Volume 4: Gathering of Sages Chapter 747: Willful
He simply and roughly resolved a verbal dispute, but Zhang Shou had no choice but to ignore the various looks and discussions around him. When he finally arrived at the Duke of Zhao's mansion and dismounted under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he saw a rather unfamiliar, sturdy man standing tall outside the Duke of Zhao's mansion. He was not afraid to see the matchmaker, the eldest son of the King of Jiangdu, approach him.
The big man was Yang Xiong, a former general of Zhu Jing, who was acting as the sponsor today. Of course, if he was still a military officer, he might be impeached if he took on such a role in the wedding of the Duke of Zhao's mansion. However, his majestic posture at this moment was just an appearance. In fact, he had to retire from the military after the previous battle due to a serious shoulder injury, and now he has long been an idle person.
Even so, even though the man who was acting as the matchmaker for the man was the eldest son of the King of Jiangdu, who might be one of the candidates for the position of Grand Master of the Imperial Clan in the future, he remained neither humble nor overbearing. After some negotiation, he let the man in and came to Zhang Shou who had dismounted from his horse: "The presiding judge of the wedding, the Earl of Weinan, will come out to greet us in a moment. Please wait a little longer, son-in-law."
Zhang Shou, who had heard Zhu Ying introduce this man before but met him for the first time, couldn't help but smile when he was called "son-in-law". However, he knew very well that if he cared about whether this old general with scars all over his body was tired, Yang Xiong, who had just snatched the position of the sponsor with a tough attitude, might think it was a shame, so he smiled and said, "I don't want to wait any longer on such a good day."
Yang Xiong called him son-in-law, but he was actually not familiar with the new son-in-law of the Duke of Zhao's Mansion. He had only heard of his great reputation. When he saw his face, which was indeed a perfect match for his own eldest daughter Zhu Ying, he admired him in his heart, but he couldn't help but wonder if he looked too thin. He was also a little worried that this son-in-law would have the pretentious problems of those civil servants.
But when he heard Zhang Shou's straightforward statement that he didn't want to wait even a moment, he suddenly felt that this new son-in-law, who looked like a banished immortal from heaven, had become closer to him. He even forgot all the etiquette that others had made him remember with great difficulty when he took on the role of the sponsor, and said frankly, "That's right, no matter who it is, if he wants to marry a peerless beauty like the eldest lady, he definitely doesn't want to wait even a moment!"
Zhang Chen, who was following behind Zhang Shou, had long forgotten his previous entanglement and stared in amazement as Zhang Shou smiled and chatted happily with the praiser in front of the door. Even Lu Sanlang, who had also experienced the wedding scene before, couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
So willful... is it really okay?
The bride's host who hurried out to welcome Zhang Shou, the new son-in-law, was none other than Zhang Chen's father, Zhang Chuan, Duke of Qin, who had the same title as Duke Zhu Jing of Zhao and a decent personal relationship with him. He had already noticed Zhang Shou chatting and laughing with the sponsor Yang Xiong in the doorway, and although this was completely against etiquette, he just pretended not to see it.
When he coughed loudly, he saw that Yang Xiong had finally woken up as if from a dream, and quickly brought Zhang Shou to him. He couldn't help but stepped forward and bowed with a smile, then welcomed Zhang Shou in.
After going through all the formalities of paying respects, paying respects, and paying respects again, Zhang Shou finally arrived at the main hall. At this moment, Zhu Ying, who was dressed up, appeared in front of him, escorted by several mothers and maids.
Although her once clear and beautiful face was now completely hidden by the big red veil, Zhang Shou still couldn't help but look at Zhu Ying a few more times before he stepped forward.
The Zhu family's father and son saw his actions, and they felt differently.
Zhu Er's mood was the simplest. When he thought about how he almost betrothed his sister to Fatty Lu, he felt like he had just gone through the gates of hell. Not to mention that Fatty Lu was a first-rate sinister person, he was completely unable to fight against his cunning. Although Zhang Shou was more cunning than Fatty Lu, at least he was quite honest with him and pointed out a clear path for him.
Now that his sister finally found someone to trust, he breathed a sigh of relief. Even if it wasn't the feeling of his sister finally getting married, it was a relief that a huge mountain had finally been lifted from his head. Of course, he was also disappointed because the person in the family who was most willing to lend him money was gone.
However, Zhu Jing and Zhu Tingfang, both father and son, were lingering with an inexplicable feeling of unwillingness.
