Chapter 109: A Golden Nest or Silver Nest Is No Better Than One's Own Doghouse

He and Mayor Qian are also counted as friends, and their courtesy is not slight; frankly, the last time was after seeing Prefect Zhifu, they intended to befriend each other.

Lu Sanniang felt quite embarrassed, but she was not pretentious and graciously accepted it.

Everyone sat in the Keting, sipping tea and chatting, waiting for the groom to come for the wedding ceremony.

Mr. Wang and his wife, though they appeared, acted only as ordinary guests, sitting in a corner of the Keting, drinking tea and cracking melon seeds.

The two town mayors also did not dare to approach to disturb, sitting on one side drinking tea and talking about events in the town, exchanging with each other.

After she and her sisters in the County Town and the Lu family elders exchanged greetings, she also slipped to the side, sitting at a table and speaking softly.

Yuehong and Yuexia brought all the children to the playground behind, where snacks the children love were prepared.

Yuan Jiaqi always stays by Qiao Mai's side; in this setting they act as a couple, and must not become a laughingstock.

He helps Qiao Mai manage the affairs in the house; this period she is too tired, he knows in his heart, and will do whatever he can.

Lu Shopkeeper sits at a table with a few of her good sisters, while Qiao Mai sits at a table with the Lu family's eldest brother and sister-in-law and their family.

"No, a golden nest or silver nest is not as good as one's own doghouse; once you're used to living somewhere, you don't want to move."

Lu Sanniang accompanies her parents and family to the back yard; after seeing Ruxin, she gives a few reminders, then finally returns to the front hall.

Qiao Mai looks at him, still so shy; she hums a sound, makes a beckoning gesture, and the couple, one on the left and one on the right, greet him into the courtyard.

Lu Shopkeeper sits at the left side of the head seat; the right seat is empty, and she steps forward and grabs Qiao Mai's hand.

The Lu family's eldest brother and sister-in-law treat this place as their own home, assuming the host's demeanor; in their words they act as the owners, while Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi are like guests.

Each horse has a red silk tied around its neck; the groom, dressed in red, jumps down from his horse and bows to Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi.

"You are her master; you sit here."

Lu Shopkeeper awkwardly nods; they ask again, "Is Qiao Niang's family also staying at your house?"

Seeing Lu Ruxin with a veil over her head, he takes a deep breath and says gently.

From then on, the daughter belongs to another family and cannot be seen every day.

While saying this, she stuffs an apple into her hand; the Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl and Momo on the side keep comforting her.

Yuan Jiaqi hurried forward to exchange greetings; the Lu elderly couple kept praising his good looks and demeanor.

Feng Yinshi comes to Ruxin's room, sees everything festively decorated, and feels very happy.

Lu Sanniang hurriedly introduces, "These are my sworn sister and her husband; they've been busy these days, I asked them to help at home."

Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi direct the servants to clean up, restoring the house to normal; then Qiao Mai takes Ling'er back to the back yard to rest, Yuan Jiaqi takes Chuan'er to rest, and the Fengyun brothers also return to their courtyard.

The two, led by the crowd, arrive at the wedding hall; at this moment everyone surrounds them, and the Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl and Wang Jiaru's Old Servant scatter fresh flowers on them.

Half an hour later, the Feng family's carriage, loaded with a full dowry, leaves Tianshui Town.

There's no way, Qiao Mai, under Lu Sanniang's strong urging, sits at the right chief seat.

"Oh, thank you for your hard work."

She and Lu Shopkeeper received the farewell from Ruxin and Feng's son‑in‑law, watching Ruyi carry Xin'er and the son‑in‑law out of the Keting, and Lu Shopkeeper couldn't help but shed tears.

Tong, the shopkeeper of Ji, and the owner of the Carpenter's Shop, plus a few others at one table, filled the hall; it took only five tables.

"Yes, Mom, there are still two empty courtyards; after the farming season is over, Dad and Mom have nothing to do, so how about staying at home until the end of the year before going back?"

After the wedding feast, the two town mayors said farewell and left; the Wang elderly couple returned to the courtyard.

"Mom, look, that elderly couple is also staying at your house?"

"Uncle, we can't hold hands now; when we reach the Feng family's gate, we must use wedding silk to lead our miss into the house."

