Chapter 609: Brother Jing Has Absolutely Nothing

On a spring afternoon,

the sunlight was perfect,

amidst the blaring and beating sounds of wedding music, the Chai family's wedding procession headed toward Huihe Fang.

Although they could take a shortcut,

the Chai family's wedding procession took the straight and direct main road.

After picking up the bride, the Chai family's wedding procession would still make a big detour before returning to the Chai residence.

This was both to avoid retracing their steps and to display the Lu family's dowry of over one hundred palanquins!

If the detour were too short, by the time the groom and bride reached the Chai gate, the tail of the procession might not yet have left Huihe Fang.

On the road,

watching his elder brother ahead, dressed in wedding robes, riding a fine horse, and occasionally bowing to offer congratulations to passersby,

Chai Bo, riding his horse, leaned over with some worry and said to Qi Heng beside him: "Yuanruo, how do you think the Lu family will block the door? The literary challenge is easy enough to handle, but with Jing Biao Ge at the martial challenge, it will be truly difficult for us to pass!"

Hearing this, several young men riding behind Chai Bo, who were close friends with Chai Jin, nodded in agreement.

Qi Heng, with no apparent worry on his face, said: "Jing Biao Ge is right! But, when I went to the Lu residence today to deliver the morning-of-wedding gifts, I specifically asked a few questions. According to Jing Biao Ge's words, it doesn't seem like he intends to make things difficult for our family."

"Let's hope so!" Chai Bo continued: "If Jing Biao Ge dares to make things difficult for us! He'll have a 'good time' coming to him later!"

Qi Heng paused, realized what was meant, and then smiled, saying: "Jing Biao Ge is right!"

Under the gaze of the onlooking common people, the Chai family procession quickly arrived at Huihe Fang.

At the main gate of the Duke of You Lian's Lu residence,

beside the two stone lions draped in red silk and adorned with silk flowers, crowds of onlooking common people had already gathered.

When a high-ranking household like the Duke's residence celebrates a happy event, every single segment will involve tossing out plenty of copper coins and food,

and when the common people watch, if they are lucky, they can pick up quite a few copper coins, which might cover several days of food expenses for their families.

"The groom has arrived!"

Amidst the joyful shouts of the children,

firecrackers began to explode at the main gate of the Lu residence.

When the Chai family came to deliver the morning-of-wedding gifts, the stopping positions of the wedding procession had been rehearsed.

Xu Xu Zaijing stood at the main gate of the Lu residence, looking at the space not far ahead, which was somewhat cramped due to the crowd of onlookers, and hurriedly shouted to the side: "Brother Qingyun, A Lan, and the Lu family's young servants, clear that area over there!"

"Yes, Young Master!"

Saying this, Brother Qingyun and A Lan together directed the Lu family's young servants, who were carrying bamboo baskets, and walked to the side.

Upon reaching the spot to be cleared, they threw out handfuls of copper coins, sugar cubes wrapped in oil paper, dates, walnuts, chestnuts, and other items.

Once the items were scattered enough, the area was cleared.

At this moment, the Chai family wedding procession, with the banner-bearers at the very front, happened to arrive right there.

Chai Bo, Qi Heng, and the others, along with Chai Jin, dismounted from their horses.

Looking at Xu Xu Zaijing, Lu Zongze, and the younger generation of the Zhang family standing at the main gate, Chai Bo said while walking: "I wonder if we should face the martial challenge first or the literary challenge first."

Qi Heng said: "The literary challenge is easy to handle; for the martial challenge, Jing Biao Ge should show some mercy. After all, if he doesn't show mercy, we might not even be able to enter this gate."

Saying this,

the crowd had already reached the front of Xu Xu Zaijing and the others.

At this moment,

Lu Zongze, the British Duke's Zhang family, and several youths from his maternal grandfather Li's family,

were copying Xu Xu Zaijing's posture, puffing out their chests and bellies with arms crossed, striking poses.

Chai Jin looked at Xu Xu Zaijing and smiled, saying: "Jing Biao Ge, don't go too hard on us today!"

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled and said: "No problem, no problem!"

Chai Bo smiled as he looked at Lu Zongze beside Xu Xu Zaijing and said: "Young Master, I wonder if we should face the literary or the martial challenge first today?"

Lu Zongze, with a smile on his face, extended one arm and then wagged a single finger, saying: "Chai Pei Erge, I don't get to decide which challenge comes first; it depends on the luck of the Chai family's eldest brother!"

