Chapter 151

151 Marrying

Zhou Jia walked around the village and arrived at the Li family’s house under the sound of the firecrackers. The Li family’s house was already surrounded by villagers watching the commotion. Old Hu had also brought his villagers to congratulate them.

The Li family’s courtyard door was tightly shut. Zhou Jia dismounted and stood in front of the door. He said loudly, “The thief must be beaten up. The guest must be seen. Reporting to Aunt-in-law. Come out and take a look.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The villagers who were watching the commotion laughed. Li Qing in the courtyard replied loudly, “Which gentleman? Which talent? Tell me your name. Why are you here?”

After Zhou Jia answered, he shouted, “Ah Qing, it’s Brother-in-law. Open the door quickly.”

Li Qing laughed and said, “If you want to be my Brother-in-law, you have to show some sincerity.”

Chen Xu hurriedly stuffed a few red packets in and said with a smile, “Ah Qing, the sincerity you want is here. Can you open the door now?”

Laidi laughed. “There’s still us! After you get past us, I’ll open the door for you.”

Chen Xu and the others smiled happily and said, “If you have any requests, report them. Our groom is a Top Scorer. It’s not a problem for him to recite poems.”

Laidi and Xiaoyu chuckled behind the door. “We know that the groom is a Top Scorer. It’s not like we understand poetry. We want to hear a short song. Sing a short song and we’ll open the door.”

“Can you change the task to something else? Why don’t I give you a few more red packets?” Zhou Jia was so anxious that he was sweating profusely. He hurriedly stuffed a few red packets in.

Xiaoyu smiled and took the red packet. “We’ll keep the red packet. You still have to sing.”

Chen Xu went forward and looked at Zhou Jia. “Mr. Zhou, just sing a song and they’ll open the door.”

Laughter sounded from inside the door. Laidi laughed loudly. “That’s right! We’ll open the door after you sing a song.”

Zhou Jia thought for a moment and chanted, “The peach is beautiful and dazzling. The son returns, suitable for his wife’s family.”

Everyone listened to Zhou Jia’s clear chanting and applauded. “Good! Good! The groom sang well. Open the door, open the door...”

He Xiaoyu pulled open the door. Li Yu was helped out of the room by Laidi and Zhaodi. Li Qing placed his parents’ memorial tablets in the high hall. Zhou Jia went to the front of the central room and worshiped Li Yu’s parents’ memorial tablets with Li Yu.

Li Mei looked at the energetic Zhou Jia and handed Li Yu’s hand to Zhou Jia. She instructed Zhou Jia gently, “Master Zhou, Yu’er’s is sometimes a little short-tempered. You have to bear with her. If she gets anxious and angry, don’t argue with her. She’ll forget once her temper passes.”

Zhou Jia bowed and said, “Aunt, you’re overthinking. Yu’er is open-minded and has a good temper. Don’t worry, I won’t make her angry.”

Someone shouted, “Master Top Scorer, you have to listen to your wife in the future.” The villagers watching the ceremony laughed when they heard this.

Li Qing walked in front of Li Yu and squatted down. He said to Li Yu, “Sister, I’ll carry you out.” Li Yu lay on Li Qing’s back and he carried Li Yu onto the sedan chair. He then turned to look at Zhou Jia and said in a low voice, “Brother-in-law, I’ll leave my sister to you. You can’t bully her.”

Zhou Jia looked at Li Qing and promised solemnly, “Ah Qing, don’t worry. Brother-in-law will never let your sister down.”

Li Qing nodded and the sound of a cannon rang out. Zhou Jia got on his horse and happily welcomed Li Yu back to the Zhou family.

When they reached the entrance, Zhou Jia kicked the door of the sedan chair. Madam Li helped Li Yu down from the sedan chair and placed the red ribbon in Li Yu’s hand so that Zhou Jia and Li Yu each held one end of the wedding ribbon. Madam Li helped Li Yu cross the brazier and entered the central room. Under the guidance of the concierge, they bowed to the heavens and earth. Zhou Jia held Li Yu’s hand and entered the new room.

Zhou Jia looked at Li Yu in her wedding dress and helped her sit down on the bed in a daze. He gazed at Li Yu and smiled foolishly. He thought about how Yu’er had always dressed plainly. He didn’t expect her to be so beautiful in a wedding dress!

