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Her betrothal to Wei Zhan was missed, and as marriage is forbidden during the month of Wudu, the Wei Family and Jiang Family decided to set their wedding date for June instead.

In June, not only was Yingbao to marry, but Jiang Jie had also chosen the same day to marry Luo Zhao.

As such, guests would only need to bring one gift, saving face for both the Jiang and Wei families.

A few days later, the Emperor conferred the title of Chu Prince to his son born a few months prior. In a grand amnesty, the Emperor also promoted the prince’s mother, Lu Xianfei, to Noble Consort.

Consequently, every officer in Beijing went to congratulate the Lu Family, and the Jiang Family was no exception.

Yingbao didn’t mind such events, delegating the task to her younger brother, Jiang Jie.

She instead stayed at home, boxing that large gourd of Five Tripod Fungus her father had earlier obtained into exquisitely delicate jade boxes.

Although these so-called jade boxes were just tiny boxes made from white jade, they were extremely cheap.

Putting the Five Tripod Fungus in them could keep it fresh for a long time.

While Yingbao was dealing with the Five Tripod Fungus, Xuanwu sneaked out, pretending to gaze around before quietly swiping some fungus into his tortoise shell.

Yingbao didn’t pay this any mind and simply continued her work. Looking up, she noticed her second cousin had arrived and was whispering something to Meixiang, stealthily slipping something into her hand.

Meixiang accepted the item, her face flushed, before she turned back into the house.

Yingbao watched her second cousin lovingly watching Meixiang for quite a while before he finally turned and left.

The next day, Yingbao noticed a jade green hairpin in Meixiang’s hair bun.

Yingbao furrowed her brows, and the next day called over her second cousin. “Second brother, are you planning on marrying Meixiang?”

Jiang Quan was stunned by her question, but quickly recovered and nodded earnestly. “Yes, I… I do want to marry her.”

“And does she feel the same?”

Jiang Quan scratched his head. “I think she does.”

“If that’s the case, why don’t you propose directly?” Yingbao eyed her second cousin. “You’re not getting any younger either. What are you waiting for?”

Jiang Quan blushed slightly. “Well… it’s because Meixiang is your maid. I’m a bit embarrassed.”

It would surely be quite shameful if people found out that he was coveting his cousin’s maid.

Yingbao: “Although Meixiang is a palace maid, she’s also a decent girl. Her grandfather was once a scholar. It wouldn’t be bad if you married her.”

Not to mention, Meixiang is literate and prudent, perfectly suited for her second cousin.

Jiang Quan couldn’t help but grin, stuttering modestly, “Yingbao, if I marry her, wouldn’t you be short-staffed?”

Yingbao said irritably, “So you’re implying that all of my maids should stay single.”

Jiang Quan scratched his head: “Alright, I… I will ask Meixiang right away if she is willing to marry me.”

The answer was obvious; Meixiang was also very fond of Jiang Quan.

Therefore, Jiang Quan employed a marriage broker, selected an auspicious date, and became betrothed to Meixiang.

After this event, several of the older maids around Yingbao suddenly also found their desired partners.

Weng Xiuxiu and Jiang Jie’s official servant became engaged.

He Xiang and Qiu Xiang also formed relationships with two guards from the County Prefecture.

Only Lan Xiang, Magnolia, and Xinghua had yet to find their beloved ones.

Yingbao decisively set up marriage dates for all of them.

She also gave each of them a sum of money as dowry so they could prepare their own wedding paraphernalia.

As May passed by in a blink, Yingbao was once again prepared to get married.

This time it went smoothly without any unexpected incidents.

First, Jiang Jie carried his sister onto the bridal sedan, and then together with his younger brother Jiang Wu and Huzi, sent Yingbao straight to the Wei family’s home.

The doors of the Wei house opened wide with a red carpet laid from the entrance to the interior.

Wei Zhan dismounted from his horse, and a servant boy wearing a red waistband immediately took the reins.

He walked to the eight-carrier bridal sedan, took a bow and arrow from the matchmaker, and shot an arrow without a tip at the door of the sedan.

The palanquin door opened and the accompanying maids stepped forward to help.

The bride was dressed in a green brocade robe, embroidered with three golden phoenixes.

