Chapter 196

Chapter 196

Sun Xinghai and Zhang Maode, the two village headmen, were unwilling to abandon their village duties to enjoy a peaceful life in Luoyang. Du Shi and Zhang Wensheng's wife needed to return to take care of them, so they couldn't stay in Luoyang too long.

After consulting the almanac, Zhang family's sister-in-law and Jiang Shi set the wedding date for the two kids on the twenty-seventh of February.

Those who wanted to attend the wedding feast only needed to ask the elder for leave. Xiao Mu, being a first-rank commander of the Southern Camp, had to personally request a day's leave from the Xingping Emperor.

The Xingping Emperor already knew about two sisters in the Right Route Army camp. The elder sister, Tong Sui, was in the military, while the younger, Zhou Gui, was in medicine. During the Taiyuan battle, the elder had Zhou Gui pretend to be Tong Sui to lower General Meng Jingye's vigilance.

"Such fine girls, why didn't you arrange a marriage with Xiao Ye and Changshun's four brothers? Instead, you let Wen Gong get the luck?"

The Xingping Emperor was quite curious.

Xiao Mu helplessly replied, "I did think about it. We lived next to the Zhou family in Weixian, and the younger generation saw each other often. I thought they might form a match. However, my four grandsons are all quite rough. They are excellent on the battlefield, but these young ladies don't like rough men."

The Xingping Emperor laughed, "That's true. Wen Gong is indeed more refined than them. Alright, last year everyone fought in the battlefield, and they managed to safely enter the capital. I have a gift for them, which you can bring back on my behalf."

Xiao Mu knelt and said, "Your Majesty's grace, I will thank them on behalf of the couple."

The Xingping Emperor waved his hand, "Get up quickly, there's no need for such formality between us."

——

On the twenty-seventh, the Xiao family members went to the Zhangs' home to celebrate the wedding, except for Xiao Zhen, who had to accompany Tong Sui to the Zhou family's feast.

Madam He, Xiao Yuchan, Liu Chu, and Lin Ningfang brought the children to the Zhou family’s home.

In southern Luoyang, Xiao's paternal aunt and the Sun family's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law went to help with the wedding feast, while only the Tong family came to northern Luoyang.

In addition to relatives and friends, the Zhou family also invited neighbors they knew well to the feast, and laughter filled the three-courtyard house.

The bride sat in her room, accompanied by Tong Sui's three sisters-in-law and Xiao Yuchan.

Xiao Yuchan said, "Once Ah Xiang gets married, she'll be seven miles away. It won't be as easy for us to meet."

Zhou Gui replied, "It's okay. When you go to play in the South Market, you can invite me. When I visit my parents, I'll come to your mansion. I'm worried that if we see each other too often, we won’t appreciate it as much."

Xiao Yuchan said, "Wen Gong is truly fortunate. It would have been great if you had married into our family."

Tong Sui glanced over, and Xiao Yuchan covered her mouth with her handkerchief and laughed.

As noon neared, the wedding procession arrived at the auspicious time. Xiao Yuchan left Tong Sui and the others to watch the excitement.

With sisters accompanying the bride, the groom also brought along brothers or young, unmarried friends. Xiao Yuchan ran to the front and noticed, besides the groom Zhang Wengong, her fourth and fifth brothers. There were also two tall, handsome men, one with a fair complexion and the other with a darker complexion.

She stared at the handsome one and asked her second brother, "Who is that?"

Xiao Zhen replied, "The second son of the Zhongyong Marquis's family."

Xiao Yuchan said, "Oh, is that the lion dancer who later surrendered to our family following the Prince of Dai?"

Xiao Zhen said, "He's now a marquis's son, speak more politely."

Xiao Yuchan pouted and continued to observe the groom. Although she had seen Zhang Wengong often before, today, in his red wedding robe, he looked more handsome than usual.

Qi Yun and Jiang Tiankuo were momentarily attracted to the plump beauty next to Xiao Zhen. Qi Yun quickly averted his gaze, but Jiang Tiankuo swallowed and asked Xiao Ye, "Who is that lady?"

He had seen many beauties, starting from his own wife and daughter, then the second wife and Miss Zhou. However, this one was different, like a beautifully shaped steamed bun next to a large meat bun. Regardless of which was prettier, the size alone made one’s mouth water.

Xiao Ye noticed Jiang Tiankuo's eyes were almost glued to Xiao Yuchan and snorted, "She's my sister. Behave yourself."

Xiao She, hearing this, glanced at Jiang Tiankuo and then at Xiao Yuchan, eyes wide. "She’s my sister as well. Don’t you dare look at her like that."

Jiang Tiankuo: “……”

He didn’t get much of a chance to look, as Xiao Yuchan was ushered inside by Xiao Zhen.

After having a lunch banquet at the bride’s home, the groom took the bride away. Zhou Xian and Tong Gui, as her brothers, went to escort her.

Since the two families were already very familiar with each other and knew each other's background well, the bride Zhou Gui didn’t shed any tears. Even Jiang Shi wore a face full of joy.

