Chapter 315: The Bridal Chamber (Part 1)
Chapter 315: Chapter 315: The Bridal Chamber (Part 1)
Duke Dingguo Mansion.
Amidst the clamor of gongs, drums, suona horns, and the crackle of firecrackers, Zhi Wan alighted from the bridal sedan, supported by the Wedding Maid.
Lu Zhan, dressed in auspicious crimson robes, stood before the sedan. He watched his bride walk slowly toward him, the usual frost in his eyes melting away into a pool of tender affection.
Zhi Wan’s head was covered by the wedding veil, her vision limited. But when she glanced down, she could still see the corner of a crimson robe and a pair of satin boots embroidered with auspicious clouds.
’It’s my cousin.’
Zhi Wan’s heart relaxed, a sweet feeling enveloping it.
Just then, the Wedding Maid placed one end of the wedding sash in her hand.
"Will the groom please lead the bride over the brazier and across the saddle!"
As the Master of Ceremonies’ voice rang out, Zhi Wan clutched the wedding sash and, led by her cousin, stepped over the brazier, crossed the saddle, and entered the gates of the Duke Dingguo Mansion one step at a time.
Afterward, the two completed their wedding vows in front of their friends and family.
"The ceremony is complete! Escort them to the bridal chamber!"
As the Master of Ceremonies finished speaking, the newlyweds were surrounded by the crowd and ushered to the bridal chamber.
In the new room, as Lu Zhan helped Zhi Wan sit down, he leaned close to her ear and whispered, "In a little while, when the room is empty, you should relax and rest, my wife. You can also eat something. I have to come back a bit later to lift your veil."
Feeling her cousin so close, Zhi Wan’s heart began to beat wildly. Hearing him call her his wife, her face flushed a searing, shy crimson, though thankfully it was hidden by the wedding veil.
She nodded lightly. "Mm."
Lu Zhan paused, reluctant to leave.
"The guests are still waiting. The groom should go and toast them now," the Wedding Maid urged with a cheerful smile.
Lu Zhan had no choice but to leave the bridal chamber.
According to the customs of Great Chen, after entering the bridal chamber, the bride had to perform the "sitting of the bed curtains" and wait for the groom to return from toasting the guests before he could lift her veil.
This process was quite long and trying, as the bride could only sit motionless on the edge of the bed.
Nanny Chen’s heart ached for her young mistress, so she made an excuse to send the Wedding Maid and other servants out of the room to go have a drink.
Once there were no outsiders left in the bridal chamber, Nanny Chen said with a smile, "Miss, I’ve sent everyone away. Go on, relax a little."
Shuang’er also brought a cup of water for Zhi Wan. "Miss, hurry and drink some water."
Zhi Wan felt a bit better after drinking some water.
Nanny Chen took a cushion and placed it by the bedpost for Zhi Wan to lean against.
Zhi Wan desperately wanted to take off her phoenix coronet and veil, but Nanny Chen said it would be inauspicious, so she had to give up the idea.
She hadn’t slept well the previous night, and on top of that, she had woken up early this morning. After all the hustle and bustle, Zhi Wan was already exhausted.
Before long, she fell asleep leaning against the bedpost.
Seeing this, Nanny Chen and Shuang’er left the bridal chamber together to stand guard outside the door.
Unlike the quiet of the bridal chamber, the front courtyard was incredibly lively, the sounds of clinking glasses and boisterous celebration echoing ceaselessly.
The Lu Family’s friends and relatives had all come, as had a great number of officials from the imperial court.
In addition, Prince Rui, Xuanyuan Hongrui, and Princess Chang Le were also in attendance.
After a round of toasting, Lu Zhan was already slightly tipsy.
"Old Lu, today’s your big day! You have to have a few more drinks," Duan Ling shouted, always one to stir up trouble. He picked up a wine jug and presented it to him.
Ouyang Lei joined in the heckling. "If you don’t finish this jug, you’re not allowed back into the bridal chamber!"
Seeing this, the other officials also began to clamor.
"Mr. Lu can drink like a fish! How could a single jug of wine possibly be a challenge for him? I say, even if you add another jug, it’d be nothing to him!"
