Chapter 419: Watching the ceremony and bullying people too much [Thank you! Bow again! Debt]

Winter is cold,

sitting in a warm carriage,

with thick cotton curtains and leather blocking,

the voices of vendors and waiters hawking on the road were much lower than compared to riding on horseback before.

"Young Master, we have already passed Huihefang and are about to enter Guangfufang."

Qingyun said outside the carriage.

"En, understood."

Xu Zaijing replied.

The Xiao Xiao Gongye of Lian Lu family was in Huihefang,

and Huihefang and Guangfufang were both east of the Imperial City, in the northeast corner of the inner city.

The two wards were not far apart; after exiting Huihefang to the north and going east not far, it was Guangfufang.

And the Earl of Chengping Zhu family, whose wedding banquet Xu Zaijing and his brother were going to attend today, was in Guangfufang.

After Qingyun reminded him,

Xu Zaijing in the carriage and his elder brother began to slowly tidy up their clothes.

As the carriage moved forward,

the sounds of horse hooves stepping on the ground, carriage wheels rumbling, and the coachman shouting gradually increased.

Listening to these sounds, one knew that the surroundings were already very lively.

Xu Zaijing, having tidied his clothes, lifted the carriage window curtain and looked outside a few times.

At this time, the sky had cleared,

and there was still a lot of accumulated snow on the surrounding walls and roofs.

The cold breath of winter and the bright sunlight poured into the carriage together.

With the refraction of the accumulated snow,

the sunlight was a bit dazzling,

which made Xu Zaijing in the carriage squint his eyes to adapt for a moment.

Many carriages and horses were parked around,

and there were trees with all their flowers and leaves fallen by the roadside, with accumulated snow swept to the roadside piled under the trunks.

And the places where the branches were not facing the sun were still stained with bits of snow from yesterday.

Festive red silk hung on the trees, washing away the bleakness of winter together with the lively atmosphere around.

"Whoa~"

Amidst the coachman's shout, the Xu family's carriage stopped.

Xu Zaijing put down the window curtain and waited with Zaihang for a while before getting up and walking out of the carriage.

Following behind his elder brother out of the carriage,

Xu Zaijing faced the bright sunlight, inhaled the cold air into his nasal cavity, and then exhaled a puff of white breath.

Xu Zaijing stepped on the carriage stool and got off the carriage.

Before his eyes, the Earl of Chengping Zhu family was decorated with red silk, full of joy, and people coming and going, very lively.

Red silk flowers were tied on the stone lions at the entrance, which were a size smaller than the Xu family's.

Many people stood beside the door pillars with large red 'Xi' (happiness) characters pasted on them.

A Zhu family steward with a red silk tied around his waist and dressed decently saw the Xu Zaijing brothers, who were unfamiliar to him, get off the carriage, and his eyes were thoughtful.

He looked at the carriage again, looking at the wooden plaque with the word 'Xu' hanging on the carriage,

and the steward's eyes lit up; he hurriedly leaned behind the ear of a middle-aged man standing in front with a happy face and said two sentences.

After the middle-aged man finished listening, he waved his hand and said: "I recognize them, no need to say."

After speaking, he cupped his hands and smiled, leading a young man who was not much older, and walked toward Zaihang.

Zaihang smiled, bowed, and cupped his hands: "Earl Zhu, Mother has matters today and cannot come to congratulate, so she sent us two brothers. Please forgive us!"

"Eh! Worthy nephew, what are you saying! It's the same for the two worthy nephews to come! Marquis Yongyi is performing meritorious service for the country in the Northwest; with you here, my Zhu family is honored!"

"Earl, you praise us too much!"

"Haha! Third Brother, if there's anything my family can help with, just speak up when the time comes!"

"Certainly, certainly!" Zaihang said with a smile, cupping his hands.

"Fifth Brother! Heard you went under Xu Hou? How is the scenery in the Northwest?"

Xu Zaijing smiled and cupped his hands: "Replying to the Earl, the desert scenery in the Northwest is desolate and vast, while the land behind the bend is worthy of being the Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall, with beautiful scenery. Of course, the most beautiful is the scenery of Xingqing Prefecture."

"Hahaha! Jing Ge'er said it well!"

After Earl Zhu finished laughing, he said toward behind him: "Come, Kun Ge'er, greet them!"

