Chapter 658: Not Easy to Learn [Thanks for the support! Thanks again! 36k words owed]

In the afternoon,

no wind,

the weather was clear.

The morning dowry ceremony had already been completed.

"Dong dong qiang!"

"Weng weng weng!"

The musicians led the wedding procession of the Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu Gu family, the drumbeats rhythmic and cheerful, the sheng and xiao playing in perfect harmony, a festive atmosphere naturally rising from the music.

This made Xu Xu Zaijing, riding behind the procession, nod repeatedly in approval.

Hearing the joyful music, Liang Han, who was speaking, glanced back and smiled at Xu Xu Zaijing.

In Xu Xu Zaijing's line of sight, among the crowd behind, there were few cousins from the Gu family; only Gu Gu Tingdi from the fifth branch, the youngest and still unmarried.

Xu Xu Zaijing was well aware of this matter.

Back then, although the Lady Ningyuan Hou Gu Yanke was the Gu family's eldest legitimate son with several younger siblings, he had joined the army to achieve merit in his youth, delaying his marriage, and only returned to the capital at an advanced age.

After returning to the capital, the Da Da Niangzi he chose was Qin Qin Yanwen, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Du Qian family of the Dongchang Hou Fu.

Rumors in the capital said that this Qin Da Da Niangzi had been frail and sickly since childhood, with a weak constitution unsuitable for bearing children, and Gu Yanke's parents had initially been very opposed to the match.

But Gu Yanke himself was extremely fond of her; he insisted stubbornly, even threatening his parents with his life until they agreed to the marriage.

From this incident, one could see that Gu Gu Tingye's stubborn nature was very much like his father Gu Yanke's.

After the marriage, this Qin Da Da Niangzi was indeed frail; one day, while serving the old Hou Fu's Lady a meal, she fainted directly.

Thus, out of consideration for this Qin Da Da Niangzi's health, the old Hou Fu's Lady no longer required this Da Da Niangzi to serve her meals.

With such a constitution, Qin Qin Yanwen naturally found it extremely difficult to conceive; after many years of marriage without pregnancy, the result was that Gu Gu Tingyu was born not much older than his other cousins.

And as the second legitimate son, Gu Gu Tingye was even younger than the other cousins.

As a result, Gu Gu Tingye's other elder cousins had mostly already married.

Of course,

Bai Shi did not let the young cousins from the Gu family's smaller branches serve as groomsmen, not only because they were already married,

but also because those few had always had poor reputations in the capital: some were lawless, frequenting brothels and gambling dens as VIPs; they were no good birds.

Gu Gu Tingye, now protected by his own mother and guided by his elder brothers and friends, had never been a prodigal in the capital since childhood! He bore no bad reputation.

The parents of those cousins had not changed; whatever dirty deeds Gu Gu Tingyang, Gu Gu Tingbing, and others committed could naturally not be splashed onto Gu Gu Tingye.

And that Gu Gu Tingyang, upon hearing that Xu Xu Zaijing would serve as Gu Gu Tingye's groomsman today, hurriedly claimed to have caught a cold and did not dare show his face.

With this, Bai Shi went with the flow and directly appointed Xu Xu Zaijing, Zhang Bai, Qi Heng, and other schoolmates as groomsmen.

Xu Xu Zaijing, Qi Heng, and others were sons of dukes and marquises, while Zhang Bai and Zhang Feng were also successful candidates in the provincial exams; naturally, they were more imposing and respectable than those few from the Gu family.

Thinking of these things,

Xu Xu Zaijing continued to look ahead at Gu Gu Tingye, riding a tall horse and dressed in wedding attire.

Today, to avoid stealing the groom's spotlight, Xu Xu Zaijing rode a horse that had accompanied him for over ten years, a fine steed selected by his master Hearing Yin Bo back then, which was more than a size smaller than its offspring, the young black horse.

It was already the warmest part of the day, the afternoon,

and from the Gu family in Xingguo Fang to the Yu family in Biyang Fang, the route was mostly within the inner city.

Amidst the blaring and beating of the joyful music,

many citizens of Bianjing, hearing the commotion, stood by the street entrances watching the festivities on the road.

Occasionally, people shouted auspicious words to the procession, and Gu Gu Tingye, Xu Xu Zaijing, and others would smile and bow in return.

After walking for quite a while,

the wedding procession arrived at the streets of Chunming Fang.

The people on the road hurriedly moved to both sides, watching the procession with curiosity, while carriages and donkey carts also pulled over to the side.

