Chapter 140: Meng Xiaojiu, I, Your Commander, Have Come to Marry You

Chapter 140: Meng Xiaojiu, I, Your Commander, Have Come to Marry You

A grand procession set off to make their presence known.

Before their departure, Qing Shuang carried Baozhu over.

General Zhang Feihu was almost blinded by the little one's radiant beauty.

Baozhu's hair was too sparse for any styling, so the makeup artist used golden threads to create numerous little braids that sparkled dazzlingly.

These little braids were truly a challenge for the artist.

Zhang Feihu quickly rubbed his eyes to avoid being blinded by the brilliance, but then he felt something was amiss with the little one. She seemed half-asleep, intoxicated, as if she was tipsy.

"What's wrong with her?"

Zhang Feihu asked in confusion.

Qing Shuang replied, "She's dazzled by her own beauty."

Zhang Feihu: "..."

Baozhu had her own carriage, resplendent and adorned with an abundance of large and expensive flowers. There were peonies worth a hundred gold, rare golden tea flowers, the once-a-year fire-sleeping lilies, and even the so-called king of flowers, the ghost orchid, which money couldn't buy.

Many of these flowers were out of season, yet somehow the florists of the Commander's mansion had managed to make them bloom spectacularly on this very day.

"Unbelievable! In my lifetime, I never thought I'd see such precious varieties. Fire-sleeping lilies, ghost orchids... My life is complete," exclaimed a white-bearded grandfather sitting on the second floor of a shop along the street.

His wife nodded vigorously, "Yes, it's worth dying for."

"But you don't like flowers."

He looked at his wife strangely, only to see her staring intently at the groom in the procession.

The groom was full of vigor, riding a tall and sturdy horse, his handsome features almost too perfect.

"Madam!"

"What? You can look at flowers, but I can't admire a handsome man?" she retorted.

Zhang Feihu and his companions made quite a ruckus with their gongs and drums, waking up the citizens who grumbled and cursed, wanting to see who dared to disturb the entire city so early in the morning.

However, when they caught sight of the groom, everyone fell silent.

They couldn't help but remember the recent top scholar's parade, where the scholars had ridden past in a similar fashion, stunning half the capital with their charm.

But today, they felt as if they were witnessing the true top scholar's parade, unable to distinguish whether the man on the horse was the top scholar or the groom.

A strange illusion formed in their minds, as if this glory rightfully belonged to him, both in the imperial examination and on his wedding night.

The procession set off at dawn, making their way through half the capital with their noisy instruments. It was already noon.

Officer Shangguan Ling was impressed, "No wonder they started so early."

If they had set off any later, they wouldn't have reached the bride's home by nightfall!

General Zhang Feihu was excited, relentlessly banging the copper gong in his hand, but as he continued, something felt amiss.

They seemed to have reached Fengshui Alley. How did they end up here?

Zhang Feihu looked at the groom on horseback, "Commander, we're approaching Xiao Jiu's home ahead."

Lu Lingxiao replied, "I know."

Zhang Feihu frowned, deep in thought, "Commander... Are you going to pick up Xiao Jiu?"

"Mhm."

Shangguan Ling: What a realization!

Zhang Feihu exclaimed, "Of course! How could we forget her on such an important day? Let's invite her to join us in welcoming our sister-in-law!"

Shangguan Ling's jaw twitched. Zhang Feihu, your mind is only on battles, isn't it?

Zhang Feihu happily ran ahead and reached the entrance of the alley, only to find it packed with people.

He asked a young man, "Young man, what are you all doing here?"

Fengshui Alley was known for its bad luck, and usually, people would avoid it, let alone gather at its entrance.

The young man replied, "There's a wedding inside, and we're here to watch the fun."

Zhang Feihu was surprised, "What a coincidence!"

He squeezed through the crowd with the gong in his hand. The ground was covered with red carpets, and the corridors were adorned with red lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere.

The usually eerie Fengshui Alley, filled with haunted houses, now seemed to have transformed into a path leading from the underworld back to the world of the living.