The dinner banquet at the Zhang family's side was much livelier than at the bride’s home. In addition to the closest relatives and friends, Zhang Wengong had also invited some military officers from his garrison, all in their twenties and thirties. They drank as if it were water itself.

Xiao Yan, Xiao Ye, Xiao She, Qiao Changan, the Sun brothers, Jiang Tiankuo, and Pan Dai were seated together at a table.

Zhang Wengong deliberately came to their table last to toast, because if he had come too early, these people wouldn’t let him leave easily.

Xiao Ye said, "You're quite something, getting married before me! Come, you must drink a bowl!"

Xiao She and the others joined in.

When it was Pan Dai's turn to toast, Xiao Ye chuckled. "This bowl, Wengong has to drink clean, because among us, probably only you can drink Pan Dai's wedding toast. By the time I get married, even if I send a wedding invitation to Pan Dai, he might not have the time to come."

Pan Dai forced a smile and said, "Fourth Master, you’re teasing me again. If you want to drink, I’ll be there whenever you call."

Sun Wei glanced at his older brother.

Sun Dian wore a sarcastic look.

They didn’t feel it much while serving in the military, but their mother had told them that once when the mother and daughter-in-law went to buy things in the South Market, they ran into the Wangs. Just as they were about to greet them, the Wangs turned away as if they hadn’t seen them. Moreover, when the Zhangs were preparing for the wedding banquet, both their family and the Tong family had proactively gone to help, but the Pans hadn’t shown up even once!

If the Wangs had always been this cold, it might just be a clash of personalities, but the sudden change in attitude after they arrived in Luoyang was clearly because of instructions from Pan Yong and Pan Dai. Coupled with Pan Yong's frequent interactions with Fan Zhao, what more was there to figure out?

If it were Sun Dian organizing the wedding, he wouldn’t have invited the Pans!

Jiang Tiankuo, unaware of the underlying tensions, had initially toasted with Pan Dai, but upon hearing the sarcasm in Xiao Ye's words and observing the expressions of the Sun brothers, he felt a jolt of surprise. He subtly glanced at Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun just smiled and drank, never once raising his bowl to Pan Dai.

Jiang Tiankuo, having learned the lion dance under the Jiang family and naturally aligned with Jiang Yun, confirmed his suspicions and stopped paying attention to Pan Dai.

Pan Dai drank silently, his mind flashing back to the scenes of comrades fighting together on the battlefield. They would pretend not to care even if they were injured and would drink themselves into a stupor at victory banquets after winning.

He loved those days.

But he trusted his father's judgment even more. A tall tree catches much wind, and the Jizhou faction had those who didn’t accept the Xiao family. The old courtiers and noble families of Luoyang didn’t accept any new nobles, and among the new nobles, the Xiao family had the shallowest roots and was the easiest to target.

The Xiao family was excellent in deploying troops, but in the peaceful officialdom, they might not be a match for those two factions.

——

As night fell, the drunk Zhang Wengong went to the bridal chamber, while Xiao Yan and the others continued to drink for another two quarters of an hour until the banquet ended.

Zhou Xian would rest for the night at the Tong family with Tong Gui. Jiang Tiankuo pulled Qiao Yun away, and Xiao Gufu and Qiao Changan rode horses back to their homes.

The Sun brothers followed Xiao Mu and his grandsons as they headed north.

When they passed by Sun Dian's residence in Fushan Ward, Sun Wei dismounted to bid farewell to his father, but Sun Dian remained seated on his horse without moving.

Sun Wei frowned, saying, "Big brother, it's time to go home."

Sun Dian said, "You go ahead. I’ll see Old Master off."

He escorted him all the way to Qinghua Lane.

The old master instructed all the younger generations to return to their rooms and took Sun Dian to his study.

As soon as they entered, Sun Dian fell to his knees, hugging the old master's leg from behind, speaking as if in a dream or a daze, "Old Master, please grant me this. Wen Gong only knew Miss Zhou for two years and got his wish. Liu'er and I have known each other for twelve years. Won't you help me fulfill my desire?"

Xiao Mu turned around, patting Sun Dian on the head, "Since tomorrow is a day off, go sleep in the guest room for the night. I'll ask Liu'er about her thoughts tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Sun Dian both laughed and cried, wiping his tears on the old master’s trousers before taking his leave.

Xiao Mu looked at the wet spot on his leg and shook his head.

The next morning, before anyone else was awake, Xiao Mu arranged for Sun Dian to hide in an inner room of the study. After breakfast, he summoned Tong Sui and Liu Chu to join him in the study.

"Aman, I need to ask Liu'er something. Please wait outside."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chu immediately tensed up and instinctively looked at Tong Sui.

Seeing that the old master had already entered, Tong Sui held Liu Chu's slightly cold hand and whispered, "Don't worry. Grandfather is the best to us. It'll be fine."

Tong Sui hugged her, "Follow your heart. Answer however you wish without feeling pressured by anyone."

