Chapter 435: 431: Getting Married_1
Suddenly, her gaze shifted to a maid assisting the bride.
Though the maid was cleverly made up, altering the features of her face, Yingbao recognized her. She was the missing Chen Tiantian.
This Xiao Chengjun was truly interesting.
What did he intend by placing Chen Tiantian next to the bride?
With interest, Yingbao watched as they completed the ritual. Passing the incense case screen, they proceeded to the bridal chamber.
It was not customary for newlyweds to backtrack, so the wall door behind the main hall was removed. The couple would exit from the back door to the newlywed’s courtyard.
After the ceremony, everyone recommenced the banquet.
The groom then came out to toast.
But they headed towards the men’s side, while the hostess of the Marquis took care of the women’s side.
After the feast, Yingbao left the Marquis Residence with Jiang Jie and the others.
“I saw Chen Tiantian,” she told Wei Zhan and Jiang Jie. “For now, don’t act rashly. Let’s wait until she leaves the residence.”
Wei Zhan and Jiang Jie nodded in agreement.
Although the Marquis’ residence was in decline, there were still guards. It would certainly be impossible to forcibly take Chen Tiantian away for questioning.
As the saying goes, the monk can run away, but the temple cannot run. They will just wait for her.
After attending the wedding of the Xiao brothers, Yingbao began making medicinal pellets upon her return.
When she had time, she would infuse Pupil Spring into the pond in her courtyard.
The pond and well at the Jiang Mansion had also been infused with Pupil Spring. Thanks to this, her slightly older cousin Jiang Quan was also able to cultivate plants.
Days passed and soon the first month was over.
There had been no actions from the Xiao Residence. Chen Tiantian had not even once left the mansion.
In March, the parents of Wei Zhan, along with a group of their family members, grandly entered Beijing.
The very next day, Wei Zhan’s mother paid a visit to “Spring Mother” to discuss the wedding date for both families.
Not long after, Jiang Erlang’s and Old Man Jiang Liu’s families also arrived in Beijing. Jiang Erlang’s family came along with them.
Huzi now served in the Imperial Army, and had been granted a house with nine rooms by the Imperial Court, which was more than enough for the entire family of Uncle Jiang Erlang.
Though Uncle Jiang Cheng didn’t come, Yuanbao, who had already been selected as a scholar, and seven-year-old Dali, Jiang Cheng’s son, had come to Beijing.
“Dali, call auntie quickly,” Jiang Liu’s wife cheerfully patted Dali’s head.
Dali grinned at Yingbao: “Auntie.”
Yingbao patted his head and asked: “How come your sister didn’t come?”
“Mom said she’s too young to travel long distances.” Dali, tilting his head at auntie, suddenly asked: “Auntie, Daddy said you’re going to get married, is it true?”
Yingbao nodded: “Yes, it is.”
Dali: “Then after you get married, will you come back to Qinchuan County?”
“Yes.”
“Great.” Dali held auntie’s hand: “I’ll go back with you.”
He was afraid he would be stuck in Beijing and wouldn’t be able to see mommy and sister again.
Jiang Liu laughed: “This child misses his home. He wanted to go back the moment we left the county.”
Dali shrunk his neck, sneaked a glance at his auntie, and noticed that she didn’t seem angry, he whispered: “Auntie, I actually also really want to see you.”
Yingbao: “I know. I’ll take you home after a while.”
Dali, relieved, joyfully ran outside to watch the wild geese.
Madam Wang and Chunniang set Yingbao’s wedding date for the twenty-third of the fourth month. Even though it was a bit rushed, Wei Zhan was very satisfied.
If it wasn’t for the tight schedule, he would have preferred to hold the wedding in March.
The preparation for the wedding was now underway.
Several elder sons of the Wei family have already gotten married, and did not come to Beijing this time. Those who came were the unmarried daughters and younger sons of the family, a total of four.
The head of the Wei family was thrilled when he heard that his legitimate son’s fiancée is a county princess. He urged his wife to bring their kids to the princess mansion for a visit. However, Lady Wang turned them down mercilessly.
