Yinshi Street in Pingshan County was exceptionally lively today, with people coming and going, and the clamor rising and falling.
"Look, look! The Xie family's bride—oh my, she's finally here!"
"Haven't seen their second son in years. Now that I get a look, he's even more handsome than the eldest!"
Another person stood on tiptoe, smiling as they watched the groom riding a tall horse.
"Wow, the Xie family with their herbal medicine shop really put on a grand show! They've covered half the street with red carpets!"
"Tsk tsk, I heard the bride looks like a heavenly fairy. No wonder they went all out! Let's get a good look at her beauty later!"
The crowd nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Shen Qi kept her mother and sister-in-law's instructions firmly in mind. Throughout the journey, she didn't fidget, didn't look around, and never lifted her veil.
After stepping down from the bridal sedan amidst deafening firecrackers that filled the sky, she firmly held Auntie Xue's hand and tightly grasped the red silk.
She walked when told to walk, stopped when told to stop, bowed when told to bow, and lowered her head when told to lower it.
Along the way, Auntie Xue softly reminded her of the various intricate rules, while the other end of the red silk in her hand was always held firmly by that person.
Amidst the roaring firecrackers and the bustling clamor of the crowd, she actually felt at ease. That tightly connected bond between them gave her an inexplicable sense of steadiness and tranquility.
"First bow to heaven and earth!" As the officiant's resonant voice rang out, the groom and bride turned and bowed.
"Second bow to the parents!"
"Husband and wife bow to each other!"
"Escort to the bridal chamber…"
However, before the officiant could finish speaking, the boisterous crowd had already eagerly ushered the newlyweds toward the inner courtyard.
Shen Qi only felt a sudden surge of people around her, laughing, cheering, with teasing, joyful laughter, and blessings all interwoven, pushing the joyous atmosphere of the wedding to its peak.
Someone gave a push, and Auntie Xue was separated from her by the crowd, leaving her left side suddenly empty.
Unable to see anything, her heart skipped a beat.
She felt someone else immediately press against her left side, but it clearly wasn't Auntie Xue.
Though still moving forward with the noisy crowd, Shen Qi panicked instantly. Not daring to lift her veil, she felt utterly lost and helpless.
This confusion lasted only a second. Soon, someone beside her pushed through the crowd and pressed close to her body. Before Shen Qi could even feel alarmed, she suddenly felt the world spin, her body becoming light and weightless.
It turned out that person had picked her up amidst the crowd. Fortunately, the red veil was large enough and didn't flip off immediately.
Shen Qi only half-relaxed before tensing up again. This person had a firm waist and abdomen, strong arms, and steady steps—clearly a tall, sturdy man.
This… this…
Only when Shen Qi felt the embroidered red silk on the man's chest did she quietly release the breath she was holding.
The surrounding commotion erupted, like oil exploding in a pan!
"Whoa, the groom is quite strong!"
The crowd's teasing rose again.
"Haha, Yuduo picked up the bride already! He really knows how to cherish her, haha!"
"Second son, slow down, slow down!" The voices faded into the distance.
All the way, Shen Qi tightly clutched the red silk on the groom's shoulder, afraid she might fall. Fortunately, he strode swiftly, turning left and right, yet his steps remained steady throughout.
Shen Qi did not know how long she had been walking until he ascended a few steps, kicked open a door, took a few more steps, and finally set her down steadily.
Her body settled once more, and she felt something soft beneath her.
Shen Qi thought it must be the bed in the bridal chamber.
The crowd of onlookers had not yet caught up, leaving only the two of them in the room, with occasional firecracker sounds drifting in from outside.
As soon as Shen Qi steadied herself, she felt the man lower himself to her eye level, his hands reaching toward her bridal veil.
Shen Qi remembered her mother’s instructions and silently screamed in her heart.
No, the veil must not be lifted yet!
But before she could utter a word, she felt his hands swiftly brush to one side and then immediately retreat.
It turned out he was only adjusting her crooked veil.
"Tired?"
His voice was deep yet clear, pleasant to the ear.
Shen Qi could only see his feet through the veil, clad in brand-new red boots embroidered with intricate patterns.
"A little, but I’m fine."
Having sat in the bridal sedan chair for half a day without speaking or drinking water, her voice sounded timid and unfamiliar even to herself.
"Let me pour you a cup of tea."
Shen Qi was more than eager.
Unfortunately, the crowd of onlookers surged into the bridal chamber, and the room instantly erupted with noise.
"The Groom is so impatient, running so fast!"
"Yuduo is just doting on his bride, afraid she might get jostled!"
"What a beautiful bride she must be, making the Groom so protective! Let us all have a look!"
Shen Qi no longer dared to think about drinking tea and nervously twisted the red handkerchief in her hands.
Fortunately, Auntie Xue squeezed her way back in, waving her hands vigorously to clear a space and launching into a series of auspicious blessings.
Once all the customary rituals were completed, Auntie Xue announced loudly,
"Time to lift the veil!"
Beneath the veil, Shen Qi gently bit her lip.
Early that morning, her sister-in-law had meticulously applied her makeup, painting her face as delicate as a peach blossom, her eyebrows like fresh willow leaves, and her lips tinted with rouge.
At the time, Shen Qi had begged her sister-in-law to wipe it off.
"It looks nice, but it feels strange—it doesn’t even look like me!"
Her sister-in-law firmly put away the rouge box, declaring resolutely,
"This is exactly how you should look. Just wait—you’ll surely dazzle the Xie family."
A slender copper rod gently slipped under the edge of the veil, lifting it lightly and swiftly. The bride’s face, hidden for most of the day, was finally revealed to the world.
Shen Qi did not know whether the Xie family was dazzled, but she felt her own heart racing wildly.
"What a beautiful bride!"
"She looks like a fairy!"
"Stunning, truly stunning! Second Master is so fortunate!"
The crowd was indeed captivated, showering her with sincere and enthusiastic praise, leaving Shen Qi blushing deeply.
Seizing a moment when no one was watching, she stole a glance at her "husband."
Unexpectedly, Xie Yuduo was also gazing at her with a smile, his eyes unwavering. When their eyes met, Shen Qi quickly lowered her head.
In that instant, amid the clamor, a strange thought flashed through Shen Qi’s mind—what a handsome face!
Auntie Xue truly lived up to her reputation as an official matchmaker. She hadn’t lied—he was indeed dignified and handsome.
Shen Qi felt a secret delight, biting her lip to keep from laughing out loud.
Just then, the crowd began clamoring again, and Auntie Xue stepped in once more, waving her hands to usher everyone out of the bridal chamber and sending them off to enjoy the wedding feast.
Xie Yuduo deliberately lingered a step behind, avoiding the crowd, and bent down to speak softly to the bride who had been sitting for half a day.
"If you're tired from sitting, you can get up and walk around a bit. It's no trouble."
Shen Qi, hearing him speak to her, felt as if all the blood in her body rushed to her face. She let out a soft "mm" in response, nodded slightly, and accepted his kindness.
No sooner had his words fallen than another young man leaped into the room, pulling Xie Yuduo out with all his might while saying,
"Second Master! The spring night is still young, still young! Come drink with us first!"