"Have met Elder Brother Zhang, Elder Brother Jing!"

The young man cupped his hands and called out.

Zaihang and Xu Zaijing nodded in greeting together.

"Two worthy nephews, please inside!"

Earl Zhu smiled and gestured for them to enter.

Xu Zaijing and Zaihang cupped their hands in return and followed the servant leading the way toward the courtyard, with Qingyun holding the gift box following behind.

Following the backs of Xu Zaijing and the two with his gaze, Earl Zhu nodded with great emotion: "Kun'er, if only you had an elder sister."

At this time, it just so happened that there were no new guests at the Zhu family entrance.

The young man behind Earl Zhu withdrew his gaze from the Xu Zaijing brothers and said: "Father, is the elder brother-in-law of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Lian, Little Xiao Xiao Gongye Zong Ge'er, Elder Brother Jing?"

Earl Zhu nodded and said: "Correct! And the relatives on your sister-in-law's maternal side also have some relationship with the Xu family."

Last year, Madam Wu held a chrysanthemum appreciation party at the polo field,

and it was at this chrysanthemum appreciation party that Madam Lin of the Zhu family took a fancy to the Cheng family's seventh miss.

Although the Cheng family was a branch of the Xiao Xiao Gongye's Mansion,

the Cheng family's seventh miss's own aunt was Madam Chai, and the Cheng family took good care of the Ni family and had kindness toward them, while Ni Qiqiu was the Madam of the Xie Zijue Zhu family.

The Zhu family was also close relatives with the Xu family, and Xu Zaijing's sworn younger brother was the Little Xiao Xiao Gongye of the Lu family.

The Zhu family's eldest son was serving in the Ministry of Works.

Although this kinship relationship was distant and separated by several layers, they were all people who could talk!

Relying on the Lu family's relationship, the Zhu family's eldest son could secure a future.

Thinking of these things, Earl Zhu, who understood his own Madam's painstaking efforts, was full of emotion in his heart.

At this time, another carriage stopped.

Earl Zhu smiled and went up to meet it.

Cheng family.

In the morning, the bride had already offered sacrifices to the ancestors in the ancestral hall.

At this time,

the Cheng family's seventh miss was in her own room,

the small hand warmer in the middle was emitting heat,

and all around were cousins, some with married women's hairstyles, some still in the style of young girls.

Either sitting on the bed or sitting on chairs and embroidered stools.

The sisters would laugh and joke from time to time, and some words between married women would always make the girls shy.

In the crowd,

Chai Zhengzheng blushed and slapped the Cheng family's sixth miss, who already had a married woman's hairstyle, hatefully, saying: "Sixth Sister, if you make such jokes again, I won't pay attention to you!"

"Alright, alright, alright! I won't say it in the future!"

Cheng family's sixth miss said with a smile.

"Anyway, you'll know in the future!"

Chai Zhengzheng slapped her again, shyly: "Sixth Sister, you!"

At this time, a maid with red silk tied around her waist walked in, looked at the lively appearance in the room, and said:

"Seventh Miss, the Ni family relatives are here."

Hearing this,

the sixth sister in Chai Zhengzheng's mouth stood up: "Is Sister Qiu here?"

"Replying to Sixth Miss, yes!"

Hearing this, Chai Zhengzheng, who knew quite a few things from her mother, felt a chill in her heart and looked toward the door.

"Please come in! Please come in!"

The bride, Cheng seventh miss, said with a smile.

Soon,

Ni Qiqiu, wearing winter clothes and a cloak, lowered her head and walked in over the cotton curtain.

Chai Zhengzheng looked at Ni Qiqiu's figure at the door and glanced at her slightly red-rimmed eyes.

Ni Qiqiu took off her cloak, nodded to the cousins who were looking at her in the room, and walked inside.

On the way to the seventh miss's side, Cheng sixth miss, who was already a married woman, stood up, held Ni Qiqiu's hand, and said with distress and concern in her eyes: "Sister Qiu, why are your hands so cold?"

Ni Qiqiu squeezed out a smile: "I was a bit hurried when I came, and forgot to hold the hand warmer."

Cheng sixth miss let go of her hand and also glanced at Ni Qiqiu's red-rimmed eyes.

