Chapter 205

Chapter 205

Xiao Ye teased the young lady and then ran off to catch up with his older brother and the prospective brother-in-law, whose marriage was not yet confirmed.

Yan Mingxiu's face was still burning red.

Tong Sui's face was also red, embarrassed by her younger brother-in-law's behavior. The Yan family was a scholarly family, after all. If Yan Mingxiu didn't appreciate Xiao Ye's frivolous and improper behavior, finding him frivolous and improper, how would she and Lin Ningfang be able to handle the situation?

"Mingxiu, don't mind him. He likes to joke around normally. Before we came, I repeatedly warned him to behave properly, but he still lost his composure in front of you," Tong Sui quickly apologized on Xiao Ye's behalf after the awkward moment.

Mianmian added, "Fourth Uncle speaks without restraint. If you're angry, feel free to be mad, but don't misunderstand. Fourth Uncle is only like this around our family. He's very proper outside. He must really like you to show his true self in front of you."

Yan Mingxiu, seeing how anxious they were, quickly said, "It's okay. Actually, I didn't really hear what Fourth Uncle said."

Mianmian said, "I heard it. Fourth Uncle said a bee flew into his sleeve."

Tong Sui said, "...Yes, into his sleeve. That's why he went to check, to prevent it from flying out and startling you."

Yan Mingxiu, both embarrassed and amused, nodded, partially believing the story from the older and younger women.

When they reached behind Xiao Zhen and the others, Xiao Ye didn't look at Yan Mingxiu again. Although Yan Mingxiu noticed his sister's face was still red, he assumed it was because she was shy about the matchmaking.

Upon meeting Lady Yan and Mrs. Dong, Xiao Ye behaved even more properly. It wasn't until the two families parted that Xiao Ye waved and ran off before his second sister-in-law could report on him, saying he wanted to ride his horse back to the city alone.

Xiao Zhen, watching his younger brother's back, asked Tong Sui, "What did he do this time?"

Tong Sui couldn't bring herself to say.

Mianmian, worried that Fourth Uncle would get beaten up by Second Uncle, kept her eyes down.

Back at the Marquis’s residence, after sending Mianmian back to Liu Chu, Tong Sui had the chance to explain the situation to Xiao Zhen.

Xiao Zhen: "..."

Tong Sui: "If Mingxiu doesn't report it to the Yans, Fourth Brother still has a chance. But if Mingxiu tells them..."

Xiao Zhen: "She probably won't. Fourth Brother must be confident to act so rashly. You go back first. I'll go find him."

Tong Sui: "Why would you look for him?"

Xiao Zhen: "To help him remove the bee."

—

With May arriving, the Dragon Boat Festival was just around the corner. A few days before the fifth day of the fifth month, relatives and friends exchanged festival gifts.

Lin Ningfang took Xiao Yan to the Yan family again and received a positive response, which made her breathe a sigh of relief.

Xiao Yan, seeing her relieved expression, said tenderly, "At first, helping to set up the connection was enough. After that, Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law should have handled Fourth Brother's matters. Look how tired you are."

He maintained a mature demeanor at the Yan family, but thinking about how his usually cold and reserved wife had to put on a smile and flatter the Yan family for Fourth Brother's sake, Xiao Yan felt quite uncomfortable.

Lin Ningfang said, "It's just talking. What's so tiring about that? Besides, when the family helped me reclaim my ancestral home, didn't the Marquis, Second Sister-in-law, and Fourth Brother also help?"

Xiao Yan: "That didn't need so many visits."

Lin Ningfang: "I'm willing to do it. If you don't want to come next time, you can skip it."

Xiao Yan: "If you go, I'll go. I'm happy to be their nephew-by-marriage."

Lin Ningfang gave him a glare and sat a little farther away.

Xiao Yan hurried after her and helped fan her with a fan.

Tong Sui and her husband were not idle today either. They first went to the neighboring SiGong Ward to deliver festival gifts to their grandfather and uncle’s family, then headed to southern Luoyang to deliver gifts to the Tong and Qiao families. They visited three households in total and, unexpectedly, heard good news from all of them.

As for the Zhou family, Aunt Jiang had helped arrange a match for Tong Sui’s cousin, Zhou Xian. The girl’s family owned a cosmetics shop on the same street as the Zhou family’s medical clinic. One day, the girl accompanied her elder to the clinic for a consultation, and it happened that Zhou Xian was the attending physician. They seemed interested in each other, and after inquiring about each other’s family histories, the elders were also satisfied.

