Chapter 23 Chapter 23 The bride and groom drink the wedding wine!
"The bride is coming out--" the ceremonial officer shouted loudly.
The wedding procession's ceremonial music played cheerfully, and a pair of large hands with a warm and cool breath suddenly grasped Nie Xiangyi's hands.
She lowered her head and looked through the gap in the veil, vaguely seeing the familiar, slender, jade-like hands.
Nie Xiangyi's heart suddenly began to beat, as if all the sounds around her were not as real as her violently beating heart.
"On an auspicious day, the couple is getting married! May they be in harmony, may their family be blessed with prosperity, may they soon have a son, and may their families prosper. Don't look back before you depart, for your love will never fade!"
Amid the ceremonial officer's auspicious words, Nie Xiangyi let Xie Zhi hold her hand and walked out the door step by step.
The early summer breeze rustled her veil, and her vision was shrouded in a red haze. She could only lower her head to see the phoenix on her wedding dress, its wings fluttering as it prepared to take flight, and the occasional scrap of Xie Zhi's clothing blown by the wind.
Nie Xiangyi suddenly wanted to lift the veil to see what Xie Zhi looked like today.
He was always aloof and serious, self-disciplined and respectful of propriety, and rarely wore bright colors. I wondered how unusual it was to see him wearing a wedding dress today.
It seems that with his handsome and elegant appearance, this red color suits him very well.
Nie Xiangyi couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth and chuckled silently under the veil.
"The bride gets on the sedan chair—"
As soon as she stepped out of the mansion, she saw a bridal sedan waiting outside. Although they lived next door to each other, according to the old custom, she had to go to the flower street to celebrate.
Nie Xiangyi leaned forward to step into the bridal sedan, the gentle rocking of the sedan bringing with it the tinkling of bells. She blinked, then, unable to contain herself, quietly lifted the veil a little.
The interior of the bridal sedan was also a vibrant red, with bright wedding characters plastered everywhere. Ruby pearls were hung around the sedan, and peanuts and red dates were scattered on it, making Nie Xiangyi blush.
"This wedding procession is so long!"
"As expected of a prince marrying his first wife! Such grand ceremony is truly rare!"
"Happy New Year! Come and receive the good news!"
Nie Xiangyi heard the constant noise coming from outside the sedan chair and became curious. Seeing that the flower street celebrations still had some time to go, she simply lifted her veil and lifted a corner of the sedan chair curtain.
There was a long wedding procession that stretched as far as the eye could see, with the imperial guards standing at the head and tail, and in the middle were ceremonial instruments such as golden melon axes, suona drums, and gongs.
The red carpet stretched for miles under their feet, and the maids and matchmakers on both sides walked and scattered peanuts, red dates and other wedding gifts to the onlookers, causing people to rush to grab the wedding gifts.
"His Highness the Third Prince is truly unparalleled in his handsomeness!"
"This wedding dress looks really good on His Highness the Third Prince!"
"It's such a pity that such a beautiful and unique person is paired with Nie Xiangyi, that unruly fool! What a pity..."
Upon hearing this, Nie Xiangyi looked over and saw Xie Zhi riding a tall horse, walking upright in the center of the team, as straight as a bamboo.
Even if I can only see his back, I can imagine how elegant and handsome Xie Zhi is.
"I don't care whether you think I'm worthy or not! Anyway, I'm marrying him today!" Nie Xiangyi lowered the curtain, made a face to herself, and muttered to herself.
As she spoke, she reached out and picked up a peanut, crackled it open, and threw it into her mouth.
After an unknown amount of time, the sedan chair suddenly stopped.
Nie Xiangyi hurriedly put down her veil, placed her hands on her knees, and waited for the matchmaker to announce that she could get out of the sedan chair.
Xie Zhigang leaned over and opened the curtain of the sedan chair, and saw Nie Xiangyi waiting to get out of the sedan chair like a well-behaved child.
But her veil was a little crooked, and there were scattered peanut shells under her feet, like a little squirrel stealing food.
Through the veil, Nie Xiangyi couldn't see Xie Zhi pursing his lips and smiling for a moment.
The hands gently straightened her veil, and then led her down from the bridal sedan. Her toes in her bright red wedding shoes stepped on the soft red felt.
The matchmaker took Nie Xiangyi from Xie Zhi and led her across the brazier at the gate of the mansion.
"On an auspicious day, the red flames bring good luck. The bride steps forward and crosses this fire pit: one cross will banish evil spirits! Two crosses will bring peace and prosperity to the family! Three crosses will bring longevity and happiness!"
