extravagante

Capítulo 29

Gu Zao glanced at him, sighed softly, and said, "Second Master, I don't care about others. But your mother, is she also an outsider? You've used your methods to get her to invite me into the family now, but how can the knot in her heart be untied? It will only grow bigger. I said before that I would wait a year or two before discussing marriage, firstly because I wanted to wait until things were more stable at home, and secondly, because I really had this in mind. Now that you're rushing me to marry into the family, I... I'm really not ready yet, I feel so uncertain."

Yang Hao reached out and took Gu Zao's hand, saying softly, "I know you're worried about my mother. But think about it, if she's unwilling, let alone two years, she won't easily give in even ten. Are we just going to keep dragging this on like this?"

Gu Zao felt her hand being held tightly by him, its warmth touching her skin, and her heart also warmed slightly.

Seeing that she was gradually relaxing, Yang Hao was secretly pleased. He moved slightly closer and said, "I was indeed wrong that night. I shouldn't have lost my temper with you. But when you avoided me and said you wanted to leave me, I panicked and acted that way. If you're still angry with me, just keep punching and kicking me until you're too weak to hit me anymore..."

Gu Zao couldn't help but laugh, then lightly spat at him and said, "You're so shameless. Do you think I'm a three-year-old?"

Seeing that she finally smiled at him, Yang Hao felt relieved and blurted out, "Second Sister, these days, the thought that you'll soon be mine, that we'll be together day and night, has kept me up at night. I can't stop thinking about you, and sometimes I even feel like getting up in the middle of the night to come find you. Once you marry me, I will protect you and never let you suffer any injustice. If you're willing, I'll take you to Hangzhou or Guangzhou, and we'll only come back once or twice a year. If you're worried about your family's newly opened restaurant, I'll move with you to my own garden, and I definitely won't keep you confined to the house every day."

Although Gu Zao knew that men would inevitably use sweet words when they were deeply in love, she was still touched by what she heard and couldn't help but shake her head slightly.

Seeing that Gu Zao seemed to have finally accepted the marriage proposal, although she still looked somewhat reluctant, Yang Hao was overjoyed. He took out a newly made, exquisite gold hairpin from his pocket and inserted it into Gu Zao's hair, smiling as he said, "According to custom, I came here to find a wife. Now that I've chosen one, I must put a gold hairpin in your hair. You can just stay at home now and wait for me to come and marry you on a chosen day."

Chapter Seventy

Seeing that her mother had been depressed for several days, Gu Zao took some money from the account and managed to put together a complete set of betrothal gifts: purple silk, writing implements, handkerchiefs, shoes, and saddles. They even filled two empty wine jars with water, put in four goldfish, and hung a pair of chopsticks and two scallions on the outside of the jars as "return fish chopsticks." Although it couldn't compare to what the Yang family had sent, it was still quite complete. Hearing her constantly mention wanting to buy some more pearls, jade, and jewelry, Gu Zao was moved and persuaded her to stop. Although Fang Shi still felt it wasn't enough, she had no choice but to accept it because she knew she had limited funds. She then chose an auspicious day and had the matchmaker, Lin, deliver the gifts.

After the betrothal gifts were given, Madam Fang began to worry about the dowry again. Needless to say, she asked her third sister to help make clothes for the four seasons. Every day she lamented that she had no money and could not afford a decent dowry. She was also shocked to hear from Madam Hu, who came very often, that a minor ninth-rank official in the capital had married his daughter to a seventh-rank county magistrate, and the dowry alone cost as much as 50,000 strings of cash, not including the 200 mu of land that came with the dowry. She was so shocked that she could not close her mouth.

Seeing that her family was in such a mess because of her marriage, Gu Zao felt sorry for them and tried her best to persuade Fang Shi not to try to marry into a higher social class. Fang Shi sighed and said, "Second sister, you are a good girl. But I am thinking that it will not be your first marriage. If you do not have a decent dowry, I am afraid you will be looked down upon even more."

