Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside

Chapter 1329: Wedding Ceremony [9]

The parents of Qin San Lang were both deceased, so in the place of honor sat only Elder Qin and two ancestral tablets placed side by side.

The tablets bore no names, only the family surname, yet no one paid any attention to such a detail; everyone was focused on the bride and groom, playfully urging, "Hurry and bow, bow quickly! Once you’re done, we can kick off the wedding night fun!"

The sleeves of the bridal gown were voluminous, so Gu Jinli secretly held Qin San Lang’s hand to comfort him.

Qin San Lang came back to his senses, gently squeezed her hand, and together they knelt and bowed to Elder Qin and the two tablets.

"Rise!" called out County Magistrate Zheng, and then he announced, "Husband and wife, bow to each other!"

Qin San Lang and Gu Jinli turned to face each other and solemnly bowed... A thump echoed as they ended up knocking their heads together, causing the whole room to erupt in laughter.

Even County Magistrate Zheng could not help but chuckle, proclaiming, "The ceremony is complete, escort them to the bridal chamber!"

"Whoo-hoo, time for wedding night fun!" Guo Qiang was thrilled, this was his first time as a groomsman and also his first wedding night, and he felt nervous.

However, his excitement didn’t last long before he caught Qin San Lang’s cold and stern gaze. A shiver ran up from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head, chilling him to the bone... Brother, I’m sorry, I won’t make a fuss, please don’t glare at me like that, I’m scared!

Zhang Zhong came over and whispered, "Company Commander Qin has decreed, no wedding night fun allowed, anyone who dares will get a beating."

Company Commander Qin had finally married his bride, and he cherished her dearly, how could he allow others to disturb his wedding night? Dream on.

Guo Qiang quickly responded, "No fun, no fun, anyone who dares, I, Guo Qiang, won’t spare them!"

Saying this, he immediately joined Zhang Zhong and the soldiers from the Military Office to form a line, blocking those intending to disturb the wedding night.

The crowd, recognizing these soldiers, began to reconsider the reputation of Company Commander Qin, King Yan, and the fierce Gu Jinli, and all thoughts of disrupting the wedding night dissipated.

Village Chief He had made two trips that day, first having the departure wine at the Gu Family, and then coming to the Qin family for the bridal wine, drinking just enough to feel a bit tipsy but mentally clear as he addressed the guests: "Let’s all go enjoy the wedding feast, here in Da Feng Village we don’t follow those wedding night antics."

The nonsense of those wedding night antics was merely a prank devised years ago by bachelors who couldn’t find wives or by rascals in the countryside looking for some fun. The unfortunate Yushu Village had run into problems because of such antics, but in this village, it was forbidden; anyone who dared would be beaten thoroughly!

After all, their village had Company Commanders, squad leaders, and Scholars, with such formidable figures around, it was certainly possible to handle a few troublemakers.

The guests at the Qin’s wedding feast were all people of some standing, well-versed in etiquette, and though they had joked about it, nobody dared actually disrupt the wedding night. Hearing Village Chief He’s words, they promptly moved to the wedding feast.

"I heard there’s ham, a delicacy! Usually, it’s ten taels of silver per plate at a restaurant, very expensive, this time I must try it."

"I also heard there’s ham stew with chicken at the Gu family’s side, supposed to be incredibly delicious."

The crowd was chatting excitedly about the delicious ham.

Meanwhile, Qin San Lang held Gu Jinli’s hand and led her to the bridal chamber, guiding her to sit on the wedding bed.

The bed was strewn with peanuts and red dates, and Gu Jinli found it uncomfortable to sit. Seeing this, Qin San Lang wanted her to stand and clear the peanuts and dates, but the Zong matchmaker stopped him, "No, the bride sitting on peanuts and red dates is auspicious."

It means they will soon bear children.

Gu Jinli had no choice but to endure it.