After all the ceremonies were completed, a eunuch's sharp voice was heard, "The Imperial Concubine has arrived—"
The matchmaker hurriedly helped Nie Xiangyi kneel down and salute, but was held back by a pair of weak hands. "No need to be so polite."
The imperial concubine's voice was filled with a smile. She took a seat on the high hall with silent steps. "It is a rule that the emperor does not visit his subjects. Although the emperor is not coming, he is thinking of you."
As she spoke, she ordered people to bring gifts, all of which were filled with good intentions for a large family and many children.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Other matters are fine, but Xiangyi is a new bride, and she's also in charge of the affairs of the mansion, so it's inevitable that she's powerless. I have a nanny by my side who's very useful. I'll bring her to Xiangyi today, and she might be able to help a little."
As she spoke, she winked and brought Aunt Wu to Nie Xiangyi. "Aunt Wu is also an acquaintance of Xiangyi's! I believe she will be able to help Xiangyi with all matters big and small in the mansion."
Her words were full of consideration and care, but Nie Xiangyi, who was under the veil, rolled her eyes when she heard the name Aunt Wu.
Why did the imperial concubine send this annoying guy here when there are so many people to send to?
But she could only thank you and obey your order, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xie Zhi, who was standing aside, glanced at Aunt Wu and frowned slightly.
The auspicious time had arrived, and the ceremonial officer shouted loudly, "Worship in the hall——"
First worship heaven and earth, then worship your parents.
When the emperor does not visit my house, there is only an empty dragon throne and a sign that reads "Long Live the Emperor" hanging high beside the imperial concubine.
"The bride and groom bow to the Heavenly Elders! Thank you for your divine grace and mercy. May your Majesty be in good health and live a long and blessed life!"
After the ceremonial officer finished chanting and heard the imperial concubine's instructions such as continuing the family line, the couple bowed to each other.
Nie Xiangyi held a bright red silk in her hand, with Xie Zhi at the other end. She felt nervous for some reason, her hands slipping, as if she couldn't hold the silk.
She followed the ceremonial officer's chanting and bowed her head, but her eyes were covered by the veil, so she could not see the expression on Xie Zhi's face.
"The ceremony is over——"
This sound seemed to be the final word, and Nie Xiangyi was led by the matchmaker into the bridal chamber.
When she got to the room, she wanted to remove the veil covering her head, but the matchmaker was beside her. She could only listen to the ticking of the night watch, mixed with the joy outside, and count the hours waiting for Xie Zhi.
While waiting for Xie Zhi to come back, Nie Xiangyi was still a little nervous.
She remembered that before she went to bed last night, her cousin Lingyu quietly knocked on her door, handed her a book mysteriously, and blushed as she murmured:
"I'm not supposed to be the one teaching you this kind of thing... but... never mind..." Her eyes wandered, as if a little embarrassed. "Take it and have a look first."
As she spoke, she stuffed the booklet into Nie Xiangyi's hands.
Nie Xiangyi didn't know why she was so mysterious and shy, so he looked down and said, "Fire Avoidance Diagram? What is this?"
She was about to look up and ask, but Zhong Lingyu had already disappeared.
She turned a page doubtfully, and her fingers suddenly paused in the process of turning the page.
"Snap!" The book was slammed shut.
She hurried back to her room and closed the door.
"Why did cousin Lingyu give me this kind of book..." Nie Xiangyi felt her face suddenly burning hot, and her mind inexplicably recalled the scene with Xie Zhi that night at the Chinese medicine shop...
Xie Zhi only used his hands at the time, not like in these fire avoidance pictures...
She glanced around, somewhat pretentiously, to confirm that no one was around, then carefully opened the book...
Take another look.
Perhaps it was because she had been waiting for Xie Zhi for too long, at this moment Nie Xiangyi's mind suddenly started to think of those fire avoidance maps again.
Her face suddenly felt like it was burning, and her hands nervously rubbed the fabric on her knees. It was as if the protagonists in those pictures would become Xie Zhi and her tonight.
But those pictures look weird and painful...
That day, Xie Zhi's fingers had already caused her some pain.
Although Xie Zhi's movements were gentle, she lost control of her strength several times, causing her vagina to feel swollen and painful, which made her eyes tear up.
She still remembered when she was hazily crying out in pain, Xie Zhi whispered in her ear, "You're so delicate."
It made her shudder for no reason.
The fingers are already like that, if Xie Zhi...
Nie Xiangyi even thought desperately, if only the medicine was still available today...
