Chapter 122

Contrary to expectations, Wei Luo stayed composed during this time. Even though she hadn’t seen Zhao Jie for so many days, she didn’t feel like she was missing him that much. Actually, she did think about him, but there were too many things she had to prepare.

During the day, not only did she have to embroider pillows, bed sheets, and other bedding, she also had to learn how to manage the account books, the household, and other domestic duties with First Madam. She didn’t have the free time to miss Zhao Jie. In the evening, she was busy conditioning her body with skincare treatments. A girl that was about to get married had to keep her entire body beautiful and fresh, including her hair and nails.

During the rare times that Wei Luo was free, she would spread herself out on a soft cushioned couch and have Jin Lu and Bai Lan massage her. As they massaged, she would gradually fall asleep. She didn’t feel like the days had passed by quickly, but in the blink of an eye, it would soon be her and Zhao Jie’s wedding day.

A daughter from Duke Ying’s family was getting married and it was to the powerful and illustrious Prince Jing. Their wedding would naturally be exceedingly grand. From top to bottom, the residence was festively decorated. There were red silks hanging everywhere in celebration. The residence was full of joy and festivity. In the verandah, there were crimson octagonal lanterns hanging within three steps of each other and crimson paper cutouts wishing good luck and happiness pasted within five steps of each other. Even the osmanthus trees in the courtyards were covered with red silk ribbons. When the wind blew by, even the air seemed filled with jubilation.

Early in the morning, people from Prince Jing’s residence delivered the wedding dress and shoes. Wei Luo tried on the clothing with Jin Lu and Bai Lan helping her. The clothing fitted well. When Wei Luo thought about how she would be married to Zhao Jie the day after tomorrow, her cheeks turned red. She took off the dress she had just put on and said to Jin Lu, “This is good enough. Put it away until the wedding day.”

With a smile, Jin Lu said, “Miss, aren’t you going to try on the wedding shoes? They looked very exquisite. There are even several fingernail-sized bright pearls sewn on the top. This servant has never seen such high-quality pearls. His Highness Prince Jing isn’t giving you shoes. He’s giving you treasure.”

Wei Luo glanced at the shoes in Jin Lu’s hands. They really were as exquisite and extravagant as Jin Lu said. Because Wei Luo’s feet were small, these shoes were like an incomparably exquisite piece of art. It made her almost reluctant to wear it. “I won’t try them… There probably won’t be anything wrong with the shoes made by Xiu Chun. I’ll wear them on the wedding day.”

The primary reason was that Wei Luo’s toenails had just recently been dyed with a thin layer of balsamine mixture and it hadn’t dried yet. She was worried about staining the shoes. Her feet were resting on a decoratively carved red sandalwood stool that was next to the couch. Her ten toenails had been dyed a delicate pink like the balsamine flower petals that would be blown through the window by the wind in summer. Plus, Wei Luo’s smooth and plump toes were lovely and cute. Her white jade-like feet were lovable at first sight. Looking up, her delicate and slender ankles looked as if a gentle grasp could break them.

Even Bai Lan couldn’t resist saying, “If this servant’s feet was like Miss’s, I definitely wouldn’t be willing to use them to walk.”

Jin Lu glanced at her, knocked her head, and said, “Don’t be so talkative. Hurry up with dyeing Miss’s fingernails too.”

(Note: Here’s an informative about how women used to color their nails before there was nail polish.)

Wei Luo didn’t like her nails to be too brightly colored, so her fingernails and toenails were only lightly tinted. Beeswax was also applied to protect the fingernails and make them glossier. Bai Lan earnestly finished dyeing Wei Luo’s fingernails, then she held up a fan, and said, “Miss, if this servant was His Highness Prince Jing, I would definitely be unwilling to let Miss go outside in the future.”

Wei Luo couldn’t move her hands, so she could only look at Bai Lan. “Why?”

Bai Lan licked her lips. With a despondent expression, she said, “You’re so attractive. Even letting someone see you for one second would feel like suffering a huge loss.”

Wei Luo giggled. Her smiling face looked harmonious.