However, it wasn’t over yet. Following custom, the Zong matchmaker brought her various foods symbolizing happiness and prosperity: sticky candies that were nauseatingly sweet, tough-to-chew beef, mutton, and pork, vividly red-dyed eggs, and most appallingly—raw dumplings.

Fortunately, the dumpling filling was cooked; otherwise, she truly couldn’t stomach it.

The Qin family did not have relatives, so Village Chief He’s eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. He Liu, the second daughter-in-law, as well as the wives of He Dasu, He Dagu, and He Dayuan, were brought in to pose as the groom’s kin, collectively asking Gu Jinli: "Will you have children?"

Gu Jinli: "..."

So it’s true like in the dramas!

"Yes." she replied.

The wives of He Dayuan and others were elated: "Great, have, have, have, next year let’s hope for many big, chubby boys!"

Gu Jinli: "..."

Next year, many? I’m not a sow, I can’t possibly bear that many.

After consuming a pile of strange foods, Gu Jinli finally arrived at the moment to unveil her headpiece.

Qin San Lang was nervous, clutching the rod for lifting the bridal veil, his palms slick with sweat.

Seeing him frozen before her also made Gu Jinli anxious...after crying, she wasn’t sure if the rouge she crafted held up. What if her makeup was smudged and she startled the groom?

Getting married, such a joyous occasion, what if it left a lasting bad impression?

Amid her chaotic thoughts, a sudden brightness greeted her eyes, and she instinctively looked up, seeing Qin San Lang’s face... He appeared utterly stunned, and she worried he might indeed be frightened, so she hurriedly flashed him a sweet smile.

Don’t be afraid, even if my makeup is ruined, your elder sister’s foundation is good, it shouldn’t leave a shadow on your heart.

Qin San Lang’s breath hitched, for a moment his mind went dizzy... He always knew she was beautiful, but her smile, as radiant as blossoming peach flowers, made him truly understand just how captivating she was.

He would remember her smile forever, never to forget.

Xiao Yu, thank you for agreeing to marry me, I will not let you down in this life.

In his heart, Qin San Lang silently vowed, and recovering amidst He Dayuan’s wife’s teasing, he directed a bright, joyful smile at Gu Jinli, gently saying, "My wife."

Gu Jinli smiled and replied, "Husband."

"Oh, look at how sweet they are, Zong matchmaker, quickly have them drink the wedding wine. Once they do, the ceremony is truly complete, and we can leave, lest we remain as an obstruction here." said He Dayuan’s wife, quite astutely.

The Zong matchmaker nodded, took out two gourd dippers tied with red strings, sang congratulatory words while pouring wine into them, and handed them over: "With these gourds and wine, once here it shall touch the heart, forever united till old age."

After the song, they were invited to drink the wedding wine, with a reminder, "Just a sip will do, save the rest for tonight."

The wedding wine had things added, better not to drink too much now.

Qin San Lang and Gu Jinli obediently each took a sip.

"The ceremony is complete, complete, complete!" the Zong matchmaker announced thrice, relaxing with the conclusion of her duty, she was quite worn out.

Seeing this, He Dayuan’s wife suggested to Ms. Chu and Aunt Tian, "Dear kin, let’s wait in the outer room."

Ms. Chu and Aunt Tian, there to accompany the bride from the bride’s family, nodded in agreement and moved to the outer room.

The Zong matchmaker also led the four maids to the outer room to wait; they would leave once Nanny Tao and the others arrived.

After they left, Qin San Lang instinctively sat beside Gu Jinli, held her, and said, "Xiao Yu, it’s been a long day, are you cold?"

As he spoke, he took a festive quilt and draped it over her shoulders.

Gu Jinli laughed and said, "It wasn’t too tiring, nor too cold, just the carriage was a bit bumpy, making me sleepy."

"Then have a nap, it’s still some time before nightfall," Qin San Lang suggested, removing her headpiece: "I asked the Zong matchmaker, she said after the wedding wine, you could take off the headpiece and even change out of the bridal dress."