sbdcsierra Chapter 117 Choosing a Bride with an Embroidered Ball
Chapter 117 Choosing a Bride with an Embroidered Ball
Before they knew it, the auspicious day for choosing a bride had arrived. As dawn broke and the eastern sky began to lighten, Xiao Cui eagerly jumped out of bed. At that moment, the entire room was filled with a faint fragrance, a unique aroma created by the blend of incense and cosmetics.
A group of well-trained maids had been waiting for some time. They quickly surrounded Xiao Cui, meticulously preparing her for makeup and grooming. One maid carefully picked up a delicate comb and gently combed Xiao Cui's long, flowing black hair; another maid meticulously applied makeup to Xiao Cui's eyebrows and eyes, her skillful hands dancing like nimble butterflies across Xiao Cui's beautiful face. In no time, Xiao Cui's already elegant and refined appearance became even more radiant and captivating.
After her makeup and hair were done, the main event began—a dazzling phoenix crown was slowly placed atop Xiao Cui's head. This crown, crafted from pure gold and inlaid with countless sparkling pearls and gemstones, radiated a dazzling light. At the center of the crown stood a lifelike phoenix, seemingly ready to take flight at any moment. Her magnificent embroidered robe, a vibrant red, was covered in exquisite patterns and designs, such as cloud motifs and peonies; every stitch and thread reflected the embroiderers' painstaking effort and ingenuity. As the robe gently draped over Xiao Cui's shoulders, she instantly exuded a noble and elegant aura, like a blooming flower, delicate and radiant.
At this moment, the maids standing to the side couldn't help but exclaim in admiration: "Oh my! Our young lady is as beautiful as a fairy descending to earth today!" "Indeed! Those young gentlemen who came to snatch the embroidered ball today are so lucky!" "I wonder which young master will ultimately win the beauty's heart?" Everyone discussed among themselves, their eyes filled with anticipation and excitement.
Hearing these words, Xiao Cui's cheeks involuntarily flushed with a shy blush. She lowered her head slightly, parted her lips slightly, and softly replied, "It all depends on fate. I just hope he's not too bad." Although she spoke so casually, deep down, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of anxiety, like a deer's heart fluttering. After all, she truly had no idea what kind of person her future husband would be…
Just then, a deafening burst of firecrackers echoed through the sky, announcing the arrival of the auspicious hour. Dressed in a brightly colored wedding gown, Xiao Cui gracefully walked to the second-floor balcony, where she saw a bustling crowd below. Many promising young men craned their necks, their eyes fixed on Xiao Cui and the embroidered ball in her hand, a symbol of a happy marriage.
Xiao Cui took a deep breath, steadied herself, and then raised her delicate hand, forcefully throwing the embroidered ball. The ball traced a beautiful arc in the air, falling like a dazzling shooting star. Seeing this, the young men downstairs rushed forward, shouts and cries of scrambling filling the air.
However, unexpectedly, after a fierce struggle, the embroidered ball seemed to have eyes, rolling down to the feet of a young man. Everyone looked closely, and the lucky winner was none other than Zhou Xi's younger brother, Zhou Dong! He stared in astonishment at the embroidered ball, seemingly still in a daze. The surrounding crowd erupted in cheers, some filled with envy, others shaking their heads and sighing at their own bad luck.
Today is a bright and sunny day, a truly wonderful day! The old man, beaming with joy, announced loudly, "Today, I will personally arrange for my precious daughter and her ideal husband to get married!" As soon as his excited and loud voice fell, everyone present applauded and cheered, the cheers rising and falling, creating a lively and extraordinary scene.
Before long, Zhou Dong's father and aunt arrived in a flurry. Their arrival instantly filled the air with joy. Then, a grand and traditional wedding ceremony officially began. First, the newlyweds bowed to heaven and earth, standing facing each other and reverently praying for a happy and lasting marriage. Next came the tea ceremony. The bride, Xiao Cui, respectfully offered a steaming cup of fragrant tea to her parents-in-law, sweetly saying, "Dad, Mom, please have some tea." The parents-in-law happily accepted the cups, took a sip, and then pulled out large red envelopes they had prepared beforehand, giving them to their new daughter-in-law as a token of their love and blessings. Finally, the newlyweds addressed each other's parents as "Dad" and "Mom," signifying that the two families had truly become one.
Looking at the joyous scene before him, Old Zhou was filled with emotion, his eyes slightly moist, and he murmured to himself, "I can't believe it, it feels like a dream. My son has settled down and gotten married so quickly! This is truly a wonderful thing!"
As night fell and the city lights came on, the long-awaited wedding night finally arrived. Inside the room, red candles flickered, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere. Xiao Cui sat on the edge of the bed, carefully counting the generous wedding gifts she had received during the day. Curious, she turned to her groom beside her and softly asked, "Darling, what's your name? What do you do for work? And where do you live?" Zhou Dong smiled gently and replied, "My name is Zhou Dong, and I currently work in a factory. My home is in the beautiful Xinghua Village." Hearing this, Xiao Cui nodded thoughtfully and said, "Xinghua Village…that name sounds familiar. So, after we get married, will we be living there forever?"