Gu Zao smiled and said, "Mother, his family will send some betrothal gifts when they have their wedding ceremony. My family only needs to prepare a little according to our means, and then we can put those gifts back together and return them. I know whether they are treating me lightly or not. After all, I am a county princess who has been bestowed a title by the Empress Dowager. Are you afraid that I will suffer any great injustice? If you learn from those girls in the capital who are willing to borrow money to hold a wedding just to save face, and in the end you bring trouble to Third Sister and Qingwu, then I will really feel uneasy."

Fang Shi quieted down a bit after Gu Zao's words. However, a few days later, Gu Zao noticed that she was unusually cheerful, even walking with a spring in her step. Shops throughout the city were constantly sending various items to the restaurant—besides dowry and silk fabrics, there were even many jewelry pieces and stationery items. Gu Zao was astonished. When she asked the deliverymen, they all said it was ordered by the old lady of the restaurant.

Gu Zao confronted Madam Fang, who hesitated for a long time before finally slipping away when pressed. Gu Zao noticed Liu Zao's eyes darting around, as if she knew something, so she pulled her aside and asked her more questions. Liu Zao then whispered in her ear, "A few days ago, I saw the servant boy from Master Yang's side come to see the old lady. The old lady went out, and when she came back, she was all smiles."

Gu Zao already had a vague idea of what was going on, and pulled Fang Shi aside to ask again. Seeing that she could no longer hide it, Fang Shi finally said, "It's all because of your son-in-law. The other day, he found me and I funded the preparation of your dowry to be the best in the capital. I was afraid you wouldn't like it if you knew, so I told you not to tell you." After saying that, she smiled and shook her head, sighing, "I've never seen a man like this before in my life. When I was young, a traveling fortune teller read your face and said you were destined for good fortune. Now it seems that you really are destined for good fortune, aren't you? You've actually landed a husband that's hard to find even with a lantern."

Gu Zao was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. Lying in bed that night, the scene of her first meeting with him suddenly flashed before her eyes. Back then, she could never have imagined that after so many twists and turns, she would now be sharing a bed with him. Thinking about Yang Hao's painstaking efforts for her, she felt joy and sorrow at the same time, and she couldn't fall asleep for a long time.

With money in hand, things went smoothly for Madam Fang. She went out every day with Madam Shen and her entourage, and in less than half a month, she had prepared all the dowry items. Since the house on Ma Xing Street could not hold them all, she simply moved them all to Fang Tai Lou. Even that huge storeroom could not contain all the things Madam Fang had prepared. Needless to say, the furniture for both the inner and outer rooms—beds, cabinets, burial chambers, dressing tables, tables, and chairs—was abundant. Just the clothing alone included five bolts of five-colored satin robe fabric, five bolts of gold-embroidered satin, five bolts of brocade, two bolts of satin with gold longevity characters, two bolts of red satin with gold embroidery, two bolts of red satin with gold embroidery, and two bolts of brocade with painted eyebrows and celestial maidens, filling over ten chests. Besides the autumn and summer silk robes, there were two satin sable robes and one fine sheepskin robe—enough for Gu Zao himself to wear for ten years without ever running out. There were also jade pen holders, jade ewers, jade bi chimes, jade bottles, jade pen rests, and water containers, all with sandalwood bases, displayed on sandalwood shelves. Furthermore, even small items like ivory and boxwood combs and hairpins were complete; not a single item was missing. Especially the ten pairs of boxes containing pearls and jade ornaments, which dazzled the eye when opened. There were four pairs of gold bracelets, a pair of gold lotus and crab hairpins, a pair of gold lotus hairpins, a pair of gold pine tree hairpins for longevity, a gold coral necklace, and two other boxes of genuine jewels and gemstones of various sizes. The most eye-catching item was a two-foot-tall lion statue made of white jade.

When Gu Zao saw the entire warehouse full of luxurious dowry, she was stunned for a long time. When she asked about the pearls, jade, jewelry and gemstones, Fang Shi said that Yang Hao had sent them. Feeling uneasy, she thought about it all night. The next morning, she went to the garden she had visited before, found the old servant who looked after the garden, gave him a few instructions, and then turned back.

It turns out that before Yang Hao bid farewell to Gu Zaoyi at Fangtai Tower last time, he mentioned that if she needed to find him, she could just go to the Yiqiu Gate residence and inform the old servant. Knowing that she hadn't remembered the way clearly last night, he specifically explained it to her in detail.