She was wearing a pearl crown in her hair, with four golden phoenixes inserted on either side of her bun, and a pearl curtain hanging down on her forehead, just reaching the tip of her nose.

Even the golden jade necklace she was wearing on her chest was of great value.

Magnolia and Lan Xiang were holding Yingbao, with two young maids behind protecting their mistress’ long ceremonial robe to prevent it from getting scratched.

The newlyweds crossed over the brazier and entered the main hall.

In the hall, the altar was illuminated by bright candles, with wafts of sandalwood incense. There were grains and various items like longan and red dates placed on top, each utensil adorned with a red “double happiness” symbol.

The master of ceremonies then recited auspicious words loudly:

“On this auspicious day filled with joy, we congratulate the newlyweds on their journey to the center of the hall. Here they perform rites of respect, welcoming songs and dances. Just like pearls and jade, they are a perfect match. Like blossoms on a tree, they bear fruit in a shared home. The groom is free-spirited and handsome, the bride is beautiful and virtuous. No envy for gods or immortals, they are the perfect pair…”

Wei Zhan turned his head to look at Yingbao beside him, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.

Next, the master of ceremonies continued to sing:

“First bow to heaven and earth where fate descends…”

Under the guidance of the matchmaker, the two knelt and paid respects to the sacred tablets on the altar.

“Second bow to parents in the high hall…”

Wei Zhan and Yingbao knelt before the head of the Wei family and Lady Wang to pay their respects.

“The couple bows to each other…”

Wei Zhan and Yingbao faced each other and bowed.

“The ceremony is complete! Congratulations to the newlyweds as they proceed to the bridal chamber…”

As the master of ceremonies made the announcement, the matchmaker presented a red silk cloth, handing one end to Wei Zhan and tucking the other into Yingbao’s hand.

Wei Zhan, leading with the red silk, took steps back towards the bridal chamber.

Once entering the bridal chamber, the matchmaker had the couple sit face-to-face on the wedding bed.

Next, Grandma Quanfu brought a red scale stick, handed it to Wei Zhan, and asked him to unveil the red cloth from the bride’s head.

The matchmaker chanted a long list of blessings:

“The little scale stick, black and shiny, is used to unveil the bride’s veil. The veil lifted, the bride takes on new responsibilities, first becoming a wife, then the head of the family. A virtuous wife first, then a mother of many. The scale stick hits the ground and lands should be acquired. The scale stick leans against the wall, and the room will be full of descendants…”

Then the couple shared the unifying wine and ate dumplings and tangyuan.

When all the ceremonies were completed, the matchmaker and Grandma Quanfu led the maids out of the bridal chamber and closed the door.

“Tired? Let me help you take off the crown.”

Seeing Yingbao nod, Wei Zhan carefully removed the crown from her head, and also removed the long pheasant tassel.

Then, he stood there, staring and grinning at her.

Yingbao, her face red with embarrassment, suddenly remembered the fire protection card her mother gave her.

“I, I’ll get you some water.”

Wei Zhan, also quite embarrassed, hurriedly got out of bed to get the water.

Noticing the snacks on the table, he took a piece of each, “Here, this was freshly made by mom, have some. Later, I’ll have someone bring us some noodles.”

“No need.” Yingbao took the snacks, holding them in one hand and feeding them into her mouth with the other.

Fearing that she might choke, Wei Zhan picked up the teacup and fed her some water.

After Yingbao had two pieces of snack, she thought for a moment, then pinched another piece and stuffed it into Wei Zhan’s mouth, asking, “Are you hungry?”

Wei Zhan blushed and shook his head fervently, then quickly nodded. “I’ll just have some snacks too.”

“Don’t you have to go out to toast?” Yingbao asked curiously.

She remembered that usually the groom had to toast the guests after sending the bride to the bridal chamber.

Wei Zhan: “No need, my mom and dad are there to host the guests. I just need to stay here with you.”

Yingbao glanced out of the window and noticed that it wasn’t completely dark yet, so she suggested, “Shall we… play a game first?”

Wei Zhan almost dropped the tea cup in his hand, stammering, “It’s… it’s still early, let’s… let’s wait until the guests leave…”