Getting Married

Before dawn, Xiao He roused Yan Wanning from sleep to wash and dress.

The separate residence had been bustling since the hour of the tiger, between three and five in the morning. Festive decorations adorned every corner, inside and out, and the servants all wore joyful smiles.

A matron of good fortune was threading the fine hair from Yan Wanning's face. Seeing her frown in discomfort, she said, "Please bear with it a little longer, miss. Every woman must go through this before her wedding."

Yan Wanning nodded, her cheeks slightly pink.

According to Xiao He, the Old Princess Dowager of the Prince of Anbei's Residence had personally found this matron of good fortune, who had a fine reputation in Ningguan City.

Once the threading was done, it was time to arrange her hair. The matron took up a jade comb and recited as she worked, "With the first stroke from root to tip, may wealth and honor be yours without worry."

"With the second stroke from root to tip, may you know neither illness nor care."

"With the third stroke from root to tip, may you have many children and a long life."

"With another stroke to the ends, may husband and wife raise their tray to each other as equals."

"With the second stroke to the ends, may you fly together like a pair of winged birds."

"With the third stroke to the ends, may your hearts be forever bound in a shared pendant. From beginning to end, may you share wealth and honor all your lives."

The young woman sat upright before the dressing table, gazing at herself in the bronze mirror. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her beautiful eyes clear, and her gently curled lashes seemed a little damp. A splendid, exquisitely crafted phoenix crown rested on her head, and a fiery red wedding robe draped her body.

Not long after all the preparations were complete, a voice called from outside, "The groom has come to fetch the bride!"

A red veil was lowered over her head, turning everything she could see red. She was helped a few steps forward, then dimly saw Yan Yuqin crouch down in front of her. In his gentle voice, he said, "Second Younger Sister, climb on."

Yan Wanning lay against his back, which was not especially broad, and he carried her out step by step. She heard this cousin, with whom she had not spent much time, say, "Second Younger Sister, from today onward you will be a married woman. Whatever lies ahead, I only hope you live the rest of your life in peace and joy, and that you and the prince enjoy a harmonious marriage."

Those words alone brought warmth to Yan Wanning's heart. "Thank you, brother," she said softly.

After only a few steps, Yan Wanning was set down. A broad, warm hand enveloped her soft little one, and she dimly glimpsed a tall, upright man standing before her.

He led her into the bridal sedan chair by the hand. Then the wedding procession, stretching like a long dragon, made a circuit of the city amid the clamor of gongs, drums and pipes.

The people all respected Prince Anbei, who guarded them. With Prince Anbei taking a wife, no household wanted to miss this auspicious day. Crowds filled the streets and alleys, and the teahouses along the road were packed as well. Soldiers stood on either side to maintain order.

Wedding coins and sweets were tossed into the crowds everywhere, and the onlookers scrambled for them. Those who caught some beamed with smiles; those who did not felt it was a pity, but they were not discouraged and smiled too.

The bridal sedan chair finally stopped before the gates of the Prince of Anbei's residence. Yan Wanning rested her hand on the man's broad one as she stepped out, and he then placed a length of red silk in her hand.

Clutching the silk tightly, she followed the man holding its other end until they reached the main hall for the ceremony.

The hall was crowded with people who had come to witness the wedding. Most of the prominent figures of the Northern Borderlands had gathered here today.

Seated in the place of honor, the Old Princess Dowager of Anbei wore a magnificent crimson-purple mamian skirt and gazed at the newlyweds with affection.

She had waited many years for a scene like this.

When the appointed hour arrived, the master of ceremonies called out, "First bow to heaven and earth."

"Second bow to your elders..."

The two followed each instruction from the master of ceremonies, who then announced, "The ceremony is complete."

Late that night, the Prince's Residence, lively all day, returned to its usual quiet. The guests departed, and the residence's chief steward directed the cleanup in an orderly fashion.

In the bridal chamber, Yan Wanning nervously met the eyes of the tall, powerfully built man before her. His ink-black eyes were fixed on her, his towering body casting her entirely in shadow. His handsome face filled her vision, while a faint scent of sandalwood lingered at the tip of her nose.

She was studying him in secret, while he looked her over openly.

The young woman sitting on the edge of the bed had just finished bathing. She wore only a thin, pale red blouse, and her long, glossy black hair hung damp over her shoulders, wetting the flimsy fabric. The slender straps of her pale red undergarment showed faintly beneath it.

Her smooth, tender skin glowed like congealed cream. Her face was charming and alluring, and her beautiful eyes shone with moisture, making her irresistibly bewitching.

He raised a hand and gently caressed her rosy little face. "My Princess Consort truly was born beautiful."

Before Yan Wanning could react, his damp body pressed her down beneath him, and a flash of panic appeared in her eyes.

His handsome face loomed close before her, and the next instant he caught her cherry-red lips with his own. She struggled faintly, but the man seized both her hands. Before long, her sensitive body went soft, and she let him take what he wanted.

After an unknown length of time, Si Yunqi released the lovely woman beneath him. She seemed to have melted into a puddle, lying obediently under him with hazy eyes and flushed cheeks, her slightly swollen lips parted as she breathed softly.

He curved his lips into a smile and waved out the candles in the room. As the bed curtains fell, he whispered close to her ear, "Don't be afraid."

Before long, the woman's soft sobs and delicate gasps sounded again and again through the room, mingling with the man's heavy breathing. Her voice was so sweet and seductive that it made one's face burn to hear it.

The next day, the sun was already high when Yan Wanning slowly opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the exquisite carp pattern on the bed canopy. She turned her head slightly and saw that she was alone in the broad bed; Si Yunqi had gotten up at some unknown time.

She shifted her limp body slightly, and an unbearable soreness followed. Images of how she had been turned this way and that last night rose unbidden in her mind.

Still, after they had finished last night, the man had carried her to the bathing room and washed her body, so she felt much fresher now.

The snowy skin exposed to the air was covered in intimate red marks. She tried to get up, only to collapse weakly back onto the bed.

With no other choice, she called out to Xiao He.

Xiao He had heard movement in the room and immediately pushed the door open. Seeing her fall back onto the bed, she hurried over to help.

As Xiao He tucked her arm back under the quilt, she noticed the marks on her body. Remembering the sounds from the room the previous night, she could not help blushing.

The sounds from the room last night had been so loud, and water had been called for at least five times. No wonder the miss was like this now. Her delicate body must have been put through a great deal.

Xiao He poured a cup of warm tea and said with concern, "Your Highness, have some tea to soothe your throat."

After drinking the tea, Yan Wanning looked at the sky and thought it must be very late. Remembering that she was supposed to serve tea to her elders on the second day of her marriage, she grew anxious. "Xiao He, help me up to wash and dress, quickly."

Although the late Prince Anbei and Princess Consort had passed away many years ago, the Old Princess Dowager was still in charge of the residence.

Xiao He knew what she was worried about. Gently holding her down, she said, "Your Highness, don't worry. The prince said before he left that you could serve the tea later."

"Besides, someone from the Old Princess Dowager's courtyard came over early this morning to tell the Princess Consort to rest well."

As she spoke, she took a small jade-green porcelain bottle from her robe. Yan Wanning looked at it in puzzlement, and Xiao He explained, "The prince had someone bring this medicine. He said it was a fine remedy for injuries. Would you like me to help you apply it, Your Highness?"

Yan Wanning blushed. It went without saying where the medicine was meant to be applied. In a soft voice, she said, "Just help me apply it to my back. I'll do the rest myself."