Jinghe Year Fifteen, the tenth day of the fifth month. A most auspicious day, favorable for marriage, formal proposals, setting up beds, and furnishing bridal chambers.
As the first morning light broke through, willow fluff drifted like cotton beyond the Capital's Vermilion Bird Gate, and sophora blossoms fell like snow.
Along one street and two lanes, the morning markets had just opened, their cries mingling together. For ordinary households, it was merely another ordinary day.
But the Wei Family's little courtyard and the Feng Residence had been brightly lit since before dawn.
Today was the day to urge the bridal preparations.
In the little courtyard of the Wei Residence, beneath the shade of the jujube tree.
Qu Niang had risen almost an hour earlier than usual and put on a pea-green, narrow-sleeved beizi, with a pale mauve sash tied around her waist.
The three hairpins that were her signature had been replaced by a Silver Begonia, lending her a more festive air than usual.
Cui Fu was even more out of character. He had harnessed the carriage before dawn, then fetched water himself and scrubbed the chestnut horse from head to tail, combing its mane until it gleamed.
Now he crouched beside the carriage, inspecting the red silk tied to its shaft from every angle.
He kept feeling that it was a fraction crooked, untying and retying it, then retying and untying it.
"Enough. Keep tying it like that, and you'll wear the silk bald."
Wei Nisheng pushed open the door and stepped out in a scarlet robe, a Silver Fish Pouch hanging at his waist and a silver hairpin securing his hair. His features were clear and bright as a newly risen crescent moon.
"Young master." Qu Niang came up behind him carrying a vermilion-lacquered tray, upon which