Received A Wife From The Civil Affairs Bureau Ch.53

The Wedding 

It was the hottest day of the summer and the ancient-style of the wedding dress complicated matters. 

Even though they had used extremely thin materials for the wedding dress, it still clung uncomfortably to her skin, and the coolness of the air conditioner barely helped with the heat. 

Jiang Ziquan’s wedding dress was also created from her memories, but compared to Teacher Shen’s elegant and dignified wedding dress, hers was created for an emperor and was designed to be more calm and mature. However, it was still very beautiful as well. 

She didn’t make the wedding dress all by herself as she had the local tycoon, Chen Chen, whip up a few people to make the actual dress and hurry the production to have it delivered on time for the wedding. Although, she will have to work under Chen Chen for a few years to return the favor. 

Jiang Ziquan looked down at her long, red wedding dress and the corners of her mouth twitched upwards a little. She rubbed her hands over the corners and the embroidered golden line as she couldn’t help but remember Teacher Shen’s expression when she showed her the finished products. Her face was a little bit happy and a little bit bashful, and her eyes were brighter than the sun. Her eyes were so beautiful that it made one want to drown in their beauty.

Her phone buzzed and Jiang Ziquan turned it on but saw it was just some annoying ads. 

However, her hands could not help but open the WeChat conversation she had with Teacher Shen last night. The time frame was between 10 pm to 11:39 pm, exactly 1 hour and 39  minutes or 99 minutes. [1]

Although they were a same-sex couple, they still couldn’t get away with not abiding to tradition. The parents of both parties refused to let them break tradition and so they had to keep with the custom of not seeing each other days before their wedding if they wish to have an unbreakable marriage. 

Jiang Ziquan originally wanted to argue with her mother about this stupid tradition, but Teacher Shen had taken her to the side and placated her by saying that they should still respect the tradition. After all, their wedding ceremony was in the ancient-style so they must follow the ancient customs. After that, Jiang Ziquan could only purse her lips and said nothing. 

However, she still missed her Teacher Shen so much.  

She never thought that the bed could be so big and lonely without Teacher Shen and she rolled around a few times in frustration. 

Eventually, she ended up on the side where Teacher Shen had slept and the faint scent of Teacher Shen still remained on the sheets, setting her heart at ease. 

Without Teacher Shen around, it was like she was missing a piece of her heart and it just felt wrong. She bit her lip and she decided to call Teacher Shen. 

The dial tone rang several times but no one answered. Sighing, Jiang Ziquan threw her phone to the side and lamented about Teacher Shen being a stickler for the rules. 

After a while, Jiang Ziquan had rolled around a few times when her phone rang. She saw the caller was Shen Yumo and her heart lit up with joy. 

She thought that Teacher Shen didn’t want to violate the tradition but probably was feeling nervous as the wedding approached and wanted to talk with her. 

With tacit understanding, both parties didn’t speak and listened to the sound of each other’s breathing. For some reason, the breathing sounded different over the phone. 

She’s nervous too. 

They both thought at the same time. 

A knock sounded at the door and Jiang Ziquan glanced up to see it was still only a little past five. In the early morning, the summer sun was not dazzling in the sky yet and only streams of the golden light covered the ground as it peaked above the mountains. 

Lin Cuo let herself in and circled around Jiang Ziquan for a better look. She had never seen Jiang Ziquan dressed like this and always thought her best friend was going down the ‘sexy’ route.

Although she had become more reserved under Teacher Shen’s care, she was still a ‘spicy’ beauty. And yet with this wedding dress, she seemed even more restrained and looked like an ethereal beauty from another world. 

Jiang Ziquan thought her appearance was satisfactory when the photographer, Tony, barged into her place with his makeup team to doll her up.

Little Chen from the studio only stood to the side in a daze. She was just excited that she was invited to Miss Jiang’s wedding in the first place. 

The other was busy decorating the wedding bed, putting auspicious things like red dates and longan fruit. [2] 

“Plain Water, at nine we’ll pick up Teacher Shen, and then you’ll have until eleven for the procession. We should arrive at the venue itself at half-past twelve.”

Tony was drawing on her with eyeliner and her face was a little messy: “Ok.”

Lin Cuo’s eyes moved from her face and her gaze landed on their wedding photos instead. 

The two of them had a smile on their face and their eyes only reflected the other. It was like there were only the two of them left in the world, their eyes full of love for one another. She had watched their journey from the very beginning and couldn’t help but sigh.  

The Jiang Ziquan who didn’t care about anyone else ended up letting only Shen Yumo into her heart. 

The Shen Yumo who was considerate to everyone and yet spoiled only Jiang Ziquan in her own special way. 

Now that she thought about it, they were really suitable for each other. A pair of lovers that was meant to be. 

