Chapter 73: The Demon Lord Junzhu's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 73: The Wedding Ceremony

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Outside the sedan chair, Yan Si looked at Ai Chun with a solemn expression and said earnestly, "Brother-in-law, my elder sister is entrusted to you; please make sure to treat her well!" Ai Chun nodded vigorously and made a promise to Yan Si: "Rest assured, I will definitely treat her wholeheartedly, cherish and protect her like a treasure in the palm of my hand, and absolutely never let her suffer the slightest grievance or harm." Hearing Ai Chun's such firm answer, Yan Si relaxed slightly, but still couldn't help adding a few more admonitions before stopping.

After receiving a satisfactory reply, Yan Si slowly turned around; at the very moment he turned, his eye rims involuntarily reddened. As the saying goes: "A man does not shed tears lightly." However, today is after all his elder sister's wedding day, and as her younger brother he inevitably felt a pang of sorrow and reluctance in his heart.

At this moment, deafening firecracker sounds pierced the clouds, crackling and popping in continuous succession; the surrounding crowd's blessings surged like a tide, filled with joy and warmth; and the gong-and-drum beats were also extraordinarily lively, clamorous and unusual. Amid such a festive and harmonious atmosphere, Yan Xiner sat quietly inside the sedan chair, but her thoughts had long since drifted far away. She silently recalled the interesting childhood anecdotes about herself that her mother had recounted last night; those beautiful scenes emerged one by one before her eyes, making her involuntarily think back to her innocent and carefree childhood days.

When the matchmaker gently placed the bright red bridal veil over Yan Xiner's head, she only felt her heart tighten, and tears nearly spilled from her eyes. But she forcibly suppressed her inner agitation, telling herself she absolutely must not cry and ruin her meticulously painted makeup; otherwise, before the groom even lifted the veil, she would turn into a little tabby cat first. Yet right now she truly could not hold back; in Yan Xiner's crystal-clear eyes, a single clear tear finally slid down uncontrollably. She stretched out her jade hand, trembling slightly, and gently and slowly wiped away that tear, fearing that a careless move might smudge her meticulously painted makeup. At this moment, her heart was full of trepidation and unease, so she hurriedly searched her mind for pleasant memories, trying to divert her attention with them.

Simultaneously, outside the sedan chair Ai Chun had already vaulted onto his horse. He cut a tall, spirited figure, and the steed beneath him tossed its head and neighed, as if sensing its master's joy. And the woman sitting inside the sedan chair was precisely the beloved he had long yearned for — Yan Xiner. At this very moment, Ai Chun's whole being radiated an incomparable confidence and boldness, like a victorious general just returned in triumph, high-spirited and elated. And Yan Xiner's dowry was carried by sixteen people, every two bearing one large chest; it could be said the dowry compared to the original betrothal gifts was only more, not less, and passersby on the main street all stopped to watch and exclaim that An Wang truly dotes on his daughter!

However, forming a sharp contrast with this was the exceptionally low and stifling atmosphere inside An Wang's residence. Yan Shuang'er, Qianqian, and the Princess Consort had long since clung tightly together, weeping until their faces were streaked with tears, choking with sobs. Seeing this, the rest of the people stepped forward one after another to softly console them, reminding them they still needed to go to the Ministry of War Minister's residence to perform the wedding rites, and must by no means delay the auspicious hour.

Hearing these words, the few of them only then snapped out of it as if waking from a dream and stopped their sorrowful cries; after hurriedly composing their respective emotions, they walked briskly together toward the Ministry of War Minister's residence. Along the way, although everyone forced smiles on the surface, the depths of their eyes still could not conceal a faint trace of sadness. After all, for An Wang's residence this wedding was truly a mixture of joy and sorrow…

When Ai Chun and Yan Xiner arrived at the Ministry of War Minister's residence, sunlight happened to fall on the vermilion main gate, reflecting a festive glow. Just as they had barely steadied their footing, the people from An Wang's residence also arrived in a grand procession, following close behind. The Prince and Princess Consort walked side by side, their steps steady and graceful, and were the first to enter the mansion.

After entering the front hall, the Prince and Princess Consort smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries with their future in-laws, then sat down together on the seats of honor. At this moment, a clamor came from outside — it turned out the bride had already alighted from the sedan. Yan Xiner sat quietly inside the flower sedan, her heart both nervous and expectant. Suddenly, she felt the door curtain being gently lifted, and a warm gaze projected inside. Immediately after, a large hand reached in to support her — it was Ai Chun.

Ai Chun carefully helped Yan Xiner step out of the flower sedan; once they stood still, the master of ceremonies hurriedly handed over a vivid, dewy red flower. This red flower was large and gorgeous; two long silk ribbons extended from it, the left one held tightly by Ai Chun, the right one placed into Yan Xiner's hand. Ai Chun gently guided Yan Xiner forward, each step taken steadily and securely.

Yan Xiner lowered her head slightly, peering intently through the gap beneath the veil at the path under her feet. Before long, the two reached a blazing fire basin and halted. At this moment, the master of ceremonies shouted loudly: "The bride crosses the fire basin — may the days ahead be red and prosperous!" Hearing this, Yan Xiner took a deep breath, slowly raised her right foot, preparing to step over the fire basin. Ai Chun, who had been guarding at her side, carefully lifted her skirt hem for her to prevent it from being scorched by the flames. Yan Xiner crossed the fire basin smoothly and continued forward.

They had not gone a few steps when a horse saddle appeared ahead. Before Yan Xiner could react, the master of ceremonies' resounding voice rang out again: "The bride crosses the horse saddle — may the days ahead be peaceful and safe!" So Yan Xiner lifted her foot and stepped over the saddle as instructed. Just like that, after a series of twists and turns, the two finally arrived at the front hall. At this moment, the front hall was already packed with numerous guests who had come to witness the ceremony, all craning their necks in anticipation of this grand wedding rite. Qianqian and Yan Shuang'er had long since impatiently arrived at the scene. They had once been fortunate enough to see Yan Xiner in that magnificent wedding attire, and in their hearts they couldn't help but secretly marvel that this pair was truly a match made in heaven!

At this moment, the solemn yet lively wedding ceremony formally began. The master of ceremonies shouted: "First bow to Heaven and Earth!" Yan Xiner and her ideal husband stood facing each other, together turning toward the outside of the room, and slowly bent at the waist, expressing reverence to this vast heaven and earth with sincere hearts. Immediately after, the master of ceremonies shouted again: "Second bow to the high hall!" The two instantly turned around and bowed in unison toward the four elders seated on the high dais. At this moment, the four elders on the high dais gazed kindly at the newlywed couple before them, their eyes full of deep affection.

Next came the husband-and-wife mutual bow segment. Yan Xiner and the groom stood face to face; after gazing deeply into each other's eyes, they simultaneously bent at the waist to complete this rite. After they straightened up, the master of ceremonies bellowed: "Serve tea to the parents!" As soon as the words fell, a quick-witted maid stepped forward bearing an exquisite and magnificent tea set, presenting it in turn to the two newlyweds. Yan Xiner and the groom first served tea to the groom's parents, then turned to serve tea to the bride's parents; the entire process proceeded in an orderly manner, filled with warmth and harmony.

Finally, as the master of ceremonies called out: "The rites are complete — escort them to the bridal chamber!" this grand wedding at last drew to a close.