Aunt Ye accompanied Qi Jiao to sit down and exhorted earnestly, "Jiao Niang, all the people in the Pei family are good. You've been getting along with them for half a year, and you all know each other well. But the eldest master's aunt and cousin have just returned from another province. You don't know their temperaments. Just treat them with courtesy."
"Moreover, no matter what happens, never let yourself be wronged."
Qi Jiao held Aunt Ye's hand. "I'll keep what you've said in mind, Mother."
The sounds of gongs, drums, and music came from outside. The wedding procession was approaching.
After getting along sincerely these days, Aunt Ye had long regarded Qi Jiao as her own daughter.
Hearing the approaching wedding music outside the courtyard, her eyes suddenly welled up with tears. "My girl, a husband's family is not the same as your natal family. After you marry into the Pei family, you must serve your mother - in - law and husband well."
Although Qi Jiao was a bit sad, she didn't think Aunt Ye was right deep down.
She knew it was right to respect and love her mother - in - law and husband.
But why was a husband's family not as good as the natal family? Did a married woman have to be inferior?
Serving the mother - in - law and the husband was more like hiring a servant than marrying a wife. Would it not be more convenient to find a full - time servant girl?
Of course, Tang Guiniang was by no means such a harsh mother - in - law.
Nor would Pei Xia ever let her be wronged or overworked.
Otherwise, she would be crazy to marry.
She was herself first, and then Pei Xia's wife and the new bride of the Pei family.
Qi Jiao took out a handkerchief to wipe Aunt Ye's tears. "Mother, today I'm marrying Pei Xia. It's no different from before. I'll come back often. Besides, the two families are so close. You and Father can just think you've gained a son. Isn't it good to have one more person to be filial to you?"
Uncle Ye, who had been looking reluctant on his face, couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh. "Our Jiao Niang is absolutely right."
Aunt Ye also smiled. As she was speaking, the wedding procession arrived at the door.
Ye Geng, Ye Yun, and Ye Pa, the three brothers, were all dressed in bright clothes. They rolled up their sleeves and were ready to block the door.
The children and young men from both the Ye family's main branch and the collateral branches all rushed to the front door.
Pei Xia was dressed in a bright red wedding robe today, wearing a gilded crown. He rode a sleek and tall horse with a bright red flower tied around its neck. The man and the horse looked extremely high - spirited.
Qu Silang, Qu You, and a group of their friends surrounded him.
Zuo Yi and another young man from the Pei family named Pei Zhao, both dressed neatly, served as groomsmen and stood on either side of Pei Xia.
Behind them, the wedding procession was bustling. The musicians were playing joyfully, and everyone's faces were beaming with happiness. People in the whole Yinwan Village heard the news and came to line the road to watch the excitement and cheer.
There were people in the procession specially arranged to scatter lucky money and candies. They kept throwing them out in handfuls.
Everyone grinned from ear to ear and clapped to offer their congratulations. The scene was extremely lively.
Qu Silang saw the Ye family's courtyard door closing. His thick eyebrows knitted in worry, and he quickened his steps. But he couldn't catch up with the speed of the Ye brothers.
When he got there, the door slammed shut.
Qu Silang and the young men quickly shouted, "The groom has come to pick up the bride! Please, brothers of the Ye family, be kind enough to open the door!"
After they finished speaking, Ye Pa's highly recognizable voice rang out. His voice was fast and crisp, even better than a crosstalk performer. "I dreamt of lucky lamp - flowers last night, and the magpie chirped this morning. You didn't even bring a poem to urge the bride to dress up or any lucky money. Do you think we brothers are good - for - nothing?"
Qu Silang laughed. "If you keep guarding so tightly, how can the large amount of lucky money get in?"
At this time, Pei Xia dismounted his horse. After a moment of thought, he stood outside the door and recited a poem.
"The jade hourglass drips steadily as the Milky Way shines clear.
The Magpie Bridge is newly built, and the path is just formed.
If you want to urge the bride to dress up, you should compose a poem.
The phoenix flutes and the songs of the phoenix should welcome her soon."