Around noon, Gu Zao spotted Yang Hao walking through the passageway in the restaurant's garden from afar, and the two locked eyes. Because there were some guests in the main hall, Gu Zao nodded slightly to him and then walked to the back of the room she had reserved. A moment later, Yang Hao pushed open the door, slipped inside, and closed it behind him.

As soon as Yang Hao entered, he immediately teased in a low voice, "Did you miss me so much that you called me over?" As he spoke, he reached out and pulled her into his arms, showering her face with kisses. Gu Zao flinched, and he playfully blew air into her ear, making her feel ticklish. She tried to rub her ear, but he took it in his mouth and nibbled on it repeatedly, making her giggle uncontrollably.

Seeing her laugh, Yang Hao grew bolder and stood by the door, about to pester her again, when he heard Gu Zao say, "My mother said that you paid for my dowry."

Yang Hao simply hummed in agreement. Gu Zao grabbed his restless hand from her body, looked up at him, shook her head slightly, and smiled, "I appreciate your kindness. However, my family isn't well-off, and this is just how it is. If we suddenly bring in a dowry comparable to that of a noble family, I'm afraid your family will become suspicious and think you're secretly helping them. I'm already barely able to enter the household; if we create further discord over the dowry, it would defeat the purpose of your kindness."

Yang Hao was taken aback, then smiled and said, "You called me here in such a hurry, it turns out it was just for this matter. Although my family isn't large, there are still plenty of gossipy people. You yourself may not care, but I don't want you to be talked about behind your back because of your dowry. You are now a county princess personally bestowed by the Empress Dowager, and your family has just opened a famous restaurant in the capital. With such a dowry, who would dare to say a word? These items and money are not from the public funds, so even if my mother knew that I helped, she wouldn't say much. She is very concerned about her reputation. Now that she has asked me to marry you, how could she want her family to be talked about because her new bride lacks a dowry?"

Gu Zao was speechless for a long time after hearing what he said. Seeing that she was still hesitant, Yang Hao grabbed her waist and helped her sit down at a round table in the room. He then said with a grin, "If you have trouble getting over this yourself, just think of it as borrowing you to save face for me. Anyway, you'll be returning everything to me in a few days."

Gu Zao couldn't help but laugh at his words. Seeing her smiling face, Yang Hao suddenly recalled the scene of his dream with her last night. He tensed up, lowered his head and chuckled, "If my wife is truly grateful, then quickly repay her with your body. After all, we'll be getting married in a few days." As he spoke, he swept the account books and menus that were originally on the table to the ground, forcefully pressed Gu Zao onto the table, and then pressed down on her, kissing her lips. One of his hands had already secretly slipped under her skirt, slowly groping up her calf.

Gu Zao, after being pressed and kissed by him, finally managed to catch her breath. She was also somewhat confused and infatuated when she suddenly felt his hand slipping under her skirt and into the corner of her underwear. She abruptly tightened her legs and said reproachfully, "Yang Hao, you..."

Yang Hao's hand was tightly held by Gu Zao, preventing him from moving forward. He chuckled softly, and seeing her beautiful face, flushed with both shyness and anger, beneath him, his blood boiled even more. He lowered his head and fiercely kissed her lips again before moving to her ear and whispering with a smile, "My wife, loosen your grip a little, so I can free my hand..."

Gu Zao was reminded by him, and after hearing his words, it seemed as if she had deliberately clamped his hand like that. She felt both ashamed and embarrassed, and quickly loosened her grip. Unexpectedly, a smile flashed in the man's eyes. Instead of moving his hand away, he took the opportunity to slip it inside, reaching that delicate spot.

Gu Zao jolted and instinctively pushed his hand away, but he wouldn't let go and pressed her even tighter. Their breathing became heavier as they were entangled, when suddenly they heard Manager Hu knocking on the door from outside and asking, "Is the manager inside?"

Gu Zao was startled and abruptly sat up from the table, pulling her skirt, which had been lifted to her thighs, back up. Yang Hao, caught off guard, had his hand pulled out, his fingertips now smeared with a glistening, sticky substance. Both women stared at his fingertips; one grinned maliciously, the other blushed deeply.

