On the appointed day to obtain their marriage certificate, Feng Qingyi and Qin Yuchuan waited at the entrance of the civil affairs bureau with their household registration books and ID cards, ready for the office to open.
"Yu, are you nervous?" Feng Qingyi rubbed her hands together.
Qin Yuchuan wore the white shirt Feng Qingyi had specially bought for him, making him look several years younger.
He held Feng Qingyi's hand and said, "If you're nervous now, what about tonight?"
Feng Qingyi gently pinched him, "It's my first time getting a marriage certificate. Am I not allowed to be a little nervous?"
After the civil affairs bureau opened, they quickly filled out the forms, took photos, and successfully obtained their marriage certificate.
Feng Qingyi looked at their photos on the marriage certificate and said with a smile, "Don't I look beautiful today?"
"Yes, very beautiful. But we should head back now," Qin Yuchuan said.
Feng Qingyi nodded, "Let's drive back to the villa first, then you go to the General's Mansion, and I'll go to the Peng Lai Residence. I'll wait for you to come and pick me up."
"Alright, wait obediently for me to come and fetch my bride."
When Feng Qingyi arrived at the Peng Lai Residence, it was decorated exceptionally festively, with red everywhere she looked.
Bai Wei saw Feng Qingyi and quickly pulled her upstairs, "Miss Qingyi, you're finally here. Hurry and change your clothes, then we'll do your makeup."
"But isn't the groom supposed to come at dusk? Isn't this too early?" Feng Qingyi asked.
Bai Wei replied, "Miss Qingyi, it's not early at all. The makeup artist is already waiting, and Miss Xu has come to keep you company. Please go in quickly."
Feng Qingyi entered what used to be her private room, now transformed into a makeup room.
The wedding dress and various accessories were neatly arranged.
"Qingyi, you're here. Hurry and put on the wedding dress," Xu Linghe said, walking to Feng Qingyi's side.
Feng Qingyi looked at the maids standing in the room, "Why don't you all step out for a moment?"
She felt a bit uncomfortable changing clothes with so many people watching.
The makeup artist said, "Miss, we're all women here. There's no need to be shy. They're here to assist you with dressing and grooming."
"Ah! This..." Feng Qingyi wanted to refuse, but she was already being helped to change her clothes.
The wedding dress was very intricate, with even more layers than when she had tried it on before. After changing into the wedding dress, she was guided to sit on a stool, at the mercy of the makeup artist.
The hair-styling and makeup took several hours, and only then did Feng Qingyi understand why Bai Wei had said it wasn't too early.
Thankfully, the chatty Xu Linghe was by her side, and they engaged in casual conversation to pass the time without getting too bored.
"Miss, it's done. Are you satisfied?" the makeup artist asked.
Feng Qingyi looked at herself in the bronze mirror, seeing such heavy makeup on her face for the first time.
"Miss's eyebrows are like distant mountains veiled in mist, and her eyes like autumn waters rippling. Truly a rare beauty," the makeup artist praised.
Bai Wei chimed in, "Miss Qingyi will surely captivate the General today."
"You silly girl, don't talk nonsense," Feng Qingyi said, feeling a bit shy.
Bai Wei grinned, "Miss Qingyi is blushing!"
Feng Qingyi picked up her bag that she had placed on the dressing table and took out her phone to check the time. It was already noon.
"Bai Wei, I'm a bit hungry. Can you find me something to eat?"
"Miss Qingyi, on the wedding day, you can only eat in the evening. Please bear with it for now. The General will come to pick you up soon," Bai Wei said.
Feng Qingyi lowered her head, "Alright then. There's nothing else to do now, so Bai Wei, please take everyone out. Just let Linghe stay here with me."
"Very well, we'll take our leave then. Miss Qingyi, if you need anything, just call for us. We'll be waiting right outside the door."
After everyone had left the room, Feng Qingyi turned to Xu Linghe, "Linghe, can you get me something to eat?"
Xu Linghe thought for a moment, "I remember there should be food in the kitchen. I'll go check for you. Wait here."
"Be careful, don't let them catch you," Feng Qingyi cautioned.
"Don't worry!" Xu Linghe said, then opened the window and jumped out.
Feng Qingyi sat on the stool, idly playing with her phone that had no signal.
At dusk, the wedding procession arrived at the door.
The makeup artist helped Feng Qingyi put on the bridal veil, then assisted her downstairs.
Outside, the bridal sedan chair had stopped, accompanied by the lively sounds of gongs and drums.
"Qingyi, the General has come to fetch you!"
Feng Qingyi wanted to lift the veil to take a look, but Xu Linghe held her hand.
"The groom should be the one to lift the veil. We'll help you into the sedan chair. Don't miss the auspicious time."
At the appointed time, Feng Qingyi was helped into the sedan chair.
Soon after, the sound of gongs and drums outside the sedan chair grew louder, and the chair was lifted and set off.
The sedan chair stopped at the entrance of the General's Mansion, and Qin Yuchuan led Feng Qingyi out of the chair.
Feng Qingyi, who had been very nervous, suddenly calmed down when Qin Yuchuan held her hand.
After today, she would be his wife. It felt somewhat unreal.
Then came the lengthy wedding ceremony, which included stepping over a basin of fire, paying respects to the elders of the family, and finally entering the main hall for the formal bows.
After this series of rituals, Feng Qingyi felt exhausted, but she was finally escorted to the bridal chamber.
The General's Mansion was exceptionally lively today, with guests coming and going. Qin Yuchuan had to stay behind to entertain these guests.
Inevitably, he was made to drink one cup after another, until finally Yan Chi and Yan Yang had to help him back to the bridal chamber.
In the bridal chamber, Feng Qingyi sat bored on the bed, playing with her fingers. Hearing the door open, she immediately sat up straight.
Qin Yuchuan walked to the bedside, picked up the wedding scale on the table, and lifted the bridal veil.
Seeing the beautiful face beneath the veil, Qin Yuchuan's gaze became a bit hazy.
Feng Qingyi felt a bit uncomfortable under such an intense gaze and reached out to cover his eyes, but he caught her hand.
"Qingyi is truly beautiful today!"
Feng Qingyi looked up at him, "I'm beautiful every day!"
Qin Yuchuan reached out to wipe away a bit of cake crumb at the corner of her mouth, "Yes, you're beautiful every day. Still hungry?"
"...A little," Feng Qingyi said softly.
Qin Yuchuan took a piece of cake from the table and held it to Feng Qingyi's lips, "Then have a bit more."
Feng Qingyi bit into the cake, slowly eating it.
"These things are too dry. I'm a bit thirsty. Can you get me some water to drink?" Feng Qingyi directed.
Qin Yuchuan poured two cups of wine from the table and handed one to Feng Qingyi.
Feng Qingyi took the wine cup and sniffed it, "Aren't you afraid I'll get drunk?"
"I don't mind if you're a bit tipsy tonight," Qin Yuchuan said softly.
Feng Qingyi gave him a coy glare and picked up the wine cup.
Qin Yuchuan watched her with a smile and also picked up his wine cup. Together, they drank the ceremonial wedding wine.
