The Wei family has been operating in Fengzhou for hundreds of years and is deeply rooted. The married daughter of this sect is the only direct granddaughter of this generation, and her husband's family is the next head of the Xiliang Shen family, which is already confirmed by the Xiliang family, so it is extremely lively.
Wei Huan personally ordered that flowing banquets be set up throughout the city and outside the city for ten consecutive days starting from the day before Chief Wei Ying left the palace, during which time delicacies and delicacies were served one after another, and fine wines and wines continued to flow. Regardless of his or her origins, anyone who comes forward to say a few auspicious words of congratulations will be greeted by smiling faces from the Wei clan and invited to the banquet. He also ordered skilled craftsmen to tie up countless lanterns with lotus flowers, winged birds, cross-necked mandarin ducks and other metaphors that symbolize perfection and harmony. They were lit all night long, illuminating the city as if it were daytime.
For a time, Fengzhou was bustling with flowers during the day and sparkling trees and silver flowers at night, both inside and outside Fengzhou. The six clans in the country are famous, but not every marriage is so extravagant. Many people passing through Fengzhou even stopped specifically for this wedding to broaden their horizons and serve as a source of conversation in the future.
On the day when Wei Changying went out, the Wei family felt that the smell of delicacies and wines in and around the city had disturbed the atmosphere of leaving the cabinet. Therefore, they burned every dozens of steps from Ruiyu Hall to the outside of the city ten miles away. Pick up a whole jar of agarwood. Chen Guangxiang was not produced by the Wei Dynasty, but was a tribute from the Tuhun Kingdom. Due to the decline of Wei's national power in recent years, no new Chen Guangxiang has been paid tribute for a long time. Because of this, the value of this incense has increased day by day.
The fragrance of this spice from afar is elegant and you will never get tired of it after a long sniff. Note 1. The most unique thing about this fragrance is that it emits light when burned. According to the rules, Wei Chang Ying should go out at dusk to pick up relatives and send off weddings. There are a large number of people, and there are ceremonial guards. In addition, Wei Changying's dowry may not be able to be carried by Shili Hongzhuang, so the movement is slow. It was the first day out, and it was almost impossible to walk a few steps. It was getting dark. The Wei family specially chose agarwood incense, considering that under the cover of night, this incense burns like a lamp, illuminating the road and emitting fragrance. , paving a unique and luxurious way for Wei Changying to go out, so as to show the importance that the Wei family attaches to Wei Changying.
While everyone watching the ceremony felt sorry for Ming Xiang, they were also amazed by the heritage of the Wei family. They also had deep memories of this young lady of the Wei family who had mixed reputations.
Surrounded by emerald beads and dressed in elaborate makeup, Wei Changying wore the best jewelry of his life. On the left and right sides of the corolla were the pair of blood jade hairpins sent by Mrs. Su, which were used by dozens of skilled embroiderers. It took more than a year to embroider the heavy wedding dress. After kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times to bid farewell to the family temple, Huang put the prepared hijab embroidered with lotus flowers upright and covered her upright.
... After that, he and Shen Zangfeng said goodbye to their grandparents and parents.
Because Wei Zhenghong had already been there in advance, Mrs. Song and Mrs. Song both thought that for the sake of Wei Zhenghong's health, they would not bother him on that day. After the newlyweds went to the upper room to say goodbye to Mrs. Wei Huan and Mrs. Song, when they said goodbye to Mrs. Song, they just bowed in the direction of Le Yiyuan. Mrs. Song, with tears in her eyes and a trembling voice, told her daughter, "I will respect you with all my strength, and we will do it all day and night!" ”, the sentence “If you respect the commandment, there is no disobedience in the palace!” After all, it was taken in advance.
The bells and drums were noisy. Although I deliberately avoided the Le Yiyuan side, I could still hear the sound of music and the sound of cauldrons coming from far away in the courtyard.
The soft wind blew slowly, and Lu Han looked worriedly at the people standing in the courtyard: "Sir, there is no place to shelter from the wind, why don't you go back inside?"
