Chapter 1 The Village Chief

The village chief hesitated for a moment, then suddenly understood, "You are...you are the Tanhua Lang's (third-ranking scholar in the imperial examination) elder brother, aren't you?"

"An elder brother is like a father, it's appropriate for the Tanhua Lang's elder brother to sit in this position." Another respected elder in the village stroked his beard and said.

But unexpectedly, unlike Jiang Cheng's dissatisfaction, the ghost bride was not angry at all. On the contrary, Jiang Cheng actually detected a trace of fear in her.

After a moment, Jiang Cheng suddenly understood. She wasn't afraid of Wu's strength, but was worried about Wu's relationship with him.

After all, she had injured Wu before, and Wu was his elder brother... She was worried that he would be caught in the middle and be in a dilemma.

After a while, the ghost bride bowed slightly to Wu.

At the time of the wedding, according to the etiquette system, grand ceremonies can include things that are considered superior. That is to say, it is not considered presumptuous to wear some clothing and decorations higher than one's own status on occasions such as sacrifices and weddings.

Even if Wu has no official rank, the groom can wear a ninth-rank official uniform, and the bride can wear a phoenix coronet and ceremonial robes.

The status of the newlyweds can be seen.

It is definitely a great honor for the bride to salute someone on such a day.

Wu immediately stood up, his face vaguely unnatural.

It was obvious that he wanted to leave, but he couldn't bring himself to.

Fatty saw Wu's embarrassment and quickly waved, calling out softly, "Come over here, Brother Wu, let's stand together."

Du Moyu also greeted him.

Seeing that there was a way out, Wu took the opportunity to walk away.

The village chief still wanted to go up and talk to him, but after noticing Wu's unapproachable expression, he wisely shut up.

Then, under the guidance of the village elders, Jiang Cheng and the ghost bride completed a series of preparatory rituals.

The village chief specifically asked someone to bring out several memorial tablets from the Wu family ancestral hall and place them in front of the incense altar.

Jiang Cheng and the ghost bride stepped forward to offer incense.

The complicated rituals made Fatty and the others frown. Everyone was looking forward to exciting, explosive, and preferably R-rated scenes.

"The village chief said there's no wedding night." Du Moyu sighed regretfully.

Hearing this, Wu frowned, then as if he had noticed something strange, he turned his head and glanced outside the door.

A large group of villagers watching the ceremony stood outside the door, but Wu's gaze passed over the crowd, further and further away. After a while, a trace of strange excitement flashed in his eyes.

"The auspicious time has arrived!"

Someone yelled loudly from the doorway.

The village chief and the village elders smiled so much that the wrinkles on their faces bloomed. After today, the grievances of the Dahe Niangniang (River Goddess) will be resolved, which is a relief for both her and the village.

"First bow to heaven and earth!"

…

"Second bow to the ancestors!"

…

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

Jiang Cheng cooperated fully in every环节, but his movements and expressions were a little nervous. He had never been married before, and this was also his first time.

However, he wasn't the only one who was nervous. The bride was even worse than him.

Jiang Cheng clearly saw the bride's hands overlapping awkwardly, and the cheeks that occasionally peeked out from under the veil were flushed red.

Even with the emcee's prompting, her movements were still a bit clumsy.

Of course, the emcee didn't dare to say anything more. As long as the Niangniang (Goddess) was happy tonight, nothing else mattered.

The sound of firecrackers rang out outside at just the right time, and the whole village was filled with a festive atmosphere.

Just as Jiang Cheng was thinking about how to escape, suddenly, a small hand was placed in his palm.

Jiang Cheng couldn't help but be stunned. After a moment, he realized that the bride had raised her head slightly, and Jiang Cheng could feel a burning gaze through the layer of bright red fabric.

Jiang Cheng couldn't help but sigh in his heart for the Wu family's eldest daughter's misfortune.

In order to make a living, he often said insincere sweet words to make girls happy.

But this time, he couldn't even open his mouth.

He didn't dare to make any promises, even in Lu Jianli's identity.

Because he didn't dare to imagine how disappointed the Wu family's daughter would be after he left.

Seeing that the situation was about right, the village chief came with several village elders to offer congratulations, "You two newlyweds, it's getting late now. In principle, we should send you to your bridal chamber as soon as possible, but someone from the prefecture came just now and said that the newly appointed Tanhua Lang (third-ranking scholar in the imperial examination) is needed for an urgent matter, what do you two think..."

In front of the Dahe Niangniang (River Goddess), the village chief didn't dare to make decisions for the two newlyweds, so he threw the question to Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng pondered for a while, and said with an angry tone, "It's really coming at the wrong time, coming at this time. Fortunately, my wife is not only as beautiful as a celestial being, but also knows what's right. Otherwise, if it were an ordinary village girl, I'm afraid she would be making a scene."

"Ah, yes, yes, yes!" The village chief echoed repeatedly.

Jiang Cheng took the bride's jade hand and said affectionately, "Wife, you go back and rest first. I'll go see what the prefecture wants me for."

After speaking, Jiang Cheng turned around to leave, "Village chief, lead the way!"

But the next second, Jiang Cheng didn't take a step, because his hand was grabbed, by a soft, boneless hand.

This hand didn't seem to have much strength, but Jiang Cheng just couldn't break free.

He didn't dare to.

"Wife." Jiang Cheng said with a smile, "What is it..."

Seeing this, the village chief quickly explained, "I said, Madam... Newlywed, your husband has serious business, and... and this wedding was too hasty, we didn't prepare well, your bridal chamber hasn't been completely cleaned up yet, so... our village can't let you make do, right?"

The bride had no intention of letting go at all. Her attitude seemed very clear, she could make do.

"You can make do, but I can't, I'm still a child!" Fatty heard Jiang Cheng's inner thoughts.

After a moment, the bride pulled Jiang Cheng out the door.

The villagers automatically divided into left and right sides, clearing the way.

Jiang Cheng was apprehensive, not knowing where the ghost bride was going or what she was going to do to him.

Wu, holding his knife, followed not far behind them with a look of excitement.

When they reached the courtyard, the scene in front of them made Jiang Cheng's heart tremble, and the village chief and others who followed were even more frightened.

In front of them, dozens of paper figures were neatly arranged.

More importantly, these paper figures didn't come empty-handed.

Some carried silk fabrics on their backs, some carried lanterns with the characters for "happiness" or mandarin duck patterns, and some carried tools, as if they were ready to work at any time.

As the ghost bride raised her arm, the paper figures, as if awakened, ran in one direction.

The ghost bride took Jiang Cheng's hand and slowly walked in the direction the paper figures were running.

Stepping on the bluestone path, Jiang Cheng had never felt so uneasy.

Finally, they arrived in front of a quaint house.

A group of paper figures were extremely busy inside, cleaning, hanging lanterns, and pasting red paper.

There were also a few swinging tools, banging and clanging, not knowing whether they were repairing tables or reinforcing beds.

Jiang Cheng immediately understood that this house used to be the Wu family's daughter's boudoir.

And now, after the paper figures finished repairing it, it became their new house.

It was too late to say anything now. The only one who could prevent all of this from happening was Wu.

But when he turned his head, intending to ask for help, he happened to see Wu's mouth curving up, watching the paper figures busy with a look of anticipation.