The news of Feng Jin being personally enfeoffed as the Jia Ning Commandery Princess by His Majesty for her meritorious service in treating the Empress Dowager had already spread throughout Southern Chu.
Her status was no longer what it used to be. There was a distinction between the noble and the common.
A single misstep could provide an opportunity for those with ill intentions to seize upon.
"If Madam speaks of it that way, then I dare not set foot in Marquis Pingyang's mansion again. I am merely a junior, and there is an order of precedence. It is I who should first pay my respects to Madam."
After speaking, Feng Jin curtsied deeply to Madam Lin, leaving Madam Lin at a loss for what to do.
"Commandery Princess... you..."
"Mother, Sister Feng Jin is not an outsider. She is the adopted granddaughter recognized by Grandmother, and she is like a sister to me. Why must you concern yourself with such formalities?"
Madam Lin gave a sheepish smile. "This is indeed me being overly cautious. You sisters should have your private conversations. I will go out and entertain the guests."
There was nothing for her to do by staying. The guests had all arrived by this time, and someone needed to oversee things.
"Sister, please come and sit," Lin Yuwei said, pulling Feng Jin to sit down.
"Cai Qing, bring the items."
Feng Jin took the brocade box and opened it. Inside were all sorts of exquisite bottles and jars.
"Sister, these are..."
"These are the wedding gifts I specially prepared for you. In these three large bottles are the skin-nourishing lotions I developed, with added snow lotus and rose essence. Apply them to your face morning and night, and in no time, your skin will become snow-white and supple."
Lin Yuwei's face lit up with joy. She opened a bottle and took a sniff, the fragrance filling the air. "It smells so wonderful!"
"This box is face powder, ground from flower petals. This is lip rouge in several colors. I will apply it for you."
Feng Jin took some lip rouge and helped Lin Yuwei apply it to her lips. Her previously dry and dull lips immediately became moist, and her makeup was redone.
"It's completely different from the lip rouge I use. The difference is too great," Lin Yu薇 said in surprise. Compared to before, she looked like a different person. Previously, after applying face powder, her cheeks would feel slightly dry, but with this face powder, her skin felt very refreshed.
Lin Yuwei observed herself in the bronze mirror, looking like a peach blossom come to life.
"This is how you should look," Feng Jin praised. The face powders of ancient times were all made by mixing cinnabar with oil, and long-term use could lead to heavy metal poisoning. They also made the face look dry and cracked, requiring a large amount of rouge to maintain a healthy complexion.
Feng Jin examined Lin Yuwei and felt something was still missing. On a whim, she dipped some lip rouge and drew a few strokes on her forehead, creating a vibrant blooming plum blossom.
"Sister, is this really alright?" Lin Yuwei asked uncertainly. She had never seen makeup with a plum blossom drawn on the forehead before.
Although it was quite beautiful, she worried about being impolite.
"Those who lead the way will be criticized, yet countless people will flock to imitate them. I only know that this plum blossom on your forehead is very beautiful."
Trends emerge amidst criticism. A girl should naturally strive to be beautiful at all times.
Lin Yuwei looked at herself in the mirror and suddenly made up her mind. "Sister, you are right. Why worry so much? As long as I look beautiful when I marry."
"Sister, I must thank you today for bringing these cosmetics that conceal my haggard appearance..." She had been feeling unwell due to the arranged marriage, and her appearance had become haggard. It was thanks to these cosmetics that her complexion appeared rosy.
Her parents had always felt indebted to her because of the arranged marriage. If she could marry with a happy heart, her parents would be more at ease.
"It's a small gesture, no need for thanks. The auspicious hour is approaching. I will help you put on the phoenix crown."
The Empress Dowager, in remembrance of Marquis Pingyang's family's generations of meritorious service, had specially bestowed a phoenix crown and robes for Lin Yuwei to wear on her wedding day. Receiving such an honor would also silence the gossip of the masses.
After putting on the phoenix crown, a wet nurse's voice announced from outside, "Miss, the auspicious hour has arrived. The carriage from Prince Jing's mansion is waiting outside. It is time to depart."
Lin Yuwei rose gracefully, tidied her appearance, and her heart suddenly became nervous, her clenched hands breaking out in a slight sweat.
Feng Jin placed her hand on Lin Yuwei's. "Don't be nervous. I'll go out with you."
"Thank you, Sister." With Feng Jin's companionship and comfort, Lin Yuwei's nervousness eased considerably.
"Miss is departing." The wet nurse's clear voice rang out. Maids on either side stepped forward to support Lin Yuwei as she walked towards the main hall.
The main hall was decorated with lanterns and festive colors, creating a lively scene. Due to Prince Jing Chu Chenyi's crippled legs, His Majesty, in his compassion, had specially dispatched Fifth Prince Chu Junyan to officiate the wedding in his brother's stead.
Lin Yuwei offered tea and kowtowed to her parents. She rose gracefully. "Your daughter is unfilial. Today, I marry and cannot serve my parents by your side. I hope my parents will take good care of themselves."
Marquis Pingyang sighed slightly, a hint of tears welling up in his eyes. "Today, you marry and become a wife to another family. Henceforth, be filial to your in-laws, consult with your husband, and live in harmony."
"Your daughter obeys Father's teachings."
"Alright, the hour has come. Go."
"Wei'er!" Madam Lin suddenly stood up, grasped Lin Yuwei's hand, tears in her eyes. She reached out and stroked Lin Yuwei's face. "Good child, go."
"Daughter bids farewell to Mother."
Feng Jin stood to the side, witnessing everything, and felt a pang of sorrow.
In modern times, she had lost her parents long ago, and it was her maternal grandfather who raised her. Now that she had come to this place, she wondered how her grandfather was doing.
If her grandfather were to see her marry, she didn't know how sad he would be.
Ling Mo Han stood in an inconspicuous place, watching Feng Jin.
Was she remembering something? Why was she so sad?
Only after Lin Yuwei had gotten into the bridal sedan chair did Feng Jin regain her composure, tears falling from the corner of her eyes.
"Young Madam, the Young General has arrived," Cai Qing's murmuring voice sounded in Feng Jin's ear.
Feng Jin looked up and saw the man's passionate gaze lingering on her.
Given that others were present, they had not yet divorced. For the sake of appearances, Feng Jin put on a smile and walked towards Ling Mo Han.
Pretending to be intimate, she stood very close to the man and whispered, "Why has the Young General come to Marquis Pingyang's mansion instead of staying at Prince Jing's mansion?"
She didn't recall Ling Mo Han having any deep ties to Marquis Pingyang's mansion.
"I came to find my wife. My wife is truly quick. In the blink of an eye, she ran to Marquis Pingyang's mansion."
He had intended to go to Prince Jing's mansion with Feng Jin, but unexpectedly, she had arrived at Marquis Pingyang's mansion alone first.
After hastily delivering the wedding gifts to Prince Jing's mansion, he had rushed to Marquis Pingyang's mansion to find her.
Feng Jin rolled her eyes. He put on quite an act of devotion. Outsiders would surely think they were deeply in love.