As for Tong Gui, he had been living alone in the new house for over a month when, somehow, he and the girl next door became close. After Tong Youyu and Zhou Qing moved in, Tong Gui asked Zhou Qing to help arrange the marriage. Upon inquiring, Zhou Qing found out that the girl’s family were scholars. Although her father had failed the imperial exams many times, they had ancestral property and were well-off, not worrying about food or clothing. The family treated their servants kindly, so Zhou Qing agreed to the marriage.

For the Qiao family, the Xiao family’s aunt had originally planned to find a wife for Qiao Changshun first. However, Qiao Changshun sent a letter back from Liaozhou, saying that he had taken a liking to a girl from a local thousand-household commander’s family and was preparing to marry there. He would bring his wife back with him. Trusting her eldest son’s judgment, the Xiao family’s aunt did not interfere and instead gave the match arranged by the matchmaker to Qiao Changan.

The Xiao family’s aunt said, “I specifically told the matchmaker not to look for families with officials to avoid people saying we are deliberately currying favor with Luoyang officials. Fortunately, there was a young lady in the same ward whose grandfather and father had both been officials but had passed away. She has the upbringing of an official’s daughter but without any other entanglements. She can marry into our family and live a peaceful life with us.”

Xiao Zhen said, “Auntie, there’s no need to be so cautious. As long as we don’t engage in factionalism, we don’t need to worry about others’ gossip.”

The Xiao family’s aunt replied, “That’s true, but it’s better to avoid unnecessary trouble if we can. Our family is already quite prominent, so there’s no need to seek equally prominent relatives. As long as the girl is suitable, that’s enough.”

Tong Sui laughed and said, “These brothers of theirs, either they were all single, and now they’re all getting married. There will be wedding celebrations almost every month for the next few months.”

The Xiao family’s aunt said, “It’s due to the wars in recent years. Not just us, but now matchmakers throughout Luoyang are busy. I’ve even heard that some people are trying to secure marriages with the new imperial scholars.”

——

After the Dragon Boat Festival, the Xiao family’s matchmaker formally went to the Yan family to propose marriage.

Once the proposal was made, news of Xiao Ye’s marriage spread among the military officers. After court dispersed, Fan Zhao first congratulated Xiao Mu and then said to Xiao Zhen, “You always turned down invitations to drink before. Now that your fourth brother is getting married, shouldn’t you brothers take the initiative to treat us to a round of drinks?”

Xiao Zhen laughed and said, “That’s only right. How about tonight?”

Fan Zhao said, “Great! Let’s also invite Luo Xiao and Zhao Jin, and call Qi Ling and Qi Yun, along with all your brothers.”

Feng Ji sighed to Lu Gong, “We’re getting old. No one invites us to join in the drinking anymore.”

Fan Zhao said, “That’s unfair. We invite you guys often, but you don’t come.”

Feng Ji said, “We know our place. We don’t want to intrude on your fun. Forget it, you guys enjoy your gathering. We’ll go drink at a smaller table ourselves.”

At dusk, Xiao Zhen sent a message to Tong Sui, saying that several brothers were going to drink at a restaurant in the North Market that night, so there was no need to wait for them for dinner.

At the restaurant, Xiao Zhen and Xiao Ye arrived first and sent Xiao Yan and Xiao She to invite other close brothers.

Xiao Zhen sat at the middle table in the private room, while Xiao Ye lounged casually by the window, his gaze sweeping over the crowd on the wide street. Suddenly, his eyes fixed on a spot, and he smiled, “I told you, it was unnecessary to have Third Brother invite Pan Dai. He’s following Fan Zhao.”

Xiao Zhen glanced over and said, “Let him follow who he wants. I’m inviting my own.”

Xiao Ye waved to Fan Zhao, who had noticed him, and continued speaking to his older brother, “Pan Yong did well. He really dealt with Ren Xun over there, which intimidated the officials in the surrounding counties. He didn’t lose face for Fan Zhao.”

Xiao Zhen said, “When we’re outside, don’t talk about court matters.”

Xiao Ye nodded and looked behind Fan Zhao, saying, “Luo Xiao isn’t with Fan Zhao. It seems he’ll be coming with Zhao Jin.”

Fan Zhao and Pan Dai arrived first, followed by Luo Xiao and Zhao Jin, and finally Xiao Yan, Xiao She, and a group of nine.

Xiao Ye looked at everyone and asked Qi Yun, “Where’s your brother, Qi Ling?”

Qi Yun said, “It was pointless to invite him. When has he ever been willing to drink with us?”

Ever since Qi Yun had surrendered to the Xiao family in Shuozhou, while his father Qi Heng and his son Qi Ling had been tied up for several days before receiving the Xingping Emperor’s mercy, the three of them had split into two factions. Qi Yun continued to follow the Xiao family’s right-wing army, while Qi Heng and his son, although they had fought alongside the Xiao family’s right-wing army under the orders of the Xingping Emperor, later continued to support the Xingping Emperor and had minimal contact with the Xiao family.

