There was also etiquette for getting down from the sedan chair.
Su Liumeng definitely couldn’t receive the chair.
Since there weren’t many Su family members around my residence to witness, she could afford to be willful.
When at the Su family, I secretly warned her not to skip any steps again.
So many rules, and I had memorized them all.
If they were skipped, what was the point of me working so hard these past two days?
Did I have a good memory or not?
When the sedan chair stopped steadily in front of the Su Residence’s main gate, I already heard the sound of firecrackers exploding and a grand symphony of instruments.
I couldn’t understand what the songs were about—music had never been my forte.
Anyway, it was festive.
Through the red veil’s fabric and the gap in the sedan curtains swaying, I tried to make out the blurry scene ahead.
The main gate of the Su Residence opened once a year, seemingly opened today to welcome me, the new bride.
The over ten-meter-high main gate was painted vermilion.
On both sides stood two majestic lions about two or three meters tall, looking extremely imposing.
A tiny hand suddenly lifted the sedan curtain and tugged my dress three times.
It was a delicate little girl who looked no more than five or six years old.
“Sister-in-law, get off the chair.”
Sister-in-law?
What a strange term.
Could she be some distant younger sister of Su Liumeng?
The matchmakers stood on both sides of the sedan chair, loudly calling, “Please, young madam, get down from the chair.”
Chunqiao fully lifted the sedan curtain to an opening just big enough for me to pass through.
I still had to maintain the most dignified posture and simply extended my small hand.
She gently supported my arm and helped me walk forward.
There was a vermilion object on the ground ahead.
I didn’t remember its name.
Anyway, just step over it—surely that was right.
Under the sunlight, the girl in the wedding gown was stunning.
Even with the thick red veil covering her, the grace and grandeur could be seen.
The small hand supported by the maid was like a balsam flower dyeing the nails red, dazzling under the golden sunlight.
“Miss,” Chunqiao whispered, “be careful.”
Behind us, the matchmakers had taken over Chunqiao’s role, holding the long red skirt train.
I didn’t respond to Chunqiao’s words.
The bride had to maintain a certain silence; inappropriate words should not be spoken.
The wedding dress was truly long and inconvenient to walk in, not to mention making big leg lifts.
I had secretly practiced this step many times.
If I tripped over my skirt in front of everyone and fell flat, not only would others mock me forever, but I wouldn’t forgive my own foolishness.
I stepped over smoothly.
I stepped firmly onto the red carpet.
On the wedding day, it seemed that every step I took on the ground had to be on the red carpet, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune in the days ahead.
Stepping over the fire basin had a similar meaning, also warding off evil and misfortune.
Many ancient rituals had branched out by modern times.
The Su family insisted on their traditional rites, which I didn’t yet fully understand.
In short, it was complicated.
Before entering the main hall for the wedding ceremony, I didn’t see Su Liumeng’s figure.
Inside the main hall.
Su Liumeng was already waiting by the side.
When she saw me, a flicker of worry appeared in her eyes.
The crucial moment was about to come.
Next was the part I most looked forward to—the formal wedding ceremony.
My demeanor was proper; I didn’t falter even once, earning much admiration.
Guided by the matchmakers, I came to the designated spot.
Before the official ceremony, we had to offer incense and perform kneeling bows.
This was called “Meeting the Ancestors.”
It symbolized formally introducing the bride to the ancestors, signifying they were now family.
Su Liumeng kept sneaking glances at me.
Feeling her gaze, I suddenly smiled faintly.
I wasn’t sure if she could see it.
I was already very tired but maintained a proud posture—head held high, chest out, with a slender jade-like neck hidden beneath the veil.
“The couple meets the ancestors—”
Su Liumeng stood silently by my side.
In front were two round red cushions.
The ritual master loudly proclaimed.
“Newlyweds, receive the incense.”
“One incense offering!”
“Two incense offerings!”
“Three incense offerings!”
After the ritual, I placed the incense into the censer and returned to my spot.
Having paid respects to the ancestors, the next step was the wedding ceremony.
The Su family didn’t seem to practice kneeling before parents.
Instead, the two newlyweds would bow to each other in a complex ritual.
Once the bows were completed, it meant the two were officially married, vowing to accompany each other for life.
Reaching this step, I felt both excitement and nervousness.
