Gasp! She's a Time Traveler Using Modern Tech to Improve Ancient Life-Chapter 728 - 723: Return to Mao County

This night, because there were too many relatives and friends from the Xiao Family, allocating one courtyard per person was not feasible.

So, Lin Wanwan’s guesthouse had to divide into three rooms, to accommodate several of Xiao Family’s clan relatives.

Little Qingyu’s room was also given up; she now had an excuse to squeeze onto the same bed with Lin Wanwan, much to her delight.

The next day, before dawn, Lin Wanwan was awakened by the commotion outside the courtyard.

Xiao Xianghua was summoned at the end of the night watch to rush the tide and perform ancestor worship and pray to Buddha.

Lin Wanwan rose, pulled the covers over Little Qingyu, got dressed, and opened the door to the inner chamber.

Hong Yan, who was sleeping in the outer room, was already awake, and when Lin Wanwan opened the door, she swiftly got up, moving carefully to attend to her.

Today was a big occasion; although Lin Wanwan did not need to dress in full splendor, meticulous grooming was essential to maintain decorum.

Hong Yan, as usual, skillfully styled Lin Wanwan’s hair. Her hairdos were always impeccable.

Once Lin Wanwan was ready, Xiao Xianghua finished praying to Buddha and began tossing cut-up firecrackers into the courtyard beacon.

The "bang bang" noise woke up most of the people in the Xiao Mansion.

Only Little Qingyu, who had played wildly last night, remained fast asleep. Despite the noisy festivity outside, she was completely unaffected.

Lin Wanwan left Yun Shang to watch over Little Qingyu and took Hong Yan, Ji Yue, and Cai Yun to Xiao Mother’s courtyard to pay their respects.

As soon as Lin Wanwan entered Xiao Mother’s courtyard, she found it already crowded with people offering greetings, all awakened by the firecracker noise.

Xiao Mother also got up early today. The elder naturally slept lightly and on such a fine day, would rise early even without disturbance.

Xiao Xianghua was presently being made up by the "makeup artists" from Lin Wanwan’s Red Face Smile.

Red Face Smile had already earned a reputation for bridal makeup; not only were the noble women of Mao County fond of it, but it had also become popular throughout Yuezhou. The bridal entourage services were already one of Red Face Smile’s premium VIP features.

The Red Face Smile premium VIP spot for Xiao Xianghua was gifted by Lin Wanwan, naturally including the entourage service.

Lin Wanwan had recently shipped a batch of modern products to Mao County, and now the makeup Xiao Xianghua was using was the new seasonal line from Red Face Smile.

Everyone had a simple breakfast, the morning drum sounded, the city gates opened, and a group of older women brandishing sticks and thorny branches excitedly rushed to the Xiao Mansion gates, ready to perform the "Marriage Entry" ceremony on the groom.

What is the Marriage Entry? It’s a ceremony where the bride’s family and friends carry sticks and thorns to joyfully thrash the groom.

Lin Wanwan was merely standing aside watching the excitement, when suddenly a restless Xiao Family aunt stuffed a stick in her hand, pulling her along to join the ceremony.

Lin Wanwan hurriedly declined, tossed the stick away, and dared not take part, knowing that with her unusual strength, she could cause trouble if not careful.

Soon, the groom arrived on horseback.

The Wang Family’s young man was splendidly dressed in a scarlet brocade robe today, looking quite festive, only to be met by a rain of attacks upon entering the gate.

After the lively thrashing, the disheveled young groom from the Wang Family straightened his attire and stood before Xiao Xianghua’s courtyard, delivering the urging makeup poetry inside.

The Mansion had arranged a child to read the poetry, who, upon receiving the urging makeup poems, began reciting them with rhythmic fluctuations.

Seeing the groom’s entourage giving face, the child’s entourage praised each verse.

Lin Wanwan stood beside Xiao Xianghua, smiling as she listened to the child’s voice reciting poetry outside the screen.

This Great Tang tradition of urging makeup poems generally only prevailed among the gentry and wealthy merchants, with ordinary folk seldom engaging in poetry.

Lin Wanwan listened to the Wang Family young man present three pieces of urging makeup poetry and felt impressed; indeed, scholars of the Great Tang all had some talent.

She turned to look at Xiao Xianghua, seeing the bride’s expression seemed more pleased, indicating her satisfaction with the urging makeup poems.

Xiao Xianghua’s makeup was already done, and the makeup touch-up during the urging was merely ceremonial.

Time was about right; her makeup artist from Red Face Smile together with the family’s maid supported the bride out the door.

Though the red veil had already appeared, it was not yet fashionable in this era of the Great Tang, so Xiao Xianghua left without any covering.

Aunt Yuan tearfully embraced Xiao Xianghua, everyone persuading until, reluctantly, she was sent onto the carriage, standing at the Xiao Mansion gates waving her handkerchief for a long time.

Lin Wanwan led her household servants and boatful of sisters from the Jianghu martial world, forming a bridal party as they followed behind two bridal ships.

After a day’s voyage, the ships docked at the deep-water terminal of the Dajia River, where everyone disembarked onto horses and carriages for the journey to Xiaoxi Town.

Arriving at the Wang Family, it was the twilight when the moon hovered above willow branches.

The bride in a green robe exited the sedan chair, stepping onto the pre-prepared wool blankets and mats laid out, with two of the groom’s maids constantly rearranging the mat she stepped on ahead, ensuring her path.

The bride entered the door, and until reaching the ceremonial green tent, did not set foot on the ground.

The bride and groom completed the reciprocal bows in the ceremony, the man turning right, the woman left, before heading to the bed, with servants then offering gold coins and colorful fruits which children and servants gleefully scrambled for; this was the so-called "scattering coins."

The more people gathered in the bridal chamber, the more Little Qingyu was blocked from sight, turning to Lin Wanwan for a hug.

Lin Wanwan lifted her, just in time to witness the couple cut strands of hair and intertwine them into a joint bun, the final procedure of the ceremony.

By now, evening had fallen; outside, the wedding banquet had begun, and most guests went off to partake in the festivities.

With the maid’s help, Xiao Xianghua removed her makeup, holding a brocade fan to shield her face, while the Wang Family groom began reciting a fan poem: "Youth flourishes tonight, red leaves blossom as a flower. Clearly the treasure tree can be admired by people, what’s the need for the jade fan to hide it?"

Simple and straightforward.

Xiao Xianghua lowered the fan, revealing her plain, unadorned face.

In one’s teens, even a bare face carries the same beauty, youth itself is the best garment.

Now, the groom exited to entertain guests, and the groom’s family and friends began teasing the bride.

Lin Wanwan signaled to Liu Ruyan and other Jianghu martial sisters to protect Xiao Xianghua from potential mischief, while verbal challenges were left for Xiao Xianghua’s attendant maids to handle with their wit.

The lively banter continued until the red candles burned halfway, darkness fully descended, and finally, everyone left the bridal chamber, allowing the newlywed couple peace.

Little Qingyu had fallen asleep long ago, carried by mute Ah Qing, guarded by Kunlun slave Ali, accompanied by maidservants appointed by Cui Ying, and escorted back to Lin Wanwan’s place at Little Qingyu’s home.

The Wang Family and Lin Family were neighbors, only separated by a narrow alley, very close by.

Lin Wanwan watched the entire rambunctious bridal chamber scene before leading her servants to her own courtyard nearby.