Chapter 64: The Grand Wedding (1)

On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the golden autumn breeze carried auspicious signs, the weather was mild and the sun bright—a day most favorable for all endeavors and free of any taboos.

Just as the sky was beginning to pale, the entire Sheng residence was already brightly lit, with maids and pageboys treading lightly as they moved along the covered corridors.

Inside the ancestral hall, Hualan, clad in plain white garments, knelt upon a rush mat. Raising her hands to hold the incense high above her forehead, she bowed deeply before the spirit tablets of the Sheng family ancestors.

"Today I am wedded, daring not to act on my own accord. Through the four seasons and eight festivals, the incense shall never cease. I inform the divine spirits, fervently praying for your pity and protection..."

Her soft yet resolute voice echoed within the tranquil ancestral hall.

As she stepped out of the ancestral hall, a pair of magpies happened to land beneath the eaves, chattering and chirping with exceptional vivacity.

"Wonderful, simply wonderful!"

"It seems the ancestors of the Sheng family all favor this match. They have sent these magpies to bring glad tidings to our young miss!"

Mama Liu's face immediately broke into a wide smile, her voice rising involuntarily in excitement.

The corners of Hualan's lips curved upward slightly, a glistening veil of moisture welling up in her eyes, brimming with the shy anticipation of a maiden about to be wed.

"Young Miss, we can tarry no longer. Let us hasten to arrange your hair and makeup, lest the First Mistress begin urging us incessantly."

With a beaming smile, Mama Liu led Hualan toward her boudoir.

Over at the Zhao residence, as the auspicious hour drew near, Zhao Han was attired in a grand crimson wedding robe woven with gold thread, a filigree golden crown perched upon his head. Flanked by Gu Tingye, Qi Heng, and a host of colleagues, he stepped out through the front gates with a radiant smile.

The bridal sedan chair, carried by eight bearers, was adorned with red silk and colorful ribbons, preceded and followed by neatly aligned ceremonial guards.

"Raise the sedan chair—"

At the resounding call of the matchmaker, Zhao Han vaulted smoothly onto his horse, lightly gathered the reins, and the wedding procession slowly set forth.

Along the way, the clamor of gongs, drums, and suonas played lively tunes, drawing numerous onlookers to halt and gaze in admiration.

In less than the span of an hour, the wedding party had arrived at the Sheng estate.

Outside the gates of the Sheng mansion, joyful laughter filled the air and the atmosphere was thick with festive cheer. Sheng Changwu, Sheng Changbo, Sheng Changfeng, along with numerous relatives and friends of the Sheng family—even little Liu, who had only recently learned to walk, was held in the arms of his wet nurse to block the threshold.

Little Liu wore a tiger-faced cap and clutched a strip of red silk in his tiny hands, his round eyes wide open with curiosity as he gazed about his surroundings.

Sheng Changwu beamed broadly and called out in a loud voice, "Brother-in-law has arrived in such haste!"

"However, if you wish to pass my barrier, you must compose a bridal-rousing poem on the spot!"

"Furthermore, everyone here must agree that it is a masterpiece!"

Wang You, the eldest legitimate son of Maternal Uncle Wang Shiping, chimed in immediately: "We have long heard of brother-in-law's exceptional literary talent, so composing a bridal-rousing poem should be no difficult task!"

"If you fail to produce a fine poem within the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense, do not even think about taking the bride away today!"

"Indeed, no more than half a stick of incense!"

"Hurry up and compose the poem, Elder Brother Zhao!"

"..."

The crowd all around burst into good-natured jeers, blocking the main gate tightly, every one of them looking forward to a grand spectacle.

Seeing this, little Liu imitated the adults, waving his tiny hands and babbling "Ah-ah," which prompted the onlookers to pinch his chubby cheeks again and again in amusement.

"I am not particularly skilled at this sort of thing. Yuanruo, quickly help Brother Chengyuan come up with one!" Gu Tingye turned his head to look at Qi Heng.

Qi Heng smiled faintly at these words.

"Second Brother worries needlessly. Why would this require any invention from us? Brother Zhao could never be stumped by a mere bridal-rousing poem!"

Within moments, Zhao Han, armed with the power of literary borrowing, was completely confident. With a wave of his broad sleeve, he proclaimed, "Listen well, all of you!"

"Joyous qi embraces the vermilion gates, the light stirs the embroidered fragrant paths. Walking beneath the crape myrtle blossoms, I realize this mortal form is no ordinary guest."

"There is no need for powder and rouge to mar natural purity; I fear only that it is too red and white. Let the faint trace of dark eyebrows remain, to paint the spring scenery of the Zhangtai pavilion!"

The moment his voice faded, the crowd broke into thunderous applause and praise.

Sheng Changwu even clapped his hands and exclaimed, "What a line—'to paint the spring scenery of the Zhangtai pavilion'! Brother-in-law truly possesses extraordinary literary brilliance!"

