Chapter Thirty-Four: The Ceremony

Li Xiulan was amused by Xiong Zixiang's bribe offer, and no longer hid it. Blushing, she took out the pair of red embroidered shoes from her bosom and handed them over.

"Here you go, hurry up, don't miss the auspicious time."

Xiong Zixiang was overjoyed. He took the shoes and quickly walked to the bride who was sitting on the edge of the bed.

He knelt on one knee and carefully lifted Zhang Xiao's white-socked foot, gently slipping the brand-new red embroidered shoes onto her feet.

After putting on his shoes, he finally looked up and saw Zhang Yili dressed up up close for the first time.

Her red wedding dress made her skin look fair and rosy, and her face, lightly made up, looked more delicate and beautiful than usual.

Especially those red lips, they're absolutely gorgeous.

Her eyes were slightly lowered, and her face was flushed with the shy blush unique to brides, which made Xiong Zixiang instantly stunned and unable to make any further moves.

Zhang Liuxin felt even more shy under his burning gaze, her heart pounding like a drum.

She took a deep breath, suddenly stood up, smiled slightly at Xiong Zixiang who was still in a daze, and then, to everyone's surprise, lightly leaped forward and jumped into her husband's broad and warm embrace.

Startled by her sudden action, Xiong Zixiang instinctively opened his arms and caught her steadily.

The warmth and softness of her body stirred his heart, and he quickly adjusted his posture, carrying Zhang Yixin steadily on his broad back.

Aunt Wang rushed forward, her eyes filled with tears of relief and sadness. She helped Xiaoshi up and earnestly gave Xiong Zixiang some advice.

"Zixiang, I've raised Yi'er as my own daughter since she was little, and I'm entrusting her to you."

"From now on, you two should respect and love each other, discuss everything, work together, and live a good life."

With Zhang Yili on his back, Xiong Zixiang bowed slightly to his aunt, his expression solemn: "Auntie, don't worry. I, Xiong Zixiang, will keep my word. I will respect her, love her, protect her, and stay with her hand in hand until we grow old together."

After saying that, he carried Zhang Yili on his back and strode out of the Zhang family courtyard amidst the crowd's cheers and blessings.

He carefully placed Zhang Yili on a tall horse draped with red silk, then mounted himself and sat behind her, holding her slender waist firmly with one hand.

The deafening sounds of suona horns and drums rang out again, even more enthusiastically than before.

The wedding procession began its return journey. Xiong Zixiang rode his horse, carrying his bride at the head of the procession, followed by a large wedding party and villagers who came to watch the spectacle.

Some people lit the firecrackers they had brought as they walked.

The crisp sound of firecrackers mingled with the sound of suona horns and the blessings of the crowd.

Xiong Zixiang reined in his horse, deftly dismounted, then turned around and stretched out his strong arms to steadily lift Zhang Xiaoli off the horse. He did not let her feet touch the ground, but held her firmly in his arms.

"Hold on tight."

His deep voice sounded in her ear.

At the entrance of the courtyard, a small brazier with burning pine and cypress branches was already prepared.

"Husband and wife step over the fire basin, their love is bright and prosperous!" an elderly woman nearby sang loudly.

Xiong Zixiang carried Zhang Yili with steady and powerful steps, and stepped firmly across the leaping flames in one stride.

This step symbolizes driving away past bad luck and welcoming a prosperous new life!

Stepping over the brazier, Xiong Zixiang, carrying Zhang Yili, stepped into the brand-new front door of their new home, adorned with a large red "double happiness" character.

Inside the main room, red candles were lit, and Old Man Xiong and Madam Song were already seated in the chairs at the head of the table, which Zhang Liuji had personally oiled.

Old Man Xiong was wearing a brand-new dark blue jacket, his face filled with barely suppressed excitement and satisfaction.

Song's eyes reddened, and she clasped her hands tightly together as she watched her son carry his new wife in.

Xiong Zixiang then carefully put Zhang Yili down, took her hand, and stood side by side with her.

"I bow to Heaven and Earth!"

The two turned around and bowed respectfully towards the direction of heaven and earth outside the door.

"Bowing to the parents twice!"

Xiong Zixiang and Zhang Liuyi turned to Old Man Xiong and Madam Song again and bowed deeply.

"Okay!" Old Man Xiong replied excitedly, his voice slightly choked with emotion.

Looking at the perfect couple before her, Mrs. Song could no longer hold back, and hot tears finally streamed down her cheeks.

She quickly wiped her face with her sleeve. She had been waiting for this moment for so long, and finally saw her son get married and settle down, marrying such a lovely girl.

"Get up! Get up!" Madam Song choked back tears, her voice filled with deep affection for the two of them.