After putting on her makeup, Jiang Ziquan had to receive her friends that came from afar. 

Brother Biao had brought his wife and children to give their blessings to Jiang Ziquan. He was sobbing like crazy as he remembered the time when Jiang Ziquan was still desperately trying to win the beauty’s heart and now he was at their wedding. 

“Z-Ziquan, next time you visit us, I, your Brother Biao, will make sure to keep that hotel room set aside just for you.”

Jiang Ziquan felt her shoulder almost break from him patting her shoulder and remembered that awkward memory from back then. Thinking about it now, she felt a little embarrassed but still nodded her head: “Thank you Brother for all the support you gave me.”

Her father and mother lectured on about what to pay attention to during the wedding, afraid she’ll mess up a tradition or two and ruin the wedding. 

Chen Chen was too busy to come, but she sent her a big red envelope, multiple gifts, and a professional photographer too. 

At nine, her mother hurried her to go to Teacher Shen’s house. 

Jiang Ziquan glanced at the sun and saw that the weather was already this hot even though it was the only nine. She felt a little worried that Teacher Shen might just melt under this sun. Her clothes were simpler compared to Teacher She’s dress and yet she was sweating even with the air conditioning on. 

The wedding car was driven by Tang Jiu and helped her into the car. He was worried after seeing her wear so many layers and so he drove extra fast, getting them to the place at half the time. 

Shen Yumo studied herself in the mirror and once again marveled at Jiang Ziquan’s design skills. The wedding dress she wore was the best looking dress she has ever seen. 

There was a little phoenix attached to her crown and every time she studied the numerous details, she would remember that Jiang Ziquan had drawn each detail one by one. The thought of that made her heart feel like she was in a field of cotton. 

Today, I will marry her. 

Today, I will marry the person I love the most.

“Cousin, they’re here.” Yu Chengjia had heard the roaring voices outside and had run over excitedly to report the situation. 

Shen Yumo stiffened, her pretty face now covered in a burning red blush. Fortunately, there was a veil that covered most of her face and no one would be able to see how much of a blushing mess she was. 

Wearing her thick wedding dress, she slowly walked up the stairs of the building to Teacher Shen’s place. She was fortunate that she had chosen a place without too many flights of stairs when she helped her father-in-law and mother-in-law move houses. Otherwise, she would be exhausted by now. 

Finally, she reached the door. 

“Wait.” 

Tony came over and fixed up her makeup one last time: “Go on, my queen.”

Jiang Ziquan inhaled a deep breath and walked in. She looked around and then stopped in front of the door to Shen Yumo’s bedroom. She tried pushing it, but the door didn’t budge in the slightest. She gave a puzzled look to the smiling old Shen couple beside her but it was obvious they would not help her. 

She felt helpless. 

“Who is it?”

After a while, Yu Cehngjia’s cheerful voice could be heard. Jiang Ziquan scratched her head a few times before she understood her meaning and hurriedly stuffed a few red envelopes under the door. However, even then the door only opened a crack. 

At the time, in order to make the entire process simple, Jiang Ziquan had chosen a few frail female friends of hers to participate in the receiving of the bride. Except for her, the rest of them had no strength at all and were only there to lift the helms of her wedding dress. 

My dear Teacher Shen, when can I see you again?

“Dear cousin, please let your senpai in.” Jiang Ziquan’s voice softened as she gave Yu Chengjia a pitiful look. 

“That won’t work.”

Shen Yumo smiled helplessly, and told Yu Chengjia, her eyes also full of smiles. 

“I know, cousin.” Yu Chengjia nodded reassuringly and then said through the small crack, “Senpai, sing us a song instead.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea.” The people who had come with Jiang Ziquan temporarily set aside their plan to  

barge down the door and agreed with Yu Chengjia’s proposal. 

Sing? 

Don’t even mention singing a song, even if she had to draw something right now, she would do it. 

She cleared her throat and began: 

“For this meeting

I even practiced how to breathe

Languages are unable

To express even a tiny bit of my feelings for you

For this regret

I was full of thoughts of you every night as I lie awake

The memories of you accumulate in my heart

But never disappear”

Teacher Shen, were you also nervous for several days as you waited for this day?

Whether it was Jiang Ziquan or Shen Yumo, Shen Qingyan or Zhe Shuang, they had all looked forward to such a day like this. 

The door finally opened. 

Jiang Ziquan saw Teacher Shen sitting on the bed, the woman she hadn’t seen for three days. 

She also wore many layers of red and there was an enchanted aura around her, making her seem even more beautiful than ever. Jiang Ziquan felt dizzy as she approached and couldn’t hear anything but the quiet laughter coming from Shen Yumo. 

