The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 764: Picking Up the Bride (End)

Liu Xianglian released the gyrfalcon again, and everyone came to their senses. Feng Ziying said with envy and enthusiasm, "You, Second Master Liu, have actually tamed such a magnificent gyrfalcon. I've never heard you mention it before. You've kept it a secret for a long time. You clearly don't consider me and Brother Huan as friends."

Liu Xianglian laughed and said, "Nonsense, if I didn't consider Brother Huan a friend, I wouldn't have joined in this fun today."

Feng Ziying immediately objected, grabbing Liu Xianglian by the collar and saying, "You, surnamed Liu, only mention Brother Huan, does that mean you don't consider me, old Feng, a friend? I treated you to good wine and food the other day."

Liu Xianglian gently pushed Feng Ziying's hand away with a skillful effort, and laughed, "We haven't even had a drink yet, and you're already acting like a drunkard. That gyrfalcon was something I acquired by chance in the border region a few years ago. What's wrong with lending it to you for a few days? It's not a big deal, why make such a fuss?"

Feng Ziying chuckled and said, "That's more like it. You can't go back on your word once it's agreed."

Liu Xianglian ignored Feng Ziying, waved the colorful flag in his hand, and asked with a smile, "Miss Shishu, does this mean we've passed the test?"

Shi Shu nodded and said, "Of course it counts. Thanks to Master Liu, I've really broadened my horizons today. That hawk was so intelligent."

--ah!

As soon as Shi Shu finished speaking, the curtain behind her suddenly fell down with a snap, and the two women cried out and tumbled out at the same time. Fortunately, they managed to regain their footing in time and did not fall to the ground in a disheveled manner.

Jia Huan was slightly taken aback, then chuckled and asked, "Third Sister, Sister Qin, what are you doing?"

It turned out that Tan Chun and Bao Qin were peeking through the small gap in the curtain from behind it. They were probably so engrossed in watching that Tan Chun suddenly lost her balance and fell forward. In a panic, she grabbed Bao Qin, who also fell forward and frantically grabbed the curtain.

How could the curtain withstand the weight of two people? With a rip, it fell down, and Tan Chun and Bao Qin also tumbled out of the door. Luckily, they managed to step back and regain their footing in time, otherwise they would have been utterly embarrassed. Even so, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Tan Chun and Bao Qin were so ashamed that they wanted to disappear.

Everyone was stunned when they suddenly saw two beauties emerge from behind the curtain. It wasn't until Jia Huan addressed them as Third Sister and Sister Qin that they realized they were Jia Tanchun, the third daughter of the Jia family, and Xue Baoqin, the daughter of the Xue family.

Wow, the women of the Jia and Xue families are indeed exceptionally beautiful. These two are undoubtedly stunning beauties, with slender figures and graceful bearing.

Jia Tanchun was no ordinary woman after all. She quickly calmed down, gracefully curtsied to everyone, and smiled, saying, "I apologize for the rudeness of His Highness Prince Min and all the gentlemen."

Xue Baoqin stuck out her tongue and curtsied as well, then fled back into the house as if escaping, covering her pretty face with her hands. Oh dear, this time she really embarrassed herself!

Jia Huan couldn't help but chuckle to himself. Even the clever and mischievous Qin sister had her embarrassing moments. Truly, karma is a wheel, and retribution is swift!
"So it's the Third Miss, greetings!" Everyone returned the greeting with clasped hands.

Jia Tanchun glanced quickly at Liu Xianglian and smiled, "I didn't expect Second Master Liu to have raised a spirit bird. Congratulations, Huan-di, you've passed this test." After saying that, she curtsied again and then calmly turned around and went back into the house.

Today, Jia Tanchun wore a gorgeous red brocade dress, with a gold hairpin slanted into her hair, and bright moon pearls in her earlobes. She was graceful, dignified and noble; her shoulders were like those of a knife, her waist was like that of silk, she had a tall and slender figure, an oval face, beautiful eyes and delicate eyebrows, and her gaze was full of spirit. She was refined and elegant, and people would forget the mundane world upon seeing her.

