Ties of Love, Ruan Wan

After consulting the astronomical charts and observing the celestial phenomena, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau set the date for the fifth day of the eighth lunar month. Although the seventh month was scorching hot, the weather would be neither too cold nor too hot at that time.

Everyone in the family is busy with Ruan Chenjun's affairs; it will be May 10th in a month.

The dowry wasn't ready yet, and everyone in the house was busy embroidering and adding to the dowry. I heard that Su Ying was personally taking charge in the East Garden.

Ruan Yuanyan was being instructed by the headmistress to learn palace etiquette every day, but this time she didn't cause any trouble and behaved herself.

Aunt Liu was even busier, wishing she could make all of her grandson's clothes ahead of time.

She also accompanies Ruan Chenjun to the market to shop every day, but she is happy despite being busy.

Today, Ruan Wan is embroidering a dance costume in her room to give to Ruan Chenjun. Feathers mixed with silver thread are embroidered into the shape of a peacock's tail among the silk threads.

Ruan Wanxiu was so focused that she didn't even notice the figure beside her. She thought it was Qiushuang, who had been sitting there for half a day and was a little thirsty. "Qiushuang, bring me a cup of tea."

A pair of slender, smooth hands offered a cup of tea. Ruan Wan looked up and took it, only to find that it was Ruan Chenjun.

"Second sister, why didn't you say you were coming? You startled me! Qiu Shuang is really something."

"It's not her fault. I told her not to say anything. Seeing how focused you were on your embroidery, I didn't want to disturb you."

"Sit down yourself, I'm busy, I don't have time to serve you."

Ruan Chenjun found a stool and sat down. "Third sister, are you busy embroidering your dowry? What are you embroidering? It's so beautiful!"

Ruan Wan smiled and looked at her, "It's part of the dowry, but it's embroidered for my second sister."

"Then thank you very much, Third Sister." Ruan Chenjun looked at the half-finished peacock dance costume in front of her, overjoyed.

"My elder sister's dancing skills are extraordinary, and I secretly wish to make her a dress that matches her skills and give it to her. When she dances with her brother-in-law, I'm sure she'll steal his heart."

Ruan Chenjun immediately blushed and said, "You're so shameless before you're even married!"

The two sisters started laughing and joking. Once the jokes were over, they started talking about serious matters.

Suddenly, Ruan Chenjun looked worried and hesitant to speak.

Ruan Wan spoke first, "Second sister, with the wedding approaching, what's causing your worried look?"

Ruan Chenjun sighed, "Alas, I'm afraid. I'm afraid I'll end up like Aunt Liu and Aunt Hua, all the women in this deep mansion, one day alone in this empty room."

This is also the tragedy of women in ancient times; once their beauty faded, they could only watch as fallen petals flew past the swing.

Even if two people are mutually attracted, they will eventually grow to dislike each other.

Ruan Wan put down her work and held Ruan Chenjun's hands. "A flower that never fades will never be without a butterfly. Even if the butterfly leaves, you must continue to bloom beautifully. Other flowers that wither will return to your side and never leave again. When you can no longer fly, isn't that a lifetime together?"

Ruan Wan got up, picked up a book of poems from the desk, and handed it to her.

Ruan Chenjun smiled and accepted the gift, saying, "Thank you, Third Sister. With your intelligence, you are sure to be happy in the future."

In fact, Ruan Wan did not like such remarks. Once a woman is married, she can only wait in vain for the rest of her life, regardless of whether her husband likes her or not.

A woman's life always revolves around a man, and she also has to worry about her appearance aging and her husband's dislike.

But in such times, this was the only way Ruan Wan could advise Ruan Chenjun.

This way of handling the relationship between husband and wife in marriage is not the optimal solution, but it is the optimal solution for this era.

After seeing Ruan Chenjun off, Ruan Wan continued embroidering the dance costume.

Thinking about Ruan Chenjun's concerns, this worry has existed since ancient times. In ancient times, one could take a concubine; in modern times, one can divorce and have an affair. Nothing is a guarantee. The most secure thing is two hearts that are together, but how easy is that?

Ruan Wan will soon follow this path as well. Is she destined to be like those women, spending her remaining years waiting for someone who will never return? It would be better to be alone for the rest of her life.

A sense of panic washed over her. Which of the princes didn't have a harem of wives and concubines? If Xia Changfeng was like that, what should she do?

It gives me a headache just thinking about it.

In ancient times, preventing one's husband from taking a concubine would be considered immoral. It was as if you had a good reputation, yet you were expected to help him find a mistress after he married you.

Xia Changfeng is a prince, the least likely person in the world to be faithful. After he inherits the throne, a special selection of concubines will be held for him to enrich the harem.

The thought was terrifying, and Ruan Wan had to come up with a way to escape this calamity.

Before they knew it, it was the tenth day of the fifth month. The household was bustling with activity early in the morning. The bride got up before midnight to dress and comb her hair.

A group of women were gathered around, with Aunt Liu holding Second Sister's hand.

The old woman, whose hair was completely white, was still very energetic. Holding a peach wood comb, she chanted as she combed her hair, "One comb to the end, two combs to white hair reaching the eyebrows, three combs to a house full of children and grandchildren."