The corner of Lu Zhan’s eye twitched. His dark eyes swept coolly over his two mischievous friends. He nodded and said to the crowd, "Since everyone is so enthusiastic, I will naturally comply. However, Duan Ling and Ouyang Lei can drink in my stead. You can pour as much wine for them as you like, no problem at all." With that, he carried two jugs of wine and placed them on the table in front of Ouyang Lei and Duan Ling. "Drink up."
Both of their eyelids twitched. "When did we..."
"Duan Ling’s marriage to Ouyang Zhenzhu is already set, and it looks like Leizi’s happy occasion is also approaching. When your wedding days come, I will be sure to visit and offer my heartiest congratulations!" Lu Zhan cut them off. As he said the word "congratulations," his tone grew heavier, carrying a veiled threat.
Duan Ling: "..."
Ouyang Lei: "..."
"Good brothers, I’ll be counting on you." Lu Zhan patted both their shoulders, a smile playing on his lips, and turned to leave the banquet.
"Who ever heard of a substitute drinker? Mr. Lu is being too shameless!" The officials reacted, quickly trying to stop Lu Zhan from leaving, but they were blocked by both Duan Ling and Ouyang Lei. "It’s just drinking, isn’t it? We’ll drink with all of you. Let’s all drink to our hearts’ content today!"
The crowd drank for a while longer before someone remembered, slapping their thigh. "Wait a minute! We haven’t done the wedding night hazing yet!"
However, by the time they chased after him to the bridal chamber, they found the door was already firmly locked.
Chen Jiu and Jiang Shi stood outside the door like a pair of guardian gods.
"So we can’t do the hazing?"
The crowd returned to the banquet, their faces full of disappointment.
「Inside the bridal chamber.」
Lu Zhan had already lifted the veil from Zhi Wan’s head. Under the Wedding Maid’s direction, the two had performed the hair-tying ceremony and finally, drank the cross-cupped wine.
The Wedding Maid, having received her reward money, happily led the maids out of the bridal chamber.
For a moment, the bridal chamber fell silent.
Only the CRACKLING of the dragon and phoenix wedding candles could be heard.
Although Zhi Wan was a little shy, looking at her cousin in his crimson wedding robes filled her heart with joy.
Her cousin had always worn dark-colored robes, giving off an air of solemn dignity and untouchable authority at all times.
But today, these crimson wedding robes softened the stern authority in his eyes, lending him an air of gentle, jade-like refinement.
’No wonder those young ladies and wives were sighing in admiration when he came to fetch the bride.’
’My cousin is indeed very handsome.’
After taking in the sight of her cousin in his wedding attire, Zhi Wan felt her heart begin to flutter and pound uncontrollably.
"What are you looking at?" Lu Zhan lifted her chin, a smile in his eyes as he looked at her.
Zhi Wan’s butterfly-wing-like lashes fluttered. She was, of course, too embarrassed to admit she was looking at her cousin, so she said, "Did you drink a lot of wine?"
"Not too much." Lu Zhan shook his head and reached out to remove the phoenix coronet from her head, placing it on a small table to the side.
Freed from the coronet’s weight, Zhi Wan felt much more relaxed.
But she had been sitting for so long that her body had gone numb. Just as she was about to stand up and stretch, her cousin’s long fingers suddenly threaded through her hair, and then he lowered his head and captured her lips in a kiss.
"My dear cousin, I’ve waited for this day for a very, very long time..."
The man’s deep voice rumbled between their intertwined lips.
A shiver went through Zhi Wan’s heart.
The next moment, her cousin pushed her down onto the bed.
Zhi Wan suddenly grunted in pain.
Lu Zhan froze and hurriedly helped her up. "What’s wrong?"
With tears welling in her eyes, Zhi Wan grabbed a handful of peanuts, longans, and lotus seeds. "These are digging into me... it hurts..."
Lu Zhan stared at the items in her palm for a moment, then took them from her hand. His voice was low and raspy, with a hint of amusement. "These are meant to wish us a noble son soon."