She took a deep breath, slowly relaxed and sat up straight.
Yining remembers that it takes three intersections to get from Yujing Hutong to Fuxue Hutong. There is a very famous mutton soup at one of the intersections, and you can tell where it is just by the smell.
Half an hour's journey wasn't too long, but perhaps because I was feeling uneasy, it felt incredibly long. The light from the sheep-horn glass lantern hanging from the sedan chair shone through, casting a dim red glow.
It was a long time before she heard a commotion. Compared to the farewell atmosphere over there, this side was much more lively. Even the suona was more cheerful. There were many people, children laughing, and firecrackers. She was supported by someone and heard Quanfu people directing her to step over the saddle, the brazier, or reminding her to be careful at the threshold.
She had never been to the house in Fuxue Hutong.
Yi Ning stepped into the main hall, unable to see anything beneath her veil. She could only hear the ceremonial attendant chanting the rituals. She followed the chanting and, as she stood up, she staggered. He immediately reached out to help her, but she found her footing on her own. The man paused, then retracted his hand.
Yi Ning was escorted into the bridal chamber, which must have been bustling with people. She heard the well-fed wife of the Marquis of Dingbei say with a smile, "The groom is going to choose his veil."
Several ladies started to make a fuss: "Pick up the veil and see if the bride looks good!"
I've seen it before, what's so good about it, Yi Ning thought to herself. But at this moment, she felt uneasy again. She clearly heard a moment of silence outside, and then the scale rod of Xicheng stretched out and the veil was lifted.
She suddenly saw him. Everyone else was smiling, but he just pursed his lips slightly, which could be considered a smile, but he kept staring at her.
"The bride is beautiful!" the ladies said, covering their mouths with their hands. They didn't say the rest of the sentence, but she was still a little young, probably not yet of age.
The new Minister of Works married someone so young, so he must have a hard time.
Only then did Yi Ning notice the people around her. Lin Hairu stood next to Quanfu, along with Luo Yixiu and Luo Yiyu, whom she hadn't seen in a while. Both were dressed as women. Her aunt Chen stood next to Luo Yixiu, and there were two young women with pretty faces whom Yi Ning had never seen before. They must be the wives of Luo Huaiyuan and Luo Shanyuan. She didn't recognize the other wives at all.
But this didn't dampen the excitement of the wedding. Luo Shenyuan slowly walked over to her side and stood still. The Quanfu people sang a festive song and spread the bed, which was suddenly covered with dried fruits such as longans and peanuts. A copper coin even fell into Yining's lapel. One of the wives said, "The bride will have to manage the family finances in the future!"
What kind of custom is this? Yi Ning was a little dumbfounded and looked at Luo Shenyuan. He smiled and nodded and said, "Let her take charge if she wants."
Although he was a little skeptical about Yining's way of managing money, as she was too lazy to even take care of her own dowry when she was a child.
Soon a boy brought up the wedding wine, and Yining was pulled up by a lady wearing a gown with golden sleeves.
She saw her third brother lift a glass of wine from a large red lacquer square tray and offer it to her. Only then did Yi Ning realize that she and Luo Shenyuan were about to share their wedding wine... She took the wine in her hand and wrapped it around his arm, feeling that his arm was much thicker than hers. Yi Ning watched him tilt his head back and drink it, his expression unwavering. She couldn't drink, and after taking a small sip, she choked, feeling a burning sensation from her throat to her stomach, and then coughed, her face flushed.
Several ladies came over and patted her on the back with a smile, and poured a thin layer of liquid for her, but gave Luo Shenyuan a full layer.
The wife of the Marquis of Dingbei then read with a smile, "May the blessings of heaven congratulate the newlyweds. This night will be filled with drunkenness and ecstasy. May the couple love each other till old age, and live in harmony and happiness from morning till night."
Yining silently thought of a limerick, and there was still some wine left in her glass. "This needs to be finished," said the man's wife with a smile.
After hearing this, Yining was about to raise her glass, but she was not paying attention and he took it away from her hand.
He has a good alcohol tolerance and can drink as much as he wants without changing his expression. He can finish it in one gulp.
"Okay, you don't have to drink." Luo Shenyuan placed the wine glass on the bright red lacquer square plate.
She whispered a thank you. Then the lively bridal chamber scene ended, and the ladies all left.
Luo Shenyuan paused for a moment and whispered to her, "I'll be back soon."
Yining nodded and smiled: "Just go." She sat back on the bed and saw that the partition was closed by him. The tall figure disappeared and she was left alone.
The room was quiet, a red candle with a dragon and phoenix pattern burning. A bright red brocade quilt was embroidered with mandarin ducks playing in the water, and a curtain draped to the floor was embroidered with a bright red jacquard pattern. Inside, a new mahogany and ivory-inlaid dressing table was sealed with the character for "double happiness."
When Yining saw the bright red wedding attire and thought of his strong arms, she felt anxious every moment of waiting.
She had no idea how to face him on her wedding night...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