"Ahem... It doesn't matter." Wei Zhenghong specially changed into a festive crimson robe today. It is usually tailor-made at the beginning of spring. It is also a bit wider at the moment and looks a bit skinny. When he was standing in the courtyard with his arms folded, his overly large clothes were blown by the spring breeze, fluttering, and he was about to ride away in the wind, which made Lu Han always feel a little ominous.
Fortunately, Wei Zhenghong's always pale face had a hint of blush today. After all, his daughter came out of the palace and married a husband who he felt was good. His body was still weak, but his spirit was very exciting. He smiled across the screen. Wall, looking in the direction of the main hall, longingly said: "I am in a very good mood today, I really want to go ahead and have a look."
Lu Han was startled and hurriedly tried to persuade him: "Doctor Ji said..."
"I know." Although Wei Zhenghong has been ill for a long time, he is very well-educated. He will never attack others because of his illness, nor will he deliberately make things difficult for those who serve him, so he immediately nodded and said, "Today, although I am I feel a lot better, but the front is busy. If I go there, they will be even busier... I'm just saying this."
Lu Han felt unbearable again and said, "Sir, maybe we can find a higher place to take a look?"
"..." Wei Zhenghong was moved, but after thinking about it for a long time, he sighed again, shook his head, and said, "Mother and Wei'er will definitely be worried when they find out, and they will definitely come to visit in person. This time Chang Ying is out of the cabinet, and he is the busiest. It's them. I've been dragging them down for many years because of my illness, and I've never been able to do anything. How can I ask them to worry about it anymore?" He turned around in the court, his eyes full of longing, and said, "I'm right here. Listen here."
Lu Han felt sad and forced a smile and said: "The old slave will ask someone to move two screens and a soft couch so that the elder can have a place to rest."
Wei Zhenghong responded casually and walked under the wall, holding his breath and listening to the vague sounds coming from the distance. While listening, he speculated based on the rituals he understood. He didn't know how long it took. Lu Han packed up the soft couch and asked him to go behind the screen to avoid being blown by the wind, but he impatiently waved his sleeves away...
Finally, the sound of bells and drums became clearer. It was loud music and a huge crowd. It was obvious that the newcomers were about to go out.
"My son, for my father's sake, I would like to live with this illness forever. I am happy with it. I just ask God to bless my son. He has a smooth journey here and is loved and loved by everyone in my husband's family!" Thinking of the only apple in his eye coming out of the palace, he actually Unable to even teach a word in public, Wei Zhenghong suddenly felt a sense of sadness in his heart, but he suppressed it resolutely. His lips and teeth moved, and he murmured silently, but his expression was filled with relief.
When Wei Zhenghong was praying to God for his eldest daughter in Leyi Courtyard, Wei Changying, who was lying on Wei Changfeng's back with his head covered, bit his lip slightly and subconsciously wanted to look back.
As soon as he made this move, he was noticed by Mr. Huang who was following closely beside him, and he hurriedly whispered: "Miss, please don't look back, you are not having fun!"
Until they got on the sedan chair, Mrs. Huang reminded herself through the curtain of the sedan chair: "Miss, please don't look back on this journey. This is what the old lady and madam both told you. Miss, please don't forget it!"
It is a common custom in the community that if you look back when you leave the court and miss your natal family too much, you will often come back - either you will be divorced, or you will be widowed and cannot be seen in your husband's family. All in all, it is not a good thing.
Wei Changying had been warned about these taboos beforehand, but when the time came, he just couldn't help it. Thanks to the heavy hairpin on her head, which prevented her from moving freely, Huang had the opportunity to persuade her.
Thinking of this, Chief Wei Ying couldn't help but laugh at himself, wondering if this was the reason why the hairpin ring was so solemn when leaving the cabinet
She was thinking wildly, but the ceremony outside was over. Mrs. Song and Mrs. Song rushed to the sedan in person. She had to cry and feel distressed again... But no matter how distressed she was, she did not dare to miss the time. Agarwood was used as the base and the gold foil pearl was used. The sedan chair, decorated with auspicious incense sticks hanging from its four corners, was slowly lifted up.
