The 99th Divorce

“It shows that you’re important,” Ye Zhenhua said cheerfully. “Its weight implies that you’re valued and treasured. It’s supposed to be an auspicious symbol.”

But Western-style weddings don’t follow so many rituals and traditions.

Ye Qianqian mumbled under her breath.

Before long, someone came up to them and declared, “The bridegroom is here. Get ready, everyone!”

Ye Qianqian almost felt she was about to faint under the weight. But when she heard the announcement, her first thought was: I’m going to be liberated!

She rejoiced too soon.

Shen Zhilie was blocked at the door. The atmosphere outside was lively, but she remained in a quiet daze.

Before she knew it, Shen Zhilie was glancing up at her on bended knee, saying, “I’ll take you home, Qianqian.”

The crowd cheered on, to her confusion.

She was led into the car. Then, the couple went to pay their respects to the gods.

She thought those old rituals and traditions had already become obsolete.

But she was wrong.

She was utterly wrong.

Not only did she have to pay respects to the gods, but she also had to step over a basin with a flame burning in it—an ancient ritual for newlywed couples.

She felt close to being burned by the heat that rose from beneath her as she crossed the flame.

She finally met the Shen family.

Ye Qianqian’s face was covered with the veil throughout the ceremony. She had to be guided around.

An elderly chaperone sang the marriage oath aloud in a raspy voice. The last stop was to pay their respects to the gods.

“Bow to the heavens and the earth!”

“Bow to your parents.”

“Bow to each other as husband and wife!”

Ye Qianqian felt like she was acting in a drama, performing all those rituals on television. But everything before her eyes was happening in real time.

She felt as though she had traveled back in time to experience a traditional wedding during the Qing Dynasty.

The feeling was uncomfortably jarring.

The jewelry on Ye Qianqian’s body weighed at least a dozen kilos.

She looked resplendent, but beneath all the finery was a suffering bride.

A few elders spoke, but Ye Qianqian couldn’t hear the details clearly.

In the end, an elder asked, “Do you remember?”

When Qianqian heard Shen Zhilie next to her answer in the affirmative, she hastily concurred, “Yes, I remember.”

Ye Qianqian vaguely heard someone laughing in the background. Soon, the old lady approached her and took her hand in hers. She said, “You’re a fine child. From now on, you have to obey your in-laws and be a filial daughter-in-law. Do you understand?”

The faint fragrance emanating from the old woman smelled familiar.

Ye Qianqian pondered for a while and recalled something.

The scent belonged to the old lady Dong Fang.

She was Mrs. Shen’s close friend.

“Yes. Thank you, Grandmother Dong Fang,” Ye Qianqian replied.

Dong Fang flashed a satisfied smile. “You’re such a clever child.”

Without further ado, she shouted, “Send them to the bridal chamber!”

The music began to play. Ye Qianqian felt like she was in a dream.

She later learned that the old lady Dong Fang was of royal lineage.

Royal blood flowed in her. She was the descendant of an ancient princess.

To her, wedding rituals and traditions were meant to be followed properly.

After the downfall of the Qing Dynasty, these archaic rituals and traditions had been preserved for future generations.

Mrs. Shen shared a close relationship with Dong Fang. Hence, she entrusted her with the responsibility of presiding over this important wedding.

The wedding looked presentable, but Ye Qianqian didn’t enjoy it much.

She felt as though her neck was about to snap when she was escorted back to her room.

She reached out to lift the veil, but was stopped by a wrinkled hand.

Ye Qianqian was shocked.

She assumed that she had been escorted into the room by a friend, not an elderly woman.

Who was it?”You’re not allowed to lift it by yourself. You have to let your husband do it.”