Chapter 176: The Wedding

First month eighth day—lucky calendar—marriage travel—dawn—Jingzhe Guyu wake—dress—
Expected sleepless—slept sweet—childhood peace—
Fresh face—pastries tiny—Bailu—"Eat—long rites—" Small porridge—"Mistress brewed—luck—"
Drank—sigh—
Past Fu marriage—tantrum forced yes—spectators not blessings—Luo Xueyan ill—barely finished—no porridge—
Now joy all levels—seems good match—
Finished—Luo Xueyan entered—middle woman—plain face magnetic—fine dress memorable—
"Dingjing's Lady Mei—" Smile—"Your wedding matron—"
Surprised—
Mei—official birth rebel merchant—cosmetics clothes jewelry—best unique—never belittled—
Best skill—bridal makeup—prince's consort friend—said most beautiful bride since founding—
Never matron for others—friendship only—
"Honor you'd come—"
Smile—"Consort flatter—kindred spirit—lucky color—" Flattery—not fate—price?—Mei rich—mood business—
"Complex outfit—gown first—then makeup—"
Urged change—
Dress—face shave—hair—jewels—layers powder—
Mei working—"Many misses—none match consort's bearing—" To Luo Xueyan—"Not like you—madam frank—consort regal—palace ladies pale—"
Pleased—humble—"Steadier than father—"
"Rank without weight—undress common—" Brow—"Some plain clothes still throne—consort latter—" Smile—"Great fortune—best bride Dingjing first—"
Interesting—half hour makeup—
Fine brush—natural rouge—crescent brow petal lips—eyes clear deer—tail slight lift—pure yet regal—
Almost empress air—
Startled thought—Mei—"Idle till adorners—madam stay—fetch fresh scent sachet—"
Agreed—
Mirror—hold hand—"Jiaojiao marrying—words—"
"Listening."
"Mother's advice at wedding—my mother dead—brothers young sisters-in-law—no one—" Sigh—"Self learned—maybe wrong—still tell—"
Honesty in marriage—"Your father I—no secrets—find one—don't rush—wait—patience—" Pat hand—"Steady good—not swayed—love not endure alone—like him—you'll follow heart—not so steady—"
"Frank direct—no shame—husband lifetime—" Pause—"Jingxing promised no concubines—don't trust—royal one woman rare—step by step—"
Eyes down—"Shen daughter never swallow wrong—" Fierce—"If other women—jealous fight—virtue nonsense—unfair trade—then not husband—control self—want divorce—we help—"
Surprised—warm—Luo one man one woman—shocking to others—Fu's mother Mei demanded virtue concubines—contrast—
Sleeve booklet—"Keep—after rites alone read—"
"What—"
Red face—"Need know—" Block opening—"Not now—alone later—"
Understood—spring pictures—past chaos forgot—Fu no wedding night—later hasty—
Second wedding fills regret—
Footsteps—Luo Tan Feng Anning—"Add gifts—"
Awkward relief—"You talk—I return—"
Spin—"Cousin prettier than fairies—"
Feng picky—"First in Ming Qi—" Feared Shen Qiu—still came—
"Mei matron—no wonder—"
Box—"My add gift—"
Iron lump—
Feng—"What—miserly—"
"Compass—" Tan—"Precise—not army rough—Eastern seas—ships—Cousin Ling ten—one begged—"
Snap shut—"Thanks—"
"Nothing needed—Rui gifts huge—gold shame—practical—lost in Great Li—"
"Special beats gold—"
Feng box—bottle—"Three Return-Yuan pills—revive—priceless—" Push—"Unlikable—Ming Qi chased—Great Li worse—eat one save life—" Add—"Pest lives long—"
Smile thanks—Fu bought one talent with one pill—three generous—
Feng red eyes—"May never meet—few friends—can't shame—" Sob—"Not attached—big gift no return wedding—"
Comfort—"Gifts letters back—"
Better—
Letter from sleeve—Feng—"After today—you and brother read—"
"Apology to Feng Gongzi?"—"Why Feng see—"
"Never mind—" Trouble—find Shen Qiu—
Past Feng bad end—Anning beast husband—warn in letter—Feng Zixian credible—
Blush mumble—unheard—
Few friends—add gifts mostly courtesy—envy praise gown makeup—
Auspicious hour—escort at gate—
Veil—both arms—out—
Crowds—
Empty streets—watch Shen Fifth marry—
"Grand—carriages not ordinary—"
"Silver in pouches not copper—"
"Great Li prince—rich land—bigger than emperor wedding—slap face—"
"Hush—ninety-nine gift platforms true?"
"Coming!"
Custom—display gifts at bride's door—face—
Empty boxes trick—not today—
Chests open wide—clear view—
Antiques art jewels furniture clothes silver—packed—red eyes—
No thief moves—Great Li soldiers armored blades—step neat—instant kill—
Path opens—
Counting—"One two three—" gasps—"Ninety-nine!"
Ninety-nine!
Crown prince fifty-eight—half more—Rui only prince—emperor wedding how grand—Shen exceeds emperor—
Cheers—unmatched spectacle—
Girls red-eyed—who doesn't want glory—vanity—
Once stupid Shen Fifth—mocked—Fu scorned—now this—
Fortune turns—
"Loved Prince Ding—lucky now—Ding frugal—one percent—"
Fu heard—anger—suppress—
Frugality for reputation—once pleased—today insult—less than Rui—
Scouts not returned—failed—must attend wedding—
How arrogant Rui—
He dared—
Compare throne—slap—can't punish—foreign—
Veiled Shen—fire basin—careful hem—
Dazzling gown—strange feeling—eyesore—
Why—used her for army—stopped chasing—clever—Shen escaped chess—
Not love—no time before throne—
Impulse kick basin—wrong scene—
Restless—crowd splits—horse path—
Crimson robe fire—far gallop—elegant burn—
Uproar—
Rein hard—hooves stop—gasp—
Mask reddened—hand down to bride—
Lazy irresistible—
"Here to marry you, Shen Jiaojiao."