Chapter 3, I am to enter the bridal chamber
Zhou Xuan thought: "Women in ancient times are truly bothersome, always using fans and wearing veils, what are they dawdling about for? Don't they know that a moment in spring night is worth a thousand gold?" He asked the doctor with a PhD: "Father-in-law, should this veil be lifted now or only after entering the bridal chamber?"
The steward Laifu did not know who Zhu Bajie was; he thought he was a tall and handsome man. He laughed and said, "You have a bit of wit in your words. However, although I am quite presentable, unfortunately, I am a local. The master is looking for someone from outside to be his son-in-law"
As the round fan was moved aside, Zhou Xuan beheld a beautifully crafted transparent veil cascading down from the bride's lofty hairdo, completely concealing her face like a bridal veil.
Why?
Zhou Xuan said: "Listen to their words, observe their actions; mere explanations are of no use. You must demonstrate sincerity, and that sincerity is— I want to enter the bridal chamber"
Zhou Xuan spoke in a tone as stern as that of a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Doctor Qin, your actions have severely wounded the sincere spirit of an overseas returnee. I returned to my homeland with great enthusiasm, only to be met with such deception and humiliation regarding literature. I must protest; I must protest to the state officials, to the governor of Fenghua, and to the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty!"
Zhou Xuan was displeased and said: "My lady, is it possible that this poem of mine is not good? Or do you wish for me to personally remove your fan?"
This is a poem about fans from the Song Dynasty. Zhou Xuan made slight modifications, incorporating both Mount Lu and the Qin sparrow. Such a well-crafted poem that aligns so perfectly with the theme received no applause; everyone was fixated on the bride, yet the bride still refused to put down her fan
Zhou Xuan felt a surge of excitement, eagerly anticipating the appearance of a captivating and enchanting face before her.
The steward, Lai Fu, grinned and said: "Ha ha, you really think of yourself as the new son-in-law, don’t you? Let me tell you, this wedding is for show. Have you even considered that my master holds a ninth-rank medical degree? How could he possibly marry his daughter to someone of your dubious background!"
Doctor Qin's degree is drenched in sweat
After calling out a few times, a tall figure approached; it was the house servant, Lai Fu, who said in a deep voice, "What are you shouting for? Come with me." He turned around and walked away.
Zhou Xuan swiftly dodged, delivering a side kick that sent Lai Fu sprawling on his back. Then, he dashed out the door, raising his voice to shout: "The daughter of Doctor Qin from the State Medical Office is faking a marriage, the daughter of Doctor Qin from the State Medical Office is faking a marriage"
Young Master Zhou, Young Master Zhou, do not shout, let us speak properly.
Laifu pointed to the bed on the east side and said, "You will sleep here."
Only Zhou Xuan remains in the hall, the red candle burns high, and he gazes at his own reflection with self-pity
Passing through a small courtyard, I arrived at the west wing. Old man Qin said: "Young Master Zhou, this is the boudoir of my daughter Qin Que, um, also your bridal chamber."
Uncertain of the exact reason, Doctor Qin was very afraid that Zhou Xuansheng would make a scene, and hurriedly said: "Alright, alright, let's enter the bridal chamber, we will enter the bridal chamber immediately." He personally led the way, turning into the inner hall and deep courtyard.
Zhou Xuan said: "Then I will no longer play the role of the groom; I want to run outside and shout that the Qin doctor's degree has deceived me. Do you think the consequences will be severe?"
Zhou Xuan followed the house servant Lai Fu through several twists and turns until they arrived in front of a row of low houses. Lai Fu pushed open a door, and on the left wall hung an oil lamp. Inside, there were two simple wooden beds and several wooden boxes piled in the corner.
The minor bureaucrat Qin's doctoral degree suddenly appeared before Zhou Xuan, causing him to worry that Zhou Xuan would cause a disturbance, so he kept following him
Zhou Xuan's eyes swept across the room, which was elegantly and exquisitely arranged, likely a woman's boudoir. On the south wall hung a painting of a lady, and on the table by the window rested a nine-string guqin. A lampstand protruded from the wall, holding a tin lamp with a red candle inserted into it. Inside was a carved and embroidered couch with three sides of railings, draped with red curtains that were hooked back on either side, with a thin quilt and bamboo mat, yet the space was completely empty
"She is the bride." Zhou Xuan's anger was building up
Upon hearing this, the bride quickly stepped back a few paces, fearing that Zhou Xuan would snatch her fan away
Doctor Qin, in a state of great alarm, spoke in a low and humble voice: "Young Master Zhou, Young Master Jay, allow this old man to explain to you—"
Who says that the intelligence quotient of people from alternate dimensions is generally low? That beautiful women are typically infatuated? Online YY novels are purely misleading; the intelligence of this household servant is not low at all, and he is quite quick to realize things, keeping his mouth tightly shut like a book.
It is unclear who is murmuring: "This fake son-in-law is not easy to deal with; he means business, and the Qin father and daughter will have a headache."
Zhou Xuan asked: "Where is my wife?"
Ah! Laifu exclaimed, "This is not acceptable; it is my duty as a servant to keep an eye on you." He reached out to grab Zhou Xuan.
Because
Finally, the bride could no longer bear the pressure and slowly moved the round fan aside
Zhou Xuan, with a hand-held folding fan, paced gracefully, imitating the demeanor of the charming scholars from films and dramas, reciting: "The white round fan is made of hehuan fabric, the mirror-like surface opens like water lilies. How splendid is the night of the bright moon over Mount Lu, as the Qin sparrow rides the phoenix to ascend to the heavens"
Where is my wife?" Zhou Xuan asked
Doctor Qin hesitated and said: "Well, then let's enter the bridal chamber."
What? asked the foolish servant with wide eyes
Zhou Xuan often frequents KTV, honing a powerful and resonant singing voice, characterized by high decibels and strong penetration, earning the nickname "Sai Abao." Before the time travel, he had intended to participate in the Dream Theater.
Old man Qin smiled and said, "Qin Que has gone to pay her respects to her mother; the young master may wait in the room for a moment"
What kind of attitude is this? The servant of the *Illustrated Book* is so lacking in upbringing, and the young master doesn't even greet me. I must teach him a lesson another day. For now, let's set this aside; it is more important to attend to the matters at hand as a newcomer.
Zhou Xuan thought: "What is the point of asking for peace at this time? Is my mother-in-law only now imparting knowledge about hygiene?" He walked in and sat down heavily on the embroidered couch, saying: "The monk can run, but the temple cannot. I will just stay here tonight."
Zhou Xuan loosened the collar of his long gown, shaking a folding fan while eating pastries. After waiting for quite a while without anyone attending to him, he grew impatient and walked to the door of the back hall, calling out: "Hey, where is the bridal chamber, and how do I get there?"
A group of maids had already escorted the bride to the back hall. Zhou Xuan wanted to follow but was stopped, being told that the groom would arrive later. Looking at the guests, they quickly dispersed, as if none of them were interested in causing a ruckus in the bridal chamber
Zhou Xuan thought: "What kind of official is a ninth-rank? It's just a deputy section-level cadre, what's so impressive about that?" With a smiling face, he said: "Since it's for show, why not have Doctor Qin play the groom? With your tall stature and prominent mouth, you could easily compete with Zhu Bajie."