Chapter 57 Red silk ribbons hang high, wedding candles shine in pairs
On the 27th day of the sixth month of the seventh year of Chengtai, it is an auspicious day for marriage.
"Crackling and popping—"
The sound of firecrackers echoed through the sky, and red debris flew down. Several children with pigtails dancing and cheering, "Look! The groom is here!"
The vermilion sedan chair circled the village once and returned to the front of the house. Zong Suyi felt the sedan chair land, his fingers involuntarily twisting together, his heart pounding, and fine sweat beading on his forehead. He bit his thin lips, feeling both nervous and expectant.
He had known Zhang Ting for less than six months, but this day felt like he had been waiting for many years.
With a beaming smile, Xi Gong lifted the sedan curtain and handed him one end of a red silk ribbon. "Please alight from the sedan chair, young master."
Even though Zhang Ting had promised not to mistreat him, Zong Suyi couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat when he saw the red silk before him. When his mother took a concubine, it was just a simple affair, carried in through the back door in a small sedan chair; there were no such solemn ceremonies.
His father once told him not to believe a woman's sweet talk; if she truly cared for him, he would sense it in the subtle ways she did.
Zong Suyi sniffed deeply, forcing back tears. Today was a joyous occasion; he couldn't afford to make a fool of himself. He straightened his sleeves, grasped the red silk ribbon, and, with the help of the wedding officiant, stepped out of the sedan chair.
A moment later, he felt the other end of the red silk being held, and his head instinctively turned in that direction. His face was covered, and he couldn't see anything outside, but he felt a sense of peace he had never felt before.
When the groom came out, the villagers gathered around to congratulate the couple.
The matchmaker, holding a red handkerchief, led the way, followed by Liu Da and Wang Wu, who scattered wedding coins and candies. The children swarmed over to grab them, clutching the coins and shouting in their childish voices, "Wishing my husband a healthy baby soon! Hehe."
The words were too blunt. Zong Suyi lowered her head slightly, feeling her face burning, but she couldn't help but smile.
Zhang Ting felt a little awkward. Who would pressure someone to have a baby so soon after getting married? She glanced at the person next to her, worried that he might feel pressured.
As the two stepped through the gate, Zheng Erzhui bowed to the visiting villagers from behind. She was also dressed in a festive silk dress today and said with a smile, "On this joyous day, please come in and witness the ceremony and have a drink of celebratory wine."
Inside the door, Zhang Ting, holding a red silk ribbon, led Zong Suyi to the wedding hall.
Red silk ribbons hung high, and candlelight flickered.
The village chief stood to one side, singing lyrics for the newlyweds.
Upon hearing the phrase "husband and wife bow to each other," Zong Suyi was deeply moved, her eyes stung with tears, and she could no longer hold them back.
Even if his background is dishonorable, she still treats him as her legal husband, right?
With Xi Ge's help, Zong Suyi bowed to the opposite side, her thin lips trembling slightly, tears sliding down her cheeks to the ground.
"The ceremony is complete—"
Zong Suyi was helped into the bridal chamber. Only now did he understand the meaning of Zhang Ting's words, "The village is simple and honest; there won't be any gossip." She had never explained these things to him, yet she did her best to give him the best wedding possible.
"What a blockhead!" he cursed inwardly, his eyes welling up with tears. He raised his hand to wipe away the tears, but couldn't help laughing out loud.
As night falls, red lanterns are hung in the courtyard.
Zhang Ting stayed at the front to greet the guests and toast everyone. The villagers, who had never had much contact with Zhang Ting before, were hesitant to let her drink freely in such a grand house.
Only the wealthy Liu Dacai, who was quite drunk, staggered over and put his arm around her shoulder, offering her a toast. "Scholar Zhang, you've made it big now, very good, very good... hiccup...it proves that I wasn't wrong about you back then!"
This person was a former creditor, and Zhang Ting wanted to give her some face, so she forced her to drink two glasses of wine. The alcohol took effect, and her cheeks turned a little red.
Liu Dacai laughed loudly, "That's great!" As she spoke, she swayed from side to side and looked like she was about to fall. The maid beside her quickly supported her, and she laughed twice more before losing consciousness.
The maidservant, accustomed to this, put her arm around the person's neck, apologized to Zhang Ting, and then helped her mistress away.
Without the drunkard bothering him, Zhang Ting instructed Zheng Er to treat the guest well and then made a smooth exit.
She walked quickly into the backyard, where the wedding master was drinking in the front yard, and the wedding room was deserted.
Zhang Ting stopped at the door, coughed lightly, and gently knocked.
As soon as the first knock was made, a clear voice came from inside: "Come in."
Zhang Ting wasn't sure if it was from the heat or nervousness; her hands were slightly sweaty. She pursed her lips, pushed open the door, and went inside.
She closed the door behind her, her gaze calm, and walked straight to the bed.
Inside the room, the wedding candles flickered softly, the crimson curtains hung gently, and a person sat quietly on the bed.
Zhang Ting stopped in her tracks. Never before had she been so clearly aware that she was married.
The candlelight illuminated the "囍" character outside the window. Zhang Ting smiled slightly, her eyes gentle, and walked up to Zong Suyi, using a scale rod to lift his veil.
The person before me has exquisite features and a radiant smile.
