Chapter 451: Blessed in Three Lifetimes
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Ge Lihua also presented Shen Ruyue with her dowry gift.
Shen Ruyue embraced her sisters, expressing her gratitude for having such wonderful companions in her life, calling it a blessing of three lifetimes.
Wu Yaqing, ever generous, insisted that thanks were unnecessary among good sisters.
After sharing laughter and conversation for half an hour, the group hurried back home.
As dusk approached, the auspicious time for fetching the bride arrived.
The setting sun cast a beautiful rosy glow over everything, creating a festive atmosphere.
Fu Bao, the horse, adorned with a large red embroidered ball on its head, stood proudly at the front of the procession. It occasionally snorted and swished its tail, looking quite spirited.
Li Qingyu walked alongside Chu Xuhua, meticulously going over the wedding procession etiquette, emphasizing the importance of getting it right.
Chu Xuhua assured his mother that he had everything under control. “Mother, don’t worry. I’ll definitely bring your daughter-in-law back.”
Li Qingyu smiled and said, “Then I’ll wait.”
Chu Xuhua mounted his horse and led the procession. “Giddyup!”
Fu Bao walked at a steady pace, setting the tone for the grand event.
The bridal sedan, carried by eight strong men from the village, was at the center of the procession. The bearers, dressed in new clothes and adorned with red sashes, added to the celebratory mood.
The procession was accompanied by the beating of drums and gongs, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
Chu Xuhua, dressed as a groom, looked particularly handsome and radiant with happiness. As he rode, he thought to himself, “Ruyue, I’m coming to take you home.”
The villagers watched the grand procession, remarking that such a spectacle was usually only seen in the weddings of wealthy families in the county.
At Shen Ruyue’s side, preparations were already in place. An Shaowu’s wife handed Shen Ruyue a big red apple. “This isn’t for you. It’s for you to bring into the bridal sedan.”
Shen Ruyue lowered her head and looked at the big red apple. Her fair face blushed slightly as she nodded shyly. “I know, Sister-in-law.”
Mrs. An looked around. “The bridal escort team will be here soon. Where’s the veil?”
Shen Ruyue picked up the veil from her lap. “It’s here.”
Mrs. An reminded her carefully, “When you go out later, you must cover your head. Your Brother An will come in and carry you. Your feet can’t touch the ground, understand?”
Shen Ruyue nodded. “Yes, Sister-in-law.”
Mrs. An gave her some instructions before going out to wait for the bridal escort team.
The joyful music of the wedding procession could be heard approaching, and An Shangwu’s family and friends gathered at the entrance to witness the excitement.
As the procession arrived at An Shangwu’s house, fireworks were set off in celebration.
Chu Xuhua dismounted his horse and was playfully stopped by a group of children demanding red packets, a traditional part of the ceremony. “Uncle, give us a paper packet before we let you pick up the bride.”
The children were very adorable and he could not bear to reject them.
Chu Xuhua smiled and took out a few paper packets wrapped in a red envelope. He handed them to the children. “Can I pick up the bride now?”
The children held paper packets and jumped around happily. “Alright, the bride is yours.”
These words made everyone laugh.
An Shanwu walked towards Shen Ruyue’s room. “Ruyue, Xuhua is here.” However, An Shangwu didn’t immediately carry Shen Ruyue out for the bridal sedan. In this tradition, known as “Delaying the Bridal Sedan,” the bride was expected to delay for a bit before getting into the sedan. This custom involved a playful act of hesitation by the bride as part of the wedding proceedings, symbolizing the bride’s reluctance to leave her family and her maiden home. Chu Xuhua stood at the door and kept looking inside. Why wasn’t she out yet? He immediately asked someone to go in and ask.
After being requested three times, Shen Ruyue finally donned her bridal cape and phoenix crown. The grandmother then covered her head with a large red veil before they proceeded to the door.
An Shanwu went forward and carried her to the door. “Brother doesn’t have anything to say. 1 just wish you a happy life. In the future, Brother’s home will be your maiden home. If you suffer any grievances, you can come back to your maiden home. Brother An will help you.”
Shen Ruyue felt a lump in her throat. “Thank you, Brother An.”
Finally, after much anticipation, Chu Xuhua caught sight of Shen Ruyue. His eyes lit up as he exclaimed, “Ruyue, I’ve come to take you home.”
Shen Ruyue, smiling warmly, responded, “I’ll go home with you.”
Chu Xuhua smiled like a child. It was so sweet that it was about to overflow from his chest.
Before boarding the bridal sedan, it was traditional for the bride’s mother to feed the bride a mouthful of “sedan rice,” symbolizing gratitude for the mother’s care and upbringing. However, since Shen Ruyue did not have a mother, this ritual was omitted, and An Shangwu directly placed her into the sedan.
An Shanwu looked at the bridal sedan chair. This was the best bridal sedan chair in the county. It was obvious that the Chu family really liked Shen Ruyue as their daughter-in-law. He was relieved.
“Xuhua, I’ll leave Ruyue to you in the future. You must treat her well.”
Chu Xuhua said solemnly, “Brother An, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Ruyue.”
An Shanwu patted Chu Xuhua’s shoulder. “Alright, let’s go.”
The sound of gongs and drums rang out again. Chu Xuhua glanced at the bridal sedan chair and could not hide the smile on his face. He got on the horse and said, “Let’s go home.”
Under everyone’s gazes, the bridal escort team gradually walked away.
In the Chu Village.
The children in the village were all staring at the entrance of the village. When they heard the voice, they shouted, “They are back! Brother Xuhua brought the bride back!!”
As they shouted and looked around, they ran back excitedly.
Hearing that, everyone walked over to watch. The Chu Village had never held such a grand wedding, which dazzled everyone.
At this moment, the setting sun had transformed from golden yellow to a deep crimson, approaching the horizon with an exquisitely gentle and tender posture. The sky was adorned with brilliant red clouds, fiery and spectacular, presenting a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight.
The sound of firecrackers sounded, adding to the liveliness.
Everyone stood under the afterglow and welcomed the bridal escort team to the entrance of the Chu family’s courtyard.
Everyone from the Chu family stood at the entrance of the courtyard to welcome them. When Granny Chu and Li Qingyu saw this scene, they could not help but cry tears of joy. Their Xuhua was finally married.
Chu Xujin handed the bow and arrow to Chu Xuhua. “Brother, shoot three arrows at the door of the sedan and you can bring the bride down.”
Chu Xuhua nodded with a smile and fired three shots at the door.
Everyone applauded enthusiastically. The matchmaker shouted, “The bride is getting off the sedan chair.”
The bride, her head covered with a red veil and holding an apple in both hands, was assisted out of the bridal sedan by two ladies-in-waiting. She then entered the Chu family, stepping over a saddle and a brazier, before arriving at the main hall.
The matchmaker handed over a red ribbon, with one person holding each end. Following this, they proceeded to the main hall to perform the traditional bowing ceremony.
Everyone followed him into the courtyard and stood nearby to watch. Almost everyone in the village had come.
In the main hall, Chu Rong and Li Qingyu were seated.
Grandpa Chu, Granny Chu, the village elder, the village chief, and some other elders sat on the side to witness the wedding..
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