Huayu started as a substitute director

Chapter 607 Marriage Letter
Chinese wedding ceremony is solemn and elegant!
In fact, it is impossible to determine what a specific Chinese wedding should be like. The folks have their own customs, and the royal family had their own customs.

Customs vary from region to region, and certainly from dynasty to dynasty.

What we want is the atmosphere of traditional culture!

If you really want to examine it, there are many things that are not in accordance with etiquette, such as Liu Tianxian wearing a phoenix crown and bridal robe on the spot, which should have been put on in advance.

It’s just that Liu Xiaoli felt sorry for her daughter, so she wore it on the spot.

But some of them are also well-researched, for example, when Liu Tianxian appears on the stage with a fan covering half of her face, that is called "Queshan", and when she greets Fang Hong from a distance, it is called "Queshanli".

But Liu Tianxian didn't take it but fanned it.

The Queshan is a covering on the head, one purpose is to cover up shame, the other is to ward off evil spirits, which is similar to the red veil.

Therefore, the ancient etiquette and rules were not followed too much, but people at the scene felt that the wedding was still very particular. That's because modern people don't know the specific etiquette.

Few people can explain exactly how a Chinese wedding should be held.

If one really wants to examine it, there must be at least three books and six ceremonies. The three books refer to the engagement letter, the gift letter, and the welcoming letter.

Many of the six rituals, including accepting the bride's proposal, asking for the bride's name, accepting the bride's good wishes, accepting the bride's betrothal gifts, asking for the date of marriage and welcoming the bride, are omitted. After all, everyone is so familiar with the process that many of them are unnecessary.

That was a etiquette that was only necessary in ancient times when a man and a woman had never met each other and were not in love.

Nacai is to ask a matchmaker to propose marriage; Wenming is to ask the woman's name; Naji is to take the woman's name and horoscope and then perform divination in the ancestral temple.

Nazheng is the man’s gift to the woman; qingqi is the date of the wedding; and qinying is the woman’s gift of dowry.

There are many things like these, but many are not applicable to modern society. We certainly cannot follow the same rigid principles as in ancient times. We must keep pace with the times.

As the guests watched, Fang Hong walked in square steps, and behind him were several groomsmen wearing Hanfu, including Liu Yin, Li Anran, and Tu Yiran.

These people are the behind-the-scenes team of Fang Hong's film. Each of them holds a tray with hardware and treasures on it.

The hardware includes: a pair of earrings, a ring, a necklace, and a pair of bracelets.

There was no pink heart as before, but just some ceremonial objects made of pure gold, just for the sake of formality.

The ten treasures are: a gold thimble, gold scissors, a small ingot, a large ingot, small peanuts, large peanuts, a goldfish, copper coins, a tray, and one piece of red cloth.

There is also a red silk with a big red flower.

Fang Hong walked up to the platform, came in front of Liu Tianxian, and faced her.

The two looked at each other affectionately, Liu Tianxian's eyes were moving with affection. After so many years, they were finally going to be together. From now on, this would be her man, the man for life.

Fang Hong's eyes were also filled with deep affection and admiration.

Although they were silent at this moment, they knew what the other was thinking and were both moved.

"Please, new bride and groom, perform the three bows and three concessions ceremony!"

Three bows and three concessions means Fang Hong bowed, and Liu Tianxian slightly bowed, and then put his hand on the left waist to salute, and then put his hand on the right waist to salute, and this was done three times. It was the welcoming etiquette of the two.

Liu Tianxian's salute seemed quite standard, obviously she had practiced it before, and she was very serious about everything she did.

As the wedding ceremony progressed, the two teams on the stage faced each other. Liu Yin and Li Anran stepped forward and handed the hardware and treasures in their hands to each other.

Jane Zhang and Shu Chang stepped forward to take the hardware and treasures on the tray, and then returned to their seats.

Another bridesmaid, Tang Yan, stepped forward and took the red silk from Tu Yiran's tray, and then Tang Yan handed the red silk to Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian.

Two people each hold one end, and there is a big red flower in the middle!

The whole process seemed solemn and serious. Tang Yan and Jane Zhang had been informed of this in advance training, and it was also their first time to experience such a wedding, which was quite novel.

The people in the audience were watching them perform the wedding ceremony with envy in their eyes, and they also felt it was very novel. After seeing so many Western-style weddings, they became curious about the Chinese style.

Jing Tian watched the wedding going on. Although she felt a little disappointed, she did not show it. It was good to see them happy.

She will also find her own happiness, she thought to herself.

On the stage, Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian held red silk, then they walked up the stairs side by side, heading to a higher place.

Just as the two stepped onto the stairs, the music being played on the spot suddenly changed to "Moon of Peace". The music was majestic, making the whole atmosphere solemn and fascinating.

