Su Yuzhen saw through the window that a military jeep had stopped at the door. Xia Mengsheng jumped out of the vehicle, dressed in a crisp military uniform, looking dashing.
Why is he here?
Su Yuzhen asked in surprise, "According to custom, the bride and groom should not meet the day before the wedding."
Wang Xiulan also frowned.
"This child, why doesn't he follow the rules..."
Xia Mengsheng strode into the courtyard and stopped somewhat embarrassed when he saw the busy villagers around.
Su Jianguo went to greet him, and the two exchanged a few words in hushed tones. Xia Mengsheng smiled with relief and took out an exquisite wooden box from his pocket, handing it to Su Jianguo.
"Yuzhen."
Wang Xiulan turned to her daughter and said.
"Mengsheng came to deliver the corsages for tomorrow's wedding. He was worried that it wouldn't be safe if someone else delivered them. Your father has already sent him back, saying that meeting before the wedding is unlucky."
Su Yuzhen nodded, feeling a warmth in her heart.
Xia Mengsheng was always so meticulous and thoughtful, even personally taking care of such small matters.
As night fell, the villagers, who had been busy all day, gradually left, and the Su family courtyard finally quieted down.
Su Yuzhen lay in bed, but couldn't fall asleep no matter what she did.
After tomorrow, she will leave the home she has lived in for twenty years and start a completely new life.
Thinking about this, she felt both anticipation and reluctance.
"Yuzhen, are you asleep?"
Su Yufen gently pushed open the door, holding a small bundle in her hand.
"Sis, I can't sleep."
Su Yuzhen sat up.
Su Yufen sat on the edge of the bed, opened the bundle, and inside was a set of exquisite silver dressing utensils.
"This is a dowry from your sister..."
"sister!"
Su Yuzhen hugged her sister with emotion.
"The best gift is that you and Da Mao and Er Mao are back."
The two sisters embraced and wept, reminiscing about their childhood.
From playing together in the fields, to the hardships of running a tofu shop together, and now...
Time flies.
"Yuzhen."
Su Yufen wiped away her tears and said earnestly.
"Remember, no matter which family you marry into, never forget your roots. The daughters of the Su family rely on hard work and integrity."
Su Yuzhen nodded emphatically. Her sister's words were like a guiding light, illuminating her path forward.
On her wedding day, before dawn, Su Yuzhen was woken up by Wang Xiulan.
The courtyard was already bustling with activity as the village's skilled women arrived early to begin preparing the feast.
The air was filled with the aroma of stewed meat and cheerful laughter.
"Yuzhen, come quickly to bathe and change your clothes."
Wang Xiulan led her daughter to the specially prepared bath tub, which contained hot water with added herbs. This was an old custom in the village: brides would bathe in fragrant water before their wedding to wash away bad luck and welcome a new life.
After the bath, Aunt Li, the luckiest woman in the village, came to comb Su Yuzhen's hair.
The old woman gently combed her long, black hair with a sandalwood comb, murmuring auspicious words.
"One comb to the end, two combs to white hair reaching the eyebrows, three combs to a house full of children and grandchildren..."
Looking at herself in the mirror, Su Yuzhen saw that under Aunt Li's skillful hands, her long hair had been styled into an exquisite bun, adorned with pearl hair ornaments sent by the Xia family, making her look both dignified and elegant.
"The bride is so beautiful!"
The village women who were watching all expressed their admiration.
Wang Xiulan took out the red wedding dress and carefully helped her daughter put it on.
When Su Yuzhen stood before everyone, dressed in her finest attire, everyone held their breath.
The woman before me was as beautiful as a fairy who had stepped out of a painting. Her red wedding dress accentuated her flawless skin, and her bright eyes and white teeth shone with happiness.
"mom..."
Su Yuzhen looked at her mother's tearful eyes, her voice choked with emotion.
"Don't cry, your makeup will be ruined."
Wang Xiulan fought back tears as she put the pair of gold earrings on her daughter.
"This is your parents' wish; we hope you will live a peaceful and happy life."
Just then, the joyous sounds of suona horns and firecrackers came from afar, and the wedding procession was coming!
"Quick, close the door!"
The young people in the village shouted excitedly. According to custom, they would "block the door" to test the groom's sincerity.
Su Yuzhen sat on the bed in the inner room, her heart pounding like a drum.
She could hear the lively commotion outside, and Xia Mengsheng's clear voice pleading with the villagers who were blocking the door.
According to custom, the groom must pass many tests before he can see the bride.
"Recite a poem! If you can't come up with a matching one, you can't enter!"
That's the voice of the village's old scholar.
Xia Mengsheng readily agreed.
Su Yuzhen listened intently and heard him clearly respond to every couplet of poetry uttered by the old scholar, earning him a round of applause.
"Singing! If you don't sing well, you're not allowed in!"
This is the young people in the village making things difficult for us.
To everyone's surprise, Xia Mengsheng sang an authentic country folk song with a clear and moving voice, which even impressed the most discerning old man.
"Drink! You can't come in if you can't finish this bowl of wine!"
This is a challenge for the strong men in the village.
Su Yuzhen heard the clinking of bowls and cups, followed by Xia Mengsheng's bold declaration of downing his drink in one gulp.
"For Yuzhen, I'd drink ten bowls!"
The cheers outside the courtyard grew louder and louder, and Su Yuzhen was both nervous and expectant.
Finally, after passing all the tests, the door was pushed open, and Xia Mengsheng, dressed in military uniform with a big red flower pinned to his chest, stood in the doorway, his handsome face flushed with excitement.
When he saw Su Yuzhen dressed in her finest attire, he was completely stunned, his eyes filled with amazement and love.
"Yuzhen..."
He called softly, his voice trembling slightly.
According to custom, Xia Mengsheng should pay respects to his parents-in-law and offer them tea.
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