Chapter 122 Variable

Chapter 122 Changes

Chai Jun was busy comforting his Yun Geer. Even knowing his actions were improper and had clearly upset his peers, his heart was completely with his beloved who had been wronged, and he could no longer care about anything else.

Song Tingzhou brought his husband to the front courtyard. Meng Wan sent the maidservant beside him to summon Third Master Zhu.

"Why leave so suddenly? Won't the champion scholar, Chai, take offense?"

Song Tingzhou frowned unconsciously at the mention of Chai Jun. Though he and Chai Jun had little bond, he couldn't badmouth someone behind their back. So he could only force himself to say, "He's no good. Today's wedding will surely spell trouble."

Meng Wan stood inside the archway, gently waving a round silk fan, his eyes sweeping over the Chai family's dependents and the Fu family's relatives in the back courtyard.

"Not a good man? With a family full of unruly relatives and a man like that, what was there to hope for?"

Third Master Zhu was summoned from the banquet by the maidservant. Hearing that Song Tingzhou wanted to leave, despite trusting him deeply, he had to ask, "Where's Zening?"

Where was his fine, obedient son?

—

Lan Niang's bridal sedan chair attracted pointing fingers and gossip all the way. No one had ever seen a bride arrive in a sedan chair without the groom.

"Where's the groom? Just a sedan chair—did they not pick up the bride?"

"What eyes you have? Can't you see the procession and the bridal attendant beside it? They must have picked up the bride."

"Then where's the groom?"

"Well… isn't that the groom on the tall horse ahead? But why isn't he wearing the wedding robe?"

Zhu Zening led the bridal procession on horseback, shifting uneasily in his saddle as he heard the roadside whispers. He thought: That bastard Chai Jun is such a schemer, but why hasn't Brother Song come back yet!

This journey was torment not only for Lan Niang in the sedan chair, but even more so for Zhu Zening, who felt fidgety, like sitting on pins and needles, standing in for the groom.

When they finally reached the new residence, Zhu Zening saw from afar his father, Song Tingzhou, and Meng Wan waiting for him at the gate.

"Brother Song, why didn't you wait for me!" Zhu Zening complained.

Fu Peisheng, escorting the sedan chair, wore a grim expression and was boiling with anger. But the moment he saw Meng Wan, he froze, staring straight at him without moving. His anger turned into something else, and his face instantly flushed red.

Song Tingzhou keenly noticed his gaze landing on his own husband. He quickly shifted Zhu Zening aside, who was still grumbling, and turned slightly to block Meng Wan.

His handsome face tensed, eyes covered with frost, and he coldly stared at Fu Peisheng, speaking each word deliberately: "May I ask what you are staring at?"

He bit off the word "instruction" heavily, as if he were about to drag Fu Peisheng off for a "discussion" right that second.

Fu Peisheng snapped out of it when his view was blocked. Right, this young lord had a husband. It was indeed wrong to stare like that.

He looked down and awkwardly straightened his robe. Behind him, the sound of gongs and drums started again. He glanced at his sister's sedan chair and called the matchmaker forward.

"Are you relatives of Chai Jun? On his wedding day, he rode away alone, leaving my sister to come in the sedan chair by herself. Now that our family's sedan chair has arrived, won't he come out to welcome the bride?"

Fu Peisheng grew angrier as he spoke. It was the Chai family that first let it be known they wanted to marry a girl from Shengjing. His sister Lan Niang was getting older, and she had lately come around, wanting to marry a scholar from an ordinary family. So they had sent a matchmaker to make contact.

The Chai family was eager for the wedding but had no money for a big celebration. The wedding house and banquet had all been paid for by the Fu family. They had endured that, but on the wedding day itself, Chai Jun abandoned his betrothed wife and ran off to who knows where—what did that leave his sister to face!

Seeing the situation, Third Master Zhu quickly distanced himself. "Our two families are just invited guests. The Chai family is receiving inside the courtyard."

