V3: Chapter 20: What If You Can't Hold Back Your Laughter at Your Wedding?
The castle's hall is decorated like a dreamlike palace. The walls are adorned with brocades, vibrant in color and intricately patterned, each telling an ancient myth. A huge crystal chandelier hangs from the high ceiling, shimmering and illuminating the entire hall as if it were daytime. A thick red carpet stretches from the entrance to the altar at the far end, symbolizing the happiness and prosperity of the newlyweds' future.
Guests are dressed in magnificent attire; the men wear tight-fitting suits and cloaks, while the women wear elaborate gowns and jeweled crowns. They stand or sit, chatting and laughing, filling the hall with joyful sounds. The air is filled with the aroma of delicious food, silver cutlery gleams in the hands of waiters, and wine flows like a river.
As a melodious bell tolls, the noise in the hall gradually subsides, and all eyes are focused on the end of the red carpet.
Liang Di, dressed in a custom-made gown, looked radiant and spirited, her eyes sparkling with anticipation and nervousness.
Liang Lin, on the other hand, wore an exquisite wedding dress and a veil. However, her steps were unsteady, and she nearly tripped over her skirt several times, almost falling to the ground.
She was incredibly nervous and incredibly shy.
Led by the priest, the newlyweds slowly walked towards the altar.
Bouquets of flowers were placed on the altar, their fragrance intoxicating. They represented not only the vibrant life force but also the sweetness and beauty of their newlywed life.
Neither Liang Lin nor Liang Di dared to look at each other. They both kept their heads down, their legs trembling, trying hard not to make their trembling too obvious.
To be honest, Liang Lin stole a glance at Liang Di and inexplicably felt like laughing.
Huh? Why did I feel like laughing?
She wanted to slap herself. How could she feel like laughing on such a solemn occasion?
The priest stood before the dreamlike altar.
He spoke slowly:
"Distinguished guests, we gather here today to witness a love story. Marriage, since ancient times, has been one of the most sacred and solemn contracts in human society. It is not merely the meeting and union of two souls, but also the convergence and fusion of two families, two destinies, and two forces.
"At this solemn moment, as the priest, I will guide the bride and groom through this sacred journey. I will use my words and my rituals to pray for their divine protection and blessings. For marriage is not only present joy, but also a promise and responsibility for the future."
"Bride and groom, at this sacred moment, do you pledge your eternal love and unwavering commitment to each other, to the world, to all the gods and ancestors?"
Hearing this, Liang Lin felt she couldn't hold back anymore; she genuinely wanted to laugh.
Not only Liang Lin, but Liang Di also felt a slight urge to laugh.
People are always like this; the more solemn the occasion, the more they want to laugh.
At this point, the priest turned to Liang Di.
Liang Di looked up, meeting the priest's deep and wise gaze.
"Pfft!"
She almost burst out laughing, but thankfully she held it in.
Liang Di lowered her head again, afraid to look at him, lest she laugh again.
Her behavior left the priest somewhat bewildered, but he had to continue.
The priest raised one hand, speaking with great emotion.
"Groom, you stand here, facing your bride, facing all the guests and the gods."
"Pfft!"
This time, it was Liang Lin's turn to lose her composure. Her chuckle was even louder than Liang Di's, and she almost choked.
The priest was even more bewildered, but he didn't dare to relax his guard.
He merely glanced at Liang Lin before continuing:
"I want to ask you, do you take this beautiful woman to be your wife? Do you promise that in the days to come, through thick and thin, through the vicissitudes of life, you will remain by her side, loving her, respecting her, protecting her until the end of your life? Do you promise to share life's joys and burdens with her, to be with her through poverty and wealth, never abandoning her?"
Liang Di finally raised her head and looked at Liang Lin.
Looking at Liang Lin, she finally didn't feel like laughing as before.
Liang Di took a deep breath and then firmly answered, "I do."
Then, she recited the prepared words:
"I take her to be my wife. I am willing to stay by her side, to love her, respect her, and protect her, until the end of my life, no matter what difficulties and challenges we face in the future."
Liang Lin dared not look at Liang Di for long. She really couldn't hold back her laughter. She barely managed to suppress it, only to burst out laughing again the next second. So, she could only keep her head down, up, down, up, looking like she had a stiff neck, or perhaps a bit of epilepsy.
The priest didn't notice this scene. He nodded in satisfaction and then turned to Liang Lin.
Liang Lin didn't dare look at him at all; one glance would make her burst out laughing.
"Bride, you stand here, facing your groom, facing all the guests and the gods."
"I ask you, do you take this valiant man to be your husband? Are you willing to stand by him through thick and thin, in good times and bad, to support him, to love him, to respect him, forever? Are you willing to create a beautiful life together, to face life's challenges together, to stay by his side in sickness and in health, and to never abandon him?"
Liang Lin's face flushed red, not from embarrassment, but from suppressing laughter.
"I, I..."
She almost couldn't catch her breath.
Liang Lin took a deep breath, calming herself down.
No, no, no, I absolutely can't laugh out loud. If I laugh now, I'd be laughed at for the rest of my life.
Liang Lin slowly closed her eyes.
She thought about it, about the more touching things, about the unforgettable, beautiful, and life-and-death moments she and Liang Di had shared.
It seemed... she didn't feel like laughing anymore.
Liang Lin reopened her eyes, looking at Liang Di with a firm and sincere gaze.
"I do."
"I take 'him' to be my 'husband', and in the days to come, I will face joy and sorrow with 'him', support 'him', love 'him', and respect 'him' forever."
A smile of relief spread across the priest's face.
He raised his hands, praying to the heavens for divine protection and blessings:
"Because of your love, this world has become a better place. May heaven grant you endless happiness and peace, and may your marriage be as strong and enduring as this castle. May you support, understand, and respect each other in the days to come."
Author's Note
Comments (0)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.