The door stood open, and after the firecrackers outside had died down, a crowd surged in.
"Sister Xue, Sister Xue, quick, give me wedding candy!" Yutou led the charge, begging for sweets.
Granny Hua, like a loving elder, chuckled with delight.
Xue Niang grabbed a handful, and peeking from under her veil, placed it into Yutou's outstretched hand.
The people behind her began to ask for candy as well. Xue Niang gave one to each person. When it came to Zhuzi and Liu Chengshan, she gave them seven.
There were also women who brought their children with missing teeth for her to touch, saying that the bride's touch would help new teeth grow.
After a chaotic and boisterous celebration, it was Granny Hua who, seeing that the candy had been distributed, ushered everyone out and closed the door.
Outside, Xiao Shan had also thrown plenty of candy and peanuts. Almost all the children in the village had come, making a noisy scene, more lively than New Year's.
Xiao Shan hadn't expected so many people to show up, but thankfully, he had bought plenty of peanuts and melon seeds.
Su Mian, dressed as a young servant, arrived by carriage. After delivering his gift and offering his congratulations, he departed.
The auspicious hour arrived. Granny Hua led Xue Niang out into the courtyard. With the village chief officiating, Xue Niang and Xiao Shan bowed to heaven and earth. When they bowed to their elders, Xiao Shan helped her face north and kowtow. That direction was towards the imperial city, and also his birthplace.
Yutou shouted, "Send them into the bridal chamber!"
Zhuzi, carrying a bag, scattered another wave of candy.
The revelry continued until noon. Only then did Xiao Shan return to the courtyard, closing the door. Those who remained to drink were the village chief and his companions. Wang Xiulan had already prepared twenty dishes as Xiao Shan had instructed.
Nearly half of them were meat dishes: pheasant, rabbit, and fish. The basins were newly bought, and each was filled to the brim.
They were divided into two tables: the village chief and the three clan elders at one, and Zhuzi and the younger men at another.
Zhuzi and the others had already experienced Xiao Shan's generosity.
The three clan elders swallowed their saliva. One of them sighed, "I only had such a large pork knuckle at the town magistrate's banquet when I was young. Ah, to be able to eat such a meal before I die, I am content."
Another chided, "Old fellow, it's someone's happy occasion. What are you saying about dying?"
The village chief quickly served a piece of pork knuckle to each of the three clan elders. "Yes, yes, Uncle Elders, don't say such things. Xiao Shan is a generous man. Perhaps when the child is born and celebrates their full moon, you will be able to eat another meal."
Wang Xiulan and Granny Hua accompanied Xue Niang for her meal. Xiao Shan went in to take a look around, then confidently came out to join the drinking.
He had intended to have a simple wedding, but unexpectedly, there were so many trivial matters. Xiao Shan had a few drinks with them, and the meal lasted until mid-afternoon.
Zhuzi and the others were fine, but the village chief's table was truly tedious. One clan elder got so drunk he refused to leave.
It was the village chief who asked Zhuzi to carry him away.
The remaining meat was also distributed by Zhuzi to everyone.
"Good young man, good young man..." the elder slurred drunkenly on Zhuzi's back.
Xiao Shan had also prepared many things to thank Granny Hua and Wang Xiulan.
Granny Hua lived alone and couldn't eat so much, so she took only a small portion. "We live close by. In the future, we'll have to shamelessly ask for your help. There's a long way to go!"
Indeed, Xiao Shan did not refuse. Wang Xiulan did not leave immediately. She only asked Meng Youliang to take the gifts back first. She herself tidied up the kitchen. Seeing that everything was almost cleaned, she bid farewell to Xiao Shan and left.
Finally, everyone was gone.
Xiao Shan let out a long sigh, feeling as if the entire day had been a dream. He had expected a simple and quiet wedding, but with the villagers' help, it had become busy and lively.
This was the difference with country folk. Though they might not understand all the etiquette, they were sincere and honest.
