Di Ming

Chapter 287 "Little Tiger, you're so annoying!"

A mirror reflects the heart, signifying mutual trust and a heart as clear as the moon. Therefore, the first step in the wedding ceremony is to bow while looking into a mirror, demonstrating the newlyweds' sincerity towards each other.

Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei bowed three times to the large bronze mirror on the mirror stand in the hall, clasped their hands in front of it.

"The mirror-gazing ceremony is complete!" the best man announced. "The bride and groom, take your places! Now proceed with the wedding ceremony!"

In ancient times, wedding ceremonies were often held at dusk, hence the name "wedding ceremony." However, these days it's no longer limited to dusk. Otherwise, once the city gates were closed, guests attending the banquet wouldn't be able to return home.

Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei were both a little excited, as they were about to formally begin their wedding ceremony.

The two already knew that the wedding ceremony consisted of bowing to heaven and earth, bowing to the parents, and the couple bowing to each other.

The term "high hall" refers to ancestors and parents, not just parents.

Above the red carpeted hall, brightly lit dragon and phoenix candles were placed, and in the very center, facing south, were the tablets of the gods of heaven and earth.

On both sides of the golden nanmu screen stood wedding attendants, each holding a marriage certificate, a pair of nuptial cups, a food plate, chopsticks, scissors, a brocade pouch, and other items.

Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei knelt down together, facing the ancestral tablets of the gods of heaven and earth. As they kowtowed, they clasped their hands together and pushed them upwards above their heads.

The best man said, "Bow... rise... bow again... rise!"

After doing this three times, the ceremony of bowing to heaven and earth is complete.

The best man then said, "Please invite the newlyweds to the ancestral hall to pay their second respects to their parents!"

Then the matchmaker presented a red ribbon to Ning Caiwei and Zhu Yin, each holding one end. Zhu Yin then took the red ribbon and led Ning Caiwei to the nearby ancestral hall.

This is what is called "a predestined marriage across a thousand miles".

In large family weddings, the second bow to the parents is usually held in the ancestral hall, and rarely in the main hall.

Many people also came to the ancestral hall to watch the ceremony.

Zhu Yin led Ning Caiwei to the ancestral hall, where they took their places on either side of the memorial tablet.

The best man announced, "Second bow to the parents!"

The two bowed again, just like when bowing to heaven and earth, pushing their hands upwards above their heads.

Next, the couple bowed to each other.

"The newlyweds are in place!" the best man announced in a drawn-out tone. "The couple will bow to each other!"

Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei stood facing each other. Ning Caiwei knelt down first, while Zhu Yin remained standing.

Although Zhu Yin remained standing and did not immediately bow down, he knew that this was a matter of etiquette.

That's right, the so-called couple bowing to each other originated in the Han Dynasty. Traditionally, the woman would bow first, and then the man would bow back to her after she had done so.

They bowed one after the other, not at the same time.

The idea of ​​bowing down simultaneously dates back to the Republican era.

Ning Caiwei knelt on the ground, raising her hands to chest level with her right hand over her left, then lowered them to the ground, and finally kowtowed with her hands and forehead touching.

After Ning Caiwei finished kowtowing, Zhu Yin also knelt down and bowed to Ning Caiwei in the same way.

Zhu Yin wanted to bow to Ning Caiwei at the same time, but if he did so, it would be "impolite" and "indecent," openly defying feudal ethics, and at the very least, the officials of the Ministry of Rites would impeach him.

How could Zhu Yin do something so foolish? Some things can only be reformed when one has absolute power.

"Rise! Ceremony complete!" the best man announced.

Although the wife bows to the husband before the husband, they rise simultaneously. This custom has existed for over a thousand years, only briefly changing during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian.

After the wedding ceremony, the two were officially husband and wife. But it wasn't over yet!
After the couple finished their ceremony and stood up, the best man announced again, "Newlyweds—perform the hand-holding ceremony!"

Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei simultaneously extended their hands, Ning Caiwei's palms down and Zhu Yin's palms up, clasping each other's hands.

This is the meaning of: "Holding hands, growing old together."

If the wedding ceremony is solemn and dignified, then the hand-holding ceremony is intimate and relaxed, indicating that the distance between the newlyweds has been shortened.

Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei held each other's familiar hands, feeling comforted and at ease.

He felt that her hands were very soft.

She felt his hands were warm.

Seeing the two holding hands face to face, the best man chanted in an orderly fashion: "The newlyweds—perform the hand-washing ceremony!"

The butlers, carrying a bronze ewer and a handkerchief, stepped forward and asked the two to wash their hands.

The two washed their hands in a bronze vessel and dried them with the same towel, thus concluding the ablution ritual.

The best man then said, "Newlyweds—perform the ritual of sharing a meal! Let us eat millet and sorghum together, sharing joys and sorrows!"

The so-called "sharing a meal" ceremony means eating together, signifying that they are a family who share joys and sorrows and perform sacrifices together.

Washing one's hands before eating is also an ancient Chinese custom.

Immediately, a pair of deacons carrying a food box and chopsticks stepped forward, offered the chopsticks, and opened the food box.

The food box contained rice made from millet and sorghum, as well as cooked pork, mutton, and beef.

Zhu Yin knew Ning Caiwei's taste; the meat was not only boiled but also fried until the oil was rendered out, making it slightly burnt.

The two picked up their chopsticks and symbolically ate a little bit of millet porridge and three kinds of meat from the same plate before stopping.

Thus, the ritual of sharing a meal was completed.

The Tonglao ceremony in the Ming Dynasty was much simpler. In my Great Zhou Dynasty, the Tonglao ceremony would have involved sitting down for a real meal, and the meal alone would have taken a lot of time and effort.

Upon seeing the two put down their chopsticks, the best man immediately sang:

"Newlyweds—let's perform the wedding ceremony!"

Two attendants stepped forward, one holding a pair of jade nuptial cups in the shape of mandarin ducks, and the other a wine pot. As they poured the wine, they sang:
"May your union be prosperous and harmonious, and may your marriage bring you shared glory!"

The Mandarin Duck Cup, a symbol of union between husband and wife, replaced the gourd ladle of the Zhou Dynasty. It is a single wine cup with two rims.

The fine wine was poured into the nuptial cup and first offered to the groom, Zhu Yin. Zhu Yin took a sip and then handed it to Ning Caiwei.

Ning Caiwei took it, lifted the veil, revealing petal-like lips, and symbolically took a sip.

The wedding ceremony was completed.

Some people believe that the nuptial wine is the same as the wine poured from the same cup, but this is a big misconception.

By this point in the ceremony, both of them were a little tired. This ritual of Zhou Gong was truly tedious. The saying that China is a land of etiquette is absolutely true.

As for later generations who only knew how to shake hands calling themselves a land of etiquette, that was just a laughable statement born of ignorance.

After the nuptial ceremony was completed, the best man sang: "Newlyweds—perform the hair-tying ceremony! Bound together as husband and wife, never to be separated!"

"Untie your tassels!"

The matchmaker immediately stepped forward and untied a lock of hair from Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei's head.

The best man sang again: "Haircut!"

Zhu Yin took a small pair of scissors from the steward and first cut off a lock of hair that had been pulled from Ning Caiwei's temple. Then he handed the scissors back to Ning Caiwei.

Although Ning Caiwei was wearing a veil, she wasn't completely blind. With the help of the matchmaker, she found Zhu Yin's hair and cut off a lock of it.

The best man sang again: "Tying the knot!"

Then Ning Caiwei personally tied two strands of hair together, put them into the brocade pouch with the character for "happiness" handed to her by the steward, and then put it into her bosom.

