Episode 25 Wedding (Part 2)(1/3)
Changping Road, Nanjing City Hall.
Xiang Xiaoqiang, Qiu Qiu, and Xiuxiu stood solemnly side by side in the tall hall. Behind them were several relatives and friends welcoming and seeing off their relatives, and there were dozens of reporters around. There were many people in the hall, but it was quiet, with only spotlights.
From time to time, there will be a flash and a "bang, bang" sound.
Xiang Xiaoqiang enjoyed very high treatment today: the mayor personally registered their marriage.
Before, Xiang Xiaoqiang had always been confused about the two concepts of "city government" and "city hall", thinking that they were actually the same thing. In China, it is called "city hall", and in foreign countries, it is called "city hall." But after preparing for the wedding,
Only then did I realize that this was not the case. The city hall was a product of the Western political system, and was only imitated by the Ming Dynasty in modern times.
Generally speaking, the city hall is only a part of the city government. The city government and the mayor only bear the overall political responsibility of a city and are politically responsible to the citizens for the city government team he leads. However, the specific management of municipal affairs depends on the various factors.
For various reasons, mainly related to the level of professional knowledge, the mayor generally will not interfere. These complicated daily affairs are handed over to a team of management experts, who form a "city hall" responsible for the city's regular management.
.Including registering marriages for citizens. Therefore, to a certain extent, the City Hall is similar to the Civil Affairs Bureau of later China.
Behind a walnut desk, the gray-haired mayor adjusted his glasses and asked with a smile:
"Miss Qiuqiu, Miss Shangxiu, did you choose to marry Mr. Xiang Xiaoqiang out of your absolute free will?"
Qiu Qiu and Xiu Xiu smiled at each other and replied at the same time:
"yes."
The mayor asked Xiang Xiaoqiang again with a smile:
"Mr. Xiang Xiaoqiang, may I ask if your choice to marry Miss Qiuqiu and Miss Shangxiu is absolutely voluntary?"
Xiang Xiaoqiang looked at the two lovely wives, their eyes met, and couldn't help but grinned: "Yes!"
There was a burst of gentle laughter in the hall, and the reporters' spotlights flashed a few more times. Qiu Qiu and Xiu Xiu both blushed and lowered their heads, smiling broadly at Xiaoqiang without caring.
The Lord Mayor smiled and asked the three of them:
"Mr. Xiang Xiaoqiang, Miss Qiu Qiu, and Miss Shang Xiu, are the documents you provided to me true and valid?"
The three people said at the same time: "Yes."
When Xiang Xiaoqiang answered, he was secretly proud of himself. His documents, such as birth certificates, etc., were all "processed" that made his stomach ache. The intelligence agency of the security team was professional in forging certificates, and their skills were higher than those of "certificates" in later generations.
More. And the boy was very smart and didn’t ask any more questions.
The mayor continued to ask:
"Mr. Xiang Xiaoqiang, Miss Qiuqiu, and Miss Shangxiu, do you have any familial genetic diseases?"
The three of them replied: "No."
Now comes the most romantic and exciting part. The mayor pushed up his glasses again and asked with a kind smile:
"Mr. Xiang Xiaoqiang, Miss Qiuqiu, and Miss Shangxiu, are you willing to make a lifelong commitment to each other in the form of an oath?"
Xiang Xiaoqiang knew that this was an "I do" part similar to that of a Christian wedding. The Ming Dynasty is now very Westernized, and many couples are envious of the sacred vows of Christian weddings. However, the Ming Dynasty is a polygamous system and cannot hold Christian weddings, so most weddings are notarized.
Add an oath link to increase the sense of sanctity.
Xiang Xiaoqiang and Qiu Qiu Xiuxiu said at the same time: "We are willing."
"Mr. Xiang Xiaoqiang, please raise your right hand and follow me."
Xiang Xiaoqiang raised his right hand. At this time, his heart was also surging, and he followed the mayor excitedly and said:
"I, Xiang Xiaoqiang, swear to Miss Qiuqiu and Miss Shangxiu today: Today, I choose you to be my wife. From now on, I will love, cherish and protect you wholeheartedly. Although, you may not be my last
A wife, but this will never dilute my love for you. No matter you are young or old, I will love you just as I do today. No matter your appearance, origin, or wealth, I will love you the same. Shan Wu Ling
, summer rain and snow, heaven and earth are harmonious, so I dare to be with you."
