Chapter 192: Gifts for Urging the Makeup, Furnishing the Rooms, and Warming the House [Many Thanks for Everyone's Support!]

The day before the Xu family of Marquis Marquis Yongyi came to fetch the bride,

at exactly Si hour (after 10 a. m.),

in Jiying Lane,

Xu Xu Zaijing and his elder brother Xu Xu Zaiduan rode their horses to the main gate of the Sheng family residence,

followed by a carriage carrying exquisite bronze mirrors, boxed cosmetics and powders, splendid and precious wedding garments, and other gifts for urging the makeup.

Six matrons and maids walked alongside the carriage.

Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng, having long received the news, stood at the gate dressed in fresh new clothes,

and once the two Xu brothers dismounted, the young men of the Xu and Sheng families bowed to one another before ushering them inside.

Weirui Pavilion

Hearing Rulan and Minglan, accompanied by Xique and little Xiao Xiaotao, ran into the courtyard; upon reaching the room where Sheng Hualan stayed, Hearing Rulan called out:

"Sister! I saw them; the two Xu cousins have come to deliver the gifts."

"Mm-hmm."

Minglan followed behind, nodding, and seeing Sheng Hualan's appearance, she said, "Sister Sheng Hualan, have you applied rouge? Why is your face so red?"

Forcing down her bashfulness and pretending to be serious, Sheng Hualan said, "Little Six, what nonsense are you spouting? Where is it red?"

"She is just shy."

"Sheng Hearing Rulan! Come here!"

"I will not!"

Cui Chan, standing aside, smiled at Sheng Hualan, then walked over and said, "Fifth Miss, you and... when the time comes to go to the Xu family, you will have to follow along!"

"Mm-hmm... hahaha!"

The two little girls happily ran out of the room; before they had even left the courtyard, Mother Dan of the Xu family, leading Xiaozhu and other Xu maids, respectfully carried the gifts for urging the makeup into the courtyard.

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu, dressed in splendid new attire, looked at the items sent by the Xu family and nodded in satisfaction.

"The goods are truly excellent; Mother Liu, go make preparations."

"Yes, Da Da Niangzi."

Shou'an Hall

Front Hall

The brothers Xu Xu Zaiduan and Xu Xu Zaijing sat on chairs below the Old Lady.

"Brother Duan, is the little one obedient?"

Xu Xu Zaiduan smiled and said, "Great-Grand-Aunt, this great-great-nephew of yours eats well and sleeps well."

"Mm! It seems he is full of spirit!"

"At night, he loves to make a fuss and disturb people!"

"Ai, what child does not make a fuss?"

"What Great-Grand-Aunt says is true!"

After speaking, Xu Xu Zaiduan glanced at his own younger brother, Little Five, who was drinking tea; in his memory, this younger brother had never been as troublesome as his own son.

Sheng Hong, who had only recently recovered from a cold, also smiled from the side.

Previously, after his Shuang'er had recovered from the cold, she went to Qixi Pavilion; as a result, Sheng Hong began feeling unwell the next day, but since the Ministry of Personnel was at its busiest, he gritted his teeth and persisted for two days,

only to collapse on the third day inside the Ministry of Personnel's yamen, terrifying his colleagues; Minister Li immediately granted him leave to return home and rest,

and by persisting in handling official duties while ill, Sheng Hong accidentally earned himself a fine reputation among officials.

Fortunately, Wang Wang Wang Ruofu was capable; she managed all affairs regarding Sheng Hualan's wedding without troubling Sheng Hong, and since he had recovered from his illness two days prior, he was now able to sit in Shou'an Hall to receive these two nephews from the Xu family.

After chatting for a while longer, Mother Cui entered the main hall and said, "Old Lady, the banquet is ready."

"Hong'er, you accompany them both."

"Yes, Mother."

"Great-Grand-Aunt, then my younger brother and I shall take our leave."

"Go."

At the banquet, Sheng Changbai and Sheng Changfeng served as hosts; Sheng Hong had intended to accompany them, but Xu Xu Zaijing persuaded him to return and rest.

After all, Sheng Hong had only just recovered, so it was better for him to recuperate; tomorrow was the most important day.

All four people at the banquet drank a little wine; when Sheng Changfeng attempted to refill the cups, Xu Xu Zaiduan dissuaded him.

Seeing from the doorway that everyone at the banquet had eaten and drunk their fill, Caihuan instructed a young maid to notify the Sheng family's Da Da Niangzi; servants in the Sheng courtyard then loaded more items onto the Xu family's carriage, and the Sheng family added another carriage.