Madam Li looked at Zhou Jia’s silly smile and smiled as she brought a bowl of dumplings to Li Yu. She let Zhou Jia sit beside Li Yu and picked up a dumpling. She handed it to Li Yu’s mouth and smiled. “Xiaoyu, have a bite of the dumpling.”

Li Yu took a bite and frowned. Madam Li smiled and asked, “Is it raw?”. There was a double entendre in her question where the underlying meaning was to ask if she would have children.

Li Yu glanced at Madam Li and paused for a moment. “Yes!”

Madam Li smiled and said, “It’s good to have children.” As she spoke, she brought the wine to the two of them on a tray. “Mr. Zhou, Xiaoyu, drink the bridal toast.”

Li Yu realized that the cups were wooden. There was a red string tied to both cups.

Madam Li brought the tray to Zhou Jia and asked him to take one cup. Li Yu took the other. Madam Li smiled and said to the two of them, “The two of you have to drink it in one gulp. From now on, you’re husband and wife. In the future, the two of you will be together happily, through thick and thin, and for a hundred years!”

Li Yu and Zhou Jia smiled at each other and drank the wine in their hands in one gulp. Madam Li took the cups and threw them to the ground. The two cups rolled on the ground and slid to the bed.

Madam Li smiled when she saw this. “It’s a blessing. Congratulations, Mr. Zhou. Congratulations, Xiaoyu!”

Zhou Jia handed over the red envelope and bowed to Madam Li. “Auntie Li, sorry to have troubled you.”

Madam Li happily took the red envelope. “I wish the two of you a happy marriage.”

Zhou Jia sent Madam Li out. Ruyi went to the door and reported to Zhou Jia, “Young Master, the banquet has begun. You should come out and entertain the guests.”

“I’m coming.” Zhou Jia went back to look at Li Yu and kissed her cheek. “Yu’er, it’s too hot to wear the phoenix crown. I’ll take it off for you first.”

Zhou Jia took off the phoenix crown on Li Yu’s head and said gently, “Yu’er, I’m going to the front to entertain the guests. Go wash up and change into a lighter dress.”

After the phoenix crown was taken down, Li Yu immediately felt much more relaxed. She smiled and nodded. “Go! Don’t get drunk.”

Zhou Jia chuckled and said, “Yu’er, don’t worry. I won’t get drunk. I still have to consummate the marriage!”

Li Yu rolled her eyes at him. “Hurry up and go. They’re going to laugh at us.”

Zhou Jia quickly kissed Li Yu before quickly going to entertain the guests.

When Zhou Jia arrived outside the wedding room, Uncle Zhou came over and reported to Zhou Jia, “Young Master, General Shen also sent someone to deliver a congratulatory gift.”

Zhou Jia nodded. “Please receive them well.”

Shopkeeper Chu, Town Deputy Zhu, and some county officials had also arrived. Everyone sat there and chatted. Seeing Zhou Jia come out, Town Deputy Zhu gave him a thumbs up and smiled. “What a handsome groom.”

Zhou Jia smiled and cupped his hands to thank him. He saw that the old village chief, Shopkeeper Chu, Town Mayor Zhu, and some country squires were sitting at the two tables in the middle. He went over to meet and toast. He thanked everyone for their congratulations and went to other tables to toast. Chen Yaohui and a few villagers teased, “Mr. Zhou, today is your big day. Drink a few more glasses. You’re happy.”

“Alright, let’s enjoy ourselves.” Zhou Jia smiled.

Li Yu took a look at the new room. The wedding bed was a shelf bed made of rosewood with an auspicious pattern carved on it. The bed was covered in a red dragon and phoenix quilt and hung with a big red silk canopy. There was a wooden chaise carved with branches and patterns by the window. There was a red cushion on it with a pomegranate pattern embroidered on it.

Er Ya and Jin Cuicui carried the bathtub into the new room. They looked at Li Yu, who was standing in the room, and exclaimed, “Miss is so beautiful. She’s as beautiful as a fairy.”

Auntie He came in from outside and said with a smile, “You can’t call her Miss today. You have to call me Young Madam.”

After Er Ya and Jin Cuicui placed the bathtub, they smiled and called out, “Young Madam, the bathtub is ready.”

Li Yu smiled and waved at the two of them. “Go! Go to the banquet. You don’t have to do this.”

“Yes, Young Madam.” Er Ya and Jin Cuicui smiled and left.

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