“Aiya, the bride had laughed herself dizzy. Hurry and receive her.” Xu Yan chuckled at Jiang Ziquan who was still in a daze: “Teacher Shen has been waiting for you for a long time now.”

As per tradition, this was when she was supposed to carry Teacher Shen into her carriage, or in this case, her car. 

“Senpai, hurry! My cousin even told you not to tease you anymore so you can come in.”

“That’s right, Plain water, go to your wife.” Lin Cuo pushed Jiang Ziquan forward, causing her to fall onto the bed. 

This caused another peal of laughter in the room. She stood up again and looked up to see Teacher Shen smiling at her and she smiled back. Now it was time for her to carry Teacher Shen into her arms, but as a woman, it would be an excruciating feat for her to perform and especially in her thick clothing.

“I’m going to carry you.”

“Ok.”

 Jiang Ziquan squatted down and Teacher Shen climbed onto Jiang Ziquan’s back, with a little help from Yu Chengjia. 

After walking a few steps,  Jiang Ziquan was already wheezing and gasping for air. However, every time she smelled the faint fragrant scent coming from Teacher Shen, she would feel a surge of energy and endure until the end. She finally reached the car and set Teacher Shen down, looking like she had just endured the act of carrying the entire world on her shoulders. 

Teacher Shen laughed and gently wiped her sweat, “Are you tired?”

“Not at all.”

The two arrived at the hotel, the venue where the wedding would be held. The sound of firecrackers sounded the entire time. 

After the solemn and sacred oaths, the officiant allowed them to kiss. 

Jiang Ziquan stepped forward, gently lifting the veil and leaning in for a deep kiss. Shen Yumo responded just as passionately and wrapped her arms around her neck, only releasing when they ran out of air. 

“Ceremony complete, it is time to enter the bridal room.” The officiant said.

Jiang Ziquan nodded and slowly walked towards the hotel room with Teacher Shen. They were given this time to change their clothes and join the party downstairs.

Jiang Ziquan finally lifted the veil completely, revealing Shen Yumo’s beautiful face. Her cheeks were red and her eyes were bright, her expression was a little bit embarrassed. 

“Wh-”

Before the words even came out, Jiang Ziquan pressed her lips against hers, and her hands wrapped around that thin waist. 

“Cousin, hurry up!” A voice sounded from the other side of the door. 

Jiang Ziquan bit her lip in reluctance, looking a little bit helpless and wronged. The voice sounded again, “You still have to host your guests!”

“Ugh.”

Shen Yumo chuckled and comforted her, “Be patient, it will pass quickly.”

The two of them were both women, so they weren’t subjected to drinking contests and endless toasts. Except Jiang Ziquan’s group of rambunctious friends still forced a few toasts on to her and because Teacher Shen didn’t drink, it was mostly Jiang Ziquan who had to block the drinks for her. However, even after getting incredibly drunk, the lively wedding was not over yet. 

In the evening, the single woman who wasn’t married yet had to participate in the tradition disturbing the privacy of the bridal room so they can play pranks on the newlyweds. [3] It was an old tradition that Jiang Ziquan’s mother would not let her miss out on. 

However, taking account of Teacher Shen being thin-skinned, the only prank they played was more for a request to reproduce the first proposal.

Jiang Ziquan and Shen Yumo glanced at each other. They couldn’t help but remember that absurd proposal at the doorstep of the Civil Affairs Bureau. 

“Alright.”

Jiang Ziquan agreed. 

She took a few steps forwards to grab the red book from her bad and a flower from the bouquet on the table. 

The floor of the wedding room was not as rough and didn’t hurt as much as she knelt. She took off the jade around her neck and her eyes were serious as she said, “Yumo, will you marry me?”

The young people in the room hooted and cheered, their memories of that day overlapping with this scene. 

Shen Yumo walked forward a few steps with a few tears in her eyes as she gently accepted the flower, “Ok.”

She said yes. 

Jiang Ziquan felt like it was a dream and immediately stood up to put that jade around Shen Yumo’s fair neck, “From now on, we will be married for real.”

“En.” 

Thank you, for being with me, for entering my life.

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Author’s notes: 

My cute little fans, what type of ‘special’ episode do you want to see?

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T/N notes: 

[1] 99: 9 in Chinese culture means longevity and eternality. Thus, it is also a tradition between lovers to send 99, or 999 roses, gifts, or anything to convey the best wishes for ‘everlasting love

[2] In Chinese tradition, lotus seeds and longan fruit represent heirs and red dates represent sweetness, the combination of which symbolized that the couple would have a sweet married life and bear children quickly.

[3] Known as (闹婚 nàohūn), a Chinese custom where guests banter with and play pranks on the newlyweds

And that’s the finale folks! There is an epilogue after this but this is it!

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