The sky outside the door gradually darkened, and suddenly footsteps approached. For some reason, Nie Xiangyi became increasingly nervous, rubbing the fabric on her knees until it wrinkled.
With a creak, the door was pushed open, causing the flame of the wedding candles in the room to flicker for a moment.
"Your Highness, please lift the veil." The matchmaker hurriedly handed over a wedding scale and asked Xie Zhi to lift the veil.
Xie Zhi looked at Nie Xiangyi sitting on the wedding bed. The fabric on her knees was slightly wrinkled by her pinching, and even her fingertips were pink.
She only behaves like this when she's nervous.
Xie Zhi recalled how she had been extremely reluctant to accept the arranged marriage before the wedding. Perhaps she had already known she had chosen the wrong person, and that was why she acted like this.
Xie Zhi felt jealous for no reason. What kind of person could make her miss him so much until now?
He took the scale from the matchmaker's hand and, under the flickering candlelight, lifted Nie Xiangyi's veil.
She really suits such bright colors. The fiery red color makes her skin look even whiter, more delicate, and more bright and attractive. Even the small mole on the tip of her nose seems dazzlingly beautiful.
At this moment, her cheeks were as red as flowing clouds, as if that color was oozing out from under her fair skin. Her every frown and smile was so captivating.
But her always lively eyes were vague, as if avoiding, not daring to meet Xie Zhi's eyes.
The moment her veil was lifted, Nie Xiangyi felt extremely guilty. Whenever she saw Xie Zhi's face, she couldn't help but think of the fire avoidance diagram.
She imagined Xie Zhi wearing a red wedding dress all day long, and when she saw it for the first time, she could hardly take her eyes off him.
He has always been aloof and cool, with a relaxed demeanor, like walking on a jade mountain.
But I'm used to seeing his gentlemanly appearance, and today he was wearing crimson, which inexplicably brought out a bit of charm in his eyes and eyebrows, like sunshine reflecting on snow, clear as ice and jade, almost breathtaking.
There is a sense of elegance and grace in it, with a horse riding and leaning on a slanting bridge, and red sleeves waving in the building.
For Xie Zhi like this, it’s okay if he feels pain! Nie Xiangyi thought!
Xie Zhi looked at her as if she was ready to die, and finally her eyes fell on him.
She was indeed reluctant.
In the past, she had repeatedly said that she loved him and would not marry anyone else, but to her, it was just a casual remark made to vent her anger.
Xie Zhi frowned unconsciously.
"The bride and groom drink the wedding wine!"
At the right moment, the matchmaker handed over a gourd that had been split into two, each filled with clear rice wine, and passed it to Nie Xiangyi and Xie Zhi, asking them to drink together.
The sweet wine flowed down his throat, and under the flickering candlelight, even Xie Zhi's face showed a rare blush.
"Yin and Yang unite, never to be separated!" The matchmaker combined the two gourds into one and tied them with a red string. "The ceremony is complete!"
She smiled and bowed to Xie Zhifu, saying meaningfully, "This servant and Aunt Wu are waiting outside. If Your Highness needs water or anything else, just ask."
As she spoke, she leaned forward and stepped out, gently closing the door.
Upon hearing Aunt Wu's name, Xie Zhi frowned slightly, and the flickering candlelight reflected his gloomy expression.
The room suddenly became quiet, and an inexplicable atmosphere floated in the silent air, as if no one knew what to do.
Next...is it time for the wedding night...
The last time she took Chinese medicine, Nie Xiangyi's mind was in a mess, not like today, she felt extremely shy.
At this moment, Xie Zhi suddenly stood up, his blushing back revealed a hint of coldness for no reason, and he blew out the candle in the room.
The room was suddenly plunged into darkness, with only a few rays of bright moonlight visible under the windows.
Nie Xiangyi became increasingly nervous. She rubbed the corner of her clothes, her cheeks flushed with shame, "Your Highness..."
There was a faint rustling sound, as if Xie Zhi was changing clothes. Through the hazy moonlight, Nie Xiangyi could vaguely see the solid and smooth lines of his broad back.
Are we going to do the things in the fire avoidance diagram?
She couldn't tell whether she was more nervous or expectant, she just lay on the couch blankly, her fingertips clenching the quilt.
Xie Zhi still had the familiar cool fragrance on his body, and she could almost touch the thin and smooth texture of his pajamas.
As soon as he lay down on the brocade couch, the rich fragrance of gardenia coming from beside him almost enveloped Xie Zhi.
He just said in a low voice, "Place it."
There seemed to be a clear Chu-Han River dividing the two people on the narrow brocade couch.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