Bai Lan continued, “Young Master Song Hui suffered a huge loss by canceling his engagement with you. House Song must be regretting to death…”

Seeing that Wei Luo’s expression looked off, Jin Lu hurriedly scolded Bai Lan and pushed her to the side, “Why are you saying these words? Miss is going to be Princess Consort Jing. How could House Song be compared to Prince Jing?”

Bai Lan just realized that she had said something wrong. She quickly lowered her head and said, “This servant was feeling too happy and lost my senses. Miss…”

Wei Luo’s expression quickly returned to normal and she didn’t rebuke her. “I’m hungry. Bring me a bowl of snow fungus, quail egg, and milk soup.”

Bai Lan respectfully withdrew from the room.

During this period of time, Wei Luo had deliberately not inquired about Count Zhong Yi’s family’s news. She didn’t know how Song Hui had been recently. Wei Luo hadn’t seen him since last autumn. She had only heard a few words from Count Zhong Yi’s people when they came to pick up Du-shi. Coung Zhong Yi intended to arrange another marriage for Song Hui. The other party’s family background and appearance wasn’t bad. Song Hui would probably also be getting married soon too.

Wei Luo supported her cheeks with her hands as she thought. This was good. She would be able to feel less guilty towards him.

As the wedding day came closer, Wei Luo’s heart felt as if it was suspended on tenterhooks.

Her future felt uncertain. She was leaving a familiar place for an unfamiliar one. But, she wasn’t too obvious about her trepidation. Other than occasionally dazedly look through the window, she didn’t show any signs.

Fourth Madam was worried that she wouldn’t have enough servants after the wedding, so she gave her four servant girls and two older female servants. Old Madam also sent over two servant girls and handed over their ownership papers to Wei Luo, so that it would be easier for Wei Luo to give them orders.

The next day, Liang Yu Rong specially came over to see her and also brought along gossip.

“Do you remember the Wu Rong prince that came to the capital last year? I heard that during this summer he took a group of concubines with him when he went hunting. On the road, they encountered a group of unknown assassins and that fourth prince suffered serious injuries.” Liang Yu Rong sighed, “This wouldn’t be a big deal, but when he went back, he beat Gao Dan Yang in an outburst of rage. His beating caused Gao Dan Yang to miscarry…”

Wei Luo hadn’t heard about this. Stunned, she stared at her and asked, “Wan Qi Zhen personally caused the miscarriage?”

Liang Yu Rong repeatedly nodded. “That Gao Dan Yang is really pitiful. She secretly sent a letter to her mother to ask her to bring her back home… But, why didn’t she realize that this would be impossible? She was someone that married over there as part of the alliance agreement. If she came back without permission, it would destroy the relationship between the two countries. Even though Duke Ying’s wife was extremely distressed, she couldn’t help her. She could only send another two servant girls over there to serve her.”

She hadn’t expected that Gao Dan Yang’s life would be full of hardships. Wei Luo actually felt slightly sympathetic towards her. “Why do you know so much about this?”

Liang Yu Rong rubbed her nose and said, “My mother recently went over to Duke Zhen’s residence and Duke Zhen’s wife cried as she told her this. Then, my mother told me this when she came back. My mother also told me to sharpen my vigilance when it comes to my marriage partner in the future and to not marry a beast in human shape.

Wei Luo gave her a meaningful glance, “Oh, then what kind of person are you looking for?”

When all was said and done, Liang Yu Rong was an unmarried girl. She felt bashful when this topic came up. She pinched Wei Luo and said, “I’m not going to tell you.”

Wei Luo laughed, “I still know even if you don’t tell me. Isn’t it…”

Liang Yu Rong immediately became anxious. She was scared that someone would overhear. She flung herself at Wei Luo and covered her mouth. “You still have energy to laugh at me. You should be thinking about what you’ll be doing on your wedding day tomorrow.”

Wei Luo blinked, “Doing?”

Liang Yu Rong quietly moved to her side and whispered into her ear, “I heard from my older sister-in-law, it’s very painful for women the first time…”

Wei Luo’s face burned. She pushed Liang Yu Rong away from her, “Y-you, go away!”

