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Chapter 8: The Wedding
Chapter 8: The Wedding
The days are short in winter. It was already dark when the soldiers returned to camp and Wei Shao entered the city.
There are fire sticks in front of the gate of the Xindu. Wei Shao is wearing a heavy armor with a layer of ice. When he steps on the creaking snow and ascends the steps, Wei Liang, who comes to the city gate to welcome him and walking with him at the moment, suddenly remembered. He hurried to catch up with him. Attached himself to him and whispered: Lord, Qiaos daughter has arrived! It has been more than half a month since she lived in Yu Yang House.
According to Old Zhong, Miss Qiao is quiet, and she stays at home during the day. She occasionally stays on the Tantai at sunset for a moment. There is nothing unusual about her, so she does not stop her.
After he said the first sentence, he added this sentence.
Wei Shao only faintly sounded. Without stopping his footsteps, he crossed the threshold and went to the Sheyang house where he lives.
Wei Liang watched his figure walk several steps and paused, turned his head to look toward the Yu Yang House behind him.
Wei Shao only could see the huge black shadow of the nearby Tantai rising towards the sky, as a giant beast crouching on the ground may rise at any time.
Order the Old Zhong to prepare for the wedding tomorrow.
He withdrew his gaze and blurted.
Tomorrow? Wei Liang was stunned.
Im afraid its not ready .
Keep it simple.
Wei Shao turned around and continued towards the front, without stopping.
Wei Liang watched his back, hesitated, turned back and went to find Old Zhong to discuss.
The two tight-lipped servants, after half a month of getting along with Chun Niang, became familiar with her and Chun Niang could get some information out of them.
According to the maids, Old Zhong is a person close to Mrs. Xu, Wei Shaos grandmother, and has not been in Xindu long enough. The purpose of her visit is to prepare for Wei Shao and Xiao Qiaos wedding. Wei Shao was not in the city was because there was another war in Boling, and now he had returned with victory.
This year, the world is chaotic, and the local warlords have their own power. Except for the former Governor Jizhou, Gao Tang, who jumped out and be used as a target before he had enough strength, the other marquis, such as Wei Shao, were still Han Dynastys officials, and had to follow the Emperors order. As for the rivalry between them, it is a matter of power, and the court cannot control it.
Xiao Qiao is not interested in what Wei Shao has been doing. After half a month, he finally showed up. She was worried about what would happen next.
Normally, as agreed by the two families, it was time to move to the last step: the wedding.
Lady, please be at ease. Since the Marquis has returned, things will be easier to discuss. Tomorrow, I will go to find Old Zhong and ask her when the wedding is scheduled.
Chun Niang saw Xiao Qiao in a dazed, thought she was anxious, so she comforted her.
Open the door, Lady!
The people in the city looked up and spread the news of the Marquis big wedding, which was tonight.
In the corridor of Shaoyang Hall, red lanterns were raised one by one. The hall was lit up as brightly as daylight. In the middle, on the large black and gold-painted table, there were neatly arranged millet, grain, meat dishes, minced meat, and fermented rice for the wedding. The guests who came to watch the ceremony were sitting on the couch behind several tables in order.
They whispered to people beside them while waiting for the auspicious time to come.
Most of these people were ministers who had followed Wei Shao here, as well as local officials from Xindu. They had only just learned of the wedding during the day. Although some of them knew that Wei Shao was going to marry the Qiaos daughter of Yanzhou, but it was still surprising the wedding came so quickly. After all, Wei Shao had just returned from the war in Boling last night.
Most of the people here have heard about the past relationship between the two families in Yanzhou.
As a result, the marriage between Wei Shao and Qiao 10 years later attracted a lot of attention and curiosity, and they were waiting for her to show up a few moments later.
When the auspicious time came, Xiao Qiao entered the ceremony hall.
When she appeared in front of the guests with her hands flat on her belly and her wide sleeves stretched, the auditorium, which was still ringing with a slight buzz, suddenly fell silent. Many pairs of eyes fell on her in unison, with scrutiny, amazement, and unknown ill intentions.
Xiao Qiao did not feel nervous. With her eyes lowered, her gaze fell on the ground in front of her feet. With the sound of the ritual officers praise in her ears, she was guided by two attendants under the gaze of those around her, and walked forward. She came to the front of the table in the hall and stopped when she was a few feet away.
Across from her stood a man.
She felt the gaze from the other side different from those on the side that she could ignore. This persons gaze looked at her, without hiding, with a kind of oppressive force that she could not describe.
The skin beneath her heavy clothing seems to sense this oppression. The pores around her body stretched.
She lifted her eyes and met the mans gaze.
Compared to his status and prestige, Wei Shao is still quite young; but compared to herself, he is a grown man, with broad shoulders and straight back. As they stand opposite each other like this, she becomes petite. She has to tilt her head to meet his direct gaze.
As Chun Niang described, he was a very handsome man, dressed in the luxurious imperial robe. He was wearing a black coat and crimson clothes, calm and majestic. At the sound of the saluting officials, he looked straight at Xiao Qiao, who was just an arms length away from him. His eyes unblinking. His gaze was dark as the deepest part of the black night.
Xiao Qiaos eyelashes trembled, and once again lowered her eyes.
After the official finished singing the praises, someone brought a red scarf. They placed one end in Xiao Qiaos hand and the other in Wei Shaos hand. They both held the red scarf and walked to the table. The red scarf was taken away. They sat opposite each other on both sides of the table. Under the guidance of the official, they performed the rituals.
After the long series of first rites, there was the last rite of hair tying, which signified their marriage.
The attendant cut a strand of hair from each of them and knotted them together.
The surrounding people are smiling and congratulating.
On the other side of the table, the man was straight. His body did not move, but Xiao Qiao saw the corners of his lips hooked slightly.
If she is not mistaken, this is a hint of impatience with a bit of a casual smile.