Outside, firecrackers burst with a pop and crackle. Old Lady Zhou breathed a sigh of relief and quickly prompted everyone to go see the bride.
This arrival was so timely; otherwise, she didn’t know how to wrap things up. Wufu was not an easy person to talk to.
Madam Zhou, too, sighed with relief. Even if she was slow to catch on, she recognized that Wufu had just gotten angry.
Hearing that the bride had arrived, she quickly ushered Wufu out to enjoy the festivities, afraid that staying any longer might provoke a significant conflict.
In such a situation, Wufu wouldn’t want to make her mother look bad, so she obediently followed her out to see the liveliness.
Seeing this, Old Lady Zhou felt more at ease. It was good that Wufu was willing to cease hostilities.
"Quickly go arrange the banquet to entertain the Liang Family, so they don’t laugh at us," Old Lady Zhou then went to Madam Lu’s side to instruct.
Madam Lu, having missed the drama, left reluctantly.
In reality, she was a fool; if a disgraceful scene had actually occurred, how could she save face? Not understanding that the honor or disgrace of one affects all, what else could one be but foolish?
This was Wufu’s first time witnessing an ancient wedding. Standing in the courtyard, she listened to the wedding matron speak and sing auspicious words, while the couple, stiff as puppets, followed along with the chants, stepping over the fire basin before being led away to bow before the family altar.
In a wealthy household, after bowing at the altar, the next step would be to lead the couple to the bridal chamber. However, in the village, there were no such elaborate customs. After the altar bowing, the groom, egged on by catcalls, lifted the bride’s red veil, allowing everyone to see the bride he had married.
At the unveiling of the veil, there were lavish praises, like "He has married a beauty that arouses envy" and "A match of equal talents and beauty," with the bride being described as lovely as a celestial fairy.
Wufu didn’t enter the house, but her perceptive ability was exceptional, and she observed the bride, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, blushing deeply.
After the veil lifting, came the tradition of the couple serving tea to their elders. Old Scholar Zhou had already passed, leaving one Grand Preceptor Chair empty. Old Lady Zhou accepted the tea, smiling so broadly she nearly couldn’t close her mouth, and on the spot, she placed a thin gold bracelet on the bride’s wrist.
Madam Lu’s eyes turned red with envy.
When she had entered the household as a bride, she had not received any gold bracelets, only a pair of silver bracelets.
Not only was Madam Lu envious, but her family felt somewhat slighted as well. This was showing a blatant preference; after all, their daughter (auntie) was still the head daughter-in-law of the Old Zhou family.
Yet now, Old Lady Zhou was obviously biased.
But no one dared to say anything unpleasant, for it was common for the elderly to show favoritism, especially during the tea ceremony. Speaking out could offend the host family needlessly.
Who would be so tactless as to do something so unfavorably viewed!
After serving tea to the parents-in-law and then to their siblings-in-law, Zhou Xuennian only gave a red envelope. Madam Lu, acting as the sister-in-law, begrudgingly gave a small silver ring, saying, "A sister-in-law can’t compare to a mother and doesn’t have much to offer. I hope you won’t look down on it, dear sister."
Old Lady Zhou kept a smile on her face but cursed inwardly. If one didn’t know what to say, better to remain silent. Giving such a small ring was simply embarrassing.
Lady Liang smiled and expressed her thanks.
Next, the couple should retire to their bridal chamber to rest. They would need to come out again later to toast the guests. But then someone mentioned that the "auntie’s" tea had not been served.
Wufu looked over and saw her own mother, already nervously wringing her hands with excitement.
Old Lady Zhou was not pleased internally, but what could she say with everyone already present? She could only allow Madam Zhou to step forward.
When Madam Zhou went into the room, Wufu had no choice but to follow. She watched her sit in the chair, excitedly accepting the bride’s tea, repeatedly expressing her approval, which made Wufu chuckle.
To those unaware, it might seem as though she was the one marrying a daughter-in-law!
Everyone watched Madam Zhou, curious to see what her gift would be. Madam Zhou did not disappoint. She pulled out a purse from her sleeve, revealing a pair of hefty silver bracelets and a set of rings, causing everyone to widen their eyes in surprise.
Wasn’t it said that they were struggling financially?
Old Lady Zhou also watched, a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes.