The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity

Chapter 946: Chapter 2: The Wedding Escort (2)

Wen Wan sat down on the bench in the corridor and took the dowry list to look at it. She heard Zhao Xunyin exclaim.

"What’s wrong?" Wen Wan looked up.

"I almost forgot; the betrothal gifts from Third Son also need to be counted as dowry to be returned. It’s excessively much; Wanwan, come have a look, how should we pack these?"

Wen Wan replied, "The gifts from Third Son, you can keep them. Returning them would really be overstepping bounds. My reputation is not good already, and if outsiders see it, they’ll probably criticize me as being spoiled."

That’s a valid point, but Zhao Xunyin still felt uneasy, "Why don’t you take a look and pick something you particularly like to bring along? We can’t leave everything at the maiden home, lest the Song family thinks I care about his paltry betrothal gifts."

The weather was too cold, and Wen Wan was unwilling to move, so she continued to huddle under her cloak, sitting on the corridor bench reviewing the dowry list, adopting an indifferent attitude, "Just take out those eight items, and I’ll bring them along. The rest, you all keep it; it’s heavy and won’t burden those accompanying the wedding party."

After checking the dowry, Zhao Xunyin went to Wen Wan’s Yanyun Pavilion and said to her, "In a few days, there’s going to be a banquet at the Liang Family too. They’ve already sent the invitation; do you want to attend?"

By the Liang Family, of course, referring to Liang Jun.

Wen Wan felt suffocated, "Who is he marrying?"

"The second legitimate daughter of the Minister of the Ministry of Rites." Seeing Wen Wan purse her lips, Zhao Xunyin said, "It’s already quite rare that he waited for three years to remarry after his wife’s death. Jiaojiao’s been gone a long time; you should come to terms with it."

Wen Wan never came to terms with Song Jiao and her mother-in-law’s death. Especially now, seeing Jiaojiao’s former husband marry another woman, Wen Wan feared she might act uncontrollably if she went.

"Mother, I don’t want to go."

Wen Wan’s expression was somber, Jiaojiao was a scar on her heart.

"If you don’t want to go, then don’t. Stay home and prepare for your wedding," Zhao Xunyin understood, "I’ll attend in your place."

...

On Liang Jun’s wedding day, Wen Wan wore her cloak, carried a hand warmer, brought along Bailing and Du Juan, sat in a small carriage, and went to the suburb cemetery. Upon arrival, she discovered the snow in front of Song Jiao’s grave had just been swept away and fresh fruits were placed. A few half-burnt sheets of spirit money were blown far by the wind, and the incense in the burner hadn’t completely burned, with light smoke curling upward.

Wen Wan watched this scene with a moment of trance, glancing around but not seeing anyone.

Bailing speculated, "Could it be Liang Family members?"

Du Juan agreed, nodding, "I heard Mr. Liang was deeply affectionate with his first wife. Now that he is remarrying, it’s appropriate to have someone come to pay respects."

Wen Wan lowered her gaze, looking at Song Jiao’s cold tombstone, feeling forlorn and distressed.

That evening, Zhao Xunyin returned, and Wen Wan asked her, "Is the bride beautiful?"

"I didn’t join the excitement in the bridal chamber." Zhao Xunyin sat down, and Dou Kou quickly poured her a cup of hot tea.

Zhao Xunyin took it and looked at Wen Wan, "Did you go to the suburb cemetery?"

"Mm." Wen Wan responded in a muffled voice, thinking about Jiaojiao’s grave covered in wind, rain, and snow, and then about the Liang family’s wedding, she choked up, and after a long time sighed, "I hope he doesn’t forget Jiaojiao because of the new bride."

...

On the twenty-eighth of the winter month, an auspicious day, suitable for marriage.

Lu family servants were up before dawn to prepare the banquet.

Wen Wan had been married once before. Compared to a truly new bride, she was particularly calm, intending to sleep in all she could, but Zhao Xunyin pulled her out of bed before 5 a.m.

"Many noble ladies and young ladies have come to send you off; quickly freshen up before you make a fool of yourself."

Seeing Wen Wan’s sleepy eyes, Zhao Xunyin frowned, "Weren’t you in such a hurry during the betrothal ceremony, not willing to wait even a moment? Now, as it approaches, you suddenly have patience."