Upon receiving the report from the Xu maids that the Sheng family had prepared their carriages and horses, Xu Xu Zaiduan looked at the three people at the table and said, "In that case, let us depart."

At this moment, Mother Fang approached from the doorway and said:

"Gu Dalang, the Old Lady has instructed that since you have drunk wine, you must not ride horses on your return, lest you catch a chill from the cold wind."

"Very well!"

Subsequently, everyone exited Shou'an Hall,

with Xu Xu Zaijing and his elder brother sharing one carriage, while Sheng Changbai and Hearing Rulan shared another, which trailed behind carrying part of the Sheng family's dowry and items for furnishing the rooms.

When the procession arrived at the Xu residence, the entire place was already plastered with characters for 'double happiness'; red silk was tied not only around the waists of the maids and servants but also hung throughout the courtyards.

Xu Xu Zaiduan led the Sheng siblings, Sheng Changbai and his sister, to Zai Zhang's courtyard.

The siblings Sheng Changbai and his sister had come to the Xu family as close relatives to furnish the rooms, while Mother Liu coordinated the overall arrangements;

one could see Mother Liu directing the Sheng maids to hang the bed curtains in the bridal chamber, arrange the dressing cases and utensils in their proper places, place several pieces of jewelry inside the dressing cases, and spread the auspicious quilts and mattresses brought by the Sheng family upon the bed.

Only after the arrangements were complete did Mother Liu approach Sheng Changbai and Hearing Rulan to speak a few words.

Subsequently, acting as Sheng Hualan's closest relative, Sheng Changbai recited auspicious phrases while rolling several times on the new bed.

As for Hearing Rulan, she placed the gifts prepared by Wang Shi upon the table in the bridal chamber, thus performing the ritual of warming the room.

After everything was completed, everyone withdrew from the bridal chamber; once the door was shut, the Xu family maids and the Sheng family maids designated to accompany the dowry stood guard outside the doorway, and until the newlywed couple arrived tomorrow, no outsiders besides the Xu and Sheng families were permitted to enter.

Subsequently, Sheng Changbai went with Hearing Rulan to Lady Sun's courtyard to take their seats at the banquet, though naturally, they could not eat much;

Mama Liu and the other maids and servants were likewise treated to fine wine and delicious dishes; experienced maids and servants had not eaten lunch at the Sheng family home, saving themselves precisely for this excellent meal.

When the Sheng family guests at the banquet had mostly finished eating, the Xu family maids carried trays to the tables, each tray holding pouches filled with wedding money,

which the Xu family steward mamas placed one by one into everyone's hands; some opened theirs to take a look, their eyes lighting up.

"Wow!"

"So much!"

"Thank you, masters, for the wedding money!"

"Thank you, masters, for the wedding money!"

The smiles on the faces of everyone at the banquet grew even brighter, and sounds of gratitude rang out incessantly.

Naturally, for Mama Liu and the entire group of steward Guan Pozis and personal maids who had come from the Sheng family, the wedding money inside their pouches was only greater, never less.

Shen Hour (3:00 PM)

The Sheng family departed from Quyuanjie.

In the evening, Lady Sun and Xu Minghua reviewed the list of expected guests once more.

When the Xu family's eldest son had married previously, the Xu family was far from as illustrious as they are now, so naturally, the number of guests arriving tomorrow would be considerably greater than back then.

Fortunately, Lady Sun was not what she used to be; the husband and wife did not find themselves unable to sleep that night, after all, they were far too exhausted.

Jiying Lane

Sheng Family Residence

Shou'an Hall

The Old Lady sat upon the bed in her bedchamber, Sheng Hualan sat on an embroidered stool between the bed and the chair, and Wang Wang Wang Ruofu sat in the chair.

Listening to the Old Lady's gentle exhortations,

Sheng Hualan nodded repeatedly; the items the Old Lady had saved for the bottom of her chest would not be given to her at this moment, as they had long since been placed within Sheng Hualan's dowry.

"Go, go speak with your mother."

"Mm, Grandmother, then this granddaughter..."

For some reason, Sheng Hualan suddenly felt her nose sting, for tonight was her last day living in the Sheng family home.

"There, there, do not cry, Hua'er."

The Old Lady waved her hand; Wang Wang Wang Ruofu also blinked, touched by sentiment, and supported Sheng Hualan as they left Shou'an Hall.

