Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 180: Chapter 176: The Bridal Chamber with Candles

Inside the main hall.

Yang Zhenshan, also dressed in festive wedding attire, kowtowed toward the ancestral spirit tablet of the Sky Blue Sword Sect.

By rights, this should have been the part of the ceremony where he kowtowed to the ancestors of Yu Qingyi, but since Yu Qingyi was an orphan who didn’t even know who her parents were, they substituted it with the Sky Blue Sword Sect’s ancestral spirit tablet.

Yang Zhenshan today was exceptionally tidy, his jet-black hair combed without a single hair out of place, his long beard also arranged neatly.

From his appearance, his youthfulness was misleading; looking at his face alone, he did not seem to be a man in his forties, but his long beard lent him a look of older age.

The long beard aged him, and before coming here, Yang Zhenshan had considered shaving it off entirely because he felt that standing beside Yu Qingyi, there seemed an implication of an old cow eating tender grass.

However, hair and skin were inherited from one’s parents, and shaving his beard was out of the question; only a simple trim was permitted.

Next was the bridal procession ritual, with Yu Qingyi making her exit with the support of her maidservants, bidding farewell to the four elders of the Sky Blue Sword Sect.

”Uncle-Masters!”

”Niece gives thanks to the four Uncle-Masters!”

Yu Qingyi was originally joyful, but upon arriving in the hall and seeing Su Kun and the other three, she suddenly felt her nose turn sour.

My life is given by my parents, but my upbringing was courtesy of the Sky Blue Sword Sect.

Yu Qingyi didn’t know her parents, but she was aware of the grace of fostering, training, and teaching she received from the Sky Blue Sword Sect over the years.

Looking at Su Kun with his full head of silvery hair, reminiscing about her master who always affectionately called her ”girl,” Yu Qingyi couldn’t hold back and two lines of tears rolled down her face.

Although her tears were concealed by the red bridal veil, Hua Jinqiu still noticed her weeping.

”Silly girl.”

Hua Jinqiu stepped forth to comfort her, her own eyes brimming with moisture.

After the farewell, Yang Zhenshan took Yu Qingyi’s hand and walked out the main door, feeling that the process was quite mystical.

Was he married just like this?

No, perhaps it was more appropriate to call it a wedding.

In his past life, he never considered marriage, perhaps due to not wanting to assume too many responsibilities, or maybe because he felt more freedom on his own, in any case, he had almost never felt the impulse to marry.

But now, he was actually married, and the feeling seemed quite pleasant.

Leading the bride out of the courtyard and helping her into the palanquin, Yang Zhenshan mounted his horse.

On the streets, many townspeople gathered to join in the festivities, with the music of wind and percussion instruments starting to play; Yang Zhenshan patted Red Cloud, then followed the procession ahead, bowing in thanks to the surrounding townspeople.

”Is that the garrison commander?”

”Congratulations, Commander!”

”Best wishes, Commander!”

”Whose daughter is the bride, to be so fortunate?”

...

The townspeople on both sides of the street were incredibly lively, with some expressing congratulations, some discussing, and others envying Yu Qingyi’s good fortune.

Yang Zhenshan was remarrying, which in the eyes of many gentry families might not be considered a great match, but to the common folk, it was certainly a stroke of wealth.

To be able to marry into the Yang family, even as a stepmother, was something the common people wouldn’t dare to dream of.

Among the crowd, there were also many Jianghu Martial Artists sizing up Yang Zhenshan.

Jianghu Martial Artists had complex attitudes toward officials: some hated, some envied, and some were indifferent and disdainful.

Ji Hai belonged to those who were indifferent; in terms of status, Jianghu Martial Artists were far below officials, but this was not absolute. When a martial artist’s cultivation reached a sufficient level, such as the Postnatal Ninth Layer, even officials had to be exceedingly respectful.

Ji Zhen was a martial artist at the Postnatal Ninth Layer, and in his presence, the likes of Prefects and County Magistrates could only address themselves as juniors.

Therefore, Ji Hai had the privilege to disregard most officials.

”So it’s just an old man; I thought Qingyi had found herself a much better family to marry into!”

Ning Qingqing belonged to those who were disdainful; she seemed to be disdainful toward everyone, was so toward Yu Qingyi, so toward Yang Qingshan, and so even toward others.

Her voice was not loud, Ji Hai heard her and just frowned, but suddenly his senses tensely sharpened as if a fierce beast had set its gaze on him, reflexively putting him on guard.

The one focusing on them was none other than Yang Zhenshan.

Ning Qingqing’s voice wasn’t loud, especially in such a noisy environment, where almost no one could hear clearly.

But Yang Zhenshan was an exception; his hearing and vision far exceeded others, and Ning Qingqing’s words clearly entered his ears.

Old man!

Old man!

Old man!

Yang Zhenshan felt offended!

Damn it, although I’m slightly older, I’m not to the point of being an old man.

I’ve just crossed forty.

Have you not heard that a forty-year-old man is still in his prime?

Have you seen such a robust old man as me?

Have you seen such a handsome old man as me?

Damn it!

Yang Zhenshan felt infuriated in his heart!

In truth, he had already come to terms with his age—after all, unwilling acceptance was not an option—yet today, he still felt the affront.

If it wasn’t for today being his wedding day, he would definitely have taught that thoughtless woman a lesson.

With eyes as cold as ice, Yang Zhenshan stared at Ning Qingqing for a long time until the wedding procession had passed by before he withdrew his gaze.

Ning Qingqing was completely stiffened, and though Ji Hai sensed the danger, he did not dare speak, lest the brunt of the confrontation fall on Ning Qingqing.

