedly crossed over the saddle, paid her respects in the hall, and entered the bridal chamber.

  The whispers of the woman were accompanied by the sound of her earrings swaying.

  A woman laughed and said: "Master Hou, hurry up and lift the veil, let us take a look at the bride!"

  The lid on his head fell silently down.

  The silver light of the lamp made Xi Wang's eyes flash, and she felt as if the whole room was filled with pearls, jade, and colorful embroidery.

  "The bride is really beautiful..."

  "Spotless and clean, just one look and you can tell it's a place with a rich atmosphere..."

  Praise came flooding in like a tidal wave, but the gaze directed at her was filled with curiosity, scrutiny, measurement, and suspicion...

  Eleventh daughter is involuntarily searching among the crowd.

  She saw Madame Lin, wife of Prince Wei Bei, Madame Tang, wife of Marquis Zhongshan, Madame Gan, wife of Baron Chongqin, and Madame Qiao, wife of Duke Chengguo... She also saw Xu Lingyi standing beside the bed.

  He stood upright, his expression cold and stern, his eyes calm... without a hint of the joy or nervousness that a groom should have.

  For some reason, Shiyi suddenly calmed down.

  She straightened up and Mrs. Fu beckoned her to sit on the west side of the bed.

  Mrs. Xu had told her before that this was called "doing the rich and noble", when the time came for the disturbance in the house, people would say some teasing words, letting her not speak or move, half an hour later everyone would disperse on their own, and then they could drink the wedding wine.

  Eleventh Sister sat cross-legged on the western bed, and Madame Full Fortune invited Xu Lianyi to sit on the eastern side of the bed.

  Everyone in the house was smiling and watching them.

  The eleven girls found that the women in the house were all older, with only two or three women in their twenties. Moreover, these women all wore flower hairpins, with a minimum of six for a fourth-rank lady and a maximum of nine for a first-rank lady.

  A young servant rushed in: "Master Hou, Master Hou, the imperial edict has arrived."

  For a moment, the room fell silent.

  Then a woman laughed and said: "What a coincidence! Let's go sit in the flower hall!"

  The eleventh girl looked back and found that the speaker was Mrs. Gan.

  Madam Gan nodded slightly towards her.

  Xu Lingyi instructed Shier Niang: "Wait for me a moment, I'll go change into another outfit."

  Was he telling her about his whereabouts?

  Eleventh girl responded with a "yes".

  Mutual respect is a good starting point.

  Then two pretty maidservants came forward and helped Xu Lingyi change into official robes. The two of them, one in front and one behind, left the bridal chamber.

  Outside is a courtyard, with corridors on both sides hanging colorful lanterns, bright lights, and flowers.

  Eleventh Sister followed Xu Lingyi westward for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea and arrived at a large courtyard.

  The courtyard was brightly lit, and Xu Lingkuan, dressed in a fourth-rank official uniform, was chatting with an imperial attendant. The Grand Lady, Xu Lingning, the Second Lady, the Third Lady, and the Fifth Lady were all waiting there, fully made up according to their ranks. When they saw Xu Lingyi and Eleventh Lady, everyone let out a sigh of relief.

  The eunuch smiled and said: "Your Lordship, are all the people present? Then our family will come to read out the imperial edict."

  Xu Lingyi said "Thank you for your trouble" and led the way by kneeling on the bluestone in the courtyard.

  The lady and others knelt down together.

  The eleventh girl knelt down at the very end.

  The eunuch then unfolded a white silk fabric with colorful woven cloud and crane patterns and began to read out the imperial edict.