According to the customs of Danliang Country, a woman cannot accompany the groom when they go to greet the bride after marriage, so Bai Ruozhu stayed at the residence, but she felt a bit nervous.
Soon, she started laughing. What was she nervous about? Shouldn't it be Second Brother who was nervous?
She wondered if Second Brother would mess up, considering the time was tight and he had been busy with business, not having the time to rehearse. What if he didn't remember the rules correctly?
Jiang Yichun walked to her side, gently squeezed her soft little hand, and asked, "What's wrong, feeling a bit emotional?"
Bai Ruozhu was startled for a moment, then heard him say, "I'm sorry for not giving you a proper wedding."
"I thought you were going to say something else. What's the big deal about that? Do you think I care about these formalities? The whole wedding ceremony is exhausting. I hate trouble the most," she said with a smile, though her heart felt a bit regretful.
Before the transmigration, she had imagined that one day she would get married, but at that time, she had no love or loved one and always felt hosting a banquet was troublesome. She always thought that in the future she would have a simple wedding, not hold a wedding banquet, and then the two of them would go travel for a honeymoon.
In hindsight, the biggest regret was not going on a honeymoon.
"It's always something I owe you. I will make it up to you elsewhere," he said, brushing against her ear, the gesture incredibly flirtatious. Bai Ruozhu quickly looked around. The house was full of people today; why didn't her man pay more attention?
What did he mean by "elsewhere"? Did he think she couldn't catch the implied meaning in his words?
Outside the Bai Family residence, many townsfolk had gathered out of curiosity. Since the newly crowned champion hadn't married yet, the marriage of the second laureate had become a hot topic. Many people wanted to see if the second laureate was young and handsome, and whether he looked good in the groom's attire.
Bai Ruozhu instructed the maids at home to take out wedding candy and distribute it, and set up tea outside the main gate to serve hot tea to the onlookers for free.
A number of guests had already arrived. Tu Ying's whole family was there, even Tu Bai, who previously couldn't move, attended. He looked much better and used this occasion to reenter social circles.
Tu Ying went to congratulate Bai Ruozhu, knowing she was busy today, she didn't hold her for long and soon went to join the women's seating area.
After a while, Bai Guanghe arrived with Bai Yuanshan and Bai Qizhi, and the host, Bai Zehao, somewhat awkwardly thanked them and had the servants lead them inside.
Bai Ruozhu wasn't too surprised, as it was Bai Yihong who had suggested inviting them. He said, regardless of the past, Bai Guanghe had been tormented by pain and regret for decades. Bai Ruozhu and Lin Ling'er didn't want him to feel upset, so they didn't oppose it.
In the inner courtyard, Elder Su also came to offer congratulations. This time he didn't bring anyone, probably because the earlier incident with Zu Mei had made him feel embarrassed.
After waiting for about half an hour, a hubbub came from a distance, and the young servant stationed at the front exclaimed, "Second Young Master has brought the bride back!"
Bai Zehao, excited, instructed the servants, "Quick, get the fireworks ready. Light them when I say so."
The servant beside thought, we've been ready for a while now, do you have to be this excited, Young Master?
Bai Ruozhu bit her lip to stifle a laugh, nudging Jiang Yichun with her elbow, whispering, "Why does it seem like Big Brother is more nervous than if he were the one getting married?"
Jiang Yichun couldn't help but laugh too, "That's because your siblings have a good relationship."
The procession moved in, and servants brought in a charcoal brazier. When the bridal sedan was lowered, the matchmaker helped Si Yihuan out of the sedan and reminded her to step over the brazier.
Sitting on a high horse, Second Brother nimbly dismounted, immediately drawing applause from the onlookers, with some shouting, "The new second laureate is so agile, truly adept in both civil and martial arts!"
Bai Zepei, not red in the face or out of breath, graciously bowed to the crowd to express thanks, his demeanor commendably distinguished, earning further admiration.
Soon, the newlyweds were welcomed into the residence, and Bai Yihong and Lin Ling'er, along with the Si Family couple who had come to accompany the bride, sat in the main hall.
Lin Ling'er had worried about nothing lately, just focusing on her postpartum recovery. She was awakened temporarily for the couple's paying respects today, and would soon return to rest, handing over all the guest reception duties to Wang Caiyue and Fang Guizhi.
It's rare indeed to see someone participating in their child's wedding ceremony while doing postpartum recovery, sitting in the seat of honor.
Fortunately, Lin Ling'er was recovering well, looking a bit fuller, her complexion rosy and joyful, making her appear several years younger.
Under the guidance of the master of ceremonies, the newlyweds paid respects to heaven and earth, and their parents. At the moment of bowing to each other as a couple, the master of ceremonies mischievously nudged Bai Zepei, causing the couple to bump heads while bowing.
The guests below burst out laughing, uttering auspicious phrases; it's the custom in this Beiyu City area, signifying happiness. Bai Ruozhu couldn't help but laugh too, thinking that at this moment Second Brother's usually calm face should be blushing, right?
Just then, a young servant rushed in, hurriedly reported something to Bai Zehao, and Bai Zehao's face instantly fell.
Bai Ruozhu saw this and quickly said to Jiang Yichun, "Stay and accompany the guests."
She then quickly walked over to her elder brother's side, quietly asking, "Big Brother, what happened?"
Bai Zehao pulled Bai Ruozhu aside, angrily saying, "Bai Yibo and Sanlang are here, making a scene at the door, telling people that Father is unfilial, disowning his adoptive father, and claiming that Second Brother, now successful, looks down on them as country bumpkins. On such a joyful day, isn't it embarrassing?"
Bai Ruozhu narrowed her eyes, "Grandpa attempted to have Third Uncle hold them back, but unfortunately, Third Uncle isn't as clever as Bai Yibo. Seems they managed to slip past him. This pair of father and son are no good; we must properly deal with them today."
While they were talking, Bai Zepei's young servant came and said, "Young Master, Young Miss, Second Young Master said that all who come are guests, let them come in and have a drink of wedding wine."
Bai Ruozhu glanced at Bai Zepei, who just finished bowing and gave her a reassuring look.
She helplessly nodded, telling the young servant, "Bring them to their seats."
No matter how much she didn't want those two to come in, it wasn't worth any more disgust. Since Second Brother had spoken, she had to give him face, keeping in mind that today Second Brother and Si Yihuan were the protagonists.
Soon Bai Yibo and Sanlang were brought in. Bai Yibo had many more gray hairs, seemingly having suffered quite a bit outside the Pass over the past two years, appearing significantly aged. Sanlang struggled to walk, his leg a consequence of his past abuse of Xiaosi.
Thinking of Xiaosi, Bai Ruozhu felt a bit regretful. Second Brother's wedding was too rushed; she hadn't been able to contact Xiaosi, nor did she know when Xiaosi would return from his training.
Bai Yibo and Sanlang were wearing very shabby clothes. No, they shouldn't be called shabby, more like tattered. So, they attracted much attention upon appearing, with Bai Lu's beard quivering in anger. If Bai Ruozhu hadn't signaled him, he would have jumped up to beat the pair.
Bai Yibo, shamelessly grinning at Bai Lu, revealed a mouthful of large yellow teeth, "Clan Leader, the second one is heartless so be it, but how could you not side with your own?"
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My son has a first love now and says she's prettier than me. My heart shatters like glass...
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