Chapter 116.2: Public Declaration of Love
That’s right, Jing Wan knew that this place also had a famous piece called ‘Feng Seeks Huang’, the melody roughly the same. The biggest difference was that the one here didn’t have lyrics. Thus, Jing Wan, for Sun Yi Jia’s sake, once again ‘plagiarized’ against her will, having the verses from Feng Seeks Huang imported over.
At present, the people here all pay particular attention to being reserved[1], immersing in the concept of ‘using the pipa to cover half the face’[2]. Verses like these, there really weren’t many that were able to write out, let alone recite under the public eye in front of numerous people. Among the scholarly (social) class, Luo Jing Bo definitely can be considered the first. Perhaps after the fact, it will be inevitable for people to criticize him for going against decorum, disgracing culture.
However, at the moment, it stunned everyone present. Even the ones that were previously aware that Luo Jing Bo was going to play the qin also didn’t know there was an even bigger surprise. This one was also an ‘invisible when silent, but one cry will shock the world’ type.
Inside the room, Sun Yi Jia’s face flushed red, but her heart was incredibly warm.
It was very clear, this one hand of Luo Jing Bo’s helped Sun Yi Jia slap a certain few’s face, yet it also drew in even more animosity for her.
As long as one was a women, even if one didn’t have a vain heart, when being deeply admired and loved by another, one would still feel happy and secretly delighted. They were born in back manor, grew up in the back manor, and after marrying, still resided in the back manor. If it was just an ordinary and mediocre life, then perhaps it will just pass like that, but in one’s youth, how many didn’t harbor spring in their hearts[3]. Yet at this time, someone obtained what they couldn’t possibly obtain in the slightest in their whole life, how could they not resent out of jealousy? How could they not want to take her place themselves? Many people perhaps would attack him, but only these women alone would be deeply attracted by him.
And just as expected, among those present, there were those girls who looked to Luo Jing Bo with infatuation in their eyes.
The brothers standing behind Luo Jing Bo all looked to one another. Not a single one wasn’t inwardly thinking, this brother of theirs, after today, afraid will rise into the most admired (male) lover of the young ladies of the boudoir. Not just that, afraid, even the girls of the brothels will all want to line up to pour out their hearts to him. And those famous courtesans afraid will all be willing to throw money at him instead, hoping he will become their guest, only eagerly hoping for themselves to be able to become that phoenix he spoke of.
Luo Jing Bo’s hands stopped. He lifted his head, holding a shallow smile on his face, his eyes filled with endless tenderness.
Even those already married young madams all couldn’t help but blush, their heartbeats speeding up, incessantly restless, even though Luo Jing Bo simply wasn’t even looking at them.
“The auspicious time has come——–”
A resounding voice sounded, interrupting the tender ambience. Those that were blushing at Luo Jing Bo hurriedly shifted their gaze, yet still couldn’t help but size him up secretly, either lightly biting their lips, or tightly wringing their handkerchief.
Luo Jing Bo entered the main reception hall of the courtyard. Sun Yi Jia’s grandmother, father, and mother were all sitting there. It was clear, Luo Jing Bo’s song earlier, they also all heard. At the moment, their gazes towards Luo Jing Bo were all sorts of complicated.
Luo Jing Bo at the moment was actually somewhat feeling embarrassed. Fortunately, Sun Yi Jia practically walked in immediately after.
Sun Yi Jia kowtowed in farewell[4], listening to their teachings, while Luo Jing Bo kowtowed in respect[5], listening to their hopes for him.
For Sun Yi Jia, it was nothing more than just the usual properly pay filial piety to her father-in-law and mother-in-law, serve her husband well, and so on. And for Luo Jing Bo, it was nothing more than just properly treat Sun Yi Jia well.
Even so, Sun Yi Jia still couldn’t hold back her tears in the end, and Luo Jing Bo solemnly vowed to them to treat her well.
Unknown as to when, Sun Yi Lin appeared again. He needed to have Sun Yi Jia piggybacked onto the marriage sedan. However, from his gaze towards Luo Jing Bo, one can surmise, that ‘Feng Seeks Huang’ song, he also heard in its entirety.
Once the bride was on the sedan, the gongs and drums once again sounded.
And on the Luo family side, the people were rather anxious from waiting. According to the estimated time, they should’ve more or less escorted the bride back by now. If they miss the auspicious time to kowtow to the heaven and earth, that isn’t some lucky omen.
Yet precisely at this time, a line of qinwang carriages arrived at the Luo Manor.
When Luo Pei Shan and them learned the news, they couldn’t help but want to yank out their beard.
However, thinking about all these right now were all useless. Quickly going to welcome them was the most important at the moment.
Thus, the guests all successively rushed towards the entrance.
Seeing the people walking in from outside the gates, just great, each and every prince that had a place in the imperial court, aside from Kang Qinwang and the princes that were under him, the rest all came to the Luo Manor.
Luo Pei Shan really wanted to say, ‘the Luo Manor is but a small temple, unable to contain such big buddhas’.
But on the surface, he instead had to respectfully welcome them with a smile.
“That day at imperial aunt’s manor, Sir Luo had sincerely invited, so naturally this prince needed to come.” Li Hong Yuan said.
Quite a few cursed silently in their hearts. Wangye, do you feel no shame saying these words? Everything else aside, even if the Emperor ‘invited’ you, you all wouldn’t necessarily respond. Saying it like you’re giving Luo Pei Shan so much face, but who knows if it’s just because of a moment’s boredom, not wanting to go to the Ding Duke Manor, thus came here to cause trouble.