Xu Xu Zaijing in the procession habitually glanced around.

In his sweeping gaze, his eyes suddenly froze.

He saw a carriage by the roadside lift its curtain; inside, a woman was smiling and pointing at Gu Gu Tingye, saying something to the young girl beside her.

Looking at the woman in the carriage, the Nanny Xiang beside it, and the wooden plaque with the character 'Tan' hanging on the carriage, Xu Xu Zaijing glanced at Gu Gu Tingye and smiled slightly.

Some things seemed to be known only to himself.

Inside the carriage by the roadside,

the young girl turned to look at her mother and said, "Mother, that brother behind the groom just now looked at us!"

The former Little Qin Shi, now the Da Da Niangzi of the fourth branch of the Tan family, Qin Qin Yanwen, smiled and stroked her daughter's cheek.

Nanny Xiang beside the carriage said softly, "Miss, it seems he is following behind the fifth Young Master of the Xu family and others."

"Mm." Qin Qin Yanwen nodded and continued watching the wedding procession.

Very soon,

Brother Qingyun, who was chatting and laughing with Zhi Que, appeared in Qin Qin Yanwen's line of sight.

After watching for quite a while,

the wedding procession was about to pass by.

"Let's go, return to the manor," Qin Qin Yanwen said softly.

In Biyang Fang,

the area before the Yu family gate was bustling with activity.

Many neighbors and passersby gathered by the roadside.

The Gu family's wedding procession slowly stopped; Xu Xu Zaijing and the other groomsmen accompanied Gu Gu Tingye as they dismounted.

Seeing Yu Yuan Erlang before the gate with a flattering smile, Gu Gu Tingye led his people forward with a laugh.

Before Yu Yuan Erlang could speak, Liang Han stepped forward with a smile, pulling him into an embrace; Yu Yuan Erlang, being sensible, made no struggle and began talking with Liang Han.

Amidst the clamor stirred by Brother Qingyun, Han Niu, and others scattering wedding money and dried fruits, Gu Gu Tingyi entered the Yu residence directly.

In the Yu residence's front courtyard,

Xu Xu Zaijing followed behind Gu Gu Tingyi, walking along the path to the main hall, where many relatives and friends of the Yu family stood in the yard.

Suddenly,

a well-dressed young man in the crowd, very familiar to Xu Xu Zaijing, smiled and bowed to him with hands clasped.

Xu Xu Zaijing blinked and pondered for a moment, then recognized this man as Shui Jin Yu, the Five Jinshi who passed the imperial exam last year; in previous years, having come to the capital with meager means, he had eaten food from the porridge shelters set up to celebrate the birth of the little Princess.

After passing the exam, he married a young lady from the Tian family, wealthy hat-makers of Bianjing.

And the Tian family's mansion seemed to be right nearby.

"Brother Shui, a pleasure to meet you."

"Congratulations to Yuan Erlang and Han Wulang, a pleasure to meet you!" Shui Jin Yu replied with a smile.

After exchanging greetings,

the crowd had already reached the door of the main hall; Xu Xu Zaijing and the other groomsmen did not enter further, waiting only at the doorway.

Looking at Shui Jin Yu standing aside, Qi Heng asked in confusion, "Brother Jing, who is this?"

Xu Xu Zaijing explained.

Hearing that this man was a Five Jinshi, Zhang Bai and Zhang Feng naturally clasped their hands and spoke.

After saying a few words,

"The bride is coming!"

the shout of the Quanfu Da Niangzi came.

The crowd quickly stopped talking and looked toward the direction of the sound.

Soon,

Yu Yu Yanran, holding a round fan and dressed in wedding attire, appeared in everyone's view.

Gu Gu Tingyi smiled even more, looking like a fool.

The ceremony continued;

Yu Yuan Erlang had already stood beside Wu Da Da Niangzi together with his sister, Yu Xi Yan Hong.

"Offer tea!"

Amidst the shout of the Quanfu Da Niangzi, Xu Xu Zaijing and others outside the door watched Gu Gu Tingyi as he held the tea cups.

Liang Han stood beside Xu Xu Zaijing and said softly, "Brother Jing, look at Young Master Yu; his smile is so wide his features are squashed together."

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded and whispered, "Looking at Wu Da Da Niangzi's smile, one might think she is truly happy for Young Miss Yu!"

"Hmph!" Liang Han couldn't help but laugh and said softly, "These women in the inner quarters are truly skilled at acting! Brother Jing, look at Third Miss Yu."

