Chapter 377: Getting Married

Tie Niu heaved a heavy sigh. “My maternal grandparents and my youngest uncle came to find us.”

Gu Fei asked in surprise, “Isn’t that a joyous occasion? Why are you sighing?”

Tie Niu shook his head. “You don’t understand. My grandparents cleared out a room for them to live in. Not only do we have to give them grain every day, but they’re also demanding silver from my mother, and she doesn’t dare refuse.”

“These past few days, my mother has given them all the silver she earned from selling barbecue, and my grandmother is not happy about it.”

Tie Niu added indignantly, “And then there’s my youngest uncle. Even though he’s about my age, my maternal grandparents spoiled him rotten. He used to be a good-for-nothing who fooled around all day, but now he’s completely out of line. Yesterday, he even harassed Xiao Cui from Uncle Zhang’s family, and she beat him with a broom for it.”

Gu Fei thought for a moment. ‘Tie Niu’s mother… her name is Zhaodi, right? Just from that name alone, I think I get it. Zhaodi’s parents must be a pair of old-fashioned traditionalists who favor sons over daughters. And Zhaodi herself has probably been brainwashed into being one of those women who’d do anything for her little brother.’

She patted Tie Niu’s shoulder. “This isn’t for you to worry about. Your grandfather and grandmother will figure out a way to handle it.”

‘His grandmother is a shrewd woman, after all.’

「Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the fifth day of the sixth month.」

The house in the city had been tidied up, and the dowry Gu Fei had prepared was moved inside, ready to be carried over to the groom’s residence the next day.

After lunch, Gu Fei hailed a carriage, went home, and brought Lan Zhi into the city.

This was the first time Lan Zhi had been to the city residence.

The residence boasted carved beams and painted rafters, and the courtyard was filled with exquisite rockeries and flowers. As Lan Zhi took it all in, she felt for a moment as if she had returned to the Marquis Mansion.

After passing through the second gate, Gu Fei opened the door to a side room to show her the dowry. Lan Zhi’s gaze swept over everything. She saw a high pile of silk bedding and quilts decorated with the large, red character for “happiness.” Open camphorwood chests were filled with silk garments, a jewelry box displayed glittering gold accessories, and even the washbasin and foot basin contained “happiness” paper-cuts. There was even a “double happiness” symbol pasted onto the chamber pot.

Tears slowly welled up in Lan Zhi’s eyes. She suddenly threw her arms around Gu Fei and began to sob uncontrollably.

She smeared tears and snot all over Gu Fei.

Gu Fei fumbled for a handkerchief. “Don’t cry, don’t cry! Silly girl, you’re getting married, but you don’t have to be *this* happy about it.”

“Now stop crying, or your eyes will be all swollen and you won’t look pretty tomorrow!”

Lan Zhi continued to sob for a while before she finally calmed down. She looked at Gu Fei and said earnestly, “I don’t know what good deeds I must have done in a past life to be able to meet you in this one.”

“Little Fei, I will cherish you for the rest of my life. Truly. If you were to ask for my life, I would give it to you.”

Gu Fei quickly cut in, “Stop, stop! What are you saying such nonsense for on a happy day like this?”

“Oh, right,” she leaned in and whispered in Lan Zhi’s ear, “in the chest with the clothes, I’ve sealed some dowry silver. When it gets moved over tomorrow, remember to keep it safe.”

That night, Gu Fei stayed to sleep with Lan Zhi at the residence.

The next morning, after they got up, Gu Fei had Fang Fang buy breakfast, and the women ate at a leisurely pace.

Only after that did Lan Zhi bathe and get dressed.

After lunch, the hired hairstylist and the Quan Furen arrived.

Sister Dan had helped find this particular Quan Furen, a woman whose parents and parents-in-law were all still living, who had both a son and a daughter, and who lived in harmony with her husband.

The Quan Furen began by performing the face-threading ritual for Lan Zhi.

First, she carefully applied a layer of fragrant powder to Lan Zhi’s face. Then, holding one end of a cotton thread in her mouth, she began to twist it across Lan Zhi’s skin, plucking the fine hairs.

It looked painful even to Gu Fei, but Lan Zhi endured it without so much as a frown.

Once the threading was done, all the downy hair on Lan Zhi’s face had been cleanly removed. Her already fair complexion now looked as smooth as jade.