The day for returning to her natal home had yet to arrive, but the rite of paying respects to her parents-in-law came first.
Midmorning.
The carriage rattled out of the Wei Residence's small courtyard outside West Peace Gate, crossed Chang'an Street, passed through the gate, and headed toward the Palace City.
What it carried was no ordinary gift for a bride's return home, but a new bride's offerings for her parents-in-law.
One basket of dates and chestnuts, one basket of preserved meat, each covered with red brocade, rested neatly on Fu Niang's knees.
Parents-in-law meant the husband's father and mother.
Once a bride entered her husband's household, paying respects to them was a major rite.
The Sima Clan Book of Rites described the ceremony in detail: on the morning after her arrival, the bride rose early, bathed, pinned and bound her hair, and dressed formally to meet them.
The father and mother sat separately in the hall, the father to the east and the mother to the west.
Holding dates and chestnuts, the bride ascended the western steps, bowed before her father-in-law, and placed the offering on his mat for him to touch in acceptance.
She descended the steps, then ascended again with preserved meat, bowed before her mother-in-law, and placed the offering on her mat for her to touch in acceptance.
After the bows, the parents-in-law performed the rite of offering sweet wine to the bride, bestowing wine upon her as a sign of approval and acceptance.
Only then did she become a member of her husband's family.
Why dates and chestnuts? The word for dates echoed "early."
The word for chestnuts echoed "reverent caution," together conveying "be diligent in caution and respect from the outset."
Why preserved meat? Its name echoed "cultivation," conveying "cultivate oneself and maintain