But, when the crowd heard Li Hong Yuan’s gift list read out loud, that expression on their faces really was interesting.
(T/N: So in traditional chinese weddings it’s custom for every guest’s gifts list to be read out loud as they enter.)
First setting aside the monetary gift, directly throwing down tens of thousands of taels, there were even a pile of good things. Moreover, some of those things, just hearing the name, one just knew it was all objects bestowed from his Majesty. Taking it out like this and casually giving away, is it really okay? Moreover, such a generous hand, you really have too much money and don’t know where to spend it?
Others aside, even Li Hong Yuan’s brothers all looked to him quite strangely. Speaking of which, when these brothers of his got married, Li Hong Yuan also went through the motions and gifted some things, but this generous hand right now, what are you trying to do?
But before they could say anything, clamor sounded outside the gates. Turns out, the groom has returned with the bride.
Such a day as today, even the honorable wangyes needed to move aside, making way for the bride and groom.
Sun Yi Jia got down from the sedan with a red silk ball stuffed in her hand, and the other end of the red silk was naturally in Luo Jing Bo’s hands.
Fortunately, the auspicious timing was just right.
Luo Jing Bo pulled along Sun Yi Jia and walked into the wedding hall.
These noble personages, for the ones that were willing to stay and watch the ceremony, naturally it was to quickly add a chair for them. As for the main seats, there wasn’t a place for them today. And for those that were unwilling to watch the ceremony, it naturally was to have the servants lead them somewhere else.
Li Hong Yuan stayed behind, and at the moment, even if he was still considered quiet, his presence was still ample, making the atmosphere in the bustling wedding hall drop a little. Watching his former fiancee kneel in matrimony with another man, what is he thinking?
However, Li Hong Yuan completely didn’t have that awareness, propping himself up with one hand on the armrest, with three part nonchalant, three part leisure, three part indifference, and also one part ‘don’t come near me’.
Regardless of how strong Li Hong Yuan’s presence was, at the moment, they could only ignore him.
Under the resonating voice of the master of ceremonies, the kneeling ceremony officially began.
Inside and out, there were quite a few people surrounding the place, and gradually, the attention shifted from Li Hong Yuan. The laughter slowly sounded again, and watching the excitement, one would also cheer along from time to time.
Li Hong Yuan’s gaze fell on Jing Wan. Indeed, it was because she was here, he was able to endure the noisy surrounding.
“———–the rites have finished, send into the bridal chambers.”
Afterwards, this pair of newlyweds was escorted towards the direction of the bridal chamber.
Jing Wan also followed over, however Li Hong Yuan remained sitting in his original spot, seemingly not intending on leaving.
Luo Pei Shan went forward, however before he could approach, Li Hong Yuan had him brushed off with a wave.
Well, even if this one was a guest in the manor, he still didn’t have the slightest awareness of a guest. You still needed to go along with him for everything.
Very soon, in the wedding hall, only Li Hong Yuan remained, as well as Eunuch Mu who stood behind him the entire time pretending to be a wooden pillar. The person closest to them was the servant girl standing outside the door.
“Where’s Li Hong Ming?”
“Went to the flower garden, Luo family’s fourth miss also went to the flower garden.”
Li Hong Yuan coldly sneered. He just knew Li Hong Ming wouldn’t let go of this opportunity.
When Luo Jing Ying heard Rui Qinwang also came to the Luo Manor, she simply couldn’t contain her excitement and happiness. Today was lively, and everyone’s attention were all on the bride and groom. This was a good opportunity.
[1] The term used is [含蓄] which is used to describe words or writing that are full of hidden meaning, so in a way being implicit.
[2] This line comes from the long poem ‘Song of the Pipa Player’ by Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi. The implied meaning should be pretty obvious. It’s describing a bashful and reserved nature by hiding half the face behind the pipa. There’s actually a first half to this line, and when put together the full line translates to roughly ‘after calling for the lady pipa player thousands of times, she finally comes out with the pipa half covering her face’. This is a very famous poem, and I personally like it a lot too, mainly because of this song, which is literally the modern singing version of the poem. I’m so glad I can embed youtube vids now.
[3] This phrase is specifically for describing a girl’s yearning of love and romance.
[4] So the term (拜别) lit. ‘bowing to leave’, in wedding customs, is where the bride kowtows to her parents ‘one last time’ before she leaves home, basically thanking them for raising her etc.
[5] 叩拜 – So for the groom, he kowtows to the bride’s parents in asking for their blessing to entrust their daughter to him. In chinese there’s specific words for everything and none of those words can be directly translated to english that can encompass the meaning fully. I want to cry.
T/N: So I kinda translated the title of this chapter wrong, but I feel like my version works a little better, so I’m going to just leave it. The title was originally supposed to translate as ‘Everyone’s Male Lover’ or ‘The Masses’ Lover’, basically highlighting Luo Jing Bo’s popularity now and how everyone wants him as a lover. The phrase works well in chinese, but aesthetically, in english, the line is kinda weird. Also, as for why I read it wrong, partially it was because I was half-asleep, but mainly because [情郎 (male lover)] and [清朗 (clear and loud voice)] look kinda similar and are pronounced the same. In retrospect, I realized (清朗) wouldn’t make sense grammatically in chinese in that context, but that’s besides the point.
Tips for anyone learning chinese, a lot of times you can guess how to pronounce a character and what it means from its parts. For example, these words made up of [青 – blue green] are all pronounced ‘qing’, 清 (water radical + qing = clear or clean)，情 (heart radical + qing = emotion)，请 (speaking radical + qing = please)，晴 (sun radical + qing = clear sky)，蜻 (bug radical + qing = dragonfly).
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