Walking near the seventh miss, Ni Qiqiu smiled: "Seventh Sister!"

"Sister Qiu, why didn't you come yesterday?"

Ni Qiqiu smiled: "There were matters in the mansion yesterday, couldn't get away!"

Saying this, she nodded to the maid who brought the embroidered stool to thank her.

Cheng seventh miss nodded, stretched out her hand toward Ni Qiqiu and said: "I'll warm your hands for you, Sister."

Ni Qiqiu let Cheng seventh miss hold her hand and spoke a few words with the other cousins.

Actually, the relationship between the Ni family and the Cheng family was not that close, but the closeness of the relationship sometimes doesn't just depend on blood.

The cousins continued to talk for a while,

and cold wind blew into the room,

a mama walked in, bowed to the girls in the room, and said: "Madam Ni, the Madams of the family invite you to go play over there."

Ni Qiqiu nodded: "Good, I'll go over immediately!"

Saying this, Ni Qiqiu stood up, nodded to the cousins, put on her cloak again, and walked outside.

Watching Ni Qiqiu's figure, Chai Zhengzheng stood up and was about to chase after her.

As a result, she was grabbed by the wrist by Cheng sixth miss after only walking one step.

Chai Zhengzheng: "Sixth Sister?"

Cheng sixth miss shook her head slightly: "Don't go ask."

"I... you all?"

Chai Zhengzheng looked at the other sisters.

Cheng seventh miss said: "Zhengzheng, it's useless to ask!"

Chai Zhengzheng shook her head: "I won't ask, I'll just go take a look!"

Cheng sixth miss let go of her hand, and Chai Zhengzheng put on her own cloak and left the room.

After Chai Zhengzheng went out, the room was quiet for a while, and then everyone continued to talk.

After a quarter of an hour, Chai Zhengzheng lifted the curtain and walked in again.

Looking at the cousins in the room looking at her, Chai Zhengzheng shook her head: "I couldn't get in."

"Let's ask after the banquet starts in the afternoon!"

Cheng seventh miss hurriedly said: "I'll be at the Zhu family by then, you must find someone to tell me what the situation is! Zhengzheng, your house is close to Guangfufang, don't forget!"

Chai Zhengzheng nodded: "Good!"

Cheng family backyard,

in the side room next to the main room,

Madam Chai sat in the room with four sisters-in-law from her maiden family,

and Cheng seventh miss's mother held Ni Qiqiu's hand and said: "Why, if I don't send someone to invite you, you really won't come?"

Ni Qiqiu lowered her head: "Cousin Aunt, it's such a happy day, it wouldn't be good for me to come..."

Ni Qiqiu's grandmother was the own cousin aunt of this Cheng seventh miss's mother who was speaking.

The relationship analogy is the relationship between Zhu Qinghu's future children and Anmei and Pingmei.

Seventh miss's mother sighed: "What wouldn't be good?? People from the family came back and said that there are strong women from other families watching at the entrance of the Zhu family's house, what's going on?"

"Plop"

Ni Qiqiu, who was lowering her head, had bean-sized tears fall onto the back of her hand.

Ni Qiqiu hurriedly wiped it with a handkerchief.

Madam Chai, who was sitting on the side, asked with concern: "This, what is this for!"

"If you have any grievances, just tell me! Our Cheng family doesn't rely on the Zhu family's light, but we won't let you be bullied for no reason!"

Ni Qiqiu shook her head rapidly: "Cousin Aunt, no. I haven't been bullied!"

"What do you mean you haven't been bullied? Your eyes are red! You've only been married for a few years and they are forcing you to take a concubine. The Hai family only allows taking a concubine if there are no offspring after ten years of marriage!"

"What exactly is going on with the strong women at the Zhu family entrance?"

Ni Qiqiu raised her head, wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said: "It's the Xu family's maternal aunt who brought her two daughters-in-law..."

Hearing this, the complexions of everyone in the room were not good.

Seventh miss's mother patted Ni Qiqiu's hand, interrupting what she wanted to continue saying,

"Rest assured, although the Xu family is currently in the limelight, I will also go find your mother-in-law to reason with her!"

Ni Qiqiu shook her head and was about to speak, but was interrupted by seventh miss's mother waving her hand:

"You don't need to say more! After Xie Zijue Zhu married you, he was either in Yang Zhou or busy helping Xu Hou reorganize the Tianwu Army, and now he has gone to the Northwest, having stayed at home for only a few days..."