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

Xiong Zixiang and Zhang Yili stood facing each other, bowing respectfully to one another.

There aren't many formalities for weddings in the village.

After the wedding ceremony, the bride doesn't have to stay in the bridal chamber.

Zhang Yili gracefully lifted the veil, revealing her beautifully made-up face.

Together with Xiong Zixiang, she began toasting the guests who had come to offer their congratulations.

More than a dozen tables had already been set up in the courtyard and the new house.

Song, Xiong Zijuan, Li Xiulan, and the other women who helped them were so busy that they barely had time to breathe, bringing one steaming dish after another to the table.

Today's dishes are truly hearty and substantial!

Golden and crispy fried meatballs, fragrant pork blood stew with tofu, and a noteworthy sign: a large pot of thick, milky-white, flavorful pork tripe and lung soup.

"Wow! This feast is impressive!"

"The Xiong family has handled this joyous occasion with great generosity!"

"Miss Zhang's tripe and lung soup is absolutely amazing! I'll definitely buy a bowl when I go to the docks someday!"

"Eat as much as you want, everyone! There's plenty!"

Mrs. Song wiped her sweat and greeted them with a smile.

Holding their wine glasses, the two went from table to table toasting the guests.

Xiong Zixiang didn't talk much, and he emptied every glass of his drink.

Zhang Yili was poised and generous, expressing her gratitude to every villager who came to offer their congratulations.

The banquet was filled with clinking glasses, laughter, and lively conversation, which gradually dispersed as the sun began to set.

The courtyard was left with a mess of cups and plates, and a lingering festive atmosphere.

Song rolled up her sleeves, wanting to help clean up the mess, but her daughter Xiong Zijuan grabbed her arm.

"Mom, you're a mother-in-law now! You've had a long day, go home and rest. We'll clean up together tomorrow!"

Without saying a word, Xiong Zijuan pushed her mother toward home.

“That’s right, Auntie, you should go back and rest. There’s no rush!” Li Xiulan echoed with a smile.

There was an underlying meaning in her words, and after realizing it, Mrs. Song finally smiled and nodded. Accompanied by Old Man Xiong, she went home contentedly.

Inside the new house, red candles flickered, and the large red "double happiness" characters pasted on the window frames looked especially festive in the candlelight.

Zhang Liuyi sat in front of the dressing table and let out a long sigh, feeling as if all the bones in her body were about to fall apart.

She picked up a palm-leaf fan and gently fanned herself.

The weather should have turned cool after the autumn rain, but after a whole day, plus a few drinks at the table, I felt hot all over, and my cheeks were burning.

The thin layer of makeup had long since been blurred by sweat.

After seeing off the last few relatives and friends who had helped him, Xiong Zixiang returned to his new house and saw this scene.

His bride, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, with her hair slightly loose, her makeup half-finished, gently waving a fan, and her eyes sparkling with a dreamy light.

His heart warmed, and he went over, took the palm-leaf fan from her hand, and considerately fanned her.

"Are you hungry? You've been busy all day." Xiong Zixiang's voice was incredibly gentle. The two of them had been busy with social engagements at noon and had barely eaten anything.

"Um…"

Zhang nodded obediently, and her stomach growled at just the right moment, making her blush with embarrassment.

Xiong Zixiang smiled and turned to go to the kitchen.

A short while later, a bowl of steaming hot noodles was brought back.

A golden poached egg rests on the clear broth, and on top of that, a large, glossy, reddish-brown piece of braised pork belly with skin is prominently displayed.

"Eat up, it's still warm." Xiong Zixiang handed her the bowl and chopsticks.

Zhang Liuxin was really hungry, so he didn't care about manners. He took the bowl, picked up his chopsticks, and started eating heartily.

The noodles are chewy, the soup is delicious, and the meat, in particular, melts in your mouth and is rich but not greasy.

She was eating with great relish, completely unaware that her lip rouge had been completely smeared and was now shiny with oil, making her look somewhat naive.

Xiong Zixiang sat on a small stool to the side, quietly watching her wolf down her food, and the more he looked at her, the more adorable his wife seemed.

It melted his heart completely, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

Zhang Liuyi finished her meal in a flash, set down her bowl with satisfaction, and only then did she belatedly notice Xiong Zixiang's smiling gaze. She subconsciously licked her lips, touching the grease and smudged lip rouge at the corner of her mouth, and immediately blushed deeply: "Oh dear! I... I ate so messily, and I even made a mess..."

Xiong Zixiang was amused by her, and his deep laughter was particularly clear in the quiet room.

