How To Polish A Pearl

Chapter 7 - Preparing

Stepping out of his now daily peach scented morning bath and on top a soft red towel, the stone floor is still so cold it sends chills up Zhou Xu's legs. Holding out his arms, two maids carefully pat him dry. The wedding robe is hanging bright red against the dark stone wall, the golden trims luminescent as they curve in intricate patterns. The golden jewelry has been unboxed and placed onto multiple tables, sparkling on red velvet fabric.

One item at a time, he is ceremoniously dressed, pants, socks, the two inner robes and finally the heavy outer wedding robe. Even the inner robe, which is hidden from view, is of the softest silk. The perfect stitches and the subtle patterns of the hem, shows the effort in which everything has been meticulously prepared.

The belt is snug against his delicate waist, showing off every curve of his figure. The fabric is soft against his skin and flows enchantingly as he sits down in front of the dressing table, for some reason lost in thoughts on how the robe folds around him.

Using a golden comb, a maid untangles his hair to make sure it has completely dried from the bath. With skilled hands, she swirls a few strands into a delicate flower at the back of his head, inserting golden combs and pins around and in the center, leaving the rest to pour along the curves of the back.

When the hair is finished, other maids quickly drape the extravagant golden jewelry around his neck, wrists, and fingers.

In the mirror, Zhou Xu looks at the man in wedding robes staring back at him, his vision obscured as it looks through a red veil that is now covering his head. The man looking back is meticulously dressed in robes more luxurious than anything he had previously seen in a wedding party, including the prince's.

Sighing as he stands, he is ready. The drug he had unknowingly taken sealing his spiritual core had not worn off. He is powerless, a regular man for better or worse. Not even capable of the martial arts that he still remembers. Something told him that the key to surviving and getting his memories back, was to stay close to the Guzhu. Which meant, he had to go through with this farce of a Ghost Valley wedding. How difficult can it be? I have been through worse than this. Plus, surely a wedding here doesn't actually count. Right?

"Qingfu!" Ah-Xiang's voice is even brighter than yesterday as she skips in, leaving the door open behind her. "It is time to go get married!" Her posture is so excessively excited she is almost vibrating off the ground, whilst maintaining a standoffish look through bright black eyes.

Stepping out of the Hua Men Pavilion, it is the first time he is outside since he was captured three weeks ago. Tilting his head towards the sun, he allows himself to feel the warmth through the veil as a contrast to the cold air that is now filling his lungs.

The maids are giggling and nudging each other as they watch the beautiful man in the most exquisite robe they have ever seen. The bride is standing with his eyes closed, his marble skin shimmering behind the veil with the long raven black hair softly flowing along his curved and slender back. The romantic aura is simply breathtaking.

"Nu Zhuren."

He opens his eyes to see Ah-Xiang motion for him to follow. The veil gently sways in the wind as he walks behind her along the decorated path guiding them to the wedding venue. His sleeves are so long they almost touch the ground, the outer robe flowing over one meter behind him.

Hidden behind the veil, he takes in the view down the enormous stone manor as it spreads out along the mountain side, complex walkways weaving between the cave‑openings like a spiderweb. Judging by the size, he imagines that the different 'pavilions' are eating their way into the mountain like an ant colony. His Hua Men are at the top only surpassed by another pavilion that is sitting right out on the cliff. Is that where Wen Ke Xing lives? How do I escape from that if the time comes?

He is pulled back to reality when surrounding murmurs break through his thoughts. Behind the red ribbons and bows are ghosts, most of them dressed in black and behind those infamous white masks that he had only read about in books. The ghosts are gathered along the walkway to get a glimpse of the bride on his way to marry their new Guzhu. The first ever wedding in Ghost Valley—and between two men at that.

As some of the comments reach his ears, he is for the first time grateful that his face is covered.

"He is so beautiful he makes me want to marry a guy too."

"I wonder if he sounds like a girl in bed."

"Just ask to be on watch tonight and you can patrol outside the bridal chambers and have a listen for yourself."

Choosing to focus on the task at hand, Zhou Xu blocks out the comments as his mind goes through what is available in his pavilion and what could be used as a weapon to defend himself tonight. Before he knows it, they have stopped in front of a stair leading up to a large open square. Had it not been for the fact that he was the other half of the wedding party—or a captive—the view in front of him would have left him in awe.

A thick red carpet had been placed centrally, spanning from where he is now standing, up the stairs and over the square. The square is so immense that he can't see where the carpet ends from below. Evenly spaced on each side of the carpet are large red lanterns, placed on tall black candle holders out of stone. Red ribbons and bows, each painted with shuangxi (1) symbols in gold, are draped between the lanterns.

Almost as if using the ribbons as hoardings, ghosts of various sizes and appearance, some in elegant robes, whilst others in the standard black uniform, are all squashed together on the square. All eager to bear witness when their new Guzhu takes his bride. To miss this event was almost certainly equal to death—especially for those who had been specifically requested to attend the wedding.

"Nu Zhuren. You will need to walk by yourself to the altar. Zhuren is waiting for you."

Ah-Xiang takes his hands and arranges them in the formal pose, arms in front like he is hugging an invisible tree, hands touching. The sleeves are draped with a slight overlap, shielding any skin from view, as they hang dramatically in front of his chest like a cascading red waterfall.

Straightening his back, he takes a slow first step, after having lived for many years in the shadows, being in the spotlight was very unfamiliar. Breathing in and out for each of the twenty-two steps up the stairs, he feels steadier when he reaches the top. Just one foot in front of the other. One move at a time. One breath at a time.

(/˃ ⌑ ˂❁\)

Authors notes:

(1) Recap - Nu Zhuren, or Nǚ zhǔrén (女主人) is the female version of what she calls Wen Ke Xing. I.e. the female master or mistress of the Ghost Valley.

(2) shuangxi - shuāngxǐ, or the double happiness symbol is a traditional symbol widely used in Chinese weddings.