Chapter 7, Chapter 007: Marriage

In the early morning, Ye Baoling opened her eyes, lying in bed reminiscing about the iron pot stewed rooster in her dream, and almost drooled.

She took out some money and asked Sister Ping to buy a large capon. Half of it was steamed and the other half was braised. The whole family enjoyed the meal immensely.

My second cousin flattered me while eating: "Cousin, I wish you were in charge. We'd have meat to eat every day."

Several of my younger cousins ​​chimed in.

Shen Yue'e was very unhappy to hear this. "Have I treated you badly? Look at you all, you're all fat and bloated. Be careful you don't get fatter and fatter."

"Your aunt manages this household very well; you shouldn't take your blessings for granted."

Ye Baoling's words made Shen Yue'e smile broadly.

"However, Miss Gu Zhen'er, since you've stirred up trouble for no reason, as a business student, can you come up with a solution on how to ensure everyone eats well and is full without gaining weight, given the limited living expenses?" Ye Baoling, who was used to being a leader, was best at giving orders.

"Right, Auntie?"

Shen Yue'e thought Ye Baoling was speaking up for her, so she quickly added, "Yes, you don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household. Second sister, you've got so much influence, why don't you give it a try? Listen to your cousin, you come up with a solution."

Gu Man'er chimed in, "Wow, Second Sister, are you sure you can do it?"

Ye Baoling deliberately provoked her: "I don't think she's good enough."

“Why can’t I? If I can come up with a solution, how will you calculate it?” Gu Zhen’er stood up.

Seeing that her provocation had worked, Ye Baoling continued to throw out bait: "If you can come up with a plan, you'll be in charge of the household and manage the accounts from now on! Aunt, don't you think so?"

Unaware that she might lose her power as housekeeper, Shen Yue'e smiled and nodded repeatedly: "Then wouldn't I be able to retire early and enjoy my retirement? I can also save some energy and nag less, so you won't always complain that I'm a chatterbox."

Gu Zhen'er gritted her teeth, her competitive spirit burning fiercely: "Your teeth are your bond, and you'd better keep your word!"

“Of course! We can all vouch for you when Auntie goes back on her word. Let Grandma be the judge too.” Ye Baoling successfully dragged her maternal grandmother into the fray as well.

Only with the grandmother's involvement can the power of housekeeping be smoothly transferred.

"I refuse to believe I can't think of a solution. Give me half a month." Gu Zhen'er, having been successfully manipulated, was now energized.

*

After breakfast, Ye Baoling received a phone call from her father.

"Come back right now." Ye Kaimin's tone was icy, as always, tinged with impatience.

Ye Baoling was annoyed by his voice, "I'm busy today."

Ye Kaimin: "What do you want?"

"I made plans with my classmates to go out and have fun for a few days," Ye Baoling said, making up an excuse to avoid Ye Kaimin calling her in the following days.

She softened her tone and asked, "Why do you want me to go back?"

Ye Kaimin: "Have your Aunt Jun take you to buy some nice clothes, and then find time to meet with Lü Tianyou."

Ye Baoling was surprised that her grandfather did not agree to Ye Baoxin's marriage to the Lü family.

Given that she took the initiative to back down, Zheng Junni shouldn't be so incompetent as to lack even this much ability.

That most likely means Ye Baoxin herself was unwilling.

In the original script, Ye Baoxin was an extremely strong-willed and intelligent woman.

It was Zheng Junni herself who wanted her daughter to take her place, and Ye Baoling didn't care. She had plenty of ways to make Lü Tianyou back down.

"I'll talk about it when I have time."

Ye Kaimin was surprised that his daughter would speak to him in such a superior tone. Just as he was about to scold her, he heard her say, "I'm about to leave. I'm hanging up now."

Before he could say anything, his daughter hung up the phone.

Hearing the dial tone from the receiver, Ye Kaimin cursed angrily, "You damn woman!"

If you scold her, she won't hear you, so you have to give up.

*

In the evening, Ye Baoling took Gu Man'er and Chen Yulan to the Manyuehua Hotel, a five-star hotel not far from Qingtang Street.

The hotel had air conditioning, a large bathtub, and an endless supply of delicious food. The hotel bed was also softer and more comfortable than the one at the Gu family home. Gu Man'er was so excited that she couldn't sleep, as if she were the one getting married tomorrow.

As usual, the bride-to-be Ye Baoling was sleepy. The air conditioning was a bit cold, so she snuggled into the thin blanket, closed her eyes drowsily, and soon fell asleep.

She was woken up at seven o'clock to do her makeup. Nowadays, it's fashionable to wear a wedding dress, but her wedding is different; she has to wear a traditional dragon and phoenix gown when she goes out.

The matchmaker invited by the third branch of the family was very knowledgeable, following all the proper etiquette. The occasion was festive, yet quiet and did not disturb the neighbors.

