Chapter 80 Chapter 80 A marriage of talent and beauty

After the Dragon Boat Festival, the weather became increasingly hot, and the shop's ice consumption became increasingly stable. Baozhu went to the ice shop early in the morning and signed a contract with the shopkeeper. The ice would be available until August, and the price of ice would be set at 480 wen from then on.

The sun was high in the sky, and the wind blowing through the shade of the trees was very hot. The bluestone pavement on the street was also scorched by the sun.

After coming out of the ice shop, she thought that the clothing store was not far away, so she went to Zhixianglou. Madam Xu had asked her to try on the wedding dress early. She had been too busy with the store before to take care of it, but now that business was picking up again, she had time to try on clothes.

Baorong was accompanying her today. Her wedding gown was layered and embroidered with a shawl that made her look taller. The ruyi pattern on the gown was embroidered with gold thread. This outfit must have cost at least several dozen strings of cash. Although she hadn't put on any headgear yet, Baorong couldn't help but exclaim, "It's a pity that Master Pei didn't have time to come over. Otherwise, I wonder how fascinated he would be."

Both of their wedding dresses were made in Zhixiang Tower. Pei Yanqing had no time to try them on. In order to leave time for the wedding in June, he had to finish the backlog of tasks in the government office in the past two months. The grain bureau had to check taxes and household registration, and some old cases had to be dealt with as soon as possible. As a new official, there were many people filing complaints, so he had to make some achievements to look good in the year-end evaluation.

Men's wedding attire wasn't as elaborate as women's, and it wouldn't matter when he got back from vacation. Baozhu had been so busy these days that she'd lost some weight, so the chef had to ask her to tighten her waist an inch to make it look better.

The headwear ordered by Madam Xu will also be delivered home in the next few days. It is a complete set of ruby ​​headwear. Before taking office, Pei Yanqing also went to Jinyulou to order a set of red envelope-inlaid necklaces and gold bracelets, as well as ruby ​​rings and ruby ​​earrings.

These items were delivered to her home on almost the same day. Baozhu checked them one by one and only put her stamp on them after finding no scratches or rubbs. The gifts she gave to Pei Yanqing were a gold leather belt with a heart-shaped pattern and a ruby ​​and jade crown inlaid with gold.

A shelf was specially built in the room to store these things. The room was filled with gold and jade, and anyone who saw it would say that the house was rich and unparalleled.

The closer the wedding date gets, the more things become busy. Fortunately, the business of this shop is gradually getting better, otherwise Baozhu would be too busy to handle both.

The weather was getting hotter day by day. It had rained twice since the beginning of spring. Some fortune tellers started saying that there might be a drought this year. However, the rumor had only been going on for a few days when a heavy rain died down. I heard that the fortune teller who spread the rumor was arrested by the government, and the matter gradually died down.

However, this year is indeed hotter than in previous years, and precisely because of the hot weather, Baozhu's restaurant business is getting better and better. Originally, he was worried that he would not be able to make back his investment, but now after checking the accounts every day, he makes as much money as during the Spring Festival after deducting the investment. It is said that people have a hard life, but this is Bianjing, and there are countless wealthy businessmen, most of whom are rich people. A dish of food that costs a few hundred coins is nothing to them.

The private rooms on the second floor were reserved for those with some financial resources. Baozhu placed two ice jars there, and when someone booked a table, she would add ice to cool down. The first floor was larger, so originally there was only one ice jar, but since there were many guests there, one was still not enough, so she prepared another one.

It is also convenient if guests want to drink cold wine or cool down some fruits.

One of the ice jars downstairs contains edible ice, which is specially used to make some of the iced drinks and iced snacks in the store.

No one mentioned the original rumors anymore, but many people heard about Baozhu's marriage from somewhere. It turned out that the manager of the Zhen family was not the kind of person that people said, but was going to marry an official. Anyone who dared to say anything gossipy would start to scold the person who had closed his eyes and talked nonsense. Baozhu also took this opportunity to tell the most active maids and aunts about what Chen Niang's husband had done.

They were all women, so naturally they couldn't bear to see women being bullied. After hearing about the hidden story behind Madam Chen, they all began to sympathize with her. Those ladies and aunts who had been reluctant to come before, all started to come to the restaurant more frequently again.

If anyone brings up the original rumors again, they will be despised.

