The wedding became more lively as Lin Rou was taken to the camp beside the wedding house. Her mother Fu Ping and Aunt Mu helped her dress in her wedding robes she made. "This design is beautiful, Rou'er. He will like this dress." Her mother spoke as she placed the bone and jade hairpins in her hair. The comb was being ran threw the hair that was left down before it was braided and beads of red and gold woven into it. "I made his too. But the design is a crane in flight. I don't know why but he reminds me of a majestic crane, a graceful hunter."
Fu Ping laughed. "His second name in the army was the Crane, child. Maybe you recalled it briefly and put it into your work?" Aunt Mu also giggled. "My Chen-Chen will be pleased to hear you remembered his army name, sweet child." Lin Rou smiled and allowed Aunt Mu to do her makeup. Lin Rou picked up the Yin Yan pendant. She tied it to her waist band and then picked up the bone pendant and wore it around her neck. Fu Ping finished braiding the beads into her hair and then picked up the Sparrow and dragon hairpins. She placed them gently into her hair and picked up the veil. The veil was embroidered with a crane and two sparrows on either side of it. Fu Ping gave a watery smile then placed the veil over her head. "Be happy, my sweet Rou'er." Lin Rou smiled and nodded her head. "Yes, mother."
Mu Chen arrived leading a white horse decorated with red ribbons. He didn't want her to be uncomfortable walking the short distance to their house. Lin Jukai had given her the horse as a dowry along with a slender bow she can learn to use and a small dagger for safety. As well as several boxes of cloth, thread, animal fur and a set of small throwing knives and silver needles. He said the items were hers to begin with and it was only right that they return to her.
Aunt Mu had a loom made and several types of yarn and thread as a wedding gift. She said when she was a girl her mother gave her a loom and now she was giving one to Rou'er.
Lin Rou was helped out of the tent by her mother. Mu Chen quickly stepped forward and scooped her up into his arms before placing her on the horse. He bowed to Fu Ping. "Madam Lin, I will treasure your daughter for the rest of my life and into the next." Fu Ping nodded and allowed him to leave with her child. Then she followed the procession to the house and the banquet set up in the yard. Nearly every villager was present for the ceremony. Mu Chen helped Lin Rou walk to the main room and she bow to the heavens then the ancestors and finally to Mu Chen. Mu Yuqin was very pleased with his new daughter in law, so was Grandpa and Grandma Mu.
Mu Chen scooped her up and carried her to the bridal room. Cheers erupted around them as he disappeared inside.
Lin Rou laughed as he placed her on the bed. "I had my sisters bring you some food so you don't get hungry." He helped her take off her veil and he froze. She was stunning. Her lips were painted red and her eyes were painted in red and gold with coal lining them. Her hair was decorated in the pins he gave her. She wore his crane jade on her waist with the Yin Yan pendant and the bone tiger was around her neck. His wife was stunning. "Your beautiful, my sweet Rou'er." She smiled and blushed. "I'm a little nervous."
Mu Chen gathered her close. "I will never hurt you." He picked up the two wine cups and handed her one. "With this, we are husband and wife." They crossed arms and drank. The atmosphere heated up as they embraced each other.
In the courtyard Uncle Mu was entertaining with Mu Yuqin. It was a novel experience to be drinking wine with the Dragon General. Lin Jukai was telling jokes about Mu Chen and his time in the army. Aunt Mu was telling Fu Ping all about how Mu Chen was as a child. The lively atmosphere made the guests happy. A shrieking voice from the gate caused the family to pause. Li Xue was standing at the gate, a guard was posted to keep Lady Mu from entering and causing problems. "I am Mu Chen's wife! Why are you not letting me in to my house?"
Fu Ping stood in fury. She was told about this woman by Aunt Mu. She was spreading lies and insults about Lin Rou and trying to force Mu Chen to marry her. "Allow me to handle this vixen." She bowed politely to her husband and the men around him. Lin Jukai chuckled and picked up his wine. "Sit gentlemen, my lovely wife is going to give us a show." Lin Fendai and Lin Jiqin shuddered in remembering all the scolding they received as children.
Fu Ping went to the gate and dismissed the guard. "Miss Li, this is a wedding between the Dragon General's daughter and the Mu family, my husband is surnamed Lin, not Li. I don't remember having such an unruly child."
"That wench has no family! She is a beggar and is seducing my man! I demand she come out and leave!"
Fu Ping slapped Li Xue so quickly she was stunned. "My daughter is Lin Rou, the only daughter to Lin Jukai. How dare you call her a beggar! My daughter was raised as a noble lady of higher status than you can imagine. I suggest you leave before I take you to court for defamation of the General's family." Li Xue staggered back and began to run.
Behind Fu Ping, Lin Jukai stood and started clapping in appreciation of the entertainment his wife provided. Fu Ping turned and bowed politely to the men.
The next morning, Lin Rou was woken up by Yan wanting out of the room. Mu Chen groaned behind her. "He can't let us sleep in longer."
Lin Rou rolled over and hugged her husband. "Yan is a puppy, Husband, he needs to go out and do puppy things." Mu Chen grinned at his wife. "Yes my Wife, let me do this, then I'll come back to help you dress." Lin Rou hummed and he kissed her lips. He could never get tired of kissing her now.
He got up and opened the door for the wolf puppy, Yin followed him out. Mu Chen returned and helped his wife dress and then carried her into the main room. General Lin was already awake when he set her in her chair and placed the tiger fur over her lap. Lin Jukai was pleased with the level of pampering his daughter received from Mu Chen.
"You're mother took care of a girl last night. A Li Xue?"
Mu Chen grimaced. "She has been trying to say that I am betrothed to her. Rou'er and I have reported her already for slander. As you know, I can't touch a woman without reacting to the contact. Except for Rou'er, I have not touched a single woman."
Lin Jukai raised a brow. "Rou'er is indeed special to you. As a child, she would get upset if you left her behind anywhere. Remember that little girl who followed you everywhere?"
Mu Chen nodded then gasped in shock. "My Shadow is Rou'er?" Lin Jukai nodded. He smiled at his daughter as she placed the minced meat down for her pets. "You taught her how to track and understand animals. How to use a bow and how to wield a dagger. She cried when you left the army. I never thought that fate would bring her to you."
Mu Chen grinned at the memory of his tiny shadow that begged him to teach her to be a scout like he was. Now she was his wife.