Chapter 159: The Grand Wedding (3)
Xie Jing had been out for half a day to clear his mind when Lord Bai Jiu’s carriage brought him back.
Along the way, he noticed someone following behind. Lifting the curtain slightly, he saw it was Hu Da and the others, and he made no sound. Sichuan City was still safe, but his last outing had indeed been somewhat dangerous. Xie Siquan, like an old father who had been startled, dared not let him go alone. Whenever Xie Jing went out, a few people always followed at a distance.
The carriage stopped at the corner gate of the Xie residence. Xie Jing jumped down and, instead of going to his own courtyard, went straight to find Xie Siquan.
Xie Siquan loved a lively atmosphere. The courtyard was now a riot of colors, with many flowers blooming in a flourish. The wisteria by the entrance hall had sprouted new branches, just at its densest, with tender green buds.
Xie Jing called out, “Uncle!” as he lifted the curtain and stepped inside, his steps light. Once inside, he saw Xie Siquan and Xu Jun sitting in official chairs, drinking tea and discussing matters. A plate of half-shelled sunflower seeds sat nearby. Seeing him, Xie Siquan raised an eyebrow. “Where have you been running off to this time? Come here. Why are there still bits of grass on you?”
Xie Jing walked over and let him brush him clean. “I went to the place where we raced horses before, Uncle. I heard people from the Northern lands have arrived?”
Xie Siquan casually hummed in acknowledgment.
Xie Jing continued, “Has Uncle agreed yet? Can it be done faster? No need to drag it out.”
“Foolishness! This isn’t a trivial matter. You need to think it through…”
“I’ve already thought it through.”
Xie Siquan frowned. “Even so, the birth dates still need to be matched, and a good day chosen.”
Xie Jing nodded. “Alright, I have many things to do, so don’t take too long.”
Xie Siquan “…”
Xu Jun, rarely seeing Xie Siquan at a loss, suppressed a smile and handed Xie Jing some seeds. Xie Jing sat briefly, spoke a few words, and then hurried off. Now that Xu Jun had delegated authority to him, everyone in Sichuan Upper City, from the largest to the smallest shopkeepers, knew the Young Master had begun to take charge. People gradually came to ask him questions, and indeed, he was a little busy—what he had said earlier was no exaggeration.
Watching Xie Jing’s departing figure, Xie Siquan felt a mix of sourness and bittersweetness. Once the others had left, he vented to Xu Jun: “Tell me, who does this child take after? He never listens to me at all.”
Xu Jun said, “They say nephews take after their uncles. I’d say he’s very much like you.”
Xie Siquan: “…”
Xie Siquan already felt uncomfortable, and now he glared in frustration.
Although he spoke this way, he handled matters efficiently and never made things difficult for them. He found the best feng shui master in all of Sichuan to match their birth dates, placed the corresponding charts under the altar, and after three days, the rituals were completed.
When Xie Siquan went to retrieve the ceremonial papers, he bowed and muttered prayers for everything to go smoothly.
Xu Jun accompanied him, glancing at him.
Xie Siquan didn’t need to turn—he knew Xu Jun was looking at him. Lazily, he said, “Why are you staring at me? Jing’er wants this, and since I care for him, naturally I must go along with it.”
Xu Jun said, “I thought you didn’t want him to settle down so early.”
Xie Siquan replied, “Indeed, I was reluctant. I was worried that once he married, he’d go elsewhere. But now that Bai Jiu is coming to Sichuan, when you think about it, it’s actually our gain.” Initially, he had some small doubts, but as they gradually resolved, he now felt a sense of ease. This was, in a way, the Xie family’s “acceptance of a son-in-law.”
“The people from the Northern lands have set up industries in Meishan, opened factories, and now they’ve brought so much military supplies here. I worry that their arrival will cause some changes in Shu territory,” Xu Jun said, frowning. After a slight pause, he added, “The fact that they gave us so many guns may also carry a subtle warning.”
Xie Siquan asked, “Are you worried they’ll take over Sichuan?”
Xu Jun: “You can’t be too careful.”
Regarding that batch of military supplies, Xu Jun didn’t explicitly say “coercion,” but he still held some suspicion and caution toward the Northern people.