"Xiao Jiu! Old Zhang is here!"

Zhang Feihu strode confidently to Meng Qianqian's doorstep, glanced at the double happiness character pasted on the door, and furrowed his brows, "We've come to the wrong place."

He took a few steps forward, "No, we haven't."

He turned back, looked at the door, then at the house across the street, "This is Xiao Jiu's place! What's going on?"

As he finished speaking, Tan'er opened the courtyard door and stepped out.

She sized up Zhang Feihu from head to toe, noticed the gong in his hand, and asked, "Are you here for the wedding?"

Wedding? Could it be—

Zhang Feihu widened his eyes, "Is the bride staying here?"

Tan'er replied, "She doesn't live here, but where else would she be? You still haven't answered my question. Are you from the Commander's mansion, here for the wedding?"

Zhang Feihu was stunned, "Yes!"

Tan'er folded her arms across her chest, "If you want to marry my sister, it won't be that easy!"

Zhang Feihu was taken aback, "Your sister? Which sister?"

Tan'er placed her left hand on her waist and pointed her right index finger at him, saying solemnly, "I only have one sister in the capital!"

"Meng Xiaojiu?" Zhang Feihu finally realized what was happening, and his body trembled, "The Commander wants to marry Meng Xiaojiu?"

Tan'er once again folded her arms, "Yes."

Zhang Feihu made a last-ditch effort, "The Meng Xiaojiu from the army? Our brother, Meng Xiaojiu?"

Tan'er asked, "Is there another Meng Xiaojiu in the capital?"

Zhang Feihu was struck by lightning. The gong and mallet in his hands clattered to the ground.

The bride he had been so enthusiastically welcoming with his noisy procession... was actually his sworn brother...

This couldn't be real...

No!

He refused to accept it!

Commander!

I treat you as a brother, yet you stole our little cabbage!

He spread his arms wide, howling to the sky, "Old Heavens! Strike me with lightning... Ah—"

Bang!

He was punched flying by Tan'er.

Tan'er blew on her tiny fist, "No lightning, but my fists are enough."

After delivering that punch, she turned to look at Nie Hanshan and the others, who were equally dumbfounded, "If you want my sister, you have to get past me first. Who wants to go first?"

Nie Hanshan stepped forward. "Little lass, let me have a go at you!"

Two punches later, Nie Hanshan found himself hanging from a branch, face-to-face with Zhang Feihu.

The two hapless brothers stared at each other in dismay.

Zhao Qingyun stepped up.

"Three punches."

Tan'er blew on her tiny fist again.

While they were adept at warfare, none of them could match Tan'er in close-quarters combat, and they had also underestimated her a little.

Hanczu and Tan'er exchanged several moves, but he, too, was defeated in the end.

Finally, it was Shangguan Ling who managed to restrain Tan'er.

Tan'er flailed her arms and legs, her fur standing on end as she shouted, "Sword-wielding cheater! Let go of me!"

Yu Zichuan entered the courtyard.

Qing Shuang nimbly appeared before him. "Your opponent is me."

Yu Zichuan asked, "Which side are you on?"

Qing Shuang replied, "Today, I stand with Miss Meng."

Yu Zichuan promptly defected. "Then I'm with her too."

He stood beside Qing Shuang, blocking Shangguan Ling from entering through the door.

Having regained her freedom, Tan'er folded her arms and said to Lu Yuan at the entrance, "Lord Governor, this hurdle isn't easy to overcome!"

Lu Yuan made a gesture.

A Jinyiwei guard presented a string of tanghulu that was even longer than Baozhu's.

Tan'er's eyes immediately lit up. "What a huge tanghulu!"

Lord Governor Lu easily cleared the hurdle.

In the front yard, Yu Zichuan, seeking revenge for the bow-rubbing incident, tried to block Lu Yuan but was entangled by Shangguan Ling in a two-on-one fight.

However, while they had entered the yard, the door to the main room remained shut.

Du Niangzi, Wan Mama, and Hu Mama—these three formidable mountains were guarding their territory!