Xiao Shen smiled at Fan Zhao.

Fan Zhao: "Ah, I asked Xiao Er to invite Qi Yun. Oh well, if he wants to come or not, it's up to him. We've got enough people here. Everyone, take a seat, take a seat. Tell the waiter to bring the wine and dishes quickly!"

After a short while, the waiter brought a wine jug and filled large bowls for a dozen or so generals.

Fan Zhao looked at Xiao Ye: "You're getting married. This bowl is for you first!"

Xiao Ye: "Then you'll have many more to toast."

Tong Gui and Qiao Chang'an immediately laughed, and Jiang Tiankuo also coughed to announce his own good news.

Sun Dian snorted.

Fan Zhao inquired around and found out that all the bachelors present would be getting married this year, except for Sun Dian, and the unhurried Qi Yun and Xiao She.

Sun Dian said to Fan Zhao: "Come on, I'll drink with Commander Fan."

Fan Zhao laughed loudly: "Drinking is fine, but I have to say, I'm getting married too!"

Sun Dian: "..."

Luo Xiao asked curiously: "Who are you marrying? How come we haven't heard about it before?"

Fan Zhao: "I just decided today, and I'll send someone to propose tomorrow."

Xiao Ye: "Which family's maiden has such fortune?"

Fan Zhao slapped Pan Dai on the shoulder: "Pan Dai's sister."

Pan Dai looked at Fan Zhao in shock.

He knew his sister wanted to marry Fan Zhao and that Fan Zhao had the intention too, but Fan Zhao hadn't given a definitive answer before today.

Seeing Pan Dai's stunned expression, Fan Zhao laughed and explained: "I've wanted to propose for a long time, but we hadn’t received news from Liangzhou. I figured your family was worried and wouldn't have the mood to consider marriage. Now, with your father's achievement, I'll propose, adding to your joy."

He was straightforward, and Pan Dai, feeling a bit guilty, forced a smile and looked at Xiao Shen and the others.

Of course, Xiao Shen and the others congratulated Fan Zhao.

Luo Xiao, while drinking, glanced at Xiao Ye and the others.

So many single men, and the female doctor from the Right Route Army was already engaged to Zhang Wengong. If the Pan family's girl is good enough, wouldn’t Xiao Ye and the others vie for her?

The group drank for almost an hour before dispersing.

Pan Dai lived in southern Luoyang, and Luo Xiao asked him to return with Zhang Wengong and the others. He helped the drunk Fan Zhao onto the carriage. Both families lived on the northernmost street.

Fan Zhao had a high tolerance for alcohol; even when very drunk, his mind stayed mostly clear.

With only the two of them now, Luo Xiao reminded him: "Earlier, the emperor wanted to arrange a match for you several times, but you didn't agree. Why are you suddenly getting married now?"

Fan Zhao: "In the past, I was just a deputy general, and my mother didn't bother with me. Now that I'm a marquis, with so many matchmakers visiting, my mother began urging me."

Luo Xiao: "With so many noble ladies, why..."

Fan Zhao glared: "Are you looking down on Yuerou? Hmph, let me tell you, I don’t like those so-called maidens in Luoyang who think they are from prestigious families and look down on us rough soldiers. Yuerou is wonderful; she is beautiful and has a slim waist..."

Luo Xiao quickly interjected: "Alright, as long as you like her. But, shouldn't you inform the emperor first?"

Fan Zhao let out a burp, thought for a moment, and nodded. "I should inform the Emperor, so he can share in my happiness."

The next day, Fan Zhao, feeling sober and refreshed, headed to the palace.

Xingping Emperor: "Pan Yong’s daughter? How did you come to know her?"

Fan Zhao: "It was last time, when I recommended Pan Yong to go to Liangzhou. He wanted to thank me, so he invited me over for drinks. I met her when I visited their home."

Xingping Emperor: "Did you fall in love at first sight?"

Fan Zhao laughed. "You’ll see why when you meet her. She is exceptionally beautiful. Anyway, my mother has been nagging me lately, so getting married will stop her nagging."

Xingping Emperor: "I know you don’t favor the young ladies of Luoyang, but there are young women from the northern regions with superior family backgrounds. Not to mention, the Xiao and Qi families also have daughters who are well-suited for you. Wouldn’t they be more appropriate for you than Pan Yong’s daughter?"

Fan Zhao blinked. "Are you referring to Xiao San’s younger sister and Qi Yun’s younger sister? That wouldn’t work. They have both been married before. At best, they could be my concubines."

Xingping Emperor: "Forget it. Marry whomever you please. I don’t intend to interfere."