Free Web NovelChapter 356: Chapter 201: The Groom and Bride Enter the Bridal Chamber
Su Changliang placed the key on the table, filled his cup with wine, and rose to his feet, cupping his hands in respect.
Xiaoqian, at his side, also stood up with Su Changliang, raising her teacup, the very picture of a wife following her husband’s lead.
Everyone felt the two of them were quite a good match.
The two of them thanked Lu Yuan for his gift, and Lu Yuan quickly bade them sit. "We’re family sharing a drink, there’s no need for all this."
"You’re right, Brother-in-law," Su Changliang agreed as he sat down.
「On the sixth of the next month, Su Changliang’s wedding was held as scheduled.」
A few days before the wedding, Su Changliang’s parents were brought to Taiping City to live in their son’s new mansion.
Lu Yuan had spent a great deal of money to purchase the mansion for Su Changliang, and he had even handpicked reliable maids and servants.
The mansion, maids, and servants were all for Xiaoqian, effectively serving as the dowry she would bring with her.
He did this to avoid gossip. Though Su Changliang was Lu Yuan’s brother-in-law, he was also the County Magistrate of Taiping City, while Lu Yuan was the Prefect of Dongchang. A formal hierarchy existed between them.
On the wedding day, Su Changliang’s parents waited in their son’s mansion for the new bride’s arrival.
Su Changliang set out early in the morning, riding a large red horse with a big red flower pinned to his chest. Officials from the County Yamen came to lend the County Magistrate prestige, holding placards and carrying the bridal sedan. A folk band had also been hired to play gongs and drums.
That day, the streets were incredibly lively. The young County Magistrate was taking a wife, and the common folk from several streets over came out to watch the spectacle.
The scale of Su Changliang’s wedding was considerably grander than when Lu Yuan had married Su Liyan.
Lu Yuan stood at the Zhao Mansion Gate, his arm around Su Liyan’s slender waist. Listening to the approaching sound of gongs and drums, he asked, "Darling, do you have any regrets that we didn’t have such a grand spectacle for our wedding?"
The exquisitely dressed Su Liyan caressed his face with her soft, delicate hand and said with deep affection, "Marrying you was the best decision of my life! I have zero regrets."
Song Meiqin, also standing at the gate to welcome the procession, said with a hint of jealousy, "Hey, today is Xiaoqian’s wedding day, and you two are over here getting all romantic."
Lu Yuan stretched out his left arm, pulled Song Meiqin into his embrace, and gave her a kiss. "And now I’m here for you, too," he said dotingly.
"You’re impossible~" Song Meiqin huffed coquettishly. "Let me go, there are so many people watching."
Song Meiqin wiggled her hips, trying to escape her nephew’s embrace.
The more Song Meiqin struggled, the tighter Lu Yuan held her.
The onlookers outside the Zhao Mansion Gate watched Lu Yuan with a Top Grade beauty on each arm—one pure and pretty, the other mature and noble—and were filled with envy.
Many of the bachelors in the crowd wiped the drool trickling from the corners of their mouths and tried to subtly press down the bulge in their trousers.
Lu Yuan saw the expressions and actions of the crowd outside the Mansion Gate, but he didn’t let go of his wife and Aunt Song.
Truly, the parched die of drought while the flooded drown.
Zhao Qiao’er had her hair styled in a full bun and her face was powdered. She wore a loose, dark red dress to conceal the two magnificent mounds on her chest—so large that Lu Yuan couldn’t cup a single one in one hand.
Zhao Qiao’er’s figure hadn’t yet returned to its pre-pregnancy state; she was only more voluptuous, her flesh wonderfully soft and plush to the touch.
Zhao Qiao’er was in no hurry to slim down, all because her sweetheart had told her, ’Aunt Zhao is even more alluring like this!’
’For now, I’ll let my sweetheart have his fill,’ she thought. ’I can slim down after Huanhuan turns one.’
Just then, Zhao Qiao’er was in the front courtyard, giving orders. "Old Steward, go to the side chamber in the central courtyard and check on the bride. Ask her maids if they need anything. Everyone, get a move on! The groom’s procession is almost here."
Xiaoqian was being married out of the Zhao Mansion, which from now on would be considered her maternal home. The third day after the wedding would be the day for her traditional homecoming visit—Zhao Qiao’er herself had declared it!
Xiaoqian was deeply moved. The people of the Zhao Mansion were now her family.
As Su Changliang’s wedding procession neared the Zhao Mansion Gate, the servants lit several strings of firecrackers, which exploded with a series of CRACKLES and POPS.
