41 The Auspicious Day (1)

"Magpies! Look, there's a flock of magpies roosting on that treetop!" I awoke to the shrill cries of maids running about the courtyard, their sheer excitement penetrating the walls of the room. "What an auspicious symbol!"

Indeed, from the moment I opened my eyes, I knew the day would be a long one. But although I had to wake at the crack of dawn, the marriage ceremony would not take place until dusk.

"Fourth Princess," A'Huan helped me up. "It's your auspicious day." She offered a small smile.

Yes, from today onwards, I would be the Princess Consort of Jin. I would bow and serve my husband, dipping lower than a servant in this unequal marriage, in hopes that he could reciprocate some of my dedication onto Liang. What joy would that be? I tried to convince myself but couldn't hide my lips from drooping ever-so-slightly.

"The head court servant has arrived from the palace," A'Huan reminded, brushing the creases from my nightgown.

I quickly plastered on an amiable expression and straightened my back. After all, today, I was the face of Liang.

For the morning and lunch, I enjoyed meagerly meals and drank little, just enough slight snacks here and there to keep me from passing out.

Do not eat too much since there will be no way to relieve yourself in the marriage chamber before the groom does so, they reminded me, and I acknowledged them with small nods.

Already, I was deemed to be something less, a mere removable extension tagging alongside my future husband and a shadow to follow his every will.

As long as he treated Jiangling well, please him I would.

They pulled out a bright green gown embroidered with swirling red undertones, a threaded golden phoenix soaring on its back. The hems of the skirt swayed slightly to the rustling wind, akin to a spirit dancing to the wind in traditional paintings.

The colors complemented each other, not quite blending into a cohesive scheme but somehow giving a joyful vibe that immediately signified a wedding. It was quite stunning, a feast for the eyes.

It was tailored to my every curve, my dimensions taken to design it the first day I stepped into Sui. And as the soft fabric hugged my body, the narrow sleeves ending perfectly at my wrists, I realized that the countless intricately-designed folds were a cause for a hassle. Countless maids worked away, some tying knots while others smoothed out the borders of the robe.

How would I ever take this off when I was alone tonight with the Prince of Jin? It was a part of the ceremony after all, and I couldn't risk offending him or leaving a bad first impression in any way.

Just when I was lost in my thoughts, a powered brush tapping against my forehead forced me to close my eyes. When I opened them again, staring into the bronze mirror. a pale figure with rosy cheeks came into view.

"Purse your lips, Princess of Liang," the court servant reminded.

As I gently put my lips against the red paper, pursing them together such that the paper was held in between them, the color took onto my own mouth. The brightly painted lips mirrored the red undertones of the gown, and along with the rosy blush, I looked every bit like a joyous bride awaiting her beloved.

If only my heart beat in such a way.

Outside, the sun had already traveled beyond its zenith, gradually descending towards the horizon.

"Is it true that the South has a custom in which the mother combs the daughter's hair before she departs?" The head court servant asked while instructing the other maids to brush my long hair and to fix it into a hairdo suitable for a married woman.

I nodded, the chant the empress had sung echoing in the back of my mind. "Last comb till the end, till white hair your marriage transcends," I whispered to myself, dreaming of an imaginary warmth as they set emotionlessly to work, their hands going down the silky strands as quickly as they had gone up.

It was an intricate hairdo, meant to signify my status now as a married woman. It was already an hour, and yet they still hadn't finished. To think my own birth mother had only been given a few moments to do so. A bitter smile tugged on the corners of my lips.

"The bride is smiling such beautifully," the remarked. But little did they know, it was simply a mask plastered on top of my skin, sealing away every bit of my inner thoughts.

The sun dipped further lower, and I knew the time had soon come.

Marveling at their work, the head court servant gave a nod of approval before setting a golden crown upon my head. Flowery trinkets and golden beads draped naturally around my forehead, a golden phoenix sitting atop the peak, marking me for a bride.

The crown's weight was uncomfortable, and I squirmed a bit under the unfamiliar burden. It would be a miracle if I could last until midnight in this.

By now, the sun had nearly completed its downward trajectory, and a faint orange glow lit up the room as it began its final descent towards the horizon. Trying to tilt my head to see outside, I found that it was virtually impossible for me to do so without the threat of breaking my neck.

If I was to be wed to a loved one, then perhaps this unnecessary torture would be possibly worth it. However, that description had nothing to do with me.

"Bride, come out!" A childish voice broke the still air, startling me, but my heart had not tremored in even the slightest bit.

"A'Xiao, I wish you the best of luck." Princess Leping greeted from the doorway, whatever shadows that usually plagued her eyes momentarily gone. I nodded at her, thankful for her past hospitality, before grabbing the fan with the poem inscribed onto it.

Positioning it directly in front of my face as previously instructed, I stepped out of the room.

"Bride, bride, come out!" Another voice joined the chants, and with each subsequent call, I took another step towards my supposed happiness.