Chương 257: Wedding Ceremony 2

The master of ceremonies is Xun Yu—a man of great talent who is serving as the wedding host today.

"The auspicious time has arrived; the newlyweds shall perform the wedding ceremony!"

Liu Ce first exchanged greetings with Cai Yan.

Worship heaven and earth!

Second bow to the ancestral hall (facing the memorial tablets of Liu Ce's parents)!

Three bows between husband and wife!

After the ceremony, Cai Yan officially became the Princess Consort of Yan.

Then, Liu Ce accompanied his ten fiancées in performing the "Woshu" ritual—washing their hands and faces, symbolizing cleanliness.

Next, they paid homage at the ancestral temple—a temporary ancestral temple was set up in the Prince of Yan's residence to enshrine the ancestral tablets of the Liu family.

After going through the whole process, Liu Ce's face was stiff from smiling, but he was secretly delighted.

Finally, it was time for the nuptial ceremony.

Ten fiancées sat in the main hall, their veils already lifted, revealing their beautiful faces.

Looking at Liu Ce, who was tall and handsome, their hearts fluttered like butterflies.

A lady-in-waiting from the Prince's residence brought in a copper tray containing two gourd ladles and a pot of wine, and announced loudly, "Your Highness, Princess Consort, and Concubine, please perform the nuptial ceremony!"

According to ancient rites, the couple would each hold a ladle of wine, drink it, and rinse their mouths, symbolizing their union as one.

But Liu Ce had other ideas.

He picked up the gourd ladle, filled it with wine, and grinned, saying, "Yan'er, Ning'er, Hongchang, Jiang'er, Tuo'er, Dao'er, Rong'er, Mi'er, Yu'er, Xiuniang, how about we have an 'upgraded' version of the nuptial wine?"

The girls were taken aback for a moment, then asked in unison, "What do you mean by 'upgraded version'?"

Liu Ce instructed the female official to tie the handles of the two gourd ladles together with a red rope to make a simple "cross-cup gourd ladle".

"Like this," he demonstrated, "we'll cross our arms and drink together. It symbolizes 'eternal union, never to be apart!'"

This is his modified version of the modern cross-cupped wine ceremony, which retains the symbolism of ancient etiquette while adding a touch of romance.

The girls' cheeks turned even redder.

Cai Yan was the first to take the gourd ladle, crossed her arm with Liu Ce's, the two looked at each other, and then drank it down at the same time.

The wine is sweet with a hint of fruitiness.

"Is it good?" Liu Ce asked with a smile.

"Hmm..." Cai Yan nodded, her face turning even redder.

Next were Zhang Ning, Ren Hongchang, Zhen Jiang...

Each of the ladies drank the nuptial wine with Liu Ce; though shy, their eyes were filled with happiness.

When it was Zhen Mi's turn, she was so nervous that her hands trembled and she spilled some wine.

"Don't be nervous," Liu Ce said softly, "take your time."

"Thank you... thank you, my husband..." Zhen Mi took a small sip of wine, her face almost buried in her chest.

After drinking ten cups of wine, Liu Ce's face didn't turn red and his heart didn't skip a beat.

The wedding ceremony had just ended when the servants brought out a large plate of braised pork knuckles.

"Come, let's share a meal!"

According to ancient rites, the Tonglao ceremony is a ritual in which newlyweds share a piece of sacrificial meat, symbolizing their shared life together.

Liu Ce picked up a piece of pork knuckle and handed it to Cai Yan, saying, "Yan'er, have a piece of meat! It symbolizes that we will eat and sleep together, sharing joys and sorrows from now on!"

Cai Yan took it and then took a bite.

Liu Ce then handed out pork knuckles to the other girls.

Zhang Ning took it and took a big bite, then said, "Husband, this pork knuckle is so delicious..."

Everyone laughed.

Next were Ren Hongchang, the Zhen sisters, Zou Yu, and Du Xiuniang.

Looking at the ten beautiful ladies before him, Liu Ce was overjoyed—he had transmigrated to the late Han Dynasty, not only becoming the Prince of Yan but also marrying so many beauties; he was truly a winner in life!

