The dishes to be served had been discussed yesterday, and each dish had been prepared in a different way. Liu Shi, wrapped in a cloth, was busy in the kitchen.
When Ye Lei and his group arrived in town, the townspeople were just getting up and listening to the sound with sleepy eyes.
"Whose young man is getting married so early?"
Some children playing outside looked at Ye Taohua on horseback with envy, exclaiming, "So cool! I want to ride a horse too!"
Butcher Wang was also puzzled. Hearing the knock on the door, he hurriedly called into Wang Jiao's room, "Jiaojiao, are you ready?"
"Dad, I'm all better!" Wang Jiao replied from inside the house.
She slept very little last night, her heart was pounding, and she got up early this morning to change her clothes.
The matchmaker arrived early, performed her facial hair removal and makeup, and gave her some food that contained little water.
Everything was finally tidied up, and she sat upright by the bed, a red veil obscuring her vision.
The matchmaker's cheerful voice rang out, "Red veil, covering her beautiful face, may the couple love each other for a hundred years!"
A blush appeared on Wang Jiao's face as she remained still and quiet.
Ye Lei, who was outside urging her to get ready, was extremely anxious.
A moment later, the door opened, and a gust of crisp air blew in.
Wang Jiao quickly raised her hand to cover her veil.
The matchmaker picked up a piece of red silk and stuffed it into her hand, saying, "Jiaojiao, hold this tight."
Ye Lei's face turned red as he looked at his bride, who was different from Wang Jiao in the past; she was dressed entirely in red.
The hands holding the red embroidered ball inexplicably revealed a sense of helplessness.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Wang Jiao nodded slightly.
Because she had no older brother, Wang Jiao had to leave the Wang family home by herself, wearing a red veil and stepping over the brazier at the entrance.
Wang the butcher stood under the eaves, watching his daughter walk further and further away.
She couldn't help but raise her hand to wipe her eyes. Time flies so fast; how could she be getting married so soon?
Matchmaker Li comforted him, "Don't be too sad. What's in the dowry?"
Butcher Wang took a breath and pointed to a box in the yard. "I've prepared a set of the ten taels of betrothal gifts, two gold hairpins, and two gold earrings that the Ye family gave me for Jiaojiao as my daughter's dowry. Take them all to the Ye family."
Upon hearing this, Matchmaker Li smiled broadly and said, "You did a good job."
She then turned and walked towards the door.
Ye Ming bowed to Butcher Wang and said, "Hello, Uncle Wang."
Butcher Wang patted him on the shoulder, "Tomorrow, right? Studying is good, kid."
Ye Ming nodded obediently, then walked to the side, lifted the box, and put it on the oxcart.
Ye Lei gripped the red embroidered ball tightly. "Stop! There's a brazier right in front of you. Take bigger steps, or you'll get hurt."
Wang Jiao lifted her feet a little higher and successfully stepped over the fire pit.
When it was time to get into the sedan chair, Ye Lei first lifted the curtain, saying, "Now that you're in the sedan chair, just sit down slowly."
Wang Jiao, supported by the matchmaker Li, sat in the bridal sedan chair without touching anything, even though her head was covered by a red veil.
Seeing that she was seated, the matchmaker, Li, shouted in a shrill voice, "Get up!"
Ye Daniu and Ye Qijin steadily lifted the sedan chair; Wang Jiao was thin, so the sedan chair was not heavy at all.
Butcher Wang reluctantly chased after them to the door, watching the group slowly walk out of the alley.
My daughter left, and the house suddenly became cold and quiet.
They walked slowly, and by the time they returned to the Ye family home, it was almost afternoon.
Upon hearing the sound, Ye Erniu and Madam Sun became extremely nervous.
Mrs. Sun hurriedly wiped her hands, "Coming, coming!"
The Ye family's gate was wide open, and Ye Lei, holding the red embroidered ball, carefully led Wang Jiao into the courtyard.
