Scarring Jasmine-Chapter Twenty Six Restoration

09/06/2024 Friday 60-79F Mostly Cloudy

Jasmine’s wedding day was one week after the acceptance of Qian’s proposal. 

This time, Jasmine’s family was free from the responsibilities, and no dowry was needed for a remarried daughter who was going to be a concubine. As Qian had promised, three days prior to the wedding day, he sent someone to deliver Jasmine’s bridal outfit and jewelry. The golden red clothes reminded Jasmine of her first wedding. She couldn’t help feeling sad. Where was Yu? What would he say if he knew what had happened to her after their divorce? Four years ago, her father made a three-mile-long dowry team for her; now she would marry into another man’s house empty handed.

She woke up early that morning, swept the yard first, then sprayed some water to refresh the air. The rice congee was simmering on the stove. She took out four salty duck eggs from a clay pot. Her mother bought them yesterday, telling Jasmine that eating eggs on the wedding day would be good for her. Yes, it would be good, because her former mother-in-law called her “a hen that lays no egg”. She put the salty eggs in a bowl and took some pickled vegetables from another clay pot; this would be her wedding breakfast. Qian’s sedan chair was scheduled to come this evening, because her mother didn’t want people to see her get re-married as a concubine. Perhaps in Shen’s mind, she also felt ashamed. 

The congee was bubbling. Jasmine stirred it with a long wood ladle, then walked into her five square meter room. The bed had been made; her clothes were too dowdy, and Qian’s men had reminded her mother in advance that she didn’t need to bring anything: “Our master has prepared ten armoires plus eight trunks’ clothes for the new mistress to wear.” So, it was simple and direct: nothing was needed but her. 

She put her hand under the pillow and found the handkerchief in which Yu’s earrings were wrapped. She sat on the bed and unwrapped it. The two little earrings were like two drops of innocent tears; they were all she had. She knew that it was stupid for her to keep thinking about Yu. Every time she felt sad, she thought of him. “Perhaps he has already forgotten about me, while I still refuse to get out from under the past. I won’t be his anymore; both my body and soul will be split from today,” she thought miserably. 

Jasmine wrapped up the earrings and hid them in her inside pocket. Later after breakfast, she would wash the clothes and bed sheets, fetch water, then prepare for a late lunch; afterward, she would go to the market and buy her brother a new gown. 

Now with the twenty thousand silver coins from Qian, they didn’t need to pinch pennies anymore; her mother had planned that they would pay their debt clean except for Xue’s five thousand. “She moved away; I don’t know her new address. Later once we find Shanyuan, we will return her money.” Shen declared. 

Then they would try to buy back the house in Moye Lane. Regarding the rest of the money, Mumei insisted on not getting remarried right away; he wanted to take back his father’s shops, at least one of the three. Even if he failed to so, he would open a new one, do the same fabric business. “That’s all I know. I can’t let father’s efforts turn vain in my hands!” He emphasized to his mother.

Everything seemed to be sorted out in a positive way. Jasmine thought that she had fulfilled her value.

In late afternoon, the hairdresser and her assistants hired by Qian entered the bride’s house. It was the same hairdresser who made Jasmine’s bridal hair four years earlier. She recognized Jasmine right away and was shocked: “My employer told me that today’s bride was the young mistress from Bai’s family. I thought that it might be someone else since the address was different. How can I believe that it is you?! It is impossible for me to mistake this face.” The hairdresser looked around the house, smacking: “What a huge difference!” 

Shen was awkward, “Well, it is a long story. The sedan chair will arrive soon, let’s start now!” 

“The first combing, may your marriage have a happy ending;

The second combing, may you own sons and grandchildren;

The last combing, may your life be long and enjoying.”

Jasmine felt a deep unspeakable sorrow; the tears started to appear in her eyes: The prayer was false--It didn’t happen to her the first time, why should she believe it again?

The bridal outfit was on; the hair was done; with all the jewelry around her, once more Jasmine felt like she had gone back to an old dream. The bride was the same, while the groom was different. Who would be waiting for her? Where would she go? Why did she come to this world? And what was the end of it? She was pushed by an invisible hand, when would it stop?

“Aunt looks so pretty!” Her five-year-old niece praised. 

Jasmine forced a smile and gave the child a soft kiss on the forehead, “Nannan, from now on aunt won’t be home anymore. Be a good girl, always listen to grandma and papa, don’t make them angry, ok?” 

“Where will you go aunt? Can I go with you? It is too boring to stay at home.” 

“I will live in another house. Perhaps in the future you can come to see me. But be a good girl first!”

The sedan was delivered at dusk. Shen held Jasmine’s hand, sobbing: “Jasmine, don’t hate your mother. I have two children; I have to think for the whole family. One day you will understand.” 

“I understand mother,” Jasmine patted on Shen’s hand, “I don’t hate you at all, it is my decision.” 

Mumei walked to Jasmine: “Jasmine, if you don’t like it there, don’t compromise. You can always come back home. We won’t depend on him.” 

“Thanks brother, don’t worry, all will be fine.” 

“Remember Jasmine, bid good morning to Qian’s wife every day; don’t offend her; do whatever she likes.” Shen added, “She is the wife; she has the right to punish or beat you. Making her happy is more important than satisfying your husband. I am a woman, I know. Try to have children with him; only children can secure your position in that family.” 

“Ok mother, I will keep your words in mind.”

Jasmine entered the sedan chair. It was a dark moonless evening, the passers-by on the streets were like shadows. No firecrackers; no beating of drums or gongs; inside the sedan, Jasmine could only hear the bearers’ hurrying footsteps—They were carrying her to an unknown destination.

For some reason, Jasmine thought of that fisherman’s song which she heard on her divorce day under that stone bridge:

“Weeds in the lakes,

Breezes bring their scents.

My boat drifts, rootless.

Gone fishing at daybreak,

Paddling back at dusk.

Busy all-day, can’t fill my stomach.

Foggy the water,

Ragged my garment;

Year by year, my life is bitter.

Dim the room,

She shows in the dream;

When can I take her home?”

The sedan turned to another street, moved a few more feet, then stopped. One man talked to her through the curtain: “Madam, please step out. Our master is waiting for you in the car.” 

Lit by two gloomy lanterns, with the head covered beneath a semi-transparent red veil, Jasmine saw her curtain opened and a woman’s hand hold out to her. She took the hand and walked out. Led by it, she came to a car. The back door was open, she stepped in. Then someone closed the door from outside.

A man’s baritone voice rose in her ears: “It must be very inconvenient for you to be covered under that red veil. Let me help you take it off!” The veil was removed, she found a man sitting next to her, wearing a red silk jacquard gown. At a glance she didn’t see his face well, but she perceived his sparkling eyes and a slight nod. 

“He must be my husband.” Jasmine thought.

“Master, should I start to drive now?” The man sitting in the front turned his head to him, asking. 

“Yes!” He ordered. The driver scooted a quick curious glance at Jasmine and started the engine.

The car drove on the road silently. Outside the window, against the dimmed headlights, all the woods, mountains, and fields had turned into mysterious dark shadows; while the sky faded to a lighter darkness blended with a hint of crab green. 

Jasmine saw a man’s vague reflection in the window; he was looking at her. She felt a little annoyed, thus turned her head away. He reached out his hand and caught hers; on his middle finger, Jasmine saw that large emerald ring.