The bridal sedan chair finally came to a stop amid the festive music, and someone stepped forward to lift the curtain.

Ling’ai knew it was Zheng Yun.

Village weddings weren’t as elaborate as city ones, which required following all Six Rites in full, along with a dizzying array of ceremonies on the wedding day itself.

For example, the curtain of the bridal sedan was supposed to be lifted by the wedding matron — never by the groom himself.

But here, all the formalities had been simplified. For one thing, the village couldn’t put on such elaborate productions; for another, the local customs were unpretentious, and people didn’t place much stock in ceremonial ritual.

By comparison, Ling’ai preferred this direct and uncomplicated approach. After all, a wedding was between two people — there was no need to make a grand spectacle of it.

Zheng Yun stepped forward and helped Ling’ai out of the sedan chair, murmuring quietly, “Watch your step.”

Ling’ai gave a soft sound of acknowledgment. Even beneath the veil where he couldn’t see her face, her voice carried unmistakable delight.

Zheng Yun took Ling’ai’s hand, and together they received the blessings of all around them, making their way into the bridal chamber amid firecrackers and cheers.

“Things aren’t so strict here.” Zheng Yun gently lifted her red veil. “Once you’re in the bridal chamber, this can come off.”

When the veil was removed, Ling’ai finally saw the face she had been missing so much — the face that had been right in front of her all along.

He was wearing a black robe, with red embroidery along the collar, lapels, and cuffs. On his head sat a formal hat adorned with two red feather-like ornaments.

The outfit was striking and handsome — but what made Ling’ai suppress a laugh was the enormous red flower pinned to his chest.

“What are you laughing at?” Zheng Yun laughed along with her. “Is my outfit not good-looking?”

Seeing no one else in the room, Ling’ai said, “It is handsome, but isn’t that flower a bit too big?”

The flower was made of red silk, and it took up nearly half of Zheng Yun’s chest — so much so that its reflection bathed even his face in a rosy glow.

“Around here, when a man gets married, the groom always wears a big red flower on his chest. Other traditions may be skipped, but this flower is absolutely required.” Zheng Yun sat down beside her, his voice soft and low. “Back when Elder Brother and Second Brother got married, I used to tease them about it — but I never imagined it would be my turn so soon.”

“It really is quite funny.”

“Don’t you think it’s festive? I didn’t understand it before, but now I do — on your wedding day, everything looks wonderful. Even this oversized red flower seems perfectly fitting.” He smiled and looked at her. “Of course, the most beautiful thing of all is the bride.”

Ling’ai pressed her lips together, eyes curving in a gentle smile as she gazed at him. In the depths of her eyes, a reflection of festive red shimmered — along with the warmth of his gaze and the handsomeness of his face.

“You should have told me in advance — you gave me quite a fright.” She said, with a touch of playful reproach. “You had everything prepared, and you weren’t afraid I might not agree?”

Zheng Yun held her hand and spoke truthfully: “I was a little afraid — but I figured that if you didn’t agree, you wouldn’t have stayed in Taohua Village for so many days. If you had wanted to leave, you would have left long ago.”

“What if I wanted to finish making the medicine before leaving?”

Zheng Yun blinked. “That’s exactly why I had to move quickly — to bring you back and tie you to me before you could. Now that you’re mine, there’s no escaping.”

“It feels like Director Zheng is taking a mountain bride by force.”

Ling’ai said this, then on her own initiative leaned her head against his chest: “Foolish man — I won’t leave. From now on, I won’t leave. Unless one day you no longer want me…”

“How could that ever happen?” Zheng Yun cut her off, speaking with great seriousness. “I have married you, and for this lifetime, I recognize only you. Just like your father — even after your mother passed away early, he chose never to remarry. I swear to you here and now: I will never betray you in this life.”

Ling’ai looked up to find him raising one hand in a solemn oath, and her eyes stung with sudden emotion. She couldn’t help but lean up and kiss him on the cheek. “I believe you.”

Since childhood, she had grown up witnessing her parents’ love for each other, and had always hoped that when she grew up, she would meet someone like her father — a man who would treasure his wife as something rare and precious, for a lifetime.

She hadn’t dared to imagine that she would be so fortunate as to meet such a person, even after living through one marriage.

Zheng Yun gently pulled her into his arms, lowered his head, and sought her lips.

But just before they touched, a great commotion rose from outside. Ling’ai heard it and quickly put a little distance between them.

“Someone’s coming,” Zheng Yun said with a smile. “We’ll kiss later.”

Ling’ai shot him a reproachful look. Their eyes met in the air, and what passed between them melted into a thread of tender, lingering affection.

A moment later, a crowd poured into the bridal chamber — members of the Zheng family, along with relatives from the village. Everyone pressed in noisily, making the already-small room feel even more crowded.

Eldest Sister-in-Law came in to scatter peanuts and longan fruit, blessing the couple as she did so, wishing them a child soon.

Second Sister-in-Law brought in freshly boiled dumplings. The bride and groom were to feed the dumplings to each other — a custom symbolizing wholeness and fulfillment.

Once all the rituals were complete, the wedding banquet officially began outside.

“You rest here — I’ll go make a toast to the guests.” Zheng Yun pressed her hand gently. “I’ll come back to check on you in a bit.”

“Don’t drink too much,” Ling’ai reminded him.

Zheng Yun smiled. “Don’t worry — it won’t get in the way of the important business.”

