Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 537 Another Bird Flies In At Night (2)
Having checked the items on the table, she turned her attention to the doorway, only to spot someone holding a bow and arrows? Feng Xuxu was quite curious. Why were there bows and arrows at a wedding? She didn’t remember having those at her own wedding. Extending her hand, she tugged at someone. "Hey, why do they have to carry bows and arrows?"
Dugu Chen glanced over and chuckled lightly, "That’s to show authority, a warning to the woman about to enter the family that she shouldn’t throw tantrums or roll on the ground."
"There’s... there’s such a saying?" Feng Xuxu pulled a face. Ancient women hadn’t even stepped through the door and they were already subjected to a show of authority? So that’s where the term "show of authority" came from. Hmm, I see.
"I don’t remember having this at mine!"
"Of course, marrying you was all about doting on you. Why would we need such vulgar rituals?" Dugu Chen spoke naturally, but to Feng Xuxu’s ears, it was incredibly sweet.
Feng Xuxu stood on tiptoes and generously planted a gentle kiss on his face, praising with a smile, "Good, you’re teachable indeed."
"Hahaha, as a husband so understanding, perhaps I should get a reward tonight!" His brows danced playfully, gazing fondly at the person in his arms.
"Uh... well, that’s something to consider." Feng Xuxu’s face blushed red as she nodded, not daring to look into those sparkling eyes, and quickly changed the subject, "Is carrying bows and arrows just about showing authority to the bride?"
"Hehe, what I mentioned is just one of the legends. In fact, shooting three arrows is meant to dispel any evil spirits that the bride might have encountered on her way," Dugu Chen replied, not entirely certain himself. He had simply asked about the bow and arrows at his own wedding, and to his surprise, had received various explanations, which was why it was so vivid in his memory.
Feng Xuxu nodded without further comment. Half an hour later, the sound of fireworks, gongs, and suonas was heard, mingled with the laughter of a group of children.
"Here it comes, the bridal sedan is coming." A group of women stood on both sides of the door, all smiling as they watched the fiery red sedan.
Feng Xi rode on a tall horse, beaming with joy. As he arrived at the manor entrance, he dismounted gracefully. The stable boy immediately led the horse away. At that moment, the matchmaker opened her red lips and began to recite a string of auspicious phrases. Feng Xi stood there smiling, listening. In a daze, he released three arrows. By the time he regained his senses, the attendant next to him nudged him, and he turned an even deeper shade of red, having been distracted by the bridal sedan. He stepped forward to take the red silk ribbon from the matchmaker’s hand. Holding one end, and the bride the other, they proceeded towards the manor entrance, the bride walking with her head down. The matchmaker whispered in her ear, "Don’t be nervous. You’ll have to step over the fire basin soon. Just follow my lead and step over confidently when I tell you to."
Zhang Jiaojiao’s hand was tightly clenched inside her wide sleeve, her body somewhat stiff. After hearing the matchmaker, she nodded slightly, signaling her understanding.
Feng Xi was considerate, knowing that the bride must be feeling both nervous and uneasy. He deliberately walked with smaller steps. Especially when they reached the fire basin, his nerves were on edge watching her. Seeing her step confidently over it, Feng Xi’s tense heart could finally relax a bit.
Feng Xuxu watched the bride, adorned with a phoenix crown fashioned from pearls, jade, and tassels, even though a bridal veil with the pattern of dragons and phoenixes obscured her view. She could still make out the phoenix crown on the bride’s head. The bride was dressed in a fiery red bridal gown, with tassels and ribbons hanging from the waist, wearing a pair of embroidered shoes on her feet, draped with a shawl embroidered with a pomegranate pattern—a symbol of having many children and grandchildren—known as the "Rosy Clouds Robe."
Guided by the matchmaker, they reached the ’Heaven and Earth Table.’ Once the couple was in place, the village head Feng began to officiate the wedding. Feng Tiemu had been brimming with confidence, but upon seeing so many Magistrates and County Magistrates, and particularly the Emperor and Empress in attendance, his heart suddenly clenched with nervousness, and his thighs trembled as he walked.