Shopkeeper Hu knocked on the door again. Gu Zao was about to get up from the table when Yang Hao, finding it amusing, wasn't about to let her go. Without a word, he pressed down and whispered in her ear, "Ignore him..."

Gu Zao heard Manager Hu call out at the door again. Fearing something was wrong, she saw that Yang Hao was still pestering her. She was both ashamed and angry, but she was also afraid that the person outside the door would hear her, so she didn't dare to struggle or make a sound.

The shopkeeper waited for a while, and seeing that no one answered, he muttered to himself, "This is strange. I clearly saw him walking this way just now..." The voice faded into the distance, probably because he thought no one was inside and left on his own.

Gu Zao finally breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly slapped Yang Hao's hand away, slid off the table, and bent down to straighten her clothes that he had just torn. Yang Hao saw that she was determined not to let him pester her anymore, sighed, and leaned against the table, looking at her dejectedly.

Gu Zao straightened her clothes and tidied her hair slightly. Feeling ready to go out and meet people, she was about to open the door when she suddenly saw him leaning there, looking at her. She felt both angry and amused. Her heart softened, and for some reason, she went over and stood in front of him, tiptoed, and whispered something in his ear.

Yang Hao's eyes lit up as he looked at Gu Zao in disbelief. Seeing her shyly lower her head, he finally believed that he hadn't misheard. He excitedly tried to hug her again, but she held his hand down and laughed, "You said yourself that you're getting married in a few days anyway, so why rush things?"

Seeing her smiling face, and recalling what she had whispered in his ear earlier, Yang Hao felt his mouth go dry. He watched helplessly as she turned, opened the door, and left. After a long while, he finally let out a long sigh. From then on, no one in the capital felt that each day was an eternity, eagerly awaiting their wedding night, except for him.

Chapter Seventy-One

A few days after Yang Hao left, it was the Double Ninth Festival. All the restaurants in the city decorated their entrances with chrysanthemums, and guests came and went through them. Fangtai Restaurant was no exception. After entering the chrysanthemum porch at the main entrance, the garden was in full bloom with chrysanthemums of all ages, peach blossoms, magnolias, golden bells, and jujubes, creating a magnificent scene.

On the tenth day after the Double Ninth Festival, as the matchmaker Lin had previously sent, the Grand Commandant's mansion was to send betrothal gifts that day. Fang was nervous; a few days earlier, she had Manager Hu put up a notice at the garden gate stating that business would be suspended for the day due to the happy occasion. However, many who had come hoping to admire the chrysanthemums and drink wine left disappointed upon seeing the notice. Some, knowing that the couple celebrating today were the second son of the Grand Commandant's mansion and the restaurant's female manager, who had recently been bestowed the title of Princess of Anfu by the Empress Dowager, stayed to watch the spectacle. They all gathered at the gate, and the crowd grew larger and larger. Manager Hu, seeing the passage completely blocked, was too anxious to shoo people away and sweat beaded on his forehead. He hurriedly went to find Gu Zao.

Gu Zao was sitting in the back room, surrounded by her third sister Liu Zao and Xiu Niang, who were getting ready. When she heard Manager Hu say this, she thought for a moment and then asked him to bring out some tables and chairs and set them up in the garden. She also asked him to boil some tea and put some pastries and sweets on the tables and invite the guests to come in and sit down to wait.

Upon receiving the instructions, Manager Hu smiled and said, "That's what I was thinking too. Today is a joyous occasion, and we should let others share in the happiness." After saying that, he hurriedly went out to make the arrangements.

Fang's hair was slicked back and she was wearing a new dress, looking quite presentable. She had arrived at the door early in the morning with Qingwu and Hu, who had come on her own. Hu, on the other hand, was dressed more like the mistress of the house today, her clothes so dazzling that it was hard to look away, and her hair was adorned with countless pearl hairpins. If it weren't for her rather plump figure, one would worry that her neck would be bent out of shape.