Su Liumeng had already clenched her fists several times.
The master of ceremonies shouted again.
“Kneel!”
I was momentarily stunned but, seeing Su Liumeng not react, was the first to softly kneel.
The elders exchanged knowing smiles.
“That’s it, Yu Xi, this girl didn’t even rush to be first in the bow. She’s going to be dominated by this little lady her whole life.”
Su Liumeng smiled faintly.
How could her wife be dominated?
Su Liumeng deliberately didn’t compete for the first bow.
Who would dare contend with their own wife?
What—if you insisted, she’s still Sizhiyan’s wife, isn’t she?
Su Liumeng would only reply, “Wife and wife are not the same.”
This mutual bowing ceremony was probably the most complex part of the wedding.
The master of ceremonies shouted what sounded like singing slogans.
“Rise, bow, kowtow,” repeated incessantly.
Three kneels, nine kowtows, six bows.
By the end, my legs trembled uncontrollably, and my abdomen hurt slightly from the strain.
I gritted my teeth and persevered.
If I couldn’t even persevere during the wedding ceremony with the one I loved, what use was saying we loved each other?
This was my last bit of resolve.
The constant standing up and kneeling down with repeated bending was tough, especially since I was around twenty to thirty weeks pregnant.
Such strenuous movements were the last thing I should do, making it even harder.
At this moment—
Su Liumeng quietly crushed a small ball.
A cool mist floated over me, instantly making me feel much better.
Catching Su Liumeng’s subtle gaze, I wanted to ask immediately what it was and why it worked so well.
But under the elders’ faint smiles and watchful, solemn eyes on our small gestures, I swallowed back the words about to escape.
“Ritual complete!”
Another loud shout echoed repeatedly throughout the hall.
I saw the master of ceremonies was about to announce the sending off to the bridal chamber but was stopped by Su Liumeng’s inexplicable look.
The matchmaker came forward with a tray, swaying her waist.
“Come, bride, open your mouth.”
By now, I was practically a robot—whatever the others told me to do, I did.
Upon hearing this, I obediently opened my mouth.
Something was stuffed inside from under the red veil and placed directly into my mouth.
The moment it touched my tongue, I stuck out my tongue in bitterness.
What is this?
Could it be raw?—
The matchmaker asked, “Raw or cooked?”
Isn’t that obvious!
You’re the one feeding it; you should know!
I forced myself to swallow down the urge to spit it out and replied irritably, “Raw.”
“Raw, ah!” The matchmaker called loudly.
“Everyone heard it—our bride wants it raw!”
“Longan, longan, a happy union.”
“Lotus seeds, lotus seeds, bear noble children soon.”
“Wishing the couple a lifetime of happiness and early children—”
More things were stuffed into my mouth—seemingly all raw food, sour and unpleasant.
I didn’t remember this step in the ceremony.
Did ancient times really have this ritual?
The next moment, confused, I met Su Liumeng’s smiling eyes and immediately became irritated.
At this point, I knew for sure she had sneakily added this step.
So, with a silent grudge, I forced another piece down.
Fine then.
Su Liumeng, we just got married, and you’re already adding drama.
I’ll settle this with you properly tonight.
Su Liumeng approached, her scent wafting close as she gently lifted my small hand.
Though separated by the veil, I gave her a resentful glare with my lips, silently mouthing, ‘Tacky!’
Not just tacky, but outrageously so.
After being thoroughly tricked, I was a little speechless but still smiled widely and playfully scratched her palm with my little fingertip.
The master of ceremonies resumed the interrupted words, loudly proclaiming,
“Ritual complete, send to the bridal chamber.”
Chunqiao helped support me again.
I looked at Su Liumeng, who stood motionless, and whispered, “I’ll settle with you tonight.”
As for how I would settle the score—
I was very determined.
Su Liumeng seemed a bit emotional, lost in thought.
She knew I wasn’t really angry.
For the person she longed for, Su Liumeng naturally understood my personality.
If I were truly angry, I would have given her the silent treatment—not behaved like this.
Being able to speak meant I wasn’t mad yet—just waiting to be coaxed.
Attitude—
These two words were crucial.
They gave the more anxious party a sense of security, basically reaffirming, “I won’t leave you.”
Su Liumeng standing still was expected.
