The venue was filled with guests. As the music began in the wedding hall, the heavy doors slowly opened.
A spotlight fell upon the entrance of the hall.
As the doors opened completely, the light enveloped the newlywed couple. Qing Muye led Meng Jingwei by the hand into the wedding hall. As they appeared in everyone's sight, a hushed gasp arose…
Meng Jingwei wore a phoenix coronet and flowing robes, a traditional Chinese wedding dress of bright red. The three-meter train was adorned with a vividly lifelike, soaring phoenix.
Beside her, Qing Muye wore a scholar's cap and a bright red scholar's robe, the hem lined with blue auspicious clouds, and black boots.
On the left side of the hall stood a row of golden chimes, played by a band of ancient-style musicians dressed in festive red traditional attire, performing the instrumental piece "Distant Journey."
The host, dressed in a formal red suit, held a microphone and spoke a series of clichéd lines before finally getting to the point. "The Meng family has a daughter named Miss Meng Jingwei, who is knowledgeable, virtuous, dignified, and gentle. Today, the Qing family's Young Master Qing Muye, possessing great talent and outstanding appearance, has been destined for three lifetimes with Miss Meng Jingwei of the Meng family, a union made in heaven. On September 28, 2022, the Renyin year, eighth month, and twenty-second day of the lunar calendar, we gather at the Atlantis Hotel for their wedding ceremony, to complete this worldly tale of beauty…"
Amidst the music and the host's words, the couple, each holding one end of a red silk ribbon, slowly walked towards the wedding stage.
Behind them were their respective attendants: bridesmaid Shi Ran, and Ivan, with groomsmen Tang Si and Lu Yanming.
The groomsmen were all in pale gold ancient-style formal attire. Handsome and beautiful, their presence alone was a scenic sight.
The wedding hall, filled with guests, had slightly dim lighting. However, with every step the couple took, the surroundings were illuminated, revealing the complete splendor of the wedding decorations to everyone.
From the ceiling at the entrance of the hall, numerous uneven red silk ribbons stretched towards the wedding stage. Between the ribbons, ornate octagonal lantern pillars hung with golden tassels.
In the center was a large, square lantern, from which hung multi-faceted crystal pendants. Under the pale gold light, the irregular crystal surfaces refracted scattered golden starlight, creating an exceptionally magnificent and radiant display.
It was like a runway, paved with auspicious clouds outlined in gold thread. On either side were red railings adorned with bright red flowers of various kinds, and two-meter-high antique palace lanterns, exuding a rich ancient charm.
The background wall of the wedding stage featured golden, carved wood grain at the top. Below the wood grain, on the left side, was a golden dragon, and on the right, a golden phoenix with outstretched wings. Each held one end of a red silk ribbon tied in a knot in its beak.
Both the dragon and phoenix were bas-relief carvings, lifelike and majestic.
On the high dais sat Old Madam Qing and Old Shen Tou, both dressed in traditional Chinese Tang suits, exuding a festive air.
"Wow, so beautiful."
"Yes, it's truly stunning."
"So gorgeous!"
"I'm envious, truly envious. I want a Chinese wedding like this."
"You can tell, Qing Muye really dotes on Meng Jingwei."
"So the story of Prince Charming and Cinderella is real."
"Oh my gosh, I'm starting to believe in love again."
…
The guests were filled with admiration. Many took out their phones to take pictures and record videos.
Throughout the ceremony, cameramen were recording videos, which were also being broadcast live throughout Lancheng.
The wedding proceeded normally and orderly. After the host's lengthy speech, he asked Qing Muye, "Young Master Qing, before you take Miss Meng as your wife, is there anything you wish to say to her?"
Qing Muye took the microphone, looking at Meng Jingwei standing before him. His heart pounded uncontrollably.
He gripped the microphone tightly, his handsome face breaking into a gentle smile, suppressing his inner nervousness. "Awei…"
Qing Muye: "…"
He was so nervous he didn't know what to say.
Tang Si, standing behind Qing Muye, couldn't help but chuckle softly, lowering his voice, "Hahaha… Second Brother, you weren't this nervous when you gave your speech at MIT."