She peered inside and saw her daughter lying on the cold floor.
"Oh dear, she's fainted!" the middle-aged woman exclaimed, slapping her thighs before rushing in.
She struggled to lift her daughter onto the bed, then heartlessly patted her face and pinched her philtrum, but she remained unconscious.
Terrified, she reached out to check for breathing when a man's voice boomed from the doorway, "What do you think you're doing!"
The woman jumped, her hand landing on her daughter's chest. The faint thumping beneath her palm brought a slight sense of relief.
"It's alright, I'm just changing her clothes. You should go out."
"Hurry up! If you miss the auspicious hour, you won't be able to afford the consequences!"
"I know," the woman replied sullenly.
She picked up the wedding gown from the floor, dusting it off, and muttered, "I've never worn such fine fabric."
The faint sound of gongs and drums could already be heard from outside. Someone knocked vigorously on the door, "The wedding procession is almost here, be quick!"
"Coming, coming."
Finally, she put on the red wedding shoes embroidered with pomegranate flowers, set the veil aside, and opened the door to walk out.
"Your father, you should go change too."
"Mhm, and the son?"
"He said he was going to the Zhou family to see if they needed any help." The middle-aged woman subconsciously covered for her son.
"Fine," the middle-aged man glanced outside again, clearly unconcerned about his son's whereabouts.
The wedding procession arrived quickly, but the middle-aged woman was in a predicament. "Yinyin has fainted, how will she get into the sedan chair?"
"Just carry her in!"
The matchmaker, spouting auspicious phrases, had already arrived in the courtyard with the music.
"Congratulations, congratulations! With Yinyin marrying into the Zhou family, your household will enjoy endless fortune."
These words struck a chord with the couple. The middle-aged man, usually assertive at home, was not good with words and didn't know how to interact with the matchmaker.
The middle-aged woman was even worse. Years of household labor had left her with few people to talk to.
The matchmaker spoke a torrent of festive greetings, and they were overwhelmed, only managing to nod and smile repeatedly.
The matchmaker, a shrewd woman, sensed the couple's awkwardness. She waved her handkerchief, "Alright, the auspicious hour is approaching. Please escort the bride to the sedan chair."
Finally relieved, the couple let out a sigh.
Seeing their lack of worldly experience, the matchmaker inwardly disdained them.
The middle-aged man nudged his wife, who then whispered to the matchmaker, "Yinyin is just too happy, that's why she's fainted and won't wake up. You see..."
The matchmaker glanced at her, knowing well that it wasn't just excitement; hadn't she heard no cries or shouts from the street passersby?
However, having taken their money, she naturally wouldn't pry at such a moment.
"It's fine, just carry her into the sedan chair." The matchmaker left these last words unspoken, as it wasn't the right time to speak.
"Yes, yes, yes!"
The couple hurried back inside and together lifted Yinyin out.
Even though Yinyin was unconscious, the middle-aged woman didn't forget to place the red veil back on her head.
As they carried her out of the house, the middle-aged woman slipped, and Yinyin's red veil fell to the ground.
Ning Wei finally saw clearly that this Yinyin was the most formidable female ghost, and her arrival here was likely her doing.
Clad in a red dress, not yet deceased, her beauty was even more striking, but her furrowed brow marred the youthful vibrancy.
It seemed Yinyin was allowing Ning Wei to witness her past through dreams.
"Oh dear! The red veil is only to be lifted by the groom!" The matchmaker quickly stepped forward to pick up the veil. She casually placed it back on Yinyin's head.
The matchmaker, along with the couple, finally managed to place Yinyin inside the sedan chair.
"Alright, we'll be taking our leave now," the matchmaker said, eager to depart.
The middle-aged woman held her back, "Can we come and see?"
The matchmaker pondered for a moment, then a smile crept onto her face, "The betrothal gifts have all been left behind. I suggest you don't bother visiting the Zhou family."
Though they didn't understand the matchmaker's meaning, seeing the chests of betrothal gifts made the couple's eyes gleam.
Ignoring them, the matchmaker turned to others and announced, "Lift the sedan chair! Return to the Zhou family!"
The four bearers strained, lifting the sedan chair and carrying it away, followed by the lively sound of gongs and drums.
Along the way, many onlookers pointed and whispered.
Some accused the Yin family of selling their daughter for gain, while others spoke enviously.
Some genuinely pitied Yinyin, "What a shame for such a young girl, alas!"
Once the sedan chair left the courtyard, the couple couldn't wait. They rushed to the chests.
There were six chests in total. They opened them one by one. The woman ran her fingers over the fabric with affection, while the man was captivated by the money.
Just then, their son returned. Like his father, he was mesmerized by the money and reached out to touch it, only to be swatted away by his father.
"What are you touching! Where have you been! You weren't even here for your sister's wedding!" The father began to scold his son at this moment.
The middle-aged woman exchanged glances with her son, and the mother and son managed to deflect the issue perfunctorily.
Seeing the ample betrothal gifts, the son's eyes lit up. He rubbed his hands together and hesitantly asked, "Sister is married off too, so when are you planning to get me a wife?"
"What's the rush! My hands haven't even warmed up yet!" the woman said, reluctant to part with the gifts.
Unexpectedly, her good son dropped a bombshell, "We can't delay! Xiaoqian is already pregnant. Her mother said if we don't marry, she'll personally ensure Xiaoqian has an abortion!"
"What!" The middle-aged woman was furious and rushed forward, hitting her son several times.
"Enough, enough!" The man patted a wooden chest, "Today is your sister's big day. Anyone who causes trouble will be dealt with! We'll talk about everything else later!"
"Then what about my son?" This elder brother was only concerned about his own son and completely disregarded his sister's fate.
The middle-aged man glared at him, and he dared not speak further.
After examining the betrothal gifts, the three of them stood in the courtyard, unsure of what to do.
"Why don't we go and see the Zhou family? We've always heard the Zhou family is very rich. We can use this opportunity to go inside and have a look, maybe we can even stay there for a few days on my sister's behalf later," the son suggested.
The couple exchanged glances. They too wanted to go, not just to see how wealthy the Zhou family was.
Yinyin was, after all, the daughter they had raised. It was hard to admit they felt a pang of reluctance at her marrying away.
"Then let's go take a look," the middle-aged man decided.
The family of three put the betrothal gifts inside the house and locked the door several times before daring to leave.