"My son! My son!" Mrs. Song was wailing outside the sedan chair. Inside the sedan chair, Chief Guard Ying burst into tears. She subconsciously wanted to uncover her head and lift the curtain to take another look at her mother, but was escorted into the sedan chair. Qin Ge and Yan Ge held their hands tightly and whispered: "You are not having fun, please calm down, young lady!"
Fortunately, Mrs. Song was also there outside the sedan. She suppressed her sadness and pulled her back: "Zang Feng is a good boy, a match made in heaven. We should be happy..."
But even though Old Madam Song persuaded her daughter-in-law, the sedan chair moved towards the imperial capital step by step with the sound of music. When she was about to cross the street corner, the always cautious and dignified old Madam let go of her daughter-in-law's hand and shouted in front of everyone. He shouted: "My son, you-you must do well!"
This voice was lost in the sound of music and human voices when it was called out. If it were not for the sharp eyes and ears of the guard commander and his familiarity with his grandmother's voice, it would be almost difficult to hear it. She burst into tears and choked with sobs: "I... I really don't want to..."
Qin Ge and Yan Ge were afraid that she would say something like not marrying, so they hurriedly persuaded her: "Miss, please be more open-minded! This is a happy event, a happy event!"
He coaxed her again in a low voice, "My uncle is kind-hearted and easy to talk to! If the eldest miss misses the old lady or madam in the future, she can ask Aunt Weng for permission, and it is not impossible for her to come back with my uncle to visit her! There will be a time to meet. !”
Outside the sedan chair, Mrs. Huang was disturbed by the sound of music and the voices of people congratulating her. She couldn't hear clearly, but she just tried to persuade and coax her all the way. Fortunately, although Wei Changying was reluctant to leave, he knew in his heart that even if his grandmother and mother were crying to say goodbye to him, if he really wanted to stay, they would be anxious again... After all, girls always have to get married.
Seeing that she had calmed down, Qin Ge and Yan Ge secretly breathed a sigh of relief. They gave her a small target scope and asked her to lower her head. They looked under the hijab to see if there was anything that needed to be wiped.
Wei Changying lowered his head and looked down. He used a handkerchief to wipe away some of the rouge that had been washed away. He let out a long sigh, returned the handkerchief and the target mirror to the maid, leaned against the sedan chair, and simply closed his eyes to rest. .
By the time we got off the sedan, it was already dark. Wei Changying was helped out of the sedan chair, and the maid used a feather fan to block the view, and was led into a room... This room looked familiar, so Wei Changying asked: "Is this the farewell pavilion?"
Qin Ge said: "Yes, our family sent craftsmen over in advance to catch up on the work, and the furnishings are also from the government's treasury. The eldest lady will make do with it for one night. After all, we have to go out at dusk today, and we can only walk these ten miles. It’s a long pavilion.”
"Help me get rid of this outfit first." Wei Changying asked the Huang family next to him, "Auntie, we have to travel for a long time, and this outfit is really cumbersome. I will only wear homely clothes on the way. I will change them when I get to the imperial capital. , is it done?”
Huang was confused: "This... is not quite in line with the rules!"
"There are people surrounding me when I go in and out, and no one can see me outside. My aunt didn't say anything to them, so that's it?" Wei Changying pouted and said aggrievedly, "I'm really tired today - I’m going to go out in a sedan today! I’m going to take a carriage tomorrow, and I’m so tired that I can’t even sleep!”
After all, Madam Huang loved her, not to mention that the journey to the imperial capital would take at least ten or twenty days. Every day, she spent several hours dressing up and getting into the car, and then spent half an hour unloading after getting off the car. The most important thing - besides being around to wait on her Except for the people, no one can see Wei Changying. It is too hard, and it is not just the hard work of Wei Changying. After thinking about it, Huang agreed and ordered Qinge and Yange to serve Wei Changying while he went out to give instructions to the others.
Two maids were waiting on Wei Changying to take off her makeup and change clothes. Finally, seeing that Wei Changying was relaxed and still looking uneasy, to make her happy, they opened the window and said with a smile: "Miss, please take a look!"
