The twelfth day of the first lunar month in the Gui Mao year, auspicious for weddings, setting up a bed, opening business, and receiving wealth.
Lin Yan rose early. Her peers and colleagues were already waiting in the courtyard. After thanking her friends, she ordered the servants to prepare a banquet.
"Thank you all for coming to support Yan. Yan thanks you all, please drink this cup!" Lin Yan raised her cup.
The time for picking up the bride was set for dusk. As quoted in "Li Sao," "I set dusk as the appointed time." Those who had come were young colleagues and peers, the ones who would accompany Lin Yan to fetch the bride.
They were, in essence, the ancient equivalent of a groom's party, mainly there to help Lin Yan deal with the bride's family's challenges.
Although there was only one county princess in the Ying Chuan Prince's mansion, the Emperor had many children, and the Princess Consort's relatives were also numerous. It was expected that many would block the door.
Lin Yan knew the Prince's mansion wouldn't make things too difficult for her, but the customary procedures still had to be followed.
Before, it was Ming Hao who was always put through the wringer, and she only had to sit pretty in her room and wait for him.
Now it was her turn to be challenged, and she felt that getting married was indeed quite a difficult matter.
During the banquet, no one drank excessively. They discussed how to compose the poem for urging the bride, and some who were already married even brought out their own poems from when they were wed for Lin Yan's reference.
Lin Yan listened attentively and thanked each of her colleagues. She also paid close attention to their advice on matters to note during the wedding, even though the Ministry of Rites had already informed her of all the necessary etiquette.
However, their insights were also useful to her.
When the time was nearing, Lin Yan and her party concluded the banquet, tidied their attire, and with all their personnel, set off for the Ying Chuan Prince's mansion to fetch the bride.
Along the way, this retinue of young officials offered a feast for the eyes to the people on the streets.
Many in the wedding procession were young and handsome men, including Lin Yan's own friends and helpers that her cousin Lin Bo had specifically written to find for her.
The sole criterion for selection was being tall, handsome, and highly accomplished. Thus, this wedding procession was exceptionally eye-catching.
They arrived at the Prince's mansion with music and fanfare. After paying their respects to the Princess Consort, they proceeded to the small courtyard where the bride resided.
Zhao Hao was also called up early in the morning. However, he had stayed up very late the previous night and was still a bit groggy.
He had recently started growing taller, and during his sleep at night, his legs would often ache, sometimes cramping. It certainly wasn't because he was nervous about the wedding today.
After a rose petal bath and changing into his undergarments, he was seated in front of the bronze mirror.
Before the matchmaker arrived, a layer of makeup was applied to conceal his overly healthy complexion.
When the matchmaker arrived, knowing that the county princess was not in good health, she didn't make things too difficult. She merely applied a casual bridal makeup for him.
Following that, a woman of good fortune, who had parents, in-laws, and children all present, was chosen to comb Zhao Hao's hair. She gently styled his hair.
While combing, she spoke auspicious words, and then tied up his hair.
Looking at his reflection in the bronze mirror, with heavy makeup that concealed any sign of weakness, his face even appeared somewhat delicate. He actually felt a trace of shyness.
"The County Princess and Lord Lin are truly a match made in heaven. Lord Lin also cherishes the County Princess greatly. The County Princess will have a fortunate future," the woman of good fortune remarked, gazing at the now-made-up County Princess. She overlooked the news of the County Princess's poor health.
Since the County Princess had lived this long and reached the point of marriage, heaven should not be so cruel as to let her perish prematurely, right?
On this joyous occasion, as she was here to play the role of the woman of good fortune, she couldn't let it affect the newlyweds' mood.
Once Zhao Hao's makeup and hair were done, the young ladies and noblewomen who had been in the outer room gathered to admire his appearance.
His wedding attire was made by the Imperial Household Department and was exceedingly luxurious. Everyone was praising his wedding gown and makeup.
Subsequently, these noble ladies presented their betrothal gifts, and Zhao Hao weakly thanked everyone.
Afterward, Zhao Hao, with his makeup done, was helped to the side, while the noble ladies began planning how to challenge the groom-to-be waiting outside the door.
Zhao Hao leaned against a cushion, listening to them discuss how to vex Lin Yan. He found it quite amusing and wished he could go out to watch.
However, he still needed to maintain his persona of being frail and ill. Moreover, as the bride today, he couldn't possibly go out to join the fun.
Upon hearing someone announce that the groom had arrived outside the main gate, they all became quite excited.