Xiao Jingxi came to fetch his bride on horseback. Following him were soldiers of the Yanbei Army, also on tall, fine horses, their expressions solemn and their pace perfectly synchronized. On this day, the streets of Yunyang City were deserted as everyone vied to crowd the city's main thoroughfare, hoping to catch a glimpse of Yanbei's most distinguished young master. It was also because of this day that, for many years to come, Second Young Master Xiao remained the most handsome groom in the hearts of all the women in Yanbei, bar none.
A red veil had been placed over Ren Yaoqi's phoenix coronet, so she could not see Xiao Jingxi as he walked toward her. She only felt the surroundings suddenly fall silent, and then a pair of boots appeared on the ground directly in front of her. Her hand was gently taken. The palm of his hand was dry and warm, carrying a familiar, heart-stopping current.
Ren Yaoqi subconsciously looked up, but her vision was still filled with a celebratory red. As if afraid she was uneasy, the man gently squeezed her hand, an intimate and natural gesture. Guided by his strength, Ren Yaoqi rose and stood beside him.
"Come with me," Xiao Jingxi's unique voice sounded by her ear, carrying the same reassuring and convincing power as always.
Led by him, Ren Yaoqi walked out of her maiden chamber, one step at a time.
As if to accommodate Ren Yaoqi, Xiao Jingxi's steps were very slow, yet steady and firm. Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but tighten her grip on his hand. Sensing this, Xiao Jingxi held her hand even tighter in return.
The two of them then bid farewell to Madam Li and Ren Shimin together. Afterward, Xiao Jingxi led Ren Yaoqi out of the Ren Family home, walking along a path paved with a large red felt carpet. Every time they reached a flight of stairs, Xiao Jingxi would pause and remind Ren Yaoqi in a low voice.
The bridal sedan chair from the Yanbei Prince's Mansion was slightly larger than usual. It was made of the finest camphorwood, with a vermilion lacquer base and carved gold floral patterns. It was stately and grand, without an overly ornate sedan cover.
When they reached the front of the sedan, a wedding matron came over, wanting to help Ren Yaoqi into the chair. Xiao Jingxi waved her away, personally lifting the curtain and helping Ren Yaoqi into the bridal sedan.
"If you feel stuffy, lift the veil for some air. No one will see," Xiao Jingxi finally leaned over and whispered into Ren Yaoqi's ear.
Ren Yaoqi felt a rush of heat by her ear, but Xiao Jingxi had already let go of her hand and retreated.
Then, amidst the ceremonial announcements of the master of ceremonies, Ren Yaoqi's bridal sedan was lifted and followed Xiao Jingxi's horse out of Treasure Vase Alley.
The bridal procession followed tradition, circling the four city gates of Yunyang City—east, west, south, and north—and receiving the blessings of all the citizens of Yunyang City along the way. Some people had even made a special trip from other prefectures and counties to witness the wedding of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. For the past few days, business at the inns in Yunyang City had been incredibly brisk.
Although the hottest part of the day had passed, Ren Yaoqi still felt stuffy sitting in the bridal sedan. She wanted to follow Xiao Jingxi's advice and lift her veil for some air, but then she remembered Nanny Zhou had said that the bride's veil must wait for the groom to lift it; it would be inauspicious for anyone else to do so. After a moment's hesitation, Ren Yaoqi gave up the idea.
Perhaps Xiao Jingxi had made arrangements beforehand, for the journey from the Ren Family, around the city, and to the Yanbei Prince's Mansion was exceptionally smooth, with no obstructions or alarming incidents.
The bridal sedan stopped in front of the Prince's Mansion, and Ren Yaoqi was once again helped out by Xiao Jingxi. This time, they stepped through the main gates of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion together.
In the main hall of Chengde Hall in the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, an incense table and an altar had already been set up. The first thing the newlyweds had to do upon entering was to pay respects to their ancestors to receive their recognition before they could perform the wedding ceremony bows.
Someone had instructed Ren Yaoqi on these procedures long ago, so everything went smoothly.
After paying respects to the ancestors, Xiao Jingxi led Ren Yaoqi to Qingzheng Hall, where the Prince and Princess Consort were already waiting.
What followed was another series of complex and lengthy rituals. Ren Yaoqi had nearly lost count of how many times she had been guided to bow. Fortunately, Xiao Jingxi was by her side, supporting her the entire time. Even so, when the master of ceremonies finally announced the completion of the rites, Ren Yaoqi almost couldn't stand up.
The Prince and Princess Consort, seated at the head of the hall, offered a few words of blessing, and then Ren Yaoqi was led by Xiao Jingxi to their bridal chamber.
Once inside the bridal chamber, although there were still many rules and ceremonies to follow, at least there were no more three kneelings and nine kowtows.
Xiao Jingxi used a small steelyard to lift Ren Yaoqi's red veil. The sudden light and the handsome, ethereal face so close to her made Ren Yaoqi's eyes dazzle. She blinked a few times to adjust.
Xiao Jingxi smiled at Ren Yaoqi. He only averted his gaze when a matron of ceremonies at the side spoke up to remind them that there were still some rituals to complete, and he pulled Ren Yaoqi to her feet.
The beams, pillars, and lacquerware in the bridal chamber were painted with red lacquer, silver-tung oil, and gilt, creating a festive and magnificent atmosphere. A pearwood table was placed under the west window, on which were arranged ritual vessels like dou, bian, gui, lan, and zu.