Though the head of Wei family was dissatisfied, he did not dare say anything. Instead, he went to check on his shop in Beijing.
It almost took his breath away when he found all the gold and silver jewelry in his store had been cleared out, and all the fine cloth from his silk store has been moved out for dowry to the Jiang family.
The head of Wei family banged on his chest to catch his breath, and asked the store manager: “What else has he moved? Tell it all.”
The Store Manager shook his head: “There’s nothing left in the shop.”
The head of Wei family had a look. Indeed, the vast shop was now completely empty.
He was furious, but he couldn’t badmouth his own son in front of others. So he went to the accounting room to check the accounts.
The accounts were correct, but all the silver coins on them had been moved by his son.
The head of Wei family gritted his teeth, took out a stack of silver notes from his bosom, and slapped it on the table: “Replenish the stock as soon as possible. My eldest son is about to marry the princess soon. I can’t be ridiculed for having our shops in such a state.”
The accounting room logged this money in the book and called the store manager in, asking him to quickly buy new stock to fill the warehouse.
On Yingbao’s wedding day, the sky suddenly turned overcast, and there were flashes of lightning and peals of thunder.
Sitting on the red blanket, Yingbao suddenly felt a strong palpitation.
She frowned and turned to look out the window.
While opening his face, the matchmaker clipped off the fuzz on her face, then washed it with clear water, applied the skin lotion, powdered it, and put on the rouge.
Next was hairdressing and putting on hairpins, wearing beaded flowers and silk flowers.
After she was well dressed, Chunniang, with reddened eyes, hugged her daughter and choked: “Baobao, if Wei Zhan bullies you, come home and tell me. Don’t suffocate yourself.”
Although her husband had never hit her, it can’t be guaranteed that others will not hit women like him.
If anyone dares to bully her delicate and soft daughter, she would never let him off easily.
Yingbao smiled, “Mother, Wei Zhan cannot beat me.”
Chunniang was startled, then admonished, “Which girl can still giggle when getting married? Be quiet, or else people will laugh at you.”
“Why can’t I laugh?” Yingbao was confused.
Chunniang said, irritated, “If you laugh, people will think you are desperate to get married.”
“Let them think I’m desperate to get married,” Yingbao hugged her mother and said, “Anyway, I’ll live with you after we get married.”
Chunniang was about to cry again, while patting her daughter, she said, “You silly child, once you are married, of course, you have to live with your husband and parents-in-law. Where can you live casually with your mother?”
Yingbao replied resolutely, “I don’t care, I will live with you. If we have to, we’ll bring Lady Wang here too.”
“Nonsense.” Chunniang finally smiled through her tears, tidied her daughter’s clothes again, tightened her hairpin, and took out a fire-protecting graph from her sleeve and put it in her daughter’s hand, “Take a look first, and put it in the dressing box later. Mother will go out and have a look, and call your brother in to carry you.”
Yingbao took the fire-proof picture and flipped it over, Humph! What kind of monsters are fighting here, it’s not interesting at all.
Suddenly, her chest ached again, and this time, the pain lasted longer. She was sweating coldly.
What’s going on?
Yingbao suddenly became alert.
Because the book in her mind has turned a new page again.
This time, a child appeared in the book, along with her brothers Jiang Jie and Jiang Wu. They were all lying in a pool of blood, dripping with blood.
Yingbao covered her chest, struggling to stand up, and shouted to the outside, “Somebody!”
Meixiang and the others who were guarding the door rushed in. They were shocked to see her sweating: “Princess, what’s wrong with you?”
Yingbao, neglecting all etiquette, shoved a handful of five-ding mushroom into her mouth and ordered Meixiang, “Quick, go find the Eldest Master and the Second Master.”
Meixiang didn’t understand but still ran to the courtyard outside.
Yingbao felt her hands and feet ice cold, as if all the blood in her body was about to coagulate.
Struggling to stand straight, she stumbled out.
A few palace maids tried to support her, but she pushed them away, “All of you, go and look for the Eldest Master and the Second Master, and Dali too! Ask where they are.”