Although Xiang Xiaoqiang has already read this oath, he still feels sweaty when he reads it out. This oath can be said to be quite characteristic of the Ming Dynasty, fully expressing the Ming Dynasty - such a westernized, civilized and traditional marriage system.
characteristics of the country.
Under a burst of spotlight, the mayor signaled to Xiaoqiang to put down his hand, then turned to Qiu Qiu and Xiuxiu and said:
"Miss Qiuqiu, Miss Shangxiu, please raise your right hands and follow me."
Qiu Qiu and Xiu Xiu have now reached the happiest moment in their lives. The two girls blushed, raised their right hands, and happily read:
"I, Qiu Qiu (Shang Xiu), swear to you today: Today, we are willing to become your wives. From now on, we will be loyal to you wholeheartedly, obey you, take care of you, and dedicate all our love to you.
I know that I may not be your last wife, but I will love them as much as I love you, treat them as my own sisters, love each other, and never be jealous. No matter you are rich or poor in the future, we will be like today
I will love you, respect you, be loyal to you, and obey you all the same. There are no mausoleums in the mountains, rain and snow in the summer, and heaven and earth are in harmony, so I dare to be with you."
While the two girls were reading this passage, the reporters' spotlights kept flashing, and most of the shots were focused on "Ryukyu Princess" Sang-xiu, focusing on the shy expression on her face, especially the meaningful pearl tiara.
.
Of course, Qiu Qiu also wears a similar tiara, but that one doesn't look like a royal style, and it is mainly decorated with diamonds, which is radiant. Compared with Xiu Xiu's pearl tiara, it is more than rich but not noble.
.The sensitive reporters caught this and knew that they could use it again when they went back.
After reading the oath, the mayor smiled and nodded, and said slowly to the three of them:
"Marriage is a responsibility. No matter it is in the past or in the future, you must be responsible for your marriage, and love will be eternal. From now on, you must bear all difficulties together, share all happiness together, support each other, be loyal, and never leave.
Until this life. Love is long-lasting, love is patient, love is not jealous, love is selfless, love is tolerant, love believes, love is hope, love never ends. You are all still young, this is what I, as an elder,
, teachings to you.”
Xiang Xiaoqiang and Qiu Qiu Xiuxiu both bowed their heads reverently and bowed lightly to the mayor.
The mayor gestured to the three documents on the table and said with a smile:
"Then, please ask the newlyweds to sign the marriage certificate. After signing, your marriage will take effect."
All three people stepped forward excitedly and signed the document with ink pens.
After the Lord Mayor took the document and read it, he smiled and announced:
"Now, on behalf of the Ming Dynasty government, I announce that you have officially become husband and wife. Congratulations on adding a happy family to our Ming Dynasty."
Sporadic applause rang out all around, and soon the applause became a chorus, accompanied by cheers and cheers, echoing in the hall.
The mayor each handed a small box to Xiang Xiaoqiang and Qiu Qiu, and Xiu Xiu. After opening it, Xiang Xiaoqiang's box contained two rings, and Qiu Qiu's box contained one ring each. Under the constant flashing of the spotlight,
, Xiang Xiaoqiang picked up two rings and put them on Qiuqiu and Xiuxiu respectively. Then they each took out rings and put them on Xiang Xiaoqiang... one in each hand.
Xiang Xiaoqiang looked at the two rings on his left and right hands and sighed in his heart: Left hand and right hand, this really has some symbolic meaning.
If there were cameras from later generations, reporters would definitely point their lenses at their rings at this moment, with the focal length stretched to a long distance, and take pictures carefully. But with today’s cameras, at this distance, it would be good to be able to take a clear picture of a person’s face. Journalists
I simply stretched my neck, looked hard with my naked eyes, and then wrote it down in the notebook according to my own description.
The wedding ring Xiang Xiaoqiang originally bought for Qiu Qiu was from the "Star of Ryukyu", but at that time they didn't know Xiu Xiu's life experience. Now both Xiang Xiaoqiang and Qiu Qiu feel that this ring is more suitable for Xiu Xiu to wear.
Although Xiuxiu roughly knew her life experience, she had never seen the emblem of the Ryukyu royal family. She had no idea that the silver brooch her mother gave her had the "Shangba pattern" of the Ryukyu royal family.
