Chapter 77

Chapter 77: The Wedding

For no clear reason, Chun Zhi’s nose stung. She lowered her eyes to avoid looking at Song An Lan.

[How lucky Wan’er is to have such a good elder brother,] she thought.

Now, Song An Lan also treated Chun Zhi as his sister.

He had saved her and treated her like family. In the half year she had lived at Song Manor, life felt more like a real home than in the Lu Clan during the last ten years.

But someone this good was gravely ill, beyond any cure. He was even marrying because he had little time left and wanted to leave the Song Clan’s wealth to Chun Zhi and Song Wan’er so his sister would never worry about food and clothing.

Chun Zhi agreed to marry him because she could not refuse him. She did not want him to spend his remaining days fretting over her and Wan’er’s future.

Tears brimmed. She started to turn away and lift her sleeve.

Song An Lan reached first. With a touch at the corner of her eye, he said quietly: “Chun Zhi, don’t cry.”

But her tears had already spilled, dampening his fingertips.

“I didn’t mean to cry,” Chun Zhi whispered. “I just…”

He waited, silent and patient.

“It’s just been so long since anyone patted my head,” she said.

It had been too long since she had felt the care of family.

In the Lu Clan, she had used every way she knew to earn money. To keep Lu Jing Yun in school, she had done every kind of work.

When they were young, Lu Jing Yun had taught her to read. In recent years he went farther and farther away to study. He chased fame and a grand future. He no longer treated her as he had when they were small.

Song An Lan was nothing like him.

The Song Clan was richer than any other, yet Song An Lan did not seek rank or power. He only wished to live a little longer and keep his sister safe and happy.

Song Manor was vast and full of servants, but the only true blood kin were the brother and sister. They too feared loneliness.

Song An Lan smiled and patted her head again: “Then I’ll do it once more.”

Chun Zhi wiped her tears and sniffed: “I lost my manners.”

She had rarely cried before. Perhaps because of the pregnancy, her feelings slipped out of her control.

“It’s all right,” Song An Lan said warmly. “A young lady should cry when she wants and laugh when she wants.”

He had raised Wan’er to be just like that.

Sometimes, Chun Zhi felt he was too good to her. She did not know how to repay him. Yet he never asked for anything in return.

They sat together for a while and talked.

He knew she had nearly been discovered by Prince Chang’an and must be badly shaken. He did not mention it on purpose, but every word he spoke was meant to calm her.

Snow fell outside without stopping, but his words felt like a spring breeze.

The tension in Chun Zhi’s heart slowly unwound.

Having checked the ledgers and spoken with Chun Zhi for a long time, Song An Lan grew a little tired.

A maid brought medicine just then and said: “Young master, it is time.”

Song An Lan took the bowl and drank it in one swallow.

He was used to bitter medicine and did not even frown.

Chun Zhi reached into the little pouch at her waist and took out a packet of candied fruit. She unwrapped it and offered it: “Have one to chase away the bitterness.”

She was expecting and had craved sour things before, so she carried sour jujubes and plums. Lately she wanted sweets, so Qing Ye put candied fruit in her pouch each day and hung it at her belt, so she could have a piece whenever she liked.

Now was the time to share.

Song An Lan took one and placed it in his mouth. Sweetness spread on his tongue and washed the bitterness away.

Used to the bitter, he tasted sweet and looked at Chun Zhi with even softer eyes.

Their wedding day was set for the ninth day of the twelfth month, three days away.

Dongzhou had a custom: the groom and bride should not see each other before the wedding. Chun Zhi stayed in her small courtyard and did not step out.

Every day, Song Wan’er ran between elder brother and sister-in-law to carry their messages.

Chun Zhi had little to say beyond the same lines: rest more and do not work too hard.

Song An Lan opened his private treasury and told Wan’er to take Chun Zhi to pick out any jewelry, hairpieces, paintings, and ornaments she liked.

The richest house in Dongzhou deserved its name. His vault was piled with jewels, jade, and rare curios.

Even someone like Chun Zhi, who did not know much about such things, could tell at a glance they were priceless.

She dared not choose. Song Wan’er chose for her instead. Price did not matter. If it suited her sister-in-law, she ordered servants to carry it out.

Chun Zhi could only say over and over: “That’s enough, that’s enough.”

“This is nothing,” said Song Wan’er. “My elder brother is already twenty-five and only now taking a wife. I have only one sister-in-law, so the best things in the house should be yours. My elder brother has nothing else, but he does have money. Don’t try to save it for him.”

Chun Zhi had no way to stop her and let her fuss as she pleased.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed.

On the ninth day of the twelfth month, Chun Zhi and Song An Lan were wed.

The richest house in Dongzhou often did good works and had a fine name in the region. Guests came in an endless stream to offer congratulations.

Song An Lan’s health was better these two days. At dawn he rose and dressed in the red robes of a groom. With a jade crown and scarlet silk, he looked gentle as jade, elegant and handsome.

Chun Zhi woke early too. Led by Qing Ye, the maids dressed and adorned her. Song Wan’er and the wedding matron circled her, praising again and again how pretty she was.

Her belly was big, but the wedding gown covered most of it, so only a slight curve showed. The wedding matron and others all thought she carried Song An Lan’s child. They wished her a son, so the Song Clan would have an heir.

Song Wan’er did not explain. She only smiled and looked forward to welcoming a little nephew or niece.

All through Song Manor, people hurried about with bright faces.

The banquet was set for dusk. Mist rolled over the city. The last snow had not melted before a second snowfall began.

On a snowy day, evening fell early. Red lanterns hung inside and out, lighting the estate as bright as day.

Guests crowded the courtyards. Dozens of wedding tables filled the manor, and long rows of food stalls were set out in the city. All of Dongzhou celebrated.

Compared with this grand scene, the two little tables of wine from her fake wedding with Huo Qi in Linshui Town felt like playing house.

Chun Zhi did not know why she thought of Huo Qi at a time like this. She tried to push him from her mind, but could not.

“At the auspicious hour, the bride and groom will begin Bowing to Heaven and Earth,” called the wedding matron with a smile.

She lifted a length of red silk, a Red Embroidered Ball tied at its center. One end she gave to Song An Lan, the other she placed in Chun Zhi’s hand.

Laughter and teasing rose on every side.

Mindful of Chun Zhi’s condition, Song An Lan led her slowly as they turned to face heaven and earth.

Amid firecrackers and music, the wedding matron cried: “First Bowing to Heaven and Earth!”

Chun Zhi gripped the red silk and bent with Song An Lan, ready to bow.

“Wait!” A voice cut through the wind and snow. It was Huo Zheng…