Zhu Jing said rigidly, "When you go to a girl's house, be obedient and respectful," but his eyes were like a knife stabbing Zhang Shou, which was very different from Jiu Niang's smiling face. Especially when he found Jiu Niang's instruction "Do not disobey the orders of your uncle and aunt", her voice was gentle and pleasant, and there was no worry about her daughter's future, he frowned even more.
However, no matter how unwilling he was, the ceremony had already been completed. Seeing Zhang Shou paying his respects and Zhu Ying bidding farewell, as they were about to leave surrounded by a group of servants, he suddenly said, "Da Lang, you personally send your sister off."
Knowing that it was the custom for the elder brother to personally send the child off, and that what he said was nonsense, he added with a stern face: "After you send your sister off, ride your horse to escort her to Zhang Garden, attend the wedding banquet, and then come back."
The smiling face of Zhang Chuan, the host of the wedding, froze for a moment, and Zhu Er was stunned. If the bride was to marry far away, it was common for the father and brother to send her to the husband's house, but the two families were so close! Jiu Niang couldn't help but hold her forehead, secretly thanking that this was the main hall, and other relatives and friends couldn't come over, otherwise it would be funny if the news got out. But at this moment, Zhu Tingfang actually agreed straightforwardly.
"Yes, father, please rest assured."
Her neck was stiff from being pressed by her wedding dress and hair crown. In addition, Mrs. Wu treated her like a daughter. Zhu Ying didn't feel that she couldn't come back after getting married. She had already cried in Qing'an Hall. She didn't feel too sad. Faced with her father and elder brother's eccentric behavior, she finally couldn't help but lift her veil and said angrily, "Dad, elder brother, what do you want to do?"
The bride actually took off her red veil in the main hall before leaving home, and Zhu Jing insisted that his eldest son send Zhu Ying to Zhang Garden. This was simply a mountain on top of a mountain. However, the people in the main hall were used to being stunned today, and their eyes could only be this big when they were staring at each other again... Zhu Jing was embarrassed by his daughter's scolding, and immediately frowned.
"Put on your veil properly. Don't forget that your uncle is here too. What a shame!"
However, just as Zhu Jing finished his scolding, he heard Zhang Shou's leisurely voice: "Let father-in-law know that Yingying has always been innocent and spontaneous. I just like this about her. Why would I care?"
If Zhu Ying's words and actions just now were already out of line, then Zhang Shou's words of unconditional support for her made Jiu Niang and Zhu Er extremely happy, while Duke Qin Zhang Chuan burst into laughter . However, Zhu Jing and Zhu Tingfang were really in a state of both laughter and tears.
Especially when they saw Zhang Shou helping Zhu Ying put down her big red veil and then whispering a few words to her, the father and son were speechless even though they wanted to criticize her. What could they say? Disdain or blame Zhang Shou for favoring Zhu Ying? What a joke, who wouldn't want the new son-in-law to favor their daughter?
Just when Zhu Tingfang decided to pretend to be deaf and dumb and send his sister to Zhang Garden, and then sneak in to watch the wedding to have peace of mind, he heard Zhang Shou speak again.
"However, Yingying, don't be angry with your father-in-law and elder brother. Which daughter in the capital city can let her elder brother condescend to escort her all the way to her husband's home? Especially when it's elder brother who is famous in the capital and a man of integrity? Just let him escort you. If he is willing to have a glass of wine at Zhang Garden and take it back, I will welcome it very much."
Without waiting for the father and son to speak, Jiu Niang smiled and said, "Son-in-law has said so much, so Dalang should go, so that your father won't worry. Yingying, don't forget that this is the wedding day, don't be so petty. When you get there, you can't be as casual as you are at home, so be patient, at least after today."
Zhu Er was simply in awe. This was only Zhu Ying. If he had done something so outrageous on his wedding day, he would have been beaten to death by his parents and even his grandmother! According to what his stepmother meant, wouldn't it mean that after today, he could do whatever Zhu Ying wanted?
But it was normal. Just look at how Zhang Shou indulged Zhu Ying. Mother-in-law Wu treated Zhu Ying more preciously than her own daughter. Zhu Ying's marriage was really no different from going home...
Zhang Shou and Jiu Niang had already said everything they could, and Zhu Jing couldn't find anything else to say. However, facing the only outsider present today, Duke Qin Zhang Chuan, he still had to make amends and stood up and bowed, saying, "Duke Qin, I'm sorry that you are embarrassed because of your immaturity."
