Madam Yuan took a moment to calm her breathing and then said, "There's one more thing... You sisters have endured hardships in Fujian. There were no wet nurses or maids to take care of and teach you. Now that you're going to marry into the prince's mansion, having only one personal maid by your side just won't do."
She put the silver notes and land deeds back into the box on the couch, tidied her hair and makeup, and then called out, "Aunt Song, come in!"
Someone outside immediately responded. Soon, a middle - aged woman walked in. She had a simple bun, was dressed neatly, with her head down and a respectful and cautious look on her face.
"During the past two years in Pingkangfang, I've carefully observed the people around you. I think Aunt Song is diligent, cautious, meticulous, and reliable. You've also found her useful."
"I've called her here today. From now on, she'll be your tutor and go with you to the Xiao family. With such a prudent person by your side, I'll feel more at ease."
Madam Yuan's voice grew a bit more solemn and suddenly took on an air of authority. "Wanming, greet Nanny Song."
Li Wanming immediately stood up to pay her respects. Seeing this, Aunt Song quickly stepped forward to support her and said repeatedly, "You mustn't, you mustn't! Third Miss, such a grand gesture will surely overwhelm this old servant..."
Madam Yuan lowered her eyes slightly but remained seated. Her tone was calm yet unyielding. "Let her bow to you! Nanny Song, you deserve it."
Hearing this, Li Wanming clasped her hands at her left waist, bowed deeply, and said seriously, "Wanming greets Nanny Song."
After Li Wanming finished the salute, Madam Yuan said slowly, "Nanny Song, although you're steady and careful, your personality is a bit too gentle. Once you're in the Prince Ning's Mansion, you can't act like this anymore. You need to change your way of dealing with things."
Her tone became more and more serious. "Wanming will be the mistress in the future, and you'll be the housekeeper by her side. All matters regarding money, personnel, life, and death will be in your hands. You need to be more decisive and not let others deceive or bully you."
Hearing this, Nanny Song knelt down in a hurry. Her eyes were slightly red, and her voice was choked with emotion but firm. "Don't worry, Madam. Since you've asked this old servant to follow the young lady to the prince's mansion, it's a great trust in me! Even if I have to risk my life, I won't let anyone bully the young lady!"
Madam Yuan's expression softened. She told Nanny Song to get up and then said, "You don't need to worry. Although your personality is gentle, Wanming is tough. You two should watch out for each other and discuss things more when problems arise. Your combination of toughness and gentleness might work wonders."
Saying this, a look of sadness flashed across her eyes. She murmured to herself, "Although I've been in charge of the family, my heart wasn't fully in it. I just barely managed to restrain your grandmother from causing too much trouble."
"I've been the mistress of the Li family for four years, but I haven't trained many capable people. It's my dereliction of duty. If I had realized this earlier and sent one or two capable people to accompany Wanxin and Wanmo when they got married, maybe..."
"Mother..." Li Wanming called out softly, a bit nervously.
Madam Yuan collected herself, looked at her with a gentle smile, and said softly, "You should be more vigilant when you go to the Xiao family with Aunt Song and Chuntao. Although their loyalty to you is beyond doubt, they still need experience."
"If anything happens, don't bear it alone. Just come to me and your father. Although our official positions are low, we've lived a few more years and can share some of your burdens."
After saying that, Madam Yuan called in the wedding maid and asked her to do Li Wanming's hair and makeup.
The phoenix crown was made of gold wire, shaped like a phoenix spreading its wings. The tail of the phoenix was fully extended, and the feathers were clearly defined, each adorned with tiny gemstones, shining brightly. Strings of pearl tassels hung from the edge of the crown, swaying and adding more charm.
Li Wanming had just cried, and her makeup was a bit smudged. The wedding maid reapplied her makeup with begonia perfume paste.
As the light - scented paste was applied, the tear stains on Li Wanming's face were covered, leaving only the red corners of her eyes. Against the backdrop of the bright pearls, she looked even more charming and beautiful.
Even the tough Madam Yuan's eyes were slightly red at this moment.
She took off the warm mutton - fat jade bracelet on her wrist and gently put it on her daughter's wrist. Her voice was choked with emotion.
"My daughter, I hope you'll have a harmonious marriage and a smooth and healthy life."
Li Wanming looked down at the jade bracelet. A wave of sadness welled up in her heart. Before she could say a word, the red wedding veil slowly fell, covering her sight.
All she could see was a hazy red, as if the whole world was wrapped in this festive color.
She bit her lower lip and tried hard to hold back her tears. Supported by the wedding maid, she walked out of the Snow - listening Pavilion step by step.
In the courtyard, gongs and drums were blaring, and firecrackers were deafening, as if they were going to turn the sky upside down.
Li Wanming's ears suddenly buzzed. It seemed that countless people were rushing in from all directions. The crowd was chattering their congratulations, and the excitement made her a bit dizzy.
The wedding maid held her hand and loudly recited a lucky saying with each step: "One step on gold, two steps on silver, three steps for a loving couple, four steps for a long - lasting marriage..."
The voice was loud and every word was clear, without any repetition.
Li Wanming didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Gradually, she was infected by the lively atmosphere. The original sadness faded away, and instead, a kind of indescribable novelty and nervousness welled up in her heart.
Chuntao was walking behind her, holding a carved pastry box and carrying a small bundle on her arm. She was checking the things she was going to take in a hurry while walking.
Wanxin glanced at her and asked, "Have you brought everything?"
Chuntao patted the box. "Yes! Begonia cakes, chestnut cakes, and our young lady's favorite hawthorn pot helmets! I've also packed all the ginseng slices and tranquilizing pills you asked me to prepare earlier!"
Liu Yiyi was stunned when she heard this and couldn't help but interrupt. "Ginseng slices? Tranquilizing pills? Why do you need to bring these? Is this a wedding or a hard - labor job? What are these things for?"
"You don't understand." Wanmo gave her a disdainful look. "Getting married is no different from doing hard labor. To avoid going to the toilet, the bride isn't allowed to eat or drink from early morning and has to endure hunger until evening!"
"Goodness me! Getting married is so troublesome!" Liu Yiyi stuck out her tongue, looking incredulous. "I don't want to get married in the future..."
Wanmo glanced at her indifferently and said nothing.
Chuntao held the box in her arms and said proudly, "Fortunately, I stewed a bowl of bird's nest porridge for the young lady this morning and let her drink a couple of mouthfuls to fill her stomach. Otherwise, she'd be starving after a whole day!"
Hearing this, Wanxin immediately became nervous. "You didn't let her drink too much, did you? If she did, it would be embarrassing during the wedding ceremony!"
Chuntao was stunned and stared blankly with her mouth half - open. "It seems... she drank it all. The bowl was empty when I went to clean up this morning..."
Wanxin stamped her foot in annoyance. "What shall we do! What if... won't it be a laughingstock?"
Li Wanming listened to their endless chatter behind her. They didn't seem to control their voices at all. One was louder than the other, and in an instant, her embarrassing secret was known to everyone in the courtyard.
She really wanted to lift the veil and shout in their ears, "I didn't drink it all! I only took one sip, and the rest went into Second Sister's stomach!"
But she was the bride and had to be dignified today.
She couldn't do anything.
She could only grit her teeth and follow the wedding maid obediently, taking elegant steps, swaying her waist gracefully, and walking slowly into the main hall.