Du Niangzi declared, "We're not as easily fooled as that little girl! We have our principles! We won't be bought, not even by the Lord Governor!"

"Son-in-law, please come in! Son-in-law, mind the threshold! Son-in-law, walk slowly!"

Holding a gold ingot each, Du Niangzi, Wan Mama, and Hu Mama bowed and scraped, ushering Lu Yuan inside.

Passing through the main room, they arrived in the second courtyard.

This time, the one blocking their path was Yu Li.

The Imperial University wasn't on a break today, so he had taken a day off to come here.

Yu Li was the only one in the household who couldn't be swayed by wealth or power.

He had prepared 108 exam questions, and to pass this hurdle, one had to answer the questions!

Unexpectedly, before he could even bring out the exam paper, he was carried away by his Third Uncle and Seventh Uncle.

"Third Uncle! Seventh Uncle! You—"

The exam questions he had painstakingly written through the night...

Lu Yuan stood before the steps, gazing at the closed door of the bridal chamber. "Meng Xiaojiu, I've come to marry you."

The door opened, and the bride, dressed in her wedding attire, walked out with Ban Xia's support, her steps light and graceful.

She was enveloped in a radiant glow, like the shimmering luster of countless pieces of glass, while behind her, the gongs and drums resounded. Yet, amidst all this commotion, the world around him seemed to fall silent.

"Groom, it's time to escort the bride to the bridal sedan chair."

The matchmaker reminded them softly.

Lu Yuan's eyes flickered as he extended his long, jade-like hand towards Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian hesitated for a moment before gently placing her hand in his palm.

In the alley, the bridal sedan chair was already prepared.

According to custom, only a first-time bride could ride in an eight-bearer sedan chair. For a remarried woman, only an ordinary sedan chair was allowed, with a few large red flowers attached at most.

Meng Qianqian was solely focused on pretending to get married, so she hadn't given any thought to the bridal sedan chair. Li Mama, too, didn't dare to break the rules.

Thus, when she saw the eight-bearer sedan chair carried over by the staff from the Governor's Mansion, she was completely stunned.

The matchmaker sang with a smile, "Bride, to the sedan chair—"

Under the bridal veil, Meng Qianqian said softly, "Lord Governor."

Lu Yuan replied indifferently, "What is it?"

Meng Qianqian said, "I'm about to get on the sedan chair."

Lu Yuan hummed in acknowledgment.

Meng Qianqian looked at her hand in his palm. "You... let go of my hand, and then I can get on the sedan chair."

Lu Yuan: "..."

With an air of aloofness, Lu Yuan released her hand, and Meng Qianqian sat in the eight-bearer sedan chair.

With the bridal veil covering her face, she could see nothing but her own feet, not even the bearers of the sedan chair.

However, as soon as the sedan chair was lifted, she immediately sensed something amiss.

She lifted the curtain of the sedan chair.

The matchmaker following the sedan chair asked, "Bride, is something the matter?"

Meng Qianqian hesitated.

Zhang Feihu said solemnly, "Get back inside!"

Meng Qianqian's heart trembled. "General Zhang..."

Zhang Feihu's expression was grave, unlike any she had seen before. "Remember this: You, Meng Xiaojiu, were carried into the Governor's Mansion as a meritorious subject of the border. From now on, anyone in the capital who dares to bully you will be considered an enemy of all the soldiers at the border!"

The eight soldiers used their shoulders and their meritorious deeds to carry the sedan chair steadily towards Zhuque Street.

The crowd spontaneously made way for them.

Zhang Feihu announced loudly, "Tiger Elite Battalion, Zhang Feihu, sending Meng Xiaojiu off on her wedding!"

Nie Hanshan shouted, "Cavalry Battalion, Nie Hanshan, sending Meng Xiaojiu off on her wedding!"

"Scout Battalion, Zhao Qingyun, sending Meng Xiaojiu off on her wedding!"

"Golden Guard, Han Ci, sending Meng Xiaojiu off on her wedding!"

...

