When Yaelle saw her messy makeup in the mirror, she felt even more upset. The style was very similar to the Tang dynasty's makeup, but Yaelle could not appreciate this art.
Her eyebrows were drawn very thin, almost like two lines. Her face was painted pale like paper, as if it had just been scraped.
Maybe for celebration, the blush on her cheeks was too bright, as red as a monkey's bottom, making her feel very embarrassed.
Still, Yaelle found some comfort. Her hair was styled carefully, and the jewels in her hair shone brightly.
Though the headpiece was a little heavy, the overall look was very attractive. This made her feel a little better; at least she was satisfied with her hairstyle.
When everyone left, she went back to the room to fix her makeup. She took out makeup remover and wiped off all the old makeup.
Then she did basic skincare. She cleaned her face gently with cleanser, then applied moisturizer to keep her skin hydrated and glowing.
After that, she took out a carefully chosen primer and applied it smoothly on her face. The primer protected her skin from outside damage and helped her makeup last longer.
Remembering a makeup tutorial she watched, she started putting on makeup step by step. She chose a light and natural foundation, tapping it gently for an even skin tone with a glow.
Next, she used an eyebrow pencil to draw natural-shaped eyebrows. Then she lightly swept eyeshadow on her eyelids to add depth to her eyes.
She paid special attention to her eye makeup, using eyeliner to draw neat lines that made her eyes look bright. Mascara made her lashes thick and curled, showing her joy and hope.
Blush was the highlight of her makeup. She picked a slightly brighter color and gently brushed it on her cheeks. Her face looked like blooming peach flowers, both pure and charming.
Finally, she applied lip gloss with a lipstick close to her natural lip color, making her whole makeup look balanced and lively.
After finishing, she looked in the mirror. Her classic hair bun with delicate hairpins made her look more elegant and noble.
Wearing the bright red wedding dress, she gave off a peaceful and happy feeling, like a beautiful ancient painting.
She stood in front of the mirror, lightly tapping her cheeks, and smiled happily at the refined and graceful reflection. This was not just because the makeup made her more beautiful.
More importantly, the careful preparation and showing her best side gave her new confidence and joy.
Today, she would be the center of attention. This was not only a wedding but also the start of a new chapter in her life.
She smiled confidently, walked out, and practiced a little in front of the bronze mirror with her makeup tools.
When Attendant Sean and the others came back, they saw Yaelle's back as she applied makeup. When they reached her, they noticed her makeup looked very different from before.
They could not help but wonder, "When did Miss learn such skill? It's truly a masterpiece." The makeup highlighted her best features and covered her flaws.
After the changes, she was still herself but looked extremely refined.
There was no time to think more. Michael and the matchmaker were urging. They helped Yaelle get ready until everything was perfect and then supported her to the door.
Michael had already prepared the wedding carriage. Under amazed eyes, Yaelle slowly climbed into the carriage.
Attendant Sam arranged the bead curtains around the carriage. At the matchmaker's call, the carriage pulled by four strong horses slowly moved forward.
Each horse was lively and wore a big red flower on its head, making everything look very festive.
The wedding procession followed behind the horse-drawn carriage, grand and lively. Several young attendants walked ahead, scattering money, while the crowd scrambled to grab the lucky money, blocking the road. Without servants clearing the way, the carriage would not have moved at all.
Since this was not her own wedding, Yaelle squeezed through the crowd to watch the excitement.
Her head was pounding. The more she had laughed before, the more painful she felt now.
Her hair was styled with many fake hairpieces. If she had not traveled through time, she would not have known ancient people were so trendy, using fake hair so early.
Attendant Sam was skilled and wrapped the fake hair with real hair so it looked natural from the outside.
The pearl hairpin on her head must have weighed several pounds. Her scalp felt numb and her neck was sore from the weight.
Sitting in the carriage, people outside could still see her movements through the pearl curtain and gauze. She kept a polite smile but her mind was full of frustration.
