He couldn't help but raise his hand and gently hold Jiang Ling's hand. His cheeks were even redder than before, and the tips of his ears were also red.
"Ling'er is so beautiful that I..." he confided softly, "I can't take my eyes off her."
His eyes were glued to her, they were extremely bright, but he didn't look drunk at all.
Jiang Ling felt a little embarrassed when he stared at her. The matchmaker came to her senses at this time, smiled and praised her several times, and then continued with the next ceremony.
"Please invite the bride and groom to wash together in the same carriage!"
The maid brought a copper basin and the two washed their hands together, which was the ritual of washing hands.
The two then sit together at the dinner table and eat the meat of the same animal. The husband and wife sit opposite each other, and the waiter puts a piece of meat into each of their bowls. After greeting each other, they eat it, which represents the beginning of their life together, and is called the Tonglu Ceremony.
They each hold the wine cup and drink from it while circling each other's arms, which is the wedding ceremony.
Afterwards, Zhou Jing'an and Jiang Ling cut off a little bit of each other's hair, tied it into a "bun", put it into a brocade bag, and gave it to Jiang Ling for safekeeping.
The silk thread ties the knot to signify a lasting bond of love, and this is the wedding gift.
Zhou Jing'an held the knot, his heart warming slightly. He handed it to Jiang Ling and said softly, "Keep it for you. We will be friends forever and never have two minds."
Jiang Ling smiled and put it away, then sat on the bed with him. As soon as they sat down, the matchmaker and her maids started waving money and throwing it at them. Some of the money fell on the bed, and some fell on the ground, making a tinkling sound.
Zhou Jing'an hugged her slightly, and all the money fell on him.
Jiang Ling picked up a coin with four words engraved on it.
She looked up at Zhou Jing'an, her brows curved, and slowly said aloud: "Long life and wealth."
"Yeah." Zhou Jing'an lowered his eyes to look at her and replied with a smile: "Long life and wealth."
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The poem "Refusing the Fan" comes from Li Shangyin's "Refusing the Fan on Behalf of Mr. Dong":
Don't let the painted fan out of the curtain, hiding the spring mountain and stagnating the talent. If reunion is like the bright moon, then the sweet osmanthus must be allowed to bloom.
Note: The marriage rituals are based on Tang Dynasty weddings.
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