On their way here, they had detoured half the city for Lu Yuan's sake. Now, on their way back, they detoured the other half of the city so that everyone in the capital could see that their Meng Xiaojiu was getting married in grandeur.

Baozhu had woken up too early and fell asleep in the carriage before they even set off. She slept through the entire journey to the Governor's Mansion, missing the most sensational wedding procession in history.

In the afternoon, the guests gradually arrived one after another. After all, it was the Lord Governor's wedding, and no one dared to be late.

From Lu's family, the Old Madam, the Madam, Lu Xingzhou, Lu's mother, Lu Er Ye and his wife, and Lu Linglong were all present. Lu Lingxiao and Lin Wan'er had also come.

Lu Lingxiao hadn't wanted to come, but Lin Wan'er insisted.

The last time the Governor's Mansion held a one-year-old birthday banquet, Lin Wan'er had been nameless and unrecognized. After the news of her coming to the Governor's Mansion with Lu Lingxiao spread, she had been subjected to endless ridicule.

This time, she wanted to appear openly by his side, displaying their affection to make up for the previous embarrassment.

More importantly, now that she was the main wife, and Meng Qianqian, who had once oppressed her as the main wife, had become a shameful concubine, she wanted Lu Lingxiao to see with his own eyes how Meng Qianqian was being denounced by everyone.

She kept looking outside.

As the auspicious hour approached, the bride had yet to arrive.

Regarding this daughter of Miaojiang, the Grand Commandant kept everything under tight wraps. No one in the capital knew her name, but there were rumors that the Grand Commandant had spent a fortune to buy her a grand mansion in the city to store his betrothal gifts.

Such treatment truly made others green with envy.

Lin Wan'er comforted herself, thinking that Lu Lingxiao loved her too, he just wasn't as wealthy as the Grand Commandant, and if he had the means, he would spend lavishly on her as well.

On the other hand, the Anyuan Marquis' household had also arrived, with Marquis Anyuan, Yu Shi, and Xie Yan siblings in attendance.

When Marquis Anyuan first received the Grand Commandant's wedding invitation, he was thrilled. He had heard of this Grand Commandant in the Western City, a meritorious subject who assisted the emperor in ascending the throne, and now he was the power behind the throne, controlling the court. Receiving his invitation was indeed a great honor.

However, upon arriving at the Commandant's Mansion, Marquis Anyuan realized that the Grand Commandant might not be trying to curry favor with him, but rather, the Commandant's Mansion had simply sent out invitations to everyone.

Their seats were not very prominent, placed at the end of the main hall.

Marquis Anyuan looked at the vacant top seat and wondered who would be qualified to sit there.

Suddenly, he asked Yu Shi, "By the way, isn't our son here?"

Yu Shi forced a smile and replied, "He... The Imperial University isn't on a break today. He wanted to take a day off, but I told him to focus on his studies and leave a good impression on the chancellor."

The truth was far from what she said. This was a rare opportunity to forge connections with the powerful, and Marquis Anyuan intended to bring Yu Li along, so she personally went to the Imperial University to find him, only to be flatly rejected by her son.

This was the Grand Commandant's banquet, but did their son truly understand what kind of wealth and honor he was refusing?

Yu Shi's thoughts turned to Meng Qianqian.

If that girl hadn't been so ungrateful, she would have invited her today as well, so she could bring her husband along and broaden his horizons.

Just then, someone shouted, "The bride has arrived!"

The guests all turned their heads towards the entrance.

From where they were standing, it was a bit far, so those who couldn't wait went straight to the front door to catch a glimpse of the bride.

Lu Linglong and Lin Wan'er also went to take a look.

The bridal sedan chair was steadily lowered to the ground.

When they saw who was carrying the sedan chair, the entire hall was shocked.

Even Han Dageneral, who had been dragged there to watch the commotion, almost stumbled and fell.

What was going on? Wasn't his nephew... serving as a sedan chair bearer for the Grand Commandant's bride? Lu Linglong stared intently at the groom, "So the Grand Commandant... is so handsome..."

A young lady beside her teased, "Do you want to marry him?"

