There is a great deal to do. Wangtu needs to talk it over, slowly, carefully with his parents. He wants to marry Shuang and Shuang wants to marry him.They live in Canton, each still sharing the houses of their parents. Wangtu’s parents listen to their son’s declaration of love and allow him, (insist) he write a formal letter to Shuang’s parents expressing his feelings towards their daughter. Caressing the new Waterman’s fountain pen he bought tor Mr. Lui, and one for himself, he writes the letter ‘Be sure to tell them, Son, that your bride will be entering a new family’. As soon as a courier has delivered the letter, Wangtu starts to shop and shop buying them many gifts. Wangtu has no fear, no doubt, that the Lui family will accept him gladly and she will adore his family.
Traditionally the reply comes in three days by an emissary. Shuang’s parents must notify by mail her birth date and time of day as they must seek out a well-known fortune teller to learn if the couple is a good match or not. His approval sends Wangtu shopping for more formal gifts. He puts a deposit on a healthy fat pig, one with a curly tail to be roasted before the wedding. Shuang’s acceptance declares her to be a virgin. She feels guilty about that and considers cutting off the pig’s tail but keeps her secret. Carefully using a new Waterman’s fountain pen he bout tor Mr. Lui, and one for himself, he writes the letter.
This is enough of the Old World for the lovers. ’ From here on,’ they tell their parents, ‘the rest will be Western style.’ They pay no attention to the outburst. Wangtu’s usually quiet, sedate mother, informs him that before the ceremony he must bring his bride to be to them for the traditional tea party for the grandparents, followed by another for the four parents. After that he is to drive to Shuang’s house and bring her to the ceremony. ‘Be sure none of your guests remove their shoes before the vows are over and the dancing begins or bad luck will follow them forever.
Shuang upsets both families when she describes the gorgeous gown she has bought and already had altered. ‘It has a long train that my niece and nephew will be holding off the floor, pearls are on the bodice and I have very high heeled white satin sandals. The wedding cake has been ordered and we will give every guest a lovely Waterford crystal flower bowl as they leave. Almost in tears, Wangtu’s father asks, ‘ How could you do this to us, Shuang? We expected you to wear a traditional gown.’ With daggers in her eyes, she replies, ‘Dear Father-in-law to be, this is what your son and I want. We thank you with all of our hearts but don’t believe in fortune tellers or roasted pigs. No rice is to be thrown at us either. Pink and white rose petals will be in silk drawstring bags as we leave for the limousine. It will be lovely. You’ll see.’ ‘I’ll spoil the small surprise but want you to watch your mail. My parents have sent you a formal invitation to the happy tea party they will be giving when we return from Buenos Aires.
You and your entire family will come, won’t you? It will be in the lotus garden with sitar music playing.’
No comments:
Post a Comment