The maids and servants helped Mei and Aridel to walk the short distance separating the Main Hall from the little pavillion where they had breakfast together. Nanny Coco was beside taking care of both and Mei appreciated her efforts greatly. It was quite clear by now that the older woman really loved Lady Mei and considered her like a daughter.
Aridel had been holding hands with her from the begining but when they were about to enter, he raised their hands at her waist level and changed their position, his palm under hers, as if he was providing her with gentle support. Mei had seen such a thing before only on ancient films about castles of old and honestly, she was touched that he was being so careful. To other people seeing them entering the hall while holding hands like that, their rings for all to see was a definite show off about their relationship. Aridel even coordinated his steps to match hers and not leave her behind.
Mei could not see much because of the veil covering her head, but she could feel the gazes all on her. Some of that was killing intent the likes of which she had only felt before from some serious terrorists, people capable of blowing up thousands in the name of a cause. Her respect for Lady Mei went up a notch. She had to be a real heroine to have lived with all these characters and not lose her grace and joy in life.
When they reached the end of the Hall where the seats for the Lord and the new Lady had been arranged for the first ceremony with her side of the family, he guided her as he had previously explained so she would present her profile to the family and then proceeded to lift her veil and fix it to the top of her head to leave her face exposed.
-I receive my bride, Lady Mei of the Lan family who will be known from today on as my Soulbound and cherished wife-
Mei blushed. Damn, but the man could compete with the likes of Mr Darcy and that was quite a lot to take considering her lack of lovelife experience beyond literary knowledge. If this thing was for real, Mei would be swooning on the spot at the way he pronounced all those words. If he ever tried to woo her seriously, she would have to steel her heart and body to not show how weak in the knees he could make her go...
As he had instructed, Mei just smiled sweetly and kept holding hands while he helped her to her seat, right beside his. Only when both were seated, did he address the family members, starting with Lord and Lady Lan, Mei´s parents.
-My thanks to the Lan Lords for coming today to formalize and witness our marriage, as well as raising Mei to be such a brave woman whose courage brings great honor to both the Imperial family as well as the Lan family- his words made it clear that he was extremely pleased and intimate with Mei. Before today, he had never publicly addressed her by her first name. Mei observed the crowd of about 20 seated in two low tables, all facing their seats. In one table was sitting the older generation, while the other table was occupied with the younger one and people not so closely related to Mei.
In the first table, nearer to the newlyweds, sat a middle aged man and woman whose body language screamed tension barely concealed by their luxurious navy blue clothes. It was like they could not bear to see each other but they were disgusted even more to see her where she was. Those two were Lady Mei´s parents, quite a piece of work.
Mei decided right then and there to not have anything to do with those two beyond a cordial greeting when needed. Even with fading memories because of her age, she still remembered to this day that her parents in her previous life had loved her. They were poor peasants compared to this couple, but they had been caring and tender with her and only death had been able to take her away from them. Those two would remain her real parents in her heart.
The couple gave a head bow in defference to Lord Shen words and then Lord Lan spoke.
-On behalf of the Lan family, I express our hapiness for this wedding and that a daughter of our family could be of great service in support of Lord Shen. May our whishes of a long and happy life for both of you come true-
Aridel had to give it to the old lizard, he was saying all the right things in the surface. He kept his gaze straight but he was sure Mei was not amussed in the slightest.
-May our daughter bear you many healthy and strong children to be your joy and pride, my Lord-added the Lady Lan after her husband, her words serene too but filled with barbs in their meaning-
Then came words from Mei´s grandparents on her father side, as the official title was already passed to another generation, they had to follow protocol and speak after the current Lords. Their words were right, wishes of health and prosperity, but they also felt empty. After them, the uncle and his first wife also spoke about long life, many children and the growth of the Marshall line. Aridel did not miss all the messages were directed towards Mei, and all seemed to stress that she was some kind of failure, a shameful useless person that was now his burden to bear.
When the older generation table finished with their toasts, the turn was that of the newer generation. They were to show a higher degree of respect because Mei was now the Lady of the Marshall house, and it was just a matter of time before the Emperor came in and bestowed a Princess title on her.
First spoke young lord Lan, Mei´s cousin who was next in line to become leader of the family. His eyes had been observing his father closely and he repeated his words with a tone filled with serenity. He was frustrated on the inside because he had been tormenting Mei almost all his life and she was now out of his reach. He was a strong but not nearly on the level of Lord Shen so going after her now would mean going against the Marshall.
Mei remained calm and collected, she was observing everyone carefully because this first meeting was quite to her advantage. The whole viper nest was together and none of their ill will against her could be concealed from her eyes. From her cousin, she perceived both hatred and lust. He could easily fit on the monster description Nanny Coco had used.
When that guy was finished, there came the turn of her siblings on her father´s side. Mei saw the woman who was her birth mother become livid, as if she was extremely frustrated to be witnessing these children open their mouths in her presence. Her father also noticed her change and just gave her a chilling gaze as warning. He had instructed all his household on how to behave and what to say because mistakes could not be allowed during this ceremony.
-May your marriage be blessed with strong children and a long life-said her brother, the older of the bunch
-May our sister serve you well and keep peace and dignity in your household-said a girl that looked about 15 and who was fighting hard to conceal her envy. Her father scowled grandly towards her, that was not what he had approved to be said and hinted at the issue of future concubines entering the Lord´s house, which was an extremely tacky thing to say on a wedding ceremony.