Under the window, there was a large vat with water lily leaves floating in it. There are no water lilies at this time of year, but there is a crystal lotus among the lotus leaves. In the stamens, there is a ball of faint blue light, bright and bright. The light shines out from the crystal lotus, with strange light and colorful halo. On the crystal lotus, there is a curl of light smoke. The smoke is like clouds. Inhale it and you will feel relaxed and happy.
Wei Changying didn't know yet about the Wei family's use of Chen Guangxiang to illuminate the road. When he saw it, he was surprised and said: "Chen Guangxiang?"
"This is what the Fifth Young Master ordered to leave a mouthful here for the eldest lady to watch and play with." Qin Ge pursed his lips and smiled, "There is a line of water tanks like this from the front of Ruiyu Hall to the pavilion! That's us. Not everyone in this kind of family can have such a pomp when they leave the cabinet.”
"Changfeng is interested." Hearing that it was his younger brother who arranged it, Wei Changying was slightly disappointed, feeling indescribable. Wei Changfeng originally wanted to send his sister to the imperial capital in person, but the rules at this time were that uncles were the first choice, and cousins were the second choice. Besides, Mrs. Song was not worried about Wei Changfeng going to the imperial capital now... so Wei Changsui was asked to send her off first. Then, when they arrived near Gyeonggi, Wei Shengyi rushed to the team again, and the father and son had just filled up the quota for sending off the bride - this was also the old lady's reward for the second wife. After the reputation of the chief Wei Ying's girlfriend was ruined, the second wife also had the final say. Attentive.
Grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, younger brother... memories are floating around, and emotions are stirring in my chest.
Huang told her not to look back on the road, but now she was resting in the pavilion. Wei Changying turned around and looked at Fengzhou through the short wall outside the pavilion. It should be that the colorful lanterns in the city were shining, lighting up the long night in the city. , even though it was ten miles away, the night sky in the south still had a great brilliance - she could imagine how bustling and lively the city was at this moment, and she could even hear the noise of people drinking and drinking in the city from the night wind.
But she was no longer in the city after all.
There is noisy inside the city, but quiet outside. Although the noise started because of her, she left it step by step.
The elegant agarwood incense couldn't stop the sound of gurgling water behind the house, which brought the fresh air of late spring with the increasingly lush vegetation. The spring of this year was coming to an end, and her career in Fengzhou also came to an end - Wei Changying couldn't help but murmur: "Green, dark and red appear in Fengcheng, and the dusk cloud pavilions are the past and present. Pedestrians should not listen to the water in front of the official, this is the note of the passing of time. This poem by the ancients seems to have been written specifically for me at this moment."
Qin Ge and Yan Ge were waiting to speak, but Huang came in and said with a smile: "Miss, it's time for dinner. After dinner, let's rest early... I have to go on my way early tomorrow!"
Everyone got busy.
In the aroma of agarwood, there is the fresh air of grass and trees and the faint fragrance of running water, lingering for a long time. No matter how colorful and bright it is, this great spring event will inevitably fade away one after another, and the deep love is hard to stay; there are so many speculations and uneasiness, that touch of midsummer beauty has already undressed its skirt and is waiting to take the stage, unstoppable...
Fengcheng is behind her, and all the people and events that recorded the girl's youth are gone.
From then on, the distant and unfamiliar imperial capital, where the Shen family of Xiliang and Shen Zangfeng lived, was the rightful destination for the Chief of Guard Ying.
From now on, there will be thousands of rivers and mountains, thousands of mountains and rivers, no close relatives to care for her, and she will not hear her parents' earnest calls. She will be Shen Zangfeng's wife, the Shen family's direct daughter-in-law.
From then on, she and this man were destined to support each other, face the wind and rain together, and spend this life together.
—build their own home.
(End of this volume)
Note 1 Shen Guangxiang: "Dongming Ji" records that the tributes of Tuhun Kingdom will glow when burned, and the fragrance is light and elegant. It is nonsense.
Note: The author is Han Cong during the Tang and Five Dynasties, and the poem is called "Farewell in Late Spring". (To be continued)