Read Novel Full Chapter 1837: The 15th Year of Shenghui
Chapter 1837: Chapter 1837: The 15th Year of Shenghui
Chang Xhong returns with the bride, and Zhulan and Zhou Shuren sit at the main seat, watching the couple slowly walk in, surrounded by witnessing friends and family, with everyone’s eyes on the newlyweds.
Zhulan doesn’t want to show emotions, but upon hearing the call to bow to the heavens, tears uncontrollably well up in her eyes.
Zhou Shuren is not much better; with the bow to the heavens, bow to the parents, couple-to-couple bow, he uses his sleeve to wipe away tears while no one is noticing.
Actually, the elder sons noticed, but out of respect for their father’s authority, they looked away, though their hearts felt an ache, as the youngest son is truly his father’s treasure.
After the ceremony, the young couple is sent to the bridal room; Chang Xhong’s courtyard has been newly renovated with added scenery and transplanted maple trees. At this time of year, the maple leaves are bright red, matching the red silk, leaving first-timers mesmerized.
Once everything is concluded, Chang Xhong doesn’t rush away and whispers, "Someone will bring you food later; have some to fill your stomach."
Wei Xinyi twists her hands together, "Mm."
Chang Xhong smiles broadly and bows to several sisters-in-law, then takes those watching the spectacle to leave.
Lady Li and the others exchange glances; the new sister-in-law hasn’t reached the age of her daughters-in-law. Lady Li, being the eldest sister-in-law, speaks first, "We are all family now, don’t be nervous."
Wei Xinyi slowly relaxes in her heart, "Mm."
Zhao Shi says with a smile, "If you need help understanding anything, feel free to come to us."
Wei Xinyi quickly replies, "I will, thank you, sisters-in-law."
Su Xuan chimes in, "You’re young and familiar with Yu Wen and the others, if you ever feel bored, talk to them."
Zhao Shi adds, "Chat with them while they’re still unmarried."
If it weren’t for the grandparents’ affection for their granddaughter hoping she marries later, Yu Die should have been married according to her age.
At the front courtyard, tables for the celebration feast keep getting added, filling the yard with guests unable to find seats, indicating the Marquis Zhou family’s standing in the capital.
As soon as Chang Xhong brings back the bride, the Fourth Prince grabs him, "Come on, we’ve been waiting to toast!"
Chang Xhong widens his eyes, "I thought you agreed to help block drinks?"
The Fourth Prince spreads his hands, "Clearly, I’ve betrayed you."
Chang Xhong feels a mental blackout; all his friends have betrayed him, gritting his teeth, "Okay, you guys are deliberately teasing me."
Wu Shangheng laughs heartily, "You just realized it’s too late; today, we must get you drunk."
Chang Xhong smiles insincerely, "Fine, very well, I’ll wait for your wedding to get revenge."
Wu Shangheng and the Fourth Prince remain fearless, ensuring to find blockers when their time comes, with the table chorusing, "Stop the nonsense, drink up!"
Ming Rui and Ming Hui share a glance, pulling Gu Sheng to block, then seek out the fiancé of Yu Die and Yu Yi.
Unfortunately, the opponents are strong, and Chang Xhong feels destined to fail today.
Zhou Lao Da pulls his second brother, "Think of something; it’s our little brother’s wedding night!"
Chang Yi stands up to another table to grab Chang Zhi, "It’s your turn to play."
Chang Zhi, "!!"
As Ming Rui drinks and feels dizzy, he looks carefully to identify, "Uncle Four."
Chang Zhi holds a wine jug, smiling at the Fourth Prince and others, "I’ll join in the fun too."
The Fourth Prince and others go silent, knowing this person’s reputation as a Wolf man; the Fourth Prince’s eyes wander upward, pondering, "The time is late, feeling a bit hungry."
Wu Shangheng curls his mouth, "Indeed hungry, don’t waste a table of good dishes."
Chang Zhi already poured a cup of wine, "Don’t rush to eat, let me toast you all first."
The Fourth Prince, "..."
He doesn’t want to drink, fearing stomach pains!
Chang Xhong has already had a bowl of sobering soup, feels much clearer headed, and seeing Fourth Brother intimidating the Fourth Prince and others, regrets not pulling him in earlier to block drinks.
Zhou Lao Da watches in shock, asking his second brother, "Is Fourth Brother so terrifying?"
Chang Yi replies in a solemn tone, "What do you think?"
Zhou Lao Da, "..."
So is he the weakest in the family?
On Zhou Shuren’s side, there are many toasts too, but mostly symbolic without needing to drink the whole cup.
Wong Ju says, "Your youngest son is married; my youngest son needs to wait another year."
Zhou Shuren takes a sip of wine, "My biggest responsibility can now be set aside."
Wong Ju also drinks a cup, "Today is your happiest day over these years."
Zhou Shuren nods with a smile; he must admit that the marriage of his youngest son brings a different feeling, and after drinking a bit too much, he leaves the feast early to rest.
Zhou Shuren, after cleaning up and lying down, quickly notices someone beside him, hazily opening his eyes, "You’ve returned too."
Zhulan has changed clothes, her cheeks slightly flushed showing she drank some wine, "Yes, move a bit so I can lie down too."
Zhou Shuren obediently makes space, and the two lie quietly side by side, exchanging unspoken words in their silence, waking in the middle of the night, taking some soup before lying back down.
The next day, Zhou Shuren gets up early as his youngest son and daughter-in-law are to serve tea.
Zhulan rises to confirm the gifts are correct, smiling as she eats breakfast.
After breakfast, each family arrives, and the young couple blushing, feeling embarrassed being stared at.
Zhulan chuckles, "Stop staring at them, it’s time to serve tea."
Chang Xhong kneels on a cushion, "Father, please have tea."
Wei Xinyi offers tea, "Father, please have tea."
Zhou Shuren lifts the teacups, taking a sip from each, then hands over prepared gifts to the couple, a shop for the son as wedding expenses, and a silver note for the daughter-in-law.
Zhulan gifts her son a small estate, and her daughter-in-law receives jewelry.
Zhulan advises, "I hope you two will have a harmonious future together."
Chang Xhong, "Mother, son is shaped by your and father’s teachings; I will not let Xinyi down."
Wei Xinyi blushes more intensely, "Mother, I will take good care of my husband."
Zhulan increasingly fond of her young daughter-in-law, "Good, very good."
Subsequently, Chang Xhong takes Xinyi to formally recognize everyone, though sadly, Chang Lian and his wife of the third household are absent, and the couple receives many gifts but also give out many.
Chang Xhong’s wedding seems still vivid in memory, turning around and it’s been almost three years, another year of spring exams, reaching the fifteenth year of the magnificent era.
These years, the Marquis Zhou residence has seen much happen, with Ming Hui and Ming Jia marrying, Yu Die, Yu Yi, and Yu Wen sequentially marrying, Yu Yi’s wedding seeing Lady Dong bringing Ming Ling and Ming Hu back, nevertheless Chang Lian did not escort Yu Yi to marry.
The Zhou family only has Yu Jiao left unmarried, the only remaining granddaughter, making her especially precious, already past suitable age, yet still undecided.
Again, it’s spring exams, and many in the Marquis Zhou residence are participating, Ming Rui and Ming Jia among them, Ming Hui having achieved Graduate status, won’t join this spring exam.
Yu Die’s husband Liu Yuanbo and Yu Yi’s husband Yu Yueyang also join this year’s spring exam.
This year marks the first session of the imperial exam reform, meaning it’s not yet perfect; Yu Yueyang originally intended to wait for the next session, but Yu family worried future sessions might be harder, thus decided on this one.