The brocade pouch containing the hair knot is kept by the bride. Even years later, when the couple is old and their hair is all white, they can still see the two strands of black hair from their wedding day.

The best man immediately sang in a blissful tone: "We became husband and wife, our love unwavering. Our hearts are bound together, our destiny sealed for three lifetimes!"

The hair-tying ceremony was also completed.

According to Tang Dynasty etiquette, there would be a "removing the fan" ceremony, which would require composing a poem about it. However, in the Ming Dynasty, women wore red veils at their weddings and did not use a fan, thus eliminating the need for the "removing the fan" ceremony.

Once the hair-tying ceremony is completed, the newlyweds are considered a natural and obligatory married couple, surpassing all vows of eternal love.

Ning Qingchen, who was watching the ceremony outside the ancestral hall, had a mixed expression of joy and complicated feelings when she saw her sister and the little tiger getting married.

At the same time, the band began playing "Eternal Reunion." Suddenly, a commotion arose outside, and the Zhu family's servants scattered ten thousand coins they had prepared for the occasion, raining down like drops of water.

"Let's throw out lucky money!"

People rushed forward in a frenzy, not for money, but for good fortune and auspiciousness.

...

Next comes the custom of entertaining guests and giving gifts. This refers to the social occasions of hosting guests, thanking them, and offering toasts.

Zhu Yin used a red thread to lead Ning Caiwei back to the banquet, escorted her to the elegant pavilion behind the screen, and then came out to meet everyone.

When everyone saw Zhu Yin's wedding ceremony complete, they all bowed and offered their congratulations. Many were filled with emotion. They had only entered officialdom and established their careers after getting married; how could they compare to Zhu Zhihu, who had achieved fame and fortune before settling down and starting a family?
Even if such a marriage existed, it was a divorce and remarriage, not with the original wife. Many officials were only scholars (xiucai) when they got married, not even juren (juren).

The only person who has married a wife more gloriously than Zhu Zhihu in this day and age is the emperor, who married young.

Sitting in the pavilion, Zhuang Shu and Tang Rong looked at Zhu Yin, who was radiant and full of energy, and felt a pang of sadness in their hearts.

After several years, the mischievous little tiger has grown into a handsome and dashing young man, becoming the world-renowned Mr. Young Tiger and a prominent young official.

I never imagined it back then; it feels like a dream.

Even his shrines are found all over the world, and people say that he is the reincarnation of the God of Literature, the sixth reincarnation of the God of Literature.

The two women already knew that Zhu Yin had never been in love with either of them; his heart had always belonged to Ning Caiwei. He was attracted to women with large feet.

But he was afraid of embarrassing them if he refused, so he used a trick to make them give up on their own.

Looking back now, how shallow and mercenary they were! They deserved to lose.

Although the two women had long since let go of the past, seeing Zhu Yin marrying Ning Caiwei still left them feeling uneasy and somewhat resentful.

Zhihu, you rascal, you'll be Ning Dajiao's husband from now on. Stay with her and cherish her.

I wish you... a long and happy life together. Zhuang Shu touched her belly, sighed softly, and a smile that was hard to describe appeared on her beautiful face.

The baby is nine months old and will be born soon. This child is also Zhu Yin's godson!
Tang Rong's feelings at this moment were also hard to describe.

She came to Beijing to marry Mao Wenlong. But she never expected that Mao Wenlong would follow Zhu Yin to fight in the Northwest, become Zhu Yin's subordinate, and be recommended by Zhu Yin to be a guerrilla general.

Meanwhile, Zhu Yin's cousin-in-law, Feng Menglong, also became his advisor.

Both of their husbands actually regarded Zhu Yin as their benefactor!
Meanwhile, Ning Dajiao, whom they had previously looked down upon, had become a wealthy merchant and a benevolent Guanyin child, earning a great reputation.

Life is truly unpredictable.

...

Under the brilliant autumn light, the music of "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" plays in the courtyard. On the stage by the water, a Kunqu opera troupe is performing "The Peony Pavilion: The Startled Dream".