"A piece of red silk, two people holding a colorful ball, the matchmaker determines three lives" the grand voice sounded again.

The higher place in front is the palace. Three people are sitting in front of the palace. They are Xu Liyun, Liu Xiaoli and An Shaokang.

Watching their children walking towards them step by step, getting closer and closer, they felt happy and a little excited.

Especially Xu Liyun, who couldn't hide the smile and excitement on her face. Liu Xiaoli and An Shaokang were okay, but they also had gentle smiles on their faces.

Behind them is a huge LED screen. After all, there are so many people and the venue is large, and they are afraid that some people may not be able to see it.

Of course, some people held up their mobile phones to film the entire wedding process.

Next to the palace, there was an old man with gray hair and wearing a Taoist robe. He was bending over a table and writing with a brush. It seemed that he was writing something. If you saw it, you would know that it was the marriage certificate of Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian.

The paper is in red scroll form and the writing is gold!
It would have been fine if she didn't walk, but as soon as she started walking, Liu Tianxian felt that the shawl was very heavy. This was normal, as such a long shawl dragged on the ground, not counting the weight, would still provide quite a bit of resistance.

Liu Xiaoli still felt sorry for her daughter and did not let her start walking from the end of the red carpet.

But it’s okay. Liu Tianxian exercises regularly, so she can still drag the bridal veil. She can just hold on without too much pressure.

It's just that it's a bit uncomfortable to wear the phoenix crown on your head. You need to straighten your neck. Firstly, it's too heavy. Secondly, if you tilt your head or lower it, you're afraid the crown will fall off.

It would be so unlucky if this fell!

Soon, the two reached the highest point, stopped in front of the palace, and faced their parents.

"Perform the great ritual of bathing!"

Liu Yin and Jane Zhang brought two basins respectively for both of them to wash their hands. This process is hand washing.

After washing, he wiped his hands with a red handkerchief.

When Liu Tianxian was wiping her hands, she glanced at Zhang Liangying and they smiled at each other.

She wanted to say something, but the occasion was not right. In fact, what Jane Zhang wanted to say was that your wedding was too grand.

But this also made her envious, as this was exactly the sense of ritual that girls like them yearned for.

"Please turn around and worship the heaven and earth together!"

Following the instructions from the loud voice, Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian turned around in tacit understanding, facing everything here, looking down from above at every guest who came to attend their wedding.

And they are also the most eye-catching ones, everyone is watching them and witnessing their wedding.

Because Liu Tianxian's shawl was too long, when she turned around, it would get twisted together, looking unsightly. Several staff members had to hold the shawl, place it beside Liu Tianxian, and help her straighten it out.

"Thank God for the good fortune, I bow to you!"

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian held the red silk and bowed to the void.

During this process, Liu Tianxian just bowed slightly, after all, it was inconvenient to wear; Fang Hong bent over and bowed.

"Thank God for creating my beautiful wife. I bow again!"

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian bowed again!
"Thank heaven and earth for your help. Bow three times!"

"Family rituals are passed down for thousands of years, and the kindness of parents will never be forgotten. Please ask the new bride and groom to face their parents and express their gratitude!" He began to pay respect to his parents.

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian turned around and faced their parents. Liu Tianxian was in trouble, so the staff had to hold her bridal veil and turn her around.

This dress is so troublesome that even the guests found it troublesome!

"I wish my parents good health and longevity. I bow to you!"

The two men faced their parents and performed the three bows as they had done before.

With each bow, the master of ceremonies' grand voice would sound. Xu Liyun, Liu Xiaoli, and An Shaokang looked at the two and couldn't help feeling gratified and moved.

Xu Liyun was moved and took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. Her wish had finally come true. Her biggest wish was for her son to get married.

When the two of them were bowing to each other, Xu Liyun said to Liu Xiaoli beside her, "Mother-in-law, this wedding is so much thanks to you. You have worked so hard."

Xu Liyun didn't worry about anything about the wedding, as Liu Xiaoli took care of everything. So she still felt guilty, after all, she didn't help much.

"Why say that? We are all family. As long as we can see them get married, no matter how hard it is for us as parents, it will be worth it, right?" Liu Xiaoli said.

"Yes, yes!" Xu Liyun nodded repeatedly.

An Shaokang next to them glanced at the two of them without saying anything. Liu Xiaoli didn't say anything to him either. It was good enough for him to sit here as the father-in-law.

He didn't worry about the wedding.

"Respectfully bow three times! The ceremony is over!"

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian faced each other and bowed to each other for the last time as husband and wife. There was warm applause from the audience, sending them blessings.

They just watch, there is rarely any communication, just for the novelty of it.

After the ceremony, the parents went downstairs and several staff members brought up a wooden table with two chairs placed next to it.

"Please take your seats, newlyweds!"