Once Sheng Hualan had walked out of the room, the Old Lady sighed with a smile, accepted the handkerchief passed to her by Mama Fang, and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu and her daughter Sheng Hualan, arm in arm, walked in silence all the way.

Upon reaching Sheng Hualan's bedchamber, Wang Wang Wang Ruofu wanted to say something, but suddenly remembered that she had already said it once in the Old Lady's courtyard.

The mother and daughter sat by the bedside,

and Wang Wang Wang Ruofu said, "If you suffer any grievances in the Xu family, you must not keep silent; our entire family is right here in Bianjing!"

"Mother, what grievances could your daughter possibly have?"

"One can never be sure; your eldest sister-in-law has just given birth to a son, and there are many matters between sisters-in-law! Not to mention the elder sister-in-law, younger sisters-in-law, and younger brothers-in-law..." Wang Wang Wang Ruofu spoke as if she were very experienced.

"Very well, very well, Mother; if I have any grievances, I will certainly come to you to pour out my heart."

"Hmph! It is still better to have none."

"So you also know it is better to have none?"

"Off with you, go rest early, I—"

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu rose from the bedside, and just as she was about to leave, she suddenly paused.

For some reason, Wang Wang Wang Ruofu, who had felt nothing just moments before, now found her eyes growing warm, but she did not look at Sheng Hualan; instead, she waved her handkerchief and left the room.

Mama Liu hurriedly followed.

After Sheng Hualan squatted in a bow and watched Wang Wang Wang Ruofu exit the room, she sighed softly; just as Cui Chan was about to approach to help Sheng Hualan remove her hairpins and ornaments, the door was suddenly flung open again.

Wang Wang Wang Ruofu returned to Sheng Hualan's room with a somewhat embarrassed expression:

"Ahem, Hua'er, Mama Liu has matters to discuss with you; you must listen carefully and remember everything clearly."

Sheng Hualan, wearing a face full of confusion, bowed and said:

"Yes, Mother."

After Wang Wang Wang Ruofu and Cai Zhao Huan at the doorway had departed, Mama Liu walked kindly to Sheng Hualan's side,

"Cui Chan, fetch an embroidered stool for Mama Liu."

Once Mama Liu was seated, Sheng Hualan said:

"Mama Liu, please speak."

Listening to Mama Liu's words, Sheng Hualan's face visibly turned red, nearly steaming with heat; then, just like Cui Chan, she twisted the fabric of her clothes in her hands, forcing herself to listen until Mama Liu finished speaking.

Subsequently, in front of Cui Chan and Sheng Hualan, Mama Liu took a picture book from her sleeve, placed it carefully at the bottom of the chest, closed the lid, and then patted the chest.

Seeing Sheng Hualan and Cui Chan nod with expressions suggesting they dared not look, Mama Liu smiled, squatted in a bow, spoke an auspicious phrase, and then left the room.

Hearing someone outside the door respectfully call out "Mama Liu," the mistress and maid knew someone had arrived and hastily adjusted their composure.

Soon, Sister Sister Xiaodie entered carrying a bundle.

"Eldest Miss, this is a congratulatory gift from Wei Wei Xiaoniang for you."

"Sister Sister Xiaodie, please convey my thanks to Wei Wei Xiaoniang."

"Yes, Eldest Miss; then this servant will take her leave."

After Sister Sister Xiaodie left the room, Cui Chan opened the bundle and discovered several dresses inside.

Draping the dresses over her arm, Cui Chan walked over and said, "Miss, these cover all four seasons of the year."

Sheng Hualan looked at the dress and skirt, upon which orchids were exquisitely embroidered in colors rich yet not garish.

"Wei Wei Xiaoniang has shown great thoughtfulness."

The next day,

early in the morning, a Lady of Complete Blessing threaded Sheng Hualan's face,

and in the late morning, the Xu family sent another round of gifts to urge the dressing.

Subsequently,

the Xu family's wedding procession set out from Quyuanjie, heading toward Jiying Lane.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Sheng residence,

the sons of the Chang generation from the first and second branches of the Youyang line, along with Kang Jin of the Kang family, blocked the door.

But on the Xu family's side, in literary matters there was Lu Zhang of the Lu family, a friend of Xu Zaizhang, and in martial matters—well, that went without saying.

Thus, very quickly, the groom entered the Sheng family gate.

Sheng Hualan, now fully dressed, accompanied by the Lady of Complete Blessing and maids such as Sister Cuichan, made her way into the Daolezhengtang.

And also,

still typing, time uncertain.

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(End of Chapter)