Chapter 125: Chapter 125 : The Ghost Wedding (2)
The portal led to an illusory world, a separate space that the Ghost Mistress of Ceremony created to give the poor souls a beautiful wedding ceremony. It was, so to say, a parting gift before they descended to the Underworld.
Upon crossing the portal, Zhang Fengxi found himself standing on a narrow path, flanked by rows of tall bamboo trees on both sides. In front of him was a line full of the bridegroom dolls.
Zhang Fengxi looked around in search of Xie Jianyu, but the latter was nowhere to be found. It seed that the brides and bridegrooms were separated when they entered through the portal. Since Zhang Fengxi landed with the bridegrooms, Xie Jianyu most likely landed with the brides.
"The ti has co!" a male voice reverberated through the air, followed by the sound of a gong being hit in the distance.
DONG
DONG
DONG
Zhang Fengxi felt multiple tugs at his robe.
The little boy dolls that urged him to go through the portal now urged him to follow the bridegroom procession as they moved forward.
The walls of trees cleared up when the procession reached the wooden bridge.
Zhang Fengxi narrowed his eyes at a lavish pavilion that stood tall and mighty at the center of the illusory space. It must be the actual wedding ceremony venue.
Under the bridge flowed a stream of crystal-clear water. So translucent fishes jumped out of the water in an ostentatious manner.
Above their heads was a vast, cloudless sky that extended from one end to another. A river of bright, shimring stars stretched across the sky, shining like tiny diamonds.
Nurous lanterns hung in the air, suspended by nothing. The word "Xi"* was painted in pairs on all lanterns. Soft jingles were heard when the lanterns swayed gently back and forth. Zhang Fengxi’s shadow on the wooden floor also danced with the flas inside the lantern.
The little boy dolls, on the other hand, did not display any shadows.
Sweet female voices were heard singing another verse of the wedding song as the procession walked through the bridge.
"With the red veil covering my face,
I am riding a red sedan to my new ho.
Like a pair of mandarin ducks,
we shall enjoy a lifeti of conjugal felicity..."
The air was cool and crisp, as fresh as it could be. And yet as they got closer to their destination, the air grew hot and humid. The thick sll of incense perated the air.
The sounds of laughter and clinking cups was heard in the banquet area. Faceless n and won sat in the guest seating area, congratulating the wedding couples on the most auspicious occasion.
Zhang Fengxi wanted to move to the guest seating area, but his feet won’t obey him. When he opened his mouth, nothing ca out.
Sothing was wrong.
The little boy dolls pushed him into one of the wedding preparation chambers. Like a puppet, he let them disrobe him and drape silky wedding attire around his fra.
When Zhang Fengxi was done, he was pushed outside of the chamber and lined up behind the other bridegroom dolls along a corridor.
Zhang Fengxi was baffled.
What in the na of seven hells was happening???
He turned his head to the side and saw that the brides were lined up in another corridor at his right side.
Standing behind the many veiled ghost brides was a tall figure who could only be Xie Jianyu. Unlike Zhang Fengxi who was frantically looking for a way out, he was unusually ek and obedient.
Was Xie Jianyu under a spell?
Did he inhale too much incense? And even more alarming, why was he dressed like a bride???
One by one, the lines moved up.
One couple after another perford three bows -- one to the heaven and earth, one to the dolls who played the roles of the parents, and one to each other.
At last, Zhang Fengxi’s turn ca.
The unwilling groom stood rigid opposite his bride, his face ashen. He kept moving his lips to call out to Xie Jianyu, but nothing happened.
"Bride and groom, please bow to each other," the Ghost Mistress of Ceremony said.
Zhang Fengxi threw her a glare. Against his will, he bowed deeply in front of Xie Jianyu, who offered no resistance at all.
"Bride and groom, please wash each other’s hands with clear water."
A pair of dolls ca forward to bring them a basin of water to wash their hands with. Zhang Fengxi exerted all control he had over his body to squeeze Xie Jianyu’s hands hard.
"Hsss..."
Xie Jianyu winced. He pulled his hands out of Zhang Fengxi’s grip. The sudden jerking movent he made caused the water basin to fall on the ground, splashing water on his and Zhang Fengxi’s shoes.
Xie Jianyu ripped the veil from his head.
Zhang Fengxi’s mouth dropped open. For a mont, he was stunned to see Xie Jianyu’s painted face. He looked like an oga. No, he was an oga!
"What is the aning of this???" Xie Jianyu snapped angrily.
He turned to look at the Ghost Mistress of Ceremony, who flinched from the scolding.
"This... Crown Prince, please kindly play along," the Ghost Mistress of Ceremony begged. "There is no other way."
"What are you talking about???"
Xie Jianyu wanted to rip the wedding clothes off his body, but then he realized that he was naked underneath.
In the end, he chose to throw the red veil to the ground.
The Ghost Mistress of Ceremony fidgeted with her staff as she faced Xie Jianyu’s wrath.
"That... actually... uhhh..."
"We are unhappy," a female voice spoke up.
Both Zhang Fengxi and Xie Jianyu whirled around. Before they knew it, the twenty-four ghost brides who married before them were already standing behind them.
One by one, they lifted their veils, revealing the beautiful faces underneath. Although they were dressed in beautiful wedding attires, they did not look happy at all.
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Author’s note : "Xi" ans happiness in Chinese.
Two "Xi"s an double happiness (??????????????????????)
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