Chapter 94: Wedding and Bridal Chamber

At the entrance of Nanluoguxiang, Yan Jiefang was jumping excitedly and looking around.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up and saw several jeeps covered with red silk. He ran back to the gate of Yard 95 excitedly, shouting, "The happy event is back, back! Everyone, get ready..."

When the wedding procession approached the courtyard gate, Xu Damao and some young people lit the firecrackers that had been prepared long ago. The crackling sound rang out, and the "bang" and "bang" explosion sounds were intertwined with the gongs and drums and music played by several hired drummers, making the scene very lively.

Such a scene reminds people of traditional wedding customs and makes them feel the festive atmosphere. Residents of Nanluoguxiang also came out of their homes to watch this festive wedding and share the joy.

"Oh! Look at the bride!"

"Look at the groom. He looks so energetic today."

"Let's go and eat wedding candy!"

A group of little mud monkeys were the most excited, and they gathered in groups to the wedding car.

Liu Tielin, the younger brother who got off the bus earlier, was holding a large bag of fruit candies in his hand. He grabbed handfuls and threw them to the crowd.

This caused waves of scramble for the items from both adults and children. The scene was extremely lively.

Liu Zhiye got out of the car excitedly. He opened the door, and with a little force with his arms, he carried Gan Ning, the beautiful woman in a bright red wedding dress, out of the car.

He and Gan Ning smiled at each other, their eyes full of love and joy. At this moment, their love blossomed among the crowd and became the focus of everyone's attention.

He held Gan Ning in his arms, with a warm smile on his face. Under the close protection of several extremely powerful "Vajra Protectors", he struggled to move through the crowd and walked firmly towards the bridal chamber.

The surrounding noise seemed to be blocked out, leaving only him and Gan Ning, like two bright stars, shining brightly among the crowd.

When the bride arrives at the bridal chamber, the bride's mistress, the aunt, will put rouge and powder on her to make her look beautiful.

This ritual is commonly known as "opening the face", which means that the bride has changed from a girl to a young woman.

Afterwards, under the auspices of the bride's wife, the aunt, the bride and groom burned incense to the gods of heaven and earth and kowtowed three times, which is called "worshiping heaven and earth."

After that, Deng Ru bowed to her grandfather and parents. She was so excited that she kept saying "good". Liu Jingzhai also encouraged them.

Then the couple bowed to each other and performed the wedding ceremony.

So far, the wedding ceremony is over.

After the wedding reception, the first thing to do is to "sit in the tent". The groom Liu Zhiye and the bride Gan Ning both sit on the edge of the kang in the bridal chamber. The groom Liu Zhiye presses his left lapel on the right lapel of the bride Gan Ning, indicating that men should put themselves above women and that men and women should sleep in the same bed.

After the great aunt said a few auspicious words, she pulled the curtain, which was called "clearing the curtain". Then, the bride and groom drank the wedding wine. When drinking, they tied the two cups together with a red string. The great aunt handed one cup to Liu Zhiye, and the bride's escort lady was Gan Ning's sister-in-law. She handed the other cup to Gan Ning. They each drank half a cup and then exchanged them, which meant "a thousand miles of marriage is tied by a thread".

Then, the newlyweds ate "descendants dumplings" and "longevity noodles" together. While eating noodles, Yan Jiekuang, who was arranged by Yan Bugui, asked loudly through the window: "Will you have children?" The groom Liu Zhiye replied: "Yes!", indicating that he would have offspring.

The crowd watching suddenly roared with excitement.

At this point, the neighbors could go into the house to see the bride. After they entered the house, they were completely stunned by Gan Ning's beauty today.

She looked so charming in her bridal gown. The red dress seemed to be custom-made, outlining her figure perfectly. Everyone around her admired her beauty, but she just smiled faintly, the joy in her heart had already surpassed the brilliance of her appearance.

…………

The house was bustling with activity and the atmosphere was lively. Outside the house, there was no less noise. Several young faces were busy, placing rows of tables, chairs and benches in the east courtyard, the outer courtyard, the front courtyard and the middle courtyard.

These round tables, chairs, stools, and various pots, pans, and utensils were all borrowed from various households in the compound.

