“My child, did not I told you to stop, it's your wedding day, you do not want to smell like a pig, do you?” scolded Madam Pang.

YuQiao stopped in her tracks and looked at her mother and Madam Pang and gave them a bow before crying out to them, “Mother, Madam Pang.”

She placed her sword in its scabbard and gave it to Xiao Hua before heading towards them. She linked her arm with her mother's and was walking back to her room. “Mother,” said YuQiao, “I am getting married today.”

“Yes, I know. You have been telling me since months ago as you keep counting the days. Lets’ go now or you will be late when the groom and guests are here.”

They all entered into YuQiao’s room where a hot bath was already prepared, waiting for its occupant to bathe in the fragrant soaked water. “Mistress, prepared as per your orders,” said Xiao Hua to Mistress Sun.

Mistress Sun, who knew her daughter very well, had already anticipated that she would have her morning practice even though she had told her otherwise. YuQiao looked at her mother and thanked her and went to take a bath. Xiao Hua and Madam Pang bathed her, pouring the warm water onto her body, avoiding the hair, afraid getting it wet and it would not dry in time.

Later, she was dried with a towel and was helped into the dress by Xia Hua. “Lady Sun, you look so beautiful. You just look like a celestial maiden from heaven, so rest assured, you just need a little bit of touch up, here and there, and you would be the most beautiful bride,” complimented Xiao Hua as she helped her lady getting ready for her big wedding day.

Her mother, Mistress Sun and her nanny Madam Pang stood proudly at her side as they looked upon her.

Xiao Hua started by helping her get dressed. She helped her changed into a new white undershirt first and then a high waist full flowing skirt which is secured with a piece of long flowing sash.

After that, she puts on a long full flowing skirt which was placed just above her breast and tied behind the back and brought to the front and was fasten again with a ribbon in the front. And a large, long sleeve robe was worn with a long shawl like a scarf around her elbows. A pair of beautifully embroidered silk shoes was then slipped on onto her feet.

Next, Lady Sun was ushered to sit on a chair, facing the crafted wooden mirror stand, Madam Pang applied peony flower oil to her hair from a little small bottle and then with a brush she combed her hair into a bun and then with skilful hands placed it neatly upon the back of her head with a few decorative pins prepared for her wedding day.

From the makeup cabinet Xiao Hua took out a small white porcelain container which held the pale makeup. Using a small pad, she touched the makeup lightly onto the lady’s face and using her hands Xiao Hua applied a little rogue on to the cheeks. With a thin brush Xiao Hua painted her eyebrows and drawn them into a shape resembling a willow leaf. With a piece of red paper, the lady painted her lips scarlet.

The finishing touch was given to her mother as she walked towards the sitting lady and places a beautiful set of chrysanthemum hairpin into both sides of her daughter’s bun. The bells which hang from the hairpin jingle slightly as the lady moved her head to look at the mirror.

“You are now a grown up so stop acting like a child and take good care of your husband. Always put your husband and your family first,” advised her mother as she held her daughter’s hand. She looked at her daughter and a silent tear fell from her eyes, but she quickly wiped it away and turned around to Xiao Hua, “Remember to take care of the miss. Remind her of her manners and serve her as you had done in these years.”

“It’s time, Mistress,” interceded Madam Pang.

Facing Madam Pang, Mistress Sun took the maid’s hands the red veil and places it over Lady Sun’s head. “Thank you, mother,” said Lady Sun to her mother. Hand in hand, they walked out of the room and went to the living room, followed by Madam Pang and Xiao Hua.

Already waiting there was all her relatives and her family member, her father stood proudly beside his future son in law, chatting happily and patting his back. Her father was a burly man with a loud and booming voice and from afar she could already hear him saying, “YongSan, take care of my precious daughter. I leave her in your hands now.” And when he saw her daughter coming out of the corridor, he announced it to everyone in the room, “Here she comes.”

Clad in the red she stepped out of the corridor and walked towards the centre of the inner hall. A bow to the heavens and earth, another towards the ancestors, a third bow was presented to her parents and a fourth bow which was bowed towards each other.

YongSan then lifted her veil, and they presented tea to their elders. The first one was YongSan substitute elder as he was an orphan and did not have any relatives; the General had asked the City Lord Ma to become YongSan’s adopted father so fewer people will think lesser of YongSan. It will help increase his son in law’s reputation as well.

The wedding ceremony went smoothly, and Lady Sun was led back into a room in the side house adjoining to the main house after the ceremony had ended. The General had insisted that they all lived together as YongSan does not have a family and it would be good to all live together as a big family.