"Just drop it. I know your vanity; you've been self-admiring since you were small. I’ve heard you criticize the clothes others wore for their weddings. This dress, these trousers—only you could pull them off. It's so cold, practically drafty!"

Cheng Ying happily stroked her skirt. "I’d be happy to freeze. I’ll wear your padded trousers when I’m back home."

The old woman frowned deeply, her wrinkles bunching high on her forehead. "Freeze yourself? Don't wear it outside! Just walking around the room like that will give you your old ailment; you’ll end up with chronically cold legs when you’re older."

"It won't happen. I’ll only walk around inside. It’s just family here, no need to go out. It’s a small, cozy wedding with few guests."

Aunt Gan stepped in, "Don't worry, Mother. I prepared a coat. If Yingzi steps out, I'll make her wear it so she won't catch a chill."

With that, she produced a large parcel. "This is what I prepared, Mother. It’s not as fine as your handiwork, but she can wear it out normally too."

When it came to taste, Aunt Gan’s judgment among this group of women was outstanding. Cheng Ying trusted her implicitly.

Cheng Ying slipped on the red cashmere coat Aunt Gan had prepared. It was truly beautiful.

Only someone with Cheng Ying’s stature could manage to carry off the style.

Aunt Gan smiled. "How is it? I knew you liked a cinched waist, so I had them specially alter it."

"It’s beautiful. I can wear this even when I'm not getting married."

Yang Zhi chimed in, "My daughter can handle it. Not just anyone can wear an outfit this well and look this good."

Aunt Gu added, "You’ve hit a good era. When I got married, I only had one red padded jacket, and it wasn't even nipped at the waist. The fabric quality can’t even be compared. And on the bottom, I just wore red padded trousers."

Cheng Ying pursed her lips and chuckled, easily imagining how unfashionable Aunt Gu must have looked back then.

Aunt Gu pinched Cheng Ying’s cheek. "What are you laughing at? What bride didn't go through that?"

"We didn't even have that when we got married," Great Aunt-in-Law mentioned.

If it weren't such a joyous occasion, Cheng Ying would have asked Great Aunt-in-Law if she had arrived married completely naked.

However, Second Aunt-in-Law interjected, "Sister-in-law, didn't you marry in September? Wouldn't that have been too hot for things like that?"

Cheng Ying turned her head, nearly bursting into laughter.

Aunt Gan continued tidying Cheng Ying’s clothes, wisely keeping silent. This was a battle between the sisters-in-law.

Yang Zhi spoke up, "When I got married, although I didn’t have that, Yingzi’s father did give me a red headscarf."

Her eyes softened with tenderness as she spoke, clearly drifting back to good memories of the past.

Cheng Ying quickly glanced behind her. Luckily, her stepfather wasn't in the room. She didn't want her wedding to cause friction between her birth mother and stepfather. Others might not know, but Cheng Ying understood how petty her stepfather could be; he avoided the mountain property whenever he could. From that alone, Cheng Ying could tell how deeply Chi Yong cared about his wife’s ex-husband. Oh, Mother, just forget it. Why are you blushing over my wedding?

Second Aunt-in-Law, trailing behind Yang Zhi, preened with smug satisfaction. "Your Second Uncle secretly gave me a piece of red cloth."

Cheng Ying immediately understood, "No wonder Second Aunt-in-Law is more triumphant than my own father. In terms of sheer area, Second Uncle was more generous than my father."

Great Aunt-in-Law’s face soured; she was being cornered by the other two sisters-in-law. She hadn't received anything at all.

Yang Zhi murmured, "Child, you shouldn't compare things that way."

Cheng Ying countered, "Why not? But if we’re talking about gifts, Wuzi gave me the largest total area."

Aunt Gu leaned in, eager to join the fun. "What did Wuzi give you?"

Cheng Ying listed them off. "A red jacket, red trousers, red wool leggings, a red sweater, red socks, a red headscarf, red shoes—only a red hair ribbon is missing."

Aunt Gan’s eyes welled up; she knew whether these items would look presentable once Cheng Ying was dressed. Her eye twitched as she nodded, entirely against her better judgment. "It is certainly quite a lot."

Aunt Gu grew distinctly jealous, looking at the wedding Cheng Ying was having. "Anything else?"

Cheng Ying looked at the circle of women, sensing they might not appreciate the next item. "Red undergarments."

The old woman behind her delivered another swat. That shameless girl, saying things like that!

Second Aunt-in-Law counted on her fingers. "By the number of pieces, or by the area, you've surpassed all of us."

Yang Zhi nodded along, feeling no sadness—this was her daughter, after all. The happier she was, the better.

"It can't be helped; it’s winter. I have to wear thick things, right? Wuzi said everything needed to be red from the inside out, and joyful from head to toe. I was tempted to get a bucket of red paint and cover myself!"

Aunt Gu scolded, "How can you talk like that, child? It just shows how much Wuzi cares for you."

Second Aunt-in-Law remarked, "It's a good thing you’re the only girl in your Aunt Gu’s immediate family. Imagine if daughters later on started making such comparisons when marrying off—it would make things awfully difficult."

Second Aunt-in-Law spoke the truth; what daughter marrying off isn't compared? Wuzi’s thoughtfulness was truly rare.

Cheng Ying dismissed it. "It’s fine. Future girls won't value these trinkets so much. They’ll be lucky if their intended doesn't look down on Shan Pao. Don't worry, Aunt Gu."

Aunt Gu insisted, "No matter the era, etiquette remains etiquette."