Wen Wan reached up to rub her eyes, rousing herself, and when she met Zhao Xunyin’s reproachful gaze, she smiled, "I’m twenty-eight, not eighteen, and it’s not my first time getting married. Already an old couple, acting overly nervous and shy would be even more laughable."

The noble ladies and young ladies who came to send off Wen Wan were entertained by Mrs. Xiao Liu and Aunt Wen, while Zhao Xunyin chatted with Wen Wan in her bridal chamber.

Wen Wan leaned closely against Zhao Xunyin, "Mother, after I get married, you and father will take Yan Li to the estate, right?"

Zhao Xunyin nodded, arranging her flowing black hair, "We will have the opportunity to visit you."

This statement, Wen Wan only listened casually. Her father’s estate was so far, a round trip took two months. Unless the Emperor called him to Beijing for duty, how could they ever return?

The Song family came to fetch the bride in the evening. Wen Wan began bathing and applying makeup at 9 a.m., feeling very hungry but had to endure. She wasn’t superstitious before but married to Song Wei, everything had to be done cautiously. Though she changed her husband’s fate, who could predict such things? If she indulged and broke ancestral rules, implicating Song Wei, all her previous efforts would have been in vain.

Thinking of this, Wen Wan was even more vigilant and immediately became alert.

At this moment, Princess Consort Qing, Aunt Wen, Mrs. Xiao Liu, Aunt Wen’s maternal relatives, Mrs. Xiao Liu’s maternal relatives, Old Mrs. Lu’s nephews and nieces at home, and the Lu family’s own ladies were all gathered in Wen Wan’s room, watching the fortunate grandmother arranging her hair.

When she first married in Ningzhou, there were few people to send her off, and at that time she couldn’t speak, not connecting with others, so there was nothing to worry about. Now being watched by so many people made her slightly embarrassed, and after finishing her makeup, her originally tender skin was already blushing red.

Bailing and Du Juan supported her on each side, taking her inside to change into her wedding dress.

About the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, she emerged.

Everyone looked up and was instantly surprised.

The bride standing beside the twelve-panel lotus screen was dressed in a pure red phoenix brocade jacket with hidden golden silk sleeve designs, fastened at the neckline with a pale gold pearl button, shoulders and skirt hem embroidered with golden outlines of blooming flowers, vivid and lifelike, the peony waist wrap hung down to her knees with a tail adorned with jade tassels, the hem trailing on the ground, and as she walked, the shoes embroidered with phoenixes among peonies were seen adorned with two pearls.

Wen Wan wasn’t a newlywed; after nine years as the Madam Song and several years as Commandery Princess, at twenty-eight, compared to when she first married at sixteen, she shed the youthful shyness, her eyes now expressed a mature charm. In terms of appearance and aura, she fully held the poise of a bride.

Mrs. Xiao Liu marvelled, "Sister Wan is truly beautiful today."

Wen Wan shamelessly said, "I’m beautiful every day."

"Yes, yes, you are the most beautiful." Mrs. Xiao Liu covered her mouth, laughing, "When the groom unveils you, he’ll be stunned."

"He won’t," Wen Wan muttered softly.

Song Wei wasn’t someone who inevitably showed emotions; whether he liked or disliked something, there was always only one expression on his face: calm.

He matured earlier due to his experiences compared to peers. Since the first day Wen Wan knew him until now, he always maintained a poised and steady demeanor, never faltering.

"By the way, where’s Brother Bin?" Zhao Xunyin looked out, not seeing him, "Considering the hour, the bridal sedan should arrive soon, he needs to carry Wanwan out."

Mrs. Xiao Liu chimed in, "Father assigned him a mission, he must keep the groom outside for the time it takes a stick of incense to burn today, or face kneeling in the shrine copying Buddhist scriptures. He’s probably racking his brains over the question now!"

Wen Wan chuckled, "How could Brother Bin possibly stop Third Son with a question?"

"I also think it’s impossible," Mrs. Xiao Liu agreed, believing Lu Yanbin would undoubtedly be punished to kneel in the shrine, yet the sound of gongs and drums lasted the time for a stick of incense to burn, and the groom hadn’t entered yet.

"Looks like he succeeded," Zhao Xunyin stepped out, "I’ll have someone check."