Chapter 25 Serving Tea
Before dawn, the vermilion gate of the Chen family mansion was already wrapped in festive red silk, and the gilded lanterns hanging from the eaves made half the sky glow red.
Twelve fine horses, their hooves wrapped in red cloth and their manes adorned with colorful ribbons, trotted nervously on the bluestone slabs, followed by a wedding procession stretching from one end of the street to the other.
The porters carried silver-inlaid lacquered boxes containing dragon and phoenix silks, red gold jewelry, and century-old ginseng prepared according to the "Six Rites".
The musicians puffed out their cheeks, and the sound of the suona horns mixed with the drums and gongs, making the magpies on the branches flap their wings. Even the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus sugar.
Chen Xuanqing stood in front of the horse, his bright red wedding robes making his face look like jade. The beads on his golden crown swayed gently with his movements. His usually handsome eyebrows were now curved into a smile, and even his gaze towards the Gu family was as bright as falling stars.
The best man patted him on the shoulder and teased, "Xuanqing, you must not have slept well last night, right? Look at your bright eyes, even more energetic than the day you became the third-ranked scholar!"
He laughed heartily and replied, "Yes, yes, you're the most clever one!"
As soon as the wedding procession turned the corner, it attracted a crowd of people.
Children chased after the horses' hindquarters, clutching scraps of gold foil in their hands. Women stood on tiptoe, peering in and laughing as they chatted.
Upon arriving at the gate of the Gu residence, the vermilion gate was ajar, and the laughter of maids could be heard from behind it—they had come specifically to block the way.
"Young Master Chen, if you wish to marry our young lady, you'll have to pass three tests!"
The head maid handed over a red paper with the words "Guess the riddle" written on it. The riddle was "May you be forever united in heart".
After a moment's thought, Chen Xuanqing smiled and replied, "It's the character '囍'! Jinzhao and I are a match made in heaven, and we should be united forever."
The maids asked him to sing another song, and without hesitation, he cleared his throat and began to sing.
The final challenge was to tie a love knot with red thread. His fingers flew across the paper, and he finished tying it in no time, leaving the small characters "玄" and "朝" on the knot.
"You've passed! Young master, please go in!" The maids smiled and made way for him.
Chen Xuanqing strode across the courtyard, the light from the red lanterns falling on him, making his wedding attire even brighter.
In the main hall, Gu Dezhao had a stern face, but he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes; Madam Ji held a red handkerchief, her eyes slightly reddened.
He bowed deeply and said solemnly, "Father-in-law and mother-in-law, your son-in-law has come to pick up Jinchao. From now on, I will never let her down and will protect her for the rest of her life."
Madam Ji nodded and handed him the red handkerchief: "Xuanqing, Jinchao is in your care now. Treat her well."
As soon as she finished speaking, Cai Fu helped Gu Jinzhao, who was covered with a red veil, out.
The hem of her bright red wedding gown was embroidered with twin lotus flowers in gold thread, which swept lightly across the red carpet with her steps, and the pearl tassels along the edge of her veil shimmered with delicate light. Chen Xuanqing's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stepped forward to carefully take her hand.
Her hands were slightly cool, but she gently squeezed back, the warmth from her fingertips like a warm current, instantly spreading throughout her body.
"Jinzhao, I've come to pick you up." He leaned close to her ear, his voice as soft as a love whisper.
Gu Jinchao could hear his heartbeat through the red veil, and her cheeks flushed instantly. She softly hummed in agreement.
As soon as the auspicious hour's clapper sounded, Caifu stepped forward carrying a gilded lacquer tray. On the tray were two white porcelain teacups decorated with lotus scrolls. Steam rose gently, filling the air with the fragrance of tea.
Chen Xuanqing stepped forward first, carefully picked up a cup of tea, and turned to hand it to Gu Jinchao.
His fingertips gently touched the back of her hand, as if to offer silent comfort, or perhaps to convey the solemnity of the moment.
After Gu Jinchao caught the cup securely, he picked up the other cup, took her hand, and knelt together on the prepared red wedding cushion.
"Mother, have some tea."
Gu Jinchao leaned slightly forward, raised the teacup to Ji Shi, his voice trembling slightly.