"It's okay, it's okay. There are tens of thousands of marriages in the capital every year, but there are few who are as tacitly connected as them. I'm envious of them!" Zhang Chuan laughed and said meaningfully, "I just hope that I can have such a good daughter-in-law in the future and be as blessed as Brother Shi."
After hearing what her parents and Zhang Shou said, Zhu Ying finally acted like a good girl. From the ceremony to leaving the house, she did not make any trouble. However, after she got into the sedan chair and heard many familiar and unfamiliar voices outside, she finally felt the reality of leaving home to get married.
From today on, she is no longer just a daughter of the Zhu family, but more of a woman of the Zhang family...If she had not married Zhang Shou, every time she wanted to go home, she would have to get her husband's approval and her parents-in-law's approval, and even if she suffered any grievances, she would have to bear it all on her own.
If that were the case, would she cry in the sedan chair when she got married? Or would she still hold her head high, just like when she was still a daughter of a wealthy family, and still be determined to crush anyone who disagreed with her?
Just as Zhu Ying was daydreaming, she heard a familiar voice coming from outside the sedan chair: "Yingying, it's only three days. You can go back home after three days. After you go back home, you can stay for a month if you want, and come back to visit if you want. The so-called marriage is actually the best thing for girls, because you will have two homes in the future."
Zhu Tingfang saw Zhang Shou approaching the sedan chair and talking to Zhu Ying with a smile. With his hearing ability, he could hear every word clearly. Even he could not help but be moved after hearing these words.
Even though he had always known that this marriage was the best choice for his sister and the Zhu family, because Zhang Shou did not have a prominent family background or many relatives and friends, but he was a man of outstanding talent, and he was also very good to Zhu Ying. However, he had never agreed with his sister's vision as much as he did now.
Even if it was him, he would not tell his wife that you will have two families in the future. For him, even if Weinan Bo is his father-in-law, he will take care of his father-in-law's family affairs, but he will never regard the two families equally. Apart from Zhang Shou, there is probably no other man in the world who would say this to Zhu Ying. After all, although the Zhaoguo Mansion does not have family affairs, it has always been a lot of things that people find fault with!
Zhu Ying's messy thoughts in the sedan were also washed away by Zhang Shou's words. She almost opened the curtain to speak to Zhang Shou, but when she grabbed the curtain, she finally realized that she was in the sedan. Therefore, she had no choice but to put down her hand in annoyance, and then snorted: "A Shou, hurry up and go to the front. If people see you, they will definitely say that you are impatient!"
"If you dislike my impatience now, I'm sorry, it's too late."
Hearing the sudden silence in the sedan chair, Zhang Shou couldn't help but burst into laughter. When he turned around and rode back to the front, he pretended not to notice the subtle looks from the people around him.
You know, at this moment, all those who once admired Zhu Ying felt that their eyes were about to be blinded by the light. They had also tried to tease Zhu Ying with such nice words before, but the result was... they were almost beaten to pieces by the young lady! But now it was Zhang Shou's turn to say such teasing words, and the young lady in the sedan chair turned into a quiet daughter of a noble family, and did not react at all!
Zhu Ying in the sedan was indeed shocked. You know, Zhang Shou had said that in the main hall of the Duke of Zhao's mansion before, but now it was in public, not only was her elder brother there, but so many people who knew her were there too! Even though she was not embarrassed or angry about it, she couldn't help but pound the cushion under her.
It is said that it is difficult to change one's nature while it is easy to change the country... But Zhang Shou is becoming less and less like the stupid and wooden gentleman he used to be!
Although it was a long-standing custom in the capital to stop the sedan chair to congratulate on a wealthy family's wedding day and then take the opportunity to ask for wedding money and refuse to leave unless enough money was given, on this day, wherever the sedan chair of the Duke of Zhao's mansion went, there were only people lining the streets to watch the fun, and there was not a single blind beggar or idler coming to ask for wedding money.
Especially when they saw Zhu Tingfang riding slowly beside the sedan chair like a guard, the idle men in the capital who reluctantly gave up this big fortune were all glad for their wisdom. Looking at this posture, Master Zhu was going to escort his sister all the way to her husband's house. If they had stopped the sedan chair before, wouldn't they have been on Master Zhu's blacklist?
The reason why Zhang Shou readily agreed to Zhu Tingfang's escort was because he had heard of the customs in the capital. Although he was rich, he was now married and spent every penny carefully, but he was not interested in helping those lazy people. As he walked along, when he saw Zhang Garden in sight, he heard the crackling sound of firecrackers. At that moment, the feeling of getting married came to him.
