Song Dingxiang [Completed]

C36.2 New Aunt. (2)

Chapter 36.2

Finally, the day of their wedding has arrived.

Song Xingyi and Li shi had originally prepared a dowry of twenty taels of silver for Song Zhixuan, a sum that gleamed temptingly in the light, promised a secure start to their new life.

To this they added a bounty fresh from the farm: two plump geese, their feathers a study in snowy white, and two even fatter chickens. A pair of pork knuckles, rich and succulent, completed the savory side of the dowry. And for a touch of sweetness, they included not just one, but two baskets overflowing with seasonal fruits - crisp pears and perfectly ripe persimmons.

This was already a generous dowry for a rural family.

Later, because the Wang family sent a number of brushes, ink sticks, and paper, they added a pair of calligraphy brushes, a pair of gold-rimmed ink blocks, and a folding fan to the dowry. Even in town, this would be considered a substantial dowry.

On the day of the wedding, Song Xingyi and Li shi put on their new clothes. Li shi even wore two silver hairpins and a gold ring.

The gold ring was bought by Song Xingyi years ago when he earned a good sum of money. It was a precious gift for his wife, and she only wore it on special occasions like this.

Early in the morning, Song Zhixuan took his older brother and sister-in-law to greet the bride, and in order to do so, he specially borrowed a mule cart. However, before they even reached the town, the Wang family sent a carriage to lend to Song Zhixuan, saying that it wouldn't be right to inconvenience the daughter of the town's academy head on her wedding day.

Seeing that Song Zhixuan refused to accept, and mentioning the friendship between Zhou Yinuo and Song Dingxiang, they insisted on Song Zhixuan switching to the carriage.

The switch from a mule cart to a carriage instantly made the procession more grand, even the father's bride, Bai Shan, smiled, not wanting to make things difficult for his new son-in-law, and smoothly sent his daughter off.

The carriage was fast, and the journey that had taken over two hours to go and come back was completed in just over an hour. The dashing groom led his bride by red silk, beaming with a smile as he got off the carriage.

"The bride has bound feet!!" A child ran over to lift the bride's skirt and excitedly exclaimed upon seeing the delicate embroidered shoes covered by the red dress.

Fang Shi and Zhang Shi quickly shooed away the children and gave them some candy before escorting the bride into the courtyard.

Song Dingxiang didn't join the wedding procession but stayed by the side of Li shi to help. The moment the new bride entered the house, her eyes lit up.

After all, this new bride was the daughter of the only academy head in town.

Dressed in a crimson gown, the fabric danced with an intricate design – a phoenix rising amidst a swirling red dragon, symbols of prosperity and power. Atop her head, a veil of the same fiery hue cascaded down, embroidered with a scene of mandarin ducks frolicking in water, a traditional emblem of marital bliss. Her bound feet, a custom of the time, moved with a practiced grace, each step a whisper against the floor.

In the village, women did not bind their feet because it would hinder their ability to work. Those who did bind their feet were usually from wealthier families who didn't need women to do heavy labor.

Although Song Dingxiang did not approve of foot binding, she couldn't help but admire the grace of the new bride.

The new bride was quickly escorted to the bridal chamber, with Song Zijin pulling Song Dingxiang into the room as well. They were considered accompanying guests, specially there to accompany the new bride and her family.