Chapter 502 - Wedding Night Special
The evening had fallen. In the Lotus Residence, Sheng Li was done checking the preparation for their wedding. He had not invited anyone from his family except Lei Wanxi, who had accompanied Sheng Li on the day when he was leaving for the Lotus Residence.
Xiao Zhan and Commander Yang were checking the arrangements in the wedding hall. "Your Highness, the chief priest, is here," a soldier informed them. Xiao Zhan went to receive them at the entrance of the Residence.
In the dressing room, Ying Lili was seated in front of the mirror in a white silk bathrobe. Five maidservants were drying her hair using incense sticks. There was a hue of red on her cheeks which kept increasing as she was looking at herself in the copper mirror.
"Your Highness, your wedding dress is here," Court Lady Xu informed Ying Lili, who lifted her gaze and tilted her head to look at her. A broad smile appeared on her lips upon seeing the wedding dress. "Sheng Li made it with his own hands," she mumbled and her heart thumped against her chest.
Court Lady Xu scolded the maidservants to do their work fast. Ying Lili told Court Lady Xu to calm down. "My hair is long, that's why it is taking time," Ying Lili asserted.
"Your Highness, the auspicious hour of the wedding is near. We cannot get late for this." Court Lady Xu was still panicking as she put the dress on the table over the table cloth.
Ying Lili reminisced about her mother at that time. Court Lady Xu never let Ying Lili feel the absence of a mother. However, at this moment, she recalled her. 'Mother, hopefully, you are looking at me,' Ying Lili said to herself. Her eyes got misty and she lowered them.
Court Lady Xu came near her and caressed the shoulder of Ying Lili. "Your Highness, she is indeed near you. Your mother is happy to see how good her daughter is doing." The Court Lady solaced her. Ying Lili nodded her head and smiled a little.
The maidservants were done drying the hair of the Crown Princess. The hairstylist came forward and bowed before starting her work. She gently brushed Ying Lili's hair.
Court Lady Xu called the makeup artists. "I think my face looks good without make-up," Ying Lili said as she touched her cheeks.
"Your Highness, it is to enhance your beauty. Today is also consummation night, so her highness shall not leave anything today. The adornment on a wedding day is mandatory, and make-up is a part of it, your highness," Court Lady Xu made Ying Lili understand.
"I understood," Ying Lili answered.
The hair-dresser styled Ying Lili's hair. She let some hair loose in the back and also near the ears while the rest hair was tied in a loose bun, supported by the hairpins. The buyao was put on the top of her head as a head accessory.
Once it was done, her facial makeup started. Various herbal white powders were used as a foundation while dried rose flower leaves powder was used to apply it as a blush on her cheeks. A dark black color was used to darken her eyebrows.
"Your Highness, please part your lips." Ying Lili did so and the make-up artist applied vermillion lip color on Ying Lili's lips. She then picked a thin brush to draw a red beauty spot on the middle of Ying Lili's eyebrow. She dipped it in the wet red color and brought the brush near Ying Lili's forehead.
She made a tiny red spot in the middle of the eyebrows. The makeup artist then picked the golden earrings and put them on Ying Lili's ears. "Your Highness, the facial makeup is done," she informed her.
Court Lady Xu looked at the mirror and smiled, seeing how beautiful Ying Lili was looking. Ying Lili stood up and then wore the wedding dress. The maidservant tied the knot on the dress and then put the sash around Ying Lili's Hanfu dress to keep it intact. The tassel that Sheng Li had earlier sent for Ying Lili was tucked on the left side of the belly near the sash.
A maidservant brought the red silk fabric from which Ying Lili's head and face had to be covered. Court Lady Xu instructed the maidservant to put it on Ying Lili's head carefully.
Here, in the other dressing chamber, Sheng Li was getting ready. Lei Wanxi was teasing him as he told the make-up artist to apply some make-up on his face.
"General Wang, Brother Sheng wants to look handsome today. It is unbelievable to see Brother Sheng asking to apply makeup. It is called the magic of love," Lei Wanxi stated.
"Wanxi, on the wedding day it is important to look good," Sheng Li stated as he looked at himself in the mirror.
"The last time Brother Sheng got married to Sister Lili, he had refused to apply make-up. General Wang was also present at that time," Lei Wanxi affirmed and brought the tip of the fan under his chin.
Wang Hao agreed with Lei Wanxi and smiled while looking at Sheng Li, who had stopped the make-up artist.
"Brother Sheng, do not play any kill and run away game this time. Make your night beautiful and memorable," Lei Wanxi told Sheng Li, who chuckled while Wang Hao ended up laughing. Even Xing-Fu laughed upon hearing the words of Lei Wanxi.
"Earlier, we did not love each other. Why are you making me remember those days?" Sheng Li asked annoyingly. Xing-Fu and Wang Hao suppressed their laughs.
"Then, shall I teach Brother Sheng how to make the wedding night special?" Lei Wanxi asked with a grin.
"Wanxi, go out. I do not want to learn about my wedding night from you. You will give me the strange ideas from the weird love stories you have read," Sheng Li stated.
Lei Wanxi widened his eyes. "Brother Sheng, I do not read such stories. You broke my heart, Brother Sheng," Lei Wanxi stated.
Sheng Li looked at his Red wedding robes and asked Wang Hao if he was looking good.
"Yes, Your Highness. We shall go to the wedding hall. Earlier, Xiao Zhan informed me that the Chief Priest has come," stated Wang Hao.
"Okay.. Let's go then," Sheng Li stated and left the chamber, followed by Lei Wanxi, Wang Hao, and Xing-Fu.