At the gate the Xu residence, stood an old experienced servant. He was the house in-charge Yi, waiting to receive the wedding entourage. Carpet was laid out in front of the Xu mansion covering the road and the stairs, leading to the pathway upto the main hall. As it is customary for the bride's feet must not touch the ground, while entering the groom's residence. Along with house incharge Yi, stood General's aide Chen Fan, who was send from the military camp to assist General's wife. The wedding procession arrived and halted in front of the Xu residence main gate. Eunuch Dai accompanied the procession and ascended the stairs. He was greeted at the gate.
Eunuch Dai : "There has been a change of events. The brides of the Xu family have been interchanged. The youngest will be marrying General Xu Guoqiang. And the oldest will be the Chancellors's wife. Please arrange accordingly. I sincerely hope this is not troublesome."
House In-charge Yi : "No Eunuch Dai. Not at all. Please come in."
House In-charge Yi : "Please take the dowry of Miss Lu Mei to Xu Da's chambers and set it up." Servants directed the ten dowry boxes of the lady to the Chancellor's chambers. When two dowry box porters and a wagon did not follow pursuit. Aide Fei understood that this was his master's wife's dowry.
Aide Fei : "I'll guide the second Miss's dowry. This way please." He took them from the back gate as there was an animal drawn wagon. Fei supervised the porters offloading the boxes at General's mansion. Aide Fei made just in time at the main gate, when the groom and the bride arrived. They stepped down from the horse and the sedan respectively. And from the second sedan stepped down a mother bride. House In-charge Yi was overseeing the ceremony practices. Xu Da and his bride were handed the lover's known, each holding one end of it, indicating that they are now united. As the groom and the bride make their way to the main hall where the rest of the ceremonies will be held, behind them was a figure of a bride without a groom.
House In-charge Yi : "This way Miss," as he directed her and her escorting maid to the main hall. Aide Fei followed his master's bride. Lu Wei followed behind the couple and was guided to stand on the left side of the hall as the couple took the centre. Wei's stance made whispers escalate, she looked lonesome without a groom. She felt everyones's pity gaze. 'I'm glad it wasn't me,' Mei thought to herself.
In presence of the Xu family and their invited guest, the ceremony begins.
Conductor : "First Bow to heaven and earth."
The couple bow together in sync.
"Second bow to ancestors."
The couple bow for the second time.
"Third bow to each other."
The couple face each other and bow."
After this Lunch Dai takes over : "Miss Lu Wei please step ahead." At this cue the couple step aside and Lu Wei takes the centre.
Eunuch Dai : "Under the decree of the Emperor, daughter of Court Historian, Lu Wei, is matured, demure disciplined and honest. She is ennobled as the General's wife. Signed Emperor."
Lu Wei : "I, Lu Wei, thank his majesty for his graciousness."
Conductor: " The ceremony is completed as intended by heaven!"
"Congratulations to Xu Da and Lady Xu for your marriage." Echos of congratulations started bellowing, all intended to the wedded couple. While Wei stood at the side, with a lonely appearance to her. Eunuch Dai approved Lu Wei, who is now Xu Wei, general's wife.
Eunuch Dai : "Congratulations to General's wife."
Wei : "Thank you Royal Eunuch Dai."
Aid eFei also extended his congratulations, but was ignored by Wei. She assumed it was for the married couple and not her.
Aide Fei : "Congratulations General's wife," as he attempted once again to congratulate his master's wife.
Wei : "Thank you."
Aide Fei : " Madame, I am general's personal aide. Chen Fei. Let me escort you to general's mansion. This way."
Madame, it was at this moment Lu Wei realised that se was no longer miss or lady but madame, since there is change in her marital status. Now she has to uphold a demeanour of a madame. Wei and Fu Lin walked behind Aide Fei, she realised that they were far away from the main mansion's extravaganza. The stopped at a turn, when peeked ahead was a dead end. And to its left side was moon gate, with a plaque on top that read 'Refection Mansion.'