"Ah?" Xu Xu Zaijing hurriedly looked, then tugged on Qi Heng, who was looking around.

"Hmm?" Qi Heng, who had been looking elsewhere, looked at Xu Xu Zaijing in confusion: "Brother Jing, what is it?"

"Yuanruo, what are you looking at?" Xu Xu Zaijing asked, looking at the crowd outside the room.

Qi Heng forced a smile and said, "I heard from Brother Zhang Bai that Grandmother Sheng has also come to the Yu residence; I wonder where sisters like Hearing Rulan and the others are watching the ceremony."

Xu Xu Zaijing nodded: "Oh! Look beside Wu Da Da Niangzi."

"Ah?"

Qi Heng looked as instructed.

Then, Qi Heng and Yu Xi Yan Hong locked eyes; Yu Xi Yan Hong immediately turned her head away with a shy expression.

Qi Heng also glared at Xu Xu Zaijing with some annoyance: "Brother Jing, you!"

"It was Sixth Lang's idea!" Xu Xu Zaijing pointed at Liang Han with a smile.

Liang Han looked utterly innocent: "No, Brother Jing, it was you and me."

At this moment,

Gu Gu Tingyi and Yu Yu Yanran had finished offering tea.

Inside the hall, Yu Lao my lord smiled and nodded at Yu Yu Yanran.

Yu Laoren's face was full of smiles, yet her eyes held glistening tears.

Neither elder rose, watching as Gu Gu Tingyi and Yu Yu Yanran left the hall.

Xingguo Fang,

Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu,

the wedding procession had already returned.

At the main gate of Hou Fu,

near the stone lions tied with red silk,

the Guan Guan Pozi of the Yu and Gu families were still throwing grain, beans, money, and fruits; amidst the crowd of passersby scrambling to grab them, it was a lively scene.

In the main hall of Hou Fu's front courtyard,

Lady Ningyuan Hou Gu Yankai and Bai Shi sat on the chairs at the head.

Standing beside Bai Shi were her daughter-in-law Xu Xu Pingmei and son Gu Gu Tingyi, both in full ceremonial dress; in front of Gu Tingyi stood his nephew Gu Gu Shixing and niece Yan Yu Jier.

On the chairs on either side below Gu Yankai sat the Gu family elders, the younger brothers and sisters-in-law of the Fourth and Fifth Houses, and Gu Gu Tingyi's aunt who had married into the prestigious Yang family.

Behind the masters of the Fourth and Fifth Houses stood their respective sons and daughters-in-law.

To the side were Xu Xu Zaijing, Zhang Bai, and other fellow students, as well as high-born ladies like Chai Chai Zhengzheng and Rong Rong Feiyan, plus relatives such as Xie Shi, Hua Lan, and Xu Xu Anmei; the hall was almost too crowded to stand.

With his son getting married,

Bai Shi was naturally extremely happy; from the moment Gu Gu Tingyi and Yu Yu Yanran entered the hall, Bai Shi had been nodding and smiling continuously.

Gu Yankai, who was usually stern and rarely smiled, now couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth upward; looking at Yu Yu Yanran, who came from a family of scholars, his eyes were full of satisfaction as he kept nodding slightly.

"First bow to Heaven and Earth!"

At the master of ceremonies' call, Gu Gu Tingye and Yu Yu Yanran began their wedding bows.

Wu Da Da Niangzi stood among the crowd at this moment; looking at the newlyweds before her, she suddenly had a flash of inspiration and turned her gaze toward the direction where several noble ladies, including Zhang Wu Niang and Rong Rong Feiyan, were gathered.

Spotting Chai Chai Zhengzheng in the crowd, Wu Da Da Niangzi smiled and thought to herself: Oh, it seems Miss Chai Zhengzheng isn't 'studying diligently' today.

Thinking this, Wu Da Da Niangzi followed the line of sight of several noble ladies and turned to look at the few people behind her.

Standing beside Xu Xu Zaijing, standing on tiptoe and craning his neck with a face full of smiles as he looked forward, Liang Han said, "Mother, what's wrong? Why are you looking at us?"

With a smile playing on her lips, Wu Da Da Niangzi glanced at Xu Xu Zaijing, then put on a stern face and glared at Liang Han, whispering, "Stand properly!"

"Oh," Liang Han said sheepishly.

Seeing Liang Han's appearance, Xu Xu Zaijing also smiled.

Afterwards,

Xu Xu Zaijing continued to watch the crowd in the main hall.

He looked at the smiling Bai Shi, then at Gu Gu Tingye, and finally cast a glance at Gu Yankai, who was stroking his beard.

