Chapter 53 The Wedding

Chapter 53: The Wedding

On the night of the fourth day of the lunar month, Meng Wan stayed overnight at the Chang family home, accompanied by Aunt Chang and Man Geer, who had closed his shop for the occasion. Aunt Chang was fast asleep, cuddling her youngest son Yu Geer, while Man Geer chatted with Meng Wan.

"Wan Geer, are you scared?"

Meng Wan chuckled. "I'm just going back home, what's there to be afraid of?"

Man Geer realized that Meng Wan's situation was different from his own before marriage and smiled along. "You're right, you're already used to living in the Song family, and Auntie treats you like her own child. I was terrified back then—I missed home, missed my parents, and cried so hard on my wedding day that my makeup was ruined. Luckily, Dali has been good to me since I married him, and my in-laws are wonderful too. If I had ended up with a family like the Tian family, I wouldn't even know what hit me."

The Tian family had become a cautionary tale for mothers-in-law in the village, who would use them as an example when lecturing their daughters-in-law.

Speaking of the Tian family, Meng Wan couldn't help but sigh. He asked Man Geer, "If you had ended up with a family like the Tian family, what would you have done?"

Man Geer thought seriously for a moment and replied, "In our Yangshu Village, there's a man who beats his wife, but his wife is fierce. She once swung a kitchen knife at him, and he got scared. Although they still fight sometimes, it's not as absurd as the Tian family.

If it were me, I wouldn't dare to fight with a knife, but I have brothers. My mother said that if Dali ever dares to lay a finger on me, she'll take me back immediately and have my brothers come to teach him a lesson!" Man Geer raised his fist as he spoke.

Meng Wan looked at him and said, "Your mother must really love you."

"Of course, what mother doesn't love her own child? If I were to become a dad..." Man Geer didn't finish his sentence, blushing as he buried half his face in the blanket.

After a moment, he poked his head out again. "Wan Geer, have you heard? Zhu Geer ran away."

"Ran away? What do you mean?" Meng Wan had barely left the house since returning, so he hadn't heard about the Tian family's affairs. The house next door had been eerily quiet, with only occasional curses from Li Changxiang, but he didn't know who she was cursing at.

Man Geer looked eager to gossip. "I heard it from my mother-in-law. After Tian Xing was buried, Zhu Geer said he wanted to visit his family home, and then there was no news of him. His mother-in-law went to the Qu family to look for him and ran into the Qu family, who were looking disheveled and embarrassed.

It turns out Zhu Geer never told them he was going back to his parents' home. During the day, he hid behind a woodpile, and at night, he sneaked into the house, took the family's silver, and ran away with his younger sister. Not only that, but he also set fire to his parents' thatched cottage."

The thatched cottage caught fire easily, and the fire almost killed the Qu couple. Furious, the Qu family got the whole village to search for Zhu Geer and his sister, even turning over every ditch in the fields, but they couldn't find them.

Just as they were about to go to the Tian family to demand answers, Li Changxiang showed up. The two families argued but couldn't agree on anything. Now both sides hate Zhu Geer's guts, but since they can't find him, they have no choice but to take the loss.

Man Geer recounted the story with great enthusiasm, while Meng Wan was stunned. Was this really Zhu Geer? How could he be so crazy? And even crazier than Meng Wan had imagined.

They made small talk for a while longer until Meng Wan grew drowsy. But because he had things on his mind, he slept fitfully. At dawn, Man Geer, used to opening his breakfast shop early, was the first to wake up.

As soon as Man Geer stirred, Meng Wan opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the bright red wedding robe placed beside his pillow. This wedding robe had been worked on by three people: Song Tingzhou, Meng Wan...

Meng Wan's sewing was so bad that Chang Jinhua had to rip out most of it and re-sew it.

The wedding dress was simple and made of cheap fabric, but today, this day gave it a different meaning.

Meng Wan squinted and ran his hand over the robe a couple of times, then got up briskly to wash up and change into it, letting Aunt Chang fix him up. The threading really hurt, and Aunt Chang had a surprisingly strong grip. "Auntie, don't press so hard. Everything was bought with money. If there's any left, you can keep what's left."

Aunt Chang was holding a small box of face powder, applying it to Meng Wan's face. Hearing what he said, she did lighten her touch.

"You're right. You're already so fair-skinned, you don't need so much powder. It would be a waste. Should I put it away then?"

Meng Wan quickly nodded. "Yes, please put it away. I've already got enough on my face." Aunt Chang happily put away the remaining face powder. This stuff was more expensive than pastries and fruits, and she only used it on special occasions.

After the powder came the eyebrow drawing. In the city, people had proper eyebrow pencils, but here, Aunt Chang simply took a small wooden stick that still had some warmth from the stove and just roughly sketched two lines on his eyebrows.