Lu Yuan had even specially prepared six fireworks mortars, each loaded with six shells, to be fired by six of his trusted men!
The shells shot into the air and exploded. Even in broad daylight, the vibrant, colorful blossoms of light could be seen clearly as they cascaded through the sky.
The commoners bustled and crowded together. Children squeezed between the adults’ legs, poking their round heads through to get a better look at the lively scene.
"The Zhao Mansion here in Taiping City is truly a great house! Look at these arrangements! And those fireworks are magnificent."
"Yeah, it’s been years since I’ve seen a spectacle like this."
"Look, the groom is here! It’s our newly appointed County Magistrate."
"No wonder it’s so grand. I wonder who from the Zhao Mansion is getting married?"
"I hear she’s a distant relative who just moved to Taiping City."
...
Su Changliang rode his horse to the Zhao Mansion Gate. Seeing the welcoming party, he immediately dismounted, cupped his hands, and called out, "Brother-in-law! Sister! Aunt Song!"
The three of them replied in unison, "Congratulations, Groom! Please, come inside!"
Surrounded by the crowd, a slightly flustered Su Changliang was ushered through the Zhao Mansion Gate.
Following behind Su Changliang were several men carrying large chests, which they placed in the front courtyard of the Zhao Mansion.
He knew the Zhao Mansion wasn’t in need of such things, but proper etiquette had to be observed. Su Changliang had paid for them himself, for the sake of good fortune.
When Zhao Qiao’er saw the procession arrive, she came forward to greet them. "Oh, what a handsome groom! Our Xiaoqian is certainly a lucky girl."
Su Changliang smiled shyly. "Aunt Zhao, you flatter me."
"Come, come, Old Steward, what are you just standing there for? Hurry and welcome our new son-in-law!" Zhao Qiao’er called out to the old steward. ’He’s usually so sharp, why is he a bit slow today?’ she wondered.
The flustered old steward chuckled happily as he led the way, glancing back every few steps.
"My bride!" Su Changliang called out, knocking on the door to Xiaoqian’s room. Only after he had knocked and called out several times did a maid finally open it.
This was a ritual known as "urging the bride," an obstacle set for Su Changliang to remind him that Xiaoqian was not to be won easily and that he must treat her well once he took her home.
Su Changliang entered Xiaoqian’s room and took hold of a red silk ribbon. Xiaoqian, wearing a red bridal veil and supported by a maid on each side, was led out of the room.
Before they had even left the Mansion Gate, people specially arranged by Zhao Qiao’er blocked Su Changliang’s path, demanding lucky money.
Su Changliang distributed some silver taels and helped Xiaoqian into the bridal sedan. But after just a few steps, people blocked their path again. This ritual was called "blocking the carriage."
Su Changliang ordered his attendants to take out the crispy candy they had prepared and scatter it on both sides of the road, hoping this would allow them to pass.
The crowd of onlookers that day was far larger than Su Changliang had ever imagined. He had prepared four large bags of crispy candy, but they were all gone before the wedding procession had even reached the end of the street.
Many people in the crowd hadn’t managed to grab a single piece.
Fortunately, Zhao Qiao’er had anticipated this and had her servants prepare plenty of extra crispy candy. She ordered them to bring more out from the Zhao Mansion and give it to Su Changliang’s men, saving him from an awkward situation. Only then was the procession able to slowly make its way to the end of the street.
Following the procession, Su Liyan couldn’t help but laugh. "My little brother is certainly having a hard time getting a wife."
"As it should be," Zhao Qiao’er said. "It shouldn’t be easy for him to whisk her away. This will make Changliang treat her well."
Everyone followed the procession to Su Changliang’s residence, where the door plaque read "Su Mansion."
Su Changliang and Xiaoqian entered the main hall together, while a golden boy and jade girl scattered flower petals behind them.
With Su Changliang’s help, Xiaoqian stepped over a brazier, a saddle, and a sack of rice in succession. These rituals symbolized turning misfortune into blessings, ensuring peace and safety, and having abundant food and clothing.
Next, the groom, Su Changliang, shot three arrows, each one hitting the bullseye and drawing cheers from the entire hall. This was called "Three Arrows to Settle the Universe," and it signified Su Changliang’s commitment to the marriage.
Su Changliang’s parents sat at the head of the main hall. Witnessed by all, the newlyweds completed the three-kowtow ceremony. Then, Su Changliang, the groom, helped Xiaoqian into the bridal chamber.
The golden boy and jade girl scattered flower petals with even more gusto as the crowd cheered, "The bride and groom are entering the bridal chamber!"