Mayor Qian, the mayor of Tianhe Town, the Wang elderly couple, and the Lu elderly couple sit at one table.

At this moment Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi walk over, "Greetings, Uncle and Aunt, elder brother and sister‑in‑law!"

Her little cotton coat—she will have to earn a living at someone else's house in the future, endure hardship or oppression; even her mother cannot protect her immediately, and it truly hurts her heart.

The Wang Jiaru's Old Servant and the Wang Jiaru's Servant Girl scatter red petals; no one makes things difficult for the groom, who proceeds unimpeded to the outside of Ruxin's bedroom.

"Feng Yinshi comes to fetch the bride!"

"Xin'er, I'm coming to fetch you."

"Even better, you're so kind to everyone; you are the best woman in the world."

As they were speaking, firecrackers sounded; the Feng family came to fetch the bride, and several carriages stopped at the gate of Jixiang Yuan.

"Sister, don't panic, don't speak; once the veil is on, you can't speak."

"Who are you?"

"Young lady, your house is truly big and wonderful."

Everyone then understood; it turned out there was this additional relationship.

"Qiao Niang is Xin'er's master, teaching her the double‑sided embroidery skill; my husband is absent, so this master should receive her bow when Xin'er gets married."

Today Ruyi, dressed as a man, will carry her sister onto the bridal sedan chair.

Since Ruxin has no brothers, Lu Sanniang's three‑person family discussed, and Fengyun and they are still young, unable to carry Ruxin, so they let Ruyi do it.

"Is it not good for your whole family?"

Lu Sanniang doesn't even try to persuade; she knows urging would be futile; even though her parents are kind to her, their thinking still naturally follows the son.

"Looks like there might be something fishy in here; let's not ask too many questions."

Ruxin's wedding canopy is already draped; she clutches Ruyi's hand, especially nervous.

While idle, Yuan Jiaqi says, "Did you notice? Mayor Qian didn't greet Lu Shopkeeper's family."

The remaining table, Qiao Mai directly tipped the back kitchen, asking them to add a few more dishes and invite everyone over to make a lively gathering.

The wedding feast began; the weather is fine today, and everything is set up in the courtyard.

Mayor Qian may not know, but can guess; the Wang elderly couple didn't ask, yet they somewhat understand.

The front hall now only has the Lu family, no outsiders; her parents then asked.

Her good sisters came up to advise her; Qiao Mai sighed, noting that in ancient times daughters were married like this—once entering the husband's house they were as far as the four seas, similar to entering the imperial palace; they seldom returned to their natal home for a long time, unlike now, when a daughter can marry out, the parents get to offer incense at the temple, and on the wedding day they want to beat drums.

Lu Sanniang's several sisters also said their farewells and left.

"You're really kind to their family."

"Lu sister should have prepared, right? Even if she didn't, it's fine; I've got it ready, just in case."

These were all arranged by Qiao Mai!

That Wine is the most famous Ten‑Mile Fragrance in Fucheng; any child who can eat on their own sits alone at a table, tended by the brothers Feng'er and Yun'er.

Two Wang Jiaru's Servant Girls helped Ruxin stand up; Feng Nuxu's face flushed, he stepped forward to grab her hand, but Momo blocked him.

"Hmm, the Chufang prepared six tables of Wine and Meal; I don't know if that's enough. Did the bride's side prepare red envelopes?"

Qiao Mai and her husband didn't mind; ignorance is no crime. Lu Sanniang didn't tell them the truth, so they naturally treated this place as the Lu family's.

The people nearby were curious, and Lu Sanniang, disregarding Qiao Mai's objection, explained to everyone.

"No need to be polite; Lu sister treated me very well, and this is what my spouse and I should do."

After the ceremony, Qiao Mai glanced at Lu Sanniang's elder brother and sister‑in‑law, then took Yuan Jiaqi to the Dameng.

Six rotating round tables opened the guests' eyes; the Meal on the tables was something Quanwei City had never seen.

She awkwardly nodded again, and the Lu couple began to complain.

"You child, even though the family is rich you don't know how to save; raising so many people—did the wind bring your money?"

Lu Sanniang had Ruyi take a few nephews and nieces from her natal family to the courtyard to play.

She felt the misunderstanding could not continue, because earlier she saw the sister‑in‑law's eyes light up when looking at those chickens, deer, and cattle.

(End of Chapter)