351: Wedding

Wedding

"What should we buy for Fai?" asked Shui Xian.1

"Can we take this roasted duck?" asked Raelle in return.

Shui Xian was stunned by her words. He couldn't tell whether she was serious or was she kidding right now? It was really hard to tell with that poker face of hers.

"You want to give him roasted duck?" he asked her carefully.

"That's something he'd be most interested in," answered Raelle. 

Shui Xian suddenly had a flash of enlightenment. That's true. Hyson would be more interested in a delicacy. And the roasted duck of here was truly one of a kind. He knew Hyson would love it. But they couldn't possibly take it.

"Well, we can't take it with us," said Shui Xian in a small voice as he was thinking about something. "How about I try to find out the recipe of it and then I'll make it for Fai?"

"Why to go through that much trouble?" was Raelle response. "We can just find something else for him. It's not like Prince Hyson is that difficult to please."

Shui Xian laughed out, "Then if it's for Prince Hyson, I suggest a gold crown."

"So that he really starts believing himself to be a Prince?"

Shui Xian couldn't help but say, "Isn't he already the little Prince of the family?"

"Shh..." Raelle acted all mysterious as she whispered, "That's an open secret. It doesn't mean we'll let him believe himself to be a real Prince."

Shui Xian thought about Hyson who actually gave of a princely feeling even without trying and didn't know what to say. 

Suddenly, they heard the sound of firecrackers from nearby and Raelle put her hands up to cover her ears. Shui Xian noticed her movement and asked, "Are you uncomfortable?"

Raelle looked over to see the scene before her eyes and shook her eyes, "It's okay. I am just not used to loud noises."

The scene right before her was quite bright and loud. There was a big procession passing in front of them. They were playing drums and gongs, using firecrackers, and there was even a lion dance troupe. It was quite a new scene for Raelle.

The man in the lead was dressed in gold and red robes with a little kid walking by his side.

"What's going on?" asked Raelle.

"Oh, the groom is going to pick up his bride," answered Shui Xian.

Raelle didn't understand his meaning, "What does that mean?"

"It's a tradition," said Shui Xian. "There is a long process in these traditional weddings. It has a lot of symbolism as well. Now, you see that kid beside the groom."

"The guy in red and gold robe is the groom?" asked Raelle.

Shui Xian nodded his head, "Yes, he is. In traditional weddings, that's how people dress up. Even the robes have symbolism. Let's take the golden and red colors for instance. The golden color represents wealth while red is auspicious. Red also represents luck, honor, and love. These two are actually the dominant colors in weddings." He took a pause to see that she was listening carefully as if trying to gather some more information so he happily went on, "As I was saying, the kid walking beside the groom in this procession symbolizes fertility. This whole journey to pick the bride from her home is quite lively actually."

"I can tell," said Raelle. She could clearly see how lively it was. "What happens after this?"

Seeing her interest in this, Shui Xian acted like a knowledgable fellow and explained everything clearly, "When the groom reaches the bride's home, there it won't be so easy to pick up the bride."

"Why?"

"He will have to pass a test," said Shui Xian. "The bride's sisters, cousins, or friends will tease the groom. Ask him to tell something about the bride or make him do some silly stuff. Actually, I went to a wedding where the groom was asked to eat the spiciest food. The poor guy cried so hard after that." Shui Xian laughed at the memory and went on, "Only when he passes the test can he take the bride with him. But he'll also have to offer red envelopes to get the entry."

"Then the wedding is done?"

"It only just begun, darling," Shui Xian tapped her nose. "After that, they have to offer tea, pay respects, then they will exchange vows. Then there is the wedding banquet."

"Are they gonna continue till night?"

Shui Xian nodded his head, "It usually does take that long. But now, people don't go through all these traditions." He sighed out, "A lot of processes have been omitted or shortened. Only a few would go through these detailed marriages now."

He held her hand and looked at her, "I also want to hold a wedding. Will you come?"

"To do what?"

"To be my wife!" 

Raelle gazed into his eyes, "We are already married. I am already your wife."

"That's on paper," he shot back. "I want to hold a ceremony. In fact, looking at this traditional wedding, I think you'd look gorgeous in a red wedding dress." He was grinning to himself when he imagined the whole scene.

"I thought you weren't interested in these things," said Raelle.

"I was not," he agreed. "But now, I am. I want to tell the whole world that I have a beautiful wife. I want to live in the moment. I want to love at this moment. So, why not?"

"You really want it?" she asked again for confirmation.

"I do," he said acting pitifully.

Raelle was quiet for a minute before she said, "Give me a little bit of time. I have a big project in the process. Once it's completed, I'll give you what you want."

"Really?" Shui Xian was surprised that she agreed so easily. He was momentarily lost. 

He thought she'd at most agree with reception but she actually agreed for the wedding? Was he dreaming? He really thought he was dreaming right now.

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