"What's going on?" Xu Mingye pushed the door open and stared at Mingyu, frowning and asking.
Mingyu hurriedly turned back from the windowsill, blocked the windowsill with her body, and smiled guiltily, "Nothing..." Looking at Xu Mingye's face full of disbelief, Mingyu chuckled and changed the subject, "When will the hot water be delivered?"
Xu Mingye couldn't bear to see his sister being so useless, so he walked forward a few steps with his hands behind his back, pushed Mingyu aside and went to look under the windowsill, but it was pitch dark and he couldn't see anything except two big muddy footprints on the windowsill.
Mingyu followed Xu Mingye's gaze to the windowsill and smiled awkwardly. Xu Mingye sighed and rubbed Mingyu's head. "My sister is such a silly girl. If you follow Sima Hong in everything he does, won't you be completely controlled by him in the future?" Xu Mingye was worried. However, when he thought that Sima Hong was not bad and was devoted to Mingyu, his worries were slightly relieved. It would be great if he could be devoted to Mingyu for the rest of his life.
"I received a letter from Sima Hong. The wedding date is set for March 3, which is also a good day." Xu Mingye said, "We will enter Xi'an Prefecture tomorrow and live in the house they arranged. Then we will marry you there. According to the rules, there are still many ceremonies to go through, but here..." Xu Mingye shook his head with some regret, "We can only keep everything simple."
With her parents not around, Mingyu's affairs were decided by him. Xu Mingye really wanted to give his sister a grand wedding. After this separation, he didn't know when they would see each other again. However, Xi'an Prefecture had hundreds of thousands of soldiers stationed there, and it had become a barracks. It was impossible to hold a grand wedding.
Mingyu nodded, "Brother, just make the arrangements." In fact, in Mingyu's opinion, the wedding is just a formality, and the excitement is for others to see. It is the two families who are tired, so it is better to have a simple wedding.
Sima Hong arranged for Mingyu to live in the home of one of his generals named Li, and vacated several rooms for Mingyu and his friends to live in. In fact, this house was originally a private residence in Xi'an Prefecture. When Xi'an fell, most of the people in Xi'an Prefecture fled, and the owner of this house also fled in a hurry, leaving an empty house. After the Chu army entered, they temporarily borrowed these ownerless houses to settle down. Mingyu heard that Sima Hong himself also lived in such a private house, which was also the new house for her and Sima Hong to get married.
The following days passed quickly. The military camp was filled with unruly men who were used to joking around with Sima Hong. They clamored to see in advance what the general's wife looked like. However, they were all beaten out by the tough Madam Li with a rolling pin as thick as an arm.
"Can you see the new bride whenever you want?" Madam Li, who was about 40 years old and a little fat, stood majestically at the door, and cursed with saliva flying: "Get out of here! What's the hurry? Wait until the Marquis gets married, and then you can see him, right?"
Only married officers were qualified to live outside the barracks. However, Xi'an Prefecture, which was in a state of war readiness, had no shortage of food and clothing, but lacked maids to do laundry and cooking. Therefore, most officers' wives had to do the housework themselves.
Xu Mingye looked at Mrs. Li with a melancholy face. She was more fierce and strong than a man. He seemed to see the appearance of his delicate and beautiful sister in twenty years.
On the night of March 2, no matter how calm Mingyu was, she could not suppress the anxiety and excitement in her heart. She tossed and turned until midnight before she fell asleep. When Lixiang called her, Mingyu opened her eyes dazedly and saw that it was still dark outside. She mumbled a few times and wanted to go back to sleep, but Lixiang dragged her out of the bed without mercy.
Bathing, changing clothes, combing hair, washing face, putting on makeup… After all these procedures, it was already daybreak. Sima Hong found an old garrison’s wife named Zhang to comb Mingyu’s hair. She was about 60 years old and was said to be a happy lady with many children and grandchildren. When Mrs. Zhang saw Mingyu, she first praised Mingyu a lot, and then began to comb Mingyu’s hair. Mrs. Zhang looked kind, but she was not soft at all. After combing her hair, Mingyu felt that her scalp was tight. However, it was said that she combed her hair so tightly because she was afraid that the phoenix crown jewelry fixed on her head would fall off during the wedding, which would make a fool of herself.
That's true. Mingyu touched her numb scalp, but she didn't have any hairspray to style her hair as a bride.
Not long after, the sound of suona and firecrackers outside gradually got closer. Mrs. Li rushed into the house and said with a smile, "Is it ready? The groom is here!"
Mingyu's heart tightened, and she subconsciously stood up and looked out the door, but Mrs. Zhang pushed her down and asked, "Where's the veil?"
Li Xiang hurried forward and took out the red veil that she had been hiding in her arms, "Here it is!"
Mrs. Zhang took the veil, shook it open neatly, and covered Mingyu's head. She patted Mingyu's hand and smiled kindly, "Child, don't be afraid!"
