Madam White Snake

The Wedding

The afternoon passed. No other afternoon in his life had give him so much pleasure.
What Xiaoqing had told him made him feel brave. He was not just a poor young man of no importance.
"This lovely, clever, and rich woman has taken a liking to me!" He could not stop telling himself.
Suzhen made him talk about himself, his childhood, his future plans, she listened to him asked him a question now and then. She laughed and sighed with him. His rather uninteresting past suddenly became a matter of great interest.
He talked a lot that afternoon. Over dinner he drank a lot of wine. Suzhen was careful that his glass was never empty. And she drank with him. By the end of the evening, they were both a bit drunk. But they were too happy to know.
It was a dark night, and there was no moon. In that place, people went to bed very early. No light was showing in the windows of their houses. When Xu Xian saw how dark it was, he suddenly remembered.
"I didn't know it was so late," he cried out, "I have to go now."
He walked up to the window and looked out. It was as dark as a deep hole.
The long walk back to his home worried him and then he would have to face his sister.
He said goodbye to Suzhen and changed back to his own clothes. Xiaoqing waited for him at the door. She could see that he was not happy to leave.
"Have you forgotten something?" She whispered.
"No, I have my umbrella," Xu Xian answered.
"I don't mean that, you're going to ask my mistress to marry you, aren't you?"
"I'll talk to my sister about it. I don't have any money myself. I can't even pay for a matchmaker," he said helplessly.
"All those things are really quite unnecessary," she said. "She has no family, she is her own mistress, there's no need for a matchmaker."
"But there are things to pay for. Such as food, drinks, dresses, gold and silver for the bride.."
"We can do without that. Here, your umbrella is a good enought wedding present. You two can get married tonight." Xiaoqing added happily, "I'll be your matchmaker, you wait in here I'll go and ask Suzhen. Let's do that, shall we?"
Xu Xian nodded his head. Suddenly it was like a game that children play.
Xiaoqing left and returned shortly. She clapped her hands when she saw him.

The wedding
"Good! Good!" She laughed. You're going to be a bridegroom tonight. I'll dress you up like one."
She went into another room and came back with a red and gold robe. She helped him to put it on.
"Now, Mr Bridegroom, follow me," Xiaoqing said. "I'll take you to the bride."
She held his hand and ran. "We mustn't keep the bride waiting. Come on."
When they reached Suzhen's room, they were laughing, the room was filled with smoke, it was lit by hundreds of candles. Suzhen was kneeling by herself in front of the window.
"Go and kneel together," Xiaoqing whispered and gave him a push.
He did as he was told.
Kneeling side by side they made three bows to the night sky. Then turned and bowed three times to one another.
They had become husband and wife.