Then the maids and servants did her exquisite makeup, put on a phoenix crown, and Aunt Liu covered her head with a veil.

With tears in her eyes, Aunt Liu slowly covered her head with the veil, and then her tears flowed freely. Aunt Su Yinghua comforted her from the side.

In ancient times, once a daughter was married, she was truly like water spilled from a cup; they could only see each other during festivals. If she married far away, they would never see each other again for the rest of their lives.

Nguyen Chinh Thanh and Nguyen Thu Chu were entertaining guests outside. Although it was a marriage between a concubine's daughter and a concubine's daughter, given the Nguyen family's influence in the court, most of the high-ranking officials and dignitaries were present.

Even those who didn't come in person sent people to offer their congratulations.

Aunt Hua was taking care of Yu Lang and Mu Jun. Little Yu Lang still avoided Ruan Wan, while Mu Jun circled around Ruan Wan, calling out "Sister, Sister," and was very happy.

As Aunt Liu gave her parting instructions, she felt she had countless things to say.

Su Ying, as the matriarch of the household, entertained the female relatives outside.

After putting on makeup, the eldest sister and Ruan Yuanyan returned to the East Garden. After some time apart, Ruan Yuanyan had become composed and polite, exuding femininity.

It seems that Dongyuan has put a lot of effort into this talent show.

Ruan Wan is currently unable to go out to meet guests and is staying in her boudoir with Ruan Chenjun.

The mother and daughter were talking intimately when they started crying again. Ruan Wan quickly went over, knelt down, and handed her a handkerchief. "On this joyous day, please don't cry anymore. Your makeup will be ruined. Aunt, please don't cry anymore either."

Aunt Liu wiped away her tears. "Today is Chen Jun's joyous day. We should be smiling. Aunt, please don't cry."

Ruan Chenjun immediately grabbed Ruan's hand, "Third sister, thank you so much, I really have no way to repay you."

Why are we family saying such things? As long as my sister is doing well, that's all that matters.

Just then, the matchmaker pushed open the door, walked in, and called out with a smile, "The auspicious time has arrived; it's time to set off!"

Aunt Liu handed one end of the love knot on the bed to the matchmaker and gave the other end to her second sister, who then led the way.

After seeing that her daughter had disappeared, Aunt Liu returned to the South Garden alone.

As Ruan Wan watched Aunt Liu's retreating figure, her nose tingled with sadness, regardless of what the people in the mansion said about Aunt Liu being a vixen.

But she was a good mother after all. It was understandable that she climbed into Ruan Zhengqing's bed in order to overcome her difficulties. Who would be willing to be a servant for the rest of their life?

Ruan Wan, in both her past and present lives, entrusted all her feelings for her mother to the skeleton at the bottom of the cliff.

Even if Ruan Wan truly marries in this life, she will never see her mother cry for her.

The wedding procession stood in front of the gate.

A large crowd of onlookers surrounded them.

The groom stood beside the horse, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, his posture upright, waiting for his bride, while the band played cheerful music nearby.

After bidding farewell to Ruan Zhengqing and Su Ying in the main hall, the bride was led by the matchmaker and accompanied by Ruan Xiuzhu.

As soon as one foot stepped out of the threshold, the matchmaker carried him to the bridal sedan chair. The groom couldn't help but smile broadly when he saw the bride come out, and he nodded and greeted Ruan Xiuzhu.

After watching the bride get into the sedan chair, the two of them each mounted their horses, one to see her off and the other to welcome her.

As the music faded into the distance, Aunt Liu wept in her second sister's room. Only a mother could truly understand such feelings.

Time flies, especially when you're doing the same things every day, you hardly notice the passage of time.

Ruan Wan didn't need to embroider her own wedding dress, as the palace would prepare one. However, Granny Wang refused to let Ruan Wan go and forced her to make several outfits for Xia Changfeng.

It was made of crescent-white silk, embroidered with ink bamboo. Ruan Wan thought it would look good on him.

Back then, Xia Changfeng wore Ruan Wan's clothes in the mountains, only they were several sizes too small.

Not knowing his measurements, Wang Mama somehow found Xia Changfeng's measurements.

As Ruan Wan made the clothes, she smiled, and the image of Xia Changfeng wearing those small clothes floated into her mind, making him look exactly like a down-on-his-luck scholar.

Granny Wang thought Ruan Wan was happy about her marriage.

"What are you thinking about, Miss Third? Why are you smiling so happily?"

Ruan Wan looked up and saw Aunt Liu and Aunt Hua. Aunt Hua chimed in, "What else could we be thinking about but our future husband?"

The two women walked in laughing. Ruan Wan blushed at their teasing and called out, "Qiushuang, serve tea."

Qiu Shuang immediately brought chairs and tea, inviting the two to sit down.

"What brings you two ladies here today to sit in my South Garden?"

Aunt Liu smiled and said, "Your due date is fast approaching, and Master instructed us to accompany you to the market to buy some things for a young lady. That's why we came to invite you today, seeing that the weather is nice."

