Chapter 340 The Grand Finale (Part 3)
Jiang Ling personally put a pair of bracelets on Xiao Qiu's head, then picked up a comb and tidied her already smooth hair, inserting a kingfisher feather hairpin.
"So beautiful." Jiang Ling looked at the person in the mirror and sincerely praised, "Our Xiao Qiu is the most beautiful bride."
Looking at herself in the mirror, Xiao Qiu felt as if she had lived through another world.
From the agonizing struggles beneath the peonies, to her rebirth after meeting Jiang Ling, and now, in her phoenix coronet and embroidered robes, marrying her beloved…
She blinked hard, forcing back the tears, and revealed a bright smile with tears in her eyes:
"Thank you, young lady."
As the auspicious hour approached, the sounds of drums, music, and firecrackers resounded outside.
The wedding procession has arrived.
Zhao Sixi looked completely different today, dressed in a red robe, full of energy. The usually shy young man stood up straight, his face showing undisguised tension and joy.
Surrounded and teased by the crowd, she arrived at the gate of the courtyard and respectfully bowed and had her makeup done.
Xiao Ran, Xiao Qi, and Xiao Yi acted as the bride's family members, making things difficult for the groom at the door.
Zhao's brothers and many young people from the village surrounded Zhao Sixi, cheering him on.
After a round of laughter and merriment, and with the Zhao family having prepared substantial wedding gifts, the groom finally entered the house as he had hoped.
Xiao Qiu, with a red veil covering her head, was helped out of her "parents' home" where she had lived for more than a year, supported by Jiang Ling herself.
Finally, Jiang Ling handed the red silk in her hand to Zhao Sixi.
As she was saying goodbye, Xiao Qiu bowed gracefully to Jiang Ling, who helped her up and said gently:
"From now on, you'll be a member of the Zhao family. Live a good life with Sihai. This will always be your family home."
Xiao Qiu choked back tears as she agreed, and was carefully led by Sixi into the bridal sedan chair.
The sedan chair was lifted, and the musicians played their instruments with great enthusiasm. The wedding procession, chased by the children, made a lively and slow journey around the main road of Jishui Village before finally landing steadily in front of the Zhao family's gate.
The Zhao family courtyard was already packed with guests.
Grandpa Zhao and Grandma Zhao, dressed in their fine new clothes, sat at the head of the main room, beaming with joy.
"First bow to Heaven and Earth—"
"Second bow to the parents—"
"Husband and wife bow to each other—"
Each chant was accompanied by good-natured laughter and blessings from the surrounding villagers.
Xiao Ran was in charge of loudly reading out the list of wedding gifts from the villagers, while Xiao Yi and Xiao Qi, dressed like little firecrackers, weaved through the crowd, scattering wedding candies.
After the ceremony, they were escorted to the bridal chamber.
The door to the new house was closed, shutting out the noise from outside.
But the excitement in the courtyard was just beginning to reach its peak.
Grandpa Zhao and Grandma Zhao moved among them, greeting relatives and friends from all around.
A sumptuous feast was laid out in a continuous stream, with chicken, duck, fish, meat, seasonal vegetables and fresh fruits, and plenty of homemade rice wine.
Grandpa Zhao, holding a wine bowl, loudly thanked his fellow villagers for their hospitality.
The villagers raised their glasses, wishing the newlyweds a long and happy life together and many children.
Jiang Ling was invited to the main table, where she sat with Zhao's close relatives and several elders from the village.
Encouraged by the lively atmosphere, she drank several glasses of wine in a row, and her face became a little hot.
As the banquet reached its climax, someone started teasing the groom.
The young men surrounded Zhao Sixi, posing all sorts of well-intentioned yet tricky questions. Sixi blushed and answered them clumsily but earnestly. In the end, unable to answer them, he drank one cup of wine after another, which made everyone burst into laughter.