Suddenly, the tinkling of jade pendants came from behind the screen. Twelve courtesans dressed in lotus-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) emerged, carrying pipa (a Chinese stringed instrument) and sheng (a Chinese wind instrument), and began to play a newly composed piece called "Two Stars Crossing the River".

Amidst the festive noise, the magnolia blossoms in the garden fluttered down.

The wine table in the courtyard was decorated with a "Ten Thousand Blessings" pattern, and the blue and white lotus-patterned bowls and cups gleamed with a faint blue luster under the candlelight.

The lotus-patterned tableware was specially selected for the wedding banquet, subtly symbolizing the auspicious omen of "lotus giving birth to a noble son".

Inside the newly commissioned "sacrificial red" glazed wine pot from Jingdezhen, the 15-year-old Shaoxing Daughter Red wine exudes a rich, amber-colored aroma.

Ninety tables were set up for a continuous banquet, with twelve main dishes, including bird's nest stewed with shredded chicken and camel hump with orangutan lips, served in sequence.

The Zhu family's food, wine, and tableware were all very presentable!
At this moment, Zhu Yin bowed deeply to the assembled guests with great poise and spoke eloquently:

"Today is a joyous occasion for my wedding. I invite you all to raise your glasses, enjoy the music and the play, and drink until you're all drunk."

Holding a wine glass, he said, "I am a foolish man. When I was young, I read the Book of Poetry and when I came to the line 'A fair maiden,' I was completely ignorant. As I grew up, all I knew was to study hard by the west window, enduring the cold and heat of summer, focusing on the imperial examinations, and having no time for youthful admiration."

"Later, I passed the imperial examination and was full of vigor. I only knew to dedicate myself to the country and repay the emperor's kindness. I had no thoughts of family or marriage, let alone the feelings of Guan Ju. I did not know the beauty of the goddess Luo, so how could I have the feelings of Cao Zhi?"

Everyone was captivated by Zhu Yin, who was holding a wine cup, with his elegant demeanor, refined manner, and clear and graceful speech. At only fifteen years old, he already possessed the air of a noble scholar.

Zhu Lang of Jiangzuo truly is a man who "raises his cup and casts a disdainful glance at the blue sky, as radiant as a jade tree standing before the wind."

Ah, what a sight to behold! Young noblemen and princes beneath fragrant trees, graceful songs and dances amidst falling blossoms—this wedding banquet is truly worthwhile.

Zhu Yin continued, “However, without a country, what is a family for a gentleman? Without a family, what are the five cardinal relationships? In governing the country, loyalty and filial piety should be the top priorities. Therefore, the ancients said that of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no descendants. Today, taking a wife and establishing a household is the beginning of this…”

"On this auspicious occasion, I respectfully offer three cups of wine to Heaven and Earth, our ancestors, and our distinguished guests. How could I be anything but sincere…?"

After saying this, he poured three cups of wine in turn toward heaven and earth and the ancestral tablets, but poured the last cup onto the blue brick ground, which was in accordance with the ancient ritual of "pouring wine on the ground to swear an oath".

Then, Zhu Yin refilled his glass, drank it all in one gulp, and toasted the distinguished guests.

At the head table, an elderly man with a white beard stood up shakily, holding a wine cup. He was none other than Xu Wenbi, the Duke of Dingguo, who was over sixty years old.

Xu Wenbi was a Duke and quite old; in the absence of cabinet ministers, he was the head of the distinguished guests. He was fully qualified to speak on behalf of the distinguished guests.

Although he held a prestigious position, he had no real power and lived a very leisurely life. His favorite thing to do was to attend weddings and other people's celebrations, enjoying the lively and festive atmosphere.

