Chapter 261 Wedding 1
While wedding expenditures are less these days, the celebration was no less boisterous than those of the twenty-first century. Even people from the neighboring village came to join in the revelry, awaiting the bridal sedan chair and ready to pick up thrown candies.
About a hundred or two men, women, and children joined the procession around the village. By the time the sedan chair arrived at Si Family’s house, the small dwelling was so packed that there wasn’t room for anyone more. Amid the uproarious laughter, Si Boyi red-facedly carried Zhang Lijuan from the bridal sedan chair into the house. It was only after the youngsters made a spectacle of themselves, and were sent away under Lin Fengying’s insistence, that things quieted down.
The newly married couple’s room was still crammed with people. Adults and children were clamoring to see the new wife. Zhang Lijuan, dressed up for the day in a big red flower on her head, looked as vulgar as a television drama matchmaker, but emanated an atmosphere of joyous festivity.
Aside from rubberneckers, everyone else was busy providing a helping hand. Tong Yao happened to be the only one free from duties.
Luckily, it was swiftly time to start the banquet. Tong Yao hadn’t planned to sit at the tables, as they were all nearly packed full. Who’d expect busy-as-a-top Si Chen to remember her, arranging for her to dine at the same table as Zhang Lijuan.
Throughout the whole banquet, aside from the father of the bride’s table, the bride’s table was the most peaceful. Apart from the bride herself, everyone else was of similar age, young women and wives, specially invited to accompany the bride.
Si Chen, on the other hand, was seated at the table behind her, dining with Uncle Zhang, their backs against each other. It may be Zhang Lijuan’s wedding, but Tong Yao felt as if honey had been smeared all over her heart, her lips were uncontrollably curling upwards in delight.
"Sister-in-law, I propose a toast to you," Zhang Lijuan suddenly raised her small liquor cup towards Tong Yao.
Before Tong Yao could utter a word, a junior wife quickly poured liquor into the cup in front of her and egged her on, "It’s the newly married couple’s toast, you can’t refuse!"
The smell of liquor wafted over, and Tong Yao pursed her lips. It was Si Boyi’s wedding day today and she didn’t want to kill the joyful vibes. But she didn’t drink and didn’t like the smell of alcohol. Just as she was about to suggest substituting tea for liquor, a large hand suddenly reached out from behind her.