MFBOWSBTMT Chapter 48

The 18th day of the tenth month was an auspicious day, with clear skies and gentle breezes, ideal for weddings.

 

Qiao Suiman was dragged out of bed early in the morning by Qin Yu and was now yawning sleepily.

 

“Qin Yu-ge,” Qiao Suiman rubbed his eyes and spoke in a soft voice.

 

Qin Yu smiled gently, his tone tinged with joy. “Hurry up and eat your noodles. There won’t be time to eat later.”

 

“Alright.”

 

His stomach growled, and Qiao Suiman quickly freshened up before sitting at the table to eat the noodles in small bites.

 

To others, it would be just plain noodles, but for him, such fine noodles were a rare treat.

 

He stirred it and found two golden fried eggs nestled underneath, glistening with oil. His eyes lit up instantly.

 

“Qin Yu-ge, have one too.”

 

Qiao Suiman picked up a fried egg with one hand and held the bowl underneath with the other to prevent the soup from dripping onto the floor.

 

“I’ve already eaten. I fried five eggs this morning. Your Da-ge ate too, and even Haejin had a share.” Qin Yu’s smile never faded as he waved him off, then went to tidy Qiao Suiman’s bed.

 

Hearing that, Qiao Suiman didn’t insist and happily dug in.

 

“Is Xuesheng almost here?” Qiao Suiman asked.

 

“Should be. Your Da-ge’s tidying up the courtyard and the door’s open. He’ll come straight to the room when he arrives.”

 

“Mm.”

 

After finishing the noodles, Qiao Suiman cleaned his teeth with a willow twig, just as Chen Xuesheng arrived.

 

“Xuesheng!” Qiao Suiman stood up to greet him. They hadn’t seen each other for a long time. After Chen Xuesheng got married, they only saw each other once when he returned to his parents’ home.

 

“Hey, have you just finished eating?” Chen Xuesheng sat down.

 

“Mm, have you eaten? There’s more in the pot,” Qin Yu said.

 

“I have, I have. My mother-in-law knew I was coming today, so she steamed buns early this morning.”

 

Chen Xuesheng’s eyes curved with joy, his entire being radiating a sweet, vibrant energy.

 

Qiao Suiman felt that Chen Xuesheng was different from before, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on what had changed. It was as if a flower in full bloom had been nourished by rain, becoming even more vivid and alluring.

 

“Xuesheng, you look even prettier than before,” Qiao Suiman praised him sincerely, thinking that he must be doing well at the Wang family’s house.

 

Qin Yu couldn’t help but giggle and teased, “Of course. Once you’re married and have someone to take care of you, how could you not look good?”

 

“Qin Yu-ge!”

 

Chen Xuesheng’s face flushed red, he stamped his foot in annoyance, saying, “You’re making fun of me again!”

 

“How is that making fun? I’m happy for you!”

 

Qin Yu glanced around Qiao Suiman’s room. The dowry had already been packed into camphorwood chests, and the double-happiness characters[mfn]雙喜字 / 双喜字 shuāngxǐ zì – (囍) a traditional Chinese auspicious pattern composed of two characters for “happiness” (喜 xǐ). It is one of the customs of decorating the bridal chamber among Chinese people and has been popular since ancient times. (Baidu); The character 喜 (xi) means “joy,” and doubling it (囍) symbolizes double happiness, commonly used in weddings to represent the union of two families.[/mfn] were pasted on the door and bed. The bright red wedding robes lay neatly on the bed, waiting to be worn after his bath.

 

“Alright, I’ll bring in the bathtub. Xuesheng, make sure to give him a good scrub later.”

 

Of course, it’s not just about taking a bath. Many private matters also need to be told to Qiao Suiman so that he won’t be clueless on the wedding night.

 

Chen Xuesheng understood and agreed with a mischievous grin.

 

As soon as Qin Yu left the room, he quietly took a small bottle out of his pocket. “Xiao Man, keep this. You’ll definitely need it someday.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“You’ll find out soon. It’s good for you.”

 

Chen Xuesheng deliberately kept it vague, his gaze tinged with pity. Poor thing. Lu Dongqing is so tall and sturdy. He wondered if Qiao Suiman could handle him.

 

That’s why he secretly bought this ointment from the pharmacy in town days ago. If things got too rough, at least there’d be something to soothe the pain.

 

Before Qiao Suiman could press further, Qin Yu returned with the bathtub, followed by hot water from the kitchen. Once the door was locked, Qiao Suiman obediently undressed and sank into the water.

 

The heat chased away the last remnants of drowsiness, leaving him fully awake.

 

Qin Yu and Chen Xuesheng each held one of his arms, carefully scrubbing him with a cloth, and at the same time carefully explaining to him how to “use that” to “satisfy” his own man.

 

“Newlywed men are the worst, always thinking about that. If you refuse, they’ll sulk. Tonight, just go along with him. Don’t start off on the wrong foot on your first night together.”