Before Mingyu could react, she was covered tightly by the red wedding cloth that fell from the sky. She could only look down and see her hands on her legs and the toes of her embroidered shoes with lotus flowers. When she heard what Mrs. Zhang said, she couldn't help but smile under the veil. What was there to be afraid of? She was already married for the second time! She had already married Sima Hong, and this was the second time for the young lady to get married.
Then, she heard familiar footsteps coming towards her and stopping beside her. From under the veil, she could only see the hem of the person's dark blue robe and his feet in black boots. It was not until the person squatted in front of her that she could see his full appearance.
"Come up." Xu Mingye said softly. He wanted to carry his sister on his back to the sedan chair.
With the help of Lixiang, Mingyu lay on Xu Mingye's back. Xu Mingye supported Mingyu with his hands behind his back, stood up steadily and walked out of the house.
As soon as I went out, the sounds of suona and firecrackers became much clearer and brighter.
Amid the noisy joy, Xu Mingye walked steadily forward with Mingyu on his back, whispering: "Mingyu, if you are wronged in the future, just go home. Brother's home is your home. You... ...don't learn from those women who are obsessed with face..."
Mingyu's nose felt sore and tears welled up, dripping quickly onto Xu Mingye's shoulders and soaking into Xu Mingye's robe. After a while, a small dark area was formed.
"Well." Mingyu said softly, "If he dares to treat me badly, I will go home and live with my parents, brother and sister-in-law for the rest of my life!" This was the truth. Mingyu did not intend to be a punching bag who swallowed her grievances and swallowed her anger. Life was only a few short decades long. Why would she wrong herself for false reputation? What's more, she had relatives who were always willing to accept her unconditionally.
Xu Mingye smiled. He felt relieved after hearing Mingyu's words. His sister was very smart and would not let him suffer any grievances.
After Mingyu got into the sedan chair, Sima Hong led his men into the yard. All the handsome young men were wearing handsome new clothes, and all of them stood straight and looked vigorous. Sima Hong, who was standing in the middle, had a stiff face from smiling. He didn't want to smile anymore. Bai Haogang had secretly told him that he looked like a fool, but he couldn't help it. When he thought of the jade that was dear to his heart sitting in the sedan chair, he couldn't help grinning.
Sima Hong originally thought that Xu Mingye would make things difficult for him during the wedding ceremony, and would use all kinds of skills to "serve" him and try to obstruct him in every possible way. Sima Hong made full preparations and brought all the knowledgeable people in the army. It is said that three cobblers are better than Zhuge Liang, and he didn't believe that so many people could not deal with a Jinshi.
However, Xu Mingye did not embarrass Sima Hong. When Sima Hong entered the yard smoothly, he was still in disbelief. Xu Mingye glanced at him, walked up, patted Sima Hong on the shoulder, and whispered: "My Lord, treat Mingyu well."
Until now, he didn't like Sima Hong in his heart, and was reluctant to let his sister marry him. He wanted to find a man with a steady personality and a stable career for Mingyu. However, Mingyu had made up her mind and he couldn't stop her, so he could only accept her fate.
Sima Hong was slightly surprised, then immediately became serious and bowed, "Don't worry, uncle. Mingyu is enough for Hong in this life, and I will never let her down."
Xu Mingye smiled, his delicate eyebrows and eyes, which were 50% similar to Mingyu, revealed an unspeakable meaning. Who can't say nice words? "My Lord, you don't have to do this. If that day really comes, let Mingyu go home. Although Xu is not talented, it is still no problem to support my sister."
Sima Hong looked at Xu Mingye, his brows furrowed, his tone firm and his eyes sharp, "That day will never come." He said, he would not allow such a day to come.
Xu Mingye smiled and cupped his hands without saying anything. He didn't hope for such a day to come, but if such a day really came, he wouldn't mind letting Mingyu leave Sima Hong and find a loyal and reliable man for her to live with.
Mingyu naturally didn't know what Xu Mingye had said to Sima Hong. Sitting in the sedan, she remembered what Fu Lemei and Sima Lian had told her before, that the groom would be tossed around before he received the bride. She just didn't know why when it was her turn, Sima Hong came in and took her away. Mingyu sighed in the swaying sedan, feeling infinitely melancholy. Could it be because this was her second marriage
Sima Hong lived not far from where Mingyu was getting married. The sedan chair took about half an hour to arrive. Along the way, the sound of firecrackers never stopped, making Mingyu's ears buzz. People were throwing wedding candies along the way, and many children followed the sedan chair with laughter, scrambling to pick up candies along the way.
Mingyu thought that once she entered Sima Hong's house, things would be quieter. Unexpectedly, as soon as the sedan entered the yard, there was an overwhelming sound of congratulations and shouts. She even heard a clear young girl's voice, "Brother, what does the bride look like? Let us take a look!"