Duke Dingguo said with a sigh, “Your Excellency should remember the teachings of the ‘Peach Blossom’ and bring harmony to your family. The ‘Great Learning’ says that a gentleman cultivates himself, regulates his family, and then governs the country. A virtuous couple, with husband and wife in harmony and a happy family, is a blessing to the country and also the expectation of the Holy Emperor.”

"Now that the seas are calm and the rivers are peaceful, and all is well, His Majesty is a wise and enlightened emperor, blessed with boundless fortune. This is a propitious omen of abundant talent and outstanding ministers. The Imperial Guardian is a prodigy, a rare find in a thousand years, a harbinger of good fortune for the nation. This cup of wine, I toast to the Imperial Guardian..."

Despite being a Duke, he dared not be arrogant in the face of Zhu Yin, a young civil official who had achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations.

In the present Ming Dynasty, nobility and military generals are of little value; the most valuable are the civil officials.

Zhu Yin raised his cup to thank the Duke of Dingguo, and then toasted the Duke of Yingguo, the Prince Consort, Shi Xing, and others in turn.

Although Shi Xing disliked Zhu Yin as his deputy, he didn't want to offend Zhu Yin on the surface, so he still came.

Zhu Yin then toasted Qi Jiguang and other military generals. Although Qi Jiguang was his adoptive father, their relationship in public was not very close.

"General, please! Please have a few more drinks today," Zhu Yin said politely.

Qi Jiguang also showed a polite smile, raised his glass and said, "Congratulations, Your Excellency, please!"

After toasting some bigwigs, Zhu Yin was already a little drunk, so he sat down to drink and watch the show.

Because of the singing, dancing, drama, and acrobatic performances, everyone drank their wine very slowly, from noon until dusk.

The plays on the stage changed several times, and "The Romance of the Western Chamber: The Auspicious Date" had already been performed.

If you don't want to watch a play, you can watch a dance, or play mahjong, pitch-pot, or ball games... or guess riddles.

The Zhu family made thorough preparations, and the guests had a great time.

As dusk approached, the guests began to take their leave. Zhu Yin gave each of them a gift of jade jewelry from Ning Caiwei Trading Company.

After several years of fermentation, the reputation of jadeite finally exploded, and it began to bring Ning Caiwei more and more income.

This time, the purpose of using the wedding banquet as a return gift is to fully penetrate the high-end jade market.

Zhu Yin personally saw everyone off. By the time the guests had all left, the city lights were already on.

...

Ning Caiwei had already been sent back to her bedroom at Hanzhang University.

Jin Yunniang was leading people to perform the burial ceremony, which involved laying out lotus leaves, calamus, and other items in the new room for the bride to step on as she entered.

Inside the room, twelve pairs of palace lanterns depicting children at play illuminated a canopy with images of hundreds of sons and thousands of grandsons. A gilded incense burner in front of the canopy bed emitted fragrant mist.

Ning Caiwei returned to the familiar room, ripped off the bright red veil from her head, and shouted:

"Yunniang, quickly bring me some hot food, I'm so hungry and tired!"

"Good heavens! All this red tape! Luckily I practice martial arts, otherwise my legs would have gone weak."

"Ah!" Yunniang laughed, "No need for Madam's instructions, I've already prepared everything."

Now that they've gone through the wedding ceremony, she's addressing Ning Caiwei as "Madam." "Madam" isn't a title to be used lightly; according to the law, only the principal wives of officials of the first or second rank can be called "Madam."

Although the terms of address are not as strict as in the law nowadays, only the wives of mid- to high-ranking officials are comfortable using the title "Madam".

Hearing the title "Madam" from Ning Caiwei made her feel at ease.

This meant that in the patriarchal society of ancient times, she truly possessed a respectable identity and rightfully became the mistress of the Zhu family.

Jin Yunniang clapped her hands, and the maids filed in one after another, carrying food boxes.

"You're the only one who cares about me!" Ning Caiwei picked up her chopsticks and began to eat heartily, showing no trace of her status as a bride.

