.
Weiyan and Linhua were helped out of their carriages and approached the main gates. Their maids helped them jump over the burning grates in front of the steps, and then they climbed the steps into the Manor.
At the hall, Luoyin had joined Zhang Cheng in front, and they eyed each other with clear distaste.
"Little brother, will you not take off your veil, even today?" Cheng taunted. "No way-! Perhaps you have an unsightly scar?!"
But Luoyin didn't even flinch.
"Big brother, you're making me shy!" Luoyin replied. "A groom should only seek the face of his bride on his wedding day! Don't simply approach anything in a veil!"
A few guests laughed, and Cheng nearly spat out blood in anger.
"The brides are now entering!" The Moderator announced.
Tong brought Weiyan forward to stand by Luoyin, while Linhua's maid brought her to stand by Cheng.
Another maid brought two knotted red cloths forward. Tong accepted one, and Linhua's maid accepted the other.
Lord Xu came forward and took the one for Linhua. He draped one end over her arm, and the other over Cheng's arm. Then he did the same for Weiyan's arm and Luoyin's arm. He placed Linhua's hand in Cheng's, patting their joined hands and smiling at both of them.
Then he placed Weiyan's hand in Luoyin's. He patted their joined hands as well, then smiled and winked at Weiyan, before returning to his seat.
"It's time for the Ceremonial Bows! First Bow to Heaven!" The moderator instructed, and both couples turned to bow at the wide opened doors.
"Second, Bow to your Parents!" The moderator instructed again, and both couples turned and bowed, first to Lord Xu and Xu Furen, and then to Lord Zhang and Zhang Furen.
"Third, Bow to each other!" The moderator instructed.
Luoyin faced Weiyan, who faced him as well, and it was as if time slowed down, as their heads lowered before each other.
'The Aura surrounding those two is outstanding!' Lord Xu thought. 'It's indeed fate that they ended up together like this!'
"Now, the couples shall perform the *Nuptial Wine ritual!" The moderator instructed again, and both maids brought in two trays, each with a pair of golden liquor cups filled with wine.
*(Jiaobeijiu- cross-cupped wine.)
"The first Couple should drink!" Said the moderator.
Cheng handed one cup to Linhua and took the other, then they cross-linked their arms.
"Xiaohua," Cheng began. "My love for you is written clearly on my face, which you can see, unlike the two 'brides' over there!"
Linhua snickered behind her veil, and a few of the guests laughed, as Cheng continued. "This face will only look at you from now on!" Then both of them drank from the wine, accompanied by applause from the guests.
Luoyin sighed and shook his head.
"The second Couple should drink!" The moderator's voice made the applause die down.
"Big brother," Luoyin began, as he handed one of the cups to Weiyan. "Why must you seek attention like this? Others are writing their love in their hearts, while you write yours on your face?
"What happens when you grow old? Aiya! Won't your love have wrinkles?!" The hall erupted in laughter and Luoyin smirked as he took his own cup.
He exchanged a look with Yinying, then faced Weiyan.
YOU ARE READING
The Endless Promise
FantasíaYin Xiaolong, the fearsome black dragon, is finally dead. But as the world rejoices, he awakens - reborn as Zhang Luoyin, a powerless human poisoned by his own family, and who is identical to his former self. Even worse, he must marry Xu Weiyan, the...