Seeing Liu Xianglian staring blankly at Tan Chun's retreating figure, Jia Huan's heart stirred, and he smiled, "Second Brother Liu, what do you think of my dear sister?"

Liu Xianglian blushed and mumbled, "Your sister... is a woman who is just as capable as any man!"

Feng Ziying laughed and said, "Second Master Liu is actually blushing. I've known you for so many years, and this is the first time I've seen that. By the way, Brother Huan, I remember your sister isn't betrothed yet, right? Why not consider Second Master Liu? Anyway, Second Master Liu isn't married yet."

Liu Xianglian raised an eyebrow and kicked out, but Feng Ziying, who was clearly on guard, turned and ran away, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

After leaving Qiushuangzhai, the wedding procession continued with music and fanfare. Inside the house, Jia Tanchun listened to the music fade away and felt a little lost. She had high standards and ordinary men were not worthy of her attention, but when she saw Liu Xianglian just now, she felt a sudden flutter in her heart.

Fate is indeed a magical thing, just like the lyrics of a song say: "I've seen the look in your eyes, and I've met the right person!"

Seeing that Tan Chun was lost in thought again, Xue Baoqin's beautiful eyes darted around, and she asked with a smile, "What does Third Sister think of that Second Master Liu?"

Jia Tanchun's face flushed slightly, but she feigned nonchalance and asked, "What do you mean, 'how'?"

Xue Baoqin said with a smile, "If Third Sister takes a fancy to that man surnamed Liu, I wouldn't mind playing matchmaker and mentioning him to the Old Madam and Madam." Jia Tanchun, embarrassed and annoyed, slapped Baoqin and warned, "Qin'er, if you dare to gossip in front of the Old Madam and Madam, I'll tear your little mouth apart!"

Xue Baoqin was not afraid of anyone, except for Tan Chun. She quickly said, "Third Sister, don't be angry. If you don't want to say it, then don't say it. But... have you thought it through? Once this opportunity is gone, it won't come again. If you don't seize the chance when fate comes, it will be too late to regret it after the other person gets married!"

After Baoqin finished speaking, she ran out of the house, leaving Tanchun standing there stunned. She still had to rush to Hengwu Garden to see the final excitement!
Meanwhile, Jia Huan and his companions traveled smoothly without encountering any more obstacles, and soon arrived outside Hengwu Courtyard. However, Jia Huan dared not let his guard down, as this final hurdle might not be easy to overcome.

Sure enough, Li Wan and You Shi personally blocked the door. You Shi smiled and said, "Huan-ge'er, it's not that your sisters-in-law are making things difficult for you, it's just the custom. How about this, everyone here is a talented man, each of you can compose a poem to urge the bride to get married, and then your sisters-in-law will let you take the two brides away. Is that alright?"

Jia Huan smiled and said, "Of course, I'll start by reciting a poem as a starting point. 'Shyly she refuses to leave her dressing table, her maidservant rings her with a nine-bead hairpin.' She tells the weary woman, 'Lightly apply rouge and powder, and pretend to be languid.'"

Liu Yi nodded and said, "Ziming, you have a fine poem. I also have one. Please correct me, Sister-in-law Erquan: My heart is filled with fear and I am in a daze all day long when I am about to get married. Before the wine cup, my jade chopsticks hang down. I do not know that my husband still cherishes me. I only remember the time when my mother scolded me."

Zhang Zhilong said impatiently, "It's my turn, it's my turn! Ahem, let me recite: Ten steps of music and singing resound in the blue sky, my elaborate makeup is powerless in the long night. I am ashamed to let others try my double eyebrows, I will leave them for Jia Lang to draw after seeing them."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter, clapping and praising, "Wonderful! Wonderful!"

Zhang Zhilong clasped his hands in a smug gesture and bowed to the group. His poem urging the bride to get ready was indeed very vivid and interesting, and he even took the opportunity to tease the bride.