"Escort them to the bridal chamber!"

In the bridal chamber,

Naturally, Elder Chang personally performed the rituals of joining the hair and drinking the nuptial wine.

After the series of ceremonies, the little face of today's bride, Yu Yu Yanran, didn't know how many times it had turned red.

The redder Yu Yu Yanran's face became, the louder the sounds of laughter and teasing from Xu Xu Zaijing and the others grew.

This constantly made Gu Gu Tingye glare at them from time to time.

As the sun sank in the west,

and the sky grew dark,

just as Gu Gu Tingye was being supported by Zhi Que back to the bridal chamber, Xu Xu Zaijing, Sheng Changbai, and the others had mostly boarded their carriages and horses to return home.

The first quarter of the Xu hour (after 7 PM)

East of the Imperial City,

at the Chai residence,

there was no moon in the night sky tonight, only night stars twinkling occasionally in the air.

This made the sky even darker.

The cold wind outside in the winter night pierced to the bone, while the room inside, with its floor heating burning, was very warm.

The candlelight inside the room was bright; the light shone through the windows onto the outside, illuminating a patch of ground on the veranda at the entrance.

Inside the room,

a light, calming fragrance drifted out from the incense burner, floating within the chamber.

Suddenly,

the light between the inner and outer rooms flickered; someone had opened the door and lifted the cotton curtain at the entrance, causing the candle flames inside to sway a few times.

"Click."

The room door was closed, shutting the cold outside.

"Has everything the Miss instructed been fully passed down?" Yun Mu asked Ziteng while helping Chai Chai Zhengzheng undo her cloak.

Glancing at Chai Chai Zhengzheng, Ziteng said, "It has been passed down; the managers of the shops both inside and outside Jingcheng, as well as those along the route to the southeast, will all receive the news."

While speaking,

by the time Chai Chai Zhengzheng arrived in the inner room accompanied by her maids, she had already changed her clothes.

Looking at her own Miss, who hadn't spoken much since returning home and sat directly on the chair behind the table covered with a brocade cotton cushion, Yun Mu hesitated before saying, "Miss, I heard the Xu family has already sent people toward the southeast; what use is there in us doing this?"

Resting her elbows on the table and cupping her cheeks with both hands, Chai Chai Zhengzheng looked at the lantern on the table before her and said, "If we contribute a bit more effort, then that girl Seeing Qingcao will have a slightly greater chance of finding her younger brother."

Yun Mu nodded.

The next day,

around noon,

it was still a sunny day,

and a carriage bearing a wooden plaque with the character 'Kang' traveled along the official road west of Bianjing's city walls.

The coachman, an elderly man with a face full of wrinkles and white hair and beard, wore simple ear protectors on his head and a worn sheepskin coat; he flicked the horsewhip in his hand.

"Crack!"

The whip's tip cracked in the air, and the trace horse, which had drifted slightly off course, hastily moved a little closer to the roadside.

While cracking the whip, the coachman also looked around in some lingering fear!

"Old sir, we have traveled such a long distance; please rest! There is a small charcoal stove in the carriage; have some hot water to warm yourself," a woman said softly from within the carriage.

"Thank you, Wei Xiaoniang! Let's wait until we've passed this area before speaking of that!" the elderly coachman said, repeatedly turning his head to look around.

The woman, who had lifted the carriage curtain, looked at the coachman sitting in front and asked puzzledly, "Elder, why do you look somewhat... frightened?"

"To be honest with you, Wei Xiaoniang, this humble one previously accepted a commission from the Kang household; on that day, right near this very spot, the people in the carriage were ambushed and taken by a band of bandits!"

"Kidnapped? Was it... Nurse Qi and her family who were taken?"

"Yes! It was them."

Hearing the conversation outside the carriage, Kang Zhao'er looked at the woman beside her with eyes full of fear: "Wei Xiaoniang, are there really bandits who kill people?"

The woman, who had just returned to the capital from attending a funeral at the Kang estate, did not answer; she only glanced outside the carriage with a panicked expression and said in a slightly trembling voice, "Old sir, then let us hurry!"

"Giddyup!"

The carriage moved even faster.

Inside the carriage, Kang Zhao'er, disregarding the cold wind blowing in, lifted the curtain and peered outside with a face full of vigilance.

Suddenly,

This Miss's gaze hardened, and she cried out urgently, "Wei Wei Xiaoniang, look! By the roadside, by the roadside there's someone lying on the ground!"

(End of Chapter)