Page 938

Lin Wei smiled sweetly, yet a faint sadness was hidden behind her smile.

Before she entered Mo Sanniang’s room, the pained cries of Xiao Linshuang and the hearty laughter of the women could already be heard.

"What’s going on? Why is everyone so happy?" Lifting the curtain, Lin Yuan walked in with a smile.

Aunt Chen was holding Xiao Linshuang by the shoulders, guiding her to sit down on a stool.

Seeing Lin Yuan, she couldn’t help but laugh and say, "What else could it be? It’s this little troublemaker, insisting on trying out face threading and bravely going for it.

Now look, she’s been through it and it’s left her in pain. "

So that’s what it was.

Seeing Xiao Linshuang covering her cheeks with a look of grievance, Lin Yuan poked her on the forehead and scolded, "Serves you right for causing trouble. Now you’ve tasted the consequences, haven’t you?"

Xiao Linshuang pouted and rubbed her cheeks vigorously with her plump little hands before standing up again and moving closer.

"Would you calm down a bit!" Fearing that the girl would rush forward again and endure the pain of face threading, Lin Wei quickly grabbed the young girl’s hand.

Only then did Lin Yuan turn her attention to Mo Sanniang, noticing an elder midwife holding two colorful cotton threads, biting one end in her mouth, and winding the other end on Mo Sanniang’s face in a peculiar motion.

The places where the thread had passed were noticeably smoother on Mo Sanniang’s face.

So this was the legendary face threading.

This time, Xiao Linshuang had learned her lesson and watched from a distance, blinking with curiosity, "Sister Mo, doesn’t it hurt for you?"

Face threading, which involved pulling out the fine hair on the face, was bound to be painful, wasn’t it?

Mo Sanniang’s face was flushed, whether from the threading or from sheer happiness, it was hard to tell.

Before Mo Sanniang could speak, Fifth Sister Bai, who was heavily pregnant, laughed, "How could it hurt? At a moment like this, she must be feeling a mix of happiness and nervousness and has completely forgotten about the pain."

At this, Mo Sanniang’s cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red.

The room erupted in laughter at Fifth Sister Bai’s words.

After face threading came the makeup and hairdressing. To make the bride look more beautiful and rosy, bridal makeup was applied very thickly, to the point that Mo Sanniang frowned at her reflection, claiming she could hardly recognize herself in the mirror.

However, Xiao Linshuang was delighted, clapping her hands and laughing, "The bride is so beautiful! I want to be a bride too!"

"Little sister!" Lin Wei quickly covered Xiao Linshuang’s mouth and shot her an embarrassed and flustered glance. This little sister really had no filter, saying anything that came to mind.

Still, despite her reprimanding words, Lin Wei’s eyes were filled with anticipation as she looked at Mo Sanniang adorned with thick makeup.

The hairdressing of a bride was a matter of elaborate protocol. Only fortunate women could comb the bride’s hair, those who were seen as having good fortune typically had living parents, harmony with their spouse, and were blessed with children.

Lin Yuan didn’t recognize the woman combing Mo Sanniang’s hair, but judging by Mo Sanniang’s mother’s affectionate behavior toward the woman, she could guess that this lady must have been a close friend of Madam Mo.

The woman held a comb in one hand and lifted Mo Sanniang’s waterfall-like hair with the other, blessing her with auspicious words as she combed.

"First comb for enduring richness, wealth without worries to cherish.

Second comb ensures health and soothes, free from sickness and woes it proves.

Third comb guarantees sons and long life, progeny plentiful without strife.

Further comb ensures an equal match, couples in respect, an ideal catch.

Another comb for side-by-side flight, in love and harmony, together take flight.

Final comb binds hearts in an alliance unending, auspicious, prosperous, and splendid. "

Lin Yuan watched intently with bright eyes, following the woman’s comb as it moved through the hair.

Once the woman had finished combing the hair, other ladies were selected to style Mo Sanniang’s bridal hairdo. Although not as ritualistic, these women were chosen for their perceived auspiciousness and blessings.

After styling Mo Sanniang’s hair and adorning her with various hair accessories, it was time for Lin Yuan and her friends to make their appearance. As close sisters, it was their turn to add cosmetics to the bride’s ensemble, symbolizing their wishes for her beautiful new life ahead.

"Sister Mo, I wish you and Mr. Meng a harmonious life together, till your hair turns white," said Xiao Linshuang, giggling as she brought out her prepared bridal gift, an exquisitely crafted jade hairpin.

Lin Wei also smiled as she presented her gift, a pair of red silk pillowcases embroidered by her own hand with mandarin ducks playing in water, "Sister Mo, Weiwei wishes you and Mr. Meng a perfect union matched by heaven."

After her two younger sisters had spoken, Lin Yuan also took out a gold headpiece from a small box she carried. This headpiece had been custom made by a goldsmith following her own design, making it particularly meaningful.