At the auspicious hour, sure enough, several gleaming carriages came heading in this direction, followed by a long line of people carrying loads and baskets. The crowd at the entrance of Fangtai Tower perked up and craned their necks to look. Madam Hu even squeezed to the very front.

Fang was displeased with what she saw, so she stepped forward and elbowed Hu behind her before standing there with a smile and waiting.

The carriage stopped on the road in front of the Fangtai Tower. First, Lin, the matchmaker, got out of the carriage, followed by four women, all dressed in fine clothes and adorned with gold and silver. Madam Fang only recognized one of them, Madam Jiang, and hurriedly went to greet them.

Jiang stopped, glanced at the restaurant, and then smiled at Fang, who had already come to greet her, saying, "I told you long ago, your second sister is quite capable. Not only has she opened such a restaurant, but now she's even going to be my sister-in-law. I'm afraid your second sister will have to take care of me, her sister-in-law, from now on."

Before Madam Fang could speak, Madam Hu squeezed forward from behind and said, "No matter how clever my second sister is, she can't compare to you, Madam."

Jiang and the other relatives behind her glanced at Hu, exchanged a look, and then covered their mouths and laughed, "And this is..."

"I'm my second sister's aunt. My family owns five or six cloth shops. The customers who come to our shop and those who come to visit are all people of your stature, like you, Madam. If you ask about my family in my neighborhood, everyone knows us," Madam Hu hurriedly said with a smile. Her family's cloth shops were actually only two, but as soon as she said that, it seemed to have become five or six, more than doubling in number.

Jiang glanced at her, nodded and smiled a few times, then led the group inside. Hu followed along, bowing and scraping, leaving the proper mistress, Fang, standing to the side. Fang was secretly annoyed. Once inside the main hall, Manager Hu and Madam Shen had already led the restaurant staff to clean the tables and chairs that were usually set up, and prepared all the necessary items. After a few words, Jiang had the matchmaker, Lin, hand over the betrothal letter and gift list, and then instructed Fang to accept the large gifts.

The betrothal gift list was densely packed with a long list of items, which Fang couldn't possibly recognize. She only glanced at it briefly as a formality. Those carrying the gifts entered one by one, placing them on the ground. By the end, the large hall was so full that there wasn't even room to stand. Besides the usual sacrificial animals, seafood, fish, wine, fruit, tea cakes, and dragon and phoenix gift boxes, the gift money basket contained ten gold bricks, a box of silver ingots, six bolts of colored satin, and forty bolts of silk. Furthermore, gold jewelry, pearl and jade crowns, and seasonal floral ornaments were carried in a separate basket. Amidst the exclamations of admiration from the onlookers outside, Fang glanced at Hu, who sat to the side with an envious expression, and finally felt a sense of triumph.

Jiang coughed and said, "The betrothal gifts have been delivered and counted. Please ask your second sister to come out. We must ask my third aunt, Quanfu, to offer her some blessings, as is customary. Only then will the task assigned by the old lady today be complete."

Upon hearing this, Fang gave Liu Zao a wink, and Liu Zao immediately dashed inside.

When Gu Zao saw Liu Zao calling him, he knew that all the formalities outside were over, and now all that was left was for him to go out. He stood up from the bench, nodded to his third sister and Xiu Niang who were smiling at him, and headed towards the main hall.

Gu Zao arrived at the main hall, glanced at the four female members of the groom's family sitting there, walked over and greeted them one by one, standing there with a smile. Only then did Madam Jiang approach Gu Zao, affectionately taking her hand and smiling, "Second Sister, when you first came to my house, I really never dreamed that we would become sisters-in-law. I'm clumsy with words and not very good at expressing myself as your sister-in-law, so I'll have to rely on you a lot from now on."

Gu Zao hurriedly bowed to her again before smiling and saying, "It is a blessing from three lifetimes that I can call you sister-in-law from now on. How could I dare to let Madam speak to me like that? It is I who cannot bear such a burden."

Jiang looked Gu Zao up and down, shook her head and clicked her tongue, saying, "Such a handsome person, even I am moved by him, let alone my uncle. No wonder he was in such a hurry to marry him. He will probably be completely under her control in the future. Your good fortune is truly enviable."