Her action didn’t deter Liang Yu Rong from continuing to say, “Believe me. I wouldn’t lie to you…”

Two girls that were closed with each other would be willing to mention anything. Wei Luo thought about what happened in Chen Hua Hall’s side chamber and the object that Zhao Jie revealed… Wei Luo had been too embarrassed to look at the time. She felt like she had been holding a burning iron. Her blushing face was unbearably red. She had originally wanted to tease Liang Yu Rong, but instead, she was the one that was being teased. Wei Luo pushed her towards the door and said, “It’s not early anymore. You should go back. I still have many things I need to prepare.”

Liang Yu Rong knew that she was only acting angry because she was feeling embarrassed, so she only smilingly said, “You don’t need to push me. I’ll leave, okay? After you marry Prince Jing, we won’t be able to talk like this anymore.”

That was true. Today was Wei Luo’s last day as an unmarried girl.

Thinking of this, she actually felt faintly sad.

——–

In fact, there wasn’t anything left for her to do. The servants had already packed up her dowry. They were just waiting to carry it over to Prince Jing’s residence tomorrow.

Wei Luo’s dowry was quite large. After all, Wei Kun privately loved her more. The dowry he had prepared for her was ten thousand taels more than Wei Zheng’s. In addition, Old Madam had added twelve thousand taels to her dowry. Wei Luo also had the dowry that Third Madam had given to her when she was seven years old. In a total, a hundred thirty-six people were needed to carry over her dowry.

This wasn’t a small number. It made Second Madam slightly jealous. When her two daughters had married, their dowries hadn’t been as extravagant. But, when Second Madam thought about it again, she consoled herself with the thought that Wei Luo was marrying a prince. If her dowry was too little, other people would look down on her and this would damage Duke Ying’s family’s reputation.

Wei Luo finally endured until evening. She used essential oils made of osmanthus flower in her bath and plum blossom balls to scent her hair. She sat on the couch and was eating a wu xiang pill. This wu xiang pill was made with orchid, osmanthus, angelica, white fu ling, and Korean mint. Honey had also been added to it. Eating it every day could improve the breath and natural body scent. Wei Luo had already been eating this for half a year. Not only did her body emit a faint fragrance, a sweet fragrance lingered in the space between her lips and teeth.

Wei Luo didn’t return to her senses until Jin Lu stepped closer and called out, “Miss.”

Wei Luo asked, “What’s wrong?”

Jin Luo leaned over and said, “To respond to Miss, Fourth Madam is here to see you.”

Fourth Madam Qin-shi passed by the divider made of twelve red sandalwood pieces and came into the inner room. She said with a smile, “The servant girl called you several times before you responded. Ah Luo, what are you thinking about?”

Wei Luo hurriedly stood up, slipped into her satin embroidered shoes, walked forward, and said, “Fourth Aunt.”

Qin-shi held her hand, lowered her head to glance at Wei Luo’s exposed ankles, and helplessly said, “You’re getting married tomorrow. Why are you still acting like an easily excitable child that hasn’t grown up yet? How will Fourth Aunt be able to put down her worries?”

Wei Luo pulled Qin-shi‘s arm and led her to an arhat couch to sit down. “I just finished taking a bath. I heard that Fourth Aunt came and I was in a hurry to see you, so I momentarily forgot to follow etiquette. Fourth Aunt, don’t laugh at me.”

Qin-shi gently tapped her nose. Finding the situation funny, but also feeling helpless, she asked, “Oh, you. Did you think I didn’t know that you were daydreaming?”

Wei Luo smiled and didn’t refute.

Qin-shi knew that she was feeling anxious before her wedding. All girls would experience this, so she didn’t continue to tease her. Qin-shi started talking with Wei Luo about how she would need to support her husband and educate her children. Actually, Wei Luo’s aunts had already told her many things during the past several days. Qin-shi was only saying these words again right now to make her feel more at ease. Thinking that Wei Luo would have to wake up early tomorrow, Qin-shi decided to condense her words. Then, she told the servant girls in the room to withdraw, including Jin Lu and Bai Lan.

Wei Luo curiously asked, “Fourth Aunt, what do you want to say to me? Why are you acting so secretive?”

Qin-shi took out a small booklet from her sleeve and brought it to Wei Luo’s hand. “There are some things that would be inconvenient for Fourth Aunt to directly teach you. But, you must learn about the things that happen between a husband and wife. This is the booklet that my mother gave me before I got married. You’re like the daughter that I didn’t have. Ah Luo, you have to remember. Fourth Aunt hopes that your married life will go smoothly and peacefully.”