The lip balm was even simpler. Meng Wan did it himself. He dipped his fingertip into a tiny box no bigger than a copper coin, applied a little to his lips, and he was done!

Even Aunt Chang, who was usually critical, had to admit that Meng Wan looked good, and Man Geer was even more impressed.

"Wan Geer, you look gorgeous!"

It always feels good to be praised. Meng Wan sat on the kang with his hair loose, looking at him. “Is that so?”

“Y-yes!” Man Geer stared at him in a daze.

A Geer marrying out had no veil. Wealthy families would prepare a gold-and-silver-threaded round fan to shield the face, but common folk were not so particular.

Aunt Chang had skillful hands. She combed all of Meng Wan’s hair to the back of his head, securing it with a Xiangyun hairpin, making him look neat and tidy, even more convenient than before when it was half draped.

In the Yu Kingdom, women’s hair was often styled high, adorned with pearls and trinkets, while Geers kept a lower profile. Commoners mostly coiled their hair at the back of the head into a low bun, and only officials’ husbands could wear their hair atop the head with crowns and hairpins.

Meng Wan touched the bun at the back of his neck, his fingertips brushing the smooth head of the Xiangyun hairpin. Outside, the sky was fully bright. He let out a soft sigh.

Song Tingzhou, I’m ready.

At 1:45 in the afternoon, Song Tingzhou rented the village head’s oxcart to pick up Meng Wan. He, too, wore a bright red robe, his hair tied in a high ponytail with a ribbon, looking every bit a fine young man, extraordinarily handsome.

His lips were pressed tight, fighting a smile; his face betrayed nothing, but inside he was both nervous and expectant.

Da Li and Da Zhu, the young strong men of the Song family, came along,

as did Sixth Aunt Song, who acted as the matchmaker today. She, too, was dressed in new clothes, a rare treat, reciting good-luck sayings at the entrance of the Chang family lane.

Today, the new groom could not set foot on the ground. According to custom, he had to be carried out of the house by his younger brother from his mother’s side. Aunt Chang’s son was only twelve this year, not as tall as Meng Wan, but he was sturdy enough to barely carry him.

Staggering, he carried Meng Wan out of the Chang family gate. Those few steps made Song Tingzhou, waiting outside, anxious. As soon as the cousin’s foot crossed the threshold, Song Tingzhou quickly scooped up Meng Wan.

The people with him burst into laughter—the groom just couldn’t hold back.

Meng Wan was so embarrassed and awkward, feeling like total social death; he might as well have had a red veil!

Safely placed onto the oxcart by Song Tingzhou, Meng Wan eyed him suspiciously. “Can you drive the oxcart?”

Song Tingzhou’s expression turned serious, his lips forming a straight line. He answered curtly, “Yes.”

Man Geer stayed by his mother-in-law’s side, and the group headed back to Sanquan Village in a noisy procession.

Arriving at Song Tingzhou’s doorstep, Sixth Aunt Song took the winnowing basket from Chang Jinhua, which contained grain, soybeans, and a dozen copper coins. She scattered the contents in front of the oxcart while reciting good-luck sayings. Song Tingzhou carried Meng Wan down again, only setting him down after crossing the courtyard gate.

A group of children who had been waiting behind rushed forward, scrambling to grab the copper coins under the oxcart. When those were gone, they picked up the beans and grain.

Song Tingzhou took Meng Wan's hand and led him into the yard. The guy's palm was warm and sweaty.

Meng Wan stole a glance at him; his face was expressionless, unreadable.

In the yard, about ten tables were set left and right, now filled with Song family relatives. At the front table sat the clan head, the village head, and other elders. Even Shopkeeper Huang was there, holding his granddaughter—he must have gotten word and come to congratulate on his own. A middle-aged scholar sat at the table as well, a face he didn't recognize.

In the center of the yard stood two chairs. Chang Jinhua first went inside and brought out her late husband’s memorial tablet, carefully placing it on the left chair. As she straightened up, she couldn’t help wiping her moist eyes before sitting down in the right chair, dressed in a new dark purple outfit.

Man Geer spread a large piece of red coarse cloth in front of Meng Wan and Song Tingzhou. Both were decked out in bright red. As Sixth Aunt Song chanted the wedding rites, they slowly knelt and bowed once to Chang Jinhua and Song Youmin’s memorial tablet.

Chang Jinhua smiled, saying, “Good, good. May you live in harmony and joy from now on, and grow old together.” But tears streamed down her cheeks.

Sixth Aunt Song quickly handed her a handkerchief. On such a joyous day, only the bride’s side was supposed to cry; the groom’s mother shouldn't be crying.

By then, Man Geer had helped Wan Geer to stand. He and Song Tingzhou stood facing each other, one east and one west. As the chant continued, they bowed to each other. When they rose, their eyes met.

