Chapter 385: Everyone Is Busy

Though the soldiers on guard duty at every post had no wine to drink, their food and provisions were extraordinarily lavish. Zhao Jin feared neglecting his own brothers, so he specially assigned cooks to prepare fine meals for them — pork, beef, mutton, chicken, duck, fish — everything that could be arranged was provided in abundance.

"Big Brother, a moment of springtime is worth a thousand pieces of gold. With the brothers helping to manage things outside, you'd best hurry off to the bridal chamber!" Wang Zhaojing, having drunk a few cups of wine, said with considerable excitement. The moment he finished speaking, several companions all joined in the clamor and cheered — it was rare for everyone to have such a carefree, happy moment.

Zhao Jin laughed and said, "Stop stirring up trouble, or when it's your turn to marry, I'll make sure you get what's coming."

Everyone laughed again, and Zhao Jin continued, "Xiaoyong, go to the yamen tonight and give them a word. Keep those captured men under separate watch. Without my say-so, no one is to touch them."

Liu Yong nodded. The smile faded from Zhao Jin's face as he spoke again, "From the sound of it, they seem to be from a sect. Their nerve is far too great."

After saying this, Zhao Jin saw the companions beside him about to urge him toward the bridal chamber again. He smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Don't forget our own rotation of watches. Tomorrow, everyone takes their post — let no one cause any delay."

This marriage between the Zhao and Xu families had many points that did not conform to proper ritual, and along with that, several folk customs and rules were not followed either. Take the bridal-chamber teasing, for instance — those qualified to do the teasing all put on an air of youthful maturity, and as for those unqualified, that went without saying.

The newlyweds' bridal chamber was Zhao Jin's family's former neighbor. The courtyard had since been purchased and fully renovated. After the wedding banquet ended that evening, Xu Zhenzhen had been waiting here the entire time.

Both the front and back gates were guarded by household troops of Zhao's Camp, every man fully armed. There were also several squads patrolling on the move. When they saw Zhao Jin, they all grinned and said, "Congratulations, Master."

Zhao Jin smiled and offered a few words of encouragement. Before he had even entered the courtyard, he saw a maidservant clutching account books hurry out with quick steps. The maidservant was startled upon seeing Zhao Jin, but recognizing from his clothes that he was the son-in-law, she hastily curtsied and paid her respects, then went on her way, still clutching the account books.

What was going on? Zhao Jin was stunned by this scene. He turned his head to look at the household troops at the gate, and one of them quickly explained, "After returning here, the Madam began busying herself at once. Maidservants have been going in and out carrying account books, and some have been relaying verbal messages. We men went to check — it's at that residence facing the street. The Xu family stewards and accountants are all waiting over there, sending inquiries and accounts back and forth through the maidservants. There are also fast horses standing by, ready to relay messages back to Mount Jingshan as soon as the city gates open tomorrow."

Zhao Jin rubbed his forehead. Looking back, he saw that his brothers had long since tactfully dispersed. Zhao Jin thought wryly to himself: if anyone found out about this scene, nine out of ten would say they were "a perfect match."

A wedding was merely a ceremony. Though he had lived two lifetimes, this was Zhao Jin's first time experiencing it. He had always felt that the key to marriage was mutual support and loyalty when living together — how well you treated each other after the wedding was what mattered, and it had nothing to do with how the wedding ceremony went.

Still, no matter how much it was just a ceremony, handling household affairs on one's wedding night was far too peculiar. Then again, thinking back to how he himself had just been giving orders and using toasts to extract information about that Feng family, it seemed no one was in any position to criticize anyone else.

Zhao Jin walked into the courtyard with a wry smile. Red lanterns hung from the trees and poles in the yard, creating an atmosphere brimming with joy. The moment they saw him enter, a maidservant immediately called out in a high voice, "The son-in-law has arrived."

As soon as these words were spoken, six maidservants clutching account books immediately withdrew from the room, curtsied to Zhao Jin with the utmost respect, and walked out briskly.

Left in the courtyard was only the senior maidservant Mei Xiang, who stood waiting outside the bridal chamber. Mei Xiang lowered her head and stepped aside, saying nothing. Zhao Jin suddenly noticed something — from the moment he entered the gate until now, not a single one of all the maidservants and serving girls he encountered had raised her head in his presence, and their movements were extremely orderly. Governing a household is like governing an army — the phrase suddenly came to Zhao Jin's mind.

When he walked into the bridal chamber, he saw Xu Zhenzhen sitting upright at the bedside, her red bridal veil still in place, looking as though she had never moved. Yet to review accounts and approve documents just now, she must have lifted the veil at some point.

If such behavior were known to outsiders, ridicule and criticism would be unavoidable. If it were discovered by rigid, inflexible types, it would be even more troublesome.

"On your wedding night, you're still busy with household affairs. Won't those maidservants talk?" The moment Zhao Jin began to speak, Xu Zhenzhen's body stirred. By the time he finished, Xu Zhenzhen turned her head toward Zhao Jin, as if trying to see through the veil what kind of husband she had — to actually say such a thing, with not a trace of blame, and instead ask whether word might leak out?

Beneath the veil, Xu Zhenzhen was silent for a moment, then answered softly, "Please set your mind at ease, husband. These servants have all been in use for a long time and are familiar. They also know the consequences of ruining things."

Zhao Jin paused, then smiled and nodded. Thinking back to what Xu Zhenzhen had done back then to seize control of the Xu family's power, he could well imagine what methods those "consequences" entailed.

"Son-in-law, the implement for lifting the bridal veil is on the table, and the nuptial wine is also set out on the table." Mei Xiang's voice came from outside the window.