Luckily, the two families lived close by. Just as she was about to lose her fake smile, the matchmaker shouted, "We have arrived!"
Through the gauze, she saw red lanterns hanging at Maxim's family gate. The front door looked especially grand and joyful today.
The vermilion door had golden studs that shone under the sun. A black plaque with gold characters hung above, tied with red silk ribbons.
On both sides of the gate, a pair of stone lions stood guard. Their eyes seemed to show happiness, celebrating the union of the couple.
The stone steps in front of the door were spotless. Each step was covered with a red carpet extending to the outer courtyard.
Rows of blooming flowers lined the carpet. Their bright colors and fragrance added life to the festive day.
Following the matchmaker's guidance, Yaelle got off the carriage and greeted the relatives and elders. Then she was taken to Maxim's courtyard.
Passing through the outer courtyard, she glanced around. The layout was strict and delicate.
A stone path ran through it. On both sides, neatly trimmed pines and cypresses stood tall and green, symbolizing the family's longevity and the couple's steady marriage.
Among the trees were several oddly shaped stones adding natural beauty.
At the center of the courtyard was a carefully arranged flower altar filled with mainly red and yellow flowers, symbolizing luck and wealth.
The altar was surrounded by a bamboo fence with strings of red lanterns hanging from it. The lanterns swayed in the wind, ringing softly like music celebrating the wedding.
In one corner of the courtyard stood a small pavilion covered with green vines.
Red silk ribbons hung from it. Inside were a round table and several chairs for guests to rest and chat.
The entire gate and courtyard, from color schemes to decorations, showed the owner's respect for marriage and love for a beautiful life.
Every detail was full of blessings for the couple and hopes for their happy future. It was clear the Maxim family parents adored Maxim.
The courtyard of the Maxim family was much larger than Yaelle's home. Luckily, Maxim lived in the front yard, so Yaelle didn't have to walk far to reach her destination. The door was tightly shut, and a crowd had gathered at the entrance.
It was lively and bustling. Yaelle followed what the matchmaker had taught her and threw out a large handful of red envelopes. The crowd, naturally not wanting to make things too hard for the bride, began testing her instead.
They made Yaelle guess a few riddles, recite a love poem, and asked her to say a few promises. Only after that did they let her pass into the room. Yaelle slowly pushed open the half-closed door and stepped lightly inside.
Her eyes quickly scanned the room and stopped at the figure sitting by the bed. Maxim was dressed in a brilliant red wedding robe, vibrant like a blooming red lotus, glowing with warmth and charm. His tall and upright figure, paired with the exquisite clothing, made him look spirited and elegant.
Especially on a day like this, his face seemed to shine with a special light. He looked soaked in joy and happiness, making him appear even more radiant. Maxim sat quietly in his seat, but his gaze had been locked on the doorway the whole time.
At last, Yaelle walked in with light steps. A flicker of joy flashed in Maxim's eyes, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly. Yaelle stood before him, bowed politely, and said clearly, "I have come to take you as my husband in proper form. Do you accept?"
Maxim quickly stood up, his face full of happiness, and returned the bow. "I do," he replied. At that moment, the matchmaker handed them a red silk ribbon with a large red flower tied to it.
Yaelle and Maxim held each end of the ribbon and walked outside together. When they reached the gate, they stopped and turned to bid farewell to Maxim's parents. Then, in the sound of firecrackers, they boarded the wedding carriage.
Accompanied by lively music, the carriage drove in the direction of the Yaelle residence. At the same time, Maxim's dowry was also sent from his home to Yaelle's house. The dowry was incredibly lavish, with a total of sixty-eight sedan chairs.
Given the distance between their families, the first one probably reached her home while the last was still leaving Maxim's estate. Sitting side by side in the wedding carriage, Maxim's heart pounded like a drum. He had waited so long for this day and now it had finally arrived.
