Chapter 452 - Chapter 452: Revelry in the Bridal Chamber
Chapter 452: Revelry in the Bridal Chamber
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Everyone’s faces were alight with smiles as they watched the bride and groom.
“Bow to Heaven and Earth!”
“Bow to your parents!”
“Bow to each other as husband and wife!”
“Escort to the bridal chamber!”
After the ceremony, the bride, assisted by the two ladies, was escorted to the bridal chamber to sit on the wedding bed, which was scattered with peanuts, longans, red dates, and other auspicious items.
“Ruyue, wait here for a bit. The groom will soon come to lift your veil.”
“Ok.”
The ladies left the bridal chamber, leaving Shen Ruyue alone. No one else was allowed to enter the room before the groom.
As night fell, the room was lit with four large red candles, casting a soft, orange glow. Shen Ruyue touched the auspicious items on the bed, her lips curling into a smile.
Holding the big apple in her hand under the veil, Shen Ruyue’s face was filled with shy anticipation.
In the future, she would have a home.
Suddenly, noisy voices and footsteps approached from outside…
“Let’s see the bride…”
“Time for the bridal chamber fun…”
“Hahaha…”
The laughter and chatter of the children reached Shen Ruyue, who sat up straight, clutching the apple tightly, a mix of nervousness and excitement filling her.
The door creaked open, and a crowd of people burst into the room, instantly filling the quiet space with noise and excitement.
The children curiously peered at the bride, eagerly anticipating the groom lifting the veil.
“Brother Lihua, lift the veil!”
“We can’t wait anymore.”
Someone teased the children, “It’s not your wedding, why are you in a hurry?”
“I’m just anxious for Brother Xuhua.”
Laughter and jovial conversations filled the room.
The matchmaker handed Chu Xuhua the stick, saying with a smile, “It’s time for the groom to lift the bride’s veil.”
Chu Xuhua took the stick, shy yet excited, and gently lifted the red veil.
Shen Ruyue, wearing a beautiful phoenix crown with a diamante on her forehead and bright red lips, looked even more stunning than usual.
Chu Xuhua looked at the bright and beautiful Shen Ruyue and was stunned. Shen Ruyue usually had light makeup on, but now the strong contrast made Chu Xuhua’s heart flutter even more. He felt that his heart was about to jump out of his chest.
“The bride is so beautiful!”
“Brother Xuhua is so lucky to have married such a beautiful bride.”
“In the future, I have to learn from Brother Xuhua and get a beautiful bride.”
Everyone teased…
Shen Ruyue looked at Chu Xuhua shyly, then quickly lowered her head. Her face quickly turned red, comparable to the big red apple in her hand.
The matchmaker brought the wedding wine, “Drink the cross-cupped wine, and the ceremony is complete.”
Chu Xuhua handed a cup to Shen Ruyue and took one for himself, drinking the wine together.
The matchmaker blessed them, “Drinking the cross-cupped wine, together until your hair turns white.”
“Ceremony complete!”
Applause and cheers erupted.
Chu Qingzhi, watching the ceremony, thought to herself how romantic the ancient customs were, full of ritual and meaning.
Wu Yaqing, tugging at Chu Qingzhi’s sleeve, said enviously, “This makes me want to get married too.”
Chu Qingzhi nodded seriously, “You’re fifteen already, just the right time to get engaged. Do you have someone in mind?”
Wu Yaqing pointed at her nose. “Me?”
Ge Lihua laughed, “Yaqing, you need to have someone you like first, right?”
Wu Yaqing looked at her two good friends. “So you’re just teasing me for not having anyone yet, right? Fine, I’ll find someone within three months. You all have suitors, and I’m the only one left alone.”
Ge Lihua froze, “Who has a suitor?”
Wu Yaqing eyed her closely, “Don’t think I don’t know about you and Xujin. You two have been secretly seeing each other.”
Ge Lihua was stunned.
“Don’t talk nonsense. There’s no such thing!”
Wu Yaqing smiled mischievously, “Well, who picked a bunch of flowers for you this morning? You liked them so much that you found a vase to put them in. Humph, I know everything.”
“Nonsense!” Ge Li Hua’s face, pale as jade, flushed red.
She gently pushed Wu Yaqing away and left the room, her heart beating a little faster.
Wu Yaqing turned to look at Chu Qingzhi, hooked her chin, and smirked, “See, I was right, wasn’t I?”
Chu Qingzhi pinched Wu Yaqing’s face, finding her adorable, “Help me with my third sister-in-law, and I’ll help you out in finding a suitor.”
Wu Yaqing extended a finger, “No backing out.”
Chu Qingzhi linked fingers with her, “A promise is a promise!”
It was time to start the feast; everyone had been waiting for it all day.
Chu Xuhua knew that Shen Ruyue hadn’t eaten all day, so he quickly brought her some food, “Ruyue, eat something.”
Shen Ruyue sat at the table, smiling faintly, “You go entertain the guests. Come back early.” She said this, then shyly lowered her head, as if hinting at something.
Chu Xu hua stroked Shen Ruyue’s head and kissed her red lips, “Okay, whatever you say.”
Shen Ruyue’s face turned crimson. This guy…
Chu Xuhua particularly liked Shen Ru Yue’s shy appearance. He watched her for a while before reluctantly leaving to attend to the guests. If he could, he would prefer to be with Ruyue now rather than eating.
Shen Ruyue used the back of her hand to cool her face, then smiled secretly. With Xuhua treating her so well, she was sure her future would be bright.
The wedding banquet was lavish, even more so than previous feasts. The table was filled with dishes, and everyone ate, drank, and laughed until the moon hung high in the sky.
The four elders of the Chu family finally sat down to eat…
Li Qingyu spoke with a mix of relief and joy, “I can finally relax now.”
Chu Rong was also happy, “Me too. Xuhua’s marriage has put my mind at ease.”
Everyone understood the meaning of these words. They had all been concerned about the eldest son’s marriage.
Grandpa Chu poured a few glasses of wine, “Let’s all have a drink together.”
“Okay.”
At another table, Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong were eating.
Chu Haodong saw Tang Jinghong taking care of Chu Qingzhi and couldn’t help asking, “When are you two getting married?”
Chu Qingzhi didn’t know how to answer, so Tang Jinghong turned to Chu Haodong and said, “As soon as you save up the gift money, we plan to get married.”
Chu Haodong hammered his chest, generously saying, “Don’t worry, I’ll give a generous gift at your wedding.”
Tang Jinghong joked, “If it’s too little, you’re not invited.”
The two had grown up together and were childhood friends. Although they had been apart for over a decade, their old friendship quickly returned as they talked. Chu Haodong laughed, “Then I’ll start saving from tomorrow. I’ll make sure you’re satisfied.”
Tang Jinghong smiled, “We’ll be waiting then..”