"Xue Niang, this time you are truly my wife, Xiao Shan. The entire village is a witness."
With her veil still on, Xue Niang's lips curved upwards. "I haven't denied it!"
Xiao Shan slowly leaned towards the kang, looking at her moist red lips and her exposed smooth chin. He saw no rash.
He had drunk some wine, and a faint aroma of alcohol wafted from him.
"The rest, I will do: lift the veil, the wedding wine, entering the bridal chamber."
Entering the bridal chamber was not possible, and Xue Niang felt a pang of disappointment.
As dusk fell, Xiao Shan lit the red candles. The room was filled with red. Xue Niang sat upright on the wedding quilt. Xiao Shan's palms were sweating.
It was the bridal chamber night.
"Why haven't you lifted it yet? I'm tired to death after sitting here all day." Xue Niang rubbed her neck.
"Oh, oh, coming right up!" Xiao Shan guiltily took out some incense, lit it, and placed it on the table.
Wisps of fragrance floated in the air.
Xiao Shan returned to the kang, grasped a corner of the veil, and slowly lifted it.
A little, then a little higher, then a little higher again. Finally, he was so shocked that he flung it off.
"Where's her face? No, wait, what about her left cheek?"
Xiao Shan cupped Xue Niang's face, leaning in to search for the dark mark.
There was none. It was as white as snow, without a single blemish.
"Am I pretty?" Xue Niang's eyes sparkled, and she smiled at Xiao Shan's bewildered expression.
More than pretty, she was stunningly beautiful!
He knew Xue Niang was good-looking and had imagined what she would look like without the dark mark. But his imagination paled in comparison to the shock of the present moment.
She was too beautiful, as if she had transformed into someone else entirely. Exquisite and perfect, not like a real person, but like a fairy from a mural.
"What's going on?" Xiao Shan was stunned, reaching out to pull at her collar and examining her neck.
Xue Niang angrily slapped his hand away. Could this thing be transferable?
He was truly drunk!
Just then, there was another knock on the door.
Damn it!
Who was being so annoying!
Xiao Shan pressed Xue Niang's face and kissed her fiercely, murmuring in a husky voice, "Wait for me."
He went to open the door. Standing outside was Yuan Bufei.
"Brother, you're getting married and didn't tell me. I've come to give you a gift."
He shoved the box in his hand into Xiao Shan's and was about to enter when Xiao Shan pushed him back. "Damn it, do you know that disturbing the bridal chamber will bring down thunder?"
"What, what bridal chamber? Isn't this just a formality?" They had been husband and wife long ago, what bridal chamber was there now?
"Get lost!"
Xiao Shan kicked Yuan Bufei a good distance away, then slammed the door shut heavily.
Yuan Bufei was stunned. He had waited at the yamen all day. Finally, when it was dark and no one was around, he had come, only to be shut out.
He stood there dumbfounded for a long time, then slapped his forehead.
Damn it! He understood now, he understood!
Big brother... hadn't he... hadn't he consummated the marriage yet?
...
Xiao Shan ran back into the room, tossed the box in his hand aside, and leaped onto the kang. "Xue Niang?"
In this short time, how had she gotten under the covers? They hadn't even had the cross-cupped wine yet! Could she have fallen asleep from exhaustion?
Xue Niang lifted the quilt, extending two slender arms, and coiled them around Xiao Shan's neck like a snake.
Her eyes were languid, her body exuded a faint fragrance, her tender, water-like face flushed with color, her cherry lips slightly parted, breathing softly.
"Xiao Shan, did you heat the kang? Why is it so hot?"
"I, I, I forgot."
If the Xue Niang from before was like a fairy, then now she was a complete enchantress. Xiao Shan's heart was about to leap out of his chest, and a wicked fire surged through him, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
"Xiao Shan, you look really handsome today."
"Are you feeling hot too? Hurry and take off your clothes."
Her soft little hands went to wipe the sweat from him, her voice as sweet as caramel, husky and soft.