Through the moon gate was a passage with garden on either sides unmaintained, filled with weeded and long grass. The mansion was dimly lit, ascending the flight of stairs, lead to the main hall, quite long extending from left to right. Out the main hall, into the corridor was the main courtyard in the centre, of a humble nature. The corridor can be followed on the right would lead to the right wing, and to the left, the left wing. Followed by a quarters at the opposite of the main hall. Aide Fei guided the Madame to the left wing, chambers. It was throughly lit, and already the chambers had Wei's dowry set up. Since there was no groom there was no other ceremonial practice left, so she was free.
Wei : "Fu Lin, I can put down the fan now?"
Fu Lin : "Yes my lady… Ah I mean Madame Wei." It will take time adjusting for Fu Lin to address Wei as Madame, and was Wei to hear it. Wei sits at the table. Aide Fei introduces himself again, "Madame, I am general Xu Guoqiang's personal aide Chen Fei, at your service."
Madame Wei : "I'll introduce myself as well, I am Lu Wei. This is my maid-in-waiting."
Fu Lin says her own name, "Fu Lin."
Silence followed, what could they talk about at the bridal chambers.
Madame Wei : "Aide Fei, are there any other servants in this house?"
Aide Fei : "No madame. I'm the only one."
Fu Lin : "Then how does the General keep this house functioning?"
Aide Fei : "Since general is always out at war, we hardly come to the mansion. Therefore, it is in this state… I was send by General from the battlefield, when the decree came to make Madame's stay here comfortable."
Madame Wei : "Your a soldier too?"
Aide Fei : "Yes madame!"
Fu Lin : "Does not looks like much…"
Aide Fei : "I'll have you know, I'm best in the calvary! Of course after Commander Chu, and Wan and Xa.
(whispers to himself) Or that new comer. (loudly) Anyway I'm good soldier! I'm General's personal aide, he trusts his life in my hands."
Fu Lin : "Tall tales."
Wei giggles, "Why are you laughing madame." Said Fei.
Madame Wei : "You both are bickering like children."
Fu Lin : "Fei, why is this mansion called 'Reflection Mansion'?
Aide Fei : "Oh that is because, ah… forget it, since Madame is now General's wife, there are no secrets. General does not have his own chambers in the Xu family, they do not treat him as well, as an adopted son. This is actually the punishment house of the Xu family. Family members are sent here in confinement. General is blunt and straight forward so he gets send here, they could not disciple him. After some time this became General's living quarters in the Xu mansion. Whenever he comes to the capital he prefers staying at the lodging barely comes here."
Some how that stuck a cord with Wei. They both did not have a permanent boarding to call her own, their home. Suddenly there was a sense of familiarity, she felt relating with the General.
Aide Fei : "Since this house is always shut the garden is full of weeds, out of maintenance. I apologise Madame, deeply for this poor kept aboard. I did my best to clean up the mansion, to decorate it, tame the garden and repair. Since, Madame is here now, you can make any changes as you see fit. Make it comfortable for your living."
Madame Wei : "Thank you, I will."
Aide Fei : "Oh I forgot something, just a moment Madame, I'll go bring it."
Madame Wei : "Alright, go ahead,"
After a while Aide Fei brought stacked up food boxes.
"I brought every speciality served within the capital main city. This is scallion oil chicken from the northern eatery, sweet and sour pork from the westward pavilion, roasted duck from Mei'ran, noddles from a shack. A nice lady sells them just outside the outer city gates, they are delicious! And rice. We also have spicy braised shrimp and braised tofu. I have a table full of pastry too. Chestnut cake, osmanthus cake, mooncake and mung bean cake. I wasn't certain what Madame like, therefore I brought all!"
Madame Wei : "Fei, this is a lot I won't be able to eat so much. Why don't bring two more sets of utsetils for yourself and Lin, that way we all can eat.
Aide Fei : "Madame this is for you
Madame Wei : "Yes and I'm grateful for this wonderful gestures but don't you think it is a little much for a single person to eat? Take it as my wedding banquet, you all can eat."
Aide Fei : "Alright, Madame."