Before the Chai family could speak, Lu Zongze shouted from behind: "Bring them up!"

After speaking,

a female servant of the Lu family came up carrying a tray lined with red silk, on which ten exquisite wooden plaques were placed.

Behind the female servant followed two young servants carrying a table, on which ten wooden boxes were placed.

When the female servant arrived in front of Chai Jin,

Qi Heng and the others all looked over,

and saw that the ten wooden plaques on the tray were engraved with auspicious phrases such as 'Happy Marriage', 'Flowers Blooming and Moon Full', 'Mutual Respect', and 'Harmonious Union of Phoenixes', and so on.

On the table carried by the young servants, there were many brand-new items,

"Huarong Dao!"

"Copper Interlocking Rings!"

"Lu Ban Lock!"

"Swallow Table Diagram!"

Hearing the names spoken by Qi Heng and the others, Lu Zongze smiled and said: "What the elder brothers said is correct! Our Lu family has many skilled craftsmen. Which six challenges the Chai eldest brother faces today depends on which wooden plaques the Chai eldest brother chooses!"

Chai Bo counted and said: "Zong Ge, I see that the number of wooden plaques on the tray does not match the number of items on the table?"

Qi Heng and the others who came with Chai Jin all nodded.

Lu Zongze said nothing but looked over at Xu Xu Zaijing beside him.

Xu Xu Zaijing clasped his hands and smiled, saying: "Elder brothers! If Pei Erge chooses a certain wooden plaque! Then it means passing my challenge! Fist and footwork, weapons, wrestling, arm-wrestling—choose whatever you like; I will have no objections!"

Qi Heng, looking at Chai Jin from the side, said: "Chai Dage, whether we can enter today truly depends on you!"

Chai Yuan Erlang glanced at the groomsmen nearby, discussed matters with them, and after deciding what items to select and who would take on the challenge, asked, "Does anyone among you know how to solve the copper linked rings?"

Qi Heng and the others all shook their heads.

Chai Jin said, "Yuan Erlang, rest assured; if they truly pick the copper linked rings, I will solve them myself."

"How long will that take?" Qi Heng asked.

"Uh, I haven't played in a long time; it might take a little less than half an hour."

Hearing this, Qi Heng and the other groomsmen all wore troubled expressions; with so much time required, they would most likely miss the auspicious hour.

Seeing this scene, Lu Zezong smiled and said, "Of course! If you really pick a few difficult challenges, each of you older brothers may simply drink three bowls of wine, and that will count as passing!"

"."

After Chai Bo and the others fell silent for a moment, someone spoke up: "With Brother Jing here, the Lu family didn't insist we pass Brother Jing's challenge; truth be told, they haven't made things difficult for us."

"Indeed!"

"Yes!"

"Actually, I wanted to test Brother Jing's capabilities..."

After this person finished speaking, Chai Bo shook his head and said, "Pass my challenge first, then talk about competing with Brother Jing!"

After a while,

Lu Zezong, seeing that the few men had finished speaking, smiled, extended his hand, and said, "Brother Chai, please!"

Xu Xu Zaijing and the younger generation of the Duke of Britain's household no longer stood with chests puffed out and bellies protruding in posed stances; they all extended their hands together, saying, "Please!"

The Chai family,

the inner courtyard,

today's wedding banquet had numerous guests;

even on the side reserved for female guests, the Ladies and Da Niangzis had brought along their female servants and older nursemaids, some even bringing children.

One glance across the courtyard revealed a vast, teeming crowd.

Inside the rooms,

the women were also chattering noisily;

if one were accustomed to quiet, in such a noisy environment, even without drinking wine, one would feel dizzy and disoriented.

But if you spoke yourself, focusing intently on listening to others' gossip, the feeling would be much better.

Within the crowd, a Miss rubbed her temples somewhat uncomfortably.

"That is the Second Da Da Niangzi of the Fu family, hailing from the Feng family of the Chengguo Duke's Manor."

Hearing this, the Miss hastily broke into a smile and looked toward the speaker.

"Feng Ziyi, this is my niece from my natal Li family."

This noble daughter of the Li family, who had arrived in the capital not long ago, stood beside her relative and nodded in greeting to the person being introduced, saying, "I pay my respects to Sister Feng."

Feng Feng Ziyi smiled and nodded: "Greetings, Sister Li!"

After exchanging pleasantries and walking away,

this noble daughter of the Li family vaguely heard someone asking, "Which family's Da Da Niangzi was that just now?"