Zhou Dong carefully reached out and gently grasped Xiao Cui's soft, boneless hands. His eyes were bright, and his tone was unusually firm as he replied, "Yes, that's indeed our plan for now. But please don't worry, my dear wife. I promise you, from now on I will work even harder to earn money and do everything I can to buy us a brand new house that truly belongs to both of us in this bustling city as soon as possible. Then, you'll be able to enjoy a more comfortable and happy life." As soon as he finished speaking, the two of them exchanged a glance, then their lips curled into a knowing smile. Their eyes were filled with boundless anticipation and longing for a bright future.
Just then, Xiao Cui waved her hand dismissively, her face showing an indifferent expression, and replied in a coquettish voice, "Oh, no need! Actually, my parents have already prepared the house for us a long time ago. Tomorrow, I will personally take you to see it." It was as if, in Xiao Cui's eyes, owning a house was just a trivial matter.
However, upon hearing this, Zhou Dong's previously confident face instantly showed a hint of undisguised embarrassment. He frowned slightly, his lips trembling as he hesitated. After a moment, he slowly spoke, "This... I'm afraid it's not quite appropriate. You know, a house isn't just a simple little thing! It's a major issue concerning where we'll live for the rest of our lives! And right now, I haven't yet been able to create sufficient material conditions for our bright future. To accept this gift from my in-laws for nothing makes me feel truly guilty!"
However, Xiao Cui laughed dismissively, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons, and said sweetly, "Oh, what's the big deal about whether it's suitable or not! My parents only have me as their precious daughter. If they don't buy us a house, who will they buy it for? Besides, if we live a good life together, we can take care of them too." After saying that, she gently patted Zhou Dong's shoulder, indicating that he shouldn't overthink it.
Seeing Xiao Cui's insistence, Zhou Dong didn't say anything more and could only nod and gently reply, "Alright then, in that case, thank you very much, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law. It's getting late, you should get some rest." With that, he helped Xiao Cui into the house.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the thin clouds, scattering across the earth. Xiao Cui smiled broadly, her mood as joyful as a flower blooming in spring. She lightly took Zhou Dong's hand, and together they stepped out of the slightly worn threshold of the inn and onto the bustling street.
The two first searched the bustling street and found an inconspicuous little roadside shop. The shop was crowded, but filled with an enticing aroma. After casually finding an empty seat, the enthusiastic owner immediately came to greet them, quickly taking their order and serving the food. In no time, several steaming, fragrant breakfast dishes were placed on their table.
Zhou Dong looked at the golden, crispy fried dough sticks and couldn't help but take big bites. With each bite, he could hear a crisp sound, and the aroma of the fried dough sticks instantly spread in his mouth. He then picked up the bowl and drank the sweet and delicious soy milk in big gulps, feeling the warm current slide down his throat into his stomach, making him feel warm and cozy all over.
Xiao Cui, on the other hand, appeared much more elegant. She gently picked up a small, delicate steamed bun, carefully brought it to her lips, and slowly bit into it. Instantly, the delicious broth flowed out, and she quickly sucked on it, a satisfied expression on her face. Next, she used a small spoon to scoop up a spoonful of refreshing tofu pudding and put it in her mouth, savoring its delicate texture and the aroma of soybeans.
After a satisfying breakfast, the two got up and left the shop. They walked side-by-side down the street, basking in the warm morning sunlight, their spirits exceptionally high. Along the way, they chatted and laughed, sharing interesting stories and observations from their lives.
And so they walked on, through bustling streets and alleys. These streets were lined with all sorts of stalls, the vendors calling out loudly to attract customers. Some sold exquisite handicrafts, others fresh fruits and vegetables, a dazzling array of choices. The streets were crowded with pedestrians, filled with laughter and the sounds of bargaining.
Then they passed through bustling markets. The markets were incredibly lively, with a dazzling array of goods available. People moved between the stalls, selecting their favorite items. Children laughed and played in the crowd, and occasionally a few small dogs would run happily alongside their owners.
Finally, as the sun hung high overhead, they arrived at the eastern part of the city near the dock. The area was bustling with people and boats constantly moving about. The river shimmered, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and the tall buildings lining the shore. On the dock, workers busily loaded and unloaded cargo, their shouts echoing throughout. In the distance, several huge cargo ships were slowly approaching the shore, preparing to unload their heavy loads.
Xiao Cui stopped and reached into her waistband, pulling out a gleaming silver key. The key was exquisitely crafted, engraved with intricate patterns, clearly no ordinary item. She gently inserted it into the lock of the mansion's gate and turned it slightly. With a soft click, the door slowly opened… Zhou Dong eagerly peered inside, stunned by the sight before him: “Wow! This house is so grand! It's like the residence of royalty!” His eyes widened, his mouth agape, almost big enough to fit an egg.
Hearing Zhou Dong's exclamation, Xiao Cui couldn't help but smile, her beauty as radiant as a spring flower in bloom: "I'm glad you like it. From now on, this will be our home together." With that, she took Zhou Dong's hand, stepped over the threshold, and entered the spacious and beautiful courtyard.
Upon entering the courtyard, a winding corridor immediately catches the eye, lined with various exquisite flowerpots filled with colorful flowers. A gentle breeze carries their sweet fragrance. A few steps further on lies a charming garden, featuring uniquely shaped rock formations and a crystal-clear fishpond where fish swim and play happily. The garden is also filled with a variety of green plants, some lush and verdant, others bursting with blossoms. Tall, stately money trees stand with abundant foliage; graceful pothos cascades down trellises like a green waterfall; and pomegranate trees are laden with bright red fruit, like tiny lanterns adorning the landscape…