Sheng Xiwen and Sheng Xiwu, who were accompanying them, quickly took out the red envelopes they had prepared in advance.
After receiving the red envelopes, the boys chuckled and made way for Sheng Xi'an and Sheng Xikang to go upstairs.
Wu Yuhua and Feng Shuyan were both in rooms upstairs, one on the east side and the other on the west side.
Sheng Xi'an led his men east, while Sheng Xikang led his men west. Upon entering the house, each man held a bouquet of roses, knelt on one knee, and shouted at the bride sitting on the bed.
"Wife, I've come to pick you up. Come with me."
The bride was beautiful and radiant, her smile as bright as a flower. Upon seeing her beloved kneeling on one knee with a bouquet in his hand, she immediately reached out to take the flowers and pulled him up as well.
The groom took off his shoes and sat on the bed next to the bride. A little girl came out from the bride's side and put red flowers on the chests of both the groom and the bride.
The wedding procession at the hotel was simplified. The bride and groom tied on red belts, ate comfort noodles, and then put on their wedding shoes.
The bride's brother carried her out of the house, downstairs to the courtyard, where the groom helped her to the back seat of the wedding car.
The bride's family would then place a mirror, comb, cosmetics, and other items inside the treasure bowl and hand it to the bride in the car. The bride would then carry the treasure bowl to her husband's home.
The other people accompanying the bride, each carrying their dowry, also boarded the car.
Of course, the dowry was just a token gesture; the real money wasn't coming from there.
The four children who escorted the bride and groom rode in one car, while the others rode in the cars behind them.
Fortunately, there were many cars coming to pick up the bride, about ten cars in total, so the people who came to pick up and send off the bride were able to sit comfortably.
Everyone got on the bus, the lead car honked its horn once, and the cars behind honked in response.
Then the lead car drove out of the hotel courtyard first, followed by the others, and after circling around, returned to the Sheng family's house in the east of No. 1 Middle School.
The Sheng family had also set off long strings of firecrackers early on.
The Sheng family's relatives, Liu Changde's family, Zheng Xianyong, the Chen family, the Wang family, and other close friends and relatives were all waiting in the courtyard.
Upon seeing the convoy approaching from afar, some people ran back to report the news, while others prepared some firecrackers.
Surrounded by a crowd, Zhang Shuzhen was already waiting at the door.
As soon as the wedding procession arrived at the gate, firecrackers were lit, the newlyweds got out of the car, and Zhang Shuzhen quickly stepped forward and took the treasure basin from Feng Shuyan's hands.
Feng Shuyan took a red flower from the basin, put it in Zhang Shuzhen's hair, and then affectionately called out "Mom."
Zhang Shuzhen was so happy she couldn't stop smiling. She quickly agreed, then took out a red envelope and stuffed it into her daughter-in-law's hand.
Sheng Xi'an helped Feng Shuyan into the house, while Zhang Shuzhen went to the second car and, just like before, received the treasure bowl, put on flowers, and gave a red envelope before the newlyweds entered the courtyard.
A group of young people, holding food and sequins, threw them at the newlyweds, offering their sincerest blessings.
Sheng Xiping had instructed these people beforehand that no one was allowed to cause any trouble today, as the bride was not a local and that making too much noise would frighten her.
In Northeast China, there aren't any of those messy wedding pranks; at most, the groom might get a few slaps.
Now that Sheng Xiping had spoken, these young people all behaved themselves well and were civilized; none of them dared to show off.
Sheng Xi'an and his wife went into the east room, while Sheng Xikang and his wife went into the west room.
On the kang (heated brick bed) in the east and west rooms, four sets of quilts and four blankets were laid out, and three red bricks wrapped in red paper were placed in front of the kang.
Not only was an axe placed under the bedding, but peanuts, chestnuts, dates, coins, and other items were also scattered around.
The newlyweds sit on the kang (heated brick bed) to enjoy good fortune, while Liu Xin from Liu Yujiang's family and Liu Xiang from Liu Yuhe's family act as the children rolling around on the kang.
Normally, this task should be done by the younger generation of the family, but since Sheng Xinhua and Sheng Xinyu have already served as the servants who support the carriage, they can't be made to roll around on the kang (heated brick bed).
There were no younger children around, so Liu Xin and Liu Xiang were the only ones left to roll around on the kang (heated brick bed).
The two boys climbed onto the kang (a heated brick bed), rolled around on it, and muttered to themselves, making everyone in the room burst into laughter.
The wedding ceremony proceeded smoothly, including the newlyweds sitting in the "Fu" position and eating "Zi Sun" (a type of steamed bun symbolizing offspring). Sheng Xitai, with his camera in hand, moved back and forth between the east and west rooms, taking photos of the newlyweds and their relatives and friends, keeping himself very busy.
Around 10 o'clock, Zhao Guangning, who was in charge of making arrangements, came into the room to urge the newlyweds and their relatives and friends to hurry up and get to the Songlin Hotel so as not to delay the wedding ceremony.
After leaving the Sheng family home, walk three or four hundred meters west, then turn north, and you'll reach the Songlin Hotel. Apart from the bride's family and the bride and groom, everyone else simply walked there.
At the Songlin Hotel, most of the people from the forest farm, the director, secretary, head, and section chief of the Songjianghe Forestry Bureau, cadres from other forestry bureaus, and Sheng Xiping's business associates were all present.
Even the county's Party Secretary Guan brought several people and drove all the way from the county to attend the wedding.
Sheng Xiping arrived around 8 a.m. and hasn't had a moment's rest, constantly busy greeting guests. Zhou Mingyuan and Chen Ruiqing are also helping out.
After getting out of the car, the bride and groom went upstairs to their room to rest and touch up their makeup. The bride's relatives and friends were then seated in front of the altar.
After settling the guests and getting everything ready, the newlyweds were invited down.
At 10:58, the wedding ceremony officially began, and Zhao Xiangyang, chairman of the forest farm's labor union, was invited to officiate.
"Hello everyone, dear friends and family. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend the wedding of Sheng Xi'an and Feng Shuyan, and Sheng Xikang and Wu Yuhua."
Zhao Xiangyang's voice was loud and clear, and the entire room fell silent as soon as he opened his mouth.
"Now, let's welcome the two newlywed couples with the warmest applause!" The audience erupted in applause.
At the entrance of the banquet hall, Sheng Xi'an, arm in arm with Feng Shuyan, and Sheng Xikang, arm in arm with Wu Yuhua, the two couples, slowly walked towards the stage amidst thunderous applause and the gaze of everyone.
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