Fang didn't understand the meaning behind Jiang's words and thought that she was really praising her daughter. She smiled and said, "What you said is indeed true, Madam. My second sister has been the most outstanding in the village since she was a child. Everyone who has met her has said nothing bad about her."

Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang pursed her lips and smiled slightly.

Gu Zao stood unmoved, only smiling and saying, "What you say, Madam, truly makes me feel ashamed. A few days ago, my mother went to the temple to have my fortune told, and she said it was all just debts from a past life that have come to this life. I don't think I have the ability to control anyone, but I just want to go there with sincerity and take good care of my mother-in-law and elders in the future. That would be my greatest blessing."

Madam Jiang was taken aback, standing there speechless. Seeing this, her maid, the Third Aunt, quickly stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Come, come, let me, the Third Aunt, offer a few blessings to the new bride." As she spoke, she took a gold bracelet from a jewelry box brought by a maid and slipped it onto Gu Zao's wrist. Then she picked out a gold and jade hairpin and placed it in Gu Zao's hair, before smiling and saying, "May you have good fortune and happiness, and may you and your husband be blessed with a complete family. May you be free from disasters and difficulties, and live a long and happy life. May your love be as sweet as honey, and may your children and grandchildren enjoy endless joy."

After the third aunt finished reciting the blessing, two relatives from the Grand Commandant's mansion came up and said some nice things to Gu Zao. Madam Jiang also smiled and said a few words. Only then was the ceremony over. Naturally, Gu Zao had nothing more to do. She bowed to everyone again before retreating.

The Jiang family members, the matchmaker, and the servants who brought the betrothal gifts were all given a meal before being escorted out. The wedding date was also set for the beginning of next month.

Even after everyone had left, Madam Hu remained lingering around the betrothal gifts, reluctant to leave. Madam Fang, having already heard enough of the admiring voices from others, had long since calmed down from being pushed to the back by Madam Hu. She simply sat to the side with a smile, not urging her to leave.

After looking at all those things, Madam Hu saw Gu Zao come out and stepped forward to stop her, whispering, "Second Sister, you are lucky. It's just that my Xiu Niang is pitiful. She was ruined by that Hu Qing and now she can't find a good family. After you enter the Grand Commandant's mansion, you will naturally associate with the upper class. If you know any talented young men, please keep an eye out for my Xiu Niang."

Although Gu Zao disliked Madam Hu, seeing that even though she was confused, her heart was still with Xiu Niang, she said seriously, "Aunt, Xiu Niang is my sister. Even if you didn't say anything, I would have kept an eye out for her. It's good if there are good families and talented men, but I always feel that character is the most important thing. When you arrange a marriage for Xiu Niang in the future, you must never do it like last time."

Madam Hu was rendered speechless. Although she was somewhat unconvinced, she knew she would inevitably have to rely on the second wife of the Grand Commandant's household in the future, so she smiled and nodded repeatedly. Gu Zao knew she might not listen, so he simply smiled and let it go.

As the wedding day drew closer, Gu Zao felt herself becoming increasingly nervous. In the past few days, she even had fleeting thoughts of running away. Although these thoughts were brief, her unease was noticed by her third sister and Liu Zao, who often teased her about it. On this particular day, as they were talking, the familiar eunuch from the imperial palace arrived again. This time, however, he brought the dowry bestowed by the Empress Dowager: ten bolts of palace gauze, eight jade cups, six pairs of carved sandalwood rectangular boxes, two pairs of red lacquered chrysanthemum-shaped gift boxes, and another sandalwood five-panel screen painted with glass.

Overjoyed, Madam Fang thanked the eunuch profusely as he left. She then bowed several times in the direction of the palace before having the items carefully placed in the center of the hall and enclosed by a fence. It was intended for visiting guests to admire and appreciate.

Three days before the wedding, the Grand Commandant's mansion sent over a bridal hairpin, a gold-embroidered veil, a flower fan, and a powder tray. Following Madam Shen's advice, Madam Fang reciprocated with a silk flower turban, a green robe, and boots. Then she began arranging the wedding preparations.

