The next day.
Today marked the official wedding day of Luo Xibai and Lu Qianqian. From early morning, guests arrived at Liang Garden in an endless stream. Every distinguished official and wealthy merchant from Jiangnan came with their families to offer congratulations. The courtyard filled with wedding gifts spanned over ten halls, with Luo Xibai personally greeting every guest. The entire garden was bustling with activity.
The banquet was scheduled for dusk. By the shore of Qianyou Lake, tens of thousands of lanterns illuminated the scene, casting a dazzling brilliance.
As the sound of firecrackers erupted, a red-lacquered grand pleasure boat, lavishly adorned and its eaves draped with octagonal glass palace lanterns, slowly glided across the mirror-like lake toward the shore. On the intricately carved deck, palace maids clustered around a young girl in red, whose presence emitted faint scents of perfumed clothes and hair.
