He shuffled to the table to pour himself some water when suddenly the door creaked open. He hurried back to the bed, only to see his mother entering.
"Wipe your mouth after eating and reapply some rouge with the red paper. I’ll come back later to clear the dishes."
[红纸 (hóngzhǐ): lit. red paper; fig. traditionally dyed paper used for applying lip color or rouge, made from materials like rice paper or thin fabric coated with natural red pigments, often used in weddings for auspicious symbolism.]
Ji Taoyu watched as his mother brought in an array of dishes - chicken, duck, fish, river delicacies, each portion small but varied, covering half the table.
He scurried over, pulling a stool to sit down. "I thought brides weren’t supposed to eat during weddings?"
"Huo Shu asked me to bring these for you."
Huang Manjing arranged the dishes as she spoke. "Quite indulgent of him, worrying you might starve."
Ji Taoyu flushed slightly. "I only mentioned it to him once before, saying that brides don’t get to eat the feast, and can only eat the leftovers. I didn't expect he still remembered it."
Although he was embarrassed, his chopsticks didn’t stop moving.
He stuffed a slice of braised meat into his mouth. After the morning’s exhaustion without a single bite, his stomach was utterly hollow.
"Where is he?"
"Look at you, so eager, aren’t you afraid of being teased? He’s outside with your father, acknowledging relatives and toasting."
Ji Taoyu chuckled. "No one would dare pressure him to drink."
Huang Manjing laughed too. "Exactly. No one dares challenge him in drinking games."
With the door closed, Ji Taoyu feasted on chicken wings and peeled prawns until his belly was round and satisfied.
Now content, he washed his hands and wiped his face before reapplying rouge as his mother instructed.
Outside, people were drinking and the sky was gradually getting dark. Once tidied up, he replaced the veil and sat properly by the bed again.
Nearly everyone in the village had come, along with outsiders acquainted with Ji Yangzong, filling dozens of banquet tables.
Such a lively feast was rare. Ji Yangzong led his son-in-law table by table, toasting with pride.
Huo Shu wasn’t one for flowery words. Ji Yangzong introduced each guest, and he politely acknowledged them with a toast.
Ge Liang, as Huo Shu’s guest, helped fend off drinks, worried he might be overwhelmed.
After making the rounds, seeing the hour grow late and the banquet winding down, Ji Yangzong considerately waved Huo Shu off.
With Huo Shu’s imposing demeanor, no one dared suggest teasing the newlyweds or barging into the bridal chamber—sparing the newlyweds an awkward tradition.
Standing before the door adorned with a red "喜" (double happiness) character, Huo Shu took a steadying breath. It was the first time he’d entered this room through the front door.
Inside, red silk and paper cuttings transformed the space, making it unrecognizable from before.
He walked straight to the bed, only to pause at the sight before him.
The bride who should have been sitting properly at the bedside, waiting for the groom, was instead sprawled across the bed, fast asleep—utterly unbothered by wedding-day nerves.
Amused, Huo Shu bent down quietly, pulling the blanket over the sleeping ger. But the moment the fabric touched him, Ji Taoyu who curled up on his side blinked awake.
Dazed, he stared at Huo Shu before snapping to awareness.
"Y-you… Is it over outside?"
Ji Taoyu scrambled upright, hastily smoothing his hair and robe.
"I ate a little and got drowsy… must’ve dozed off by accident."
Huo Shu caught his fluttering hands. "Did you eat enough?"
Ji Taoyu paused, cheeks flushing as he nodded.
"Why’s your mouth so red?"
Ji Taoyu pressed his lips together. "It’s from the red paper. Does… does it look bad?"
Huo Shu studied his lips, like April crabapple blossoms, but didn’t answer. Instead, he stood up and abruptly undid his belt.
Ji Taoyu’s face burned. He turned away but couldn’t resist stealing glances, curious what Huo Shu looked like without the outer robe.
Huo Shu tossed the wedding robe aside, leaving only a crimson inner garment. Freed from the belt’s restraint, the loose fabric accentuated his broad shoulders and straight posture.
As the half-undressed man approached, Ji Taoyu’s heart pounded wildly.
Th-this man... why isn’t he wearing... no, no, that’s not what I meant! He’s really rushing into things!
Clutching his sleeves, he stammered, "N-no! We haven’t even drunk the unity wine yet!"
[Wedding unity wine (合卺酒, héjǐn jiǔ): a traditional Chinese wedding ritual where the bride and groom drink from two red-lacquered cups (often tied together with red silk) to symbolize their union, with the shared act representing harmony, mutual commitment, and the blending of their lives.]
"'No' what?"
Huo Shu lifted his sleeve. "The wedding robe reeks of alcohol. Doesn’t it bother you?"
"Ah?"
Ji Taoyu’s mouth fell open, his face burning hotter. He really had been too groggy.
Tilting his chin up, he smiled sheepishly. "I thought you were tired and wanted to sleep."
Huo Shu looked at the young ger in wedding robe. He just woke up and seemed to be much softer than usual. The thought of seeing him wake up every day made everything worthwhile.
He extended a hand. Ji Taoyu hesitated before placing his own in Huo Shu’s palm.
At the table, they poured two cups of wine and performed the unity wine ritual.
Ji Taoyu never drank. Watching Huo Shu down his cup like water, he gulped his own—only to tear up from the burn.
The wine carried a hint of peach, made from fruits he’d picked in the yard. It was buried under the peach tree and was opened yesterday to drink at the wedding ceremony.
It was a pity that no matter how good the wine smelled, he couldn't tell whether it was good or bad. He only felt a strong spicy taste.
"Where’s my veil?"
Only after drinking did Ji Taoyu realize he’d forgotten to have the groom lift his bridal veil.
Huo Shu retrieved it from the foot of the bed.
Ji Taoyu took it. "Should I put it back on so you can lift it properly?"
"Empty formality."
Ji Taoyu eyed his stern husband. "If this is empty formality, what isn’t?"
Huo Shu arched a brow, sweeping him into a bridal carry. "The wedding night isn’t."
🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chapter!!!!