Chapter 38: Trivial Etiquette

Amidst the clamor of gongs and drums, Song Tang’s sedan chair jolted along until it finally arrived at the West Garden of the Mu residence. Seeing the sedan chair about to come to a halt, Zi Shuang, following closely behind, grew frantic. Her heart was in her throat as she hurried forward, peering anxiously at the sedan curtain, terrified of missing the signal Song Tang had promised.

Song Tang was gambling. She was betting that her choice was the right one, and that Mu Changxiao would not allow her to enter the West Garden. If Mu Changxiao truly intended for her to enter the West Garden to perform the wedding ceremony with Mu Ziyu, then he was a man not worth entrusting her life to. Once this farce concluded, she would rather become a nun than ever step foot inside the Mu residence again!

Mu Ziyu’s horse had already reached the entrance of the West Garden. He dismounted and tossed the reins to a servant nearby. As he turned around, he saw Mu Changxiao riding toward him, coming to a stop right before him in the blink of an eye.

"Third Uncle, why are you here?"

"Kneel!" Mu Changxiao looked coldly at Mu Ziyu.

Mu Ziyu was stunned. What was happening? Instinctively, he began to kneel, but halfway down, he caught himself and stood back up. It was his wedding day, and there were so many people watching at the entrance of the West Garden. His uncle was making him kneel for no apparent reason; this was simply meant to humiliate him.

"Third Uncle, why do you ask me to kneel?" Mu Ziyu had always feared Mu Changxiao, but today, he could not back down—not with so many people watching.

Mu Changxiao’s face darkened, and he rebuked sharply, "How dare you! You actually conspired with Song Wei to swap brides!"

"Swap brides?" Mu Ziyu’s heart jolted, and he stood there, bewildered. "What bride swapping?"

"Young Master, the person sitting in that sedan chair behind is our mistress." Wan Xing had arrived with Cai Die; as they dismounted, Cai Die stepped forward and spoke.

"That’s impossible!" Mu Ziyu retorted. He recognized Cai Die; she was Song Tang’s maid. The "mistress" she spoke of was naturally Song Tang.

Cai Die stated firmly, "It is the truth. I saw with my own eyes that the Second Miss’s sedan chair and our mistress’s sedan chair were switched."

Mu Ziyu’s expression shifted drastically, and he hurried toward the sedan chair behind. The gongs and drums ceased abruptly. As Song Tang’s sedan chair touched the ground, she heard a flurry of urgent footsteps. Mu Ziyu yanked the curtain open, and just as he reached to lift Song Tang’s veil, a large hand seized his wrist, rendering his hand immobile.

Mu Changxiao pulled him out and threw him heavily to the ground. "Is the veil of the Marquis's wife something you are permitted to lift at will?" Mu Changxiao’s voice was low, heavy with authority.

Mu Changxiao had arrived!

Song Tang’s suspended heart finally settled. Mu Ziyu, covered in dust from the fall, struggled to his feet, his face flushed red. "Third Uncle, if you won't let me see who is in the sedan chair, how can I be sure that what you are saying is true?" Mu Ziyu looked aggrieved. He had been having a streak of bad luck—scolded by Lady Sun in the morning, now accused of swapping brides, and thrown to the ground by Mu Changxiao in front of everyone.

"Are you questioning me?" Mu Changxiao’s voice was chilling.

Terrified, Mu Ziyu shook his head frantically. "Nephew wouldn't dare, it’s just that this is all so sudden, I find it hard to accept."

"Marquis, Young Master, the Second Miss Song has been abducted," a guard from the estate came running over, breathless as he reported to Mu Changxiao.

"What did you say? Who was abducted?" Mu Ziyu stared at the guard in shock.

The guard cupped his hands and said, "It is the Second Miss Song. She was abducted on the street, but do not worry, Young Master, our men have already rescued her, and her sedan chair is on its way here."

"What? Abducted?" Lady Sun looked flustered. With such a major incident at the gate, word had naturally reached her.

Mu Ziyu’s face turned grim. He strode over to Lady Sun. "Mother, I am going to check." Lady Sun tried to grab him, but she missed. Mu Ziyu had already turned away, mounted Wan Xing’s horse, and galloped off in the direction the guard had pointed.

Lady Sun was furious, shouting from behind, "Ziyu, come back here!" But Mu Ziyu’s figure had already disappeared around the street corner.

Stamping her feet in anxiety, Lady Sun turned to Mu Changxiao. "Third Brother, what are we to do?"

Mu Changxiao said calmly, "Sister-in-law, the hour is late. I must bring the bride into the manor for the ceremony. You should prepare as well; let us not miss the auspicious time."

With that, Mu Changxiao remounted his horse. Wan Xing signaled the bearers to lift the sedan chair. The music resumed, and Song Tang sat peacefully in the sedan chair as it made its way toward the main entrance of the Mu residence.

Cai Die and Zi Shuang followed alongside the sedan, both of them overjoyed, their steps light and brisk.

"Zi Shuang, you don’t know, I was scared to death just now," Cai Die whispered to Zi Shuang. "If Brother Wan Xing hadn't pulled me away in time, the black-clad man’s sword would have pierced me."

Zi Shuang frowned slightly. "He pulled you?"

"Yes," a flicker of lingering fear crossed Cai Die’s eyes. "Thanks to Brother Wan Xing being so quick."

"You call him 'Brother Wan Xing'?" Zi Shuang asked again.

Cai Die nodded. "He saved my life; calling him 'Brother' is not too much." Seeing Zi Shuang remain silent, Cai Die continued with a smile, "Zi Shuang, you tell me, how should one repay a life-saving grace?"

"I don't know," Zi Shuang replied curtly. She didn't know why she felt a bit angry, and her tone had been sharp. Just as she was about to soften it, she heard Cai Die’s voice.

"I was thinking of offering myself in marriage..." Cai Die paused, stealing a glance at Zi Shuang’s reaction. "But Brother Wan Xing said he already has a sweetheart."

Zi Shuang kept her head down, seemingly sulking, and Cai Die laughed even more heartily.

"Why do you keep laughing?" Zi Shuang felt inexplicably self-conscious.

"Today is our mistress’s big day, of course I’m laughing with joy. Aren't you happy? Come on, give me a smile."

Zi Shuang: "..."

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. We’re almost there, we need to hurry."

Cai Die and Zi Shuang quickened their pace. When the sedan chair came to a steady stop, the two of them gently helped Song Tang out, one on each side.

Next came a series of tedious rituals. According to custom, the bride’s feet could not touch the ground directly; she had to step on green felt mats. First, she had to step over a saddle, symbolizing peace and safety. Then, she walked side-by-side with the groom.

Upon reaching the middle gate, they underwent the "scattering of grains and beans" ceremony. The matchmaker, holding a sieve filled with grains and beans, gently scattered them over the couple, symbolizing the warding off of evil spirits and a prayer for a happy and fulfilling life together.

Finally, they entered the main hall. The Old Madame of the Mu family sat in the seat of honor with a serene expression. Song Tang and Mu Changxiao stood side-by-side, performing the wedding rites before the witnesses.

"First bow to Heaven and Earth!" Following the ceremonial officer's loud cry, the two slowly bowed to the heavens and the earth.

"Second bow to the high elders!" They turned to face the Old Madame and bowed deeply, expressing gratitude for her upbringing.

"Husband and wife bow to each other!" Song Tang and Mu Changxiao stood facing one another and bowed in union.