"These words, even if placed in front of Xu Hou's wife, can be justified!"

Madam Chai sighed: "When the time comes, I will accompany sister-in-law to speak."

Seventh miss's mother nodded.

"No, Cousin Aunt!" Ni Qiqiu looked at everyone, shaking her head while saying urgently.

"It's, the Xu family's maternal aunt went to the Zhu family, it's not to let my mother-in-law force me to take a concubine..."

"Ah?" Seventh miss's mother paused.

Madam Chai looked at the other three sisters-in-law from her maiden family in surprise.

Ni Qiqiu looked at everyone in the room with gratitude in her eyes and continued:

"Husband, he... he wrote a letter directly to the maternal aunt, telling her about my mother-in-law making me take a concubine! He didn't agree to take a concubine, so he invited the maternal aunt to go over."

"When I came, the maternal aunt, cousin-in-law, and Hualan were persuading my mother-in-law!"

Madam Chai, whose complexion was not good just now, blinked, and her worried expression turned sunny: "Oh! So that's how it is!"

Saying this, a smile floated to the corners of her mouth.

Ni Qiqiu nodded: "The maternal aunt didn't even go to the Zhu family, she went directly to my house before dawn."

Born into the Feng family, Chai Zhengzheng's eldest maternal aunt nodded and said: "Really good! Third sister-in-law! With Xu Hou's wife there, it's more effective than us speaking!"

Looking at seventh miss's mother, the eldest maternal aunt continued: "Besides, Sister Qiu has also asked Ren the physician to take her pulse, she is healthy! It's just that they are together less and apart more!"

Chai Zhengzheng's third maternal aunt looked at Ni Qiqiu and said: "Sister Qiu, when you came to find me to ask for someone to inquire about a concubine before, your eyes weren't even wet! Seeing your red eyes just now really scared me!"

"Good! Since that's the case, I can rest assured!"

After speaking, seventh miss's mother patted Ni Qiqiu's hand again.

Just now it was heartache, now it is relief.

After asking a few more questions about whether Zhu Qinghu would return before the New Year, everyone left the side room and returned to the main hall.

In the afternoon,

the Zhu family's wedding procession arrived at the Cheng family's main gate.

Zhu the eldest son was made difficult by Chai Zhengzheng's cousins and brothers-in-law before being let in.

Guangfufang,

Earl of Chengping Zhu family.

Liang Han was strolling in the Zhu family's courtyard, and his servant Diaoche would occasionally say a few words to the servant standing at the entrance preparing to serve dishes.

After strolling through several courtyards,

Diaoche said happily: "Young Master, the Xu family's young master is in this courtyard!"

Liang Han nodded and walked in.

Arriving outside the room where the banquet was set, Liang Han poked his head in at the door, saw Xu Zaijing looking at him, and hurriedly waved.

Xu Zaijing stood up and walked over: "Sixth Brother, what's wrong?"

"Cough, Jing Ge'er, my mother asked me to ask you why the Madam didn't come."

"Oh! Tell Madam Wu that my aunt's family has matters."

Liang Han nodded and waved at Diaoche: "Go, convey what Jing Ge'er said to Mama Jin Chui beside Mother!"

"Yes, Young Master!"

Watching the servant turn to leave, Liang Han: "Also! Tell Mother, I won't go over, I'll eat at Jing Ge'er's table."

Diaoche bowed and responded.

Liang Han and Xu Zaijing walked back into the room.

Bowing to Zaihang, Liang Han also nodded to the young masters of the Marquis of Xuanmen and Earl of Changxing sitting at the same table, and then sat down beside Xu Zaijing.

Looking at Zaihang and the others who were talking, Liang Han leaned into Xu Zaijing's ear and said: "Pity, Ye Ge'er didn't come! Otherwise, there would be excitement to watch!"

Xu Zaijing looked over suspiciously.

Liang Han: "Hehe! Jing Ge'er, I saw someone else elsewhere just now."

"Who?"

"The young master of the Huang family, Earl of Shoushan. Jing Ge'er, you know, the Gu family is inquiring about their family."

