Before long, the wedding rites were still underway.
Wei Nisheng arrived with Feng Shu, and Zhang Zai arrived with Li Shi.
Zhang Zai wore a newly made stone-blue robe, cinched with a gold-thread sash. Not a strand of hair was out of place; he looked exceedingly conscious of his own dignity.
Beside him, Li Shi wore a pale-blue embroidered jacket. Though a merchant's daughter, she stood among the crowd with a composure all her own.
Spotting them from afar, Wei Nisheng laughed first. "Zihou, dressed so splendidly, you'll all but steal the groom's glory."
"Of course!" Zhang Zai straightened his collar and declared proudly, "At Zhanzheng's wedding, how could I, his brother, fail to look the part?
"This robe was newly made. It cost eighty coins!"
As he spoke, he deliberately tugged at the hem to show Wei Nisheng the fabric. "Zi'an, look at this color, this drape. Was it worth eighty coins?"
"Eighty coins?" Wei Nisheng shook his head, a teasing smile on his lips.
"That bolt of fine silk of yours-I thought you'd bring it as a wedding gift. How is it that I haven't seen so much as its shadow?"
Zhang Zai choked, the pride on his face freezing at once. "That-that's a different matter!"
Meanwhile, Fu Niang had already drawn Li Shi to the other end of the corridor, where the two young women huddled together to exchange confidences.
"Sister Li, you look so lovely dressed like this today." Fu Niang held her hand, her smile gentle.
"Vice Director Zhang is fortunate indeed to have someone like you beside him."
Li Shi blushed faintly. "Please don't tease me, little sister."
"I only... came along with him. Even these clothes were found at the last minute. I was afraid of embarrassing you."
"Came along with him?" Fu