Amidst the rousing drumbeats and the booming of firecrackers, Liu Feng, dressed in a magnificent suit and surrounded by a group of dashing groomsmen, strode to the vermilion gate.
He gently knocked on the woman's front door. Immediately, the woman's officiant's clear and dignified voice, like a timeless ancient melody, came from inside: "Who goes there? What brings you here? What brings you here?"
These words officially kicked off the traditional Chinese wedding procession.
The groom's representative, Zhang Kaitai, stepped forward, cleared his throat, and recited a poem of blessing with great gusto: "The dragon soars across the four seas, the phoenix dances in the nine heavens, bringing good fortune. Today, this perfect couple is united in marriage, flying wing to wing in joy."
Then, he solemnly introduced himself: "I am Zhang Kaitai, the master of the Liu family. I have been ordered by the master of the Liu family to bring my son Liu Feng and more than a hundred relatives and friends to your esteemed residence to welcome the bride. As you can see, your residence is adorned with red lanterns, filled with joy, and firecrackers are going off. The dragon and phoenix are auspicious signs, which is truly a good omen."
After a brief pause, he bowed deeply and added with sincere emotion, "Today, our young master Liu has come with gifts and full of sincerity, earnestly requesting that our relatives and friends open their doors to welcome good fortune and wish us peace and auspiciousness together."
The groomsmen behind the groom shouted in unison, "Peace and good fortune!" Their powerful voices echoed in all directions, proclaiming the grandeur and solemnity of this joyous occasion.
Inside the gate, the bride's master of ceremonies also responded with a poem, reciting: "The wedding cannons roared, today the Yu family is marrying off its daughter. Relatives and friends from all directions gather here, all eager to see the fine young man."
Then, with a hint of playfulness and joke in her tone, she asked, "Young Master Liu, did you come empty-handed today to welcome us, or are you full of sincerity?"
Liu Feng remained calm and composed, a smile appearing on his face, his gaze firm, and replied, "Of course, it's full of sincerity."
After saying that, he waved his hand lightly, and the groomsmen quickly understood and presented the red envelopes they had prepared.
Liu Feng picked up a red envelope, shook it, and smiled through the crack in the door: "Ladies, please do me a favor. This is just a small red envelope, nothing more. If you're willing to open the door, there's an even bigger surprise waiting for you."
Upon hearing this, the women inside immediately became interested and shouted, "Talk is cheap! Let us see the sincerity behind this red envelope!"
Liu Feng laughed and replied, "Of course, ladies, watch closely." As he spoke, he stuffed one red envelope after another into the crack in the door, accompanied by the laughter and exclamations of the women.
Some of the women teased, "Young Master Liu, if this red envelope were a little bigger, we might consider opening the door!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Feng quickly said, "Don't rush, ladies, this is just the beginning, there's more to come." Then, he sped up the process of stuffing red envelopes into the envelopes.
Some of the women even teased, "Young Master Liu, if you give us a few more red envelopes, we'll be ready to open the door!"
Liu Feng wasn't annoyed and continued stuffing red envelopes into his hands, saying, "Ladies, please be understanding. I've come here with the utmost sincerity."
At this moment, a woman suddenly interjected, "Oh dear, I saw that Young Master Liu's hands were trembling a little. It seems he is really in a hurry!"
Upon hearing this, another burst of laughter erupted from inside the room.
Liu Feng shook his head helplessly and said with a smile, "Sisters, stop teasing me and open the door."
Finally, after rounds of red envelope giveaways, the door slowly opened.
Liu Feng stepped over the threshold and led his groomsmen to bow to the bride's welcoming party, then presented them with a letter of invitation.
The female officiant solemnly announced: "By the mandate of Heaven, in harmony with the earth, in accordance with the wishes of our parents, and in accordance with the wishes of the newlyweds, we are united in marriage today. The groom is in love and the bride is willing. May everything go well."
Zhang Kaitai continued, "Young Master Liu Feng of the Liu family is personally welcoming Young Master Yu's daughter. The auspicious hour has arrived, and according to ancient rites, the wooden goose is presented to complete the ceremony. The wooden goose symbolizes the order of seniority, the coming and going of the young, and unwavering loyalty; the fine wine presented is Zhuangyuan Hong, which gathers the essence of the five grains, wishing this marriage, like fine wine, to become more mellow with age..."
Each time a gift was presented, someone from the groom's team would respectfully present it.
The female emcee smiled and replied, "A beautiful woman stands serenely by the clear water, while a gentleman on the other shore is filled with tender affection. After a thousand years of cultivation, a glance back reveals the beginning of a fleeting encounter amidst the dust of the world. The sincerity of the young master of the Liu family is evident. Please proceed to the boudoir of the young lady of the Yu family."
The ceremonial wedding procession drew a crowd of onlookers from the bride's family and friends, who were full of praise and applause.
The guests whispered among themselves, marveling at the groom's family's wealth and grandeur...
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