The sound of gongs and drums was so loud that naturally the Chai family heard it. Chai's parents and their two sons and daughters-in-law all came out to greet them.

"The sedan chair is here! Good, good—call the bride and matchmaker inside."

"Brother-in-law, please come in."

"Those behind are the dowry, right? Carry them to the back courtyard quickly."

The Chai family members spoke in a lively flurry, but none showed any intention of calling Chai Jun out.

Fu Peisheng found the situation utterly absurd. "Since ancient times, has there ever been a custom where the bride enters the house alone? You... you're being unreasonable!"

The Chai family was impossible to deal with. "Brother-in-law is wrong. Our custom in Anping Prefecture is for the bride to enter by herself."

"That's right—aren't we all here to accompany her? What else is there to say?"

"Once she enters the gate, she's our daughter-in-law. She needs to get used to the rules early. She's no maiden waiting at home anymore."

Not a single person in the Chai family was reasonable. Fu Peisheng, a straightforward scholar, was so choked up he couldn't form a complete sentence.

The scene was too heartrending. Even Zhu Zening, a wealthy young master raised on fine clothes and food, couldn't bear it and muttered, "If I were the Fu family, I'd just carry the sedan chair back. Better than marrying the girl into such a family."

His words showed some backbone, but they didn't matter.

Meng Wan gave him a thoughtful look, then said, "In Shengjing, where every step has rules, it's already controversial enough that the Fu girl's sedan chair arrived without the groom. If they really carried it back out of spite, the gossip would hound her to death."

Zhu Zening felt sorry for her. "But swallowing such an insult is like swallowing a bitter pill. If she has to bear such grievances before even crossing the threshold, life will only get worse."

Meng Wan's eyes crinkled as he spoke to Third Master Zhu beside him. "Uncle, Zening's words and actions are much more mature now. Once he's married, you can let go."

Zening's marriage was still unsettled. The Fu family was simple, but from how they dealt with the Chai family, they seemed honest and decent. The Fu family had a good name, the Zhu family had money—weren't they a good match?

Third Master Zhu initially thought Meng Wan's praise of his son was odd, but meeting his smiling eyes, he suddenly saw the light.

The gong and drum players, sensing the tension, stopped one by one. From inside the sedan chair came Lan Niang's calm voice: "Please, esteemed elders of the Chai family, call Chai Jun out."

No one could see that under her red veil, she was clutching a gold-trimmed red handkerchief, her palms scratched and blood seeping into the fabric.

The Chai family looked around but no one moved. They had come to stall for time. Earlier, Chai's parents hadn't wanted their son to marry a male spouse, but now they felt that since their son was accomplished and had married the daughter of an earl's household, it was only right for him to take several concubines. Even the local landlord had several concubines, let alone their son, who was a champion scholar.

Mother Chai smiled as she pretended not to hear. "Lan Niang, come in first. We'll talk inside. Let your two sisters-in-law help you."

Seeing the two Chai daughters-in-law approach the sedan chair to drag Lan Niang out by force, Third Master Zhu reached out and pushed his son hard from behind—

Zhu Zening ended up blocking them without knowing how. He stared blankly at the two village women with their hands on their hips.

"Aren't you one of my brother-in-law's peers? What are you stopping us for?"

Both the Fu and Chai families looked at him. Zhu Zening's mouth opened and closed. Steeling himself, he said, "Miss Fu and Chai Jun haven't even performed the wedding ceremony! Where do you get off calling yourselves sisters-in-law? You're just taking advantage of the Fu elders' absence to bully the girl!" The more he spoke, the more indignant he became.

Lan Niang was startled inside the sedan chair. This man was a peer of Chai Jun's? He seemed a kind-hearted person, actually willing to speak for her.

Seeing that Fu Peisheng, a gentle scholar, had done nothing after all this time, Third Master Zhu coughed lightly and stepped forward, saying in a seemingly sincere tone: "Brother and sister Chai, on such a happy day, we don't want to make a spectacle. Please call Chai Jun out."

