usatvline Chapter 568 Osmanthus Fragrance and Kiln Fire Prove a Perfect Match
Chapter 568 Osmanthus Fragrance and Kiln Fire Prove a Perfect Match
On the day of the Osmanthus Festival, Qinglongpo welcomed its most lively day.
As soon as dawn broke, the villagers were already busy.
Aunt Zhang was preparing wedding banquet dishes in the kitchen, the village chief was leading the villagers to hang celadon lanterns in the osmanthus forest, craftsman Chen and Lin Xiao were tidying up the tableware and tools in the porcelain workshop, and Gu Fanxing and Pei Luonan were changing into their wedding attire at the guesthouse, eagerly anticipating this special ceremony.
Gu Fanxing wore a simple white dress, the hem of which was embroidered with fine pine needle and osmanthus patterns, and the celadon ring on her ring finger gleamed warmly in the morning light.
Pei Luonan wore a dark suit with a light blue tie and a fresh osmanthus flower pinned to his chest, looking understated and elegant.
"You are so beautiful, as warm and captivating as the celadon of Qingning Kiln."
Pei Luonan gently adjusted her veil, his fingertips brushing against her cheek.
Gu Fanxing blushed and smiled as she adjusted his tie, her fingertips carrying a faint scent of osmanthus.
"You look handsome too, and you look especially energetic today."
At 9:00 a.m., the "Archaeology + Intangible Cultural Heritage" cultural festival officially kicked off.
Tourists poured in one after another, and the archaeological experience area, the porcelain firing experience area, and the intangible cultural heritage corridor were instantly packed with people.
Holding miniature archaeological tools, the children carefully excavated pottery shards in a simulated kiln site.
A little girl with pigtails ran up to Gu Fanxing, holding a pottery shard, her eyes full of curiosity: "Teacher Gu, what do these patterns mean?"
Gu Fanxing squatted down and patiently explained, "This is the intertwined floral pattern of Qingning Kiln. This is how the kiln workers used to create their designs on the porcelain blanks." Several young tourists nearby took out their phones to take pictures of the patterns on the pottery shards and inquired about the historical origins of Qingning Kiln.
Gu Fanxing answered their questions in detail one by one, and even took out a mini pottery shard pattern manual that she carried with her, pointing to the comparison pictures on it to explain the differences in kiln patterns in different periods, and enthusiastically recommended that they go to the intangible cultural heritage corridor to see the complete technique display.
Just then, familiar laughter came from the village entrance, and Pei's parents helped Pei's grandmother walk along the osmanthus path.
Grandma Pei wore a navy blue diagonal-front blouse and carried a small purse embroidered with osmanthus flowers in her hand. Her steps were slow but exceptionally light.
Pei's mother wore a light purple dress, held an exquisite brocade box, and had a smile on her face.
Pei's father carried a bamboo basket full of fresh fruit and pastries, his eyes surveying the bustling Qinglongpo area.
"Grandma, Mom and Dad! You're here!" Gu Fanxing and Pei Luonan rushed forward. Pei Luonan took the bamboo basket from Pei's father and brushed the osmanthus blossoms off Pei's grandmother's shoulder.
"Starry Night, you look so beautiful today!"
Grandma Pei held Gu Fanxing's hand, carefully examining her wedding dress, her eyes slightly moist.
"It is Luo Nan's good fortune to marry you."
She took a small amulet out of her purse and put it into Gu Fanxing's hand.
"This is what I prayed for at the temple. It contains mugwort and osmanthus flowers. I wish you a lifetime of peace, safety, and harmony."
Gu Fanxing clutched the amulet tightly, feeling a warm glow in her heart. "Thank you, Grandma. I will definitely treasure it."
Pei's mother opened the brocade box and took out a smooth pearl necklace: "This is a gift from your father and me. The pearl is warm and lustrous, just like you and like the celadon of Qingning Kiln. May your days be full of happiness and fulfillment."
Pei's father added with a smile, "I set off early this morning so I could get here as soon as possible, both to join in the fun and to lend you a hand."
Craftsman Chen and Aunt Zhang quickly stepped forward to greet them, offering freshly brewed osmanthus tea and warm osmanthus cake.
Grandma Pei took a bite and praised repeatedly, "Aunt Zhang's skills are getting better and better. This osmanthus cake is sweet but not greasy."
The adults gathered around Chen the craftsman and Lin Xiao to watch their skills in kneading clay and throwing pottery.
Craftsman Chen kneaded the clay with both hands, and after three hundred rounds, the clay became fine and smooth; Lin Xiao sat in front of the potter's wheel, and the unremarkable clay gradually turned into a round cup blank, drawing rounds of praise.
Mr. Pei remarked, "There's a lot of skill involved in this craft. Slow and meticulous work produces fine results. No wonder Qingning Kiln has become an intangible cultural heritage."