Although Yang Zhenshan didn’t say or do anything, just casting two glances her way, she felt as if she had just walked through mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

That feeling was truly terrifying.

”This person, this person has such a heavy murderous aura!”

It wasn’t until Yang Zhenshan’s figure had disappeared on the street that Ning Qingqing stuttered out her words.

Ji Hai narrowed his eyes, ”It’s best to avoid provoking those military generals who have come off the battlefield! Qingqing, trouble comes from careless talk!”

Ning Qingqing hung her head with a pallid face, daring not to say another word.

True fear had taken root in her heart.

At this time, Yang Zhenshan had already regained his composure. Although he was quite irked by the phrase ’little old man,’ today was, after all, his wedding day, and he couldn’t let a slight offense ruin such a beautiful time.

The wedding procession circled around An Yuan City before arriving at the front door of the Yang family. On his wedding day, Yang Zhenshan obviously could not enter through the official hall’s main door but through the large door of the back courtyard.

”Sect Leader, be careful not to step on the ground!”

Yu Qingyi felt the sedan chair sink slightly when she heard Qingxia’s reminder.

Outside, Wu Hai hurriedly signaled several servants to spread cotton bags on the ground. This ceremony, called ”spreading mats,” dictates that the bride’s feet must not touch the ground before entering the bridal chamber.

The servants scrambled around with the cotton bags while Yang Zhenshan, holding the big red flowers, led Yu Qingyi into the mansion.

The two arrived at the main hall which was already set up with the ancestral tablets of the Yang family. Yang Minghui stood to one side as the officiant and called out, ”Bow to heaven and earth!”

”Bow to the high hall!”

”The couple bows to each other!”

Logically, this role of wedding officiant should have been played by Yang Zhengxiang, who, although not an elder of Yang Zhenshan’s, was still older and the Clan Leader of the Yang Family.

However, Yang Zhengxiang was not present, so Yang Minghui took his place.

”The ceremony is complete!”

”Uncle, time to lift the bridal veil!”

Yang Minghui quickly handed Yang Zhenshan a pole.

Here, many men would only see the bride’s face for the first time, the so-called ’blind marriage, mute wedding.’ Now was the time to unbox the surprise.

But Yang Zhenshan had already seen Yu Qingyi, so he did not experience the surprise of unwrapping a mystery box, instead feeling only a sense of anticipation.

Upon lifting the veil, a radiant face was revealed, and Yang Zhenshan was momentarily dumbstruck.

And his stunned look made Yu Qingyi blush even more deeply.

”A perfect match!”

The crowd around them praised in unison, followed by the resumption of ceremonial music. The festive atmosphere nearly lifted the roof.

”Escort to the bridal chamber!”

”Ow ow, to the bridal chamber!”

With the clamor rising, Yang Zhenshan led Yu Qingyi into the bridal chamber.

A wedding is a marriage ceremony, and by this time, as dusk had settled, candles flickered in the bridal chamber.

However, entering the bridal chamber did not signal the end of the wedding ceremony; the couple were then guided to offer sacrifices of millet, sacrificial grain, and lung, with three sacrifices and three offerings of food, known as ”sharing the wedding feast.”

Next was the ”joining cups ceremony,” involving splitting a gourd in half for the couple to each hold one half while drinking wine.

Finally, Yang Zhenshan untied the red string from Yu Qingyi’s head, and two maids used scissors to snip a lock of hair from each of their heads, tied them with the red string, and placed them into a brocade pouch.

From this moment on, they were considered husband and wife with joined hair.

It was only now that the wedding ceremony was truly concluded, and with the dismissal of bystanders, Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi could finally relax.

The wedding included a multitude of rituals, and after a day’s events, Yang Zhenshan felt somewhat exhausted.

”Hungry, aren’t you?” Yang Zhenshan said to Yu Qingyi, looking at the food on the table.

”Yes!” Yu Qingyi was still acting shy, her blushing face blooming like flowers.

”My great Sect Leader is actually shy!” Yang Zhenshan teased.

Yu Qingyi glared at him with a roll of her eyes, but her coquettish look made Yang Zhenshan’s heart race, nearly unable to restrain himself.

”My husband, please eat!” Yu Qingyi served a bowl of rice in front of Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan took her hand and had her sit down, ”I never liked these messy rules. Husband and wife are one, there’s no need to be so formal; being casual is fine!”

After a few bites of food to fill their stomachs, Yang Zhenshan poured wine for them both.

”Drink a couple glasses to get in the mood?”

”Get in the mood? Get in the mood for what?” Yu Qingyi clearly did not understand Yang Zhenshan’s implication.

Yang Zhenshan’s lips curled slightly, ”You’ll find out soon!”

Yu Qingyi blinked her innocent eyes, drinking a few cups with Yang Zhenshan.

He didn’t know if the drinks helped set the mood, but he felt a fiery heat throughout his body, as if he was ablaze.

”A spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold!”

”My lady, would you care to spend this spring night with me!”

Yang Zhenshan stood up, his eyes burning hotly as he looked at Yu Qingyi.

Yu Qingyi’s cheeks burned hot, and she gave a soft murmur of agreement.

”Haha~~” Yang Zhenshan laughed loudly, then picked up Yu Qingyi in his arms.

”Slow down!”

”Ouch!”

”Wait, don’t touch indiscriminately!”

Rustling and squeaking sounds came from the bridal chamber, while outside, the maids Red Cloud and Qingxia listened with flushed cheeks.

The smoke from the jade incense burner curled. Quietly inside the bridal chamber. Under the brocade curtains, whispers thickened, and beneath the silver candlelight, the couple’s gaze deepened. Those two, clear as day yesterday, vowed to grow old together.