Chapter 28: Su Liang

By the time they reached the East Market, the carriage could no longer move at all, so the group had no choice but to get out and proceed on foot...

Not long after...

While strolling, Su Liang and his companions heard a burst of noisy commotion not far ahead.

Er Hu immediately ran forward to see what was happening...

A moment later, Er Hu returned to Su Liang and said, "Young Master, there are two parties arguing up ahead, and it seems some are bullying a young lady from a respectable family."

Upon hearing this, Su Liang became interested and looked at the others, saying, "Let's go take a look together and see what's going on..."

A moment later...

Su Liang and his group had walked up to find three men pointing fingers at two women, locked in a dispute.

One servant laughed arrogantly, "For my young master to take a fancy to you, little lady, is a blessing you've spent several lifetimes cultivating."

"Obediently become my young master's concubine, and I guarantee you wealth and prosperity, with no worries about food or clothing!"

Another servant began to act on the street, tugging at one of the women's clothes and saying, "Hehe... I think you, the maid, are not bad either; just come with me."

"As for your young lady, from now on she will follow my young master and live in luxury!"

"You... you scoundrels, how is this any different from forcibly seizing women?" the lead woman said in a delicate, indignant voice.

Seeing this, Su Liang felt a surge of anger and immediately turned to a bystander to ask, "My friend, who are these people? How can they be so arrogant!"

"Hehe... the leader is Li Anren, the most doted-upon grandson of Li Gang, the Duke of Xinchang, and the other two are servants from the Li estate," the passerby said, looking at Su Liang and his group.

"Seeing that the young lady is quite beautiful, he wanted to take her as a concubine, but she refused, and so they started arguing."

"That servant is even more arrogant, wanting to act like a wealthy lord taking a concubine!"

At this point, Su Liang finally understood what was going on!

"Hehe... so it's a fellow born of a mother but raised without a father!" Su Liang thought to himself with a smirk. This wasn't just an argument; they had already started laying hands on them! This was the grandson Li Gang had raised; no wonder his first four sons had all died, leaving only Li Liyan!

Su Liang immediately walked toward Li Anren and then said in a cold voice, "Apologize!!"

"Hey... who are you to meddle in this young master's business?" Li Anren, completely disregarding Su Liang, shouted arrogantly.

"Are you overstepping your bounds? Is this Changancheng your family's property?"

At this moment, Su Liang’s fists were already creaking; he couldn't control his emotions. To harass women from respectable families in broad daylight and still be this arrogant.

Su Liang immediately stepped forward and took action, casually kicking the two servants beside Li Anren to the ground.

"Young Master, don't... don't do anything else, it's not a big deal," the young lady said, grabbing Su Liang’s arm and shaking her head hurriedly. She was most afraid of the matter blowing up; if it did, her father wouldn't let her go out anymore.

"Apologize!!" Su Liang shouted directly.

"Apologize to these two women, otherwise this matter is not over!!"

"Why should I? I'm not forcibly seizing anyone, I won't apologize! Hmph..." Li Anren snorted coldly. He then continued arrogantly, "My grandfather is Li Gang, and besides, what does this have to do with you?"

He then mocked further, "Hehe... if anyone should apologize, it's you, for hitting and injuring my servants!"

"Tsk tsk... this young gentleman wants to play the hero saving the beauty!!"

"Let... let's just forget it, we don't need an apology, can we go now?" the young lady spoke up at this moment. Su Liang had already taught them a lesson for her, and she didn't want to cause more trouble.

Su Liang shook his head helplessly and gave an awkward smile. Since the parties involved didn't want to pursue it, Su Liang didn't want to get further entangled in the issue.

"Hehe... my young master's surname is Su, given name Liang. We specialize in curing scoundrels like you!" Yu Er stepped forward and said with a charming smile.

"You... you... you are the Prince of Chu, Su Liang?" Li Anren said, his face pale and trembling.

He wished he could slap himself twice; why on earth did he have to mock Su Liang?

At this moment, Li Anren had never felt death so close. If he angered this person, there would be nowhere to reason if he were killed. In such hot weather, he was scared into breaking out in a cold sweat!

"What, are you used to bullying others by relying on your status?" Su Liang asked with a frown.

"No... no... no..." Li Anren waved his hands hurriedly.

He then solemnly apologized to the two women, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I have offended the two young ladies, I hope you will not blame me."

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

The two servants then followed with repeated apologies.

"Alright... get lost now. Be gentler when pursuing girls in the future, don't just start laying hands on them," Su Liang said with a wave of his hand, dismissing them to get them out of his sight.

Having received Su Liang's permission, Li Anren immediately left with his servants.

A moment later, the young lady also thanked him repeatedly before leaving with her maid.

The atmosphere became much livelier afterward!

Without the annoying flies, Su Liang’s mood was much more pleasant.

At this time, Changancheng was brightly lit due to the custom of lighting lanterns, no worse than a modern metropolis.

