139. Marriage Customs

Therefore, Jing Qingxin decided to prepare one hundred red envelopes for the wedding procession, each containing six cents, and twenty red envelopes with one yuan and twenty cents each for the villagers helping with the banquet. She chose these amounts carefully, believing that selecting auspicious numbers for the wedding gifts would bring good fortune to their new life together.

Jing Qingxin cherished this beautiful symbolism deeply. She hoped that her life with Gao Shen would be peaceful and smooth, that all things would go according to their wishes, and that their happiness would be complete.

Gao Shen had no objections to Jing Qingxin's decisions. He fully respected her arrangements and desires. From the moment she agreed to be with him, he had resolved in his heart to follow her wishes in everything, putting her feelings first—after all, his wife’s happiness was paramount.

The money itself was of no concern to him. Money lost could always be earned again; what mattered most was giving Qingxin a wedding she would be satisfied with.

Jing Suyun and her husband had no particular opinions either. The amounts in the red envelopes were considered among the highest standards for weddings in the city. Although Gao Shen shared a close bond with them, now that Qingxin was their daughter, they naturally hoped the groom’s family would act with dignity. After all, it was also a matter of saving face for the bride’s family.

Aunt Li’s heart fluttered when she heard the amounts and quantities of the red envelopes, but for the sake of the young couple’s future, she couldn’t help but utter, “Isn’t this a bit too much?”

Aunt Liu also felt it might be excessive. For a couple starting their life together, what mattered most was their future livelihood. Seeing the well-appointed banquet preparations, she worried that the young couple might not be prudent and that post-wedding life might become tight financially.

“Do as Qingxin says! There’s only one wedding, after all. Let’s make it festive and lively!” Gao Shen said calmly as he continued sealing the envelopes.

Since the couple themselves didn’t mind, there was nothing more to discuss. The brief concern passed quietly.

Zhang Liangping cheerfully followed Jing Qingxin’s instructions, writing “Happy Wedding” on the small red envelopes and adorning those for the villagers with the double happiness symbol.

Meanwhile, Jing Suyun’s embroidery work was nearly finished when she suddenly asked, “Qingxin, have you prepared your wedding dress? When we were checking the fabrics and clothes, we didn’t see the dress you planned to wear.”

“Godmother, don’t worry. I prepared my wedding dress separately a long time ago,” Jing Qingxin replied with a smile.

In this era, the typical bride’s wedding attire was usually a red dress, or, for those a bit better off, a Lenin suit. The finest option was, of course, a military uniform.

What Jing Qingxin wanted to wear was her mother’s Xiuhé gown. The Xiuhé gown paired with a military uniform created a striking image reminiscent of a marriage between a warlord and a distinguished young lady during the Republican era.

At this time, society still favored military attire over traditional red dresses. Wearing a Xiuhé gown was not entirely in line with the modest customs of the day, but Qingxin wished to carry her parents' blessings as she and Gao Shen completed their marriage ceremony.

This was also why she had arranged every aspect of the wedding banquet carefully—to ensure a smooth event and to silence any potential critics.

Free food and drink, red envelopes, and wedding candies—what could anyone complain about?

Additionally, the customs of Dajing Village were simple and rustic, located in a remote mountain village largely untouched by outside influences. The villagers still lived by the traditions of their ancestors, which was another reason Jing Qingxin was determined to wear the Xiuhé gown.

Thus, a rural wedding had its own advantages. Had this taken place in the city or in the army, it would not have been so freely chosen, though basic customary boundaries still had to be respected.

That afternoon, Aunt Li arrived at the Gao family courtyard with three other aunts and three young sisters-in-law. Because the wedding banquet was to take place the next day, preparations had to begin the afternoon before, or else there wouldn't be enough time on the big day.

Originally, the wedding ceremony was supposed to be held at the commune office, but since it was far from the village, everyone prepared at home instead. In this impoverished era, very few families in the village held banquets. Those with limited means simply brought the bride home and handed out wedding candies, and that was considered enough.

As for the red wedding dress, dowry, or official marriage registration, these held little significance for poor families. In the countryside, the concept of formal marriage registration was weak; once both parties agreed and relatives witnessed the union, the marriage was considered complete.

Those with slightly better means might prepare a few tables of food for the banquet. Though simple, it at least ensured some celebration.

The six women who came to help were all beaming with joy. Most villagers had heard the day before that the Gao family was hosting a banquet and that no gifts were required—everyone was simply invited to join. Such good fortune was rare.

What delighted them even more was what they had heard on the way: each helper would receive a red envelope containing one yuan and twenty cents!

This news thrilled everyone to no end. Just by helping to prepare a meal, they would receive a red envelope. They weren’t even cooking at home that day, yet they would still get one yuan and twenty cents—a windfall indeed!

This novel is originally published by Xiaoxiang Academy. Please do not redistribute.