The joyous sounds of suona horns were deafening, and the red silk on the bridal sedan chair fluttered in the wind. Erlang, with a large red flower pinned to his chest and a red silk ribbon tied to his hair, was being teased by the villagers. He tried to maintain a composed demeanor, but he couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth curl upwards.
The Zhang family's courtyard was right in the middle of the village, only a few hundred meters from the Jiang family's. In no time, the bridal sedan chair arrived at the Zhang family's doorstep.
The Zhang family's residence was also adorned with red "double happiness" characters. The Zhang parents, dressed in their finest clothes, waited for the bridal sedan chair to enter.
The old village chief handled the proceedings with great care. After a series of rituals, he guided Erlang into the Zhang family courtyard to pay his respects to the Zhang parents.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, please accept this humble son-in-law's bow."
The Zhang parents looked at the spirited Erlang and smiled as they helped him up.
Country weddings were not as elaborate. Once the customary bows were completed, Mother Zhang went to help the bride out.
Zhang Qiaoxiu, wearing her veil, shyly walked to Erlang's side.
Jiang Wan, noticing her hand trembling slightly, took advantage of her height to peek under Zhang Qiaoxiu's veil. "Sister-in-law, if you're afraid of falling, just hold Brother Er's hand later."
The people who had come to help with the wedding reception all burst into laughter at her words.
Zhang Qiaoxiu's already flushed face turned even redder.
Erlang, remembering his mother's instructions, helped Zhang Qiaoxiu to the Zhang parents and they knelt together to bid farewell to her parents.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, I will treat Qiaoxiu well."
Father and Mother Zhang's eyes immediately welled up. The uneloquent couple could only manage a few "yes" sounds as they helped them up.
"Go, and live your lives well from now on."
Zhang Qiaoxiu's tears fell, landing on Erlang's hand and making his heart skip a beat.
He quickly said, "Wife, don't cry. Your family home is so close, you can get back with just a few steps."
The way he called her "wife" was so natural that it made everyone laugh. "Erlang here must have been wanting a wife for a long time."
Erlang, his face flushed, glared at the person who spoke. It was one of his usual companions.
The sadness of marrying off a daughter was somewhat lessened. The old village chief immediately announced, "The auspicious time has arrived, the bride departs."
According to the old customs of Jianzhou, a bride had to be carried out of her home by a brother.
Zhang Qiaoxiu had no brothers, so she had to walk out herself.
Jiang Wan quickly tugged at Erlang's clothes, signaling him to bend down, and then whispered a few words in his ear.
Erlang's face turned even redder, but his eyes were full of determination. He straightened up, turned, and scooped Zhang Qiaoxiu into his arms.
Startled, Zhang Qiaoxiu quickly reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck.
The guests who had come to welcome the bride erupted in teasing laughter again, making Zhang Qiaoxiu so embarrassed that she struggled to get down.
Erlang said, "Don't move. The bride's feet must not touch the ground. Since you have no brother to carry you, I will carry you out."
Zhang Qiaoxiu nestled against his chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat. She knew he was as shy and nervous as she was, and her heart suddenly felt at ease.
So, she tightly hugged Erlang's neck, allowing him to carry her out and into the bridal sedan chair.
As the bridal sedan chair passed through the village, the young women and married women in the village were filled with envy.
In rural families, having a bullock cart to transport the bride was considered respectable. Families that could afford to hire a bridal sedan chair were very few. At least in this small mountain village, it was the first time.
The bridal sedan chair was carried into the Jiang family gate, and the bride was led out and brought to the main hall for the wedding ceremony.
Some mischievous wives deliberately pushed Erlang, causing him to bump into Zhang Qiaoxiu. Zhang Qiaoxiu was extremely embarrassed and tried to avoid him, but she was pushed again by the women on her side.
The young couple bumping into each other, looking both shy and flustered, made the guests laugh heartily.
Chen Yueshi quickly protected her new daughter-in-law. "Alright, alright, Qiaoxiu is shy. Everyone, please stop teasing her."
The old village chief immediately said, "The auspicious time has arrived. The couple will now perform the wedding ceremony."
"First bow to heaven and earth, second bow to the elders, and finally, husband and wife bow to each other."
After the wedding ceremony was completed, the newlywed couple was escorted into the bridal chamber.
Jiang Wan beckoned to Sanlang and Cheng Sinian. The three of them walked together towards the bridal chamber.
However, as they reached the entrance of the bridal chamber, they were stopped. "You can't go in and cause trouble. Go play somewhere else. The feast will start soon."
The three were not deterred and tried to rush in, but they were still blocked at the door.
Just then, Doctor Jin waved to Jiang Wan from the side. "Little girl, come here for a moment."
Jiang Wan had no choice but to give up her attempt to storm into the bridal chamber. "Grandteacher, what is it?"
Doctor Jin smiled and said, "Would you accompany me for a walk in the back mountain?"
Did he want to see Gu Chenzhou?
"Grandteacher, there's no need to go. No one is in the back mountain."
Doctor Jin frowned. "They're not here again?"
It had been almost a month since their last meeting. During this time, Yan Li and his disciple had not come to find him again, and he was a little worried.
Jiang Wan nodded. "Uncle Yan and the others left a long time ago and haven't returned. What, didn't they tell you before they left?"
She had no intention of revealing Gu Chenzhou's whereabouts. Since Yan Li had not entrusted Gu Chenzhou to Doctor Jin, she would not speak unnecessarily.
A flicker of worry flashed in Doctor Jin's eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
As the sky gradually darkened, the wedding banquet officially began.
Jiang Pan arranged the distinguished guests from the city at one table. Doctor Jin did not sit with them but instead sat at a table with Magistrate Cheng and his colleagues.
Although these distinguished guests held some status in Yao County, their social standing was not comparable to those at Magistrate Cheng's table.
Steward Lin looked at that table and sighed. "The Jiang family's luck is truly remarkable. They came fleeing from afar, and unexpectedly, they not only connected with Magistrate Cheng and his wife but also became Doctor Jin's disciple."
"To tell you all the truth, if the Jiang family's second son were not already engaged, I would truly want to arrange a marriage with them."
Someone chuckled. "Steward Lin, you truly aren't afraid of being ridiculed. The mud on the Jiang family's legs hasn't even been washed off yet, and you're already so eager to marry your daughter to them. Are you not afraid of mistreating your own daughter?"
Steward Lin took a sip of wine. "A hero is not judged by his origins. While the Jiang family's legs haven't been washed clean yet, it doesn't mean they never will be. I think highly of this Jiang family. This whole family is straightforward and not the kind of people who curry favor. They are worth associating with."
Everyone at the table heard his words and smiled, their expressions varied.
Soon, Jiang Pan, with Erlang, came to their table to pay their respects.
Jiang Pan smiled and said, "Thank you all for gracing us with your presence to celebrate this happy occasion. Please bear with us for any lack of etiquette."
The guests at the table exchanged polite words.
Jiang Pan first had Erlang toast everyone, then poured himself a drink and raised his cup to Steward Xu.
"Steward Xu, regarding my son's marriage, I must thank you. I toast you with this cup."
Steward Xu's expression remained unchanged. He raised his wine cup and said, "You are too kind."
Everyone at the table had different expressions, trying to decipher the meaning behind Jiang Pan and Steward Xu's words.
Wasn't the Jiang family's second daughter-in-law someone who fled with them? How did she get involved with the Xu family?