"General Bo's family! Her natal family is the Li family, renowned generals since our dynasty's founding," someone replied.

"Oh."

After walking a few steps, the voices behind her were drowned out.

The elder standing beside this noble daughter of the Li family narrowed her eyes in surprise and exclaimed, "Hiss! How did this family come as well?"

"Aunt, which family?"

"The First Da Da Niangzi and her daughter-in-law from the minor branch of the Hu Yan family, formerly of Jinghai Hou Fu; her natal surname is Pan!"

"Ah? Given how huge the previous incident was, relatives of the Hu Yan family can still come to the Chai family?" the noble daughter of the Li family asked in surprise.

"It cannot be helped; this minor branch of the Hu Yan family has a capable in-law relation through their children."

"The Xu family of Marquis Marquis Yongyi's Hou Fu?"

"Exactly! Look, Lady Chai and Miss Chai Zhengzheng are entering."

"Aunt, this one looks truly beautiful! Compared to the Miss of the Rong family just now, she is not inferior in the slightest."

On the other side,

Lady Chai, having finished welcoming guests, was now leading Chai Chai Zhengzheng through several courtyards in the inner yard, exchanging a few words with the female guests before the bride arrived.

Upon arriving at the hall where Bai Shi, Sheng Sheng Hualan, Gu Gu Tingyi, and others were situated,

and seeing several Ladies and titled noblewomen conversing with Xu Xu Pingmei and Sheng Sheng Hualan not far away,

Lady Chai stepped forward and offered a few polite remarks such as 'our hospitality is inadequate' and 'please forgive us.'

After chatting casually for a few more moments,

a female servant of the Chai family hurried in and reported, "Lady, our procession to welcome the bride has departed from the Lu family!"

Upon hearing this,

Bai Shi hastily said, "Lady, you must attend to your duties immediately!"

Wu Da Da Niangzi smiled and said, "Sister Cheng, go quickly and prepare! Leave this place to me; rest assured! We will go watch the excitement shortly."

Lady Chai smiled and nodded repeatedly; after expressing her thanks, she led Chai Chai Zhengzheng toward the front courtyard.

Along the way,

looking at her family's female servant, Chai Chai Zhengzheng smiled and asked, "How was it? When my brother was at the main gate of the Lu family, did he encounter any formidable people blocking the door? How did he pass these literary and martial trials?"

Listening to Chai Chai Zhengzheng's words, Lady Chai cast her a slightly reproachful glare.

"Replying to Miss, according to those who returned, the Lu family did not set up any literary or martial trials..."

"Oh?"

Lady Chai and Chai Chai Zhengzheng both wore expressions of surprise on their faces.

"They say several items have been placed at the main gate,"

the female attendant spoke with sharp wit,

and Chai Chai Zhengzheng exclaimed in surprise, "Anything else is understandable, but solving that Bronze Interlocking Ring would certainly take some time!"

"Zheng'er is quite right!"

"Mother, actually the Bronze Interlocking Ring can still be solved; but if Young Master Jing of the Xu family had been drawn, then my brother would truly be in trouble!"

Before Lady Chai, whose expression held a hint of 'disdain,' could tap her finger against her forehead,

Chai Chai Zhengzheng smiled and hastily added, "Speaking of which, Big Brother's luck is actually quite good! Drawing six out of ten, yet he managed to avoid both the Bronze Interlocking Ring and Young Master Jing of the Xu family."

Lady Chai slanted a glance at her own daughter and said helplessly, "Zheng'er, how do you know that beneath those ten wooden tablets, the options of Young Master Jing and the Bronze Interlocking Ring were definitely included?"

Chai Chai Zhengzheng stammered, "Ah? Mother, are you saying..."

Lady Chai nodded with a smile: "Relatives blocking the gate is meant to create liveliness, ensuring the joyful occasion isn't too quiet! It is not intended to prevent our own daughter from marrying! If the gate-blocking is too difficult or excessive, that would not be forging a marriage alliance, but forging a feud."

Chai Chai Zhengzheng pressed her lips together and smiled, "Mother speaks the truth; I didn't expect the Xu... no, the Lu family to be so clever!"

Seeing her daughter's expression, Lady Chai sighed helplessly.

After the wedding procession wound through a large circle and stopped at the main gate of the Chai residence,

what followed was the bride entering the door and performing the wedding rites.

During the wedding rites,

many noble young ladies stood to one side watching,

some with eyes full of curiosity, craning their necks incessantly, trying to catch a glimpse of the bride behind her round fan.

