I Am A Husband Curser, And You Are A Wife Curser. - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: The Grand Wedding

Once February arrived, Yang Tongchuan was no longer allowed to visit Xiangxi. This was the local custom—the couple was not supposed to see each other in the days leading up to the wedding.

But while rules were rigid, people were resourceful. Yang Tongchuan couldn’t come himself, but he could arrange for someone else to go. During this time, the maid Yanzi might as well have been renamed “Carrier Pigeon.” Her daily task was to deliver notes between the Yang family’s second son and his bride-to-be.

Xiangxi didn’t know many characters, and it just so happened that Yang Tongchuan’s drawing skills had improved by leaps and bounds lately. He sent Xiangxi daily drawings along with small gifts. Sometimes it was a small box of mung bean cakes; other times, it was two sketches Yang Tongchuan had made of himself solving crimes.

Xiangxi was delighted by all of them, especially the crime-solving sketches. He treated them like picture books, carefully collecting them after reading. Once, a drawing showed Yang Tongchuan getting injured while chasing a thief. Although Xiangxi felt there were few people in the county capable of actually hurting Yang Tongchuan, it didn’t stop him from worrying.

That was the first time Xiangxi wrote back. Using a charcoal stick, he scrawled a few large, crooked characters: Are you safe?

Yang Tongchuan replied immediately with a drawing of his own half-naked torso, showing not a single scar. Beside it, he wrote: All is well. Xiangxi tucked the drawing away carefully.

In the final days, his sister-in-law forbade him from going to the stall, insisting he stay home and focus on preparing for the wedding.

The Night Before the Wedding

His sister-in-law came to Xiangxi’s room. Earlier that day, the wedding coordinator hired by the Yangs had come to walk him through the next day’s itinerary. Every hour was accounted for. Now, only the private matters of the wedding night remained for the sister-in-law to teach him.

“When a man gets worked up, he’s no different from a beast. If he wants it, give it to him. It’ll hurt a bit, but just grit your teeth and it’ll pass.” She handed Xiangxi an illustrated book specifically for gers, warning him to look at it and not be shy. “If you’re shy now, you’ll be the one suffering tomorrow.”

“Remember, only by keeping Yang Tongchuan’s body and heart with you will your life in the Yang household be comfortable.”

She spoke of many things regarding the marriage bed, listening until Xiangxi was nearly in tears. Is the wedding night really that terrifying?

“It’s late, get some sleep. Tomorrow, the ‘Lady of Good Fortune’ will come to comb your hair.” Before leaving, she gave him a small bottle of lubricating oil. “Once you look at the book, you’ll know how to use this. It’ll help you suffer a bit less tomorrow.” She hadn’t wanted to spend the money—it was expensive—but seeing Yang Tongchuan’s imposing presence, she truly feared he might break Xiangxi apart.

After she left, Xiangxi opened the book. The illustrations were simple and blunt. He stared at a certain dark object in the drawings for a long time before finally understanding what his sister-in-law’s confusing words meant. He felt so nervous he wanted to vomit and didn’t sleep a wink all night.

The Wedding Day

At dawn, Xiangxi was dragged out of bed. He was terrified but had no one to tell. For the first time, his tiny west room was packed with people. He felt like a puppet, moving through the entire ceremony under the direction of the wedding coordinator.

Finally, the small alley grew noisy with cheers: “The groom is here!”

Xiang Qiang entered the room. Seeing his brother dressed in his new finery, his heart ached. This was the best future he could find for Xiangxi. Since the alley was too narrow for the carriage, Xiang Qiang had to carry Xiangxi to the main road on his back.

“Where is Sister-in-law?”

“She’s in the east room. She said she won’t be coming out.” The couple had agreed on this beforehand. Having lost a husband once, she didn’t want her “widow’s luck” to cast a shadow on Xiangxi’s big day.

Xiangxi didn’t feel that way. Without her, he and his brother wouldn’t be living this well. He went to the east room to invite her, but the coordinator stopped him firmly. “Don’t miss the auspicious hour. Let’s go.”

Left with no choice, Xiangxi could only bow toward the closed door of the east room. “Sister-in-law, thank you for taking me in.” Xiang Qiang started crying along with him before finally hoisting him onto his back.

Gers could wear a red bridal veil just like women. Covered by the veil and clinging to his brother’s back, Xiangxi whispered, “Brother, don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” He couldn’t see his brother’s face, but he could feel the trembling of his shoulders.

The red veil blocked out the world. Xiangxi was helped into the carriage along with his large chest of dowry. To the Yangs, the dowry wasn’t much, but for the Xiang family, it was as substantial as they could manage.

The carriage swayed as it took him from the West Market to the East. The coordinator helped him out, guided him over the saddle at the Yangs’ threshold, and into the main hall. Xiangxi could see nothing but his own red shoes. Only by tilting his head slightly could he see Yang Tongchuan standing beside him.

Yang Tongchuan was clearly more familiar with the process. They bowed to the parents and to Heaven and Earth. During the final bow to each other, their heads brushed together lightly. Yang Tongchuan whispered, “Did you miss me?”

Xiangxi didn’t dare speak; he only gave a soft “Mm.”

He was led to the decorated west wing. The eldest sister-in-law, Ming Le, brought him a bowl of chicken noodle soup. “Xixi, eat something to line your stomach. They’re still drinking outside; Second Brother will be back later.”

As the room grew quiet and everyone left, the reality of being married finally began to sink in.

Outside, the banquet was in full swing. Mother Yang had hired the best chef in the county. The eldest brother greeted guests at the gate while Ming Le managed the women’s tables. Everyone was busy, but Yang Tongchuan’s mind was entirely on the other side of the courtyard.

The yamen had lent him a horse and carriage. The tall horse accompanied the handsome groom, and the carriage had been polished and adorned with red silk. When he had picked up Xiangxi, he noticed Xiang Qiang wanted to say something but lacked the words.

“Brother, rest assured,” Yang Tongchuan had said. “I will treat him well and won’t let him suffer.”

During the tea ceremony for his parents, Yang Tongchuan had specifically checked Xiangxi’s fingers. They looked better; it seemed he hadn’t touched freezing water lately. After the coordinator led Xiangxi away, Yang Tongchuan remained in the hall to host the guests, his heart already racing for the night ahead.