The three women of the Yang family got up early, excited for what was to come on this day. Thanks to An Hei’s help, they didn’t have to take care of all the things around the house themselves anymore. If they wanted to, they could have even had one of the servants help Ling Ling get ready in the morning. This was a special day though and neither Madam Yang nor Jin Jin wanted to leave this part of the preparations to anyone else. Over the last few years, they had always relied on each other. Now that things were turning for the better, they really didn’t want to miss out on these things.
Madam Yang took out the red robe that her youngest daughter would soon wear and couldn’t help but take a long look at both girls. They had the right age now to get married and she knew that she had to let them go. It was the best thing she could do for her daughters to make sure that they would have a good life in the future. But that didn’t mean that she wasn’t a little reluctant.
They had only had themselves in the years since her husband had died. When Ling Ling moved out now, things would change. And even though she still had Jin Jin at her side, she also knew that that would change soon as well. Maybe her older daughter would already be able to find a suitor today. Then in another few weeks or months, it could be that she would move out as well. Even though that was for the best, it still made her feel reluctant.
Madam Yang sighed and gently brushed over the fabric of the red robe. "I can hardly believe it’s your wedding day already. Well, you’ve waited long enough. And in any case, from what I’ve seen so far, Mister An will treat you well. I won’t have to worry." She smiled even though there was a hint of sadness in it and then handed the robe to her daughter. "You put on the robe. Your sister and I will help you do your hair afterward."
Ling Ling nodded and rushed to put on the red robe. She couldn’t help but smile when she looked at the gorgeous embroidery. This robe was a sign that in just a few hours, she would have become An Hei’s wife. She had indeed waited for that to happen a long time. Naturally, she was happy. If it had been up to her, she already would have married him the day they finally met again. But having this kind of big ceremony was also nice.
She hurriedly put on the robe and then rushed back, sitting down at the dressing table and waiting patiently for her mother and sister to help with her hair. Looking into the bronze mirror, her heart thumped wildly. As soon as she finished, it would be time to go out and travel over to the estate that An Hei had bought. Then, the ceremony would start.
Madam Yang and Jin Jin didn’t need long to finish up Ling Ling’s hairdo. While it was more complicated than the ones they would usually wear, it was still doable pretty fast with two people working on it. Finally, the last bit was done and only the red veil needed to be added.
The two of them looked at Ling Ling and sighed at the same time. Ling Ling had barely come of age but at this moment, it wasn’t as obvious. In the red wedding robes and with her hair done up like that, she looked much more dignified than usual. An Hei would surely be satisfied when seeing her like this.
Madam Yang brushed over Ling Ling’s shoulders, her eyes turning a little watery. "You are beautiful. The most beautiful bride I’ve seen in my entire life."
Ling Ling laughed at that. "Mother must have forgotten to look into the mirror on her own wedding day then. I’m sure you looked much better than me." She got up and looked from her mother to her sister and back again.
She was looking forward to becoming An Hei’s wife but looking at her only family right now, she also felt a bit reluctant. From now on, she wouldn’t see them as often anymore. Maybe … maybe she wouldn’t see them ever again after the wedding. After all, An Hei had told her that he did not belong to this place. Maybe today would really be the time to say farewell already.
Thinking of that, Ling Ling couldn’t help but feel down. She loved An Hei but she also loved her family. Parting with them was hard.
Madam Yang saw that her daughter’s expression wasn’t quite right. She reached out and put her hands on her shoulders, gently pressing down. "Ling Ling. For every woman, there will one day come the time when she marries. For most, it is a time that is bittersweet because she will leave the familiar places and people. For some, it is more bitter because they dislike the one who is going to be their husband but have no choice but to go ahead for the sake of their family. For others, it can be a much sweeter experience.
"You are one such lucky woman. Today, you can marry the man you have loved since a decade ago. So really, what reason is there to show such a face? Just think of the future you will have together. You might not get to return home often and you might not see either me or your sister much but you will have your husband and one day, you will have your own children with him. You have a beautiful time ahead of you. Don’t let any dark thoughts pull you down."
Ling Ling smiled faintly. "I know that, mother. I just couldn’t help but feel a little sad because I would not be able to see you as much in the future. I will surely miss you." She sniffed faintly and then turned to her sister. "You also have to find a good husband in the future. I don’t want you to be sad."
Jin Jin smiled. She and her mother had decided together that they wouldn’t tell Ling Ling about the help her future husband had rendered them. Certainly, An Hei would let her know himself when he felt the time was ripe and right now, Ling Ling had other things to worry about. Why bring anything up that she might worry too much about?