He couldn't hold back his excitement. He secretly looked at Yaelle beside him and thought she looked especially beautiful today. Her whole body seemed to glow with golden light, so dazzling he didn't dare stare directly.
Then, through the veil, he noticed many men outside staring at Yaelle. It made him feel uncomfortable, but he didn't dare say anything. In this world, women held the higher status, and the moral rules clearly stated that men couldn't be jealous.
A husband must always put his wife first. Maxim had no choice but to pretend he didn't see it and quietly looked away. Still, there was a sour feeling in his heart.
But when he felt Yaelle's gaze on him, he couldn't help but look up and smile at her. He used his sleeve as cover and secretly reached out to gently hold her hand. Yaelle glanced at him and, as if sensing his nervousness and unease, she returned the gesture.
Their fingers intertwined. Her hand was soft and warm, filling him with comfort and peace.
At that moment, Maxim felt warmth spread through his chest, as if a gentle current was flowing from deep inside. He thought back to last night and how he had spent it. He had lain in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
He was both nervous and excited, his heart filled with anticipation and unease about the future. Finally, in the early morning hours, he couldn't resist sleep and dozed off. But it felt like he had just closed his eyes when someone called out to him.
He snapped his eyes open and for a brief moment thought he was dreaming. Then he quickly realized what day it was. He rushed to get out of bed, washed up, dressed neatly, and prepared to welcome Yaelle.
After getting everything in order, he sat by the bed waiting for Yaelle, and time seemed to slow to a crawl. Each second dragged on endlessly, making him feel unbearably anxious. He kept glancing toward the door again and again.
He hoped to catch sight of Yaelle's figure. Finally, the door slowly opened and Yaelle appeared at the entrance. That moment brought peace to his heart, and all his nervousness disappeared.
He looked at Yaelle with eyes full of love and tenderness. He knew that no matter what hardships lay ahead, they would face them together. Because they loved each other, and that was their greatest strength.
The carriage moved slowly to the sound of drums, gongs, and firecrackers, until it reached Yaelle's house. The front gates of the Xia residence were wide open, receiving the groom with the highest level of ceremony. A young servant brought over a small stool and placed it beside the carriage.
Maxim got off first, then gently helped Yaelle down. Amid the cheerful noise of the guests, the two entered the main hall. There, they offered tribute to Yaelle's ancestors and bowed to heaven and earth.
Once the ritual was complete, the newlyweds were led into the bridal chamber. Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting a soft golden glow over the vintage-style wedding room. The walls were decorated with red silk and golden-threaded double happiness symbols, representing good fortune and happiness.
By the window were pots of blooming flowers, their vibrant beauty hinting at a future filled with wealth and abundance. In the center of the room stood a large carved redwood bed. The bedding was brocade embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks playing in water, and delicate tassels swayed gently at the corners.
Two red candles stood on either side of the bed, their flickering flames reflecting the couple's sweet smiles. The candlelight lit up their joyful expressions. It also illuminated the shared path ahead of them.
In the living room, a fine Eight Immortals table displayed exquisite tea sets and snacks. Every piece reflected the elegance and craftsmanship of ancient traditions. A landscape painting hung on the wall, with clear mountains and flowing rivers, symbolizing a poetic and peaceful life.
As soon as Maxim stepped into the room, he began to feel out of place. He left Yaelle with Attendant Sean and the others. Then he followed Michael outside to greet guests and offer drinks.
As for Yaelle, no one came to ask her to pour drinks. The bride had already endured a long, tiring day. No one would be tactless enough to demand more from her.
If someone insisted too much, a short-tempered noblewoman might even lose her patience on the spot. After all, they were all pampered and delicate, and the wedding day was already exhausting. Once the bride was brought over, she wouldn't do anything else.
As soon as everyone left, Yaelle could no longer keep up her formal appearance. Her scalp throbbed with pain, making her grimace. She immediately called Attendant Sean to remove the hairpins from her head.
If they weren't taken out soon, her neck felt like it might snap.