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The day was sunny and bright, a cool breeze blowing through the trees to keep the heat of summer at bay. Xingchen thanked his good luck that it wasn't too hot as the wedding robes he wore would have been unbearably hot. He felt a tug on his hand and smiled to his partner, hurrying a few steps to keep up.
"Zichen! Are we almost there?"
Song Lan looked ahead, wincing a little as the band that followed them from the inn to the wedding venue blared loudly a most joyous tune. Crowds of onlookers gathered, some recognizing them, others simply curious. They shouted congratulations at the group, clapping and cheering as they passed.
"Just up ahead, I can see it."
A-Qing had gone up ahead to prepare the venue leaving just Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen to make their way. It had been a busy morning of preparations, hair getting pulled, a few unfortunate jabs with hairpins, confusion at the many layers that made up the wedding robes, and then almost tripping on his way out the door. Even now, both Daozhang kept a hand on the front of their robes, holding it up so that they can walk a bit easier.
"Heavens...how many people did A-Qing invite?" Song Lan wondered as they got closer to the venue. A large crowd was waiting and they broke out into cheerful greetings as Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen approached.
"...Is the whole town here??" Xiao Xingchen asked, hearing at least a few dozen voices.
"Dad!! Daozhang!! You're FINALLY here!" A-Qing cried out, jumping out the door and rushing to them.
"A-Qing, sweetheart, how many people are there?" Xiao Xingchen asked as he nervously tugged on a sleeve.
"Oh...you know...twenty...thirty...maybe fifty...possibly a hundred people or so."
"...That's a wide gap," Song Lan pointed out.
"Ai-ya! Forget that! Let's go!"
The young girl grabbed one of Xiao Xingchen's hand in one of her own, then took one of Song Lan's hand in the other, pulling at them to walk faster. The crowd parted as they neared, wide smiles and laughter welcoming them.
The venue had been decorated in bright red, giant lanterns adorning the front doors to announce that a wedding is taking place. Inside, people set off loud firecrackers while children laughed and ran around, excited at seeing so many people. The band followed them inside, continuing to play, and a host from the venue hurried forward to welcome them.
"Ah, the lucky couple has arrived!" The host announced to more cheering, "Shall we begin then?"
Song Lan turned to Xingchen, wrapping an arm around his soon-to-be-husband's waist. He leaned in close and pressed a soft kiss to the other man's temple, taking a deep breath.
"Ready?"
Xiao Xingchen nodded and smiled, then turned to A-Qing whose hand he was still holding.
"Sweet dear, you've worked so hard to prepare this for us. Thank you."
The young girl grinned back and gave her dad and Xingchen a hug. She had proudly put on her new robes that had been especially made for her, her hair piled high in a fancy bun. The hairpin Xiao Xingchen had given to her sparkled under the sunlight and she looked like a Heavenly maiden who had just descended into the mortal world.
"Dad, Daozhang, after today we'll be a real family! I'll expect lucky red envelopes every New Year and on my birthday!"
Song Lan chuckled while Xiao Xingchen laughed, both of them pulling A-Qing into another hug.
"We'll make sure you get your red envelopes," Song Lan assured her as the young girl stepped back, nudging them to go forward.
The host of the venue offered them a large strip of red fabric which Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan each took one end of. They held it loosely between them, blushing and smiling at the symbolic red thread of marriage that they now held.
"Everyone! Let's make way for the lucky couple!!" The host called out, leading the way.
The crowd parted, offering a path to the main building. More fireworks were set off as Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen made their way in. A-Qing followed close before, helping to adjust their long robes that trailed on the ground.
Inside, tables for guests had been set up, with two place settings at the very front held for their respective Shifu. The two men followed the host who stopped near the front, bowing to an elderly man who took his place. Since Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen traveled so much, it was difficult to find family and friends who could be an officiant, so they searched the town for someone with some respected standing. The elderly man who now stood before them was one of the oldest who lived here, and had earned the respect of the townspeople through the years. He had agreed to officiate the occasion, eager to help bring together a pair of lucky yuanyang.
"Friends!" The elderly man called, his voice surprisingly loud and clear for someone of his age, "Thank you for coming to join us today! As guests, we are pleased that these two respected Daozhang have chosen our humble town to tie the red thread of marriage, and we wish you both the most greatest of joys together."
Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen smiled and bowed politely.
"Marriage is a most sacred ceremony to combine two lives. May you have a hundred years of harmony and be together for as long as the Heaven and Earth. Cherish each other, care for each other, and be there for each other in times of happiness and sorrow. To lean on one another will keep despair from coming near, and your trust and love will see you through even the most trying times."
Many in the crowd nodded, as did the two men dressed in red. Song Lan discreetly took Xingchen's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, knowing that what the elderly man said was true. Their trust for each other, their love had already pushed them through so many hardships before fate brought them to today.
The elderly man nodded to A-Qing who stepped forward and took the red fabric from her guardians, smiling so brightly her cheeks were hurting.
"First, a bow to the Heaven and Earth in respect of all in existence!"
Song Lan and Xiao Xingchen knelt down, clasping their hands respectfully in front of themselves before lowering themselves down to the ground. Standing up after the bow, the crowd around them grew hushed, watching the official ceremony finally taking place.
"Second, a bow to your guardians!"
The two men knelt once more, this time bowing to the empty place settings that represented each of their Shifu. Xiao Xingchen wondered for a brief second if maybe Baoshan Sanren could somehow know about his wedding, if she could see him getting married. He hoped she would be proud of him as her disciple, proud of this path he has chosen to walk.
Song Lan noticed that Xingchen was a bit delayed in getting up after the second bow and he gently helped his partner up, having guessed that the other man was likely thinking about his Shifu.
"Third bow, to each other!! May you love and respect one another until the end of time!"
The two Daozhang turned to face each other, not kneeling this time but simply offering a bow at the waist.
Cheers erupted from around them as the ceremony finished and A-Qing laughed, rushing forward to hug the two men.
"DAD!! DAOZHANG!! YOU'RE MARRIED!!!!!!!!"
"Ah! A-Qing!" Xiao Xingchen yelped as the girl's weight almost made him tumble.
Song Lan quickly righted his new husband, smiling fondly before looking out over the crowd. Many faces he recognized, some he didn't, but he was grateful that they took the time to come and celebrate Xingchen and his wedding.
"Alright! Alright!! Time to eat!" The elderly man announced, heading for a table where his own family was seated.
Groups of guests hurried forward to congratulate Xingchen and Song Lan, some coming to chat with A-Qing since she often wandered around town. The kitchen brought out the dishes that had been prepared as people opened jars of wine and the music began once more.
Xiao Xingchen and Song Lan clasped each other's hands, feeling both joyous and relieved that the ceremony was over. Nothing had really changed...yet everything had changed at the same time. Xiao Xingchen giggled and leaned his head on his husband's shoulder.
"Zichen...husband...Xingchen rests his care in your hands, and in return Xingchen will care for you until the sky falls to the ground."
Song Lan wrapped an arm around his husband's back, pulling him close.
"Until the sky falls, until the Earth crumbles, we'll be together."