Aunt Hua, who was standing next to Ruan Wan, picked up the unfinished dress next to her and said, "This dress is really beautiful. Is it made for your eldest brother?"

“Your brains are definitely for your future son-in-law,” Aunt Liu said with a laugh.

Aunt Hua hurriedly said, "Look at my brain! I saw the bamboo above and assumed it was the right thing. But the cuffs seem a bit tighter, and the waist is slit."

"Auntie, this is a riding outfit."

Aunt Hua glanced at the clothes a few more times, then put them down and said with a smile, "The Seventh Prince is blessed; the Third Miss's embroidery skills are so good."

Ruan Wan simply smiled, when suddenly Aunt Liu exclaimed, "Oh dear, something seems wrong with this crotch!"

Aunt Hua picked up the clothes again, looked at them, and nodded.

Ruan Wan took the clothes and looked them over from front to back, but couldn't find anything wrong with them.

Just as Ruan Wan was wondering, Aunt Liu whispered in her ear.

After hearing this, Ruan Wan blushed like the sunset, forgetting that men and women are different, especially in certain situations.

Suddenly, she remembered that Changfeng used to pull down his pants from time to time. At that time, Ruan Wan thought that he had developed bedsores because he had been in bed for too long or that he had developed eczema because of the high humidity in the mountains.

Thinking that he would leave after a while and I would get better on my own, and also because I couldn't bring myself to ask, I didn't ask. Now I understand why.

Her aunt was laughing there, and Ruan Wan felt really embarrassed, so she changed the subject, "Auntie, weren't you going out with me? It'll be late if we don't leave soon."

Ruan Wan called Qiu Shuang in to help her change. Qiu Shuang took out a white dress with iris patterns and asked, "Miss, how does this dress look?"

Ruan Wan nodded and began to change her clothes.

The carriage was already waiting at the door. Auntie and Ruan Wan sat on one side, Qiu Shuang sat next to the coachman, and Auntie Liu and Auntie Hua's maids sat in the back of the carriage. The group then headed towards the market.

Aunt Hua suddenly said, "Today should have been Madam accompanying the Third Miss, but with the palace selection approaching, Madam is currently too busy to get away."

Aunt Liu chimed in, "All day long, Madam and several nannies accompanied the Fourth Miss in her practice, practically without even taking a breath."

"Mother hopes that Fourth Sister can enter the palace. There is already Consort Shu in the palace. If Fourth Sister is fortunate enough to be selected this time, the Ruan family will be even more glorious."

Aunt Liu and Aunt Hua both nodded. Aunt Liu then added, "Madam's painstaking efforts have indeed yielded results. In the past few months, Fourth Miss has actually started calling me 'Auntie' whenever she sees me."

Seeing the incredulous look on her face, Ruan Wan thought that although Ruan Yuanyan was usually domineering, she should at least know the proper etiquette of respecting elders and superiors.

Aunt Liu continued, "Your Aunt Hua is better off, with Yu Lang. I only have your second sister and fifth sister. The East Garden usually doesn't take my West Garden seriously."

Aunt Hua, holding Aunt Liu's hand, said, "My North Garden isn't much better, and the East Garden is just for show in front of the Master."

Seeing the two of them suddenly feel a sense of kinship, Ruan Wan could only comfort them, saying that she couldn't very well get involved in this competition of who was more miserable.

"Aunties, don't be sad anymore. Everything's alright now, isn't it? Eldest brother is always very kind to the other courtyards, and Fourth Sister is now very obedient and polite. Mother is also very amiable now. Just the other day, Mother even sent someone to deliver bird's nest for me to nourish my body."

Aunt Hua suddenly frowned and said, "We could get used to it before, but now it's even more terrifying."

Seeing Aunt Hua's expression, Ruan Wan and Aunt Liu laughed. To be honest, Ruan Wan was also quite scared. If she didn't know that bird's nest was clean, she really wouldn't dare to use it.

As they were talking, the carriage stopped, and Qiu Shuang came in and said, "Miss, Aunt Liu, Aunt Hua, we've arrived."

Qiu Shuang took out a lotus-colored cloak and draped it over Ruan Wan before getting off the carriage, followed closely by her two concubines.

Looking at the street in front of me, with its rows of buildings, I saw restaurant waiters greeting customers with smiles at the door.

Various stalls are scattered along both sides of the street, selling candied hawthorns, sesame cakes, and other vendors calling out their wares.

A diverse array of people moved about among the shops, creating a lively scene. This was the first time Ruan Wan had ever seen a market at the foot of the capital; for the past two years, she had stayed in the Ruan residence and hadn't stepped outside.

The carriage stopped in front of a shop, and seeing that there were many carriages parked in front of it, it probably looked like an ancient luxury goods store.

The plaque above read "Jadeite Shop" in large characters. Aunt Hua said, "Jadeite Shop is the best headdress and jewelry shop in the capital. Even the ladies of the palace come here to order jewelry."

Looking at the light shining in Aunt Liu and Aunt Hua's eyes, it seems they rarely have the opportunity to come to a shop like this.

A waiter approached and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our restaurant. May I ask which distinguished guests from Minister Ruan's family are here?"