to happen… The two of you are still young and inexperienced, so be more careful…" The old woman instructed me in a hoarse voice.I nodded silently. As I walked out of the shop, a gust of wind sprang up...What a bizarre custom!
A proverb says, "Every ten li (approx. 3 miles) has a different wind, every hundred li (approx. 30 miles) a different custom."
Some places do have the custom of welcoming the bride at night, but I've only heard about it and never seen it with my own eyes.
Marriage is a joyous occasion, and people usually prefer to hold it during daylight hours when the sky is clear, the sunshine is abundant, and there are many guests present. It's rare to have a wedding ceremony in the middle of the night.
And he also said that the ancestors came to pay homage to heaven, earth, and rivers... This all sounds like a sacrificial ceremony, not a wedding, right
I looked at these people with suspicion.
These people saw that I was silent and motionless, so they looked at each other, their gazes falling on Xi Fu-ren.
"My lady explained to me, 'The custom here is not to marry in the evening. It was the Shaman King who so decreed, and we do not know his reason... Perhaps you could ask the Shaman King later For now, let's try on the clothes. If there are any places that don't fit, we will alter them immediately.'"
I was suspicious and didn't quite trust them, so I said, “Just put your clothes down. Let me try them on myself.”
"The madam was stunned for a moment before smiling and saying, 'Little princess consort, this wedding attire is too grand for you to wear alone. You would need several people to help you put it on.'"
"Then you and Zhu Jin stay behind to help me, everyone else step aside." I said firmly.
Mrs. Xi immediately turned around and drove those people out, then closed the door and said to me, "Alright, let's help you try on your clothes."
I was reluctant and wanted to find an excuse to get them out of here.
At this moment, Mu Wanchen suddenly pushed the door open and strode in, wearing a black gauze mask. No one outside dared to breathe, it was eerily silent.
He looked at me with a reluctant expression and hurriedly asked, "What's wrong Are you in a bad mood just after waking up"
Xi Fu and Zhu Jin stood aside like light bulbs, the two quickly slipped out of the door and closed it from outside.
"Why did you choose to get married in the middle of the night" I looked at him in bewilderment.
Mu Wanchen reached out and pulled me down, explaining in a low voice, "Zi shi is the beginning of the sixth yang hour in a day. Zi means the beginning of yang's birth. It's chosen to worship heaven, earth, and rivers at this time. Then the couple completes their marriage rites, and the banquet for guests is held the next day. This has been the practice of generations of divine kings."
"Oh... so strange, I thought there was some special program or something. It sounds kind of creepy. Worshipping in the middle of the night..." I mumbled to myself.
Mu Wanchen patiently explained: "The custom we are continuing is the 'evening ceremony,' following the Zhou rituals."
"What kind of schedule"
“It's about using the rituals of the Zhou Dynasty, specifically the *Book of Rites*. During that time, the funeral rites for scholars and officials were held at dusk. It was a very solemn and respectful ceremony, completely different from the vulgar and noisy affairs you see in your society today.”
I was taken aback. What kind of funeral rites did Zhou Zhi have
He lifted his mask, a gesture that was always incredibly alluring.
His hands were large, with long and strong fingers. He lowered his head slightly, taking off the mask to reveal a full forehead and sword-like eyebrows. His eyes sparkled with stars, and there was an eerie dragon pattern visible. I couldn't help but want to touch it.
But he was earnestly explaining to me, and I felt embarrassed to move around. I could only use my chopsticks to pretend to eat, and I also passed him a pair.
The dish was still warm, and he ate it slowly, his voice soft as he said, “The word ‘marriage’ didn't exist at first. It was just a ceremony called ‘昏禮’. Later, the word ‘marriage’ came about, better describing a woman’s departure from her family to marry.”
"But this color... Aren't wedding gowns usually red" I looked at the black dress with crimson dragon and phoenix embroidery.
Mu Wanchen shook his head. "No, this is called 'Jue Bian Xuan Duan'. Jue Bian is a crown without front and back bead curtains, it requires meticulous hair styling... The dark blue top symbolizes the sky, and the red bottom represents the earth. Black embracing red, metaphorically representing yin and yang."
"A crown This set is for a man, isn't it" I looked at the other set.
The other set must be the lady's, the problem is the other set... is all black!
"Hey hey, you guys are dressing the bride in black!" I widened my eyes, this is a bit too much for me to handle.
In our concept, there's only a bride in all white with sparkling diamonds, or a bride in all red with glittering gold.
Where is there anyone dressed entirely in black!
“......This would look ugly when you wear it, right......” I asked somewhat helplessly.
Mu Wanchen reached out and touched my head: "…The upper and lower garments are both dark in color, signifying devotion. In addition, the knee-length robe, footwear, and sash all match the color of the garment, also black. According to the yin-yang five elements theory, black belongs to yin. Therefore, a red border is added at the hemline of the garment, indicating the infusion of yang energy to achieve yin-yang balance."
That's quite meticulous.
"But HeiHei looks so ugly..." I pouted in dissatisfaction: "Everyone else is getting married with bright red wedding dresses and happy faces, but yours is all black like it's the middle of the night... Can you even see me"
"Of course I can see... even with my eyes closed, I can see where you are." He suddenly chuckled softly.
I don't believe it, I just feel a little down.
This is too ugly, it's totally different from the wedding dress I imagined.
All the ancient wedding gowns on TV dramas look so beautiful, but why is my dress so ugly.
Mu Wanchen sidled up to me and chuckled softly, "Look at you, the young miss's temper is flaring again This is just a ritual offering to heaven and earth, the clothes... the red makeup and fiery wedding dress you desire, you can only wear them tomorrow..."
"Huh The wedding is still days away" I looked up at him.
At such close proximity, I could see my own reflection in the depths of his eyes.
"Well, the King of Witch's wife, the first day to worship heaven and earth, mountains and rivers, the second day high hall clan, the third day is your grand wedding day...Don't be upset, how dare I mistreat you."
He smiled and touched my face.
I have to say, the way he speaks to others now is that cool and mellow voice of a male god. When he speaks to me, he inexplicably softens his tone several notches, making my heart melt.
Good job.
I feel like I'm eating my own dog food.
"Then I'll try" I asked, staring at him.
"Well, I'll help you."
It was a little embarrassing to have him help me change, but this complicated outfit would be impossible for one person to put on alone.
He fastened the belt for me from behind, reaching forward to hug me, and chuckled softly: "…It's all red here."
Where
I reached up to touch my neck, and he kissed the back of it lightly. He murmured, “Your skin is so thin A little pressure leaves a mark…”
No need to say more, it must have been kissed!
I quickly pulled my collar up to cover myself, and he reminded me, “At midnight tonight, there will be some masked shamans and witches. Don’t be afraid, they are all members of the tribe.”
“Can I not be afraid……Is worshipping heaven and earth so strange You wouldn't lie to me, would you” harmonious life with my family."Little Empress, yin and yang are but two sides of the same coin. They're far less frightening than you think, so don't be afraid to move forward... The Emperor has bou...