Mo Yuan, Bai Qian, Ye Hua

Part 41

The Wedding,  Part 2.

With the knowledge that Qian Qian had removed her undergarments in the sedan, Mo Yuans mind tried to focus on the task ahead as they both turned to face the alter which was bedecked and surrounded by the overhanging wedding banners, but he was finding it difficult knowing she was completely naked under that dress.

 Mo Yuan and Bai Qian slowly lowered themselves to their knees and bowed once to each others ancestors.   Rising, they bow again to each others parents before they once again rise.    Their third bow is to Kitchen God, Tsao-Chün, the God of Tea.  Then turning to face each other, they bowed again.

Still on their knees, The Lord of Numerous Treasures lifted 2 cups which contained two red dates each and places the cups in their hands.  Turning they offer the cups to Bai Qians parents to denote wealth and prosperity to her family and fertility and family harmony for them in return. And with thought of her naked body still in his mind, the thought of a child brings a growing smile to his lips.  Once accepted, they bow one last time. 

Suddenly the Heavens once more erupt as all swords are raised and lightening bolts are sent up to celebrate the joining of the happy couple.

Unknown to any of them, a figure dressed in black with his head bowed, turned and left as silently as he arrived.

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Immediately they are both led to the bridal chamber amid more rowdy and boisterous ribbing from the Guests, The Fox Family and the Disciples, and for Mo Yuan who has only one thing on his mind, the suggestive bawdiness only increases his rising desire.

Upon arrival, Mo Yuan is faced with the red thread that ties the door closed.  He swiftly breaks the tie with one hard tug and the door is thrown wide.  Standing to the side, Qian Qian is led into the chamber, and she passes him, she purposely moved in close so her hand lightly brushed his growing desire, which almost caused him to jump, but he held himself together as he waited for his turn to enter, his eyes instantly darkening.

Racing in ahead, 3 Qing Qiu girls immediately rolled back the bedding as her mother lead her forward giggling, and she is sat on the edge of the bed as her dress is arranged to flow gently about her body and around the bed.  The lack of undergarments does not escape her mother however, who grits her teeth but says nothing.  

Next the lamps are lit and the wine goblets are filled before her mother takes one of the red dates she was given earlier, and places it into her goblet of wine to ensure a child is conceived.   Giving her one last embrace and soft words of encouragement which she knows are not at all needed, she steps back and waits for the arrival of Mo Yuan.

Mo Yuan was then led into the bridal chamber by Bai Zhi, Zhe Yan, his Uncle Lian Song and Die Feng, who immediately sit him down next to Bai Qian and arrange his robes for him, before Bai Zhi, being the only male in the room to have fathered a child,  places one of the red dates into his goblet of wine.  Then lifting both goblets, he presents their goblets to them. 

Once they have both taken a sip of wine, which is witnessed by the attending family members, they pull the goblets until the attached thread snaps to signify their independence from their families and the beginning of their own.  The goblets are then removed and replaced on the tray.  Her mother then reminds the couple, they must be present for the serving of the menu, which will be served in the middle of the afternoon.

Then bowing to them both, the bridal party make a hasty exit, amid more ribald jokes and raunchy suggestions which are thrown at them from the watching crowd outside the chamber.  Immediately throwing up a privacy barrier to block out the noise, Mo Yuan faced his new wife who has suddenly gone very quiet.  Her hands are softly resting in her lap and her body is tense as she waits for the lifting of the veil.