Chapter 174: The Grand Wedding

The wedding date arrived amidst a bustling, peaceful atmosphere.

Early this morning, Dengshi Street, where the Zhang Grand Secretary Mansion is located, was draped in red and hung with colorful decorations; gongs and drums clamored, and firecrackers sounded in unison.

As the protagonist, the Zhang Grand Secretary Mansion was in a state of extreme joy from morning until night.

Guests arrived with friends and companions in an endless stream.

Inside the mansion, maidservants ran back and forth, so busy they barely touched the ground.

"The Fifth Young Master is back, the Fifth Young Master is back!" Someone shouted, and people stopped what they were doing one after another.

They craned their necks to look toward the main gate.

Then they saw a man wearing black wedding attire, riding a tall horse at the very front. Behind him followed an eight-bearer bright red bridal sedan chair, with music playing; the matchmakers picked up silver coins and wedding candies, tossing them to both sides.

Almost every toss stirred up a scramble and commotion among the crowd.

Fortunately, the Embroidered Uniform Guard under Han San were there to maintain order.

Otherwise, the wedding procession would surely have been scattered.

Watching the approaching procession, Zhang Jianxiu was the first to order people to clear the way, making room for Zhang Yunxiu.

A short while later, Zhang Yunxiu rode his horse to the front of his own mansion; he first cupped his hands and said "Many thanks" to the arriving guests.

Then, he turned back to the bridal sedan chair, smiled, and called out softly to the beauty inside: "Wife, we have arrived."

"Mm."

A soft, sweet voice sounded; Xu Ruoxi lifted the sedan curtain, bent down, and poked her head out.

Zhang Yunxiu took the opportunity to half-crouch; Xu Ruoxi hooked her arms around her husband's neck and climbed onto his back.

Before the two could speak, a matron at the side shouted at the top of her lungs: "The newlyweds have arrived, quickly invite the new bridegroom to lead her inside."

Xu Ruoxi was very light; with her on his back, Zhang Yunxiu felt as if he were carrying a piece of cotton.

Without using any effort, Zhang Yunxiu carried her across the threshold and headed straight for the Zhang Family main hall. The guests behind followed closely, crowding around the pair of newlyweds as they moved forward.

Upon reaching the main hall, Zhang Jingxiu and his wife were already waiting there.

Because Zhang Juzheng was suffering from an ailment, these elders naturally stood in for him.

As soon as the newlyweds entered, the master of ceremonies in charge smiled at Zhang Yunxiu, then shouted at the top of his lungs: "The auspicious hour has arrived; first bow to Heaven and Earth."

Zhang Yunxiu pulled Xu Ruoxi to bow to Heaven and Earth.

"Second bow to the high hall."

They bowed again toward Zhang Jingxiu.

"Husband and wife bow to each other."

As they bowed to each other, Xu Ruoxi's bridal veil fluttered slightly, revealing a shy cheek. Zhang Yunxiu smiled and lowered his voice: "Don't be afraid; wait for me after it's over, and I will come shortly."

"Mm."

After the bows were completed.

"The ceremony is complete; send them to the bridal chamber!"

The female guests crowded around the bride and rushed toward the bridal chamber.

People who knew Zhang Yunxiu immediately blocked his path.

The first was his Fourth Brother, Zhang Jianxiu, who gave a mischievous laugh and incited the crowd behind him: "Today we must properly have a drink with the bridegroom; if he doesn't satisfy us, he isn't allowed to leave, don't you all agree?"

"Agreed!" Everyone laughed heartily.

"Drink less, don't delay the important business," Zhang Jingxiu reminded with a frown.

"Don't worry, Big Brother, we know; we definitely won't delay him from doing his big business," Zhang Jianxiu laughed, pulling Zhang Yunxiu toward the tables in the Flower Hall, "The guests coming inside today are all distinguished; you are not allowed to back out."

"I'm just afraid you'll be the first to get drunk."

The banquet lasted until the end of the You hour, and a tipsy Zhang Yunxiu hurried toward the wedding chamber. He stumbled as he pushed open the door; inside, it was draped in red and hung with colorful decorations, and a table of wine and food was set in the center.

In front of the table, a pair of half-man-high red candles were burning brightly.

To the northwest of the square table, a beauty with a graceful figure and a bridal veil was sitting obediently on the bright red wedding bed.

As Zhang Yunxiu pushed the door and entered, the beauty's body gave a visible shiver.

"Hungry?" Zhang Yunxiu carefully closed the door and asked.

"Husband, the veil should be lifted," Xu Ruoxi replied.

