Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Not long after, they heard a flurry of footsteps outside. It seemed they had all returned. Xia Yu was about to ask them how much lucky money they had taken when she heard Da Niu say...

"Miss, the young master and his family have already entered and are currently bowing to the Marquis's wife in the front hall."

"Princess, it's time to rise. You still need to go to the front hall to receive the instructions for young ladies and pay your respects to your parents." The matchmaker looked Xia up and down again to make sure nothing was missing, then smiled and helped her up from the chair. At the same time, she took the veil embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water and placed it on Xia Yu's head.

Xia Yu felt a sudden redness before her eyes, and then she could see nothing but the area about a foot in front of her, visible only under her veil.

Two matchmakers, one on each side, helped Xia Yu up, followed by the maids who were part of her dowry, each carrying something as arranged beforehand. The group made their way to the front hall.

At this time, the front hall of the Marquis's mansion was already full of Zhang's relatives and friends. Zhang Youtie and Liu Shi sat in the main seats, and on the chairs on both sides sat Old Master Zhang, Liu Shi, Zhang Youjin, Zhang Youyin, Zhang Chengwen, Wang Shi, Li Shi, Qin Shi, uncle, aunt and others. The rest of the people had to stand.

Shen Jingheng was standing in the middle of the hall receiving instructions from his parents-in-law when he suddenly heard the matchmaker shout...

"When a young lady gets married, she comes to express her gratitude to her parents for giving her life and raising her."

Zhang Youtie, who was talking to Shen Jingheng, immediately fell silent, staring at the entrance of the flower hall like everyone else. Shen Jingheng also turned around and looked in that direction, his eyes filled with eagerness.

Xia Yu walked in slowly, supported by two matchmakers.

The moment they saw their daughter, both Liu and Zhang Youtie's eyes reddened, and Liu couldn't help but sob softly.

Hearing Liu cry, Xia Yu couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat and shed tears as well.

Suddenly, she felt her hand being grasped by a warm, large hand, which guided her slowly forward. Through the gap under her veil, she saw a pair of well-defined hands beneath the red wedding robes—it was Shen Jingheng.

Shen Jingheng carefully led Xia Yu to Zhang Youtie and his wife before letting go of her.

Looking at her veiled, graceful daughter, Madam Liu barely managed to suppress a sob. She took the ruler she had prepared beforehand and placed it on her daughter's outstretched palms, earnestly instructing her.

"Today you are leaving home. When you arrive at your husband's family, you must respect the elderly and care for the young, and be filial to your elders. These are the basic human relationships that must not be violated. Brothers and sisters are of the same blood, and the bond between siblings must not be forgotten. Be sincere to your friends and hospitable; these are the principles of being a good person that must not be betrayed." After the admonition was finished, the maidservant who had accompanied the bride took the ruler from Xia Yu's hand.

Then, Madam Liu took off a jade bracelet from her wrist and put it on her daughter's hand. Xia Yu and Shen Jingheng knelt down and kowtowed three times to Zhang Youtie and Madam Liu. Xia Yu had been crying non-stop since entering the hall, and her voice was already a little hoarse when she spoke.

"Today, as my daughter embarks on her wedding, I only wish my parents peace, joy, and longevity."

"Xiaxia..." Hearing her daughter's voice, clearly trembling with tears, Madam Liu couldn't help but rise to hug her again. But she was stopped by Granny Lian beside her. Granny Lian whispered in Madam Liu's ear...

"Madam, you'll only make the princess feel worse if you do this. She'll be returning to her parents' home the day after tomorrow, so let her get into the sedan chair happily now. It wouldn't be good if she missed the auspicious time."

Her words made Liu Shi retract her foot, which had already stepped out, and sit back down in the chair. The nanny next to her quickly gave the matchmaker a wink. The matchmaker then hurriedly chanted congratulations loudly.

"The fragrance of osmanthus blossoms spreads for miles, a beautiful woman in red dress in August, the emperor bestows a blessed time, and the golden phoenix spreads its wings to leave the palace."

Hearing the matchmaker's call, Changyun stepped forward to stand in front of Xia Yu, tears still glistening in his eyes, but a broad smile spreading across his face.

"Xiaxia, your brother is seeing you off at your wedding." He said, then knelt down in front of Xia Yu with his back to her.

