Chapter 2: Shameful, come back tomorrow (2/2)

The Duke of Qin’s residence had their dignified doors shut tightly. Even the side gates were closed, though the entrance was surrounded by a crowd of city residents long gathered to gossip and discuss amongst themselves.

“I heard Han Yunxi’s extremely ugly, no wonder the Duke of Qin isn’t even willing to show his face.”

“Heheh, even the world’s top beauties want to marry into the Qin duke’s house, what’s Han Yunxi worth? I’m betting that even if she enters, she’ll stay alone in an empty bedchamber for the rest of her life.”

“Still, that woman’s got some nerve showing up an hour late. Yowch, I waited so long my face started hurting!”

—

If this was the Han Yunxi of the past, wouldn’t she have cried herself to death upon hearing these words? Unfortunately, the current Han Yunxi was nothing like that shrinking violet, self-abasing woman who had long given up. Ignoring the difficulties, she felt the tumor growth on her face while peeking outside the curtains. The front gates of the Duke of Qin’s residence were deserted, and there were no wedding decorations anywhere. If it wasn’t for the bridal sedan chair resting at the entrance, no one would know this household was getting a bride today.

Such a cold and cheerless scene was a clear message to Han Yunxi that she wasn’t welcome, that they didn’t even want her here. Nanny Wang was currently knocking on the door, her movements very light. A while passed, but there was no reaction from the main gates. A side door opened, and an old gatekeeper stood just inside the entrance with no intentions to come out.

Nanny Wang ran hastily over, assuming a professional air as she smiled and laughed joyously. “The new bride is here! The new bride is here!”

Who knew that old servant would only shoot them a few glances before speaking disdainfully, “The grand imperial concubine has orders. Since you’ve missed the auspicious hour, come back tomorrow!”

When he finished speaking, the door slammed shut with a pah!

-o-

[1] auspicious hours (吉时) －jishi, lucky hours in the day where good fortune follows certain deeds. Also applies to days, months, seasons, etc.

[2] a new bride can never turn back – women being carried off to their grooms’ families needed to keep going forward. Turning back was equal to being rejected for marriage, which could lose a lot of face for the bride’s family and ruin her future prospects.