Sending off the bride meant escorting me into the bridal chamber, waiting inside for her to return.
Su Liumeng wasn’t the bride today, so she didn’t need to go through this step.
Though not participating directly, she still apologized to the elders beside her, then quickly came to my side and held my hand again.
“What are you doing?”
I whispered as quietly as possible.
She still had so many things to do at this moment.
So many elders and peers offering congratulations needed to be entertained.
I was the bride.
The blessings that had to be said in front of me were already done by a few top elders, like the Great Elder and Su Qinghe.
There was no need for me to attend to the others.
So—
Why was Su Liumeng following me now?
I secretly glared at her.
She just smiled foolishly, clearly overjoyed.
She didn’t respond to my harmless look but only gripped my hand tighter and led me toward the already prepared bridal chamber.
Fine, I silently noted once again.
I just married you and already don’t dare be obedient.
We’ll settle this tonight!!
Anyway, there were other reasons.
Once the red veil was used in the ceremony, it became inconvenient for the bride to entertain guests.
Unless the wedding was modernized, after the ceremony, the bride would wait alone in the bridal chamber for her partner to return—a secret chance to rest.
Cumbersome rites and elaborate attire only exhausted the bride more.
If she had to entertain guests at the same time, she’d probably collapse on the floor within an hour.
If that happened, would there even be a wedding night?
Su Liumeng brought me into the bridal chamber and helped me sit on the crimson wedding bed.
Once seated steadily, I gently pushed her.
My gaze paused, and I swatted away her hand as she tried to lift the red veil.
“Put your claws down! You’re not allowed to lift it now. Only when we drink the nuptial wine tonight can you lift the veil to see me.”
Su Liumeng was already itching with anticipation.
Finally catching this opportunity, of course, she wanted to see just how beautiful I was today.
“Alright, go now. There’s plenty of time to be intimate tonight.”
“The Great Elder is still outside waiting for you to appear.”
“He treats you pretty well. You can’t mess up now. This is your moment. What are you doing with me in the bridal chamber?”
I was genuinely a bit angry.
She couldn’t be so reckless—I didn’t want Su Liumeng to be blamed.
“I’m not ignorant of the rules,” Su Liumeng said with a tone of grievance.
“I just pity that you’re tired and wanted to take off your headdress before leaving.”
“I’ll take it off myself later.”
Faced with my repeated urging, Su Liumeng suppressed the excitement and longing in her heart again.
The girl’s eagerness only made her look forward even more to tonight’s wedding night.
“You’re tired. Just rest a little.”
“You don’t have to wait for me.”
“When we’re alone, we don’t need so many rules.”
“Mm-hmm—I know.” I answered perfunctorily until I watched Su Liumeng finally leave the room, then exhaled deeply.
I wasn’t going to sleep.
Getting dressed alone was exhausting—wearing such a heavy headdress for hours, with a red cloth covering my head for so long.
If Su Liumeng didn’t see me looking beautiful at first glance, it would be as if I hadn’t bothered to dress up at all.
I didn’t want that to happen.
Being a little tired was nothing.
I had persevered through the tough wedding ceremony.
I didn’t believe I couldn’t endure a few hours of waiting.
The once-in-a-lifetime wedding night—I definitely hoped it would be perfect.
Which young girl hadn’t dreamed of her wedding day?
I wasn’t just any young girl—I had my own kind of romance.
Like the sea of flowers under the starry sky, there would always be a few twinkling stars holding a special place in the heart.
Su Liumeng told me last time that tomorrow morning there would be a test about being soulmates.
Today was busy with too many things, which couldn’t be neglected or omitted.
This was a wedding ceremony worthy of being remembered for a lifetime—a rite marking my transition from a girl to a married woman.
…
On the red wedding bed, the girl knelt in the center.
Her floor-length, beautiful skirt spread around her like a fully blossomed red rose.
Countless true phoenixes fluttered above it, accentuating her graceful figure.
After a while, the girl truly seemed a little tired.
Her straight back bent slightly, but she still didn’t disregard her image by lying down on the soft sheets below.
She just cutely tilted her head a little, maintaining the most dignified posture possible.
The crimson red veil remained neatly placed, covering the girl’s exquisite face beneath.
She leaned slightly against the headboard, resting simply to recover.