Fu Xin Ci felt like she had just fallen asleep when she was woken up. When she opened her eyes, she saw her mother and Mama Yang standing at the door, urging her to get up.
"Mother, it's not dawn yet."
"Does a bride get up to wash and dress only when it's dawn?"
"..." She thought about it. In the pre-apocalypse movies and TV shows, it seemed like they were always pulled up to wash and dress before dawn.
Alas, today was her turn for a live drill, and she felt a little uneasy.
Although many scenes flashed through Fu Xin Ci's mind, she had watched others do it before. Today, she had to complete it step by step. She found it quite interesting.
Fortunately, she didn't have to do any of the washing or dressing herself. She just needed to sit still and listen to what Madam Fang and Mama Yang said. The rest of the tasks were completed by them with the help of two young maids.
By the time Fu Xin Ci got out of the bathtub, the sky had finally brightened.
The subsequent dressing process was a bit long, so she simply closed her eyes.
She was incredibly grateful that she was getting married during this season. If the weather were any hotter, she had no doubt she would break out in a cold sweat.
The fully blessed person was the second wife of the Cao family, and it was Second Master Cao who had volunteered for the role.
The Meng family readily agreed. Afterwards, Second Madam Cao would tell everyone she met, "It is an unparalleled honor for our family to be the full blesser for Miss Fu."
Everyone nodded upon hearing this.
Indeed, Miss Fu was the nemesis of the Tatars and the Japanese pirates.
With Miss Fu around, they could sleep soundly.
Second Master Cao and Second Madam Cao had arrived yesterday, and they had also witnessed the world's one and only fireworks display.
The couple felt incredibly fortunate that they had brought their two sons along, allowing them to broaden their horizons and witness the most unique scenery in the world.
Initially, the two sons were a little reluctant, and though they didn't say it aloud, they were grumbling in their hearts about what was so fun about this remote, impoverished place.
However, after last night, the sons' attitudes had completely changed.
Fu Xin Ci was unaware of Second Madam Cao's thoughts. She listened to the auspicious words spoken and envisioned a beautiful future.
When it came time for makeup, Fu Xin Ci proactively said to Second Madam Cao, "Second Madam, may I do my own makeup?"
Second Madam Cao, who was accommodating to Miss Fu in every way, immediately smiled and agreed.
In front of Second Madam Cao, Fu Xin Ci took out a few small bottles and jars from the drawer of the makeup box.
These were things she had tinkered with herself when she had nothing else to do.
To be honest, Fu Xin Ci's makeup skills were really not that great.
The reason was simple: before the apocalypse, she was just a student and had few opportunities to wear makeup.
After the apocalypse, she was constantly on the run and had no time or inclination for makeup.
But today, she was getting married, and she wanted to show Qi He her most beautiful self.
Since she had made up her mind, she began with basic skincare.
Facing the mirror, she applied lotion and cream evenly onto her face.
Second Madam Cao and Madam Fang sat aside and watched. Madam Fang was used to it and said nothing.
However, it was the first time Second Madam Cao had witnessed it.
One had to admit that Miss Fu had an excellent natural complexion. Her fair and moist skin was like the finest jade.
Beneath her curved, ink-like eyebrows were her large, liquid apricot eyes. With a cherry-red mouth and a delicate nose, she was a truly radiant beauty.
Second Madam Cao particularly enjoyed watching Miss Fu's charming smile, her eyes curving into crescents, a pair of shallow dimples appearing on her lips, making her incredibly endearing.
Oh, the more she looked, the more she liked her, wishing she could beg Madam Fang to have another daughter so she could take her home as a daughter-in-law.
What a pity that Miss Fu only had two younger brothers.
Alas, what a pity.
Madam Fang was unaware of Second Madam Cao's thoughts, her eyes solely focused on her daughter.
Seeing that her daughter had finished applying a light makeup, she exclaimed, "Ci'er's makeup is very unique."
"Yes, it's so beautiful. This is the first time I've seen such a beautiful bride," Meng Yu Yan said her honest thoughts quickly.
Fu Xin Ci remained silent, lowering her head and smiling faintly.
In front of Second Madam Cao, she dared not say that she didn't want Qi He to lift the red veil and see a pale face.
Even if Qi He was brave enough, she didn't want to scare him.
What if...
Fu Xin Ci was inwardly musing when she heard someone in the courtyard shout, "Look at the smoke signal! A smoke signal has risen in the east. The Japanese pirates are here!"
Following that, the courtyard descended into chaos.
Some men grabbed cleavers, others found sticks, and everyone rushed towards the seaside.
Fu Xin Ci: On her and Qi He's wedding day, Qi He hadn't even come to pick her up for the ceremony, and the shorties had arrived.
Join the fun, or seek death.
Damn shorties, if I don't crack your skulls open, I'll write my surname Fu backward.
Fu Da Niu, her anger reaching its peak, completely forgot that she was a beautiful bride dressed in red, ready to be married.
Seeing her daughter about to rush out recklessly, Madam Fang immediately stopped her.
"Ci'er, you cannot go anywhere today."
"Why?"
"Ci'er, don't forget, today is your grand wedding day. Where would a bride run around the streets?"
Fu Xin Ci: It did seem a bit inappropriate.
But inwardly, she grumbled, the shorties were bullying their way to their doorstep, and it was a grand day?
However, she could only mutter these words in her heart, not daring to say them in front of everyone.
Otherwise, given the superstitions of the ancients, they would surely fabricate all sorts of stories about her and Qi He later.
...
A few people who had been waiting in the west wing had their eyes light up when they heard the shout about the smoke signal in the courtyard.
Pang Dun Er sprang up from the kang, "Haha, brothers, no one is allowed to snatch from me today."
Xu Jia Can rolled his eyes at him, "I didn't hear anything."
Xiang Tong rubbed his hands, "It's been a long time since I've fought. My hands are itching, just wanting to charge forward."
"Hey, you are all older brothers. How can you not set a good example for your younger brother?"
"That's right, we will set an example for you." After the captain finished speaking, he strode out of the west wing.
"Hey, Long Teng, slow down."
"Wait for me, wait for me."
Long Teng, however, paid no heed. When he reached the courtyard, he faced the direction of the small building and shouted loudly, "Xin Ci, we're going to the seaside. We'll swap with Qi He. On such a grand wedding day, how can the groom not be present?"
After the captain spoke, he led the way to the stable, mounted his horse, and galloped away.
Xiang Tong and the others followed closely.
Grandpa Meng watched the departing figures of the children and quickly called out to his eldest grandson, "Yu'er, quickly get the horse carriage. We'll go and see too."
"Yes." Yu'er had the same intention.
Grandpa Meng touched the firearm tucked into his waist and muttered softly, "My old hands are still quite accurate."
When Yu'er came over with the crossbow on his back and the horse carriage, Ning'er also became anxious.
"Grandfather, Brother, I want to go fight the Japanese pirates too."
"Ning'er, be good. You need to stay and protect Mother and your sister."