Xie Siquan said, “You’re overthinking. I actually think Bai Jiu is capable. He gave me a way to save face, and also secured himself a place in Sichuan. Think about it—how is that different from marrying into the family? Besides, Jing’er is so close to us. If anything happens, I’ll be the first to confront them. I won’t let my nephew suffer a loss.” He patted Xu Jun’s shoulder. “Relax. It’s just one more person in the family.”
Xu Jun’s expression softened, and he nodded. “True. At least it’s easier than when we were young.”
Xie Siquan chuckled, reached up, and touched Xu Jun’s face. After examining him, he clicked his tongue. “Bai Jiu gave half a city. I practically risked my life to get you back.”
Xu Jun lowered his head and kissed him, half-closing his eyes, pressing forcefully in a rare display of passion.
Xie Siquan chuckled softly, pushing him slightly.
Xu Jun didn’t let go. Xie Siquan’s hand rested on his arm, turning into a gentle caress, as if soothing a wolf-dog with no sense of security. Xu Jun, who seemed aggressive, kissed fiercely, but his hands trembled slightly and uncontrollably.
Xie Siquan slowly responded, his mind reflecting on the past. Having suffered before, he now understood and accepted the relationship between his nephew and Bai Jiu. He thought Bai Jiu was quite good and didn’t want to play the villain.
Life is short, and finding someone is already rare.
The Xie family’s birth date matching was completed with great fortune.
Elder Bai personally came to discuss and select an auspicious day with the head of the Xie family.
Before the wedding, Xie Jing and Lord Bai Jiu could not meet.
Even though both were in Sichuan City at times, separated by a street and a few teahouses, Lord Bai Jiu did not overstep, and Xie Jing wanted to go, but more people followed him than before. Xie Siquan, rarely imposing rules, told him there were customs to observe and not to wander about.
After finishing his errands, Xie Jing returned to the courtyard where Grandma Kou was sewing him new clothes.
He brought a small stool and sat beside her, helping and quietly chatting, just like when he was a child.
Grandma Kou had made him new clothes, shoes, and socks, all intricately embroidered in colors Xie Jing liked. The jacket had red-threaded cloud patterns—very festive. Grandma Kou laughed: “It’s a pity I’m not fully blessed; otherwise, I could have made more for you.”
Xie Jing shook his head. “Grandma, you are the most blessed. Otherwise, how could you have protected me growing up and even brought me back to Sichuan?”
Grandma Kou touched the top of his head affectionately. “I’m old now, often dozing, my memory isn’t as good as a few years ago, but I always remember your childhood. I remember when you were five, such a small child, standing there trembling, wanting to help me. You got two burns from hot water but wouldn’t say a word, crying quietly at night… It made me heartache. You are good in every way, but your heart is heavy—you don’t like to speak of your worries.” She sighed and advised, “Jing’er, remember: your uncle loves you. If you face any difficulties you can’t overcome, talk to your uncle. Don’t bear it alone. You have a family now.”
Xie Jing nodded in agreement.
Grandma Kou, old with graying hair, often repeated herself. Xie Jing listened patiently. Seeing a flower on a nearby tree, he plucked a small one and tucked it in her silver comb. Grandma Kou was always proper, a lifetime of discipline—her hair perfectly pinned even now. Only Xie Jing’s mischief allowed the small flower to stay. Her hands bore a spot, but she looked plumper and healthier than when in the North.
Xie Jing asked, “Grandma, don’t you want to ask me anything?”
Grandma Kou smiled. “The world outside has been strange these past years—red-haired, blue-eyed people, all sorts. You and Lord Bai Jiu have a bond of many years. If you need a companion, him, I trust.”
Xie Jing hugged her and tilted his head, smiling: “Grandma, I’m really happy.”
Grandma Kou patted his hand and smiled: “Good. Life is meant to be happy.”
As the auspicious day approached, the Xie family prepared a house, decorated it festively.
Xie Jing’s belongings were first moved here. Although still at home, Xie Siquan had made him many new wooden chests, lacquered in bright red.
Grandma Kou made a gold coin the size of a palm, with “Fortune” on both sides, to place as a lucky charm in his chest.