After the nuptial ceremony, the female official announced loudly, "The auspicious hour has arrived! Please, Princess and Consort, enter the bridal chamber!"

Liu Ce waved his hand and led ten ladies dressed in bright red wedding gowns toward the backyard.

The guests started making noise:

"The Prince of Yan is mighty!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"May you have a son soon!"

Liu Ce turned around and smiled, "Thank you all! We've had a wonderful time today, let's drink until we're drunk!"

Then he first escorted the ladies to their bridal chambers, while he himself had to return to the banquet hall for social engagements.

...

After settling them in, Liu Ce returned to the banquet hall in the front hall.

The banquet hall was bustling with activity.

Dozens of tables have already been set up for a banquet here.

Civil and military officials gathered together.

Upon seeing Liu Ce enter, everyone stood up: Congratulations on Your Majesty's wedding!

"May Your Majesty, Queen, and all the concubines enjoy a long and happy marriage!"

"May you have a son soon, for many children bring many blessings!"

Liu Ce raised his wine cup and said:

"Thank you all! It is my honor that you could all be here today for my wedding, Liu Bolue!"

"To your Majesty!"

Everyone shouted in unison and drank it all in one gulp.

Next comes the individual toasting session.

Guan Yu was the first to step forward, his phoenix eyes smiling as he said, "Brother, congratulations! I'd like to offer you a toast!"

"Let's do it!"

Zhang Fei, with his loudest voice, exclaimed, "Brother! Marrying ten sisters-in-law at once! I, Old Zhang, am impressed! I salute you!"

"Let's do it!"

Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, Xu Chu, Lü Bu, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin... the generals took turns offering a toast.

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Jia Xu... strategists also came to pay their respects.

Liu Ce accepted all drinks, since he was immune to all poisons and metabolized alcohol quickly, so he wouldn't get drunk!

"Your Majesty, congratulations! I offer you a toast!"

"Your Majesty marrying ten beauties at once is unprecedented throughout history!"

"May Your Majesty, Queen, and all the concubines grow old together in happiness!"

...

Zhang Fei, quite drunk, put his arm around Liu Ce's shoulder and shouted:

"Brother! You've married ten wives today, you'd better take care of your health from now on! I, Old Zhang, have heard that those emperors in the palace... it's because they had too many women..."

"Third brother!" Guan Yu quickly pulled him away, "What nonsense are you talking about!"

Everyone laughed.

Guo Jia, holding a wine cup, leaned closer and said with a grin, "Your Majesty, tonight... are you able to manage your time?"

Liu Ce glared at him and said, "Fengxiao, are you itching for a beating?"

"No, no," Guo Jia quickly replied with a forced smile, "I was just concerned about Your Majesty's health..."

Xi Zhicai also leaned in, saying in a sinister tone, "Fengxiao is right. Your Majesty, with ten brides, you must... take care to rest."

Liu Ce laughed and scolded, "Get lost! I'm perfectly healthy!"

The crowd laughed.

The wedding banquet lasted from afternoon until evening, and was a lively affair.

Although the people of Zhuo County were not allowed to enter the Prince's Mansion, the mansion specially set up a banquet outside the gate, providing free entertainment for all the people of the city.

As a result, the entire Zhuoxian County was immersed in a festive atmosphere, even more lively than during the Spring Festival.

Finally, night fell.

The guests gradually dispersed, and Liu Ce had also drunk enough. He stood up to take his leave, saying, "Please continue, everyone. I... must go and attend to my duties now."

"Your Majesty, please wait!"

"A moment of blissful intimacy is worth a thousand pieces of gold!"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"Your Highness, please take care of yourself. There are ten of them!"

Liu Ce didn't turn his head, waving his hand and saying, "Don't worry! I'm in good health!"

Amidst good-natured laughter, Liu Ce left the banquet hall and headed towards the backyard.

As he walked toward the backyard, he could still hear the noise coming from the front hall.

He shook his head and smiled.

These guys... they really know how to cause trouble.

This grand wedding in Zhuo County was destined to become a topic of conversation among the people for many years to come—who had ever seen the Prince of Yan marry ten beauties at once? Only Liu Ce dared to break the rules and live such a carefree life!

...