Time flew by, and today was their joyous day.
Early that morning, Rong Zheng's home came alive, crowded with people.
Wang Zhang-shi's whole family came to help. She busily managed the wedding feast, carefully arranging for the hired helpers to cook, set out tables, and wash dishes;
Auntie Zhong oversaw the wedding proceedings in an orderly fashion. Some people recorded the gift money, some put up red wedding decorations inside and outside the house, some went to fetch the groom's spouse, and some scattered lucky coins...
Since he had effectively broken ties with his eldest uncle's family, Ye Yun was brought back to the village early that morning to dress and get ready at Wang Zhang-shi's home before being escorted to Rong Zheng's.
Adults chatted and children laughed and played, filling the air with joy.
Amid the clanging of gongs, the beating of drums, and the festive music of the suona, the bridal sedan soon arrived outside the house. Dressed in bright red wedding robes, Rong Zheng approached excitedly and lifted the sedan curtain. At that moment, his heart and eyes held nothing but the young man in brilliant red.
A lake-blue hairpin held up his waterfall of black hair, and beneath his long lashes, his eyes were clear as water. His features had always been exquisite, and this little bit of dressing up made him even more stunning, with a soul-captivating beauty. Rong Zheng stared, spellbound.
Only when Auntie Zhong teased him with a smile did she say, "Groom, stop staring! Hurry and carry your spouse inside for the wedding bows."
Rong Zheng came to his senses and gently lifted Ye Yun into his arms. Amid everyone's congratulations, he carried him steadily across the courtyard into the main room. They completed their wedding bows to more congratulations, and then he took Ye Yun by the hand and led him to the bridal chamber.
"I'll go out and make the toasts. Rest here. I'll have Ming-ge'er come keep you company in a little while. There are pastries on the table, too. Eat some if you're hungry."
Ye Yun looked at his upright, exceptionally handsome husband before him, his heart full of joy. He had always known Rong Zheng was good-looking. Today, dressed in red, he looked graceful and distinguished, his expression revealing an innate nobility, his peach-blossom eyes bewitching as he smiled.
From now on, this man would be his husband. He could not hide the smile in his eyes.
The sight caught Rong Zheng's breath, making it even harder to bear. He did not want to go out and receive the guests at all. He lowered his head and gently kissed Ye Yun's forehead, his gaze tender as he whispered:
"Be good and wait for me to come back."
After Rong Zheng went out and shut the door, Ye Yun surveyed the bridal chamber. The room was spacious, with a red quilt spread over the large bed. Beside it stood a dressing table adorned with an engraved bronze mirror, and a chair. Near the door was a very new, large wardrobe, while a desk by the window held books, brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone. Presumably, that was where Rong Zheng usually read and wrote.
As he looked around, Ming-ge'er pushed open the door. "Yun-ge'er, Rong Zheng asked me to keep you company. Have you eaten? I brought a bowl of noodles from the kitchen, with plenty of meat. Eat them while they're hot."
Ming-ge'er set the noodles on the table and handed Ye Yun a pair of chopsticks, smiling. "Yun-ge'er, this is wonderful. Rong Zheng is a good man. Just look at how much care he put into preparing your bridal chamber. And he threw such a grand wedding for you. Almost everyone in the village came. They're all so envious of you!"
As Ye Yun ate his noodles, his eyes grew slightly moist. "I know. He's very good to me," he said quietly.
Seeing that Ye Yun was about to cry, Ming-ge'er quickly said, "It's your wedding day. Don't cry."
Ye Yun sniffled. "Mm." After a few bites of noodles, he said, "Ming-ge'er, things will be good for you someday, too."
"Mm. When I get married, you must come." Ming-ge'er did not know whether he would find a good marriage, too, and felt uncertain, but he did not want Ye Yun to worry.
"Ming-ge'er, remember to come see me often. We can still wash clothes and gather wild greens together."
"Of course!"
The two chatted, laughing cheerfully.
At the feast, Rong Zheng accepted the villagers' blessings with a smile and politely toasted them one by one. Since he planned to live here, he needed to get along well with the villagers. But there were many guests, and even though he could hold his liquor and Wang Ze helped him drink some of it, by the time the feast ended, he was gradually becoming tipsy, his face turning red.
