Xu Gui blushed and said, "Fifth Sister, please don't say that about me. I just happened to have seen that mess."

Xu Tong said, "That's because you studied it carefully, okay? If you hadn't studied it carefully, how could you have broken it?"

Xu Zhi said with a smile, "How about I ask Brother Zheng to give Sixth Sister a big red envelope later?"

Xu Gui quickly waved her hand and said, "Ninth Sister, no need, really no need."

Xu Mian said, "Alright, stop arguing. Has the groom come into the inner courtyard?"

Xu Tong said, "Yes, we came in right before them."

Just as she finished speaking, Granny Lu came in and said, "Hurry up and put the red veil on Ninth Miss's head, and don't forget to take that handkerchief with you."

Xu Zhi quickly sat up straight. Only then did she realize that she was incredibly nervous, her hands trembling uncontrollably. In order to avoid needing to use the restroom all day, Xu Zhi hadn't even drunk a drop of water since waking up in the morning. Now, coupled with her nervousness, she even felt like she couldn't breathe.

When the maid outside came to say that the groom had arrived, Granny Lu slipped an apple into Xu Zhi's hand. She said that if the bride carried this on her journey, she would have a peaceful and safe life.

The Xu family's daughters were all in Xu Zhi's room when they heard the sound of boots on the ground outside, and they quickly stood up from their chairs.

Xu Gui stood at the door. When she saw Zheng Boyuan enter, followed by a tall figure in soft armor, the figure gave her a sense of oppression. She moved closer to her twin sister, Xu Ju, but then heard someone laugh and whisper, "Sister Xu, it's been so many years. How have you been?"

Xu Gui suddenly raised her head, and a smiling face immediately came into view.

Xu Gui felt her heart skip a beat. The face seemed somewhat familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.

Seeing the puzzled look on Xu Gui's face, the young captain chuckled twice and said, "Sister Xu, I am Lu Mingzhang."

Upon hearing this name, Xu Gui's usually calm face showed obvious surprise. She looked the young figure up and down before hesitantly asking, "Are you really Brother Lu?"

Zheng Boyuan had already received his bride. Granny Lu tied a large red flower made of red silk between the two of them. Zheng Boyuan walked in front, and Xu Zhi followed quietly behind. There were many people in the room, and everyone's attention was focused on Zheng Boyuan and Xu Zhi. No one noticed that Lu Mingzhang and Xu Gui were talking.

Lu Mingzhang looked at Zheng Boyuan and Xu Zhi, nodded gently, and said, "I am your Lu family brother. It has been many years since we last met. I hope my Xu family sister is doing well."

Xu Gui said, "Brother Lu, I never expected you to join the army at Yanmen Pass."

Lu Mingzhang smiled and asked, "Sister Xu, have you inquired about where I joined the army?"

Hearing Lu Mingzhang's somewhat aggrieved words, Xu Gui gently shook her head and said, "I'm always in the backyard, how could I casually go to the front yard to inquire about things? I only heard from the sisters in Lu's family that Lu joined the army, but they didn't say where he joined, so I didn't hear about it either."

Lu Mingzhang smiled and said, "I knew you would do this, Sister Xu. You must remember the vow we made back then. When I return to the capital, I will naturally have my mother go to your residence to propose marriage."

Upon hearing this, Xu Gui looked at Lu Mingzhang in surprise. Her usually droopy, round eyes were filled with astonishment as she stared straight at Lu Mingzhang.

Lu Mingzhang's initially depressed mood was surprisingly cheered up by Xu Gui's somewhat dazed expression. Just then, Zheng Boyuan came out of the room. Lu Mingzhang nodded to Xu Gui and followed behind Zheng Boyuan and Xu Zhi, heading towards the main courtyard where Zhang Zhaoci lived.

In the main courtyard, Xu Rao and Zhang Zhaoci were sitting on high seats, with two prayer cushions in front of them. Zheng Boyuan knelt down before Xu Rao and respectfully kowtowed three times. Xu Rao said, "From now on, you two must support each other and live a good life together."

Zhang Zhaoci kept wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. After Xu Rao finished speaking, she said in a hoarse voice, "Boyuan, treat Xiao Jiu well. You two must be well, you must be well."

Zhang Zhaoci couldn't continue speaking. Xu Di felt that his mother was just too emotional. She wasn't like this before. Back then, Dr. Zhang, a key surgeon at their hospital, was truly calm and supportive, unfazed even when Mount Tai collapsed in front of her. But now, just because her daughter was getting married, she had cried countless times these past few days.

Zheng Boyuan said, "Father-in-law and mother-in-law, please rest assured, I will definitely treat Xiao Jiu well."

Xu Rao nodded and said, "It's getting late, we shouldn't miss the auspicious time."

Xu Di carried Xu Zhi on his back all the way to the bridal sedan chair. Xu Zhi leaned on Xu Di's back and whispered, "Brother, I'll have to trouble you and sister-in-law with all the household affairs from now on."

Xu Di sighed and said, "Xiao Jiu, don't worry about things at home. Your sister-in-law and I can handle everything. After you marry Zheng Boyuan, you will be going to who-knows-where. When you two return to your parents' home, your father and I will give you a proper explanation. No matter what, you must remember that the most important thing is to protect yourself. As long as you are alive, there is always a possibility. If you are gone, everything is over."

Tears welled up in Xu Zhi's eyes and dripped onto Xu Di's shoulder. Xu Di could sense Xu Zhi's emotions and whispered, "Wipe your tears. It's a joyous day, you should be happy. Zheng Boyuan and I are like brothers, he wouldn't dare not treat you well."

Xu Zhi responded softly. They had just arrived at the gate, and Xu Di placed Xu Zhi on the bridal sedan chair.