"So impatient?"

"You..."

"Alright, alright, I won't tease you."

Zhang Yunxiu grinned, covered the distance in two or three steps, and rushed to Xu Ruoxi's side.

With a pull of his large hand, the red veil fell to the ground. The first thing that came into view was an exquisite, beautiful face.

A petite, delicate nose, cherry lips like burning flames, and beneath a pair of graceful eyebrows were embedded a pair of large, watery eyes.

The eyelashes above trembled slightly, as if issuing an invitation to the person who had arrived.

Jade skin and flower-like features, a beauty who could topple cities and states.

For a moment, Zhang Yunxiu stared in a daze.

Being stared at like this by Zhang Yunxiu, Xu Ruoxi's small face turned slightly pink, and she tilted her neck to one side, like a shy rose waiting to bloom.

Zhang Yunxiu reached out to hook his wife's chin and turned her face back.

The two locked eyes, and Xu Ruoxi murmured softly: "Husband, it is time to drink the nuptial wine..."

"In such a rush? I originally wanted to talk about romance with my wife. Since my wife cannot wait, I naturally cannot refuse my wife's kind intentions." Zhang Yunxiu smiled and pulled Xu Ruoxi to the table to sit down.

Xu Ruoxi's cheeks flushed, and she spat lightly.

Zhang Yunxiu picked up the wine pot and personally poured a cup for each of them.

The two picked up their wine cups, crossed their wrists, and drank.

Xu Ruoxi could not hold her liquor; with just this one cup downed, she was choked until her cheeks flushed red, her throat felt burning hot, and her gaze grew hazy.

This nuptial wine had also been spiked with some aphrodisiacs.

How could Xu Ruoxi resist? Very soon, she became confused and infatuated.

Zhang Yunxiu scooped her up by the waist and brought her to the wedding bed.

Her embroidered shoes were removed, and Xu Ruoxi's body trembled noticeably once more. Her two slender, jade-like legs tensed, her ten jade-like fingers could not stop spasming, and her breathing also became rapid.

Although she had long known what was about to happen.

But when it came to the moment, how could she, a girl who had never experienced such things, not be nervous? "Don't be nervous, everyone has to go through this," Zhang Yunxiu gently stroked her cheek and comforted her in a soft voice.

"I'm not nervous," a young, childish voice rang out.

"Who, who is speaking?!"

The two of them were startled, and Zhang Yunxiu rolled off the bed to take a look under it.

Below, Zhang Zhongrun was curled up, rolling his big, round eyes as he looked at his Fifth Uncle.

Zhang Yunxiu was so angry he nearly fainted.

He reached out a hand, dragged Zhang Zhongrun out, and then threatened him viciously: "You little brat, you don't learn anything good, and you even dare to come here and hide. Tomorrow, I will have your father beat your bottom to a pulp."

At this moment, a series of footsteps also sounded outside the door.

"Get lost, get lost, all of you outside get lost! If I hear any more noise, I won't let you off!"

A voice filled with anger rose up, and the onlookers outside the door scattered in a rush.

Zhang Zhongrun scratched his head, gave an awkward smile, and stepped toward the door.

Before leaving the door, he did not forget to turn back and say: "Fifth Uncle, my dad said to keep the noise down tonight so you don't disturb his sleep. Also, remember to get up early tomorrow; you aren't allowed to laze in bed with Fifth Aunt."

Zhang Yunxiu grabbed a shoe and threw it at the doorway with a "clatter."

But it missed.

When he turned back, Xu Ruoxi had already buried her face into the wedding quilt.

"Don't be afraid, they've all gone."

"Mm, then go and blow out the candle."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded with a smile and gently blew out the candle.

At this moment, the room was pitch black, and one could not even see their own fingers.

Xu Ruoxi also slowly poked her face out and took the initiative to reach out her hands, hooking them around Zhang Yunxiu's neck. Her breath, carrying the scent of orchids, beat directly against Zhang Yunxiu's neck.

"Ruoxi, I will treat you well."

Feeling the heat and softness of his beautiful bride and smelling the faint fragrance on her body, Zhang Yunxiu lowered his head and kissed her.

The electric sensation transmitted from their lips instantly left Xu Ruoxi's mind blank. It was tingly and numb, mixed with a fierce masculine scent.

As their lips and noses touched, the hot breath of the young couple intertwined.

Very soon, the two of them were immersed in it.

The clothing on Xu Ruoxi's body decreased piece by piece.

She slowly closed her beautiful eyes and murmured to herself: "Husband, Ruoxi is yours now."

(End of this chapter)