Seeing that plenty of food remained, Rong Zheng told the villagers who had come to help to divide it among themselves and take it home. They were delighted, their thanks ringing out without end. They worked even more swiftly as they finished up, afraid of delaying the groom's wedding night.
After arranging for Ye Chen to stay in one of the bedrooms, Rong Zheng returned to the bridal chamber with slightly unsteady steps. Seeing that he was tipsy, Ye Yun came over to support him and wiped his face with a damp handkerchief.
"My spouse, let's drink our cross-cupped wine."
Ye Yun shyly took the wine cup and drained it.
Looking at his spouse's slightly flushed face up close in the red candlelight, Rong Zheng felt his heart pound. His throat bobbed, and his mouth went dry.
This is going to be the death of me. Rong Zheng shook his head to clear it a little.
"There's hot water ready in the kitchen. I reek of wine, so I'll go wash first. If you're tired, get some rest." He walked out, then, afraid Ye Yun would worry about Ye Chen, added, "Xiao Chen is staying in another bedroom in the house. I'll tell him to wash in a little while. Don't worry."
Ye Yun nodded. Rong Zheng's wolfish gaze just now had left his face hot and red. Earlier that day, he had looked through the booklet Auntie Zhong had someone give him, and knew they would do embarrassing things on their wedding night. At the thought, he covered his face with both hands.
When Rong Zheng returned after washing, he found Ye Yun sitting obediently on the edge of the bed, his hands occasionally stroking or clutching the bedding, looking terribly nervous.
Rong Zheng smiled and sat down beside him, taking his hand. "Don't be afraid. We won't consummate the marriage tonight."
Ah, he wanted to, but Ye Yun was only seventeen. Years of poor nutrition had left him thin and frail. When Rong Zheng held him, his bones pressed against his hands, and he could not bear to do it. Yes, he would nourish him properly first, then feast once he was healthy.
"We won't consummate the marriage?" Ye Yun looked up at Rong Zheng in surprise, unable to help feeling disappointed. Does he find me undesirable?
Seeing his spouse lower his eyes unhappily, Rong Zheng gently embraced him. "Don't overthink it. I'm very fond of you. Once I pass the tongsheng examination next year, we'll consummate our marriage."
"What if you don't pass?" Ye Yun could not help asking. Realizing he had misspoken and afraid Rong Zheng would be upset, he hurried to explain, "That's not what I meant. I..."
"Oh, so my spouse wants to consummate our marriage that badly!" Seeing his nervous expression, Rong Zheng teased him to help him relax.
Sure enough, Ye Yun twisted away and pushed him, protesting, "Nonsense."
"All right, all right. I'm the one who wants to consummate our marriage, and my spouse is anxious on my behalf."
"Who's anxious?!" This time, Ye Yun was angry. He turned his back on Rong Zheng and ignored him.
Only after Rong Zheng coaxed him for a while did Ye Yun agree to speak. They undressed and lay down, and Rong Zheng held his spouse in his white sleeping robes, gazing at his beautiful face and his moving lips. Ye Yun seemed a little nervous and licked his lips, instantly leaving them glistening. What would it feel like to kiss such soft lips?
Noticing Rong Zheng's burning gaze, Ye Yun blushed shyly, bringing to mind peach blossoms blooming in early spring, especially adorable and alluring.
The sight left Rong Zheng itching with desire. Slowly, he leaned closer, then closer still. His spouse watched him with those bright, innocent eyes, not understanding why Rong Zheng was coming so close. Weren't they not consummating their marriage?
"Close your eyes." Rong Zheng coaxed him gently. Ye Yun hurriedly closed his eyes, letting Rong Zheng kiss him.
At first, Rong Zheng only kissed the lips he had been longing for gently, lingering over them as his fingers softly stroked his spouse's black hair.
Gradually, the air around them grew warmer and warmer.
Looking into Rong Zheng's peach-blossom eyes, filled with tenderness and desire, the still-shy Ye Yun looked away as though burned, then glanced back for a couple of brief looks before calling softly:
"Husband."
"Good boy. Get some rest."
Outside the window, the moonlight was hazy. Inside, red candles flickered brightly, and lingering affection filled the air as the newlyweds nestled against each other and slowly fell asleep.