As Mama An combed Song Chaoyu’s hair, she murmured auspicious phrases.
“First comb, all the way to the end, may you share a life of mutual respect and love.”
Song Chaoyu recalled a time in the manor, amidst a downpour, when she and Han Xi ran hand in hand beneath the trees, letting the wind and rain lash against them. It wasn’t cold, but she felt a sense of anticipation for life.
“Second comb, all the way to the end, may you fly together like paired birds.”
Song Chaoyu remembered the shock on her face and his composure when they met again. At that time, she believed that parting with Han Xi would be for a lifetime.
“Third comb, all the way to the end, may your hearts be forever bound.”
But everything that followed seemed destined by fate. That day, he knelt before the Consort’s Queuing Palace, never truly intending to rise. Even if it was a high-stakes gamble, she was still willing to give it her all.
Behind her, Mama An expertly piled Song Chaoyu’s hair high.
Song Chaoyu’s eyes held a gentle smile. “So, even combing hair in the palace requires such auspicious words?”
“Naturally.”
Mama An’s nimble hands fashioned a beautiful updo, then picked up the mountain of hairpins and golden crowns beside her, placing them one by one onto Song Chaoyu’s head. “The consorts actually wish to hear these auspicious words more than anyone. However, what this servant says to the consorts is naturally different from what I say to you, miss.”
When the heavy golden crown was placed atop her styled hair, Song Chaoyu felt her head grow significantly heavier. “Oh, why is this golden crown so heavy?”
It was a phoenix coronet adorned with nine phoenixes and clusters of pearls, the highest specification allowed for a royal prince’s wedding.
It was a gift from the Empress. It was rumored that the prominent pearl adorning it was taken from one of the Empress Dowager’s own phoenix coronets!
This demonstrated how much importance the palace placed on this marriage.
Mama An smiled as she steadied the phoenix coronet on Song Chaoyu’s head. “Naturally, this phoenix coronet was crafted by the finest artisans from the Imperial Weaving Bureau. Even when the Consort was elevated to her title, they did not undertake such a task. This time, it is by imperial decree. Fourth Miss is truly blessed. The Emperor favors Prince Chang so greatly, and thus, Fourth Miss will surely be able to establish herself firmly in the capital in the future.”
All of this stemmed from the Emperor’s favor towards Mu Changxi, or perhaps, his guilt.
But Song Chaoyu remembered that in her previous life, no matter how much the Emperor favored Mu Changxi, once Prince Ning gained power, he still relentlessly oppressed Mu Changxi.
In this life, she would do everything in her power to turn the tide!
—
With the golden crown properly in place, Song Chaoyu felt she could no longer lower her head, lest she lose her balance and topple over.
Because of this, Mama An praised Song Chaoyu’s demeanor, saying she was far more dignified and composed than many of the palace consorts.
This made Song Chaoyu want to laugh and cry. What else could she do now but hold her body steady as others arranged her?
And the phoenix coronet was merely the beginning for Song Chaoyu!
Next came the wedding robe. Adorned with pearls and gold thread, simply wearing it made Song Chaoyu feel an increasing weight on her shoulders.
She seriously doubted if her shoulders and neck could support it until evening.
In addition, the similarly pearl-adorned xiapèi, along with the embellishments on the waist and sleeves, meant Song Chaoyu was covered in adornments.
Yet, she did not appear out of place. Even with her slender frame, she carried the phoenix coronet and xiapèi with exquisite grace!
At Prince Ning’s wedding last time, Song Chaoyu had found Song Yanjiao’s makeup too heavy.
While beautiful, it felt like wearing a mask, making her uncomfortable to look at.
Therefore, this time, she had specifically instructed the嬷嬷 who came to do her makeup not to make her look like a mask.
The嬷嬷 smiled and replied, “Fourth Miss is naturally beautiful and does not require such heavy makeup! However, the essential elements must not be omitted. Fourth Miss can rest assured!”
The嬷嬷 applied the peach blossom makeup suitable for a wedding to Song Chaoyu, and then carefully affixed a peony flower adornment to her forehead.
This makeup application alone took nearly two hours!
Finally, as dawn broke, Song Chaoyu looked at the wealthy and charming woman in the mirror, feeling a sense of surprise.
Was this woman still herself?
She knew she bore some resemblance to Concubine Liu, so her looks were not bad.
But dressed so elaborately, she showed no vulgarity. Instead, she possessed a delicate, naturally wealthy appearance that Song Chaoyu had not anticipated.
Han Xi… would he like this version of her?
Her heart fluttered with apprehension, but all she heard were the voices of praise around her.
Even the Old Madam, taking a moment to see her, held Song Chaoyu’s hands with tears in her eyes. “Our Fourth Miss truly looks beautiful! From now on, you should dress up more often and not always wear simple clothes. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a waste of such a lovely face?”
Song Chaoyu dared not agree, only acting spoiled towards her grandmother. “Grandmother, I can’t nod or shake my head now. Please don’t tease me and make me laugh!”
“Alright, alright!”
The grandmother and granddaughter had agreed that neither would cry today, yet Song Chaoyu still saw tears welling up in her grandmother’s eyes.
Ultimately, it was the Old Madam who turned away first, preventing Song Chaoyu from seeing the tears in her eyes. “Listen carefully to Mama An’s instructions. I will go outside to oversee things. Rest assured, today you will be married to Prince Chang’s manor safely and soundly!”
Song Chaoyu certainly believed that with her grandmother and Concubine Liu watching over things outside, she had nothing to fear.
By the time Song Chaoyu was mostly ready, the sky had brightened considerably.
A maid’s voice called from outside, “Setting off, setting off! Prince Chang has already departed!”
Song Chaoyu stood up nervously, but Mama An pressed her down. “Miss, don’t be anxious. There are still the younger boys and girls who will block the door! When the Prince arrives, there will still be plenty of time! Miss will be staying in the bridal chamber all day, so why not have something to eat now to avoid getting hungry?”
She wasn’t supposed to eat, which surprised Song Chaoyu.
She then heard Mama An whisper, “This was specifically instructed and re-instructed by Prince Chang to this servant. He said he was afraid Miss would go hungry. Miss can secretly eat in the room. I will go out and keep watch for Miss, so that no one else finds out.”
It was… Mu Changxi who said this?
At this moment, he seemed to have transformed back into Han Xi.
The Han Xi who always looked out for her, who always cared for her.
Song Chaoyu nodded, asking Tiao Hong to bring in the food. She noticed that the preparations were all small, bite-sized pastries, so that Song Chaoyu’s movements while eating wouldn’t smudge her makeup.