42 The Auspicious Day (2)

Blasting trumpets and ringing gongs accompanied the shrieks of rapture, playing a lively tune that spoke only of revelry. Even from within the manor walls, the outside festivities were apparent.

"Bride, bride, come out!" The shouting intensified, amplifying as I took dainty steps towards the awaiting red carriage.

In the distance, from behind the mask of the fan, all I could make out a blurry silhouette. The head court servant rested her hands on my elbow, stopping briefly just before the doorway.

"Ready?" she muttered under her breath, and I gave a small nod while keeping the fan centered perfectly before my face.

I stepped out the door, and the full effects of the celebrations blasted onto me. All of the festivities were for me, but all I felt was the distance between myself and the commotion. "Wooo!!! The bride has arrived!"

Calm.

I took a step down the stone steps, my heart jumping for a moment as I stepped onto air before landing on solid rock.

Steady.

With the gentle guidance of the court servant, I made it a bit further.

Do not trip and make a fool of yourself.

From my peripheral vision, I could see solid masses of people lining both sides of the street. The robes of commoners dragged alongside the streets, worn-out shoes standing among well-kept ones. This was surely the most lively I had ever seen the Sui people, and for a day, the commoners and the nobles celebrated as one people.

"The groom shall lead the bride to her carriage," a voice boomed, and the crowd erupted into cheers. "A smooth ride for the rest of their marriage."

I kept my eyes low. Beneath the fan, a few slender fingers extended towards me, beckoning for my hand.

It was a lean one with cleanly trimmed nails and long fingers, fit for the most adept scholar or talented artist. There was something about it that reminded me of the willowy frame of a nymph.

Taking a deep breath, I set one outstretched hand onto his, using the other one to maintain my face covering.

There was something familiar about the touch, a recognizable spark that flew for a split second. Or perhaps it was just the rough calluses on his palm scraping against my skin that reminded me of that strange encounter.

His hand was larger than mine, and my entire hand fit squarely into his palms, the edges of my fingers barely grasping onto the edges of his palms to give me the grip I needed to later boost myself onto the wooden platform.

He was careful, guiding me step by step as we neared. If I made even a small pause, he would subtly wait for me before taking another step.

"Into the auspicious ride!" The court servant announced, but the booming heart drowned out all else. "Forever happy shall be the groom and bride!"

Even from behind the fan, the bright red of the carriage stood out, but I could not make out where the wooden step leading me up to it was. I tested the waters a bit, taking a step upward with my right foot and hoping that it wouldn't find mere air.

Despite my hesitation, he patiently awaited. Not once did his hand fidget as I used it to support myself onto the carriage. And instead of grabbing back onto me, it remained solidly straight, maintaining our respected distance and not taking advantage of me in any way.

Luckily, my guesses were correct, and I made my way to the seat. But the tail of my trailing gown caught against something, and I could make out his faint outline swooping down to fix it for me.

I must admit that I tried to catch a glimpse of him, but it was all to no avail. He was too far back for me to see from the crevice under the fan.

Just as A'Wu and Princess Leping had promised, he was a gentleman of character and extreme consideration. Maybe his supposed beauty was not all bluffing either.

The sun must have cast glistening shadows across all of the bright reds and golds, but I couldn't see much of it other than the glimpses of warm light that seeped through my fan.

The soft tapping of horse hooves tapping along the streets rhythmically sounded, accompanying my carriage along the entire way. From the slit in the carriage window, all I could make out was the back of a red figure riding upon a white horse.

By now, my wrist and arms were slowly becoming sore from maintaining the position of the fan. But I suppose the hours of practice had paid off. And luckily, the Princess Leping's manor truly was close to that of the Prince of Jin's.

"Into the hallway!" The fabric covering the doorway of the carriage was lifted. "Shall your entwined paths never go astray!"

Outside, the last rays of sunlight blended into countless lights and red lanterns, and if I hadn't known better, I would have thought that the sun was at its peak.

Like before, his outstretched hand offered support for me as I made my way down. I stepped onto a soft felt fabric, a red carpet that paved the entire way to the nuptial suite.

I had prepared for this, I reminded myself, thinking back to my ritual lessons. To step foot onto actual soil was a sign of ill fortune, and I would follow the paved path by glancing downwards and letting the fringes of my vision to do their work.

A few low embers flickered just beyond, and I could make out were their glowing forms.

"Carry the bride across the fire pit, and shall all woes go unfit!"

I took a deep breath, slightly dreading the contact.

"Ready?" he whispered in a suppressed voice, his hot breath tickling the back of my ears. I nodded, closing my eyes, surprised that he had even asked for my permission.

He bent down slightly, setting one hand onto the small of my back and another under my knee firmly and nowhere else. I couldn't hide the small gasp that escaped, wanting to bring my hands up to cover it but knowing I couldn't.

Lifted up on one swift motion, I barely had the time to register what had happened before clasping the fan as close to my face as possible.