Liu Tianxian sat on it with the support of Zhang Liangying. Fang Hong was not so troublesome and sat on her other side.

Both of them are sitting upright. If you watch them from a distance or on the big screen, you'll feel like you're seeing our ancestors.

"Perform the ceremony of untying the tassel and tying the hair!"

Liu Yin and Zhang Liangying each took a pair of small scissors and cut a few strands of hair from behind Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian, then tied them together with red tassels, similar to a Chinese knot, but very small.

This requires a process and is all produced on site with several staff members busy at work.

“It’s quite complicated.”

"It's better to be complicated, as it proves there is a sense of ceremony. I envy such weddings." Zhao Xiaodao said as they watched.

"Exactly. In comparison, the Western style is too simple. There is no sense of ceremony or solemnity."

While people were whispering in the audience, a red tassel was tied into a knot on the stage, which was then placed in a prepared brocade bag and shown to everyone, which also appeared on the big screen.

"Please welcome the two newlyweds to the wedding ceremony!"

This ceremony is called the wedding wine ceremony, which is done by splitting a gourd into two cups, and the bride and groom each take one to drink from.

That was a long time ago. They didn't use gourds here, but wine glasses with red or green colored threads attached to them.

This means that the bride and groom each hold one end and walk into the bridal chamber holding hands.

The staff handed Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian a glass of wine each, and then the two covered their glasses with their sleeves and drank it in one gulp.

After drinking it, he handed the cup to the staff next to him.

The next ceremony is "scattering the tent", which is to throw red dates, peanuts and other things on Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian, implying the early birth of a son.

"A scattering of wealth and glory!"

Shu Chang threw red dates and peanuts at Liu Tianxian, but Liu Tianxian sat there calmly without moving!
The audience watched the ceremony quietly.

"Two scattered gold and jade all over the house!"

Liu Yin threw something at Fang Hong.

"Three Sages and Three Scholars!"

"Spread the wealth all year round!"

"Five scatters and five sons pass the imperial examinations!"

"Liusha Liuhe Tongchuntang!"

"Qisa Fairy, live together till old age!"

"Eight scattered eight horses turn back to their hometown!"

"Nine blessings, nine blessings, and longevity!"

"Ten scatters and ten perfections bring great luck!"

"The ceremony is over! All the best!"

The process was that the best men and bridesmaids kept throwing things at them. The whole process was a bit silly and some people in the audience couldn't help laughing.

But it's normal, Chinese style is all about "etiquette"!
"If I get married, I won't make it so complicated. Just the basics will be enough," said Nazha.

"Let's talk about it when you have a man!" Jiang Shuying said.

The ceremony was almost coming to an end at this point, with only the last hand-shaking ceremony left.

"The bride and groom are here! Please shake hands!"

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian stood up, faced each other, and held each other's hands, with warmth in their palms!

There was still tenderness and affection in their eyes.

As the two held hands, the white-haired old man in Taoist robes raised the marriage certificate with both hands and read to the outside:

"A match made in heaven, a fate created by earth, the universe is settled, and the harp and the zither are in harmony.

I hereby take the heaven and earth as witnesses, the sun and the moon as mirrors, the mountains and rivers as alliances, and the rivers and streams as oaths that now we have been matched by heaven and are a perfect match. I hereby write this book to make it known to the world and to all the people.

The groom, Fang Hong, courtesy name Principal, was born in 1988. He is from Hubei Province and is a descendant of Emperor Yan. He has a distinguished family background, noble character, both talent and virtue, and is proficient in both civil and military affairs. He is truly a genius of the time, a rare talent among men.

The bride Liu Yifei, whose courtesy name is Anfeng, was born in 1987. She is from Hubei and is the daughter of Emperor Yao. She is gentle and virtuous, talented and beautiful, and has both virtue and appearance. She is truly a beauty among women and a leader among women.

Today, the two of you are destined to be together for three lifetimes and to be in love for a lifetime. You are a match made in heaven and a destiny created by earth. On June 2015, 6, you will hold your wedding ceremony in the capital city. With heaven and earth as witnesses, the sun and moon as mirrors, the mountains and rivers as alliances, and the rivers as oaths, you may be together forever and grow old together.

This book is specially written as a testimony to the world and to the people. May all lovers in the world be married and may all good relationships be fulfilled. "

The old man's voice was loud and clear, and every word he said was sonorous!

With the effect of amplification, the sound echoed throughout the entire royal garden, as if penetrating time and space, reverberating between heaven and earth, and knocking on the hearts of every guest present.

It seemed to leave some kind of impression in their hearts, and from now on, Liu Tianxian and Fang Hong would be a couple who would be together forever in their eyes.

At the same time, it also struck Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian's hearts, like a brand that brought their hearts closer and closer!

(End of this chapter)