This borrowing method not only shows the life attitude of the compound, but also reflects their spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance. Weddings and funerals are all shared and faced together. This way of life in the compound makes people feel warm and friendly.

At the entrance hallway, a table was neatly arranged, and Yan Bugui was busy at it. He was carrying a black briefcase, looking calm, and registering the betrothal gifts.

Sing a line for each stroke you make.

"A gift from the Wei family, two dollars."

"A gift from the Hua family, two dollars."

"A pillar as a gift, five yuan"

"Xu Damao's gift, two pieces" "Yi Zhonghai's gift, one piece"

"The Jia family's gift is 50 cents."

"A gift from Liu Haizhong, one piece"

"..."

After a while, more and more guests came.

"Hello, uncle. I am here to attend the wedding of Comrade Liu Zhiye." Wei Hu nodded with a smile.

Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses with his hand and saw him wearing a police uniform, and his eyes lit up.

"You are a comrade from the police station!"

"Oh! Yes! I'm Wei Hu, and this is my gift money." He handed over a big black ten.

"My colleague Wei Hu, a gift of 10 yuan"

Afterwards, colleagues and friends from the Red Star Factory, Jiaodaokou Sub-district Office, Police Station and District Bureau came in an endless stream, and the scene was very lively.

When Yan Bugui saw Director Wang and his wife coming, a happy smile appeared on his face.

"Old Yan, this is a little gift from my husband and me. You don't have to be polite. We will go in by ourselves." Director Wang said with a smile and handed the gift money in his hand to Yan Bugui.

They walked into the house, talking and laughing. At the same time, Zhang Zhijie and Xu Shifang also came in together.

"Director Wang, have you two just arrived?" After they greeted each other, they walked into the room together. They were all familiar with each other, so there was no excessive politeness.

"Director Wang's gift, twenty yuan."

"Zhang Suo's gift. Fifteen yuan."

"A gift from Instructor Xu, fifteen yuan."

"..."

As guests arrived in an endless stream, some chose to stay and enjoy the sumptuous wedding banquet, while others had to leave temporarily due to urgent matters and paid gifts instead of attending.

When they arrive, they always bring a carefully selected gift and a few warm and auspicious words, wishing the host family all the best and family happiness.

After enjoying the happy atmosphere, they will also say goodbye to the host and leave. The whole process is full of laughter and strong human touch.

The atmosphere at the wedding banquet was warm and festive.

The main table was hosted by my uncle, and Deputy Director Yang, Minister Gao, Director Jiang, Aunt Wang, Director Yu, Director Bai, Sister Dong and others were all present, plus the two brothers Gan Yong and Gan Meng, it was like a star surrounded by stars. The deputy host was Uncle Li, and their table was full of VIPs.

Liu Zhiye and Gan Ning sat together with their parents, grandfather, aunt, Gan Ning's sister-in-law, cousin and others, appearing particularly cordial.

Colleagues from the Red Star Factory, the police station and the head of the street office sat at three tables respectively, talking to each other in low voices and sharing this special moment.

The neighbors in the courtyard set up two large tables of sumptuous dishes nearby. Liu Zhiye and Gan Ning's colleagues also set up a table. There were eight tables in total today, and it was very lively.

The whole wedding banquet was filled with laughter and joy, and the air was filled with a happy atmosphere. This wedding is undoubtedly an important ceremony in life and a beautiful testimony of the love between two people. Everyone's face was filled with joyful smiles, witnessing the happy moment of the newlyweds.

……

After the wedding banquet, the guests were sent away and it was getting dark.

On the wedding night, there is usually a "bridal chamber disturbance".

In the capital and many places in the north, the custom of "making a fuss in the bridal chamber for three days, no matter how big or small" is popular. People who hold old-fashioned ideas believe that the more you make a fuss, the more you will get rich, and if you don't make a fuss, you won't get rich. There is even a saying that "if people don't make a fuss, ghosts will make a fuss."

There are many forms of pranks, some throwing candies and fruits to the newlyweds; some urging them to drink or even forcing them to drink; and some tying apples to the tent with strings and letting the newlyweds chew on them. The originally wonderful wedding night turned into an unbearable prank.

(End of this chapter)