First Bow

"Just see how lovely you look. Wasn't it worth sitting still for so long?" Madame Zhao fluttered around Suzhen, pleased with her handiwork. She was a plump small woman with smooth dark hair that grew in little wings springing back from her face, heavy-lidded eyes that gave her smile a sleepy, reassuring quality, and chubby capable hands with clean, neat fingernails.

Suzhen stared earnestly at her reflection in the small copper mirror. She tilted her head experimentally and watched the light sparkle on the gold hairpins in her hair, then shook her head to see the little chains swing to and fro.

"My head feels so heavy, but it looks pretty." she said, putting up a hand to feel the braided waves.

Madame Zhao caught her head hastily. "Don't do that now, or all my hard work will go to waste! Keep your head still, and your eyes bowed on the ground--a neck delicately arched, a modest gaze, that's the perfect bride." she directed, adjusting a hairpin and tucking a stray wisp of hair in. She reached for a sheet of red lip paper. "Now for the last step--bite this."

She gave a shriek of horror as Suzhen promptly bit through the paper and chewed. She made a face, opening her mouth to reveal scarlet teeth. "It does not taste good, and it sticks to my mouth." she said apologetically.

Madame Zhao clutched at her head in despair. "That is because you are not meant to eat it! Ah, a perfectly good sheet ruined, and now your teeth are all stained red. Go rinse your mouth now. Have you never heard of lip paper?"

Suzhen came back, obediently, and took the new sheet given to her gingerly. She watched as Madame Zhao demonstrated. "One only presses it between your lips. No one chews off a mouthful of it like you did, silly girl. That's not what I meant when I said to bite it."

Glancing at Suzhen's mouth, she sighed. "Your teeth are pink! What am I to do?"

"Is she ready yet?" called Granny Hong's voice from outside. "We are all ready."

Madame Zhao snatched up the red veil and shook it out, smoothing invisible creases. "In a moment! In a moment!"

Carefully, Suzhen pressed the sheet of red paper between her lips, and watched in fascination as they reappeared tinged with red. Madame Zhao took the paper from her and cut off her view abruptly by draping the veil over her head. "There, you haven't got time to be staring at yourself, pretty as you look. Come on, they're all waiting for you!"

"I can't see anything," protested Suzhen, reaching out to push the veil away.

"Don't be afraid, I will make sure you don't trip and fall. Give me your hand. Now come along."

Outside, Granny Hong whispered to Qingqing, "Your sister will be the most beautiful bride this town has seen. Such fair skin, and such lovely eyes. She will look like a fairy in the bridal red."

Qingqing raised her eyebrows. "A fairy," she repeated dryly. "How about a snake spirit?" she murmured to herself.

Xiaohu was hopping from one leg to the other in excitement; he could barely wait for the ceremony to be over, so he could light the firecracker and the feast could begin. For the special occasion Granny Hong had forced him to take a bath and given him an old shirt of Yuanzheng's, much mended and way too big for him, but still a considerable improvement from his rags. The bath had ruined Xiaohu's mood until he saw the firecrackers waiting to be lit.

"She's taking so long, the food's going to be cold," he complained. Yuanzheng poked him in the ribs. "Shh. You hungry ghost, this is Physician Xu and Miss Bai's wedding foremost. Have some manners."

Qingqing came up noiselessly behind them. "I'm the bride's sister, but I agree with Xiaohu. I had no idea it was so much fuss to be married." she whispered. She sneaked a ripe pear out from her sleeve, which she had stolen from the neighbour's tree across the fence when no one noticed.

Warily, she eyed the other guests. It was a simple wedding, but many neighbours and townsfolk had come by to see what Physician Xu's new bride looked like, and to join in the fun--and perhaps get some free food as well. Qingqing had glared at the crowd of people and retreated behind Yuanzheng and Xiaohu. "Freeloaders," she sniffed. "Nosy busybodies trying to pig in on my food."

"Shh," Yuanzheng said again under his breath. "What if they hear you? You wouldn't want your sister to start her married life with neighbours whom you offended."

"I'm hungry." complained Xiaohu. "When are we going to be able to eat?"

Qingqing glanced around to check that no one was noticing, then sliced the pear neatly in half with a thin stream of spirit energy. She tossed him one half with a generous gesture. "I know exactly how you feel. Here, eat this. It's not much, but it'll help us wait for the good stuff."

Granny Hong, greeting the guests, jumped when she turned and caught sight of them. She gave a gasp of horror and hurried over with a stricken face. "Xiaohu! Miss Qing! How could you?" she whispered urgently.

They stared back at her, surprised, each holding a half of the pear. Xiaohu's teeth were already in it. Qingqing took a moment to lick the juice off her hand. "What, Granny Hong? We didn't steal any of the food on the table, though I was sorely tempted to." she said defensively.

Granny Hong was aghast. She snatched the pear from them and hurled it away into the bushes. "Don't let anyone see this. Pears are bad luck, don't you know? Are you wishing separation on the couple? Splitting a pear at that! How tactless could the two of you be?" She glanced around hastily to see if anyone had noticed, and cast them a warning look, deeply disturbed.

Xiaohu sighed and Qingqing shrugged. "Weddings aren't fun." she announced, folding her arms and chewing moodily on her lower lip.

Madame Zhao's voice rang out, pleased and saucy. "Enter the bride!"

There was a rustle of curious whispers as she appeared, carefully leading a slim figure in bridal red. It was a simple wedding gown, without any gold and silver thread; but the embroidered phoenixes and peonies glittered gaily in the sun, and the red folds hung gracefully on Suzhen's figure.

Xuxian watched her approach him, his face alight. She came slowly and clumsily towards him, clutching the matchmaker's hand timidly.

He took her hand and felt her start. "Suzhen, it's me." he whispered reassuringly.

"Oh, Xuxian! It's you!" she said happily, clasping his hand. Madame Zhao hushed her instantly, scandalized.

"First bow: the bride and groom bow to the heavens!" she announced in a clear,piercing voice, simpering.

"Remember the bows we practised? Be careful with your long sleeves, now. Don't worry. I am right beside you." Xuxian murmured. Taking her elbow, he guided her towards the right direction.

Suzhen shook out her long, full sleeves with difficulty and extended her arms neatly, fingers aligned. "Of course I remember. You made me practice till I was dizzy," she replied teasingly.

"Shh!" hissed Madame Zhao insistently.

They bowed formally together, side by side. Xuxian straightened hastily and caught the veil just as it started to slide off, adjusting it back. There was a titter of laughter from Xiaohu.

"Oh dear," whispered Suzhen. "Did I make a mistake?"

"No, you're doing very well," he said encouragingly. "Don't trip on your robe when you turn, now."

"Second bow..." sang out Madame Zhao's voice.

Under the red veil, Suzhen smiled softly to herself. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to absorb the impact of what was happening. Blinded by red, all she could hear was the noise of the crowd, the heavy breathing of Madame Zhao, the rustling of the stiff bridal robes; but the only thing that mattered was Xuxian's hand on her elbow, guiding her, steadying her, reassuringly firm.