16. Shen Lingyun's Wedding
The day of the wedding had finally arrived. Shen Manor was buzzing with excitement, the courtyard filled with the scent of incense and the vibrant reds and golds that decorated the entire house. Shen Lingyun, the ger bride, stood in his room, wearing a beautiful red hanfu embroidered with delicate phoenixes, symbolizing good fortune and eternal love. His long hair was tied up in a bridal knot, and atop his head rested an intricate red veil that would soon cover his face during the ceremony.
As he stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the folds of his hanfu, his heart pounded with a mix of nervousness and anticipation. It had been years since he imagined that this day would come, and now, he was about to marry Ji Zhiyu.
"Uncle Lingyun, you look beautiful," came a soft voice from the door. Shen Mingxiu entered, carrying a tray of red silk ribbons and bridal accessories. Her eyes shone with pride and affection as she placed the items on a small table.
Shen Lingyun smiled under his veil, though his hands trembled slightly. "Thank you, Mingxiu. I… still can't believe this is happening."
Shen Mingxiu gently took her uncle's hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze. "It's real, Uncle. And you deserve every moment of happiness."
-
As the sun climbed higher into the sky, the wedding procession began. The entire Shen family gathered in the courtyard to send off Shen Lingyun.
The main hall had been transformed with red silk banners, lanterns, and offerings to the ancestors, all meticulously arranged to ensure the blessings of prosperity and happiness.
The wedding ceremony, steeped in tradition, began with the first ritual: "welcoming the bride". Ji Zhiyu stood at the entrance, ready to receive Shen Lingyun from his family. He held a ceremonial red silk ribbon, a long, thick strip of cloth that would connect him to Shen Lingyun symbolically, representing their bond.
Shen Lingyun emerged from his room, his face hidden behind the veil, with Shen Yuan and Shen Qingge walking beside him as his closest family members. They led him slowly to where Ji Zhiyu waited.
The tension in the air was thick with anticipation, and the whispers of family members were hushed as the bride approached. Ji Zhiyu's heart quickened as he saw the familiar red silhouette of his bride stepping closer, his figure graceful and calm.
When Shen Lingyun finally stood before Ji Zhiyu, the groom gently took one end of the red silk ribbon, while Shen Lingyun held the other. This symbolic gesture connected the couple and marked the beginning of their union.
Next came the bowing ceremony, where the bride and groom paid respect to the heavens, their family, and to each other.
The master of ceremonies stood in the center of the courtyard and announced in a booming voice, "First bow to Heaven and Earth!"
Ji Zhiyu and Shen Lingyun, still holding the red silk ribbon between them, bowed deeply toward the sky, acknowledging the blessings of Heaven and the protection of the Earth.
"Second bow to the ancestors!"
The couple turned toward the Shen family's ancestral altar, where incense burned in honor of the spirits of those who had passed. They bowed deeply, their gestures filled with respect and reverence for the past.
"Third bow to each other!"
The final bow was the most personal. Ji Zhiyu and Shen Lingyun turned to face each other, and though Shen Lingyun's face remained hidden beneath the veil, Ji Zhiyu's gaze was full of affection as they bowed. This moment symbolized their commitment to each other as husband and wife, and the courtyard was filled with quiet murmurs of approval.
Once the bowing ceremony was complete, the next part of the wedding involved leading the bride to the groom's home. This process would usually involve an elaborate bridal sedan, but as Ji Zhiyu's family lived in the capital, the ceremony was adapted for the journey ahead.
Ji Zhiyu led Shen Lingyun by the red ribbon as they began the procession out of the Shen family manor, followed by their family and attendants. Before they left, Madam Ji stepped forward, smiling warmly as she presented a red silk umbrella to Shen Lingyun.
"This umbrella will protect you as you leave your family home and enter our family, bringing prosperity and blessings," Madam Ji said, placing the umbrella into Shen Lingyun's hands.
With the umbrella in hand, Shen Lingyun and Ji Zhiyu began their journey toward the Ji family manor in the capital, a journey that symbolized the transition from one family to another.
After a long journey, the procession arrived at the Ji family estate, a grand and imposing structure located at the heart of the capital. The red lanterns and banners decorating the entrance welcomed the new bride, while the family servants and attendants stood in neat rows, waiting to greet the couple.
At the entrance, Ji Zhiyu turned to Shen Lingyun and smiled beneath his red wedding headpiece. "We've arrived. This is your new home now."
Shen Lingyun, still veiled, nodded, feeling both excitement and trepidation as they stepped through the grand gates of the Ji family manor.
The groom's family awaited inside the grand hall, where the final part of the wedding ceremony would take place. The hall was adorned with golden dragons and phoenixes, symbols of marital harmony, and red tapestries hung from the ceiling, completing the festive atmosphere.
The next ritual was the tea ceremony, where the bride and groom would serve tea to the elders of the groom's family to express their respect and gratitude.
As Shen Lingyun and Ji Zhiyu knelt in front of Madam Ji and the other elders, they offered cups of steaming tea, prepared with lotus seeds and dates—symbolizing fertility and the hope for many children.
"To the mother of the groom," the master of ceremonies announced.
Ji Zhiyu held the teacup steady as Shen Lingyun bowed slightly, serving the tea to Madam Ji. She accepted it with a smile and placed a red envelope filled with gold coins into Shen Lingyun's hand—a traditional gift from the groom's family to welcome the bride.
"Welcome to our family, Lingyun," Madam Ji said warmly. "We are blessed to have you."
The ceremony continued with the couple serving tea to other family elders, each one accepting the tea with kind words and generous gifts. By the end of the tea ceremony, Shen Lingyun's arms were laden with red envelopes and tokens of goodwill, marking his official entry into the Ji family.
As the evening wore on, the festivities began in full swing. The guests were treated to a grand banquet, with tables piled high with delicacies—roasted duck, lotus root soup, and dumplings symbolizing prosperity. Music filled the hall, and laughter echoed through the air as family and friends celebrated the union of Ji Zhiyu and Shen Lingyun.
Seated at the head of the banquet, Ji Zhiyu could barely contain his joy as he glanced at Shen Lingyun, who sat beside him, still veiled. Though the formalities were complete, the private moment they shared later would be their first as a married couple.
"Are you nervous?" Ji Zhiyu asked quietly, leaning closer to Shen Lingyun as the festivities carried on around them.
Shen Lingyun turned his head slightly beneath the veil, his voice soft. "A little. But more than anything, I'm grateful."
Ji Zhiyu smiled. "So am I."
Later that evening, as the moon rose high in the sky, Ji Zhiyu led Shen Lingyun to their new quarters—a beautifully decorated room filled with red silks and lanterns. The bed was adorned with golden embroidery, symbolizing happiness and wealth for the couple.
In keeping with tradition, Ji Zhiyu gently lifted Shen Lingyun's red bridal veil, revealing his face for the first time since the ceremony began. Shen Lingyun's cheeks were flushed, but his eyes shone with quiet strength and warmth.
"You're beautiful," Ji Zhiyu said softly, his voice filled with affection.
Shen Lingyun smiled, feeling the weight of the day's emotions settle in. "Thank you."
Ji Zhiyu took Shen Lingyun's hand, pulling him gently toward the table where two cups of nuptial wine sat waiting. Together, they drank from the cups, their arms intertwined, sealing their union with a final, intimate gesture.