Although the veil had been removed, her cheeks were still flushed, and the candlelight reflected in her eyes made them shine as if they were bathed in starlight.
Ji hurriedly reached out and took it. Her fingertips touched the warm cup, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Looking at her daughter in her bright red wedding dress, she choked up and said, "My dear child, you must take good care of yourself in the Chen family from now on, and... and come back to visit your parents' home often." After saying that, she drank the tea in one gulp, as if she wanted to melt all her longing into the cup of tea.
Chen Xuanqing then raised his teacup and bowed to Madam Ji: "Mother-in-law, please have some tea."
His tone was respectful and sincere: "Rest assured, I will treat Jinzhao well, protect her for the rest of her life, and never let her suffer the slightest grievance."
Madam Ji took the teacup, looked at her handsome son-in-law, then at her daughter beside her, and finally smiled with relief: "Good, good, with your words, I can rest assured."
After paying their respects to Madam Ji, the two turned to Gu Dezhao.
Gu Jinchao held up a teacup and called softly, "Father, have some tea."
Gu Dezhao's Adam's apple bobbed. He deliberately put on a stern face, but when he took the teacup, he softened his grip, his tone carrying a deliberately strict admonition: "After you marry into the Chen family, you must abide by the rules and respect your elders. Don't be as willful as you were at your parents' home. But if Xuanqing treats you badly..."
He changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over Chen Xuanqing with a hint of intimidation, "Go ahead and tell him, your father will back you up."
Chen Xuanqing immediately raised his cup and bowed even lower: "Father-in-law, have some tea."
When he looked up, his eyes were full of determination. "I will never fail your trust. I will be devoted to Jinchao and will never have any other thoughts in this life. From now on, we will live a good life together and come back to see you and my mother-in-law often."
The red candles in the main hall were still burning, and the candle wax slowly dripped down the candle body, much like the unstoppable tears in Ji Shi's eyes.
She held Gu Jinchao's hand, her fingertips tracing the gold thread embroidery on her daughter's wedding dress again and again, her words filled with concern: "When you get to the Chen family, remember to pay your respects to them morning and evening. I've already inquired; Old Madam Chen is kind and gentle, and although Third Master Chen seems stern, he dotes on the younger generation the most. Don't keep things to yourself; discuss them with Xuanqing..."
Through the red veil, Gu Jinchao could clearly feel the warmth and trembling of her mother's palm. Listening to those gentle instructions, she could no longer hold back her tears, which slid down her cheeks and soaked the brocade inside the veil.
She nodded gently, her voice thick with nasal tone: "Mother, I understand. Don't worry, I will be fine and will come back to see you and Father often."
"Miss, it's getting late, the wedding procession should set off soon." Caifu reminded her softly from the side, her gaze falling on Ji Shi's reddened eyes, and she couldn't help but redden her own eyes as well.
Madam Ji's heart tightened, and she gripped Gu Jinzhao's hand even tighter. In the end, she steeled herself, raised her hand to straighten the edge of her daughter's veil, and brushed her fingertips against the corners of her wet eyes. Her voice choked with emotion: "Jinzhao, go to the Chen family... Take good care of yourself, you must take good care of yourself."
Gu Jinchao nodded, letting Chen Xuanqing gently take his hand.
His palm was warm and strong, carrying a reassuring power, as he led her step by step out of the main hall.
The sound of gongs and drums for the wedding procession rang out again, making it even more lively than when they arrived.
Chen Xuanqing held Gu Jinchao's hand and carefully helped her step into the bridal sedan chair. Only when the curtain of the sedan chair slowly fell did he mount his horse and walk beside the sedan chair, his eyes never leaving the bright red sedan chair.
The bridal sedan chair traveled smoothly through the bustling streets, attracting crowds of onlookers. Children chased after the procession, scattering gold foil scraps along the way, filling the air with a sweet, festive scent. Before long, the vermilion gates of the Chen family mansion came into view, already crowded with welcoming relatives and friends. Red silk draped the pillars, and gilded lanterns illuminated the entire courtyard in a crimson glow.
The bridal sedan chair landed steadily in front of the main hall of the Chen residence. Chen Xuanqing quickly stepped forward, lifted the curtain, and helped Gu Jinchao out.