The sound of gongs and drums stopped.
Matchmaker Li shouted loudly, "First bow to Heaven and Earth!"
The two bowed deeply at the same time.
Thank you, heaven and earth, for allowing us to meet.
"Bowing to the parents twice!"
Sitting upright in her chair, Mrs. Sun clutched her handkerchief tightly, tears streaming down her face.
Ye Lei and the other person bowed again.
I thank my parents for allowing me to marry Jiaojiao.
"Husband and wife bow to each other!"
Wang Jiao turned towards the embroidered ball, and Ye Lei looked at her, bending down with a silly grin on his face.
Their heads touched, and Wang Jiao's first reaction was to grab the veil; the red veil couldn't fall off today.
Everyone standing at the Ye family's residence to watch the ceremony laughed.
Sun laughed as well, while wiping away the tears she had just shed.
"The auspicious hour has arrived; escort them to the bridal chamber!"
Ye Lei didn't leave. Ye Taohua and Ye Guihua helped Wang Jiao and led her to the new house.
"Sister-in-law, it's me, Peach Blossom. Are you hungry?" Ye Peach Blossom asked.
Wang Jiao replied, "Peach Blossom Sister, I'm not hungry."
She had met Ye Taohua before; she had gone with Ye Panjiu to her family's butcher shop to buy meat.
“Sister-in-law, I am Guihua,” Ye Guihua said.
"I rode a horse to pick up my bride today!" Ye Taohua said proudly.
Wang Jiao laughed, "You're really amazing! I can't even ride a horse yet. You'll have to teach me sometime."
Ye Taohua's eyes shone even brighter. "It's a deal. Sister-in-law, you have to learn from me. You can't lie to me."
Wang Jiao patted her hand, "It's a deal!"
In the courtyard, the Ye family greeted everyone and led them to their seats, as dishes were served one after another.
Ye Lei carried the wine pot and wine cups, toasting each table.
Today is his big day.
Ye Panjiu and Madam Sun sat together.
"Little sister, Lei'er can't handle drinking like this today!"
Ye Panjiu leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Lei'er added water to the wine pot himself, so you can eat without worry."
Mrs. Sun was somewhat surprised; how could her son have thought of everything so thoroughly?
The wedding banquet lasted for an hour and a half before finally ending.
Chu Guan did not come today.
Ye Ming helped Ye Lei walk into the new house, and once they entered another courtyard, he immediately stood up straight.
He was just pretending to be drunk, saying, "My brother went inside."
Ye Ming nodded and walked towards his room.
Ye Lei coughed once at the doorway, "I'm coming in."
Wang Jiao's heart instantly tightened.
Ye Guihua, along with Ye Taohua and Ye Ling'er, dashed out of the house in a flash.
The three of them, worried that their sister-in-law would be bored, sat in the room and kept her company.
Ye Lei picked up the scale bar on the table and nervously lifted the red veil.
The red veil slipped off, revealing Wang Jiao's flushed face.
She applied rouge today, making her cherry-like lips appear very red.
The air seemed to freeze as Ye Lei stared blankly.
Wang Jiao lowered her head slightly and pursed her lips. "Isn't it time to drink the nuptial wine?"
Ye Lei then seemed to wake from a dream, hurriedly put down the scale, and turned to get the wine pot and wine cups.
He poured the wine with a slight tremor, and ended up pouring too much, handing the full glass to Wang Jiao.
Wang Jiao carefully held it, trying to smoothly pass it around Ye Lei's arm.
Some wine still spilled on Ye Lei's clothes. Wang Jiao frowned and raised her hand to wipe it off.
Ye Lei grasped her hand firmly. "It's alright, drink up."
He then downed the entire drink in one gulp.
Wang Jiao smiled and finished her drink.
The two men's intertwined arms loosened, and two empty wine glasses were placed on the table.
Ye Lei moved closer to Wang Jiao, and Wang Jiao didn't move away.
Are you happy today?
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