Thinking of that, Jin Jin just lightly shook her head. "Don’t worry about me, sister. In any case, didn’t you leave your part of the dowry for me? How could I not be able to find a decent husband with that? But anyway, let’s not talk about me. This is your day today." She took a deep breath and then took her sister’s hands. "Just think of yourself. Today, nobody else is important."
"Other than Mister An." Ling Ling smiled brightly when mentioning her future husband and her mother and sister both laughed.
"Yes, nobody other than you and him. Now, I believe it’s time already. You shouldn’t let Mister An wait any longer."
Ling Ling nodded and turned around, walking out of the room and leaving the house. There were already a few servants waiting with a palanquin. She glanced over her shoulder at her mother and sister and then got inside after they nodded. The servants picked the palanquin up and finally, the procession made their way out of the estate where An Hei and his people were already waiting to receive them.
An Hei glanced at the palanquin but nothing but a faint silhouette could be seen of Ling Ling. He smiled in her direction even though he knew that she wouldn’t be able to see him either and then motioned for everyone to set off. Thus they started to make their way over to An Hei’s estate, taking a winding way through the streets of Sandin.
Meanwhile, Madam Yang and Jin Jin got into a carriage and hurried over to An Hei’s estate where some of the other guests had already arrived to witness the ceremony.
When they arrived, Madam Yang immediately looked around to see if any of the men they had agreed on with An Hei were there. As a result, she immediately spotted the person that had made her pause the other day: Wu Shi Yu.
Right at that moment, the man also looked over and recognition flashed in his eyes. He glanced around and then came over when he realized that the couple hadn’t arrived yet. "Madam Yang." He inclined his head and smiled faintly, happy to see her.
Madam Yang smiled as well. "Shi Yu, you’ve really grown a lot since I last saw you." She hadn’t told her daughter but she had known this young man since many years ago. To see him now actually made her a little nostalgic.
Wu Shi Yu’s smile turned a little embarrassed. "I’m sorry for not coming over sooner. I was stationed in the border region ever since …" He stopped himself and his smile collapsed. "Well, when I came back, I heard that your family hadn’t been doing well. I’m sorry for not helping out. General Yang did so much for me but I couldn’t even help take care of his family after his death. I’ve really failed him."
Madam Yang shook her head. "It wasn’t your fault. The fact that you thought of us would have made him happy already. In any case, the bad years seem to be over soon. One of my daughters is going to marry today so I won’t need to worry about her any longer. Now, there’s only my Jin Jin left to get married." She turned to her with a smile and pulled her forward a little.
Among all the men on the list, Wu Shi Yu was the one she would like to see as Jin Jin’s husband the most. That was because she knew him and also knew that he would treat her daughter well no matter what just for the sake of all the help her husband had rendered him before. He just was that type of person.
Jin Jin and Wu Shi Yu looked at each other and then exchanged an awkward greeting.
Jin Jin remembered his name and knew that he was one of the men that her mother thought might become her husband in the future. She hadn’t known of him before so she hadn’t had much of an opinion on the matter. It was just that she regarded men in the military a little different because of her father. Being able to marry one of them would definitely be something she would be happy with. Also, seeing him now, she couldn’t deny that he was also a rather handsome man. A woman could do much worse than becoming his wife.
Wu Shi Yu had no idea of Madam Yang’s plan but being introduced to her unmarried daughter did make him feel a little strange so he didn’t even know what to say.
Madam Yang just smiled, happy that the two had finally met. It was much too early to say whether they could become a couple but at least there was now something to work with. "Well, Mister An and Ling Ling should arrive soon. We should probably go in."
Wu Shi Yu nodded and motioned down the path. "After you."
Madam Yang continued to smile and pulled Jin Jin along while still facing Wu Shi Yu and talking to him. "How are things now that you are back? I heard you had risen in rank. Is somebody making trouble for you because of your background?"
Wu Shi Yu was an orphan that General Yang had brought back when he returned from the border once. He had trained him personally and taken him into his army, setting him onto the path that he was now following. But without a family of his own and without General Yang’s support that might prove difficult.
Wu Shi Yu shook his head. "Some of them tried but General Lin helped me out."
"Ah, General Lin, I remember him. He and my husband were very close."
Wu Shi Yu gave a hum in response. "I believe that was the reason for helping me as well. I really owe everything I have to General Yang." His gaze became wistful. He really missed the general. Things had been much better when he had still been alive.
Madam Yang sighed. "Well, there is nothing that can be done about his passing. Anyway, if you run into trouble, you can always come to me. While I can’t help, I can at least listen, and maybe I would know of a person or two that could help you out. It’s not much but my husband had really taken a liking to you. Helping you out in his stead is what I should do."
Wu Shi Yu didn’t even know what to say. He just nodded and gave his thanks while feeling that he had really let General and Madam Yang down these years. If he could he should make up for it in the future.