From now on, married to a husband, bound in a blessed union, never to part in life or death.

From now on, taking a spouse, pledged to grow old together, unwavering forever. After the bowing ceremony, Sixth Aunt Song, as the matchmaker, led the couple into the bridal chamber. The two wooden cabinets in the small room had been painted red, the windows and doors decorated with large red “double happiness” characters. The bed was covered with a red coarse cloth sheet, with two red cloth pillows and a red quilt.

This wedding was simple, but every detail showed Chang Jinhua's care for her son and his spouse.

Song Tingzhou and Meng Wan sat on the kang. Meng Wan held a duster tied with red string and swept out a pile of copper coins, peanuts, and soybeans from under the quilt. Aunt Song Liu again recited auspicious words about longevity, wealth, and many children.

At this point, Meng Wan was starving, but it wasn't over yet. Man Geer handed over scissors, which Song Tingzhou took. He cut a lock of hair from both his own and Meng Wan's hair, tied them into a lover's knot, and placed it under the pillow.

Then each picked up their wine and swapped cups to drink.

"...A joyful union, a hundred years of harmony, the ceremony is complete!"

After Aunt Song Liu finished speaking, the whole room came alive. It was her first time acting as a matchmaker, and she was nervous herself.

Once the ceremony was over, Chang Jinhua called them out to help with other things. Man Geer also tactfully withdrew.

As soon as they left, Meng Wan immediately got off the kang. "What did we eat this morning? Quickly find me something to eat."

From the Mao hour (5-7 AM) to now, it was already the third quarter of the Shen hour (around 3:45 PM). Earlier he hadn't felt hungry, but by the time he did, there was no food to be found. Now Meng Wan's stomach was empty. All the romance and joy of the big day nearly made him faint from hunger.

That morning, neither Song Tingzhou nor Chang Jinhua had any appetite. When Meng Wan said he was hungry, Song Tingzhou felt the same. "Wait a moment. I'll find something to eat."

Outside, the banquet was about to begin. The kitchen was bustling with activity, and a temporary stove had been set up in the backyard. Aunt Tian brought her eldest daughter-in-law, but the daughter-in-law couldn't handle the busy scene and got flustered. It wasn't until Man Geer came to replace her that the banquet went smoothly.

Aunt Tian felt upset, but whose fault was it that her own daughter-in-law was incompetent? She could only work in silence.

When Song Tingzhou came out, there was no room to step in the kitchen. His maternal grandmother brought over a bowl of stewed vegetables and two steamed buns.

"Take these in quickly and let Wan Geer eat a few bites to tide him over. You too—you'll have to go out soon to toast the uncles and elders."

Song Tingzhou took the bowl. "Grandmother, the kitchen is a mess. Go sit outside. I'll be out in a moment."

Old Mrs. Chang kept answering, "Eh, grandmother knows. Go quickly."

Song Tingzhou saw her out before carrying the dish into the small room. Meng Wan had swept the things on the kang into a pile and was eating peanuts.

"What's good to eat? Cabbage stir-fried with tofu skin, braised chicken pieces. Wow, cousin, give me chopsticks!"

Meng Wan eagerly placed the small kang table on the kang. Song Tingzhou set the dish on it. Two dishes were combined in one large bowl, and there was another bowl with steamed buns.

The two of them, like refugees, each held a steamed bun and ate it with the dish.

"By the way, cousin, I saw Shopkeeper Huang sitting at the banquet. Did you invite him?"

Song Tingzhou finished his steamed bun in a few bites, but had hardly touched the dish. "When I went to town last time, I ran into Shopkeeper Huang and exchanged a few polite words. I didn't expect he would actually come."

Not only Shopkeeper Huang, but his tutor, Tongsheng He, also came on his own. Both were unexpected, since even a scholar (xiucai) is not as glorious as a juren (successful candidate in the provincial exam).

"Eat slowly. If you need anything, just tell Man Geer. I'll be back soon."

Seeing that he was about to leave, Meng Wan waved at him. "Got it."

He ate one steamed bun and finished all the dish in the bowl. His stomach finally felt full. After a full meal, he felt sleepy, but it wasn't time to sleep yet. He rummaged through the small cabinet in the room and found a small shallow basket containing his storybooks.

When he returned from the prefectural capital, he had considered trying a bookstore in Changping Prefecture, but the city was full of a mixed crowd, and he was new there. He really didn't know which one was reliable. After hearing about Huang Zheng's experience, he didn't dare risk it.

Those in charge mostly didn't actually manage, and the managers each had their own schemes. Song Tingzhou, a scholar aiming for an official career, shouldn't get involved in business. As a young lad, if he went in, wouldn't he be eaten alive by those sharp managers?

After much thought, it would be better to go to town another day and talk it over with Shopkeeper Huang.