That brooch was one of several pieces of jewelry given by Xiuxiu's biological mother as a thank-you gift after Shang Xiaojun rescued Xiu Xiu. The other pieces of jewelry were all sold by Shang Xiaojun when he was in despair in Suzhou. Only this brooch, although
It was not valuable, but it had the emblem of the Ryukyu royal family on it. Shang Xiaojun did not hesitate to keep it as proof of Xiuxiu's future life experience.
Now Xiang Xiaoqiang has discussed with Qiu Qiu and gave this "Ryukyu Star" to Xiu Xiu. Although Qiu Qiu was a little reluctant to part with it, Xiang Xiaoqiang ordered a better one for her from Cartier. The style and size are similar, but
The top is not "Shangba pattern", but a rose carved from rubies, named "Qiu Shui Rose". The word "Qiu" in Qiu Qiu is a waterfall in Yandang Mountain, which is the name of the water. Therefore, it is named "Qiu Shui Rose".
"Autumn Rose".
In order to be fair, Xiang Xiaoqiang offered the same price as the Ryukyu Star, 55,000 Mingyang. However, this "Autumn Water Rose" does not have a royal background, so it is much more affordable. It is carved from a whole ruby into a rose. The materials and workmanship are better than Ryukyu.
Star. This "Autumn Water Rose" is passionate and charming, deep red like fire. It is much more eye-catching than the "Ryukyu Star" spliced with sapphires, and it is more in line with Qiu Qiu's character. Qiu Qiu immediately fell in love with this one again
"Autumn Rose" readily gave up "Ryukyu Star" to Xiuxiu.
At this moment, Xiang Xiaoqiang still put the "Ryukyu Star" on Qiuqiu's hand, and the "Qiushui Rose" on Xiuxiu's hand. Then came the unique part of the Ming Dynasty notarized wedding, when the two wives exchanged the rings given by their husbands.
Qiuqiu put the "Ryukyu Star" on Xiuxiu, and Xiuxiu also put the "Autumn Water Rose" on Qiuqiu. This means that the two ladies exchanged the things given by their husbands, and their future relationship will be one of love and friendship.
, mutual trust, regardless of each other.
The process of Qiu Qiu and Xiu Xiu putting on each other's rings was wildly photographed by the reporters around them. Flashes of light came and went, and white smoke rose in groups. Even though the hall was wide, there was a faint smell of burning magnesium powder in the air.
After the exchange, Qiu Qiu and Xiu Xiu hugged each other intimately, each raising the back of their hands to show everyone. Then, Xiang Xiaoqiang hugged the two ladies and kissed them gently on the lips. There was a long-lasting sound in the hall.
of applause and cheers.
Then, both parties in the hall presented various candies and preserves, which were distributed by Xiang Xiaoqiang and his wife to the mayor, as well as to the relatives, friends and reporters present.
Then, amid the crowds of farewells, Xiang Xiaoqiang walked out of the city hall holding Qiu Qiu Xiuxiu in his arms, "bathing" with the confetti scattered one after another.
Since then, the notarization of the wedding has ended. The couple, their relatives and friends boarded the wedding car, drove back to Xiang Xiaoqiang's mansion, held a wedding banquet, and held a Chinese-style wedding.
…
As noon approached, high-end cars were parked inside and outside Xiang Xiaoqiang's official residence. There were also gleaming classic cars driving in, and the guards were gesturing to guide the drivers to drive in.
Xiang Xiaoqiang originally bought a small house for himself and could not entertain dozens of people. He wanted to hold a wedding banquet in a restaurant. But now Zhu Yourong gave him such a big house. There are only two main buildings, let alone dozens of people, one or two hundred people.
I can also entertain people. So, I temporarily abandoned the restaurant and held the wedding banquet in the official residence. Firstly, at this time, weddings are mainly held at home with wine. Secondly, the official residence is your own private space, so you can ignore it here.
Those annoying reporters, no matter what gifts they give, what food they eat, or what wine they drink, it won't be in the tabloids the next day.
Now that everyone knows that this big house was given by His Majesty, they have nothing to say but envy. If Xiang Xiaoqiang bought it himself, the Procuratorate would come to investigate him now. Although the real estate prices in Nanjing are very low
To be continued...