Every word was like a precious pearl, reaching Qi Jiao's ears inside the door. She held a fan, but couldn't hide her sweet smile.
The Ye brothers were all stunned. They didn't expect Pei Xia to be so elegant.
But they still had to block the door.
"Bring the lucky money! If the groom is stingy, money won't move our hearts. We won't open the door."
Qu Silang was both angry and amused. He said to Pei Xia, "The Ye brothers are just teasing you at this moment!"
Pei Xia was anxious inside, but remained calm on the surface. "Bring the lucky money."
Zuo Yi and Pei Zhao each carried a large bamboo basket filled with coins, some loose and some strung together with red thread.
Pei Xia didn't care. He directly grabbed a big handful and shouted, "Open the door and catch the lucky money!"
The copper coins jingled.
Ye Yun quickly opened the door a crack, and a large handful of lucky money flew in.
Immediately, the children and young people were not afraid of being hit by the money. They rushed forward, scrambling for the lucky money while saying auspicious words. It was a busy scene.
Taking this opportunity, Qu Silang and the others rammed open the door and shouted, "The groom has come to pick up the bride! Step aside, step aside. Don't miss the auspicious time."
Pei Xia took the opportunity to slip into the door.
His eyes scanned around to find Qi Jiao.
Finally, he saw the floor - length red gauze screen embroidered with twin lotus flowers.
His beloved was just behind it.
He couldn't hide his excitement. He felt his whole body trembling and walked towards it step by step.
Aunt Cai smiled and let him pass. Everyone around made way for him.
Aunt Ye and Uncle Ye, dressed in the same color clothes with auspicious patterns, were sitting in the main hall.
No matter how eager Pei Xia was, he had to pay his respects to his in - laws according to the etiquette first.
He calmly lifted his robe and knelt down, saying solemnly, "Your son - in - law, Pei Xia, pays respects to you, Father and Mother. On this beautiful day, I'm here to marry my beloved. I wish that we could be like a pair of mandarin fish, and I will cherish and love her."
Uncle Ye, not good at words, just kept saying "good".
Aunt Ye took the tea offered by Pei Xia, took a sip, and then said, "Jiao Niang is a very good girl. I only hope that you will always think of her and care for her. If you two live a happy life, we will be relieved."
Pei Xia bowed again seriously. "I will surely follow your instructions, Father and Mother."
After the tea - offering ceremony, the Ye brothers encouraged the children to block Pei Xia.
Pei Xia glared at them secretly, thinking that he would settle this score with Ye Yun and Ye Pa when they got married.
Qu Silang, Zuo Yi and the others, as Pei Xia's right - hand men, would never let Pei Xia be held back.
They exchanged a few glances. The people who scattered money continued to do so, and others carried the children away, clearing a straight path for Pei Xia to pick up the bride.
The screen was slowly moved aside.
At the first sight, Pei Xia was shocked. The tremor in his chest was extremely clear and intense.
He stood still on the spot. The beauty behind the screen was sitting upright. Her red dress trailed on the ground. She held a round fan, covering most of her features, only leaving a pair of charming and flowing eyes.
She raised her eyes and looked at him. Her eyes were full of charm and sparkle.
Pei Xia felt that he couldn't even speak.
His Jiao Niang seemed extremely beautiful. She was so beautiful that it made one's heart skip a beat, as if she was not from the mortal world.
Pei Li, walking behind him, saw Pei Xia in a daze and quickly pushed him. "Brother? Hurry up and pick up Sister - in - law."
These words woke Pei Xia up. He regained his composure, and his smile was even more brilliant than the sea - sky sunset.
He looked at Qi Jiao tenderly. "Jiao Niang, I'm here to pick you up."
Saying that, he picked Qi Jiao up in his arms. The whole courtyard erupted in excitement.
The cheers and whistles continued without end. By the time they walked out of the Ye family and reached the Pei family's door, the sounds of drums, music, and congratulations became even louder.
There was no other reason but that the two families were very close.
During the wedding procession, Pei Xia and his entourage had even walked around Yinwan Village once.
Now that he had finally held Jiao Niang in his arms, Pei Xia just wanted to take her home quickly and complete the wedding ceremony.