Saying this, Liang Han also raised his eyebrows at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing smiled and shook his head: "No, Ye Ge'er will be friends with him if he comes! Sixth Brother, where did you see the young master of the Huang family?"

Liang Han said: "Just now when I was beside Mother. Mother was talking to the Countess of Shoushan, and after Madam Bai brought Yi Jie over, the Countess of Shoushan called the young master of the Huang family over."

"He has a scar here!"

Saying this, Liang Han pointed to his own cheek.

Xu Zaijing nodded; his mother, Sun Shi, had spoken to him about the matter of the Huang family's Ge'er after returning from the Gu family's residence previously.

Xu Zaijing also knew at that time that this person was actually the vanguard who first entered the fortress gate.

Under such battlefield conditions, this kind of behavior was actually equivalent to charging into the formation and being the first to climb.

"Which courtyard is this young master of the Huang family in? Let's go toast him later!"

Xu Zaijing said.

Liang Han said: "Oh! Jing Ge'er, why are you toasting him?"

"Speaking of which, he and I have also fought together on the battlefield in the Northwest."

"Alright!"

As the two were talking,

the banquet replaced the dried fruits and candied fruits just now, and started serving dishes.

After eating for a while, the wine hadn't been finished for five cups,

the servant Diaoche entered the room, bowed to Xu Zaijing and the others, and said: "Young Master, the bride has entered the gate!"

"Go! Let's go take a look!"

Liang Han put down his chopsticks and said.

Afterwards, Xu Zaijing and the others in the room walked out together.

In the Zhu family's main hall,

the Zhu family's Kun Ge'er, who greeted Xu Zaijing just now, was standing behind Earl Zhu, smiling and watching the newlyweds offering tea.

Afterwards, amidst the joy, Xu Zaijing and Liang Han also watched the newlyweds drinking the nuptial wine, tying hair, and other segments.

After watching, the two returned to the courtyard where the banquet was set.

When the sun was slightly tilted to the west,

Zhu the eldest son, dressed in bridegroom clothes, holding a wine cup in his hand, with Earl Zhu beside him, and a servant holding a tray with a wine pot following behind, walked in.

When Zhu the eldest son was toasting,

the servant holding two wine pots was standing beside Qingyun.

After Qingyun's nose moved slightly, he looked at the wine pot on the tray, but didn't say much.

After toasting a circle, the Zhu family left the room.

Liang Han beside Xu Zaijing whispered: "Jing Ge'er, what Zhu the eldest son is drinking is not boiled water, it's real wine!"

Xu Zaijing smiled: "Maybe Zhu the eldest brother has a good capacity for liquor!"

Liang Han was noncommittal.

After eating and drinking for a while, Xu Zaijing stood up and whispered a few words to Zaihang, and Zaihang nodded.

Afterwards, Xu Zaijing and Liang Han took the wine cup and wine pot, and with Diaoche and Qingyun, walked outside.

Walking under the veranda,

Liang Han pointed to a courtyard and said: "Jing Ge'er, the young master of the Huang family is in this courtyard."

"Go!"

Xu Zaijing walked in first.

"Ah!"

Before entering the room, Xu Zaijing and Liang Han heard a woman's exclamation.

"What kind of decorum is this! It's an insult to the scholarly tradition! Worse than a beast!"

There was a scolding voice coming out.

"Ding-ling"

"Dang-lang!"

"What are you doing! Are you crazy!"

Liang Han stood beside Xu Zaijing: "Jing Ge'er, what's going on here?"

Xu Zaijing: "Go in and see and you'll know."

Saying this, he walked toward the room.

Before reaching the entrance, a maid walked out crying, with traces of tearing on her sleeves and collar.

Xu Zaijing lifted his chin: "Diaoche, you accompany this girl."

"Why look at me, listen to Jing Ge'er!"

After speaking, Xu Zaijing walked into the room.

Just entering the room,

Xu Zaijing smelled a strong smell of alcohol,

and from the entrance, he saw several decently dressed men standing beside the table,

the dishes on the table were already scattered,

and the person facing the door was scolding.

Xu Zaijing turned his head and saw a sturdy young man sitting on the left, with a scar on his face.

This young man was panting heavily, his hands clenched into fists on his thighs, his eyes sometimes confused and sometimes clear.

