Chapter 53: Speechless Mutual Glances

In the end, the two of them looked at each other in speechless silence, with nothing more to say. They simply gazed into each other’s faces.

"This Wang Shiyu is actually quite pleasing to the eye!"
"This husband of mine is truly very handsome."

As they looked at each other’s faces, both of them swallowed hard.

By this time, the sky was growing dim, and the men in the fields were getting ready to return home. They shouted over to the two of them.

"You two stop dawdling over there! Whatever you're doing, finish it at home."
"Oh! Alright! Fourth Brother Wang!"

With that, Wang Shiyu took Chen Fan by the wrist, and they headed back toward the village together.

Chen Fan no longer felt awkward; he simply followed Wang Shiyu back.

As they reached the entrance of the village, they saw festive decorations everywhere. Red lanterns were hung all around, and red celebratory paper was pasted on surfaces. Crimson fabric strips were tied to every doorway.

"Is there a festival coming up, Husband? There aren't any holidays around this time of year, are there?"

Chen Fan remained silent. It wasn't that he was unfamiliar with the festivals of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Rather, having watched numerous historical television dramas, he recognized this instantly: these were the traditional arrangements for an ancient wedding!

Could it be that the village chief and the others were planning a wedding for him and Wang Shiyu?!

At this sudden thought, his mind felt as though it were about to crash. Because, in truth, he had never experienced a wedding in his life.

Marrying the girl of one's dreams was a moment of profound joy, something countless young men longed for day and night. Although he had only spent less than a day with Wang Shiyu, he undeniably felt a deep attraction to her, a stirring of many tender emotions.

He glanced at Wang Shiyu, who looked completely clueless about what was going to happen, and found it unsurprising. Normally, when formal betrothals and proper marriages took place, a wedding had to be prepared. Nowadays, however, few wealthy individuals were willing to spend money on hosting elaborate wedding ceremonies; after all, the imperial government directly assigned wives and issued marriage certificates. Who would still bother going through all these tedious procedures, which wasted both money and effort?

Wang Shiyu hurried over to help the aunts with decorating the venue, asking with innocent curiosity:

"Aunts! What are you all doing? Is there a new holiday today?"
"Hahaha! Silly girl, today is a holiday prepared especially for you!"
"Ah? Prepared for me? Is it my birthday?"
"Hahaha, you silly girl, you still read too few books!"

With that, a bright red bridal veil was gently draped over Shiyu's head. Under normal circumstances, anyone would be on guard, but Wang Shiyu knew they meant her no harm. Still, she remained completely unaware of what was actually happening.

The aunts carefully helped Wang Shiyu undress her outer garments.
"Ah! Aunts, there are people around here, what are you doing?!"

Don't worry, we're shielding you from view, and nobody is looking at you, you silly girl!"

At that moment, someone began applying makeup to Wang Shiyu's face, though her vision remained completely covered. An elderly grandmother stood to the side, guiding the aunts' movements.

"To be able to witness this in my lifetime, how nostalgic it is! Back when I was a young maiden, I always longed for a day just like this."
"Great-grandmother, we finally get to see what it's like as well. It truly feels so sacred."

Meanwhile, Chen Fan was also surrounded by a group of people who helped him change into ceremonial robes, pinned a large red silk flower to his chest, and placed a festive hat upon his head. He was not particularly surprised, nor did he pay much attention to the women assisting him with his attire. His eyes were fixed on the distant silhouette behind the screen made of red cloth.

By then, the women around him had finished their tasks and began to admire his features. Beneath the subtle touches of makeup, the sallow, malnourished tone of Chen Fan's face was concealed, leaving his complexion rosy, fair, and strikingly handsome. This was likely how Chen Fan would have looked in a state of normal, robust health.

As the aunts looked at Chen Fan's face, their hearts fluttered slightly, and they couldn't help stealing a few extra glances. A pang of sympathy squeezed at their hearts.

"This poor boy must have had a hard life as well. Just how young is he? Even his body hasn't finished growing yet, all yellow and thin."

Chen Fan paid no heed to them, keeping his gaze firmly fixed on that silhouette. His heart raced with excitement, and he had no idea how to react.

One of the aunts waved a hand before his eyes.
"Stop staring! It's time for the next step!"
"Oh! Oh! Lead the way, Aunts!"

Chen Fan was escorted by the various aunts to the entrance of the village ancestral hall, while Wang Shiyu was led to the same spot to stand beside him.

Catching the familiar scent of Chen Fan, Wang Shiyu asked softly, "Husband, what is going to happen?"

Chen Fan didn't reply and simply remained silent, as local custom dictated that a groom must not speak before entering the bridal chamber.

Guided by the crowd, the two of them stepped across a blazing brazier. Their hair was gently clipped and tied together, placed inside two embroidered pouches, and tucked away into a drawer of the offering table inside the ancestral hall.

At last, it dawned on Wang Shiyu: they were holding a wedding ceremony for her and Chen Fan! A wave of deep emotion washed over her, for this was the very first wedding in the village since her earliest memories. It was a clear testament to how much affection the village elders held for her.

So that was why the village chief and the others had rushed back to the village ahead of time! Realizing how deeply she was cherished by them, her heart swelled with pure happiness. Beneath the crimson bridal veil, a radiant smile bloomed across her face.

Chen Fan and Shiyu walked into the grand hall. The voice of the village chief rang out in their ears:

"First bow to Heaven and Earth!"

Chen Fan bowed. Wang Shiyu wasn't quite sure what to do, yet miraculously, she mirrored his movements perfectly. Though she couldn't see Chen Fan's actions and had no one to imitate, she somehow performed the correct ritual bow.

"Second bow to the high ancestral hall and parents!"

Once again, the two of them executed the exact same ritual gestures in unison.

"Bow to each other as husband and wife!"

Facing one another, they bowed.

"Send them to the bridal chamber!"

Guided by the crowd, Chen Fan took Wang Shiyu by the hand and led her into the chamber behind the ancestral hall.

Chen Fan guided Wang Shiyu to the edge of the table, and both of them sat down. With a jade *ruyi* scepter, Chen Fan gently lifted Wang Shiyu's veil.

Wang Shiyu raised her hand, spreading her fingers to shield her eyes until they gradually adjusted to the bright light. Slowly, she brought down her slender, fair fingers and looked clearly upon Chen Fan.

Chen Fan, too, looked into Wang Shiyu's face, made even more breathtaking by the delicate makeup. His heart fluttered wildly; this kind of beauty was soul-stirring.

The two of them gazed deeply into each other's eyes. Chen Fan stared blankly at Wang Shiyu, spellbound. Blushing under his intense gaze, Wang Shiyu revealed her white teeth and smiled at him. Usually, she would shy away from such fiery attention from a man, but today she refused to look away, knowing that Chen Fan loved to look at her, and she was more than willing to let him. After all, a man needed a woman's encouragement.

"Husband, let's go to sleep!"
"Alright!"

The two of them lay down side by side on the bed.

Outside the house, a group of aunts and the village chief stood quietly listening by the door. The village men, having no romantic thoughts toward Shiyu whom they had watched grow up from childhood, had long since returned to their own homes to rest their weary bodies after a hard day's labor.

The women, meanwhile, simply felt a sense of envious admiration for this talented groom and beautiful bride. They found the wedding deeply romantic, and since every woman secretly yearned for romance, they lingered outside, appreciating the moment.

The village chief accompanied them until midnight.
"Did you all witness the wedding?"
The crowd nodded gently.
"Then let's head back."

And so, everyone returned to their homes. It was a thoroughly blissful night.