 

Qiao Suiman’s face burned crimson. No, his entire body turned red like a boiled shrimp. Whether it was from the heat or something else, he was so embarrassed that he couldn’t say a word.

 

So this is what the bridal chamber is like.

 

“Exactly! They pester you endlessly, and we’re not as strong as them. How are we supposed to keep up? If you’re tired, push back a little, but don’t refuse too often, or they’ll get upset.”

 

“You’ll have to be patient at first, but it’ll get better later. If it really hurts, just use the ointment I gave you.”

 

“I, I understand.”

 

Qiao Suiman took a deep breath, shaking his head to dispel the scandalous thoughts. The wedding night was still hours away. Why was he dwelling on it now?

 

After washing and putting on his undergarments, Qin Yu used a dry cloth to wipe Qiao Suiman’s hair. There was a brazier[mfn]火盆 huǒ pén –  a container usually used to hold burning charcoal or other solid fuel, used for heating, cooking, or certain cultural ceremonies in ancient times[/mfn] in the room, so it would dry quickly.

 

Once his hair was dry, Qiao Suiman put on his wedding robe. Qin Yu and Chen Xuesheng helped him tie the sash. The bright red wedding robe made him look even fairer and more delicate, like a piece of tofu. Chen Xuesheng couldn’t resist and gently poked his cheeks twice.

 

Qiao Suiman smiled and dodged. He has a pretty face to begin with, and after the baby fat on his face faded away, he looked more beautiful and charming. Even though he was not wearing any makeup, he was still eye-catching.

 

“Yu-ge’r!”

 

A loud knock sounded at the door. “Open up!” Aunt Qian’s booming voice called.

 

“Coming, coming!”

 

The door opened to admit Aunt Qian, Feng Jie, and Zhou Shuifen, crowding the small room instantly.

 

“Mother!” Chen Xuesheng jumped over to Zhou Shuifen in a few steps.

 

“You’re already married, yet you still act so recklessly. Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”

 

Despite her words, Zhou Shuifen looked him over fondly while beaming.

 

“Goodness, what a beauty!” Feng Jie pulled Qiao Suiman into her arms, showering him with praise. “She’s just like a little Xi Shi[mfn]西施 – One of the Four Great Beauties of ancient China, whose beauty was said to be so captivating it could make fish forget to swim and sink underwater and geese fall to the ground.[/mfn]!”

 

Qiao Suiman greeted them sweetly: “Feng-jie,” then turned, “Aunt Qian, Aunt Shuifen.”

 

Aunt Qian replied. “Heavens, the embroidery on this robe is exquisite! And you’ve grown even more handsome, Man-ge’r!”

 

“Of course! Embroiderer Miao’s craftsmanship is unmatched. After today, I’m afraid many people will be looking for her to embroider their wedding robes.”

 

Zhou Shuifen met Miao Lianhua a few times and got along well with her. “Man-ge’r is blessed. His fortunes have truly turned.”

 

Qiao Suiman smiled, revealing neat teeth, his fingers clutching the lover’s knot Lu Dongqing had given him.

 

“Come, come! I brought all my tools. Let’s make you even prettier!”

 

Feng Jie placed a pile of bottles and jars from her basket on the table, then held up a bronze mirror for Qiao Suiman.

 

Qiao Suiman closed his eyes. He didn’t know how long Feng Jie patted his face before he finally heard her say, “You can open your eyes now.”

 

The face that greeted his eyes was completely different from his usual appearance. Not to mention others, even Qiao Suiman himself was stunned. His cheeks were pale yet rosy, his eyes clear yet alluring, and the hint of red at the corners of his eyes made him look exquisitely beautiful.

 

“So handsome!”

 

“That Lu family’s boy is truly lucky.”

 

Qiao Suiman smiled, pressing his lips to a red paper to stain them. With his makeup complete, his heart raced at the thought of Lu Dongqing arriving soon.

 

He tied the love knot to his waist, the intricate wedding robes a sight to behold. All that remained was the red veil before he could leave for his new home.

 

Qin Yu served several bowls of egg noodles and invited Zhou Shuifen and the others to eat. Although there was no banquet, food had to be provided. In the courtyard outside, Qiao Ruifeng had laid out a variety of snacks and pastries so that other villagers who came to send off the bride could have something to eat and not go home empty-handed.

 

There were also drinks, but those weren’t here. Qiao Ruifeng had taken them to the west side of the village the night before. After all, the banquet would be held there, and most of the food and drinks were at the Lu family’s house.

 

Not long after, villagers came to visit one after another; their voices were noisy and lively, all offering their congratulations.

 

It was almost time for the auspicious hour.

 

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Author’s Note [陳皮皮梅]:
Hoping for the wedding night tomorrow! Also, I thought of a new title, 《The Bamboo Craftsman’s Milk Tea Beauty and Little Fulang》 what do you all think? Haha!

 

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