Dinner that evening was just the three members of the Duan family accompanying Mingxi. The rest of the Marquis family didn’t come to disturb them.
After dinner, Duan Pingchang took Duan Sirui back to the Duan residence. They hadn’t planned to return the next day, but the Old Master insisted they come again to see Mingxi off.
Still, due to the Marquis family and Jiang couple’s standing, they couldn’t sit in the parental seat, but the mere fact they could come made Duan Pingchang very happy, and he agreed readily.
Madam Xu originally planned to leave as well, but Mingxi couldn’t bear to part with her. After getting the Old Madam’s permission, she stayed in Mingxi’s courtyard for the night, and mother and daughter chatted well into the night.
Madam Xu even handed her daughter a small booklet and whispered about the wedding night. Mingxi’s cheeks turned crimson, and Madam Xu herself blushed as she spoke.
Even between mother and daughter, such matters were a little embarrassing.
But Madam Xu couldn’t help worrying about her daughter, so she gave detailed advice. No matter how hard it was to let go, it had to be done eventually.
“Your uncle, aunt, and cousin were supposed to come too, but your cousin’s wife went into labor early. They sent a letter and some wedding gifts. Don’t blame them,” Madam Xu said softly.
Mingxi replied, “It happened suddenly—what is there to blame? I just hope she’s okay.”
Hearing that, Madam Xu paused, then gently said, “She’ll be fine. The gift your aunt sent is on your study table.”
“Why didn’t you just give it to me directly?” Mingxi smiled. “I’ll look at it tomorrow.”
“It’s a set of hair ornaments—gold inlaid with gems. The design is very different from the styles in the capital. Tomorrow will be rushed, so let the maid put them away. You can take your time looking at them later.”
Mingxi nodded, then asked about her older cousin. Upon learning she was doing well, Mingxi leaned against Madam Xu and said softly, “Mother, I really feel everything is good now. Everyone is safe and well. One day, maybe we can invite Uncle and Aunt to visit the capital for a while.”
“We’ll see. Now that your aunt has a grandchild, she might not be able to leave so easily,” Madam Xu said with a smile.
“Then we’ll wait until the child’s older. There will always be a chance.”
“Yes, there will always be a chance.”
While chatting, the mother and daughter drifted off to sleep. Mingxi slept soundly that night—perhaps because Madam Xu was beside her.
The next morning, Li Mama came to wake them. Madam Xu quickly roused her daughter to eat and get ready.
She couldn’t eat much for breakfast. It was going to be a long day, so only filling foods like baked flatbreads were allowed. Even water had to be taken in small sips.
Fuchang Marquis Madam had come to serve as the lady of fortune for Mingxi. Surrounded by her sisters and friends, the courtyard was bustling with joy and celebration.
Mingxi sat in front of her dressing mirror, listening to Fuchang Marquis Madam chant the traditional wedding blessings:
“First comb to the end,
Second comb until gray and old together,
Third comb for children and grandchildren filling the hall…”
Through the bronze mirror, it was as if she was transported back to her previous life on her wedding day. That time, the courtyard hadn’t been so lively. Her adoptive parents weren’t around, nor did she have any close friends. Her sisters were distant, and even though it was her wedding—a day of great joy—her courtyard had felt desolate.
What had Madam Jiang been doing at that time?
She couldn’t quite remember anymore. She only recalled that Duan Huirou suddenly felt unwell, and Madam Jiang hurried off to tend to her, leaving Mingxi behind. She still remembered the expression on the fortune lady’s face.
The lady back then wasn’t the noble Marchioness Fuchang, but a distant relative from Madam Jiang’s side. That woman had sharp features and a bitter expression, her gaze at Mingxi filled with disapproval.
It surprised Mingxi how vividly she could recall that scene from her past life.
She thought she had forgotten it all, yet sometimes memories emerged stubbornly and unexpectedly.
For instance, now, as she glimpsed through the patterned window at Duan Huirou sitting outside—alone, dazed, looking lonely and pitiful—she felt no sympathy.
She only thought, In my past life, I had sat here alone too. I was just as pitiful.
Even though she’d told herself to let go of her past life, truly doing so was far from easy.
Mingxi turned her gaze away from Duan Huirou and took a deep breath, clearing the clutter in her mind.
This life, she would be married off with fanfare and joy, in full glory.
Many ladies had come to offer congratulations. The Second and Third Madams were busy receiving guests, and Mingxi could faintly hear many people inquiring about Madam Jiang.
After all, Eldest Master Duan had lost his title, and neither he nor his wife showed up for the wedding. Instead, Mingxi’s adoptive parents sat in the seats of honor. Naturally, this stirred a great deal of discussion.
Even through the floral-patterned window, Mingxi could feel the probing gazes from the guests.
Just then, Xu Nanxi pushed the door open and came in. She first greeted Fuchang Marquis Madam, then smiled at Mingxi and said, “The bride is so beautiful today.”
Mingxi looked at Xu Nanxi and asked softly, “Why didn’t you stay outside to drink tea?”
Xu Nanxi sat beside her. “I was afraid you’d be nervous, so I came to keep you company.”
That made Fuchang Marquis Madam laugh. “What a thoughtful girl. I’m done here—I’ll leave you two to chat.”
Mingxi stood to see her out, but the Marchioness gently pressed her back down. “You’re the bride today—you can’t be running around. Sit tight. Mingxi, I wish you and Duan Wang a lifelong, blessed union—may you grow old together in harmony and fly side by side like a phoenix and dragon.”
“Thank you, madam,” Mingxi said with a smile.
After the Marchioness left, Mingxi felt much more at ease. She looked at Xu Nanxi and said, “I thought you’d be at Duan Wang residence.”
“I was going to, but my family already went. They won’t miss me, so I came to keep you company.” Xu Nanxi smiled.
Soon, Chu Qingying and the other girls, seeing the Marchioness leave, all came in to chat. The small room quickly filled with laughter and joy.
Later, when Mingxi looked back, she could barely recall the details—only that Xiao Muchen personally came to pick her up, rather than sending someone from the Ministry of Rites like other Wangyes.
She remembered the red bridal veil falling over her head, the Old Madam’s sincere blessings, the Old Master’s stern yet kind advice, and her mother Madam Xu weeping tears of joy. She also heard her brother Duan Sirui shouting her name loudly amidst the other brothers.
She was carried out of the house by Duan Yu and helped into the wedding carriage. Firecrackers exploded, gongs sounded, and she heard Xiao Muchen say softly: “Xixi, let’s go home.”
On the day Duan Mingxi got married, the skies were clear and cloudless. The first set of dowries entered Duan Wang’s manor just as the last set left the Marquis residence.
Ten miles of red procession, congratulations ringing in her ears, and the full ceremonial escort from the Ministry of Rites showed the royal family’s grandeur. Mingxi was sent into Wangye’s manor as the sun was setting.
Crowds of citizens lined the streets, watching in awe.
She stepped down from the wedding carriage, crossed a fire basin, and entered through the main gates—all the way to the great hall, where the ceremonial official was already waiting to conduct the wedding ritual.
The Emperor and Empress did not attend in person. Instead, the couple bowed toward the palace.
After the three ceremonial bows, Mingxi was escorted into the bridal chamber. The room was full of shadowy figures and laughter. With her veil on, she couldn’t distinguish who was who, and was guided to sit properly on the wedding bed.
