allonlinenovel Chapter 250 The wedding is in progress
Chapter 250 The wedding is in progress
The morning light had not yet penetrated the mist above the village, but the lights in the Youth League Courtyard had already come on.
Shen Xiaoxia sat on a stool, with Han Zhuxin and Zhao Lingling standing on her left and right. Looking at the sky gradually turning white outside the window, she suddenly felt a little nervous.
"Don't be nervous," Zhao Lingling patted Shen Xiaoxia's shoulder gently, "You look stunning today."
Han Zhuxin took a wooden comb and carefully combed Shen Xiaoxia's long hair. "That's right, our educated youth's 'flower' must make the whole village stare at her today."
Shen Xiaoxia looked at herself in the mirror. Her long black hair was piled up high, and her eyes were flickering with light.
Many years ago, when she first stepped into this yard, she was a seventeen-year-old girl with two pigtails, but now she is going to get married from here as a bride.
Jiang Juan brought some hot water with a few moxa leaves floating in it. "Sister Xia Xia, wash your face first. My mother said it's auspicious."
Warm water vapor hovered in front of Shen Xiaoxia's eyes, and scenes from the past flashed through her mind one by one.
"Come, change your clothes," Han Zhuxin took out a bright red wedding dress from her bag. The dress was embroidered with delicate patterns. This was a Chinese-style wedding dress she had specially ordered for Shen Xiaoxia's wedding.
Shen Xiaoxia's fingers gently stroked the delicate embroidery on the wedding dress, and her heart was very happy. Han Zhuxin and Zhao Lingling helped her put on the wedding dress and fastened the buttons.
"It's really beautiful," Zhao Lingling took two steps back and looked her up and down, "like a bride walking out of a painting."
Not long after they were ready, there was a sudden noise in the yard, followed by He Tingyuan and the others shouting, "Here they come! The wedding procession is here!"
Shen Xiaoxia's heart skipped a beat, and her fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her wedding dress. Han Zhuxin smiled and held her shoulders, "Don't worry, according to the rules, he has to pass us before he can take the bride away."
The veil was lowered and the noise outside was getting closer and closer.
"Block the door! Block the door!" Zhao Lingling shouted excitedly, and together with Han Zhuxin, they pushed against the door. Outside, He Tingyuan, Xie Yunheng and others also joined in the commotion, blocking the gate tightly.
"If you want to pick up the bride, you have to pass us first!" Xie Yunheng stood at the front and shouted seriously.
According to custom, the wedding party must pass a "test" before they can receive the bride.
Someone started to make a noise, "Jiang Yan, sing a song! If you don't sing, you won't be allowed in!"
Encouraged by everyone, Jiang Yan cleared his throat and began to sing. His voice was not beautiful, but he sang seriously and emotionally.
As soon as the song ended, there was another round of cheers, "One more...!" someone shouted.
"Please be kind and spare me," Jiang Yan begged loudly with a smile.
After a few more rounds of "difficulties", the yard was filled with laughter for a while.
"Can you please move aside now?" Jiang Yan's voice came with a smile and eagerness.
After finally reaching the door, Han Zhuxin and Zhao Lingling blocked it and refused to let him in. Jiang Yan took out a few red envelopes from his pocket and stuffed them through the crack in the door. "Could you please help me?"
Zhao Lingling picked up the red envelopes and opened them. Each one contained one dollar. "Not enough, not enough!" She deliberately said, "Our Xia Xia is a top student at Peking University. How can we let you take her away so easily? You have to answer a few questions for us."
"When is Xia Xia's birthday?"
"What's Xia Xia's favorite food?"
"What's Xia Xia's shoe size?"
"Tell me Xia Xia's ten strengths..."
The two even asked Jiang Yan to perform a heartfelt recitation of ancient poetry.
In the end, Jiang Yan stuffed a lot of red envelopes in and started to negotiate, "Can we open the door now?"
"One last question," Han Zhuxin asked through the door, "Tell me what you felt when you first met Xia Xia..."
Jiang Yan's Adam's apple rolled a few times, a deep light flashed in his eyes, and then two words popped out, "I want to marry you."
“Wow…oh…!”
The crowd erupted in a new round of loud cheers. Shen Xiaoxia was also stunned when she heard the answer. Her cheeks blushed at the teasing looks from Han Zhuxin and Zhao Lingling.
After getting tacit consent, the door was finally opened, and the wedding procession rushed in with cheers. Jiang Yan walked in front. The moment he saw Shen Xiaoxia in her wedding dress, his steps suddenly stopped, and he stared at her without blinking, as if this was the only figure left in the world.
"Don't just stand there," Xie Yunheng pushed him from behind, "Hurry and find your shoes!"
The groom had to find the shoes hidden by the bride before he could take her away. Everyone began to search in the room again. Jiang Yan blushed slightly, squatted beside Shen Xiaoxia, gently lifted the hem of her wedding dress, and the shoes were hidden in the folds of her skirt at her feet.
"Cheating!" Zhao Lingling yelled, "Who told you that?"
Jiang Yan just smiled and carefully put on the red embroidered shoes for Shen Xiaoxia. His fingers trembled slightly when they touched her ankles. Shen Xiaoxia looked down at his red ears, and a sweet throbbing surged in her heart.
Cheers rang out again. Jiang Yan, holding one end of the red ribbon, carried Shen Xiaoxia and walked out of the Youth League Home. The children in the village had been waiting outside for a long time. When they saw the bride come out, they immediately scattered confetti and followed the team with cheers.
The road from the Youth League Home to the Jiang family was crowded with villagers who came to watch the fun.
Shen Xiaoxia sat on the back of the bicycle, and Jiang Yan pushed the bicycle. The wedding procession circled the village and finally arrived at the gate of the Jiang family. Jiang's father and mother were standing at the door wearing brand new clothes, with smiles on their faces.
A colorful tent was set up in the Jiang family's yard, with more than twenty tables placed inside and outside.
There was a big red wedding character on the lintel of the main house, and red lanterns were hung at the door.
The sound of firecrackers crackled incessantly. At 12:28, the auspicious time arrived. The team leader announced the official start of the wedding ceremony and the newlyweds bowed to heaven and earth.
Shen Xiaoxia and Jiang Yan were invited to the center of the main hall. When they "bowed to heaven and earth" and "bowed to parents", they saluted the statue of Chairman Mao and their parents. When they "bowed to each other as husband and wife", they bowed to each other, bent over, and touched their heads to each other.
Then tea was served. When Jiang's mother took the teacup, her hands were shaking violently and a few drops of tea splashed on Shen Xiaoxia's hand. It was not hot, but it seemed to be burned into her heart.
"Live a good life," Jiang's mother said with a smile, "Sooner... sooner let me hold my grandson."
Everyone in the room burst into laughter. Shen Xiaoxia was too embarrassed to raise her head, while Jiang Yan nodded seriously, "Of course, mother."
After the ceremony, the newlyweds were sent to the bridal chamber.
In the new house, Shen Xiaoxia was finally able to sit down and take a breath. Jiang Yan brought a glass of warm water and squatted in front of her, "Are you tired?"
Shen Xiaoxia shook her head and reached out to smooth the wrinkles on his collar, "Not bad."
The banquet outside has already begun, and the sumptuousness of the banquet is considered the best in the surrounding villages.
Every table had whole chickens, whole fish, braised pork, four-happiness meatballs... and dried seafood that the villagers rarely had access to. Jiang's mother specially invited a famous chef in the county to be in charge of cooking, and the steamers alone were piled up half a person's height.