“I don’t have much, take this. Old as I am, it carries some weight,” she said, patting his hair. “May my Jing’er live long and carefree.”
“Okay.”
Xie Jing accepted it, wrapped it in red silk, and put it carefully away.
May 8th, an auspicious day.
At dawn, Sichuan City resounded with firecrackers, gongs, drums, and suona music. Many people carrying gifts began entering the city, walking slowly from the Lower City toward the Xie family in the Upper City.
The Bai and Xie families had announced nothing; no news had spread. But the scale was enormous, drawing countless onlookers.
The Northern Bai family knew the Xie family head loved festivities. To please him, they not only used suona, but also invited a Western band, unconcerned with style. The celebration was extravagant. Along the streets of Sichuan, lion dancers performed at intervals. On closer look, the store signs they occupied were covered with red silk, hiding the original characters. The lion heads faced the street, tossing embroidered balls, as if welcoming the gift-bearing procession.
Life in Upper and Lower Sichuan was leisurely. Seeing such spectacle, townsfolk gathered to watch.
Many Xie family salt-field workers ran around distributing candies and pastries generously, drawing children in playful pursuit. They chanted auspicious sayings while handing out treats, children’s voices adding to the joy.
Firecrackers “popped” loudly.
Initially in one spot, soon the whole city erupted.
Shops along the main street simultaneously pulled down their red silks, revealing the previous names but now stamped with a small golden “Xie” character. Shopkeepers and workers stood at the doors, clasping hands in congratulations, dressed in new clothes, beaming:
“Congratulations to the Bai and Xie families for today’s joy! May you weather storms together and act in harmony forever!”
Voices continued endlessly. Wherever the procession passed, congratulations followed!
The ground was littered with firecracker fragments, like a red carpet of shredded paper, stretching from Lower to Upper City in grandeur. Along the way, many red silks and newly-stamped signs marked the path, making Sichuan festive.
Onlookers clicked their tongues in amazement; though residents for years, they had never seen such a sight.
The procession was so long that only half could be seen at a time; the rear vanished down the streets. Even climbing nearby trees, one could not see it all.
At first, some guessed it was a “Ten-Mile Red Bridal Procession,” but everyone soon dismissed that. Such a grand display must signify the merging of the two families—a major event, big news!
Rumors spread across Sichuan City, everyone discussing the Bai and Xie families.
At the Xie residence.
The two newlyweds, clad in red, were in the hall prepared early in the morning.
Lord Bai Jiu and Xie Jing wore matching outfits chosen by Xie Siquan—typical wedding attire for Sichuan men: long robes with subtle patterns, diagonal collars with silver clasps, white small collars with pointed corners, and each with a string of white jade pearl buttons at the chest. Xie Jing’s handsome features carried off the finery effortlessly, while Bai Jiu looked composed and natural, though slightly different from before.
Only close relatives and friends were present. Few in number, yet sufficient.
The master of ceremonies led the rites. Xie Jing’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. A hand reached over to hold his, guiding him in the ritual.
First bow to Heaven and Earth.
Second bow to parents and ancestors.
Xie Jing turned, meeting Lord Bai Jiu’s gaze. Wearing identical attire and no red veil, they could see each other clearly. Seeing Lord Bai Jiu’s smiling eyes, Xie Jing lifted his lips in return, feeling completely at ease, and they bowed together slowly.
Third bow to the past, leaving it behind, embracing a new life.
—
The grand wedding completed successfully.
Xie Jing was not skilled with alcohol, but he was happy today and took a few cups. Lord Bai Jiu shielded him, sparing him any discomfort. No matter the size of the cup, it was all emptied.
Xie Jing followed Lord Bai Jiu, watching his figure with slightly curved eyes.
The banquet lasted until evening, guests and hosts all in high spirits.
Lord Bai Jiu, unable to handle much wine, was helped to the bridal chamber. Xie Jing brewed strong tea for him and sent the others away, staying behind to care for him.
Indeed, once the guests had mostly departed, Lord Bai Jiu gradually sobered. After drinking the tea at the bedside, no trace of drunkenness remained in his eyes.