Her skirt swept across the red carpet on the ground, and the pearl tassels at the edge of her veil swayed gently, drawing laughter and blessings from relatives and friends around her.
Chen Xuanqing took Gu Jinchao's hand and walked step by step toward the main hall.
The red candles in the main hall of the Chen family mansion burned even brighter than those in the Gu family mansion, their flickering flames illuminating the entire room in a crimson glow. The "囍" character hanging from the beam was adorned with gold tassels, which swayed gently in the breeze.
Madam Chen sat upright in the head seat, the amber prayer beads in her hand turning more slowly. Her gaze fell on Gu Jinchao's figure covered by a red veil, and she couldn't hide the smile on her lips.
Master Chen sat to one side, his dark blue brocade robe accentuating his tall and straight figure. Although he did not smile, he subtly loosened his grip on the jade thumb ring.
Xuanqing's wish has finally come true.
"Serve tea—" As soon as the master of ceremonies finished speaking, a maid from the Chen family came forward with a gold-lacquered tray. On the tray were two white porcelain cups filled with freshly brewed pre-Qingming Longjing tea. The steam carrying the aroma of the tea spread out, mixed with the incense in the air, making it exceptionally elegant.
Chen Xuanqing skillfully reached out first, carefully avoiding the hot rim of the cup with his fingertips, and steadily picked up the cup, turning around to hand it to Gu Jinchao.
He gently touched the back of her hand with his fingertips and whispered, "Slow down, the tea is freshly brewed, don't burn yourself."
Once Gu Jinzhao had settled her teacup, he picked up another, took her hand, and knelt together on the thick red velvet wedding cushion. Their knees sank into the soft brocade, but their hearts burned hotter than candlelight.
Through the red veil, Gu Jinchao could hear Chen Xuanqing's steady breathing beside her and feel the gentle gaze of the elder in front of her. She gently raised her teacup and said in a soft but clear voice, "Grandmother, have some tea."
Madam Chen quickly reached out to take it, her fingertips touching the warm cup, her smile deepening: "Good child, get up quickly. From now on, treat the Chen family as your own home. If there's anything you want to eat or use, just tell your grandmother. If Xuanqing dares to bully you, your grandmother will stand up for you."
She took a sip of tea, the aroma spreading on her tongue, and felt a sense of comfort in her heart.
This child speaks softly and looks very pleasing to the eye. Xuanqing is lucky to have married her. It's worth it for Xuanqing to go to such lengths to break off the engagement with the Yu family.
Chen Xuanqing then raised his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and said in a respectful yet affectionate tone, "Grandmother, have some tea."
Looking at the joy in Madam Chen's eyes, he said earnestly, "I will definitely treat Jinzhao well from now on and will not let her suffer any grievances."
Madam Chen took the teacup and gently patted the back of his hand: "Alright, Grandmother believes you."
After paying their respects to their grandmother, the two turned to Master Chen.
Gu Jinchao leveled the teacup again, his voice softer but still clear: "Father, have some tea."
Master Chen's gaze fell on the two's clasped hands, then swept over Gu Jinchao's steady posture, and he slowly nodded, reaching out to take the teacup.
His fingertips had just touched the warm rim of the cup, and he was about to lower his head to sip the tea when suddenly the sound of children playing came from outside the main hall, followed by a muffled thud and the sound of children crying.
It turned out that the youngest grandson of a branch of the Chen family was chasing after the colorful ball and didn't notice the edge of the red felt under his feet, so he tripped and fell.
The eyes of all the guests were instantly drawn to it, and Gu Jinchao also subconsciously turned around to look.
She turned her body slightly to the side, and the red veil on her head, which was already swaying gently with her movement, was lifted by the wind and slid straight down, revealing a bright and beautiful face.
Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like autumn waters still shimmering. The tips of her ears, flushed from serving tea, had not yet faded. Her lips were pursed, and she looked at the fallen child with concern.
This scene happened in the blink of an eye. Just as Chen Xuanqing was about to reach out to cover her veil, he saw that Chen Sanye beside him suddenly froze, his hand holding the teacup stopped in mid-air, and his knuckles turned slightly white.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