It wasn’t until he left that Ling’ai suddenly realized what “the important business” he had meant — and at that thought, her face turned red, more vivid than even her bridal gown.

After Zheng Yun left, Ling’ai began to take stock of the bridal chamber.

The Zheng family home had a classic quadrangle courtyard layout. Zheng’s parents lived in the main house, while his two elder brothers occupied the side rooms on either wing. The room where Ling’ai now sat was also a side room.

It seemed the Zheng family had reserved this room for Zheng Yun’s future wedding from early on. It was considerably larger than the rooms his elder brothers had. When Zheng Yun returned home, he stayed here; when he was away, it served as a storage room.

The bridal chamber had been carefully decorated. The bed linens and tablecloths had been changed to bright red. The candlesticks on the table were wrapped in red paper. The large double-happiness characters pasted on the windows gleamed brilliantly.

In Taohua Village, a wedding meant: register at the village office, hold a banquet, and the couple was considered properly wed in everyone’s eyes.

In the eyes of the whole village now, she was already the Zheng family’s daughter-in-law.

Ling’ai looked around the modest little room, her eyes filled with the happiness of pure joy. Even if the weather was cold and the room simple, just thinking about the man who would share the rest of her life with her — she finally understood the old saying: “Though this dwelling be humble, it is fragrant with virtue.”

Wherever he was, that place was warmth.

After a while, Eldest Sister-in-Law and Second Sister-in-Law came by as well — probably worried she’d be bored, so they came to keep her company. Even Mother Zheng, who had been busy greeting guests in the front, came by once to fuss over her before hurrying off again.

“Ling’ai…” Eldest Sister-in-Law quickly corrected herself: “I should say Third Sister-in-Law now. Mother really does dote on you. When the two of us got married, she never came to check on us — it wouldn’t have been proper.”

“Eldest Sister-in-Law is jealous,” Second Sister-in-Law teased.

Eldest Sister-in-Law laughed heartily. “Third Sister-in-Law is a city girl. For her to marry into our village — it’s like a phoenix landing on the ground.”

“Eldest Sister-in-Law, please stop teasing me,” Ling’ai said. “If anything, it’s this place that feels more warm and welcoming than any city.”

“Then when you and Third Son are old, come back here to spend your twilight years.”

Ling’ai took both of their hands in hers. “Zheng Yun is always stationed far away and can’t fulfill his duties to his parents — Eldest Sister-in-Law and Second Sister-in-Law, you’ve worked so hard.”

“Being children, this is what we should do. And besides, though Third Son isn’t here in person, he sends money and supplies every month without fail. Everything Xiao Xing plays with and uses was bought by his little uncle. The other children in the village all envy him for having such an uncle.”

In truth, Ling’ai already knew without being told that Zheng Yun was devoted to his family. Even when he wasn’t in Taohua Village, he was always thinking of home.

The sisters-in-law chatted for quite a while before finally taking their leave.

When the noise outside gradually faded, the door moved — and Zheng Yun stepped inside.

Ling’ai caught the smell of liquor on him, so she rose and lifted the hot water kettle from the stove, pouring some water into a washbasin.

“Come wash your face quickly.”

Zheng Yun saw that she had prepared washing water for him. A smile rose unbidden to his face. Rather than washing immediately, he walked over and pulled her into his arms.

Ling’ai wrinkled her nose in mild displeasure. “Go wash your face — you smell of liquor. How much did you drink?”

“Not much.” Zheng Yun laughed. “These people know my capacity — no one dared pour too much. Besides, Elder Brother and Second Brother were up front taking the brunt of it.”

The Zheng brothers had inherited their father’s tolerance for alcohol. In his youth, their father had been said to be capable of drinking a thousand cups without getting drunk.

Ling’ai pushed him away, then turned to take a towel, dampen it, and carefully wipe his face inch by inch.

“Eldest Sister-in-Law also prepared a sobering soup for you — I’ve left it warming on the stove. It should cool down a little before you drink it.”

“I didn’t drink that much — I don’t need sobering soup.”

“It’s not just for sobering up — drinking it means you won’t feel as rough tomorrow morning, and your stomach will be more comfortable.”

Zheng Yun stood still and let her wipe his face. “The feeling of having a wife is really wonderful.”

Ling’ai dabbed the towel lightly on his nose. “Such a smooth talker.”

Zheng Yun chuckled, narrowing his eyes contentedly. “Truly comfortable.”

After she finished wiping his face, Zheng Yun asked, “Are you hungry?”

“Eldest Sister-in-Law cooked me noodles just now — I’m full.” Ling’ai said. “What about you? You’ve drunk so much and haven’t eaten — should I go make you a bowl of noodles?”

“You can cook noodles?”

Ling’ai squeezed out a rather strained smile. “It might not taste great, but it won’t kill anyone. And at this hour, I’d be embarrassed to trouble Eldest Sister-in-Law again.”

“I haven’t eaten enough.” His eyes suddenly grew deep and serious, his gaze fixed on her as if carrying some hidden meaning. “But I don’t want noodles.”

“You don’t want noodles? Then what do you want — besides noodles, I can’t make anything else.”

“What I want to eat, only you have.”

“Only I have?” Ling’ai didn’t catch his meaning at first, her mind still fully occupied with wondering if he was truly hungry.

Before she could figure it out, she was swept up off the ground. She heard him murmur in her ear: “I want to eat you.”