The scalding tea almost burned through her skin.
Zhao Wan Niang could no longer hold on. As her hand tilted and the teacup was about to fall, the person beside her caught it swiftly.
"Why is it so hot?"
Gu Lanyin pressed the teacup heavily back onto the tray, took her hand, and saw her fingertips red and seemingly numb from the burn. He frowned at the maid who had brought the tea.
Bao Niang stood frozen in shock, her throat as if blocked.
With the disruption during the bowing ceremony, Master Gu tried to calm things and ordered the servants to bring two more cups of tea.
Wan Niang was so anxious that a few tears fell. The heavy veil pressed down on her hair, and she couldn't see the expressions of those around her.
Madam Zhou had already looked down on her, and now seeing such delicacy, she was even more irritated.
But as an elder, she forced a smile and maintained a kind and amiable demeanor in front of others.
In the brightly lit mansion, new tea was brought again.
Gu Lanyin held the teacup and handed it to Wan Niang.
The young man's intentions were clear from this single action.
The relatives attending the ceremony chuckled knowingly, waiting only for the bridal chamber. The younger generation began to tease him.
"Why is the groom so timid? Lift the veil quickly and let us see what celestial being has stolen your soul!"
"Third Brother is usually as detached as a Bodhisattva. Today, he actually enters the bridal chamber? Third Sister-in-law must be a fairy descended to earth. Don't hide her! From now on, we're all family."
...
The younger members of the clan clamored and crowded around the door. Gu Lanyin half-stepped into the room, one hand leading Wan Niang and the other hurriedly closing the door, but through the gap came heads and mischievous hands.
They tugged at his red silk, his belt, his sleeves...
Gu Lanyin rarely frowned.
A string of pearl lanterns under the eaves swayed slightly in the night breeze, and the shadows of the young people undulated like waves.
The gentle and refined young man, breaking his usual decorum, fiercely wrested his belongings back, kicked away the unruly hands, and shoved away the smiling heads.
"Look, Third Brother is getting anxious!"
Someone's young relative managed to grab the red silk flower tied to his body and passed it on like a game of drum and flower. Eyes fixed on him, his belt was about to be pulled off when Gu Lanyin shot a glare at Cheng Bi.
Cheng Bi was watching the fun with his hands tucked in his sleeves.
"Eh? Young Mistress, why are you coming out this way?"
Cheng Bi ran in the opposite direction from behind the crowd, feigning alarm.
While everyone turned their heads, Gu Lanyin kicked a few people away and slammed the door shut.
He leaned against the door, and the noise outside was suddenly deafening.
Gu Lanyin's ears rang.
The red candles burned high, and the room was bathed in candlelight, tinged with antiquity.
Gu Lanyin closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he saw in the dressing mirror a young man as disheveled as if he had encountered bandits.
Today was truly noisy.
He lowered his head. Not far away, Wan Niang heard his sigh.
She sat properly on the edge of the bed and walked slowly toward him. The tassels on her veil rippled like water, washing over the longan, peanuts, and red dates scattered on the floor.
"Gu Lang, are you very tired?"
"Not tired."
Gu Lanyin looked at the person before him, raised his hand, and lifted the red cloth.
When the veil was lifted, what Gu Lanyin saw was a pair of tear-filled eyes.
The rouge under Wan Niang's eyes had been wet by tears, leaving two streaks of tears.
It must have been because of that cup of tea.
The crabapple-red rouge was smudged across her delicate face, giving her more color. But the two tear streaks on her exquisite makeup made her look as if she had been wronged.
"Did I ruin my makeup by crying a few tears?"
Wan Niang touched her face. Her thick lashes trembled slightly, sweeping through the floating dust like a butterfly. In the reddish glow, her heartbeat was so loud it vibrated in her eardrums.
She licked her dry lips and waited for a long time. When she looked up again, she found Gu Lang's deep black eyes reflecting dancing points of light, staring at her as if enchanted.
She felt her face flush even more, all the blood rushing to her skin.
"Why don't you say something?"
Gu Lanyin reached out, his fingertip wiping away the faint tear stains. The girl's fine powder was like powdered sugar; after wiping it away, her skin appeared even whiter.
Seeing her innocent and fragile look, Gu Lanyin smiled.
A strand of hair fell, slightly covering his eyes. He gently brushed it aside, his eyes fixed on her eyebrows.
He Ping'an's eyebrows were a bit thicker and longer.