If she didn't want to remarry, then she shouldn't mind how obsessed Sun Dian was with her. If she did want to remarry, she shouldn't worry about any gossip around her.

In chaotic times, people just wanted to survive. Now that there was peace, she should live the way she wanted.

Liu Chu nodded, gave her a final look, and crossed the threshold.

Tong Sui stood beneath the nearby eaves.

Inside, Xiao Mu took his seat at the head of the room and gestured for Liu Chu to sit in the lower-left seat.

Liu Chu stood in the middle with her eyes lowered, clenching her hands, "Grandfather, please just say what you need to. I feel more comfortable this way."

Xiao Mu didn't force her, "Very well, then. Liu'er, you've been in our family for eleven years since you married at fifteen. Apart from the time when the eldest was around and these past two years, you've spent most of it working hard without enjoying much."

Upon hearing this, Liu Chu knelt down and wept, "Grandfather, please don't say that. It is my duty as a daughter-in-law. Without your protection, I would have perished in the chaos of war, like my father and the others."

Xiao Mu said, "Don't cry. It pains me to see you cry. Alright, let's not talk about those things. I have long considered you my own granddaughter. Do you believe me?"

Liu Chu nodded, "I believe you. I know how good you've been to me."

Xiao Mu continued, "In large families, the most honest members often do the most work but may not be the happiest. It's like you and Yu Chan. As elders, we can speak up for the honest ones a few times, but if we nag constantly, the honest ones remain honest while the lazy ones resent us. So sometimes, it's better to turn a blind eye and seek peace and quiet."

Liu Chu replied, "I understand. You've already done your best to help me. It's just that I couldn't stand on my own."

Xiao Mu said, "You have a soft temperament, and whether you live well depends on the conscience of those around you. If you had continued living with your second aunt, you would have been stuck in a life of toil forever. Fortunately, you met a good sister-in-law who helped you stand up."

Liu Chu looked back, her gaze softening.

Xiao Mu continued, "You are still young. It would be a pity to remain single all your life. I know Sun Dian has feelings for you. I've observed him closely on this journey. He's been living honestly in the camp, never entertaining thoughts of finding a pretty maid even when he had the chance. He is reliable, the eldest son listens to you, and Sun Wei’s wife is easy to get along with. If you marry into their family, you will be able to live a good life."

Liu Chu lowered her head.

Xiao Mu: "If you want to marry, then marry, and don't have any reservations. Second and Fourth have already tacitly approved. I will formally recognize you as my granddaughter and marry you off with great pomp. The Xiao Family will become your maternal family, closer than your former in-laws."

Liu Chu shed some more tears and, after calming down, looked at the hem of the old man's robe and said, "Grandfather, I understand the intentions of you, Second Brother, and Fourth Brother. I... I am willing to marry Sun Dian, but not now."

Xiao Mu: "Are you waiting for Mianmian to grow up?"

Liu Chu: "Yes. Mianmian is the closest person to me in this world. I can't bear to leave her behind, nor can I bear to bring her to the Sun family. Second Brother and Aman have hired so many tutors for her. She should stay here in the Xiao Family as their young miss."

"As for Sun Dian, he has been fighting in the war for the past year and probably didn't have time to think about anything else. Now that things have settled down, he is a third-rank military officer. He will encounter countless well-bred ladies or beautiful maids in the future. Compared to them, what am I, an old flame...?"

"I like this old flame of mine!"

A loud roar startled Liu Chu, and she saw Sun Dian storming out from the inner room.

Realizing that he had overheard her, Liu Chu panicked and lowered her head.

Sun Dian circled around her, his chest heaving. "So, in your eyes, this is who I am! I'm a third-rank military officer, but Second Master is also a lord—handsomer and of higher status than me. If those well-bred ladies and beautiful maids want to flirt with someone, they'll flirt with him. Does Second Madam worry? I've been waiting for you for years, only for you to doubt me like this!"

Outside the door, Tong Sui, who had no intention of eavesdropping: "..."

Xiao Mu scolded Sun Dian: "Lower your voice!"

Sun Dian took a few deep breaths, then knelt down beside his frightened beloved. "If Liu Chu wants to wait until Mianmian grows up, I'll wait with her. Whether it's seven, eight, or ten years, it doesn't matter. If I get involved with any woman during this time, may I be struck by lightning and meet a terrible end!"

Liu Chu wept, "Why did you make such a terrible oath? If you truly like someone, I wouldn't blame you. I..."

Sun Dian grabbed her hand and gritted his teeth, "If swearing a terrible oath isn't enough to make you believe me, do I need to cut off that thing?"

Tong Sui: "..."

Xiao Mu: "..."

Shocked, Liu Chu blushed deeply, pulled her hand free, and ran away.

Tong Sui chased after her.

Sun Dian looked awkwardly at the old man.

Xiao Mu pointed to a sword hanging on the wall, "Go ahead, cut it off, and I'll believe you on behalf of Liu Chu."

Sun Dian moved his lips and muttered softly, "I don't want to leave Liu Chu a widow."

Xiao Mu: "Get out!"