I led Brother Hu and his friends towards the main hall waiting for the bride. Traditions say that the bride and her husband must pour out tea for the husband's in-laws before taking the bride back home to continue the ceremony. Since our parents aren't alive, Hu Chao Xing and Tian An have to pour tea toward mother and father in the ancestral Hall. "Yu Xuan please pour out some tea to our guests," I ordered as he nodded. Whilst everyone thanked us in reply.
At that moment Tian An arrived quieting the crowd. Tian An walked towards my side and grabbing her hand I placed it on top of Hu Chao Xing's hand. "Brother Hu I'm entrusting my sister to you now. Don't ever bully her or you've me to answer to," I warned as he nodded. Addressing Tian An I said, "Mei Mei if Hu Chao Xing ever dares to bully you then you must tell me. Even if you're married over to the Hu family, you would always be Prince Li Tian You's most beloved sister,". Tian An laughed and assured "Ge ge you don't need to worry Hu Chao Xing would make sure that no one bullies me," Tian looked at brother hu's eyes and he nodded in reply...
Not long later we arrived at the ancestral hall. The couple knelt in front of both father and mother palet. They took the tea in their hand and poured it onto the ground in hope that our father and mother would receive it in the afterlife. After a short time, the ceremony was finished and Tian An would be brought to the Hu family. Me and Tian Yao would follow along as part of the Li Family's representative. I walked Tian An straight towards the door. The next time I would see her was when she comes home on the second day of her marriage. We reached the gate and Tian An proceeded to climb on top of the matchmaker auntie's back. This was because traditions say that the bride is not allowed to touch the ground before the marriage is completed as it is deemed as unlucky. Tian An was carried to the red sedan chair and Hu Chao Xing saw that everything was well and proceeded to climb on top of the horse leading the marriage parade. Tian Yao and I hopped onto the carriage behind the sedan chair*(1) and followed along.
We reached the Hu family residence in an hour or so as the Hu family residence was located in Jiang Zhou right next to Su province. When the carriage stopped I watched as Hu Chao Xing held Tian An hands and led her into her new home. As they entered the maids standing at the door showered petals onto the newlywed. Old master Hu and Old madam Hu were still alive so they sat at the head of the family whilst me and Tian Yao sat on the other side of Hu Chao Xing's uncles. Hu Chao Xing's mother died a few years ago so his father and grandmother played the host for his wedding. When the time came the matchmaker Auntie shouted " May the new couple take the first bow towards the sky,". Tian An and Hu Chao Xing turned to face the heavens bowed and turned back towards Old master Hu and Old madam Hu. "The second Biw towards the senior in the family," the matchmaker Auntie shouted once again. The pair followed to bow together to the elders in the family. " The third bow is towards each other,". The couple turned towards each other smiled and bowed together. After they bowed together the couple was meant to serve tea to the elder generation. The tea was brought up and Tian An asked Old Madam Hu to drink the tea. Old madam nodded and replied, "An'er since you've married into our family I hope you can look after Xing'er*(2) for me and hopefully, I would have a great-grandchild soon," Old Madam laughed heartfully and Tian An blushed hearing her words. Everyone around them laughed at her words. Next was to serve tea to Old Master Hu. His only reply was nodding and praising Brother Hu for marrying a kind wife.
The ceremony was finally done and Tian An was sent into the bridal room to wait for the consumption. The guest was meant to drink with the family and leave as soon as the groom entered the bridal chambers. To be honest it seems that Hu Chao Xing was very impatient so after an hour he excused himself and most of the guests decided to head home laughing at Hu Chao XIng's impatience. I too headed home with Tian Yao. She had to hold onto me as I was pretty much drunk.
Glossary:
1. An enclosed chair for conveying one person, carried between horizontal poles by two porters.