And he was shaking his head from time to time, seemingly wanting to make himself clearer.

Liang Han looked at the young man's appearance and said beside Xu Zaijing: "Jing Ge'er, this doesn't look like he's drunk!"

Looking at Xu Zaijing's gaze, Liang Han continued: "Looks like he's been drugged!"

As soon as Liang Han finished speaking,

the young man with a scar on his face stood up, his eyes red and his gaze confused, and staggered a few steps toward the outside.

After walking to the entrance, ignoring Xu Zaijing and Liang Han, the young man's eyes only scanned the courtyard, and after seeing the maid coming in with dishes, he was about to rush over violently.

At this time, Diaoche and the maid who just went out returned, followed by two sturdy Zhu family servants.

The two sturdy Zhu family servants walked over with unkind complexions.

Afterwards, the two used force to hold the young man, one on each side.

Just as the two were about to speak, they felt that the arms in their embrace were full of unstoppable power.

"Pa!"

The sturdy Zhu family servants were like infants in the young man's hands, colliding together, and fainted.

"Jing Ge'er, something is going to..."

Before Liang Han could finish the three words 'something is going to happen',

Xu Zaijing had already appeared beside the young man: "Fifth Brother, go find the Zhu family, call a physician!"

Liang Han lifted his chin toward Diaoche, and Diaoche ran quickly again.

Saying this, Xu Zaijing had already controlled the young man by wrapping his neck with one hand, feeling the young man's huge power, Xu Zaijing shook his head and muttered to himself: "No wonder he's a vanguard who can charge into the formation, he's really strong!"

The young man struggled violently several times, his eyes clear for a moment, looking at Xu Zaijing and whispering: "Thank you!"

Then his eyes became confused and he struggled again.

Xu Zaijing dragged the person back into the room with one hand, looked at everyone in the room, and said: "Who drank with him just now?"

One person in the room said: "Just now the young masters of the Xiao Xiao Gongye of Han and the Xiao Xiao Gongye of An came over, and they were also holding wine pots and wine cups just like you."

"The young master of the Han family said it was about his sister, so it passed, and there would be no grudges with Yue Ge'er in the future."

"The young master of the Tan family also toasted to apologize, saying let Yue Ge'er not hold a grudge."

Liang Han said: "Did they drink from the same wine pot?"

"Didn't notice, should be!"

"Pa!"

"Hua-la!"

The young man restrained in Xu Zaijing's embrace kicked the solid wood door panel into pieces in his madness.

"No, no... looks like the three of them drank from two pots! The pot the Huang family young master drank from was different from theirs!"

Xu Zaijing shook his head.

After a long while,

Earl Zhu brought people running over quickly.

The Countess of Shoushan followed behind and also stepped into the courtyard.

Behind them also followed Madam Bai and Gu Tingyi.

Looking at the young man in Xu Zaijing's arm, the Countess of Shoushan frowned and walked over, scolding angrily: "Huang Qingyue, how much did you drink!"

Saying this, she also looked back at Madam Bai and Gu Tingyi with embarrassment.

Xu Zaijing shook his head: "Madam, the young master of the Huang family didn't drink much, but was..."

Looking at her son's appearance, the Countess of Shoushan looked at Xu Zaijing helplessly.

Xu Zaijing looked at the several decently dressed young masters standing not far from the entrance with smiles on their faces.

One of them was still pointing and saying sarcastic things.

Looking at Xu Zaijing's gaze, Earl Zhu, who understood what was happening, gritted his teeth and suppressed his anger: "Please, Jing Ge'er, take him into the room."

In the evening,

Huang Qingyue woke up violently from the bed,

looked at his mother lying on the side, and said with a hoarse voice: "Mother, I..."

"Yue'er!"

The Countess of Shoushan woke up.

"Mother, I didn't do anything ugly, did I? Did I kill anyone..."

"I..."

The Countess of Shoushan shook her head, touched the Huang family young master's forehead and comforted him: "It's nothing, the Xu family young master controlled you, you've been sleeping until now, it's nothing! Come, drink some water..."

After drinking some water, the throat that was dry enough to smoke felt better,

the Huang family young master said: "It was him... no wonder."

Thinking of the two people who toasted him before, the Huang family young master's hands clenched again: "Thief bird, bullying people too much!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 420 =====