Crimson clouds filled the sky, and the evening lamps had just been lit.
Outside, the courtyard teemed with guests exchanging toasts. Music and operatic singing had gone on through the night, and a river of joy swept through the Capital's Nine Gates.
The tide of congratulations in the front hall could be set aside for now.
We go straight into the bridal chamber.
Before the bridal chamber.
Wei Zi backed through the doorway, keeping the red silk in his hands stretched taut, his steps neither hurried nor slow.
The nine-foot distance from the Main Hall to the bridal chamber took only a dozen or so steps.
Yet every step landed firmly, his heart tight.
Feng Shu stepped over the bridal chamber's threshold.
The red sandalwood Canopy Bed, carved dressing table, Mandarin Duck Brocade Quilt, and Luan-Feng Bronze Mirror that the Feng Residence had sent people to arrange on the room-preparation day now glowed warmly in the red candlelight.
The two sat side by side on the edge of the bed.
The man on the left, the woman on the right.
The scattering over the bridal curtains.
Granny Zhou came forward with a beaming smile, carrying a round vermilion-lacquered tray traced with gold.
The tray held Five-Colored Fruits, several strings of copper coins, and a scattering of colored paper scraps.
[Red jujubes, peanuts, longan, lotus seeds, chestnuts]
This was the rite of scattering over the bridal curtains: after the bride entered the household and sat upon the bed in the bridal chamber, a ritual attendant held a measure filled with grains, beans, fruits, and coins, and scattered them toward the curtains.
They were not scattered upon the floor, but into the curtained bed, all around the newlyweds.
Jujubes promised an early blessing; Gui, noble fortune.
Lotus seeds promised noble sons