He stood up, walked to her, reached out, and gently wiped away the oil stains and the smudged rouge from the corner of her mouth with his fingertips.

The rough, warm fingertips brushed against her skin, sending a shiver through Zhang Liuyi and making her heart skip a beat.

"Not bad looking, very cute."

Xiong Zixiang's voice was tinged with laughter.

Zhang Yili felt her cheeks burning even hotter, and even her ears turned bright red.

She lowered her head slightly, but couldn't help but steal glances at him.

Xiong Zixiang felt a surge of warmth in his heart at her shy and timid gaze, and instinctively pulled her into his arms.

Zhang Liuyi was initially a little nervous and shy on horseback, but now, in this cozy space where only the two of them were, enveloped in his warm embrace, that shyness was gradually replaced by a sense of security.

She even picked up her chopsticks, took the last bit of meat from the bowl, and held it to Xiong Zixiang's lips, with a hint of coquetry: "Want to try some too?"

Xiong Zixiang was taken aback by her sudden act of intimacy, but then his smile deepened, and he obediently opened his mouth to eat.

"I'll go get some water to wash my face and hands." Xiong Zixiang gently released her and turned to leave.

Soon, he returned carrying a basin of diluted warm water, with two clean towels draped over his shoulders.

He placed the basin of water on the stool, wrung out a hot towel, and carefully wiped Zhang Yixin's face, gently removing the remaining powder and oil stains.

Zhang Liuyi closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his fingertips and the softness of the towel, and felt incredibly at ease.

Then, he twisted it open again and handed it to her to wipe her hands.

The two shared a basin of water, taking turns washing themselves, their intimacy and naturalness suggesting they had been a married couple for many years.

I felt much refreshed after washing my face and hands.

Xiong Zixiang poured out the water, filled a basin with half a basin of warm water, and brought it in, placing it on the footstool in front of the bed.

He tested the water temperature, then took off his shoes and socks and put his big feet in to test the water temperature.

Then, he looked up at Zhang Liuyi, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, his eyes gentle and inviting: "You've had a long day, why don't you soak your feet and relax?"

Zhang Liuyi looked at the basin of steaming water, and two red clouds rose on her face again.

Although they were already husband and wife, sharing a basin to bathe their feet still made her feel a touch of girlish shyness.

She gave a soft "hmm" and took off her red embroidered shoes and stockings, revealing a pair of fair feet.

She carefully placed her feet into the warm water, where they soaked side by side with Xiong Zixiang's large, thick feet.

The water temperature was just right, and the warmth spread from the soles of my feet to my limbs, dispelling the fatigue of the whole day.

Neither of them spoke, but simply savored the silent tenderness between them.

The water rippled gently, and the two people's toes occasionally brushed together unintentionally before quickly separating.

Looking at the two pairs of feet side by side in the water, Xiong Zixiang felt an indescribable tenderness and satisfaction welling up in his heart.

He reached out and gently grasped Zhang Xiaoli's slender wrist, then tenderly kissed the back of her hand in her surprised gaze.

Zhang Liuyi shuddered, stopped soaking her feet, and fled to sit a few feet on the kang (a heated brick bed), splashing water everywhere. Her cheeks turned as red as ripe shrimp, and even her neck turned pink.

"You... didn't even ask..."

She was both ashamed and anxious, and couldn't speak.

Xiong Zixiang simply raised his head, his deep eyes filled with a gentle smile, as if his action just now was perfectly natural.

He stood up, took a dry cloth, and carefully dried her feet, then dried his own. After that, he took the basin of water out and emptied it.

When he returned, Zhang Yili had already shrunk into the bright red wedding quilt, with only her rosy little face showing.

Xiong Zixiang grew to love her more and more as he looked at her, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her.

The sudden rain has just stopped...

After a long day of activity and what had just happened, the effects of alcohol and drowsiness overwhelmed her, and her eyelids were so heavy they were drooping.

Xiong Zixiang blew out most of the candles, leaving only a pair of red candles flickering by the bedside.

"Brother Zixiang... I'm not coming, I'm too sleepy." She then naturally kissed his cheek.

He lifted the covers and lay down. As soon as he stretched out his arm, Zhang Yili, as if finding the most comfortable harbor, naturally rolled into his arms, rubbed her head against his arm, found the most comfortable position, and her breathing became even and long.

She had already fallen into a deep sleep, completely forgetting about her newlywed husband who had stirred her heart.

Xiong Zixiang looked down at the sleeping face in his arms, feeling her warm breath brush against his chest. The ripples that had been stirred in his heart eventually turned into boundless tenderness.

He carefully pulled his arms closer, holding the person in his arms even tighter, and placed a precious kiss on her smooth forehead.