Xiao Tao drank a few cups of rice wine brewed by the villagers, her cheeks flushed. She leaned against Jiang Ling, watching Xiao Ran being pulled to drink by several men not far away, and grinned foolishly.
Jiang Ling followed her gaze and patted her hand: "Xiao Tao, you're drunk. Don't go back tonight. Stay at my place."
Xiao Tao's eyes were somewhat unfocused as she nestled against Jiang Ling, her voice soft and dreamlike:
"Girl, thank you... Really, it's so good to have met you. I will spend the rest of my life repaying you..."
As the moon rose high in the sky, the guests gradually dispersed.
Jiang Ling called over two familiar sisters-in-law to help carry Xiao Tao to her yard.
Jiang Ling followed behind them, walking back under the moonlight.
The village was still filled with the occasional sound of firecrackers, and the air was thick with the aroma of wine, food, and gunpowder smoke—a truly authentic and lively atmosphere.
Jiang Ling walked slowly, partly to let off the smell of alcohol.
Looking up, the moon hung perfectly in the center.
The full moon tonight is beautiful.
A full moon symbolizes family reunion.
But why does such a joyous occasion suddenly evoke an indescribable sadness?
Jiang Ling stared unsteadily at the empty space in front of the shop, a distant image flashing through her mind.
She subconsciously reached out and touched the jade pendant hidden under her collar.
The patterns on the jade pendant flowed across her fingertips, and in that instant, she felt even more sorrowful.
He couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Qin Qian, you liar! You still haven't paid back the debt you owe me... You died so easily, who am I supposed to ask for my money back from now on..."
After the hustle and bustle faded away, all that remained was the sound of the wind and a faint sigh.
The late autumn evening wind was rather chilly. It stung my face and even brought tears to my eyes...
Jiang Ling suddenly realized that she had become too immersed in the role; she was just a passerby in this world.
Once we've resolved the two major issues concerning Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi, ensuring they have the means to live in this era, there will be no need to open that wooden door again.
Those who remain suffer the most.
She's so young, she doesn't want to live her life clinging to these memories.
Seemingly having thought of words to comfort herself, she reached out and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, turned around, and prepared to walk towards the shop.
After walking a few steps, I noticed a person standing at the entrance of the quiet shop.
The evening breeze gently caressed the hem of his clothes, and the moonlight shone on his handsome face, highlighting his tall and slender figure.
The man was looking at her with a half-smile, his familiar features revealing an undisguised joy at their reunion.
Jiang Ling froze, rooted to the spot, too afraid to move.
She seemed to have sobered up, yet also seemed not to.
Everything before my eyes felt both real and like a dream.
She couldn't tell the difference, and dared not move, afraid of breaking it.
Even the figure in the moonlight had eyes misty with tears, and the joy in her eyes was tinged with the sadness of having seen so much and how hard-won it was.
He stopped waiting and walked straight toward her.
He stopped a few steps away, cupped his hands in greeting, but his eyes never left her.
His voice was low and hoarse, yet every word was clear, striking the silent night:
"I am Lu Qian, the owner of Phoenix Restaurant in Ping'an County. May I ask if you have any vegetables left to sell?"
In an instant, all was silent.
The evening breeze stopped, and the moonlight froze.
After a long while, Jiang Ling chuckled softly, tears welling up in her eyes.
She stepped forward and embraced him without hesitation.
The gentle moonlight enveloped the two embracing figures, who felt the real, warm body temperature in each other's arms. Their pounding hearts seemed to express the joy of having regained what they had lost.
The road ahead may still be full of storms, but with you by my side, I have the strongest armor in the world and the courage to be invincible.
—The End—
The story is over!
Thank you to all the lovely people who have been with me here. Your support is what keeps me going.
As I write a story from beginning to end, I also feel a lot of reluctance in my heart.
But all good things must come to an end, and the story will also come to a complete conclusion.
Wishing you all peace, joy, and all the best.
See you in the next story.
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