Jin Yunniang reminded, "However, Madam should still put on the veil before the master enters the room, as the master will also lift the veil. Without this customary etiquette, it will not look quite right."

Ning Caiwei nodded readily, "Understood."

The bride wears a red veil not to avoid being seen in public, but to ward off evil spirits.

Because a bride's yang energy is at its weakest when she gets married, making her vulnerable to evil spirits, she wears a red veil to ward off evil and suppress negative influences.

Jin Yunniang did not disturb the mistress and soon went out to direct the maids to serve the distinguished guests.

Suddenly, Ning Qingchen entered the bedroom with a grin, leading Xiao Hei in, and said in a cute, childlike voice:
"Madam Ning, you're all alone in your room. Where is your husband?"

Ning Caiwei laughed and scolded, "What are you doing?"

Ning Qingchen, with her hands behind her back and her face upturned, said, "There are only two more rituals left: lifting the veil and consummating the marriage, right?"

"Let me make this clear first, consummating the marriage is out of the question, you're only fifteen."

"Galo almost died when he gave birth at eighteen. What about you at fifteen? Your body still needs three more years to develop. If things go wrong now and you get pregnant, I can't even say I can save you if you have a difficult delivery..."

"You're just spouting nonsense! Bah!" Ning Caiwei snapped angrily. "Do you need to remind me of this? Do you think I'm thirsty? You can't even eat in peace. You haven't seen me for over ten days, and when you see me, you say such unlucky things!"

"Heh." Ning Qingchen chuckled. "Madam Ning, don't get angry. I'm just offering honest advice, even if it's hard to hear."

"Little Black, don't you think so?" Ning Qingchen patted Little Black's head.

Ning Caiwei rolled her eyes, too lazy to pay any more attention to her sister.

After Ning Caiwei finished eating, she yawned as she listened to the opera singing coming from the courtyard. "I'm sleepy, I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up at dusk."

After saying that, she was too lazy to wash up, so she put on her wedding dress and lay down on the bed.

“I’ll sleep with you. I stayed up all night preparing for your wedding.” Ning Qingchen yawned as if she had caught his yawn, and climbed onto the canopy bed, stepping on the lotus leaves and calamus on the carpet.

The two sisters slept for two hours straight.

"Madam!" Yunniang suddenly rushed in. "Madam, wake up! Quickly put on your veil. The master is about to enter the cave."

Ning Caiwei jumped up, quickly covered her head with the red veil, and sat on the edge of the bed.

Ning Qingchen couldn't dodge in time, so she simply rolled inside and hid under the brand-new brocade quilt.

As soon as Zhu Yin entered, Xiao Hei immediately stood up and wagged its tail like a fan.

Zhu Yin casually slipped a pastry to Xiao Hei and then lifted the beaded curtain.

"My lord, everything is as you wish." Jin Yunniang quickly handed over a scale and then quietly withdrew.

Zhu Yin looked at Ning Caiwei, who was wearing a bright red veil and sitting motionless on the edge of the bed, and couldn't help but find it a little funny.

Even though we're so close, why are you still acting all high and mighty?

He walked over and sat down next to Ning Caiwei, then used a scale rod to lift the red veil, meaning "as you wish".

As soon as the red veil was lifted, a flawless face came into view, like a peony shrouded in mist, or a lotus emerging from the water. It was truly a picture-perfect scene, beyond the power of words to describe.

Even though the face was very familiar and warm, Zhu Yin was still momentarily stunned upon seeing it, and then couldn't help but say:
"If we don't meet at the edge of a sesame seed's mouth, we'll meet under the moon on a jade terrace."

After saying that, he reached out and gently wiped a sesame seed from the bride's lips, then chuckled.

"Ouch!" Ning Caiwei cried out like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "You little tiger, you're so annoying!"

P.S.: Okay, the wedding is all over. Thank you to all the readers who have been following the story. Goodnight!
(End of this chapter)