Zhang Ting asked him gently, "Have you had dinner yet?"
Thinking of what was about to happen, Zong Suyi clenched the wedding robe in his hand, too ashamed to look at her, and only nodded obediently.
"It's good that you've eaten." Zhang Ting nodded, walked to the table, poured two glasses of wine, and then they were about to drink the nuptial wine together.
After they finished their drinks, they sat down on the edge of the bed, their heartbeats pounding like drums.
After a long silence in the room, the sound of Xiao Rong bringing water suddenly came from outside the door.
"I'll go wash up first." Zhang Ting suddenly stood up, took two steps, then stopped abruptly, turning back to Zong Suyi, "Do you want to come with me?"
She wanted to slap herself after saying that; what insolent words she had uttered!
Zong Suyi was stunned for a moment, then his face flushed red at a visible speed. He lowered his head and whispered, "I...I'll go to the back."
Zhang Ting nodded repeatedly, her gaze unsure of where to look. "Okay, okay." Then she went to the cubicle to wash up.
She washed up quickly and soon came out wearing her undergarments, still damp from the water.
Looking at Zong Suyi, who was sitting stiffly, she turned her gaze to the wedding candles beside her. "Go wash up. I've changed the water for you."
Although there was a distance between them, the dampness on her body seemed to seep onto Zong Suyi's face. He felt the heat and his whole body tensed up, unable to look at her.
"Okay, thank you, thank you."
Zong Suyi lowered his head and was about to walk towards the bathhouse when he was suddenly grabbed. He was startled and his body trembled.
Zhang Ting didn't look at him, but vaguely pointed in the opposite direction, "The bathroom is over there."
Zong Suyi followed her hand and looked down. She was immediately embarrassed and ran over with her face flushed red.
The bathroom was filled with damp steam and the scent of bath beans. He had just taken off his outer robe and hung it on the rack when he suddenly remembered that Zhang Ting had just taken a bath here.
Zong Suyi paused, his hand holding the inner garment still. The small bathroom was filled with Zhang Ting's scent, leaving him almost at a loss.
After a while, he gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and reached out to unbutton his clothes. The intense and domineering aura crept up his skin inch by inch. His eyelashes trembled slightly, and he bit his trembling lips before escaping into the bathtub.
But Zhang Ting had also used this bathtub. Zong Suyi leaned against the tub, letting the warm water wash over his shoulders. He felt exposed, his entire body emanating her scent, and he felt extremely ashamed.
Inside the room, Zhang Ting waited from standing to sitting, and finally leaned against the bed frame, staring blankly at the wedding candles as red tears streamed down her face, her heart going from surging with excitement to feeling utterly desolate.
She yawned wearily, tears welling in her eyes. Feeling utterly exhausted, she thought she might as well just go to sleep; she still had a lot to do tomorrow.
Zhang Ting was half asleep when she heard footsteps. Caught off guard, she was suddenly grabbed by the shoulder and shaken violently, which startled her awake.
When she opened her eyes, she saw Zong Suyi standing in front of her, dressed in his undergarments, his face full of anger. His dark hair was slightly damp and clung to his fair cheeks. He pouted and pointed at Zhang Ting, listing her crimes.
"Today is our joyous day, how can you fall asleep like this?"
"Does marrying me not interest you?"
"Are you perhaps having second thoughts?"
His cheeks were slightly flushed after his bath, and he kept talking nonstop. His moist, thin lips seemed to be even redder because of his anger, making him look quite attractive.
Zhang Ting straightened up instantly and stared straight at him.
Zong Suyi hadn't sensed the danger yet. Seeing the smile on her lips, she became even more annoyed and glared at her, saying, "What are you laughing at..." Before she could finish speaking, she was suddenly pulled by someone, cried out in surprise, and then collapsed onto her.
He gazed into her gentle eyes and was instantly captivated by their brilliance.
Zhang Ting embraced him, her hand stroking his damp, curly hair, her gaze falling on his bright eyes, and finally placing a kiss on the brown beauty mark under his right eye.
The kisses fell like a tide. Zong Suyi felt her clean breath, clutched her inner garment tightly in his hand, his body went limp, and he breathed softly.
Suddenly, the world spun around him, and Zhang Ting pressed him down on the bed, asking, "What should you call me?"
Zong Suyi blinked groggily, then hesitated and asked, "My lady...?"
Zhang Ting chuckled softly, then bent down.
The silk was as fragile as paper; it tore and fluttered, eventually falling silently to the ground.
It is as smooth and warm as jade, and as red as cherry blossoms.
The curtains were heavy, and the shadows of people swayed.
His eyes were glazed over, and he was slightly lost in thought. Unable to bear it any longer, he grabbed her sleeve and said, "No...don't do this...don't do this to me."
No one heeded his pleas for mercy; only a stronger storm arrived.
As the night deepened, the candlelight flickered, burning slowly with a crackling sound.
His eyes were blurry with tears, and he sobbed softly, trying to escape: "I...I don't want it anymore."
A pair of gentle hands pulled Zong Suyi down, stroking his sweat-dampened cheeks to soothe his fragile mind, but amidst his broken sobs, the actions remained as ruthless as ever.
As dawn broke, he lay exhausted on one side, fast asleep, but the mattress beneath him was almost soaked through.
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