On this day, the residence of Zhongyi Hall was decorated with lanterns and colorful ornaments, turning the entire mansion into a scene of festive splendor. The ceremony for worshiping Heaven and Earth was set in the main hall of Zhongyi Hall. Naturally, Ling Fei and Li Hua served as the hosts on the bride's side, while Lord Zhang Gao and his wife presided over the groom's side.
Because time was short, Wu Tong preferred to keep the wedding low-key and did not wish to make a grand display. Only Chen Hao, the chief escort of the Capital Escort Agency, was invited as the sole guest from the martial world.
At the first quarter of the Shen hour (around 3:15 PM), the auspicious moment arrived and firecrackers burst loudly. Everyone gathered in the main hall as the ceremonial master loudly announced the rites. Members of Zhongyi Hall accompanied Wu Tong as he stepped forward.
At that moment, the music of silk and bamboo instruments began to play. Liu Yun escorted Ling Xian'er into the hall. Ling Xian'er wore a magnificent red bridal robe with a phoenix crown and embroidered cape, her face hidden behind a red bridal veil.
Wu Tong stood on the left, Ling Xian'er on the right, the bride and groom standing side by side.
The ceremonial master proclaimed loudly:
"First bow—to Heaven and Earth!"
The couple faced the altar and performed the ritual of three kneelings and nine prostrations, while the ceremonial master recited auspicious words:
"Since Pangu first divided yin and yang,Heaven's order has illuminated the four directions.Today Heaven witnesses this joyful union,And the couple bows in reverence to celebrate their marriage."
The ceremonial master then called out:
"Second bow—to the parents!"
Ling Fei, Li Hua, and Yao Xiangu were already seated before the altar. The bride and groom knelt three times and bowed three times. The ceremonial master again chanted:
"Incense and joy fill the great hall,Twin candles shine upon the bridal chamber.The newlyweds bow to receive fortune and honor,May blessings and longevity endure forever."
Ling Fei and Li Hua's eyes reddened. Their beloved daughter, once a sheltered maiden, was finally married. Tears welled in their eyes and quietly fell.
The ceremonial master proclaimed again:
"Husband and wife bow to each other!"
Wu Tong knelt in the east and Ling Xian'er in the west. Since Wu Tong was marrying a wife rather than taking a concubine, they bowed with two kneelings and two prostrations. The ceremonial master chanted:
"Incense drifts through the air, candles glow bright,Bride and groom ascend together into the splendid hall."
Finally he announced:
"The ceremony is complete. Escort the bride to the bridal chamber!"
Thus the wedding ceremony came to an end.
Accompanied by Li Qian, Zhao Rou, and Liu Yun, the bride Ling Xian'er—wearing her phoenix crown and red bridal veil—was led into the bridal chamber to await Wu Tong's return.
Meanwhile Wu Tong remained outside to entertain the guests and drink wine. Chen Hao, the chief escort, strode forward to offer a toast, and Wu Tong rose to return the gesture. He also drank with Lord Zhang Gao.
At that moment, Lady Zhang whispered into Li Jian's ear:
"It's getting late. You should go see your bride."
Chen Hao immediately said loudly:
"Honored guests, Hall Master Wu still has important matters to attend to later. Leave the drinking to me!"
Wu Tong, slightly tipsy, pushed open the door and entered the bridal chamber, closing it behind him. Inside were Li Qian, Zhao Rou, and Liu Yun. Ling Xian'er sat there in her bridal robes, face still hidden beneath the red veil.
Wu Tong bowed playfully and said:
"My respects to the four ladies present."
Li Qian said meaningfully:
"Sister Rou, Sister Yun, we shouldn't stay here any longer. Let's go."
Liu Yun smiled and told Wu Tong:
"Take good care of Xian'er."
Zhao Rou glanced at Ling Xian'er, who had been waiting for a long time in her bridal robes, and said:
"That's enough. Ling Xian'er can hardly wait any longer. Let's go."
The three women exchanged glances. Wu Tong hesitated slightly before replying awkwardly:
"The three ladies are quite right."
They then left the room.
Wu Tong lifted the red bridal veil. Beneath it Ling Xian'er appeared extraordinarily beautiful, her head lowered shyly.
Wu Tong said softly:
"The bride is so beautiful. I must steal a kiss."
He leaned down and kissed her gently. Ling Xian'er grew even more bashful.
She said shyly:
"Brother Tong, you're at it again. You're so flirtatious."
Seeing the blush on her cheeks, even more captivating than before, Wu Tong could not help but kiss her again lightly upon her lips.
As the saying goes:
"One day as husband and wife brings a hundred lifetimes of destiny.A hundred lifetimes earn a shared boat crossing;A thousand lifetimes earn a shared pillow."
To become husband and wife in this world of suffering is truly a blessing earned over countless lives.
After helping Wu Tong and Ling Xian'er complete the marriage ceremony, Yao Xiangu and the others stayed for several more days as honored guests. During this time, Ling Xian'er accompanied them on excursions through Chang'an, showing them many famous sights around the capital.
One day, Wu Tong and Liu Yun rode out together on horseback. They were preparing to travel to Huangshan Palace to attend the grand martial gathering—the duel between Tuoba Xingge, Lord of the True God Palace, and Long Zhentian, the Nine Heavens Divine Lord.
Liu Yun looked closely at Wu Tong and noticed the pleased expression on his face.
"Look at you, all proud and satisfied," she said teasingly."Brother Tong… how was that night?"
Wu Tong looked puzzled.
"What night?"
Liu Yun laughed.
"Don't pretend! The wedding night, of course!"
Wu Tong immediately thought of the intimate things that happen on a wedding night. His face turned red.
"Well… it was our wedding night… we simply became a real husband and wife."
Hearing this, Liu Yun's cheeks flushed with a faint blush.
"So you and Xian'er are truly husband and wife now," she said shyly."I wonder which of us will have a baby first."
Only then did Wu Tong suddenly realize what she meant. Li Qian and Zhao Rou were both already pregnant—Li Qian had given birth to a daughter, while Zhao Rou was due to deliver next month.
Looking at Liu Yun's bright eyes and shy expression, he said tenderly:
"Do you want to have a baby too? That's easy. Tonight, when it's quiet and late, we can become husband and wife again. That will surely give you a child."
Liu Yun blushed and replied:
"That's not what I meant! Both sisters are pregnant already. Why is there still no news from my belly?"
Wu Tong thought about it and nodded.
"You're afraid Xian'er will have a baby before you?"
They looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Liu Yun nodded shyly, but her expression soon became serious.
"We've been married so long. Both sisters already have children, yet I still have nothing. It's driving me anxious. If we meet Father someday, what if he asks when he'll get to hold a grandchild?"
Seeing her troubled mood, Wu Tong joked playfully:
"In that case, tonight we'll make sure to try again as husband and wife. You'll surely have a baby."
Liu Yun blushed deeply and suddenly remembered the intimacy of the wedding night. Her pretty face froze for a moment before she pretended to scold him:
"That's just taking advantage of me!"
Wu Tong laughed bitterly.
"I wonder who was the one asking for a baby."
Liu Yun feigned anger.
"You've got the advantage and you still complain! Brother Tong, I'm going to hit you!"
Wu Tong suddenly urged his horse forward and shouted:
"Come and catch me, Yun!"
Liu Yun snapped her reins.
"Hyah!"
She galloped after him. Along the road the two of them joked and teased each other as they rode. Before they realized it, the sun had already climbed high in the sky.
Soon they saw an inn ahead. The two dismounted their horses and prepared to go inside to eat and rest.