Chapter 787: 329 Mingzhu’s Married Life
The first day of the new marriage was meant for paying respects with tea.
Mingzhu was fast asleep in sweet dreams when she heard Zhi Qin calling from outside, "Eldest Young Madam, it’s time to get up and pay respects with tea to the Old Master and Madam."
Mingzhu furrowed her brow, taking a moment to realize that the ’Eldest Young Madam’ being called was her. That’s right, she had gotten married yesterday. Shocked, Mingzhu immediately sat up.
Niu Yanghui, smiling, wrapped his arms around Mingzhu’s waist and said, "There’s no need to rush, we still have time, we won’t be late." A person has three joys, nourishing rain after a long drought, a night of newlywed bliss, and the vindication of passing a major examination. In just a few short months, he had experienced two of life’s major events.
Mingzhu, looking at Niu Yanghui and thinking about yesterday’s events, felt her face heat up to her ears. She turned away, took her clothes, and put them on, only then seeing that Niu Yanghui had donned his undergarment. Mingzhu then called out, "You may come in!"
Mingzhu noticed among the four maids who entered, two were unfamiliar faces. However, these two maids looked ordinary and well-behaved, so she did not give it much thought.
Mingzhu wore a bright red Shi Liu summer blouse paired with a matching hundred-pleated skirt. Her hair was done up in a peony style, adorned with a full set of five Phoenix Hairpins, with the smallest pearls being the size of a pinky fingernail, and the largest the size of a pigeon egg. Fortunately, Mingzhu had the stature to hold up such elaborate accessories; ordinary people could easily be overwhelmed by them.
After grooming, the couple prepared to go to the main hall. Just as they stepped out, Niu Yanghui took Mingzhu’s hand. Mingzhu’s face turned scarlet, but she did not pull away.
Bai Yi and Zhi Qin watched them with smiles appearing on their faces.
Before entering the main hall, Niu Yanghui said, "If something comes up later, as long as you are right, there’s no need to endure in silence."
Mingzhu was somewhat puzzled.
When they arrived at the main hall, Lord Niu and Lady Niu were already seated at the upper end, with not many others present, only a beautiful woman dressed in a lotus root pink color and a boy around thirteen or fourteen years old.
The couple knelt down and an old nanny brought over the tea. Mingzhu held a red-base ’Hundreds of Offspring Bowl’, her back straight as she knelt on the ground and called out to Lord Niu, "Father, please drink the tea."
It was the first time Lord Niu saw Mingzhu. Initially displeased with the marriage, he had no choice but to hold a lavish ceremony since it was ordained by the Emperor. Later on, the commotion caused by Mingzhu’s dowry made many of his colleagues tease him about marrying a ’golden lump’ daughter-in-law, increasing his discontent. However, seeing Mingzhu behave respectfully and demurely, not like the arrogant person rumored, he took the tea from Mingzhu, sipped it, then gave her a generous red envelope, "May your union be harmonious and bring fortune to the Niu family."
Mingzhu’s face flushed as she accepted the gift, then offered tea to Lady Niu.
Lady Niu, all smiles, took the tea from Mingzhu, drinking most of it before handing Mingzhu a pair of Red Gold Twisted Silk Bracelets prepared as a gift, "These were part of my bridal trousseau, given to me by your maternal grandmother. Today, I pass them on to you."
Mingzhu took the gift with both hands, sweetly saying, "Thank you, mother. I will cherish them dearly."
Lady Niu, tears brimming in her eyes, patted Mingzhu’s hand and said softly, "Dear child, from now on, Yanghui is in your hands." If Lord Niu was dissatisfied with Mingzhu, Lady Niu was utterly pleased with her: she came from a good family, brought a substantial dowry, had a beautiful appearance, and was dignified and generous. She had reportedly helped manage the Marquis’ household, which only added to Lady Niu’s satisfaction.
Mingzhu was not a timid or frail person, and seeing Lady Niu’s affection, she too felt a sense of fondness, "Mother, I and my husband will serve you well in the future."
Lady Niu exclaimed ’good’ three times, causing Lord Niu’s expression to darken slightly. However, given his daughter-in-law’s distinguished background, he refrained from showing displeasure.
Seeing this, Niu Yanghui was very pleased and led Mingzhu to the beautiful woman, "Mingzhu, this is Maternal Aunt Liu."
Mingzhu had long heard of Maternal Aunt Liu’s reputation, and now, face to face, she realized Maternal Aunt Liu indeed lived up to her renowned status.
Today, Maternal Aunt Liu wore a pink-purple cross-collared summer blouse, a pink-white undergarment, and a pink Moonlight Skirt. Her hair was adorned with four pairs of hairpins. Although nearing thirty, she still looked exceptionally charming and alluring.
Mingzhu did not salute Maternal Aunt Liu but merely said with a flat expression, "Maternal Aunt Liu, I hope you are well." Mingzhu felt slightly uncomfortable inside; it was unusual for a new bride to be greeted by an aunt at her husband’s home, and she wondered what her father-in-law was thinking.
Maternal Aunt Liu, unaffected by Mingzhu’s attitude, still wore a polite smile and presented her prepared gift. She gave Mingzhu a pair of Red Gold Flat Hairpins carved with scenes of children playing, displaying chubby, cheerful babies. The carvings were clearly done by a master, more valuable than the gold itself.