The crowd’s attention was all on Wang Shouzhe; nobody noticed a pretty young maid of sixteen or seventeen quietly appearing in the corner on the other side of the corridor.
Upon glimpsing this scene, the little maid immediately sprinted back at high speed, her face filled with gravity.
Today is the bride’s day of joy.
Early in the morning, Shulan Courtyard had been cleaned multiple times, and even the green bricks on the corridors were washed with clean water, looking bright and new. All the lanterns under the corridors were replaced with red ones, and even the trees in the courtyard were hung with delicate red lanterns, creating an atmosphere full of festivity at a glance.
In the boudoir, the bride Liua Ruolan sat gracefully at the dressing table, surrounded by several graceful middle-aged women attentively helping her with her coiffure and makeup.
Because it was the grand occasion of marriage, and to prevent the rouge and powder from staining the wedding dress, the makeup needed to be finished first, and the hair styled, before putting on the wedding attire.
At this moment, only half of Liua Ruolan’s makeup was done, yet even so, her eyes were pure and bright as water, clear and transparent, but still retaining wisdom and liveliness. She wasn’t the kind of unparalleled celestial beauty rarely seen, yet she was considered extremely attractive. Just sitting there, she exuded the warm and reserved aura of a noble family’s daughter, with a subtle hint of elegance that ordinary girls from common families didn’t possess.
This elegance wasn’t cultivated from pampering but nurtured bit by bit from the solid foundation and strong strength of a prosperous clan, which is challenging for outsiders to emulate.
However, perhaps too nervous today, her delicate body was somewhat tense, and her long eyelashes trembled involuntarily.
"Miss Ruolan, every girl has to go through this one day. Besides, I’ve heard that the new groom is talented and handsome, with exceptional character—he’s such a desirable husband."
The experienced beautician comforted her softly.
"Hmm, thank you, Sixth Aunt." She nodded slightly in gratitude, her eyes revealing a trace of anticipation and shyness.
The beautician was skillful; in no time, she styled her hair elegantly.
Her lips were also coated with bright red lipstick, the vibrant color contrasting her fair and delicate skin, making her even more stunning and captivating, like a blooming peony. Dıscover more novels at 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚✦𝕟𝕖𝕥
Liua Ruolei watched her sister’s radiant beauty from the side, slightly envious: "Sister, you look so beautiful today, like a goddess from the heavens. Brother-in-law is so fortunate to marry you; it’s the greatest blessing."
Hearing Liua Ruolei’s words, the beautician nearby covered her mouth with a giggle, teasingly adding: "If Ruolei is envious, I can help you find some suitable unmarried desirable husband from somewhere."
The speaking beautician was named Wang Liuzi, the fourth in the Liu generation of the Wang family’s womenfolk, married into a distinguished direct line of the Liua family.
Had she married into another family, she would have returned to the Wang family recently to assist.
Having her accompany Liua Ruolan now, instead, emphasized their closeness.
Liua Ruolei blushed and quickly changed the subject: "Yuan Rui has been gearing up since early morning, saying he wants to assert himself for you, sister. I wonder how it’s going now?"
Just as she spoke, a pretty maid suddenly rushed in from the door.
Her expression was slightly anxious, and as soon as she entered, she exclaimed urgently, "Miss, it’s not good. Young Master Yuan Rui is too much."
Liua Ruolei hadn’t finished her sentence; upon hearing this, her expression tightened suddenly, quickly asking, "Qiao’Er, what happened?"
"Young Master Yuan Rui brought Young Master Yuanqiang, saying he wants the new groom to lift such a big, heavy stone ball." As she spoke, Qiao’Er gestured with her hands, indicating the stone ball used in Young Master Yuanqiang’s practice, weighing a good two thousand pounds, even Young Master Yuanhui finds it very challenging to lift."
Qiao’Er said worriedly, "The new groom is so handsome, what if he gets hurt?"
The middle-aged beautician nearby giggled discreetly: "Qiao’Er, your Miss Ruolan hasn’t even married yet, and you’re already worried about the new groom. Aren’t you embarrassed~"
"Don’t worry, Yuan Rui is a scholar and knows the rules; he won’t act recklessly." Another accompanying middle-aged beautician also laughed, "The new groom is here to pick up the bride. If we don’t curb his vigor now, won’t our Ruolan suffer when she marries? Yuan Rui is just being considerate of his sister."
"But these are just conventional customs. If one wants a harmonious marriage and a prosperous family, they must be virtuous and meticulous, always considering for their husband to earn respect, rather than constantly relying on the maternal family for support."
Liua Ruolan’s eyes moved slightly, but she still couldn’t rest assured, but said softly and melodiously, "Ruolei, go check for me, don’t let Yuan Rui and those kids go too far, just make sure it’s lively."
"Yes, sister. I’ll go now."
Lia Ruolei couldn’t sit still either, worried about her brother-in-law, bid farewell, and immediately dashed away.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard.
"Yuan Rui, if I can’t pass this hurdle, what should be done?" Wang Shouzhe, knowing Yuan Rui and his group were just playing around, naturally wasn’t bothered, smiling as he cooperated and asked.
Lia Yuanrui kept his hands in his sleeves calmly, smiling gently, "Brother-in-law, you know, just admit defeat, and all the hurdles will be over."
Wang Shouzhe knew, this was the custom among the Black Tortoise Clan.