47: Chapter 47: Ten Miles of Red Makeup, Young Man and Elders

4:15 AM, Su Family old residence.

"Third Grandpa! It's time to get up!"

Su Han was awakened by a series of urgent knocks on the door, the world outside the window still pitch black.

He rubbed his eyes and realized that Xiao Budian had already gotten up and left at some point.

"Coming right away." Su Han responded and rolled out of bed. The phone on the bedside table showed it was 4:17 AM.

Zhou Mo and the others were still fast asleep, their snoring rising and falling in succession.

Su Han tiptoed to get dressed and opened the door, only to find Su Nuan standing outside holding a copper basin, with steam rising from the hot water inside.

"Brother, hurry and wash up. Uncle and the others are waiting at the ancestral hall," Su Nuan said in a low voice.

Su Han took the copper basin; the cold morning breeze instantly woke him up.

In the distance, the faint sound of drums and music could be heard, and the entire Su Family Village was already brightly lit.

"So early?" Su Han was a bit surprised.

Su Nuan pursed her lips and smiled: "The bride's makeup must be finished before sunrise; that's the rule. Uncle said that since you are the presiding officiant, you must bathe and change first, and learn the final procedures."

Su Han hurriedly washed up and followed Su Nuan toward the ancestral hall.

Along the way, he saw lanterns and colorful decorations everywhere in the Su Family Village, with red silk laid out from the village entrance all the way to the ancestral hall, resembling a river of red.

"These red silks..." Su Han was somewhat stunned.

"Twelve miles of red dowry," Su Nuan said proudly. "The elders in the clan said that when our Su Family marries off a daughter, the scale cannot be small. From the village entrance to the ancestral hall, twelve miles of red silk have been laid out, symbolizing a prosperous and fiery life for all twelve months of the year."

Su Han couldn't help but click his tongue: "How much must this cost?"

Su Nuan giggled: "Anyway, our Su Clan has plenty of industries, and every household is well-off; we're not short on money."

Su Han smiled bitterly: "That's true, a bunch of landlords and landladies; indeed, we aren't short on money."

In front of the ancestral hall, eight Su Family elders dressed in traditional attire were already lined up and waiting.

Seeing Su Han arrive, everyone bowed in unison: "Good morning, Third Uncle."

Su Han quickly returned the salute: "Good morning, uncles."

Su Bowen walked out from the ancestral hall, holding a brand-new set of dark blue changpao and magua in his hands: "Third Uncle, please change first."

Inside the changing room, Su Han, with the help of several clan elders, put on this traditional formal wear.

The robe was made of high-quality silk, with complex auspicious cloud patterns embroidered in gold thread on the chest, and delicate frog buttons adorning the cuffs and lapels.

"Third Uncle, look up." Su Bowen personally placed a black skullcap on his head and pinned a bright green jade ornament to the front of the cap.

In the bronze mirror, Su Han saw that his appearance had completely changed—his original military bearing was masked by this traditional attire, making him look exactly like a young master from a wealthy family of the old days.

"Remember, today you represent the face of the Su Family." Su Bowen adjusted his collar and said earnestly, "Later, many guests with different surnames will arrive, and among them will be many prominent figures from the city."

Su Han nodded solemnly: "I understand."

Walking out of the changing room, various ceremonial items had already been set up inside the ancestral hall.

Su Bowen began to explain the specific procedures for the day to Su Han:

"At the hour of Chen, the makeup ceremony begins. You must use this gold comb to comb Ling Xue's hair three times, and each time you must say auspicious words..."

"At the hour of Si, the groom's party arrives. When the Zhou family's procession reaches the village entrance, you must lead the men of the clan to 'block the door'..."

"At the hour of Wu, the formal ceremony takes place. You must take your seat in the main position and accept the three bows from the newlyweds..."

Su Han focused intently on remembering every detail, asking questions from time to time. Before he knew it, the sky was already beginning to brighten.

7:00 AM, Su Lingxue's boudoir.

The boudoir was crowded with Su Family women. Su Lingxue sat gracefully in front of the vanity, wearing a bright red wedding dress and a phoenix coronet, looking breathtakingly beautiful.

"Third Grandpa has arrived!" someone announced loudly outside the door.

The room instantly quieted down, and the women stepped back to the sides.

Su Han took a deep breath and stepped inside.

This was the first time he had seen Su Lingxue dressed in full finery.

The gentle young woman in his memory, now set against the backdrop of the red makeup, looked like a classical beauty who had stepped out of a painting.

"Third Grandpa." Su Lingxue stood up to bow, her voice slightly choked with emotion.

Su Han noticed that her eyes were slightly red; she had clearly been crying just moments before.

Following the etiquette Su Bowen had taught him, he took the gold comb from the attendant and said softly: "The auspicious time has arrived, let the makeup ceremony begin."

The boudoir was silent; everyone held their breath watching this scene—an 18-year-old boy elder, holding a gold comb to dress the hair of his 26-year-old "granddaughter."

"First comb, combing to the end, may you always live in harmony and mutual respect." Su Han's voice was clear, and the gold comb in his hand gently glided through Su Lingxue's black hair.

"Second comb, combing to the head, may you fly together like wings of a bird."

Su Lingxue's tears finally fell, landing on her bright red wedding dress and blooming like a dark flower.

"Third comb, combing to old age, may you be surrounded by children and grandchildren."

After the combing was finished, Su Han stepped back and, as required by etiquette, began the exhortation: "Today you leave your maiden home; you must remember the Su Family's ancestral teachings: Filial piety, fraternal duty, loyalty, and trustworthiness; propriety, righteousness, integrity, and honor. Support your husband, teach your children, and manage your household with diligence and frugality."

Su Lingxue bowed deeply: "Your granddaughter will keep Third Grandpa's teachings in mind."

After the ceremony ended, Su Han exited the boudoir and found that many guests had already gathered outside the door.

Many of them were unfamiliar faces; they must have been Su Lingxue's friends and colleagues.

"Is this the Su Family's Third Grandpa? He's way too young!" a stylishly dressed girl exclaimed in a low voice.

"Shh! Keep it down!" her companion quickly stopped her. "I heard the Su Family is a century-old prestigious clan, and their rules are very strict."

"But... this is just too surreal. Letting a boy who looks like a high school student be the presiding officiant?"

"Don't let his youth fool you; I heard he's amazing in the military, he just received a First-Class Merit!"

Su Han walked past the whispering crowd without changing his expression, though he found it somewhat amusing in his heart.

He noticed that the members of the Falcon Squad had also gotten up and were standing not far away, watching everything with curiosity.

"Brother Han!" Monkey waved excitedly. "You look so cool in that outfit!"

Zhou Mo looked Su Han up and down and laughed: "I didn't expect you to look so fitting in traditional attire."

Big Bear touched his chin: "It's just this hat... no matter how I look at it, it looks like a landlord's silly son."

Su Han laughed and scolded: "Get lost! This is a proper skullcap, a popular traditional style from ancient China."