The Exiled Life of the Noble Girl -
Chapter 89
On the eighteenth day of the sixth month, a lucky day on the Chinese calendar suitable for travel, moving house, and getting married.
Early in the morning, Li Mingwei had already changed into the red wedding dress she had sewn herself and was sitting in Dong Lei’s room, as the cluttered shed she lived in was too narrow and shabby. Wang Chunhua felt it would be inauspicious for her to get married there, so she had cleared out Dong Lei’s room instead.
The only other person in the room was Yun Sister, who had come back specially to attend her. She was looking out the window and reporting what she saw to Li Mingwei.
“I think the groom’s party is here. They’re setting off the first string of firecrackers.”
“They’re coming in, they’re coming in! What are they saying?”
“I’ve never seen that matchmaker before.”
Li Mingwei lifted her bridal veil to squeeze next to her and look outside. “Let me see. Oh, Sister Chunhua said she only started working as a matchmaker this year. No wonder you haven’t met her.”
“What do you think you’re doing!” Yun Sister pressed her back onto the bed. “Put your veil back down! It’s bad luck to lift it yourself!”
“What bad luck.”
Everything had gone smoothly last time she got married, and look how that had turned out.
She held the veil in her hands and twirled it. It almost slipped from her fingers. Yun Sister gasped and lunged to catch it. “What are you trying to do, jinx yourself?”
Li Mingwei laughed. “I don’t know why, but I’m not nervous at all today. Maybe since I’ve done this before, I know what to expect.”
Not only was she not nervous, she felt light and carefree for no reason.
“Not nervous at all?” Yun Sister clearly didn’t believe her. She had been so anxious on her own wedding day, terrified that something might go wrong and people would laugh at her.
Seeing Li Mingwei nod, Yun Sister curled her lip skeptically. “I suppose. You two already know each other so well. No need to worry if he’s ugly, unhealthy or might mistreat you. No need to worry if his parents will be difficult.”
“Eh, it doesn’t hurt to worry a little about that last part.”
Considering Wang the shrew, Yun Sister nodded sagely. “True.”
“Mingwei.”
“Hm?”
Yun Sister bowed her head, her brows knitted. “Have you thought about what your life will be like after this? I’ve been wondering lately, if Qing Yang insists on being like this forever, what should I do? Am I really expected to obey him unconditionally?”
She sighed. “I know he’s hurting inside and I want to accommodate him, but if he keeps this up forever I’ll be exhausted.”
Li Mingwei stroked her cheek, smoothing out her furrowed brow. “Then tell him directly if you’re tired, if you’re unhappy with how he acts. If he cares for you he’ll change. If he doesn’t then don’t waste your effort, just leave.”
Yun Sister jabbed her arm. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you! Just to make me leave!”
“Well how else will you stop being miserable?” Li Mingwei jabbed her back. “I never realized before, you’re a bit of a masochist, willing to tolerate a husband with such an awful temper.”
“Hmph!” Still unwilling to hear Qing Yang criticized, Yun Sister sniped back “At least your husband is so even-tempered!”
“You–”
Impossible to reason with!
The two women exchanged a glance then attacked at the same time, tickling mercilessly. Knowing Yun Sister’s weakness, Li Mingwei aimed straight for her armpits. Yun Sister shrieked with laughter and surrendered immediately.
It was then the door burst open to reveal a livid Wang Chunhua. Li Mingwei hastily straightened up and covered herself again as Yun Sister jumped to her feet, smoothing any creases in her dress and bedsheets.
“Honestly! The manners of you two!”
After berating them in a fierce whisper, Wang Chunhua inspected them for any impropriety then flung the door wide open for Wang Dazhuang to carry Li Mingwei out.
In the hall, with matchmaker Liu Yizhu directing, the couples paid respects to the elders Wang Chunhua and Dong Shan before serving them tea.
Li Mingwei discreetly squeezed the red envelope she had been given. Sister Chunhua was being exceptionally generous today for someone usually indifferent about money. She must be in good spirits.
Handing temporary custody of the envelope to Yun Sister, Li Mingwei bid her sister and brother-in-law goodbye before Wang Dazhuang hoisted her into the bridal sedan chair.
After completing the ceremony in the Liu household, receiving another red envelope and being supported by Yun Sister into the bridal chamber, Li Mingwei stealthily lifted the corner of her veil and peeked at the furnishings.
Liu Yizhu’s room was spacious and austere, containing just a bed, wardrobe, dresser, desk and chair. As it would be inappropriate for Yun Sister to sit on their marital bed, she simply pulled over a chair to sit quietly beside Li Mingwei.
Before long, Li Mingwei wriggled her toes in boredom. Yun Sister immediately asked “Hungry?”
“No, bored.”
“It is dull. My ceremony only lasted an afternoon but you married so late yours will drag on overnight.”
Li Mingwei pulled a face. The day passed from dawn til dusk before Yun Sister was finally summoned away, leaving her alone in the darkening room.
Hearing the door open and close again invigorated her slightly. Finally, freedom was imminent! But that oaf Liu Yizhu simply stood mute before her for endless minutes, lacking even the daring to lift her veil. Li Mingwei was on the verge of seizing the initiative herself!
Liu Yizhu took a deep breath to brace himself then fumblingly nudged the veil. Almost instantly he froze again.
Her patience exhausted, Li Mingwei grabbed his hand and flung the veil back herself with an irritated “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been sitting here? What are you wasting time for!”
The flickering candlelight sculpted contours on her side-turned face, interplaying shadow and luminosity to striking effect. She was pale at the best of times; paired with the scarlet bridal clothes and rouged lips the contrast became even more dramatic. Vivid and dazzlingly beautiful.
My wife really is gorgeous, Liu Yizhu mused. Though her gaze could stand to gentle somewhat.
He smiled placatingly, caressing her cheek. “Red suits you.”
Unappeased in the slightest, Li Mingwei retorted “And what color doesn’t suit me?”
“They all do, all of them.” Liu Yizhu swiftly backpedaled, grabbing two cups of wine and taking the seat beside her.
“Wife–”
Exchanging ritual sips, Li Mingwei pointedly did not call him in turn. Liu Yizhu sidled closer reproachfully. “Has my wife forgotten something?”
“Not that I can think of.”
Knowing she was being difficult on purpose, Liu Yizhu had no recourse but to entreat in a low voice “You forgot to call me. Just say it, please?”
“Liu Yizhu.”
“No!”
Amused by his flustered expression long enough to regain equilibrium, Li Mingwei leaned to his ear and cooed softly “Husband~”
Tingles raced down Liu Yizhu’s side and he clasped her hand tightly, murmuring “Wife” before brushing his mouth over hers. With pleasantries concluded, his hands began wandering in earnest.
Li Mingwei pushed him back, waggling her feet. She gestured at her made-up face; Liu Yizhu understood at once, hurrying to fetch hot water for her ablutions.
As she leisurely divested herself of hairpins before the mirror, Liu Yizhu returned to make the bed only to spot a white handkerchief hidden below the blankets. Clenching his fist around it, he swiftly tucked it into his sleeve.
Finished with her preparations, Li Mingwei approached the bed then halted, noticing his darkened expression. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.”
The smile Liu Yizhu turned on her was dazzling as he cradled her face, promising “Wait for me.”
Then he also headed off to wash up.
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