It wasn't terribly painful, but the thought of every single hair being ripped out made Lin He’s skin crawl. Lin He half-suspected the old woman upstairs had been deliberately arranged by Madam Wen to torment her.

Finally, the crone finished preparing Lin He's face, and her wedding gown was put on. Ziyu and Ziqing came in to do her makeup. Seeing the array of bottles and jars before her, Lin He felt a wave of unease; ancient cosmetics were rumored to have frighteningly high lead content.

Since arriving here, Lin He hadn't touched such things. Now, facing the prospect of having them smeared onto her face, she felt deeply uncomfortable. She said to Ziyu, "Ziyu, perhaps we can skip these things? I can still present myself to people as I am."

As soon as Lin He finished speaking, Madam Huang walked in, shooting her a reproachful glance. "Don't speak nonsense. A bride must be made up; this is their family's custom. If you don't like it, wash it off tonight. But for now, it must be done. Ziyu, Ziqing, quickly, apply the makeup to Miss."

Lin He felt a familiar deflation as Ziqing and Ziyu settled her into the chair. She knew that now that her mother was here, there was no escaping any of the necessary rituals. Madam Huang was taking the utmost care with Lin He's marriage, overseeing many details herself, striving to make everything as perfect as possible.

Though Madam Huang was often incapable in daily matters, she had executed Lin He's wedding preparations admirably. Lin He understood this stemmed from her parents’ love for her: they were ensuring all proper courtesies were observed, both to give the Wen family no grounds for complaint and to bring honor to their own household, showing those who looked down on them that though they weren't women of high birth, they were certainly not inferior to others.

Ziqing and Ziyu spent the better part of an hour dabbing and smoothing things onto Lin He’s face. Then they stepped back, peering at her features from left to right, finally satisfied that it was done. Next, Madam Huang brought over the Phoenix Coronet, intending to place it on Lin He’s head. Lin He stared at the ridiculously ornate thing, momentarily speechless; wearing something like that atop her head until evening, she feared her neck would surely break.

As Ziyu carefully adjusted the Coronet on Lin He’s head, she murmured, "Miss, just bear with it. You only wear this once in a lifetime, and not for too long. Once the Second Young Master lifts your veil tonight, you can take it off."

Lin He nodded. Could she refuse to wear it? If possible, she certainly would prefer not to, much like back in her own home. A bride simply needed a new dress and to be welcomed home by her groom. In Lin He's eyes, whether the marriage was grand or simple held no real importance. As long as the two loved each other, everything else was true.

Madam Huang and Ziyu finally secured the Phoenix Coronet onto Lin He. She felt as if the weight was physically compressing her neck; the thing was impossibly heavy, likely weighing several jin. What exactly was all this metal and jade meant to be? It was crushing.

As soon as the Coronet was settled, a group of women burst through the doorway. Led by Madam Zhao, it was a large contingent of the Lin family women. Madam Zhao strode in, looked at the Coronet crowning Lin He’s head, and smiled brightly. "Our He'er looks truly beautiful wearing this Coronet. I have never seen such a stunning bride."

"Yes. Sister looks truly lovely in it," added Chen’er, smiling nearby.

Noticing the arrival of the relatives, Madam Huang hurried to invite everyone to sit. The group was soon filled with chatter and laughter, discussing how lively He'er’s wedding was, how fortunate Lin He was, noting that they had never witnessed such a grand display for a daughter’s wedding before, and remarking on how much the Wen family clearly valued this union.

After a round of pleasantries, everyone offered Lin He a few parting words of advice. Madam Zhao was the first to excuse herself, saying she needed to go out to the courtyard to help greet the guests. Madam He and Song Yuemei, who had followed her in, left as well. However, Hongyun, Hongxia, and Madam Zhou remained behind.

Hongyun smiled, gazing at Lin He for a moment before smoothing out her dress. Then, she pulled a small cloth bundle from her sleeve and presented it to Lin He. "He'er, this is a supplementary gift from your auntie. It's nothing grand, just a small token of my regard. Please accept it."

"Auntie, wasn't the supplementary gift delivered a few days ago? This is...?" Lin He asked, slightly confused. A few days prior, Madam Zhao had brought them over, delivering all the customary gifts for Lin He. At that time, the gifts they offered were the same as those given to Yu'er—jewelry, cloth, and similar items.

"He'er, last time was when your auntie delivered things alongside the others. This gift is one I prepared privately. Over these years, thanks to you, our family has managed to improve day by day. These things aren't priceless treasures, but they are a gesture from my heart. Please take them," Hongyun said, her voice catching slightly.

After Hongyun spoke, Hongxia and Madam Zhou also brought out small wooden boxes. Hongxia smiled and said, "He'er, our household isn't as well-off as Big Auntie's, but Xiao Yunniang and I prepared this much together for you. You must accept it too."

"Yes, He'er, take them," Madam Zhou added with a smile.

Lin He glanced at Madam Huang. Her mother nodded, smiling softly. "It's a small gesture from your aunties. You should accept it, or they won't feel at ease."

Lin He smiled and accepted everything. She understood this was their way of expressing their affection; if she refused, they truly would feel unsettled.

Hongxia looked at Lin He, her eyes growing red. "She was such a small child, and now we watch her grow day by day and prepare to marry off. Time truly flies. He'er, once you marry, you must live well in your husband's home, and come back to visit your aunties when you have time."

Lin He nodded forcefully, taking several deep breaths to suppress the tears that threatened to overwhelm her. Still, her throat tightened so much she couldn't speak. The women nearby were all moved to the verge of tears. Hongyun quickly wiped her own eyes. "Hongxia, don't be like this. Don't make He'er cry; you’ll ruin her makeup, and they’ll have to start over. Besides, why cry on such a joyous day? Even married, He'er will still be our niece, and you’ll see her often at the pomade workshop."

"Yes, everyone be happy; today is He'er's great wedding day. Never mind, just looking at He'er like this makes me emotional. We should go out to the courtyard to help. The Wen family's sedan chairs will be arriving soon," Hongxia said before exiting.

Hongxia and Madam Zhou followed quickly after. Madam Huang shook her head with a smile and opened the supplementary gifts they had brought. She was startled by what she saw. Hongyun had gifted an entire set of silver jewelry, comprising several pieces. Judging by the weight, it must have cost a considerable sum. While perhaps not priceless to their own affluent household, it represented a significant outlay for Hongyun.