Finally, the wedding day arrived. Fangtai Tower, though closed for the day, was brightly decorated and exceptionally festive. Former neighbors from Ranyuan Bridge had all come to see the bride off. Gu Zao was taken to a room and made up. Her lips were painted red, her eyebrows drawn, a pair of gold earrings adorned her ears, a floral crown draped her dark hair, and her head was adorned with pearls and jade. Gemstones hung from the hem of her wedding robe. In the end, she almost didn't recognize herself in the bronze mirror. After all the makeup was done, she was called to the temporary ancestral hall to pay respects to her ancestors, offer incense, and pray for a safe marriage. Then she was locked in the room to wait for the wedding procession to arrive. Two hired matchmakers, both beautiful and eloquent, accompanied her, chatting and laughing with her sisters. It wasn't until after noon that she faintly heard the creaking and groaning of music coming from outside.

"They're here! They're here!" Liu Zao immediately jumped up from the stool, darted out of the house, and came running back a moment later, panting, "Sister, they're here! Master Yang has come to pick up the bride on horseback, he's right in front of the door!"

Gu Zaona's heart skipped a beat. Perhaps the ornaments on her head were too heavy, for she couldn't stand up for a moment. It was only after the matchmaker and her third sister helped her up that she regained her composure. After a while, Madam Fang and the other bridesmaids rushed over. It turned out that it was finally time to leave and get into the sedan chair.

Gu Zao was escorted out of the house, through the main hall, and onto the red felt carpet laid out on the ground, all the way to the gate. From afar, she saw Yang Hao sitting on his large horse, also dressed in brand-new wedding attire, with flowers tucked into his turban. Their eyes met from a distance. Yang Hao's eyes shone brightly, and he grinned incessantly, while Gu Zao lowered her head slightly, somewhat shyly, but her heart felt much more at ease.

"At the quarter-hour of Shenshi, the auspicious time has arrived..." The "auspicious official" at the gate announced the time, and the tea and wine masters recited poems to each other before urging the newlyweds to leave and board the sedan chair. Gu Zao bent down and climbed into the sedan chair, but the attendants refused to move. Only after Madam Shen distributed the pre-prepared money did they begin to carry the load. The dowry chests and utensils were then carried by others, following behind. The items added by the Empress Dowager were in front, and the rest followed behind, all adorned with red silk ribbons and flower balls. Even the hired porters were dressed in new clothes and hats, looking joyous and neat. This long procession was truly like the ten-mile-long red bridal procession depicted in operas.

The winding wedding procession started from the East Water Gate, crossed the Yunqi Bridge, entered the South Gate, and passed the bustling Zhou Bridge and Xin Gate before finally arriving at the Grand Commandant's Mansion at Zheng Gate. Along the way, it attracted the attention of almost half the city. Those marrying off daughters admired it and felt inferior, while those taking brides were filled with envy.

The sedan chair finally stopped, and Gu Zao alighted. The matchmaker came to help her up. She saw that the main gate of the Grand Commandant's mansion was also decorated with red and colorful banners and filled with people. In the center, a geomancer was scattering a flower basket filled with grains, beans, coins, and colorful fruits towards the entrance, attracting a large group of children who scrambled to pick them up. After scattering the grains and beans and suppressing the three evil spirits of the blue sheep, black chicken, and blue ox, Gu Zao stepped onto the felt mat on the ground. With the matchmaker's help on either side, she was helped onto the saddle, straw mat, and scales, and then led into the bridal chamber in the south room of the inner courtyard. As the matchmaker chanted "Sit on the bed of wealth and honor," she sat down comfortably on the bed.

Gu Zao sat there, not knowing how long he had been waiting, when suddenly he heard a noise outside. The matchmaker quickly said with a smile, "The groom has come to ask the bride to hold the veil."

Gu Zao's heart tightened again. She glanced up and saw Yang Hao being ushered in by a large group of people, his head adorned with flowers, his face beaming. He stopped in front of her, took a piece of colorful satin from a plate next to him, and Gu Zao had already received a piece from the matchmaker. The two tied a love knot together amidst the matchmaker's blessings, binding themselves tightly, and smiled at each other.

