CHAPTER 835: CHAPTER 833: THE BRIDE’S MAKEUP

Ye Xinyan seemed to hear someone talking in her sleep, opened her eyes, and saw only Jiu Yue and Jiu Zhen, the two maids, keeping watch. Outside the room came the voice of Ye Yuan.

The happiest person during the time before Ye Xinyan’s wedding was not Duke An or Madam Yin, but Ye Yuan.

The little fellow had never seen his sister stay at home quietly for more than ten days, and now, in his sister’s room, everywhere was a sea of red. The bed and couch were mostly covered with soft fabrics, and as soon as the little guy came in, he would roll around happily.

In Ye Xinyan’s own memory, she also loved to roll and play in such messy places full of soft items when she was a child. In a grand household like the Duke’s Mansion, scenes like that would never be allowed, nor would children be allowed to romp in such places. So, she let Ye Yuan play, knowing she could tidy up afterward.

At this moment, she heard Ye Yuan calling "sister" outside, not loudly, but very persistently. Besides the child’s voice, there were others softly speaking, seemingly coaxing him.

Ye Xinyan sat up and said to Jiu Yue, "Is it Ye Yuan outside? Let him come in."

Jiu Yue just stepped out, and the cotton curtain lifted. Ye Yuan’s small and round figure came in, led by Maternal Aunt Zhao.

Upon entering, Ye Yuan flopped toward Ye Xinyan’s couch. Maternal Aunt Zhao, holding his hand tightly, first saluted Ye Xinyan and said apologetically, "Brother Yuan has been clamoring to come here since breakfast. I didn’t know Miss Ye was resting and brought him over. I didn’t expect to disturb Miss Ye’s rest."

Ye Xinyan motioned for Jiu Zhen to bring Ye Yuan over and said to Maternal Aunt Zhao, "It’s alright, I was just finding a moment to rest. At this time, I shouldn’t be sleeping anyway."

Jiu Zhen removed Ye Yuan’s shoes and his thick outer garments.

The couch was tidy at this time, and the little guy bounced to Ye Xinyan, but instead of leaping at her as before, he sat in front of her, grinned, and looked at her without speaking.

Ye Xinyan found it amusing that he behaved differently today, looking more proper, and laughed invitingly, "Come on, what’s the matter? Don’t you recognize your sister anymore?"

Ye Yuan clearly called out "sister," then slowly crawled over.

Maternal Aunt Zhao noticed from the moment she entered that Ye Xinyan appeared a bit more beautiful today than usual. Focused on sneaking glances at Ye Xinyan’s face, she hadn’t paid much attention to her son’s actions.

Upon hearing Ye Xinyan speak, she smiled and explained, "I warned Brother Yuan on the way here not to make a fuss with Miss Ye today, otherwise his antics might wrinkle Miss Ye’s clothes. It seems he understood."

Ye Xinyan was surprised, "He’s just a little child, can he really understand that?" Saying this, she beckoned Ye Yuan, "Come, come, it’s alright. I haven’t worn my outer garment yet, no worries about wrinkles, come here for a hug."

Ye Yuan, in a daze, looked back at Maternal Aunt Zhao, then hurriedly crawled to Ye Xinyan’s side and stood up to flop against her.

Ye Xinyan caught him quickly, "You little rascal, do you have to use so much strength every time?"

If this little fellow grows up like this, he will surely live up to Duke An’s expectations. From the way he acts now, once he sets his mind on something, he always goes for it unhesitatingly, fully in line with Duke An’s requirements for his descendants.

Though it was Ye Xinyan’s wedding day, the ceremony was in the evening and the bridal procession was also late, leaving a lot of free time. There was still time to chat and play with family, and Ye Yuan and Ye Xinyan played on the couch as usual for a while until Qi Jiaer came around and the Qi brothers led him away.

Soon after, Zhou Biyao and several cousin sisters from Marquis Zhongyong’s Mansion arrived early. As guests began arriving to congratulate, the bridal matron, Nanny Jin, Nanny Huang, and others quickly helped Ye Xinyan get ready, sitting her gracefully on the bed, waiting to receive the various congratulatory guests.

Gradually, more and more people came to offer congratulations. Although most had little personal connection with Miss Ye, there were familial and social ties. The various madams and ladies always brought their juniors to the feast, also needing to pay their respects to the bride.

Seeing the properly seated Miss Ye, speaking softly and gently, everyone felt a strong sense of dissonance and suspicion. Which bridal matron and Fortune Lady did she hire that could dress her up to be so stunningly beautiful?

People had seen plenty of weddings, but never had they seen a bride so excellently adorned.

As soon as Zhou Biyao arrived, her eyes were fixed. Once all the coming and going guests had left, she found a chance and secretly pulled Ye Xinyan aside to ask who had done her makeup to make her look like a heavenly fairy.

Ye Xinyan was angered by this. In such a setting, she couldn’t lash out, so she sneaked a look around, ensuring no congratulatory guests were nearby, and then spat fiercely, "Can’t you speak properly? What do you mean ’made up to look like a heavenly fairy’? Your sister here is naturally beautiful and already looks like a heavenly fairy, alright!"

Nanny Huang and the few from Song Ping’s Household blushed upon hearing this. Miss Ye had been exceptionally well-behaved and understanding these past days. They assumed that as she was about to become someone’s wife, she finally understood the importance of a woman’s grace and obedience, thinking she had truly turned over a new leaf.

Who would have thought, given the opportunity, Miss Ye was still her original self.

Nanny Huang glanced awkwardly at the bridal matron and just shifted her gaze elsewhere, pretending not to hear what Miss Ye said.

The two bridal matrons also had odd expressions. Though Miss Ye’s current looks were indeed beautiful, didn’t she feel embarrassed touting her own beauty so much?

Zhou Biyao, unconcerned with Ye Xinyan’s cheeky remarks, clung to her, insisting, "Sister Qi, who on earth did your makeup? Tell me, I’m desperate to know."

Even if desperate, isn’t it inappropriate to say it outright? Ye Xinyan was momentarily taken aback before proudly saying, "You think my makeup looks nice? Well, you’ve asked the right person; I did it myself."

"Really?" Zhou Biyao perked up and, hiding from Nanny Huang and the bridal matron, whispered in Ye Xinyan’s ear, "Sister Qi, on my wedding day in ten days, can you come early to my house and do my makeup?"

Ye Xinyan immediately became wary, scrutinizing Zhou Biyao with disdain. She put in great effort with her makeup, hoping that when Jiang Yifan lifted the veil, he would be truly amazed. Even if not amazed, he should be pleased.

What would she gain from making Zhou Biyao beautiful?

Zhou Biyao put on a pitiful look, allowing Ye Xinyan’s scrutiny.

At such a time, she must lower herself. Sister Qi’s bridal makeup was indeed extraordinarily beautiful, far better than her usual appearance, yes, much better.

On her wedding day, she too wanted to be beautifully adorned, allowing her third brother to see a beautiful wife, becoming the most beautiful bride in the world.

Such a pitiful Zhou Biyao quickly melted Ye Xinyan’s heart.

She pouted, alright, people of this era can really act, just look at this pitiful look, where was that arrogance and pride on the day she mocked her, holding the note Jiang Yifan wrote?