If they didn't want to marry her, they should quickly step aside for his son. Though picking up someone else's scraps was a bit unethical, as a merchant, Third Master Zhu had done this plenty. Before, it was snatching deals; now, it was snatching a wife for his son.

"It's not that we won't call him. Our brother-in-law truly has urgent business. Anyway, from today we're all family. It's the same if we help her in."

The two Chai daughters-in-law still tried to force their way into the sedan chair and drag Lan Niang out, but Zhu Zening stood firm at the door, blocking them completely.

The Chai family was completely shameless. They didn't care if others watched the spectacle. The whole family just stood at the gate. If anyone had the nerve, they could try to break in and find him.

The whole Fu family were holding back their anger; today's wedding wasn't going to end well. They were furious, but they couldn't completely ignore what the neighbors might think—that their girl was desperate to marry.

The two families were stuck at the entrance, drawing a crowd of onlookers from the alley entrance.

At this moment, Meng Wan moved to stand before Mr. and Mrs. Chai, put his hands on his hips, and took their side, looking discontentedly at the bridal sedan chair and muttering, "What were the Fus thinking? Aren't they just making people gossip about our Chai family! She hasn't even entered the door yet and she's already making such a fuss. If she really marries into the household and lives in the same courtyard…"

He stopped mid-sentence, as if realizing he shouldn't have said it, ignoring the Chai family’s eavesdropping.

Why did he stop? What would happen if she really lived in the courtyard? Would she dare to bully her in-laws?

She dares!

The elderly couple were angered by their own imaginings.

Meng Wan seemed to realize he'd said the wrong thing and quickly added, "Uncle Chai, Aunt Chai, why not call out Master Chai? Although the Fu En Count's family has neither wealth nor power, they still have the title of Count. Master Chai is different—he earned everything through his own efforts, personally appointed by His Majesty the Emperor. The entire kingdom of Yu has produced very few top-ranked scholars like him. If they make a scene out here and it spreads, affecting Master Chai's future, that would be terrible!"

Although Chai Jun's official appointment had already been issued, he hadn't yet taken up his post at the Hanlin Academy. Meng Wan's repeated references to "Master Chai" made the old couple giddy, as if their son would become a Grand Secretary any day now.

Mrs. Chai unconsciously raised her chin. When she heard the last part, her smile faltered, and she asked Meng Wan, "Can a bit of gossip really affect my son's future?"

Meng Wan flattered her, "Aunt Chai, my husband's official rank isn't as high as Master Chai's, and I don't understand as much as your family. I heard this from others—I'm not sure if it's correct?"

Mr. Chai put on a stern face and said, "Yes, that's true. We can't harm Da Lang's prospects." Flattered by Meng Wan, he now pretended to be knowledgeable.

He called to his second son, "Er Lang, go find your elder brother and tell him to take her inside first."

Within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Er Lang called out his elder brother. Chai Jun seemed to feel he had done wrong, with a face full of guilt. "Miss Fu, I'm truly sorry. There was a family emergency, which delayed me. I'll help you out of the bridal chair now."

Fu Peisheng had been full of anger, but leaving his sister waiting was no solution. Since Chai Jun's attitude appeared sincere, he gave way and agreed to let him take her.

Zhu Zening had intended to step aside as well, but when he looked up, he saw his father glaring at him and his sister-in-law secretly signaling him to stay back. He didn't know whether to retreat or advance.

Inside the sedan chair, Lan Niang quietly lifted her red veil. Through the thin gauze of the curtain, she could vaguely make out the tall figure blocking the outside. For a moment, she said nothing.

Chai Jun looked at Zhu Zening in confusion. "Brother Zhu…"

"Jun Lang~"

At that moment, a handsome young man ran out from the courtyard. On this day of celebration, a bandage was wrapped around his forehead, faintly stained with red. His summer clothes were thin, revealing a rounded belly—he was pregnant.

A commotion arose from the surrounding crowd. Meng Wan and Third Master Zhu exchanged a glance. Well, looks like this might actually work.

