Even though her legs are still agile despite her age, Granny Song is famous in the village for her skill in hairdressing. She is the longest-lived elder in Lower River Village and is highly respected, blessed with many children and grandchildren. Her presence is often seen at weddings and funerals.
However, Granny Song follows a set of principles in her actions—she doesn't visit families with a bad reputation.
Initially, she didn't take a liking to Wen Family's stepmother. But when Wen Wan's biological mother, Mrs. Lu, was still around, she showed great respect for Granny Song, who favoured the young girl's gentle and generous nature.
Thus, upon hearing Wen Wan was getting married, Granny Song offered to do her hair and see her off personally.
Wen Wan's eldest aunt was thinking of how to persuade the old lady to lend her face for the occasion when she went out to invite her, and to her surprise, the moment she called, Granny Song agreed.
Granny Song walked in with her cane, and the women who were talking in the room immediately fell silent, respectfully greeting her with "Granny."
Granny Song gazed at Wen Wan sitting in front of the mirror. She had already changed into her bright red wedding dress, which was stitched to precise measurements to fit her closely, accentuating her petite and delicate figure. Her fair, porcelain-like face was as smooth and tender as tofu.
Granny Song reminisced for a moment and said, "Good girl, your striking looks are just like your mother's."
This was the first time Wen Wan heard Granny Song mention Mrs. Lu, and she turned her head curiously.
Granny Song sighed, "If she were still here, it wouldn't be up to an old woman like me to do your hair right now."
After speaking, she handed her cane to the eldest aunt beside her and reached for a comb, starting to brush Wen Wan's hair, uttering numerous auspicious words.
Mrs. Zhou went outside to entertain her loud mother.
The eldest aunt knew the stepmother was unreliable, so she discreetly whispered in Wen Wan's ear about how to serve her husband on their wedding night, making Wen Wan's face flush with heat.
——
The Song family invited a troupe from the county town for the wedding ceremony and had brought a bridal sedan chair.
The sound of gongs and drums dispelled the last chill of late winter.
Willows were sprouting, and spring was warm.
Song Wei stood tall in the Wen family's main room, bidding farewell to his father-in-law and mother-in-law. His voice was deep and magnetic; regardless of what he said, he always maintained a calm and steady demeanor, as if no matter the situation, it couldn't easily cause any ripples, providing a sense of assured tranquility.
Wen Wan stood beside him.
Beneath the bridal veil, her lips touched with a thin layer of lip balm curled slightly, and her cheeks showed a hint of blush.
She couldn't speak; all that needed to be said, Song Wei said for her. Only at the end did her aunt support her as she knelt and bowed thrice to her father.
The wedding between the Song and Wen families was as grand as those of small families in the county, attracting a crowd of onlookers.
Wen Wan was carried by her eldest cousin outside the door, hearing the voices of neighbors, knowing all eyes were on her, her heart raced.
The bridal sedan chair set off; the way from Lower River Village to Upper River Village was not far, so it arrived quickly.
Granny Song and Old Song were already sitting in the main room waiting.
As the sedan chair approached, Song Fang led his young nephew, Yuanbao, inside to announce the good news.
Old Song was full of gratification.
Granny Song looked on with a wooden face, showing no reaction. If not for the fortune teller from town who said that their son's zodiac was inauspicious and would be turned around by matching it with Wen Wan's, she wouldn't have agreed to this marriage.
The bride and groom had already entered.
The one presiding over the ceremony was the Song Family Patriarch; with his raised voice, the couple began their rites by bowing to the heavens and earth.