This period, the happiest person was undoubtedly Chen Qiao'er. She stood by the sedan chair with her hands on her hips, her face full of pride. "You all stay back, this is my brother's bridal sedan chair."
Seeing Chen Qiao'er's serious demeanor, everyone present burst into laughter.
As the sun slanted west, all preparations were complete. Behind the eight-bearer sedan chair was the drum and gong troupe. In this era, drums were large instruments, and coupled with gongs, Chen Xiaobei recognized these two. As for the others, Chen Xiaobei didn't recognize them, but they were certainly lively and pleasant to hear.
Leading the wedding procession this time was, of course, the most esteemed elder in the village. He walked at the front, leaning on his cane, with Chen Xiaobei behind him.
Chen Xiaobei rode a tall horse, waving to the onlookers on both sides as he went.
The surrounding villagers also cheered, waiting for the procession to pass before following.
Some impatient ones simply ran ahead to the schoolhouse to wait.
Following the drum and gong troupe were Liu Rumei and Cui Hongyu. Originally, women were not supposed to attend the welcoming party, but in Hetou Village, there were not so many taboos.
The elder, full of vigor, led the group in a grand tour around the village before finally arriving at the entrance of the schoolhouse.
The schoolhouse had already been beautifully decorated, and Huang Ying's room was packed to the brim.
Seeing the groom arrive, the Lotus Cult Leader and Shen Ziyan stood at the door together.
Holding feather dusters, they symbolically swept Chen Xiaobei's clothes, a gesture to brush off the dust of the road.
Then, they beckoned the onlookers to make way, allowing Chen Xiaobei to enter the room.
Chen Xiaobei entered. Huang Ying was already in a crimson wedding dress, veiled, sitting on the bed, quietly waiting for Chen Xiaobei to approach.
Chen Xiaobei stepped forward. Just as he was about to speak, Shen Ziyan beside him said with a smile, "Groom, don't be in a hurry. First, you must serve tea to our Senior Sister."
The Lotus Cult Leader sat on a nearby chair. Someone brought tea, and Chen Xiaobei took it, respectfully offering it to the Lotus Cult Leader. "Senior Sister, please have some tea."
The Lotus Cult Leader took the tea and drank it all, then said earnestly, "Huang Ying has been an orphan since she was young. I am her family. Today, I entrust Huang Ying to you. You must treat her well."
Chen Xiaobei, with utmost respect, bowed deeply to Shen Ziyan.
After the bow, the Lotus Cult Leader stood up.
She handed a length of red silk ribbon to Chen Xiaobei. The other end was given to Huang Ying.
This was likely equivalent to the matchmaker tying the two together.
Chen Xiaobei then stepped forward and gently held Huang Ying's shoulder. "Huang Ying, let's go home."
With these words, he helped Huang Ying up and they slowly walked out.
As they walked, Chen Xiaobei mused that although this wedding was a little more complicated than Cui Hongyu's, getting married in this era was still relatively simple.
He thought about his life in the 21st century, where it took so many trials to bring a bride home, and here, serving a cup of tea was enough.
Outside, the drums and gongs were already resounding, very lively. Seeing Chen Xiaobei supporting the bride out, the crowd erupted in warm cheers again.
After helping Huang Ying into the sedan chair, Chen Xiaobei mounted his horse and retraced his steps.
The elder was at the very front.
Looking at the elder's figure, Chen Xiaobei felt a surge of emotion. At his age, to expend so much effort for his wedding in recent days...
After another circuit around the village, they returned.
A simple wedding venue was set up in Chen Xiaobei's courtyard.
On the north side sat two chairs, Wang Dafu and Wang Dagui, seated formally.
Since Chen Xiaobei had no parents, his uncles were seated here as elders of the family to receive Huang Ying's respects, which was only fitting.
On the south side was a table, laid with offerings and an incense altar. Upon entering, the elder first lit three sticks of incense to inform heaven.
Then, Chen Dachun, as the master of ceremonies, began to call out.
"First bow to Heaven and Earth."
Chen Xiaobei and Huang Ying, facing south, bowed respectfully three times towards the offering table.
"Second bow to the esteemed elders."
Wang Dafu and Wang Dagui looked a bit awkward, but beneath their awkwardness was a hint of excitement.
Watching Chen Xiaobei and Huang Ying bow to them, both men couldn't help but shed tears. They thought of Chen Xiaobei's deceased mother, how much peace she would have felt seeing this scene.
Chen Xiaobei was filled with emotion. He thought of his past life.
If everything had gone smoothly, he would also have been married and had children by now. His parents had raised him for so many years, only to suffer the ultimate sorrow of a white-haired person seeing off a black-haired one.
Thinking of this, Chen Xiaobei couldn't help but shed a tear. Wang Dafu and Wang Dagui quickly whispered words of comfort, "Xiaobei, don't cry. This is a joyous occasion, you should be happy."
At this moment, Huang Ying was also sobbing uncontrollably.
If Chen Xiaobei missed his parents, how could she not miss hers?
She remembered losing her parents at a very young age, and then being taken in by their master, the Divine Nun of the East Sea, who taught her martial arts. Later, she followed Shen Ziyan to Qingniu County. Now, like a floating duckweed, drifting everywhere, she finally had a root.
Of course, she was also grateful to Cui Hongyu and Chen Xiaobei, for not abandoning her.
And for accepting her, a spirited and silly girl.
Chen Dachun, unaware of their inner thoughts, continued by loudly announcing, "Husband and wife bow to each other."
The two maids, Xiao Hua and He Dujuan, quickly stepped forward to support Huang Ying, positioning her to face Chen Xiaobei.
Since Huang Ying's veil obscured her vision, someone had to assist with the husband and wife's bow. Seeing Chen Xiaobei bow, Dujuan gently tugged Huang Ying's arm, letting her know it was her turn to bow.
After three bows, Chen Dachun directly called out, "Escort them to the bridal chamber."
Chen Xiaobei led the way, holding the red silk ribbon, with the two maids supporting Huang Ying from behind as they proceeded directly into the bridal chamber.
The bridal chamber was located by turning east after entering the north room.
Due to the haste, the door was not yet complete, only a curtain hung there.
In this world, houses were separated only by a cloth curtain, which was commonplace.
However, Chen Xiaobei worried that if they made too much noise, it might disturb Chen Qiao'er, as the child was still young.
After Xiao Hua and Dujuan helped Huang Ying onto the bed, they bowed slightly and withdrew.
Chen Xiaobei sat down next to Huang Ying, deciding to rest for a moment. They sat there silently, neither speaking.
Meanwhile, outside in the courtyard, preparations for the wedding banquet were underway. Of course, most villagers had already attended one banquet, so they couldn't partake in a second. Tonight's banquet was primarily for the helpers from the village guard, the sedan bearers who helped with the procession, the drum and gong troupe, and the two most honored guests: Chen Xiaobei's uncles.