This scene probably didn't need him to stoke the fire anymore. Meng Wan retreated to Song Tingzhou's side. Song took his hand and quietly asked, "Is this the reason you said he was not a good match?"

Song Tingzhou nodded almost imperceptibly, then softly asked Meng Wan, "You and Third Master Zhu?"

Meng Wan whispered, "Just trying to see if I can bring them together."

Chai Jun, as protective as if he were guarding his own eyes, held Yun Geer in his arms, his words of reproach laced with concern. "Why did you come out? I told you to stay inside and rest."

Yun Geer looked pitiful, tears streaming down his face. "Jun Lang, do you really intend to marry someone else? If so, I will leave your side, so I won't stand in the way of your career and your beautiful wife!"

His tone was firm, and he turned to run, but Chai Jun caught him.

Chai Jun said in pain, "I told you I have my reasons. Just wait a little longer…"

"Wait for what? For you to marry me first and then take him as a concubine, or simply kick me out once you've made it and marry your lover?"

Lan Niang had been putting up with it, but this was the result she got in the end: her fiancé already had a child before even marrying her.

Even the most dissolute playboys in the capital wouldn't do such a thing, yet this top scholar from a small place was such a playboy. Ridiculous.

Lan Niang threw off the red veil and stepped out of the bridal chair, her palm stained with blood, trembling with rage, her heart aching bitterly. But as soon as she came out, she didn't face the pair of lovers pulling at each other; instead, she turned her head to see Zhu Zening looking back at her with an innocent expression.

Most of her anger suddenly subsided.

Chai Jun was still making excuses. "I have no intention of deceiving you, Miss, but Yun Geer is the love of my life. I will never let him go. I promise you, I will take only him as a concubine. If you can tolerate him, I will cherish you."

Even the bystander Meng Wan was disgusted. He saw Lan Niang gripping her handkerchief tightly, occasionally letting a drop of blood fall.

Meng Wan pushed Song Tingzhou, leaned on his shoulder, and whispered, "Go to the nearby pharmacy and buy some wound medicine—good quality, in a nice box."

Song Tingzhou nodded lightly and walked out of the alley, entrusting Third Master Zhu to look after Meng Wan before leaving.

Lan Niang took a deep breath, her eyes red-rimmed. "Since I haven't yet performed the wedding ceremony with Master Chai, let's make it clear. Master Chai's words and actions are unacceptable to me."

Tears in her eyes, she looked at Fu Peisheng. "Brother…" If she went back like this, her reputation would be ruined. Her brother wasn't married yet—would he hold it against her for bringing shame to the family?

Fu Peisheng was not good with words, and though he felt distressed for his sister, he could only pull her sleeve and said firmly, "There's no need to marry into the Chai family. Let's go home."

The wedding band disbanded on the spot. The matchmaker hired by the Fu family didn't know where to begin with advice; her reputation was ruined.

Fu Peisheng helped his sister into the sedan chair, tore off the red silk tied above, threw it at Chai Jun, and hissed through his teeth, "Chai Jun, you are something else. Our Fu family will never forget this great humiliation."

Just as he was about to take his sister home again, Chai Jun wanted to stop him but was tangled up with Yun Geer, who was crying to go back to Anping.

Instead of helping, Chai's parents and brothers, still high on Meng Wan's flattery, began to mock.

"Are the Counts so great? They sent their bride over and now they're slinking back. Our Da Lang isn't afraid of bad reputation—he's a man, after all. But let's see how your girl can marry anyone now!"

"That's right! If she shows up again, we won't be so polite next time."

"My son is the top scholar in the Hanlin Academy. You're just farmers. Marrying into our family is already a stretch. How dare you act so haughty!"

Meng Wan took a few quick steps and stepped on Zhu Zening's foot, urging him urgently, "Quick, go tell Miss Fu that she cannot leave in the bridal chair. This house was bought by the Fu family. It should be the Chai family that gets out."