Hearing Changyun's voice, Xia Yu's tears fell again. Supported by Shen Jingheng and the matchmaker, she leaned on Changyun's back. At this time, a woman's wedding required a brother to carry her to the bridal sedan chair. Xia Yu had many brothers, but among those present in the hall, Changyun was the most qualified to carry her to the sedan chair.

"Everything's ready here," the matchmaker quickly called out.

"Scatter grains and beans to ward off the three evil spirits. First scatter for the magnificent hall, second scatter for the eternal prosperity of the family, third scatter for generations of good fortune. On the day of the couple's marriage, may blessings and prosperity flow like a long river. The auspicious time has arrived, respectfully inviting Her Highness the Princess to her wedding!" With her shout, two maids walked in front, grabbing pre-prepared grains and beans from the red wedding basket and scattering them on the ground on both sides.

Changyun escorted Xia Yu to the bridal sedan chair, then mounted his horse and, along with the other members of his family who had accompanied the bride, accompanied Xia Yu to the Shen residence. Meanwhile, at the Marquis's mansion, there were still many guests to entertain. Although Liu Shi was somewhat saddened by her daughter's marriage, the thought of the Shen family's high regard for her daughter brought her some comfort. Knowing she couldn't neglect her guests, Liu Shi quickly composed herself, freshened up, and, with a smile on her face, went to greet them.

The bridal sedan chair made by Xia Yu was a sixteen-bearer sedan chair with gold leaf appliqués, crafted day and night by more than a hundred artisans in the palace. The wooden carvings, vermilion lacquer base, and gold leaf appliqués made it dazzlingly beautiful from afar. Everyone marveled at the exquisite and luxurious sedan chair, though Xia Yu, veiled, could not see it.

She sat inside, with two large cushions behind her. Her headdress was heavy, but she could lean back against the cushions and felt much more relaxed.

The bridal sedan chair arrived at the Shen residence amidst the sounds of drums and music.

The matchmaker whispered a reminder from outside.

"Princess, we've arrived at the Shen residence. A large red silk ribbon will be handed in shortly. Hold one end of the ribbon. Do not utter a sound before it is led into the bridal chamber."

"Hmm," Xia Yu responded. These were things the matchmaker had repeatedly told her before her marriage, and she had seen how it was portrayed on television in her previous life.

There was a lot of noise coming from outside; it seemed like there were quite a few onlookers.

After the sedan chair stopped, a silk ribbon adorned with red flowers was quickly handed in from outside, which Xia Yu clutched tightly. She then alighted from the sedan chair. Supported by two wedding attendants, she stepped over a brazier and then over a saddle. The surrounding noise was so overwhelming that Xia Yu could no longer hear the auspicious greetings being shouted by the wedding attendants. She simply followed the whispered instructions from the wedding attendants in her ear.

After the wedding ceremony, Xia Yu was led to the bridal chamber. She sat side by side with Shen Jingheng on the new bed; there were still quite a few people in the room.

"Then someone urged, 'Quickly lift the bride's veil so we can see her!'"

"What's the rush? The bridal chamber hasn't been set off yet," the wedding attendant said to the jeering crowd.

Then the maid brought over dates, peanuts, longans, and red lotus seeds and scattered them on the bed, while the matchmaker stood aside, beaming with joy, calling out...

"Spread the curtains to the east, where the warm hibiscus-scented tent awaits the spring breeze; spread the curtains to the south, where we wish to be mandarin ducks, envying not the immortals; spread the curtains to the west, where a handsome man and a beautiful woman are a perfect couple; spread the curtains to the center, where children and grandchildren surround our knees, filling the house with joy."

Shen Jingheng was very pleased to hear the matchmaker's auspicious words and nodded.

"Well said, reward me."

"Oh, thank you so much, Princess and Your Excellency!" The wedding attendant quickly curtsied and expressed her gratitude.

"Now can we lift the veil and see the bride?" the people waiting to make merry at the wedding night shouted.

The matchmaker smiled and handed Shen Jingheng a ruyi scale, chanting as she did so.

"Groom, please lift the veil; may you and your wife live a long and harmonious life together!"

Shen Jingheng took the scale from the matchmaker and carefully lifted the veil from Xia Yu's head little by little.

When the veil was completely removed, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful face, not only Shen Jingheng but also the young men waiting in the bridal chamber for the traditional wedding games were stunned. They had often heard of the Princess Zhenguo, but rarely had they seen her in person. Previously, they had assumed that the Princess, being from a village, would only be of average appearance with her makeup and adornments. Who could have imagined that she would be so beautiful, so stunningly beautiful?