Professor Li's lecture on pottery shard identification was packed. He explained in detail the methods for dating pottery shards, using Song Dynasty celadon bowls as an example. Grandma Pei also listened attentively, nodding from time to time.
The "Intangible Cultural Heritage Skills Salon" organized by Director Wang was very popular. Tourists followed Lin Xiao to learn how to carve kiln patterns. Although their skills were still immature, they were very interested. A young tourist said with a smile: "The patterns look simple, but they actually test a lot of patience."
At noon, the wedding banquet began in the osmanthus grove.
On the round table, celadon tableware is adorned with pine and osmanthus flower arrangements, and pottery shards are scattered among the decorations, creating a cultural atmosphere.
Aunt Zhang served dishes such as stewed free-range chicken, braised fish, and stir-fried wild vegetables, and also brought a pot of osmanthus rice wine.
"This is newly brewed rice wine, not very strong. Everyone should try it and share in the joy of the newlyweds."
Grandma Pei picked up a piece of free-range chicken and exclaimed, "This chicken is so fresh and flavorful, it tastes much better than the ones in the city."
Pei's mother also said, "These wild vegetables are refreshing and delicious, and they really cut through the greasiness."
The emcee announced the start of the wedding ceremony, and a short film was projected onto the screen showing the couple cleaning pottery shards, applying for intangible cultural heritage status, and celebrating the successful completion of their kiln maintenance, along with videos of blessings from relatives and friends.
After the short film ended, Pei Luonan, holding flowers, walked step by step towards Gu Fanxing, his eyes filled with deep affection.
"Fanxing, meeting you is the happiest thing in my life. I want to stay with you forever, let the kiln fire witness our love, and let the heritage of Qingning kiln accompany us throughout our lives."
He knelt on one knee and opened the celadon ring box engraved with the characters "Xing" and "Nan": "Gu Fanxing, will you marry me?" Gu Fanxing nodded with tears in her eyes, her voice firm: "I do!"
The moment the ring was put on, thunderous applause erupted in the osmanthus grove.
Grandma Pei wiped away her tears with emotion, Mom Pei quietly wiped her eyes, and Dad Pei nodded with a face full of relief.
Professor Li, as the officiant, delivered a speech: "Their love is imbued with a steadfast commitment to traditional culture, making it all the more precious. Wishing them a happy marriage, and may the fires of Qingning Kiln burn forever!"
After the ceremony, Pei Luochuan presented a celadon gift that he had personally fired, inscribed with "Inheritance of Qingning Kiln".
Grandma Pei held their hands and said, "From now on, you must be tolerant and supportive of each other, live a good life, and pass on the craftsmanship of Qingning Kiln."
In the afternoon, Gu Fanxing and Pei Luonan changed into casual clothes and accompanied the Pei family to visit the archaeological experience hall and the intangible cultural heritage corridor.
Pei's father stood in front of the pottery shards, listening to Gu Fanxing explain the life of Song Dynasty pottery workers, and said with emotion: "Every pottery shard contains history. Your efforts are so meaningful."
Pei's mother had a particular fondness for cultural and creative pendants. She picked up a small celadon pendant engraved with osmanthus patterns and said with a smile, "This is really exquisite. I'll bring a few back for my relatives and friends so they can also learn about Qingning Kiln."
She also talked to Gu Fanxing about wanting to recommend these cultural and creative products to her friends who like traditional culture, and suggested that they could open an online store to expand their influence.
Grandma Pei then pulled Lin Xiao aside and asked her about the basic techniques of porcelain making. Lin Xiao took out a small porcelain shard with osmanthus patterns that she had just carved and gave it to her. Grandma Pei carefully accepted it and said repeatedly, "It's so exquisite. This craft has a successor."
The cultural festival concluded successfully in the evening.
As the guests and tourists departed, the Pei family also began their journey home.
Grandma Pei held Gu Fanxing's hand reluctantly. "Come home often when you have time. We're waiting for you to bring good news about Qingning Kiln."
Pei's parents also told him, "Get some rest after the wedding, don't overwork yourself, and take good care of yourselves."
After seeing everyone off, Gu Fanxing and Pei Luonan stood side by side in the osmanthus grove, gazing at the starry sky and the flickering kiln fire in the distance.
"Today is so perfect. I have the blessings of my family, the support of my friends, and so many people who love Qingning Kiln." Gu Fanxing said softly, "Next, we can launch an archaeological research project and develop cultural and creative products such as pottery shard puzzles and kiln fire pattern scarves, so that more people can get closer to traditional culture."
Pei Luonan gently kissed her forehead and held her hand tightly: "Our love, and the legacy of Qingning Kiln, will be as bright and full of hope as this kiln fire."
The kilns of Qinglongpo have produced warm and lustrous celadon and preserved intangible cultural heritage, while also witnessing sincere love and fulfilling family bonds. This love and heritage will burn forever like the kiln fire, becoming the most precious mark of time.