In June, Baozhu started to get nervous. She went over the marriage process with Xu Niang over and over again. Her eldest brother wrote to her saying that he would come back with Sister Xiu and bring the young man back with him. The family could finally be reunited with this opportunity.

The restaurant in Suzhou rested for the time being. The eldest brother held Kang Ge'er in one hand and carried a bag in the other. Sister Xiu looked rounder and her complexion was much better than before. The young waiter could already utter a few halting words. He saw many strange things along the way. It was his active time again. He was not afraid of strangers and opened his arms to ask for hugs.

Madam Xu and Grandma Zhen loved this little baby very much. A group of people took Kang Ge'er in their arms one after another. The little boy did not cry or make a fuss, but instead opened his hands and giggled.

Half of the land deeds in Xuzhou were left to Baorong, and the other half were handed over to Baozhu.

A wedding was taking place at home, and Ah Zhong had returned. They had hired temporary workers for the fields, and with Shi Landlord watching over them, it wasn't yet the busy farming season, so there was nothing to worry about. Shi Landlord was diligent and hardworking, having worked tirelessly for the Zhen family for years, and had used the money he earned to buy land. He now had ten acres of land. His son hadn't gambled since his finger was cut off, and he was forced by Shi Landlord to work in the fields all day. Only after working in the fields did he realize how hard it was to earn a living.

All the wedding cookies and fruits have been bought. The house was decorated in the first month of the year when my second brother got married. Now we just need to see if there are any repairs needed. There is no need to make any major changes.

Pei Yanqing came back four days in advance. He went home to pack up before visiting the Zhen family. He also invited Baozhu to go to Zhixiang Tower with him to try on the wedding dress.

Even standing there in his clothes, he looked quite handsome. He had lost some weight due to his busy official duties, but there was no need to alter his wedding clothes.

After getting the clothes and gifts, the two went to the shoe shop together. Baozhu made shoes and socks for him, and after trying them on, they fit perfectly. After everything was collected, Baozhu asked, "Have you found the wedding procession?"

Pei Yanqing swore, "I've asked your second brother, and everything has been arranged. The ceremonial and musical team we invited are the same ones that were used for your second brother's last wedding."

Baozhu nodded, and the two of them sat down at a stall at the street corner. They each ate a bowl of shrimp wontons before going home. The wedding dress, shoes and socks would have to wait until Pei Yanqing arrived to urge for the wedding gift before they could give it to him.

Many aunts and sisters-in-law have come to the house to pay their respects these days, and Baozhu also wants to come out to meet and greet them. The current happy event is important, so the restaurant will be handed over to Jiang Shi for the time being. He comes back every day to report, and he has nothing else to do except using ice.

Pei Yanqing didn't have much vacation time, and there was no one to help him with many things, so he had to do them himself. The old lady of the Pei family was old, so she could handle some small things easily, but she seemed unable to handle big things.

The Pei family sent a bridal gift, and the Zhen family reciprocated with the clothes, shoes, socks, and sashes they had taken. The day before the wedding, Madam Xu, as was customary, invited Aunt Quanfu from the alley and a few close neighbors to come to the Pei family's house to make the bed. The Zhen family's aunt only sent a gift, saying she had been busy lately and would come back for the banquet on the day of the wedding.

Madam Xu went to the greenhouse with the aunts in the alley, and when she came back she said that the Pei family had been dressed up. Pei Yanqing was very reliable and meticulous. The yard was hung with red silk and colorful satin, making it look brand new inside and out.

Not only were the horses cleaned, but the silt in the garden pond was also emptied. The Pei family wasn't large, but Grandma Pei had hired someone to help out at home for the past few days.

Baozhu finally felt relieved after hearing this. The Zhen family had been bustling with activity these days, with neighbors coming to help. Baozhu placed two ice jars in the yard, and all the aunts who came to help praised her.

Favors are mutual. Madam Xu often goes to help others. If the Zhen family has something to do, they will naturally come to their door.

In the yard, the sounds of chopping meat and cutting vegetables were heard, and frying meat, fish and eggplant was in full swing. These pickled vegetables had to be prepared a day in advance, otherwise it would be a mess tomorrow. The chef of Qingfeng Tower had good skills, and the preparation of the dishes made many people salivate.

