Before dawn arrived upon the capital, the Yue Mansion awakened unusually early because today marked Yue Ning's wedding day.
Soft lanterns illuminated every corridor while servants hurried everywhere preparing final arrangements before the bride officially departed today.
The entire mansion seemed transformed overnight, covered with crimson decorations symbolizing joy, prosperity, happiness, and eternal marital blessings.
Even before sunrise appeared beyond distant rooftops, Yue Ning had already awakened within her chambers quietly this morning.
Several trusted maids entered respectfully carrying ceremonial garments, jewelry boxes, cosmetics, and various wedding accessories prepared beforehand carefully.
"Young Miss, today is finally the day," one maid whispered softly while struggling containing visible excitement completely.
Yue Ning sat before her dressing mirror calmly while observing servants bustling throughout her chamber without interruption today.
For someone else, nervousness might dominate thoughts completely, but Yue Ning remained surprisingly composed despite everything surrounding her.
Another maid smiled brightly before carefully arranging bridal undergarments while speaking enthusiastically about today's ceremonies ahead.
"Everyone throughout the capital discusses this wedding, Young Miss, because nobody remembers celebrations grander than these before."
Yue Ning laughed softly before replying, "Hopefully everyone survives the endless ceremonies planned by court officials today."
Several maids immediately laughed because they knew perfectly well how much Yue Ning disliked unnecessary formalities and restrictions.
Soon afterward, Yue Ning's mother entered quietly carrying a beautifully embroidered handkerchief prepared personally for this occasion.
The moment servants noticed her arrival, they respectfully withdrew farther away allowing mother and daughter privacy together.
Yue Ning looked toward her mother before smiling gently and saying, "Mother, you awakened exceptionally early today indeed."
Her mother smiled faintly before answering softly, "I doubt any mother sleeps peacefully on such mornings honestly."
The words carried warmth and affection, causing Yue Ning's expression to soften slightly while watching her carefully.
For several moments, neither spoke because emotions lingered heavily within the room beneath flickering lantern light gently.
Finally, her mother stepped closer before touching Yue Ning's hair affectionately while studying her daughter's reflection quietly there.
"When did my little girl grow this quickly?" her mother asked softly while struggling maintaining composure completely today.
Yue Ning immediately understood the emotions hidden behind those words and reached gently for her mother's hand.
"I am still your daughter, Mother," Yue Ning replied quietly while offering reassurance through both words and actions.
Her mother's eyes immediately reddened slightly despite efforts preventing tears from appearing during such an important morning.
"I know that already," she answered softly before laughing weakly, "but mothers become emotional unexpectedly during weddings."
Yue Ning smiled gently before saying, "Grandmother cried during my birthday celebration, so perhaps this runs genetically."
Her mother laughed despite herself because that statement sounded completely accurate regarding the old matriarch's personality indeed.
Outside the chamber, additional servants arrived carrying wedding robes crafted specifically for today's historic marriage ceremony ahead.
When the robes entered, everyone instinctively became quieter because their magnificence remained breathtaking despite previous inspections already completed.
Golden phoenixes stretched elegantly across layers of crimson silk while precious gemstones reflected surrounding lantern light beautifully today.
Several younger maids gasped quietly despite seeing these robes before because their beauty remained genuinely extraordinary still.
Soon, the lengthy process of dressing the bride officially began beneath careful supervision from experienced palace attendants.
Each layer required precision because imperial wedding garments contained numerous symbolic elements representing prosperity, harmony, and blessings.
Time passed steadily while Yue Ning remained remarkably patient despite usually disliking complicated clothing arrangements and restrictions.
Her mother occasionally adjusted details personally while ensuring everything appeared absolutely perfect before departure from home.
At one point, Yue Ning sighed softly before saying, "I finally understand why wedding preparations require several attendants simultaneously."
The women surrounding her immediately laughed because every bride voiced similar complaints throughout generations during preparation processes.
After the robes were completed, attention shifted toward jewelry, beginning with delicate ornaments before progressing gradually onward.
Golden hairpins adorned with phoenix motifs were placed carefully among Yue Ning's dark hair by attendants.
Additional decorations followed afterward until her appearance reflected both elegance and dignity worthy of future imperial status.
When everything was finally complete, Yue Ning slowly looked toward the mirror standing before her silently there.
For a brief moment, even she became speechless.
The reflection seemed almost unfamiliar.
Not because she looked different.
But because today represented transition.
Today she would leave home.
Today she would marry Xu Chen.
Today another chapter officially began.
Her mother noticed the silence immediately before asking gently, "What are you thinking about presently, Ning'er?"
Yue Ning smiled faintly before answering honestly, "Mostly wondering whether Xu Chen finished arguing with ceremonial officials already today."
The room erupted with laughter instantly because everyone found the concern surprisingly characteristic of Yue Ning indeed.
Her mother shook her head helplessly before saying, "Most brides think about romance rather than bureaucratic disputes instead."
Yue Ning considered carefully before replying, "Those officials probably need prayers more than Xu Chen currently does."
Several maids nearly doubled over laughing because the statement sounded entirely believable considering recent wedding preparations everywhere.
The cheerful atmosphere helped ease emotions lingering within the room while final preparations continued smoothly afterward there.
Eventually another servant entered before bowing respectfully and announcing, "Old Madam requests seeing Young Miss immediately today."
Yue Ning nodded before standing carefully while attendants adjusted robes ensuring every detail remained perfectly arranged afterward.
Together they left the chamber before proceeding toward the main hall where relatives already gathered waiting eagerly.
The moment Yue Ning appeared, conversations throughout the hall ceased completely as everyone turned toward her together.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then the old matriarch immediately covered her mouth while tears appeared despite determined efforts resisting them previously.
"My granddaughter looks beautiful," she whispered emotionally while family members nearby nodded agreement with similar expressions present.
Old Master Yue cleared his throat repeatedly because his own emotions threatened escaping before assembled relatives publicly.
The brothers stood nearby wearing ceremonial attire prepared specifically for today's celebrations and accompanying responsibilities ahead.
Yue Tao stared dramatically before declaring loudly, "Anyone seeing Ning'er today would assume celestial beings personally designed those robes."
Yue Rui nodded immediately before adding, "I almost failed recognizing our sister because she appears excessively dignified suddenly."
Yue Ning narrowed her eyes before replying calmly, "Would you prefer another flying peach directed toward your forehead today?"
Both brothers retreated immediately because previous experiences taught them respecting such warnings appropriately whenever delivered seriously.
The hall filled with warm laughter again while tension eased considerably among gathered family members throughout there.
Then Yue Ning's mother stepped forward once more before embracing her daughter carefully despite elaborate wedding garments present.
This time tears finally appeared.
"My daughter," she whispered softly while holding Yue Ning gently beneath countless watching eyes around them.
Yue Ning hugged her back immediately before speaking quietly, "Mother, I will visit often after marriage begins."
Her mother laughed through tears before answering warmly, "I know that already, but mothers still worry constantly."
Those words touched everyone present because their sincerity reflected genuine love impossible questioning or misunderstanding completely.
Outside the mansion, distant sounds gradually increased as wedding processions prepared approaching the Yue residence soon.
The moment everyone heard ceremonial drums beginning faintly beyond mansion walls, expressions changed instantly throughout the hall.
The groom had arrived.
And Heaven's Union Day had finally begun.