Transmigrated to the Great Song Dynasty, I became Emperor Qinzong, Zhao Huan. I flogged the buttocks of civil officials with staffs and punished military generals with planks. I selected beauties t...
Accompanied by the crackling sound of cannons, the Luo Family Restaurant was bustling with activity. People were eagerly waiting to see the bride and groom.
"Mrs. Yun from the Luo Family Restaurant is so lucky to have married Mr. Fan!"
"What do you mean Yunniang is so lucky? I think it's Master Fan who is so lucky. Yunniang is so beautiful, the Luo family's fortune will definitely fall into the hands of Master Fan."
"What do you know? This little fortune is nothing. Master Fan is the county magistrate appointed by the emperor. It is said that the marriage between the two was arranged by His Majesty himself."
"What a blessing, what a blessing!"
The crowd watched enviously, while the accountant from the Luo Family Restaurant and Grandma Yunniang greeted them warmly at the door. Neighbors and relatives from all directions flocked in.
The news that Fan Zha had been appointed county magistrate spread like wildfire. Local tyrants and evil gentry from all over Fengxian County, both those they knew and those they didn't, came to show their support, hoping to meet the magistrate.
Two waiters set up a table at the door and refused to accept any gifts from those who came to congratulate them.
"Our groom said that anyone who comes to congratulate us is doing so to give face to Master Fan and Yun Niang. The betrothal gifts must not be accepted. You'd better take yours back," the waiter refused.
The guest was unhappy: "I already brought this gift, how can I just return it? Besides, where do you want me to take it? Take it home and come back later?"
The waiter said in embarrassment: "Well, please register here first, and then take the gift back after the wedding, so that we don't have to go door to door to deliver it to you."
The guests who came to congratulate had no choice but to sign their names reluctantly, and then followed others' instructions to the restaurant.
At this moment, the Luo Family Restaurant was decorated with lights and colors, giving off a festive vibe. The living room was filled with tables and people coming to celebrate. The waiters were all busy, as no one had expected so many people to come today.
"Come on, let's go in too." Zhao Huan put away his folding fan. He was now in disguise. He had a small mustache and wore a green hat on his head. The sun shone a faint green light, which made Zhao Huan very depressed.
There was no such term as green hat in this era. Zhao Huan himself felt that this hat reflected his current mood.
"The bride is here! The bride and groom are here!" Someone shouted.
Gongs and drums sounded, and the suona began to play. Well, there was no suona in the Song Dynasty. At that time, it was called "dadi". This instrument existed during the Han Dynasty and was the predecessor of the suona.
Fan Zha was seen riding a tall horse, with a big red flower on his chest and wearing a red groom's suit. He looked very happy.
Yunniang was sitting in a sedan chair. When it reached the door, the sedan chair stopped and Yunniang came out with a red veil covering her head.
Traditionally, the groom removes the red veil in the bridal chamber, but customs vary in Fengxian County. The groom removes the veil when the bride arrives at the door, and the groom's parents stand at the door to greet her. Only after the groom's parents give their nod do the bride and groom enter the house hand in hand. This ritual, called "meeting the parents-in-law," comes from the idea that an ugly bride will meet her parents-in-law sooner or later.
Grandma Yunniang was standing at the door, grinning from ear to ear. The people around her were urging her to open it, "Uncover it! Uncover it! Hurry up!"
"That's right, reveal it quickly!"
Fan Zha gently lifted Yunniang's red veil, and the surroundings suddenly dimmed. Underneath the phoenix coronet and bridal robe, Yunniang's face was as rosy as a peach, her skin as smooth as cream. While not as gorgeous as Nangong Lian'er, she possessed her own charm. This filled Zhao Huan with jealousy, and he angrily ripped off his hat and threw it to the ground.
The worst thing was that the navy blue hat was shining with emerald green light in the sun. Zhao Huan was so angry that he stepped on it hard.
Nangong Lian'er and the others were shocked. Zhao Huan took off his hat, which meant he was exposing his identity. Once everyone knew the emperor was coming, they would inevitably kneel down and kowtow, which would only disturb the emperor's mood.
Cao Dongsheng and Linghu Yunlong didn't understand why the emperor was so picky about a hat.
Unfortunately, everyone was so engrossed in the bride and groom that no one noticed Zhao Huan, which made him even angrier. Linghu Yunlong, realizing things were not going well, took off his own bamboo hat and put it on Zhao Huan's head.
Nangong Lian'er guessed something, and she gently held Zhao Huan's hand. Zhao Huan was slightly startled, then turned to look at the even more gorgeous Nangong Lian'er. His jealousy finally subsided: "Lian'er, you are much more beautiful than Yunniang. When I canonize you as Imperial Noble Consort, I will also give you a phoenix crown and a bridal robe."
Nangong Lian'er smiled sweetly, her smile was infinitely gentle. Although they were close to each other every day, Zhao Huan couldn't help but stare at her in a trance.
"The ugly daughter-in-law greets the mother-in-law!" Yunniang knelt down in front of her mother-in-law.
This is also the custom here. Regardless of her appearance, the bride must bow to her parents-in-law and call herself the ugly bride. Only after the parents-in-law nod their approval can the groom lead the bride into the house.
Grandma Yunniang grinned and nodded continuously: "Okay, okay! Come in, come in!"
Gongs and drums blared, suona music filled the air. The bride and groom were escorted into the restaurant, followed by Zhao Huan and the others. Mother-in-law Yunniang recognized Nangong Lian'er, then Zhao Huan, and was so startled she was about to bow.
Nangong Lian'er hurriedly helped her up and made a gesture to silence her: "Don't make a sound, His Majesty doesn't want others to know. Go and do your thing, we will find a seat ourselves."
Grandma Yunniang was so frightened that she retreated in a hurry. She was stunned for a while and saw Zhao Huan and others found their seats. Then she went to greet other guests.
After all, it was the emperor himself who was visiting, so Mother-in-law Yunniang was still worried and instructed the servants to double the hospitality for Zhao Huan's table.
The banquet was a lively one, with a table full of dishes already served. Zhao Huan and the others found seats, sat down, and began to eat, toasting each other.
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