Because they weren't wearing masks and there were no idlers bothering them, the group strolled until midnight before returning.

Meanwhile...

The Hibiscus Garden, the Duke of Zhao’s Prefecture, the Duke of Wei’s Prefecture, and the Princess Changle’s Mansion were all decorated with lanterns and colorful banners.

Tomorrow was the wedding day of Su Liang and the four young ladies, and the servants in the mansions were busy and happy!

The first year of Zhenguan, the morning of the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.

Today, Changancheng was exceptionally lively, with a red carpet stretching for dozens of miles from the Imperial City directly to the Hibiscus Garden.

The commoners along the way also knew that today was Su Liang’s wedding day, so they hung red lanterns symbolizing joy in front of their doors and came out to line the streets to welcome them; the buildings on both sides of Vermilion Bird Avenue were packed with people.

Su Liang, riding a white horse and wearing a red flower, was dressed in a crimson robe with black edges and gold embroidery, featuring elegant lily cut-out patterns, with a gold-threaded jade belt at his waist, highlighting his natural noble aura.

Er Hu and Wang Xuance acted as groomsmen, Uncle Fu drove the nine-wheeled luxury carriage Su Liang had crafted, and behind them were exactly one hundred people leading one hundred "wooden oxen and flowing horses" carrying generous "betrothal gifts" for the families.

During the betrothal, Su Liang had already sent gifts, but Li Shimin and the others, seeing that Su Liang was a wealthy man, complained that the gifts were too few and insisted that Su Liang send more when he came for the bride.

Cheng Chumo, Qin Huaiyu, Zhangsun Chong, and Yuchi Baolin also came early in the morning to help.

A full one hundred and eight people marched majestically toward the Imperial City...

Su Liang, however, was extremely depressed and couldn't feel happy at all.

This was because today, Princess Changle, Li Lizhi, was wearing a green wedding dress...

Green... green...!!

This was something Su Liang could not accept...

Although strictly speaking, it was a cyan-green, or cyan.

Su Liang had protested to Li Shimin about this for a long time, only to be dismissed by Li Shimin with the excuse that it would violate imperial etiquette.

Tang Dynasty wedding attire combined the solemnity and sanctity of previous dynasties, but the most distinctive feature was that men wore crimson robes inside and out, while women wore cyan-green, hence the saying "red men, green women."

The bride at this time wore layers of wide-sleeved garments and a chest-high skirt, with a cyan wide-sleeved jacket worn over the final layer of the wide-sleeved gown, making the wedding attire primarily red inside and green outside.

The green dress worn by the bride was also a symbol of noble status, representing the level of her family position.

When a woman married, wearing a cyan wedding dress signified she was the primary wife or mistress.

Wearing a red wedding dress was generally for a secondary wife or concubine.

At this moment, in the Changle Palace.

Changle’s dowry had all been prepared, waiting for Su Liang to come and collect the bride.

Li Shimin had chosen the best and most expensive items for this; now that he had a thirty percent stake in the Nine Provinces Trading Company, a large amount of money flowed into his private treasury, so he could spend as he pleased without the ministers saying much.

In the past, Li Shimin certainly wouldn't have been this extravagant.

Changle was currently dressing in front of a glass mirror; this glass mirror was much clearer than a bronze mirror.

Little Sizi rested her chin on her hands, watching carefully from the side.

Changle slowly put on the wedding dress that Empress Zhangsun had stitched needle by needle.

With a phoenix crown and rosy cape, and a cyan-green garment draped over her, she displayed an elegant and magnificent temperament.

Li Shimin looked at his daughter, who was beaming with joy, and laughed heartily, "Haha... my precious daughter is finally getting married!"

Empress Zhangsun also said with satisfaction, "My Changle is finally getting married, I really can't bear to let her go."

"Mother, there is no need for that; you and Father can move in with us at any time," Changle said in a delicate voice.

"We have discussed it with our husband; we will live in the Hibiscus Garden from now on, and only stay at the Taoyuan Villa occasionally."

"That's right, the Hibiscus Garden is not only larger than the Taoyuan Villa, but also much closer, making it much more convenient for your father and me to visit," Empress Zhangsun couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

Meanwhile, the civil and military officials, dressed in festive attire, stood in the courtyard outside the Taiji Palace waiting.

With Princess Changle getting married, they naturally had prepared corresponding gifts.

"Imperial Son-in-Law, what gift did you prepare today?" Cheng Yaojin asked, looking at Chai Shao triumphantly.

Upon hearing this, Chai Shao immediately turned his head away.

Seeing that Chai Shao ignored him, Cheng Yaojin turned to Yuchi Jingde and continued to show off, "Big Blackie, what did you prepare?"

"Hmph..." Yuchi Jingde snorted coldly and also turned his head away.

If it weren't for the fact that Su Liang didn't charge for the manor in Taoyuan County, the Yuchi family would probably still be in debt.

Cheng Yaojin looked helplessly at Qin Qiong and shouted, "Shubao, what did you prepare?"