In the evening, the aunts who stayed to help had their meal. Madam Xu had no appetite. She ate a few bites and then went to the kitchen. She didn't come out to see people off until they were about to leave. As soon as the neighbors left, the Zhen family suddenly became quiet. The old woman collected the pots and pans and went to wash them. Madam Xu hid in the room again. Zhen's father carried Kang Ge'er in to coax her.

Baozhu didn't dare look at her father and mother's faces all night. Just one look would make her heart ache. Baorong came to comfort her, "Don't cry. If you cry, you won't look good when you put on makeup tomorrow."

Ah Xiu squeezed a handkerchief and applied it to her eyes. "It's only two steps away from the Pei family. It's more convenient for you to come back than to go to the restaurant."

After the two of them tried to comfort her, Madam Xu knocked on the door and came in, her eyes still a little red. Ah Xiu took Bao Rong out first, leaving the mother and daughter to talk in the room.

"As the saying goes, it takes a hundred years of cultivation to cross the river together, and a thousand years of cultivation to sleep on the same pillow. When a couple lives together, it's inevitable that there will be bumps and bumps. Only by being tolerant of each other can they maintain a long-term relationship." Madam Xu continued, "Mother is not asking you to be tolerant all the time, but if one day you can no longer tolerate it, father and mother will help you. Although our family is not rich, we can afford to support you."

He seemed to think it was unlucky to say such a thing after getting married, so he said with a sigh,

"Master Pei is not a person of bad character, and the daughter that my mother raised herself is the best. I just hope that you two will live in harmony for a long time."

The more A'niang talked, the sadder Baozhu became. Before she could feel sad, she heard Xu Niang bite the bullet and talk about some things in the boudoir. Her face instantly turned red to her ears.

"The painting at the bottom of the box is..." Madam Xu lowered her voice and whispered to Baozhu what it was. She then told her to open it on her wedding night. "I got these fire-avoidance paintings from a poor scholar in the south. There are six of them in total. There are also incense pills at the bottom of the box..."

Baozhu's face turned completely red, she didn't even know when her mother put it in there.

With this interruption, I felt much less sad.

On the 18th of June, the makeup lady and the hairdressing lady came early in the morning. Baozhu slept with Baorong yesterday, and the two sisters talked until midnight. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard a knock on the door. It was still dark outside. She lit the lights in the room, poured tea and snacks for the two ladies, and went to wash up first.

A'niang also got up early, busy in the kitchen with red eyes. She was worried that Baozhu would taste the food outside. She had to be busy all day and it was not convenient for her to go to the bathroom all the time, so she baked two dry biscuits for Baozhu to eat to fill her stomach.

The tedious process of dressing up left Baozhu with a sore back, watching the daylight fade outside. By the time she had changed, people were already coming and going. It was hot in June, and even though the room was iced, she still worked up a sweat after finishing her dressing. The wedding dress was heavy, and the headgear was also heavy. Fortunately, Baorong was always by her side, offering her water.

My second brother and his wife had just returned last night, and Baorong, my eldest brother and his sister-in-law, and my second brother and his wife were all going to see her off to the wedding today. Baozhu sat for half a day before she heard the sound of music approaching outside, and the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

A group of people started to urge the matchmaker to drink, and everyone who came to welcome the bride also asked them to drink a lot. When the time came, Pei Yanqing was led to Baozhu's room by Madam Xu.

The colorful silk hanging at the door was torn into several strips, and the people who came to join in the fun grabbed them to share in the joy.

When Pei Yanqing entered the room, he saw Baozhu covering her face with a painted fan. His heart skipped a beat. The hustle and bustle outside had nothing to do with him for a moment. He could only see Baozhu sitting on the edge of the bed, her eyes like water and her eyebrows like the moon. It was the first time he saw Baozhu dressed like this. The lip balm on her lips made his throat dry for a moment.

Baozhu's heart was beating fast. The two looked at each other, then looked away. The matchmaker sang a melody to bring them back to their thoughts. The newlyweds bid farewell to their parents. Baozhu's eyes were about to burst into tears. She saw her grandmother sitting in the hall, also covering her face with a handkerchief to wipe away tears. Her parents endured their instructions, but when they spoke, they were choked with sobs and unable to speak. Pei Yanqing held Baozhu's hand tightly and knelt to kowtow to the three elders.

Outside, someone urged him to get into the sedan chair. Madam Xu stood up and pulled him up, saying, "Don't miss the auspicious time."