"I certainly don't envy Mother's red scarf; it was so ugly," Cheng Ying remarked.

Yang Zhi conceded, "It truly can't compare to the sheer scarves nowadays, but it was warm to wrap around."

Hearing those words from Yang Zhi, Cheng Ying knew her birth mother was recalling the old days. She guessed that their little family of three must have been quite happy back then.

Hugging Yang Zhi, Cheng Ying whispered, "Mom, if you live well, I will live well too."

"We live so close to each other, what is there to worry about? No one is luckier than I am. My daughter is my daughter-in-law; there won't be any conflict. As for the sisters-in-law relationships, we must prevent those issues too."

Listening to them, Cheng Ying thought they truly were mother and daughter; they approached issues from the exact same angle.

Aunt Gan agreed, "Isn't that right? Zizi is the luckiest of all."

The old woman felt praising the daughter-in-law was less effective than praising the granddaughter; the granddaughter was family. "My Yingzi is the fortunate one."

Late into the evening, no one told Yingzi how she ought to live her future days. Instead, they were dissecting all these miscellaneous trivialities. The reason was that Cheng Ying lived her life in such a way that there was simply nothing for others to criticize. Which young woman’s life could compare to hers?

The old woman concluded, "No need for a formal welcoming procession or anything grand. It’s not a huge affair, although you don’t need to rush the wedding memories. Everyone should go rest now."

After everyone left, Cheng Ying hugged the old woman. "Grandma?"

The old woman said, "Yingzi, I have waited for this day. You know I usually said you should wait until after graduation to marry, but truthfully, my heart was impatient. A woman’s life only settles down after marriage."

"Grandma, I know. Don't worry."

The old woman sighed. "Ah, speaking of which, when you and Wuzi got engaged, my heart was swinging wildly in the air every day. You said Wuzi was good, but I also hoped you would find someone you truly liked, even if he wasn't as good as Wuzi—as long as you were happy, I would have loved him too. Seeing you two like this now, I am truly relieved."

"Grandma, you knew?"

"What don't I know? This isn't something a woman can force upon a man. But Yingzi, after all is said and done, the woman is the one who takes the loss. What’s a loss and what’s a gain between you and Wuzi isn’t decided by surface appearances. Besides, a loss is a blessing. Look how well Wuzi treats you now; I am truly at ease."

Cheng Ying laughed. "Grandma, you’re... I won't say anything more. No wonder Wuzi treats you so well; you've put a leash around his neck."

The old woman chuckled. "As long as you two are happy, that’s what matters. Wuzi is genuinely good, and the key is that he truly adores you."

"Grandma, I know. We will be happy. You just wait to hold a big, fat great-grandson."

The old woman, normally clear-headed, became slightly sentimental, but Cheng Ying quickly dashed that feeling away. This child’s words were irritating. "Alright, go to sleep. You need to look beautiful tomorrow."

"Grandma, I’ll sleep with you, okay?"

"I don't like you tossing and turning."

"You can complain about me tossing and turning when I haven't even complained about all the wrinkles on you yet."

"Sleep now. I don't know what these few youngsters are fussing about. Wuzi has been running around aimlessly these last few days; I wonder what he’s thinking."

"Who knows? Let him fuss. I think it’s bothersome enough. Why did he insist that Mingzi and the others fetch him so early in the morning? Wouldn't it have been fine if we just sat together and had a meal? Who am I being so low-key for, if not to stop Chi Wu from feeling awkward?

"Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand. Wuzi’s actions show how much he cares for you; it’s sensible. This serves as a rite of passage for Wuzi joining our family, a witness. What do you know?"

The old woman understood the true significance of this gesture: it solidified the idea of a prospective groom moving into the bride’s family.

Cheng Ying thought to herself that she should consider how Chi Wu’s grandparents might feel seeing their grandson taken away so early in the morning. It was precisely because Cheng Ying didn't want to make things too formal that Chi Wu’s grandparents wouldn't feel slighted.

Who could she share this thoughtfulness with? To think that that unlucky boy insisted on this whole process.

The monetary gifts that had been given away over the years would only be recouped when they had a child.

Cheng Ying looked at the old woman beside her, whose closed eyes were creased with smile lines. This marriage had been the right choice; the only thing her own grandmother worried about was that small matter.

She wrapped one arm around the old woman, who was fast asleep with her eyes shut, no different from any other night. Cheng Ying felt perhaps the lack of traditional coiled hairstyles contributed to the absence of a true bride's atmosphere.

The next morning, Cheng Ying woke up early to manage her face and hair herself. She was the bride, after all; she had to look completely renewed. Cheng Ying absolutely did not want people saying that even after getting married, she still carried the rustic characteristics of Cheng Ying.

She didn't entrust this task to anyone else; she did it all herself. The current makeup techniques amounted to little more than rouging the cheeks, which Cheng Ying frankly couldn't respect.

Cheng Ying swept her hair back, letting it gather loosely at the nape of her neck. While it wasn't a coiled updo, it looked quite lovely. She examined her face: her eyebrows needed no drawing; they were naturally beautiful. Her complexion was fairer than if she’d used powder. As for her lips, they were inherently red—too perfect; there was no need for embellishment.

Where did such a beauty come from? Timeless, intelligent and graceful, she was the most beautiful she had ever been in both her lives.

Cheng Ying patted her cheeks, admiring her reflection from every angle. She sighed genuinely, "Oh my, Wuzi certainly got the better end of the bargain."