Zhao Jin frowned and raised his voice, "Leave this courtyard. This is a matter between us husband and wife — no need for you to concern yourself."

On the wedding night, a couple has many private words to share. Yet according to the customs of this era, there would often be a matron or maidservant waiting outside the bridal chamber to instruct the newlyweds on the proper rites, and also to record certain happenings of the wedding night to report to the elders of both families. But how could Zhao Jin care about such things? He only felt that having someone outside at a time like this utterly spoiled the mood.

After Zhao Jin spoke, there was no movement outside. It seemed that maidservant Mei Xiang had not budged. Before Zhao Jin could speak again, Xu Zhenzhen said, "Withdraw. Go wait outside the courtyard."

"Yes, Miss." Mei Xiang's respectful acknowledgment came from outside.

In a certain sense, both newlyweds were filial children, but having managed affairs on their own for so long, neither paid much mind to rules. Rules that suited their needs were the only rules.

Listening to the fading footsteps, Zhao Jin glanced in that direction, then turned to Xu Zhenzhen and said with a smile, "You've really trained them well. They all obey you."

"These people's monthly allowances are two or three times that of others, and their family members each have their own work. They and their families are all housed separately and rarely get to see one another. No matter what they think in their hearts, what they do will certainly be loyal." Xu Zhenzhen answered in a measured tone. After she finished, a gentle voice came again from beneath the veil: "Does my husband wish to discuss with me tonight how to govern a household?"

Zhao Jin was taken aback for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. He walked to the table, picked up the steelyard balance, turned, and came before Xu Zhenzhen to lift the bridal veil.

Xu Zhenzhen's eyes closed briefly, then opened. The last time they met, Xu Zhenzhen had worn no makeup, and he had only seen the girl's delicate, quiet, and gentle features. This time, as a bride, she naturally had bridal makeup — powdered face and red lips, illuminated by the lamplight, possessed an especially alluring and captivating beauty.

Husband and wife gazed at each other under the lamplight. Xu Zhenzhen blushed and lowered her head again. Zhao Jin, too, did not know what to say at this moment. After a long silence, he racked his brain for something to break the ice.

"What are you thinking right now?"

She had not expected Zhao Jin to ask such an inexplicable question. Xu Zhenzhen could not help but laugh, and the atmosphere in the room immediately relaxed.

Zhao Jin smiled and walked to the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it. The day's bustle had not been easy, and a dry mouth and parched tongue were unavoidable.

"I regret it now. From this point on, the Xu family fortune will likely be in my husband's hands. Even when my younger brother comes of age, I fear he won't be able to get it back!" Xu Zhenzhen's words likewise caught Zhao Jin off guard.

If not for the smile still on Xu Zhenzhen's face, the tone and content of those words would have been far too weighty. A smile appeared on Zhao Jin's face. He pulled a stool over to the bedside, fixed his gaze on Xu Zhenzhen, and said, "What are you thinking right now?"

"If I were my husband, with the Xu family involved in coal and iron and possessing such a vast estate, once I had taken it, I certainly would not give it back," Xu Zhenzhen replied.

Zhao Jin smiled and shook his head, saying, "You manage everything of the Xu family yourself. When you need my help, just ask. Zhao's Camp's need for arms, armor, and other things is not without payment — we only require that you make no profit from it. Does that still count as taking and not giving back?"

Xu Zhenzhen did not speak. Tonight, Zhao Jin had drunk a little wine, and sitting face-to-face with his new bride, he was far more animated than usual. With a touch of boldness, he said, "Why would I take your family's estate and refuse to return it? Great as the Xu family may be, in my eyes it is far too small. Even if you wanted to give it to me, I wouldn't care for it."

Xu Zhenzhen covered her mouth and laughed softly, with a charm and allure Zhao Jin had never seen before. For a moment, Zhao Jin stared, transfixed. "My husband has such grand words. Even with Zhao's Camp expanded, it still does not match the Xu family's vast wealth and size. My husband truly dares to speak..."

"Your Xu family is merely large. Apart from being large, there is nothing worth mentioning." Zhao Jin's voice trailed off as he spoke.

"What is it, husband?"

"Does my lady wish to spend tonight discussing the family estate with her husband?" Zhao Jin asked with a smile. Xu Zhenzhen froze, and a rosy blush spread across both her cheeks...

The wedding proceedings were not limited to the banquet and the bridal chamber. The next day, there were still some ritual formalities to go through — for instance, the newlyweds had to pay respects to the groom's parents, serving tea and paying their greetings. Zhao Zhentang and He Cuihua were not particular about such things. He Cuihua was even more anxious and urged Zhao Jin and Xu Zhenzhen to hurry and have a child. Mother He Cuihua also said that her health was still good and she could help them look after the child.

Once these formalities were completed, the maidservants again began carrying account books and verbal messages from the Xu family stewards into the inner residence. A screen had even been set up in the main hall — some matters required face-to-face inquiry and handling. Xu Zhenzhen began busying herself, while Zhao Jin headed to the Zhao's Camp encampment at the goods yard. He, too, had many things to attend to.

This behavior of the young couple made Zhao Zhentang and He Cuihua smile wryly, but there was nothing they could do about it. On this matter, Xu Benrong was quite sympathetic, and the two families of in-laws shared the same helpless, wry smiles.

Arriving at the goods yard, from his companions down to the household troops below, everyone inevitably offered a word of congratulations before taking their respective posts.

"Big Brother, Qi San asked to see you last night and requested that I arrange it for today. It should be related to that strange behavior yesterday. His two brothers also got word and have both rushed back by now," Liu Yong said in a low voice.