"As for my barrier, brother-in-law has successfully passed!"

Just as Wang You narrowed his eyes in deep thought, preparing to pose another challenge, Sheng Changwu raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Changfeng beside him. The two of them sidestepped simultaneously to clear a path.

"Hey! Hey! Hey!"

"I haven't finished giving my test yet!"

By the time Wang You and the rest of the relatives and friends reacted, Zhao Han, Gu Tingye, and the others were already several yards away.

Sheng Changbo put on a sorrowful expression, shook his head, and sighed, "There are traitors within, lacking steadfast will; without, there are formidable enemies, cunning and deceitful. The city walls have fallen, and what use is lamenting?"

With that, he even flicked his sleeves with affected gravity.

Changwu and Changfeng chuckled softly nearby.

Pinlan happened to pass by and witnessed this exact scene, fixing them with a burning gaze.

"Well, well! You lot are actually engaging in treasonous behavior and siding with outsiders! I am going to tell Second Uncle and Second Aunt!"

Sheng Changbo instantly assumed the grand posture of an elder brother acting like a father: "Little Sister Pinlan speaks foolishly. How can this possibly be called siding with outsiders?"

Changfeng smiled and said, "First Brother-in-law has promised that all our food and drink expenses at the Fan Tower next month will be charged to his tab."

"Fourth Sister, First Brother-in-law presented me with a sharp sword that can sever iron like mud. If I had tried to block him, would that not make me an ungrateful wretch?" Sheng Changwu straightened his back and spoke with utmost solemnity.

Pinlan emitted a light huff, eyeing them with a look of utter disdain.

Having escorted Hualan out of her boudoir, they proceeded according to proper etiquette to the front hall to offer tea to Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu.

Inside the front hall, Sheng Hong sat in the main seat, attired in a deep purple brocade robe adorned with cloud patterns. Wang Ruofu wore a deep red grand-sleeved gown; though both wore smiles, it was still difficult for them to conceal their reluctance to part at this moment.

"Respected Father-in-law, respected Mother-in-law, please partake of your son-in-law's newly brewed tea."

Sheng Hong accepted the teacup from Zhao Han, took a gentle sip, and said in a deep voice, "From this day forward, the two of you must respect and cherish one another, supporting each other through all the years until your hair turns white, ensuring a flourishing and numerous progeny, and leading the younger ones by your words."

After finishing her tea, Wang Ruofu set the cup down with trembling hands. Gazing at Hualan's graceful and slender figure, she could no longer hold back and her eyes grew red.

"Hua'er..." Wang Ruofu called out softly with a choked voice. Knowing that losing her composure today would make her a laughingstock, she fought back her tears, bit her lip, and said, "From now on, the two of you must consult with one another on all matters and walk hand in hand through life."

"Your daughter understands."

"Your son-in-law understands."

Zhao Han and Hualan responded in unison, bowing respectfully.

Seeing that the auspicious hour had arrived, the matchmaker raised her voice and declared, "The auspicious hour has arrived, the bride is leaving!"

The couple turned once more to bow to the Old Lady, who sat quietly to one side. The Old Lady looked upon them with eyes full of maternal affection and said softly, "Go, and do not miss the auspicious hour."

Hualan nodded slightly, shielding her face with a round fan, and walked slowly out of the Sheng residence, supported by Zhao Han.

Inside the bridal sedan chair, Hualan used a silk handkerchief to gently wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes. Her face held both reluctance to leave and hopeful anticipation for the days to come.

Once the wedding procession had departed on its return journey, Wang Ruofu could no longer restrain herself. Accompanied by Mama Liu, she hurried back to the Ruiruixuan Courtyard, threw herself upon the bed, and wept for a good while before finally returning to entertain the guests.

Amidst the continuous music of flutes and drums, the grand procession returned to the Zhao residence. Amidst the matchmaker's soaring pronouncements, they completed the three-bow ceremony.

Within the bridal chamber, red wedding candles burned brightly, illuminating the entire room. With the bed curtains lowered softly, Zhao Han and Hualan sat side by side upon the couch spread with a great crimson brocade quilt.

"Great fortune and prosperity, a union for a hundred years."

"Auspicious vapors linger unscattered, and the painted hall is filled with the breath of spring breeze every day."

Several maids with red silk sashes tied around their waists laughed merrily as they scattered red dates, peanuts, longan fruit, and lotus seeds—all symbolizing the wish for early offspring—around the edges of the bridal bed.

Amidst the crowd, Gu Tingye began to stir up mischief: "Elder Sister, hurry and put down the fan!"

"Indeed, we are all anxious to gaze upon the true visage of the bride!"

"Hurry, hurry, let us have a look!"

"..."

Hearing these words, Hualan could not help blushing fiercely, the tips of her ears turning faintly crimson as she held the round fan tightly to shield herself completely from view.