Arriving at the venue, I glanced around idly as I took in where I was to be wed, a brief thought entering my head.
Would Yi'er like this kind of place?
The sea of tables and cushions overlooked a beautiful serene mountain scape, while lush fragrant shrubs ringed the large square.
Each table was laden with flowers and candles, which were another source of calming scents.
Towards the back of this square was a rather large platform, where three tables had been set up.
One was for Yi'er and I, the other for the Matriarch, Lady Ai, and their two other daughters, and the third smaller one was for the three new concubines, who were to be my... Aunts, I guess.
It was still early, and we had arrived first, but already people were filtering in; Elders of this Sect and other smaller Sects beholden to ours, Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the various Families, Young Masters and Ladies of those Families, Government Officials of the cities...
Many walked in, and they all wore warm, wide smiles as they bowed to me, words of congratulations flowing from their lips like wine.
Some held thinly veiled lust or hate in their eyes, whilst others were aloof and bored as they found their table.
Greeting each was a pain, especially...
"Lady Gao Chen~! It's been awhile, has it not~? Did you miss me?"
Holding back a sigh, I smiled at the voluptuous girl before me, images of taking her behind the curtains of a tea shop flickering through my mind.
My younger self indulged heavily in sex, and she had been amongst my first long term lovers, a woman that I had almost agreed to take as a concubine way back then.
Her lips felt nice on my skin, her hands were silky smooth, and her breasts were rather plump and soft...
But besides her sexy exterior, she had nothing to offer.
"Kou Baimen, greetings! How have you been?"
Clasping my hand, the alchemist slash courtesan smiled sensually at me, her plump lips curled upwards as she said "Not as good as it was, Sister Chen! I missed you so~ much... why did you never write back to me?"
Slivers of annoyance crept into my heart at her words, and I gave her a smile as I gently freed my hands from hers, saying "I've been busy, Baimen. Besides, I'm a married woman now."
Placing emphasis on 'married', the usually dull courtesan nodded at me, her 'ah~' telling me she understood.
"I never thought you'd go through with it, Sister Chen, but good for you~! Congratulations... though I imagine quite a few women weep at this sudden loss~!"
Her teasing words made me chuckle, and I gave her a nod before gesturing to a table, watching as she left.
My eyes fell to her sashaying hips, and I briefly recalled how they rippled each night we made love, before I shook my head and greeted the next guest.
Seems like I hadn't been truly satiated last night after all...
Continuing on with my greetings, the venue eventually filled to its capacity, the only person missing being Li Fei, my younger Sister-in-law.
Climbing onto the platform, I took my seat and glanced over at the Matriarch, who gave me a raised brow and a curt nod, her amusement obvious at the amount of former flings that showed up...
Some of which were in positions of power, like Elder Ye or Marquis Min; the two older women had given me wry smiles and lust filled gazes, likely remembering the passionate nights spent when I 'curried favors' with them.
My vice of lust really did influence what I did huh...
Holding back a laugh, I lifted the small cup of pomegranate wine and sipped on it, enjoying the tart flavor as we awaited the arrival of the bride, Li Yichen.
It didn't take long, as Bao eventually strode towards the entrance of the venue and shouted "Lady Ai and Lady Li Yichen have arrived!"
Murmurs spread throughout the venue at that, and everyone turned to look towards the awaiting White Tigress, wanting to see the 'useless' daughter of the Li Family.
Lowering my cup, I too stared at the carpet, my heart quickening slightly as I saw the red veiled figure of Li Yichen walking forwards.
More murmurs spread as Lady Ai and Yi'er walked closer, and many made comments about the two women, listing the differences between them.
"... not even inheriting the bloodline of her mother..."
"... rather ugly still, you think? Tch, what a waste."
"... wonder if the foods going to be good as well..."
"Still as graceful as other, Lady Ai is..."
I grit my teeth slightly at the words around me, before frowning as I felt a few gazes flicker back at me.
Wiping my expression off my face, I wondered why their words grated at me, even when I knew I shouldn't care.
Keeping myself neutral for now, I continued to stare at the veiled face of Yi'er, the thick red cloth concealing her features perfectly.
Even with that, I swear I saw a hint of pale blue beneath the cloth, staring straight back at me.
Walking calmly past the crowded tables, Li Yichen and her mother reached the platform, and I stood up as I took Yi'ers hand, guiding her to her seat.
Standing beside one another, I took a deep breath as I smiled at her, getting a slight squeeze in response.
"Thank you all for coming today to witness the union between Li Yichen and I, and I thank you all for the generous gifts!"
Smiling down at the crowd, I took another deep breath as I continued on, saying "Yi'er and I have already offered prayers as a family, and we've also... skipped another step for todays ceremony. The Matriarch and Yi'ers family already know, but..."
Grabbing her hand, I grinned as I puffed out my chest a little as I announced "Yi'er is already with child!"
There were gasps in the crowd, the surprise washing over them instantly at that news.