Others wore looks of intense study in their eyes, seemingly trying to memorize the sequence of the wedding rites.

But when that day arrives,

and it is her turn to take the stage,

how much these young ladies will actually remember remains unknown.

As evening fell,

the magnificent lamps were just lit.

In the Imperial Palace,

within the bedchamber of Consort Rong,

the Emperor sat by the table, eating dinner while being attended by Consort Rong.

"Sit down! I will eat by myself."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Consort Rong obeyed and sat to one side, lifting the wine pot to pour a cup of wine for the Emperor.

The Emperor, holding chopsticks, waved toward the Chief Palace Eunuch and said, "Continue speaking!"

After bowing in assent, the Chief Palace Eunuch said, "The Gu Dalang of the Chai family drew another wooden tablet, whereupon Qi Heng'er looked on with extreme tension! His appearance seemed as though he had forgotten to breathe!"

"Only after clearly reading the characters on the tablet, which required the Gu Dalang of the Chai family to compose a poem urging the bride's adornment, did he finally smile and take several deep, gasping breaths."

"..."

Listening to the Chief Palace Eunuch's vivid narration, Consort Rong standing nearby smiled and said, "Your Majesty, it seems that in the future, whichever family wishes to betroth a young lady from the third branch of the Lu family must think of practicing extensively with these mechanical puzzles."

"Especially that Bronze Interlocking Ring~"

The Emperor smiled and asked, "Beloved Consort, how long would it take you to solve that Bronze Interlocking Ring?"

Consort Rong smiled and replied, "It would take this concubine more than half an hour~"

The Emperor nodded: "Then why do you not suggest they practice martial arts more instead!"

Consort Rong laughed: "Your Majesty, if anyone draws the lot to compete in martial arts against Young Master Jing of the Xu family, they can only consider themselves unlucky!"

"Hahahaha! Beloved Consort, but how do you know that among those ten wooden tablets, that boy Xu Xu Zaijing was definitely included?"

Consort Rong's face showed she had been seen through, her expression one of sudden realization, and she exclaimed in astonishment, "Ah!? Your Majesty, are you saying..."

"Do not try to tell Me that you had not considered this matter!"

Hearing the Emperor's words, Consort Rong lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly and said, "Your Majesty, this... that even in this state of yours, you could still see through it?"

"Hahaha~" The Emperor's mood became even more joyful.

Draining the wine in his cup in one gulp, the Emperor took a bite of food and said, "In these past few days, that boy Xu Xu Zaijing has attended quite enough wedding banquets."

Consort Rong nodded repeatedly from the side.

"Your Majesty, in two days there is also the wedding feast for Xie Xie Zijue Li Li Taotie of the Li family."

"Correct! Which family's young lady is that child of the Li family marrying?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, it is the Zhou family, Marquis of Jiangyin."

"Mm! Later, when the other child of the Li family also marries, have the Left and Right Wing Mansion Affairs Offices in the capital allocate another residence for him."

"Yes."

After the Chief Palace Eunuch assented, the Emperor continued, "Regarding the affairs of the Li family children, with the Empress, the Liang family, and the Xu family attending to them, it should be handled quite well."

Consort Rong nodded with a face full of gratified smiles.

"By the way, I have heard that recently there are some matters concerning the Rong family?"

Consort Rong was startled, then hastily shook her head and said, "Your Majesty, they are merely trivial matters!"

While speaking, Consort Rong lifted the wine pot and continued pouring wine for the Emperor.

The Emperor put down his chopsticks, his expression turning serious, and said, "Without your approval, your younger sister's lifelong marriage affair, the Dou family dared to decide privately; in My eyes, this is no small matter."

With a somewhat troubled expression on her face, Consort Rong said, "Your Majesty, after all, they are the in-laws of Yuan Yuan Erlang, and furthermore a Duke's mansion!"

"If this concubine were to show any displeasure, it would inevitably make the Rong family appear too harsh."

"Hmph!"

The Emperor gave a cold snort and said, "Of the people the Dou family has promoted and supported, take half."

"Your Majesty!"

Consort Rong's face showed difficulty as she shook her head.

The Emperor drew in a deep breath and said, "Fine, fine, fine! Then one-third it is. All promotions and appointments shall be postponed."

"If the Dou family still can't figure it out, send someone to explain to them clearly why."

The Grand Internal Official hurriedly assented.

(End of chapter)