Baochai and Daiyu, who were inside the room, naturally heard it. Their faces flushed slightly, and they secretly cursed this person for being so improper!

Next, Huang Cong, Zhang Yiqing, Zhang Yixia and others each composed a poem to urge the bride to get married. This was too easy for them, who were all graduates of the imperial examination. Then, Prince Min Xu Wenhou, Jia Qiang, Jia Lan, Jia Yun and Liu Xianglian also composed poems. Even Feng Ziying, a military man, managed to put together a poem. Although the quality was not very good, it was enough to get by.

Just as Li Wan and You Shi were about to let them pass, Baoqin suddenly appeared and pointed at Li Jinzhong, the eunuch beside Xu Wenhou, saying, "Wait, there's still him who hasn't done it yet!"

Li Jinzhong's face turned green. He hurriedly waved his hands and shook his head, saying, "I am just a servant, it doesn't count. Please, Miss Qin, be merciful!"

Xue Baoqin smiled shrewdly and said, "What's wrong with me? As the saying goes, one is influenced by one's company. His Highness Prince Min is well-read and highly talented. Eunuch Li has served His Highness for so many years and has been influenced by him. Surely he can compose a poem to urge you to get married?"

Xu Wenhou, feeling a bit flattered by Baoqin's compliments, coughed lightly and said, "Little Zhongzi, just write one poem instead of making a fuss. Don't embarrass me."

Li Jinzhong nearly fainted, and said with a bitter face, "Your Highness, this servant really doesn't know... cough, alright, this servant will think about it carefully!"

Li Jinzhong originally wanted to refuse, but when Xu Wenhou glared at him, he immediately shrank back in fright and forced himself to think hard. However, with his pitifully small amount of knowledge, how could he possibly come up with an answer?
Seeing that he couldn't utter a single word after so long, Xu Wenhou lost face and scolded, "Fool! Fool! After serving me for so many years, haven't you even learned the basics?"

Xue Baoqin, however, seemed to enjoy the spectacle even more, and said with a grin, "Your Highness, don't be impatient. Good wine is never too late. Eunuch Li, don't you agree?"

Li Jinzhong was both amused and exasperated. Seeing Xu Wenhou staring at him with displeasure, he quickly came up with a clever idea and actually managed to get him to compose a doggerel. He excitedly exclaimed, "I've got it! This servant has it!"

Everyone was a little surprised. Li Wan smiled and said, "Since Eunuch Li has it, please recite it."

Li Jinzhong coughed lightly and recited: "Dragon and phoenix candles illuminate the high hall, with two little mandarin ducks in the middle. When the night is deep and quiet, I wonder which one is listening in the room?"

--Hahaha!
The room erupted in laughter, with the fat Xu Wenhou laughing so hard he couldn't stand up straight, while Li Jinzhong awkwardly joined in with a forced laugh.

Li Wan, You Shi, and Baoqin all blushed and secretly spat, thinking, "This eunuch is so improper!"
Lin Zhixiao's wife quickly stepped in to smooth things over, laughing and saying, "Alright, the poem urging the bride to get ready has already been written. Let the bride leave her home and get into the sedan chair quickly, lest we miss the auspicious time for the wedding ceremony."

The lively and festive drum music rang out again. The two young ladies, Daiyu and Baochai, dressed in phoenix coronet and embroidered robes and covered with red veils, were carried by Jia Huan from inside the house onto eight-bearer sedan chairs. Then, the wedding procession left the Grand View Garden with music and fanfare, circled the streets, and finally returned to the Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion to hold the wedding ceremony.

The complicated details of the wedding ceremony will not be elaborated here. After the newlyweds finished their ceremony, Daiyu and Baochai were sent back to their bridal chamber, while Jia Huan stayed in the front courtyard to entertain the guests until the evening when they had all left before he was able to return to the inner quarters.

(End of this chapter)