Lu Linglong shook her head decisively, "No way!"

No matter how handsome he was, he was still a ruthless killer, and she feared death.

The matchmaker and Ban Xia each pulled back a side of the sedan chair curtain, and the bride, Meng Qianqian, stepped out in her bright red wedding dress.

Everyone's breath hitched.

How could there be such a beautiful wedding dress in this world?

Although wedding dresses had a standard style, typically a phoenix coronet and a red bridal dress, the designs were more or less similar. But the wedding dress made by Yun Xiyao for Meng Qianqian was more like a celestial maiden's feather garment. The vibrant red fabric was embroidered with golden phoenixes rising from the ashes, accentuating her slender waist and wide sleeves.

The guests felt as if they were witnessing a phoenix reborn from the ashes, gracefully walking towards them.

With every step she took, it seemed as though lotuses blossomed beneath her feet.

The gentle evening breeze blew, causing the edges of her dress to flutter gracefully, like fairy clouds from a celestial palace.

Lin Wan'er knew that this wedding dress would be stunning, but she never expected it to be so breathtaking.

Her own wedding dress couldn't even begin to compare... No, there was no comparison at all.

"Bride, step over the fire basin!"

The matchmaker smiled and instructed.

Meng Qianqian lightly stepped over the fire basin.

Tan'er followed closely behind her and hopped over as well.

Her playful demeanor brought smiles to the faces of the onlookers.

Lin Wan'er suddenly snapped out of her awe of the wedding dress and turned her incredulous gaze towards Tan'er and Ban Xia, who were standing beside the bride.

Lu Linglong also recognized them, "Aren't those Tan'er and Ban Xia? What are they doing with the bride?"

Lin Wan'er's mind raced with a thought, and she quickly shook her head, denying the idea, "Impossible! The bride is clearly from Miaojiang. Those two maids... those two maids... Meng Xiaojiu is the Grand Commandant's bodyguard. He must have sent her to protect the bride. It has to be!"

In the main hall, someone shouted, "It's time for the wedding ceremony!"

At this point, no one could remain seated, and everyone rushed to the main hall to witness the couple's wedding ceremony.

The matchmaker stood in the wedding hall, smiling as she said, "Please invite the elders to take their seats!"

"Has the Grand Commandant's parents arrived?"

"I haven't heard anything about it."

Amidst the guests' whispers, Meng Tianlan sat proudly in the elders' seat, beaming with joy.

Yu Shi's expression changed drastically. How could it be him?

"Who is that?"

A guest asked.

Another guest who had just found out the information replied, "I heard he's the bride's third uncle. The bride's parents have passed away, so he's here to represent them."

It wasn't unusual for an uncle to stand in for the father, but who ever heard of the bride's family being the one to receive the bow during the ceremony? Unless the groom was marrying into the bride's family.

Only someone like Lu Yuan, who never followed the rules, would come up with such an idea.

Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian each held an end of the red silk and slowly walked to the center of the wedding hall.

Meng Tianlan was so happy that his smile nearly reached his ears. If not for his ears blocking the way, his smile would have extended to the back of his head.

Lu Yuan bowed to him and said, "Please, Third Uncle, be the witness for our wedding."

Meng Tianlan waved his hand, "Of course, of course! Let's get on with the ceremony!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Shi was completely stunned!

Qianqian... Wasn't she that girl? There wasn't another Meng Qianqian in the Meng family!

Marquis Anyuan sighed, "He's the bride's third uncle, able to take the place of the Grand Commandant's parents. How enviable."

Yu Shi clutched her handkerchief tightly, her mind filled with confusion. She didn't understand how all of this had come about. Clearly, Meng Qianqian was supposed to be married earlier, but now she had become the bride of the Commandant's Mansion.

The only thought left in her mind was: If she hadn't severed ties with that girl, she would be the one sitting in the position of honor today!

And with that, the chapter ends with the wedding ceremony, a whopping 5000-word long chapter to celebrate the Grand Commandant and Xiaojiu's wedding!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end