"Ahem..." Qin Qiong coughed twice, then cleared his throat and said, "Thirty-three thousand taels of gold, sixty-six thousand taels of silver!"

All the ministers were shocked...

They didn't know when Qin Qiong had become so wealthy that he could produce such a generous gift!

Everyone knew the two young dukes were doing business with Su Liang, but they never imagined the two were so rich; they were truly wealthy tycoons!

"Zhijie, what about you?" a moment later, Qin Qiong asked calmly.

Cheng Yaojin smiled awkwardly, "Just a little bit more than you, just a little bit."

Before Qin Qiong could ask, he said boisterously, "Thirty-three thousand taels of gold, sixty-six thousand taels of silver! Nine hundred and ninety thousand strings of copper coins."

"I, Cheng Yaojin, am a rough man and not good at math; you help me calculate it."

"Damn it, you Fatty Cheng, to think you’d do something like this behind my back." Even a refined man like Qin Qiong couldn't help but curse.

"No, I’m having someone add another 990,000 strings of cash."

Everyone was speechless upon hearing this; this wasn't just a blatant show-off!

It was looking down on them even more!

Cheng Yaojin looked at the crowd and laughed smugly: "Hehe... to tell you the truth, Su Liang is now worth hundreds of millions in gold. The betrothal gifts he sends are worth hundreds of millions of strings of cash; this little bit of money of ours is just a drop in the bucket!"

This left the other officials stunned.

Everyone knew Su Liang was rich, but this... this was just too exaggerated.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui exchanged a glance and then crowded around.

In an instant, they were standing right beside Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong.

Fang Xuanling immediately said fawningly: "Hehe... two Generals, I wonder if you could let the two young masters take my son along?"

"Our sons, we leave them to you two Generals!!" Du Ruhui immediately followed up to seal the deal.

Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong couldn't help but think to themselves: Damn it... these two old foxes, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop, have they just... just decided this matter for the two of them?

If they didn't agree, they’d surely be given a hard time later... truly worthy of being called the "Fang-Du Strategy"!

Just at this moment, Su Liang’s wedding procession had already arrived outside the Chengtian Gate.

When the wedding procession reached outside the Liangyi Hall of the Taiji Palace, the civil and military officials stood on both sides, with Emperor Li Er and Empress Zhangsun standing in the middle.

At this moment, Emperor Li Er was dressed in a dragon robe, and Empress Zhangsun wore a phoenix crown and a cloak of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix.

Li Er looked at Su Liang and laughed heartily: "Good son-in-law, what good things have you brought this time?"

Su Liang pointed at the hundred wooden oxen and flowing horses and said: "Look... your family's thirty-three carts have already been sorted out."

"There is also one cart of gold coins, intended to be scattered to the children of Changancheng."

"Hiss..."

Everyone gasped in unison upon hearing this.

They knew about the wooden oxen and flowing horses; each cart held a full four hundred catties.

One must know that the national treasury at this time only held four thousand catties of gold; a filthy rich man, truly a filthy rich man!

Li Er immediately had people carry away his own share and send it into the national treasury.

In an instant, cart after cart of real gold and silver was hauled away by the Thousand-Ox Guards, leaving the various officials dumbfounded...

Su Liang then headed to the Changle Palace to fetch Changle...

When Su Liang arrived outside the Changle Palace, little Sizi said with wild joy: "Sister... Sister, Brother Su is here."

Inside her boudoir, Princess Changle heard the voice and hurriedly picked up a golden silk feathered fan to cover her face.

During the Great Tang era, the "Fan-Removing Ceremony" was practiced; women did not use a bridal veil when marrying, but instead used a light fan to cover their makeup.

The Fan-Removing Ceremony had many hidden meanings: first, to ward off evil; second, to cover shyness; and third, to pose a challenge.

When the groom comes to fetch the bride, there is a ritual called "Fan-Removing," which is to take away the bride's fan. If he wants to win the beauty, the groom must compose a poem on the spot to praise the bride; only after the bride is satisfied will she lower the fan and reveal her beautiful face.

The poem composed by the groom is also called a "Fan-Removing Poem."

Su Liang fetched Changle and left the Changle Palace; the formation of palace maids was exceptionally grand, with over a hundred maids following behind.

Emperor Li Er laughed heartily: "From now on, Su Liang is truly my son-in-law!!"

Empress Zhangsun smiled with joy: "Hurry and thank them! There are still three families to go, don't miss the auspicious time!"

"Your son-in-law thanks Father Emperor and Mother Empress for their great kindness," Su Liang bowed and said.

"Your daughter thanks Father Emperor and Mother Empress for the grace of raising me," Changle said, holding her round fan to express her gratitude.

A moment later, Su Liang helped Changle onto the carriage and headed to the next family...

A full hour later, he finally fetched Zhangsun Yue and Li Xian'er, and the women sat together in one carriage, heading grandly toward the Furong Garden.

At the same time, all three families and numerous dukes and officials followed behind one after another.