The Ceremony

~Unabridged~

Li Ming remained kneeling on the floor. She didn’t look at Jun once. As was custom, Jun knelt over her and placed both of his hands lightly on her neck and bent his head over his new bride. It was supposed to be a sign of his supremacy and his new role of protection over his bride. The Seng came forward and blessed the new couple:

“Sa ke zhe lang yu qi zuo yiu hao bu yu yun. Ke xin qi dang mi nans. Zuo zhi ai gong.” ((Gods. May this husband and wife be blessed with good fortune and luck. May the new wife bear many sons. Bless them with your gifts.))

Jun stood slowly and held out his hand to her. Li Ming took it tentatively. Then with a unison grace, they both knelt at the alter before the Seng. He blessed them with holy water, sprinkling it on the backs of their heads. They looked up at the golden statue of Shen (God) and said then bent their heads in silent prayer for good fortune, and a long and rewarding marriage.

Jun was brought up to the alter first. The Seng placed a silver crucifix around his neck.

“By the Gods orders you must protect your wife and see her through illness. You must pray for fertility and sons. With this ceremony you have entered into manhood. Sa nin.” ((Bless you.)) Jun bowed and stepped back to where his wife knelt.

Li Ming rose with the help of Jun’s hand and was brought up to the altar.

“You must be a good wife to your husband. Bear him healthy sons, and be seen, but not heard. Serve your husband before your self. May Shen bless you with sons.”

‘With this ceremony you have entered into slavery.’ Li Ming thought silently. She stepped back to her spot next to her husband.

“As husband and wife you may now enter into the world of hun sheg.” ((Married life.)). They bowed in harmony. Li Ming lifted her veil. Jun took a necklace and rings from the velvet surface of a box propped a few feet in front of the alter. Li Ming lifted her right hand and he slipped the silver ring on her pinky and a diamond ring on her thumb. Li Ming lifted her graceful neck and waited anxiously as he put on the necklace. As the task finished, Jun lay a hand on Li Ming’s waist and she was lead down the aisle. She walked in front of Jun slowly. The ladies danced behind them as they entered the back room of the Zhai.

~*~*~

The only “reception” was one for the husband. A celebration of his manhood that was banned from the wife and the women except his mistress. Li Ming wasn’t about to be forbidden from the ritual. She slipped into a corner unnoticed. Her diamonds glittered in the candlelight so she slipped behind a black curtain and watched with horrified wonder as the rite commenced.

Jun sat on the floor. Xiang sat on his lap. Li Ming’s breath caught in her throat as she saw what the concubine was wearing. Xiang wore what Li Ming had under her kimono now. A piece of wide silk was tied in white ribbons over her breasts letting her midriff see the light of the candles. To cover the areas below her waist, there was silken panties. Li Ming’s eyes burned with envy and rage.

‘So *this* is what I am going to deal with. Sha xu jin.’ ((Kill me now.)) Li Ming swallowed quietly and kept watching.

Jun and Xiang seemed to be talking about something. Li Ming watched as his eyes darkened and heard the low tones of his voice. He stroked her cheek and seemed to speak with tenderness. Xiang lowered her eyelids and glanced at him intently. Li Ming strained to hear what they were saying.

“What am I going to do with now? You’re a married man Jun.” Xiang said in mock jealousy. Jun growled.

“This changes nothing. She’s just my wife. She’s there to bear sons and pour tea. She’s not clever. I have no use for her.” Jun said in a low husky voice.

“Oh but she’s a wife that men would fight over Jun. You should treat her with respect.” They both laughed at this. Li Ming had heard enough.

A low hiss escaped through her teeth. Her fingers dug into the curtain as if she had claws. Her black eyes sizzled with the beginnings of rage.

“Bu biao shi hu.” She snarled. ((No whore overshadows a tiger.)) Li Ming disappeared, but not before she saw Jun lavish Xiang with a disgustingly passionate kiss. She saw the sexual heat between them and sighed growled inwardly.

“Nong jiang mo qu si. Nong jiang sha gu nu.” ((I will not take this. I will kill before I ever become a slave.)) Li Ming left the lovers then and went to the carriage waiting outside.