The winter in the capital was the hardest for common folk, with snow disasters occurring almost every year, varying only in severity.
The court usually prepared cotton-padded clothes and charcoal in advance for emergencies.
This task was initially Prince Jing's, then handed over to the Crown Prince, and this year, as the Crown Prince was to be married in October, the responsibility fell to the Second Prince, Situ You, who had just begun his official duties. Prince Jing, fearing he might make mistakes, sent two capable subordinates to assist him.
Yet, Situ You was still swamped, and even my newlywed elder brother was unable to find leisure.
However, my elder brother was quite pleased with his busyness, saying that after years of arduous study, he finally had the opportunity to do something practical for the people.
With free time now available, Situ Yao focused on preparing for his wedding, visiting my residence almost daily to discuss matters with me, as if the marriage was my responsibility.
It reached a point where Ah Xiu had become accustomed to leaving the gate open for him.
At the first quarter of the Hai hour (9:15 PM), I tucked my picture book under my pillow and told Ah Xiu to close the door, "At this hour, the Crown Prince surely won't be coming. Let's get to bed early."
Ah Xiu gave a hum and was about to close the courtyard gate when Situ Yao, wrapped in a chill, strode in. Ah Xiu hurried to prepare hot tea. I, wrapped in fox fur, rose and said, "Your Highness, aren't the wedding arrangements all settled? It's late, aren't you afraid of catching a chill?"
As I spoke, I tucked a hand warmer into his embrace.
Situ Yao did not take it, merely stroking the silken strands of my hair before my forehead and said, "There are still matters unfinished at the yamen. I must leave shortly."
"Then you came all this way just to see me?"
"Little ungrateful one, we cannot see each other for three days before the wedding. Naturally, I must come beforehand to alleviate my longing." With that, he pressed the back of my head and kissed me.
The touch on my lips was cool yet soft. He lingered, embracing me for a while, then said, "A Chun, wait obediently. I will come in three days to escort you to your new home."
Then, he departed.
My mind felt a bit hazy. Just then, Ah Xiu brought in tea, "Miss, why did the Crown Prince leave? Did you two quarrel?"
"No, he just came to see me. It's getting late, let's retire."
I scurried back to bed and buried myself under the covers, not letting Ah Xiu see my ears, which had turned red.
These three days were busy for me. From elders to my peers, many people came to offer gifts for my dowry. Due to the Crown Prince's connection, quite a few came to curry favor, and I had to meticulously review the gift list, filtering these individuals and returning the more valuable dowry gifts to them in their original condition. Even though I knew my family was considered well-off, seeing the items on the gift list being returned still made my heart ache.
Such fine things, placed right before me, yet I couldn't accept them.
Suisui's dowry gift was very valuable. She caressed my wedding dress, looking at it with longing, "Sister Nannan, what does getting married feel like?"
My face flushed, "You'll know when you get married yourself, won't you?"
"Tsk tsk, in my lifetime, I actually get to see you blush."
"You say that as if you don't blush when you see your Brother Yun. Speaking of which, when will your Brother Yun return from this trip out of the capital?"
Ouyang Yun had escorted the envoy for a political marriage into the capital. The Second Prince of the Northern Frontier had already left with his wife, so he naturally had to see them off.
Suisui sighed mournfully, "It will be at least spring, won't it? At the very least, he'll have to stay with Uncle and Aunt Ouyang through the New Year."
"Don't be sad. We'll be here to accompany you during the New Year."
"Yes, that's what makes me happiest. Sister Nannan, in two more days, you'll be my sister-in-law. We'll celebrate the New Year together then."
I happily agreed.
On the twelfth of October, Ah Xiu woke me up early in the morning. Several maids busied themselves applying makeup to me. The lady of good fortune, holding a comb, steadily brushed my long hair.
"First comb to the end of the hair, second comb to grey hairs side by side, third comb to children and grandchildren filling the house, fourth comb to an everlasting bond, fifth comb to harmony between husband and wife, sixth comb to good fortune gracing the home, seventh comb to avoiding disaster and meeting good luck, eighth comb to a hundredfold profit, ninth comb to delicious meals of all kinds, tenth comb to no taboos."
As the lady of good fortune sang the combing song, my mother also sang along beside me. As she sang, she began to choke up, and by the end, she could barely utter a sound.
I wanted to comfort her, but the lady of good fortune said it was good that she cried.
Crying at departure, it was normal.
Finally, it was amidst my parents' weeping that my elder brother carried me out of the door. The eight-bearer sedan chair was already waiting outside.
The Crown Prince's wedding ceremony was long and complicated, tiring me so much that it completely washed away the sorrow of leaving home. Next time Suisui asks me what getting married feels like, I will tell her.
Apart from exhaustion, there was no other feeling.
After the commotion, Situ Yao still had to go out and entertain guests. I, on the other hand, had it easier, able to sit and rest on the bridal bed, though the phoenix coronet and robes were indeed too heavy.