A Crown for a Tail

Wedding Day 1 - Bai Qian

Keeping to Qing Qiu traditions, the brides wedding preparations were far less elaborate.  In fact it was well after Dawn before Bai Qian dragged herself out of bed much to the chagrin of her mother, who began the wake up call for them all well before dawn.

Now finally out of bed, the maids she had chosen to serve her in the Celestial Heavens were already moving to prepare her oils for the bath that had been ready for over an hour.  Now fully scented with Peach Blossoms and Peach Blossom oil, she was immediately led forward, stripped and assisted into it.

On either side of the tub, which stood in the centre of the bathing chamber, 2 of her maids knelt beside the tub and began to rub the oils into her, one starting at her feet, and the other with her hair.  It would take a good hour to work the oils in, but once done, not only would she smell lovely, her skin would be silky smooth and glowing.

Instead of ribald jokes and dirty Mortal Realm songs, they sang songs of love, happiness and joy.  They talked to her of their desire to see her marriage blessed with children, laughter and unconditional love.  It was sweet, happy and bright, that by the time they had finished, Bai Qian was more than ready to begin dressing.  

Standing her up in the water, they both took hold of the small wooden pails and gently they ran the water over her body to remove the excess petals. Then wrapping her into a thick warm towel, she was guided from the bath and back to her chamber where more of her maids were waiting.

Drying her down thoroughly, they then applied a lightly scented oil to her hair before wrapping it back into the towel before dressing her, and as they worked, the singing continued.

Hwamei [1]Sings

The moon has dulled the night sky
With a mist as wide as the eye
Can see
But this is just a shade away
From green yellow and gray
You see.

The rich bountiful harvest treats
Of pumpkin, squash, beans and beets
Is near
And with the harvest moon aloft
The sweet song of a Hwamei soft
We hear.

She sings of an Autumn Love
And the reaping of his seed thereof
To share
The fruits of his labour true
Within the heart it grew
To bear.

So tarry not, Let your face beguile
There's one who waits to harvest your smile
so true
Listen to the Hwamei that sings
Of his loving garden of joy he brings
To you

With only 3 hours left until the arrival of the Bridal Party, the pace was picked up, thanks to Bai Qians late awakening, so without delay,  her hair was curled and set while her vermilion red silk undergarments were put on first, followed by a thin undershirt of red silk with a thick band of embroidered peonies around each sleeve which ended at the wrists.

Then the bottom half of her Longfei Gua which was richly embroidered with traditional Dragon and Phoenix emblem down the full front center in gold and white with splashes of green, but a late addition which she added herself was a full length, half wrap of red silk lace that floated and billowed out around the back and embroidered with small gold peonies also in gold and green.  The skirt was figure hugging and fully showed off her petite frame while allowing ease of movement.

Next to go on was the top half of her wedding outfit, a figure hugging jacket of vermilion red which lightly flared out at the waist, also elaborately embroidered with Dragon and Phoenix Motifs in the same gold, white and splashes of green that completely covered the entire cloth and with the sleeves of her under shirt fully visible, it gave the impression that the sleeves of her jacket were double layered.

The final part of the dressing was her shoes.  Beautiful red silk embroidered lace toe, and Peony designs covering the rest, the slip ons ensured ease of movement and fully completed the outfit.