Yang Huan took the handkerchief and hung it on a ceremonial tablet. Gu Zao, following the matchmaker's instructions, draped the handkerchief over her hand. Yang Huan then backed away, and Gu Zao followed him out the door. Accompanied by others, they went to the family temple to pay respects to their ancestors. Afterward, they were led back to the bridal chamber, where Yang Hao also came along. It turned out they were to exchange vows.

Gu Zao and Yang Huan bowed to each other one after the other as the master of ceremonies announced the wedding vows. They were then helped onto the bed, where they sat facing each other. A group of women and children, who had come to make a ruckus, threw coins and colorful fruits onto the bed. A few beans even rolled into her collar, but she dared not retrieve them and could only sit there motionless. After the bed curtains were scattered, the wedding attendant cut a lock of hair from each of them and tied them together with a ribbon; this was the beginning of their wedding ceremony. She then took two wine cups, connected them with a ribbon, filled them with wine, and had Yang Hao and Gu Zao each drink from them. After they finished drinking, the wedding attendant threw the wine cups under the bed, one upside down and the other face down. Everyone saw this and congratulated them, saying it was a very auspicious occasion.

After all the commotion, Gu Zao was finally helped back to bed by the wedding attendant amidst the master of ceremonies' announcement of the ceremony's conclusion. The bed curtains were then lowered, finally giving her a temporary respite.

Gu Zao sat alone in the tent. When she saw Yang Hao being dragged out by his entourage, he couldn't help but smile slightly, knowing that he was going out to have a banquet with his relatives and friends to express his gratitude.

Everyone left the bridal chamber, and the matchmaker closed the door behind her before leaving as well. Only Gu Zao remained in the large bridal chamber. After sitting for a while, she finally felt hungry. Seeing some cakes on the round table under the curtain, she lifted the curtain and went out, picking some to eat. Then she felt thirsty, but there was no tea on the table, only a pot of wine. She drank a few sips before returning to the curtain to sit down again.

Gu Zao waited for a long time, watching the dragon and phoenix candles drip tears incessantly, but Yang Hao still hadn't returned. The wine she had drunk earlier was starting to take effect again, making her drowsy. Thinking of resting against the quilt behind her, she lay down fully clothed and fell asleep in no time.

Meanwhile, Yang Hao, thinking of Gu Zao waiting for him alone in the bridal chamber, longed to fly there immediately. However, the wedding banquet was packed with guests and relatives; officials from all over the court and even members of the imperial family were present. They took turns urging him to drink, and although he managed to refuse some, he still drank quite a bit. Luckily, he had a high alcohol tolerance and didn't pass out. Finally, the banquet ended, and it was almost midnight. Afraid that Gu Zao was getting impatient, he hurriedly went to his room.

Chapter 72

When Yang Hao arrived at the door of the bridal chamber, he dismissed the maids and family members who were still guarding the door. He then suppressed his pounding heart, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door. He found the room quiet and didn't see Gu Zao coming to greet him. He assumed she was still hiding behind the bed curtains out of shyness, chuckled, and walked towards the red silk curtains. He lifted them, but was stunned to see her lying on her side in the middle of the bed, curled up on the neatly folded quilt, her eyes closed, asleep.

While Yang Hao was out socializing, all he could think about was her. He longed to slip away and embrace his beloved. But now, seeing her lying there before him, his heart calmed down. He felt sorry for her, knowing she must have been exhausted after a long day. Afraid of waking her, he tiptoed over and gently removed her red embroidered shoes and socks. Then, he quietly got into bed and lay down on his side opposite Gu Zao. By the light of the wedding candles, he gazed intently at her sleeping face, his love growing stronger with each look. He couldn't resist gently touching her red lips with one hand, his fingertips immediately feeling a soft warmth.

Gu Zao was still half asleep when she suddenly felt something moving on her lips, disturbing her sleep. She opened her eyes slightly and saw Yang Hao lying on his side in front of her, one hand supporting his head and the other stroking her lips, looking at her with a smile. She realized that she had fallen asleep before her newlywed husband returned. Feeling a little embarrassed, she sat up abruptly from the pile of blankets.

Yang Hao also got up with her, and looked at her gently, saying, "You must be tired today?"