The matron of ceremonies had them sit opposite each other. While chanting auspicious phrases, she guided them to eat the food on the table. This was also a ritual of worship, meant to show respect to the gods of heaven and earth and to their ancestors, and it also signified that from this day forward, the newlyweds would share their meals at the same table.
After the worship ritual was the "nuptial cup ceremony." Xiao Jingxi picked up a slice of prepared meat and ate it, then picked up another piece and brought it to Ren Yaoqi's lips. Ren Yaoqi ate it as well. This was "sharing the same meal." The matron of ceremonies handed a gourd that had been split in two to each of them and poured wine into the halves. Then, they poured the wine from their gourd halves into a single cup and drank from it together. This was "sharing the nuptial cup."
After drinking the nuptial wine, the ceremony was finally, truly complete.
With an order from Xiao Jingxi, the entire room of matrons and maids withdrew in an orderly fashion. Before Ren Yaoqi could even react, all the miscellaneous people who had just crowded the entire east room were gone. In an instant, only she and Xiao Jingxi were left in this space.
Ren Yaoqi blinked and glanced up at Xiao Jingxi, her heart involuntarily growing nervous. Xiao Jingxi led her to the edge of the bed to sit down, then leaned toward her. Ren Yaoqi was startled. Just as she was hesitating whether to dodge, she realized Xiao Jingxi was only leaning over to help her remove the phoenix coronet from her head.
Ren Yaoqi's face flushed red. She thought she must have been influenced by the booklet she had read last night to be having such wild thoughts. It was still early, and Xiao Jingxi had to go out to greet the guests.
Xiao Jingxi watched her blushing face with amusement and asked softly with a hint of teasing, "What are you thinking about?"
Ren Yaoqi bit her lip and lowered her eyes. "Nothing... The phoenix coronet is very heavy."
Xiao Jingxi let out a soft laugh but didn't expose her. He carefully removed the coronet, which was a good six or seven inches tall, from her head and placed it aside.
As soon as the coronet was off, Ren Yaoqi suddenly felt her head become lighter, accompanied by an inexplicable feeling of light-headedness and drowsiness.
"Do you want to change out of your wedding attire?" Xiao Jingxi asked softly, his lips close to her ear.
A tingling current flowed from her ear down half her body. Perhaps it was because Xiao Jingxi was too close, or perhaps it was the low tone of his voice, different from his usual manner, that made this already suggestive question sound so blush-inducing and heart-pounding.
"N-No, it's fine... I'll change later," Ren Yaoqi said nervously.
Xiao Jingxi smiled and watched her quietly without speaking. Just as Ren Yaoqi was about to say something to ease the inexplicably tense atmosphere, she saw Xiao Jingxi suddenly lean in.
Ren Yaoqi felt a clear, pleasant scent envelop her like a canopy, and then her lips were covered. Her mind went "boom—" and she had no idea how to react, feeling only the illusion of treading on clouds.
Feeling unsteady, Ren Yaoqi quickly propped herself up with a hand on the bed to stabilize her body. Xiao Jingxi then reached out and pulled her into his embrace. His lips gently brushed against hers, and once she had grown accustomed to his scent, his tongue probed at the corner of her lips before entering without an invitation.
Xiao Jingxi's kiss was somewhat different from the impression he usually gave. In the eyes of the world, Second Young Master Xiao was an otherworldly, celestial being who did not partake in mortal affairs, a refined and elegant nobleman who always made people feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.
But Xiao Jingxi's kiss, while gentle, carried an unquestionable strength and dominance. Ren Yaoqi had no room to retreat, no way to escape, and could only sink with him into this intimate, life-sharing moment.
Ren Yaoqi remained somewhat dazed. She didn't know how long the kiss lasted until a knock on the door from outside interrupted Xiao Jingxi's forceful plunder.
Xiao Jingxi gently licked the corner of her lips, then released her, though his fingers gently caressed her lips.
Ren Yaoqi's face was flushed from holding her breath, and her eyes shimmered with a watery light. She stared at Xiao Jingxi for a long moment, unable to come back to her senses.
Xiao Jingxi chuckled softly and covered her eyes, his voice low and his mood excellent. "Don't look at me like that, at least not now... I still have to go out."
Only then did Ren Yaoqi return to reality from the clouds. Just as she was about to push him away, she heard someone outside knock on the door while saying, "I'm coming in."
Then, the sound of footsteps headed toward the east room.
Realizing that her current position with Xiao Jingxi was rather intimate, Ren Yaoqi hastily gave him a shove. Xiao Jingxi had been about to pull back anyway, but caught off guard by Ren Yaoqi's push, which was fueled by embarrassed anger, he nearly lost his balance and fell off the bed. It was a good thing Second Young Master Xiao was not as frail as the rumors claimed, or he would have made a huge fool of himself.
Xiao Jingxi stood up straight, but the look he gave Ren Yaoqi seemed somewhat wronged.
Ren Yaoqi was also a little embarrassed. Just as she was about to say something, the person outside had already lifted the curtain and entered.
"Father and Mother want you in Qingzheng Hall," Xiao Jinglin's voice sounded in the room the next moment, dispelling the ambiguous atmosphere between the two.
Xiao Jinglin's gaze was perfectly proper, no different from usual, which spared Ren Yaoqi, who had just been doing something "bad," much of the embarrassment of being caught in the act.
Yao-yao and her dream guy are married, please send your blessings~ o(∩_∩)o.
OpenNovel