Wedding Day Preparations

Looking into the ornate mirror, I frowned slightly as Mother Ai began to touch up my face with makeup, humming as she did so.

Bao worked behind me, going through the various pieces of jewelry and matching them to the fancy red wedding robe that Mom sent me.

The silky fabric it was made from was embroidered with beautiful orange flowers, while the occasional blue petals added some contrast to the warm colored robe.

"Honey, stop frowning~! It's your big day! You won't get another lavish day like this for a long~ time to come, so enjoy it~!"

Hearing Mother Ai's voice, I nodded as I forced myself to drop the frown, sitting still as she continued to apply the makeup to my cheeks.

It wasn't to cover anything up, nor to make me 'look pretty', but was instead a tradition inside the Moonlit Orchard, so while I despised the feeling of the heavy powders on my skin, I withstood it for this day.

Begrudgingly, but I understood the importance of appearances today; we needed to adhere to stupid traditions like that to placate the old monsters of the other Families that would show up today.

It was early in the morning, and time crawled by as I was prepared for the ceremony, the layers of makeup feeling suffocating at first before I began to grow used to it.

The robe was heavy but comfortable, and I stared into the mirror still as Mother pinned up my hair using elaborate golden pins, each one studded with orange sapphires that shone with hidden power, the miniature arrays engraved into them making Mother smile down at me.

A thin golden chain was clasped around my neck, joining the turquoise coin that I stubbornly insisted remain on.

Two thick golden bracelets laden with more orange sapphires and fire jade adorned my wrists, with the right bracelet having five small golden chains that connected to the different rings on each finger.

Mother had prepared those bracelets for me as well, telling me that she had asked Wu Lan, the Dharma Forgemaster, to make them for me.

Finally, the last part of my outfit was the pair of uncut fire jade that hung from my ears, the stones coming from Moms past home.

The various expensive jewelry clad on my body made me feel odd, and I wanted to rush to the ceremony already, but...

"Alright, now we need to-"

Sighing, I continued to get dragged around by Mother as she inspected every last inch of me, before drilling each step of the ceremony into me.

"The first part is simple; you and Chen'er will pray before the Divine Peach Tree, followed by your Mom and I. After that, we go down the mountain inside a carriage and arrive at the venue.

Gao Chen will go ahead while you don your veil, then your Mom will walk you down the aisle. You and Chen'er will exchange your vows, we will accept her as our daughter-in-law, and then you two will be officially wed.

Chen'er will lead you around the venue and you both will exchange pleasantries with the guests, before returning to the podium to wish everyone well and begin the feast. When everyone has begun to eat, you and Chen'er will partake in the feast as well, before drinking alongside us.

Then you are free to retire for the night, where you would normally consummate the marriage, but... well, you two already did that~! Still, do remember to perform your wifely duties tonight; I imagine the day will have been stressful for Chen'er as well. Then... that's it. You two will be married, and you will both be looking into the future together~!"

Mother Ai grinned at me from the mirror, and I smiled as best I could back at her, both because I was dreading interacting with the guests, and also because I felt like any movements of my facial muscles would send a wave of powder cascading into the air.

Standing up, I sighed slightly as I felt a few conflicting emotions in my heart, before I chased them away quickly.

They were things I had already felt before; confusion, anxiety, worry, anticipation, excitement...

For the moment, I needed to have a clear head as we made our way out into the large palace, Mother leading me towards the Divine Peach Tree, where Gao Chen and Mom waited for us.

~~~

Gao Chen PoV

Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm my pounding heart, fearing that the Matriarch could hear it from where she stood across from me.

I was anxious, and I hated it.

Who would show up today?

What would they say?

How would they act?

And no, I wasn't worried about the big shots like the Family Heads, Sect Masters, Elders, and so on...

They didn't bother me; I knew they would act a certain way, and only a few would try something today.

Though, I doubt that as well, considering the Matriarch would be present.

No, I was worried about my previous flings showing up and demanding to be made concubines, cursing me for leaving them after a night, or coming to ridicule Li Yich-

Frowning slightly, I froze as that thought entered my mind, and I grew confused instantly.

Did I really care if people made fun of her?

I mean, sure, I'd be angry since that would be a slight towards me, but was I worried about people ridiculing *her*?

Why?

She was just a woman to be used by me, for me...

When did I start to actually care about what happened to her..?

My frown deepened, and I tried to piece together the puzzle that was my heart, only to stiffen as the Matriarch murmured "Here they come, Gao Chen. Do make sure to play your role well, oh daughter-in-law..."

Her flat voice made me shiver, but I just nodded, straightening out my red robe.

The dragon coiling around the torso was a pale blue, and I knew instantly that it was meant to symbolize Li Yichen; normally it would be a darker or lighter red, to stick to traditions, but...

Glancing to my side, I took in the figure of the Matriarch, who was wearing her black robes with silver scales patterning the sides, adding to her regal and domineering aura.

Well, she made the traditions now...

Taking another deep breath, I stared at the pathway that led up towards the Divine Peach Tree, where the Matriarch and I stood.

This was the seat of her power, and it was the reason the Matriarch could rule like she did.

It was here that she wanted Yi'er and I to make our prayers to the Gods, where we would vow in our hearts to look after one another.

I continued to await my fiancee, only to have my eyes widen in shock as I watched her crest over the hill.