Wei Luo was very moved when she heard these words. With large, watery eyes, she called out, “Fourth Aunt.” However, when she lowered her head, opened the booklet, and saw the contents, she unnaturally froze. Her face slowly turned unspeakably red. She almost couldn’t resist throwing the book away. “Fourth Aunt, this is…”

Fourth Madam Qin-shi stroked her head and gently said, “Good child, don’t be embarrassed. This booklet will be useful to you after you get married.”

This booklet contained picture after picture of amorous scenes.

Fantastic and strange postures of every description were painted in explicit detail. Wei Luo only hurriedly glanced through the booklet before closing it. In her previous lifetime, she hadn’t experience the things between men and women. After all, she had only married a dead person and naturally wouldn’t need to know this. This was the first time she had to straightforwardly face the affectionate love between men and women, so was naturally feeling awkward. “I… Fourth Aunt, thank you. I’ll definitely look at this.”

Seeing her bashfulness, Qin-shi said with a smile, “Good, but don’t stay up too late looking at this. Go to sleep early. You’ll have to wake up early tomorrow to go through facial threading and dress up.”

Wei Luo opened and closed her mouth, but she couldn’t say a word. Of course, she wouldn’t stay up too late to look at these pictures! This booklet wasn’t anything good!

After Qin-shi was sent off, Wei Luo sat back down on the couch. She held the booklet as if it was a hot potato. She felt embarrassed, but when all was said and done, she really wanted to look. She curiously flipped through a few pages. The locations seemed to get stranger and stranger. On the bed, on the study table, on the floor, and even on the back of a horse… The more Wei Luo look, the redder her small face became. Her heart rate increased. Would she really be doing these things with Zhao Jie?

Fourth Aunt had said she would be using all of the things in this booklet. She could accept doing it in on a bed or a table, but she didn’t want to do it on a horseback or behind a fake mountain in the courtyard.

Wei Luo closed the booklet. Feeling as if she was doing something shameful, she quietly walked on her tiptoes to the chest used to store her clothes and securely hid the booklet at the bottom of the chest. After doing this, Wei Luo called Jin Lu and Bai Lan inside to help her change her clothes and get ready for bed. She lied down on the red sandalwood bed and stared at the curtain above her head. With her mind full of unhealthy thoughts, she gradually fell asleep.

Tonight was Bai Lan’s turn for night duty. Bai Lan was sleeping nearby on the couch in the outer room.

Shortly after the candles were blown out, a figure appeared next to Wei Luo’s bed.

Zhao Jie lifted up the bed curtain embellished with beautiful, golden embroidery. There was only one oil lamp left lit in the inner room. The lamp seemed as small as a bean and could barely illuminate the person on the bed. He hadn’t seen her in half a year. There didn’t seem to be any yearning on her face. Instead, it seemed even more rosy and cute. It was so lovely and glossy that people would feel moved just looking at it. She had probably been living very well. He stood next to her bed for a long time, but she stayed deeply asleep and didn’t notice his presence at all.

Zhao Jie suddenly felt ridiculous. Sitting on the bedside, he gently stroked her slightly opened lips with his thumb. During this time, he had been busy with government affairs because he wanted to finish everything, so that he would have more time with her after the wedding. It was only by being busy that he could distract his mind and not think about her every moment. Even so, there were still times that he couldn’t help wanting to see her. But, when he sent messages to her, she would pretend that she didn’t see them and have him suffer as he waited in Ci Temple for her.

Zhao Jie squeezed her little nose, “Little heartless one, don’t you miss me?”

Wei Luo couldn’t breath because he was squeezing her nose, so she subconsciously opened her mouth wider. In the next moment, he leaned down and sucked her tongue.

Wei Luo quietly whimpered and furrowed her eyebrows.

Content with his half-hearted attempt, he quickly let go and didn’t wake her up.

Thinking about how he would be busy dealing with guests the entire day tomorrow, Zhao Jie only sat here briefly before leaving. But, after leaving, he kept thinking, did Wei Luo eat osmanthus and orchid flowers at night? Why did her mouth smell so sweet?