Chapter 71: Cheng Shu's Grand Wedding

Looking at the various preparations already completed at home, Cheng Feng, carrying a giant wine jar on his back, was filled with pleasant surprise.

It had been over three months since the New Year, and he had not seen his family for a long time.

Strictly speaking, Cheng Feng himself had not yet married.

Just as that lawless outlaw once said: "I have ten wives; I am married but have not registered the marriage, so I remain in a single state."

The situation in Great Zhou is much the same; although there is a Marriage Contract as proof, it serves more to highlight the status of the Principal Wife.

Of course, a man may also take a Concubine or establish an Equal Wife, but the rituals and treatment naturally cannot be compared to those of a Principal Wife.

However, regardless, this Principal Wife Marriage Contract remains very important to Ordinary people, as it represents a kind of legitimacy and dignity; as for those wealthy families, they can arrange marriages as they please. Yet, most Ordinary people still place special importance on this type of Principal Wife Marriage Contract.

Entering the door and seeing his parents still busy, he said happily: "Dad, Mom, Big Brother, Lao San, I'm back."

Seeing Cheng Feng put down the wine jar from his back, his family also set aside their work and rushed toward him.

Cheng Fu said: "It's good that you're back. Mother of the children, go and cook quickly."

Cheng Shu: "Lao Er, you're finally back. I was afraid you might have run into trouble and wouldn't be able to make it back."

Lao San: "Second Brother, it's good you're back. In two days, we'll go and tease Big Brother in the bridal chamber."

Cheng Mu did not say anything, but set aside her work and walked toward the kitchen.

She looked at Cheng Feng with a smile, wanting to see if her son had changed much, before going to light the fire and cook for him.

The county town was so far away; after walking for half a day, he must be hungry, and she could not let her son go hungry.

Cheng Feng took the initiative to step forward and hug his mother, which made Cheng Mu incredibly happy.

At noon, with the sun shining brightly, the family sat around the brand-new dining table enjoying lunch. Cheng Feng tasted the delicious food while listening to his family's conversation.

First, Big Brother expressed his anxiety and unease about his future life: "I'm getting married just like this... why does it feel so unreal?"

Next, the third brother brought up some interesting but unverified gossip, which set everyone into a fit of laughter.

Cheng Feng's father burst into hearty laughter because of a humorous topic, and the whole house was filled with joy and laughter.

Watching all this, a strong sense of accomplishment welled up deep inside Cheng Feng. He understood that all his hard work and struggle were simply to provide his family with better living conditions and let them enjoy family happiness without worry. At this moment, seeing his family so happy and satisfied, all his efforts became especially meaningful.

This family atmosphere made Cheng Feng feel incomparably happy and warm, and it became the source of his motivation to keep moving forward.

He was not yet capable enough to protect his family, but even a small achievement was something out of reach for an Ordinary family.

Big Brother's bride-to-be was a local from Liujiacun named Liu Juan; she was about the same age as Big Brother, and her family background was decent—not wealthy, but at least they did not lack food or drink.

It was the ten taels of silver Cheng Feng had previously left for his brother that had caught the eye of Liu Juan's family. The savings Cheng Feng's family had prepared earlier remained untouched; the betrothal gift was five taels, miscellaneous expenses were two taels, and three taels were used to buy other banquet items, with a little extra bought just in case, intending to have a lively celebration in the village.

Cheng Fu had a very good reputation in the village; he did not provoke anyone, lived an Ordinary and plain life, had a good personality, and maintained harmonious relationships with all his neighbors.

This was the network of relationships Cheng Fu had accumulated over thirty years; even if they were just Ordinary relationships, Cheng Fu would still invite them to his home for a drink.

With his eldest son getting married, this was arguably the moment Cheng Fu felt most proud.

Cheng Shu wanted to thank Cheng Feng for the ten taels, as it was truly not a small sum, but Cheng Feng said it was nothing.

He poured some of the ten catties of Chunxiao wine he had brought home into cups and served it; wealth should not be flaunted, so Cheng Feng did not say the wine was his own.

He only said it was good wine worth one tael of silver for two catties, bought specifically to celebrate his Big Brother.

Cheng Shu was moved beyond words; ten catties meant another five taels.

Cheng Fu was shocked: "Why did you buy such expensive wine? Won't this make people covet it?"

How could Cheng Feng not know what Cheng Fu was thinking? He said calmly: "Dad, I know what you mean. I bought this in whole jars. Have you forgotten our cellar? We can pour out half to keep specifically for you to drink, and mix the rest with some water. This wine has high purity and a rich flavor, so this way the quantity increases, and the wine is still excellent."

Cheng Feng was confident that even with some water added, the taste would definitely be better than loose-sold wine.

Cheng Shu had no objections; having run back and forth these days, he knew the expenses involved, and wine was not strictly a necessity.

The family had originally prepared some loose wine, but it could not compare to the wine Cheng Feng brought back.

Right at noon, they had a small drink at the meal, and the taste was beyond reproach; Cheng Shu was truly moved that Cheng Feng had considered so much.

Seeing his Big Brother so moved, and with the atmosphere just right, Cheng Feng dropped a bombshell. Cai'er was also close to giving birth, and it was time to lay some groundwork: "Big Brother, after you get married, live well with your wife. Your younger brother will definitely follow in your footsteps; I also want to start a family."

As soon as he said this, Cheng Mu perked up: "Oh? Have you found a girl you like?"

Cheng Feng chuckled: "Not yet, nothing is set in stone yet."

Seeing Cheng Feng's expression, the whole family became excited and kept pestering him with questions. Cheng Feng naturally would not reveal anything, joking and deflecting, and the room erupted in laughter.

On the morning of the third day, the sun was bright and a gentle breeze blew—the perfect time for a celebration. Cheng Shu was in high spirits, leading Cheng Feng, Lao San, and a large group of the groom's relatives and friends to head joyfully to Liu Juan's home in the center of the village to welcome the bride.

Upon arriving at Liu Juan's door, they saw it decorated with lanterns and streamers, full of festive joy. Everyone filed in, and at a glance, they saw Liu Juan dressed in a bright red wedding gown with a bridal veil over her head.

Amidst the merrymaking of relatives and friends and the sincere blessings of the guests, Cheng Shu picked up Liu Juan gently with a face full of happiness and carefully placed her into the ornately decorated bridal sedan chair.

Afterward, the wedding procession played cheerful and festive music all the way, beating drums and gongs, and happily set off on the return journey.

Along the way, firecrackers blared and gongs and drums thundered, the sound deafening and echoing through the clouds. It startled the village dogs into barking.

Upon arriving home, following the traditional etiquette passed down through generations, the bride and groom held a solemn and warm wedding ceremony. After the ceremony, the two newlyweds were finally sent into the romantically and elegantly decorated bridal chamber.

Night fell quietly, and the lanterns were lit. The guests who had come to the wedding banquet gradually departed.

Cheng Feng watched all this with a smile. He was the groom's drinking partner for blocking toasts, and as a Martial Artist at the Blood Refining realm, drinking these people under the table was a piece of cake. Even so, the wine left in the family cellar was down to only three catties.

The night breeze brushed his face, cool and comfortable, making Cheng Feng's heated body feel much refreshed.

Looking at the lights in the house, the neighbors, and the people who had come to help, his Big Brother's wedding was finally concluded.

Big Brother would have a small family of his own;

And he himself needed to work even harder; he still had quite a few women of his own!