The fair wind flowed like water, the night cool as the moon. Within and beyond the imperial palace, joy permeated the air. The day of the grand wedding had arrived, and all under heaven celebrated.
Within the palace, what fairy had descended into the mortal world? Clad in a crimson wedding gown, her brows and eyes were painted like a picture, beautiful enough to topple cities and kingdoms.
Outside the palace, the plain robes had been shed, replaced by Juebian Xuanduan. The one whose heart had found its destination wore a calm expression, still as water without a ripple.
Thirty years—fate had come and gone. From meeting to missing one another, today they returned to where it had all begun.
The face reflected in the mirror was flawless. Golden hairpins and pearl ornaments gleamed together beneath the candlelight.
Behind her, her elder sister dressed her hair. Clad in a green skirt and blouse, she gazed at the woman in the mirror with gentle eyes touched by quiet relief.
A white jade comb passed through the waist-length dark hair, then gently fell.
One comb to the ends, wealth and honor without worries;
Two combs to the ends, free of sickness and sorrow;
Three combs to the ends, many children and a long life;
Another comb to the tips, husband and wife raising trays together, brows level with brows;
Two combs to the tips, like paired wings, flying side by side;
Three combs to the tips, forever bound by the knot of one heart.
What had once been Mirror Flower, Water Moon had now become reality. Xia Xinyu wore a tranquil smile, and her beauty, enough to astonish all under heaven, seemed all the more delicate and enchanting.
Great Xia's historians had always been known for their strictness. Under their brushes, women