Shen Yue'e came to help keep an eye on things from the Gu family early in the morning, but she was clumsy and couldn't be of much help. In the end, she could only accompany Gu Man'er to see the bride off to the car.

The wedding car that was supposed to pick up the bride didn't have the groom, and I thought the atmosphere would be a bit sad. But the matchmaker, who was helping the bride get into the car, couldn't hold it in and let out a loud fart.

Ye Baoling and Gu Man'er exchanged a knowing glance and burst into laughter, almost crying from the effort.

The matchmaker smiled sheepishly to ease the awkwardness: "A loud fart doesn't stink."

Then he chanted, "When the engine roars, gold pours in. The bride gets in the car, every step brings prosperity..."

Finally, Ye Baoling got into the car and watched it slowly move forward. Chen Yulan was sitting next to her, while her aunt and cousin waved goodbye to her outside the window.

It was as if she were the lead actress in a play.

Everything revolves around her.

This experience was quite interesting.

It's even more fantastical than eating stewed rooster in an iron pot in a dream.

The wedding car drove to the marriage registration office designated by the third wife, and Ye Huaizhang's personal seal had already been affixed to the marriage registration documents in advance.

Soon, she received a marriage certificate the size of an A4 sheet of paper.

Although she had never met him, from this moment on, Ye Baoling and Ye Huaizhang officially became a legal couple.

Once the time is right, she can apply to the court to declare Ye Huaizhang dead.

Amitabha Buddha. If she can successfully obtain the other ugly jade pendant, she will go to the temple to donate an everlasting lamp to Ye Huaizhang.

May he ascend to paradise soon and be reborn into a better life.

After leaving the marriage registration office, the driver took a long detour, deliberately avoiding the old eldest son's mansion, before the wedding car drove into the No. 3 Qingtang Street compound from the other end of the street.

Apart from the "囍" character pasted on the main gate of the courtyard, there were no elaborate decorations or lanterns in the courtyard; it was very low-key.

All other people were excused, and only the closest relatives of the third son's family were present.

The matchmaker helped Ye Baoling out of the car and into the hall. Ye Huaizhang's parents sat in the seats of honor, while Old Madam Guan sat to one side. Tong Po was the master of ceremonies for the day's wedding.

Ye Baoling immediately spotted a short man in a suit holding a rooster in his arms, standing in the middle of the auditorium.

The hand holding the rooster was slender and pinkish-white; upon closer inspection, it turned out that the groom in the suit was a girl.

This must be Ye Huaizhang's younger sister, Ye Yongqi, who is holding a rooster and bowing to him during the wedding ceremony.

Since Ye Huaizhang has been missing for so long without any news, frankly speaking, the odds are against him. Apart from his grandmother and mother who still cling to unrealistic fantasies, everyone else has accepted the reality that Ye Huaizhang will not come back.

Therefore, the entire wedding ceremony exuded an eerie, funeral-like atmosphere of quiet and restraint.

I dared not laugh, nor dared I show a sour face for fear of being disliked by the old lady as bad luck.

Puff... Puff...

The hall, which was already quiet with only Granny Tong speaking, became even quieter.

The matchmaker blushed with embarrassment. She was used to big occasions and couldn't play dead at this moment, much less explain that "a loud fart doesn't stink." She could only bite the bullet and try to defuse the situation with a smile.

"As the old saying goes, 'A loud fart brings good fortune,' and the matchmaker wishes the newlyweds 'May happiness respond to your farts, and may they enjoy good health and prosperity,' with great luck and abundant blessings..."

She wanted to say "overflowing with good fortune," but since the groom wasn't even present at the wedding, the phrase seemed a bit unlucky, so she stopped herself in time.

Ye Baoling, who was being supported by her, whispered a reminder: "Good fortune is returning..."

Yes, yes, yes!

With a broad smile, the matchmaker raised her voice and said, "Great fortune and prosperity, may good luck return!"

Upon hearing the words "good fortune returns," the usually serious-looking Old Madam Guan finally smiled a little.

Everyone felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and the atmosphere in the entire auditorium became more relaxed.

Ye Baoling first served tea to Old Madam Guan, addressing her as "Grandma," and then served tea to Ye Huaizhang's parents, addressing them as "Grandma" as well.

He received a thick stack of red envelopes containing money for changing his address to Chen Yulan, and handed them all over for safekeeping.

The ceremony had just ended when someone ran in from outside, "Grandma, the second master of the eldest branch of the family has arrived."

Ye Baoling's mind went blank for a moment, and she immediately realized that the second great-grandfather was Ye Qizu, the original owner's grandfather.

Why did her grandfather come?

Grandma Guan was afraid that Ye Qizu would come in and find out that his granddaughter was today's bride, so she quickly instructed, "Jin Song, go and greet your second uncle."

It's called "welcoming," but it's actually "blocking," telling the other party to slow down and come in.

Ye Huaizhang's father, Ye Jinsong, responded and went out.

"You lot, hurry up and take Bao... take the young mistress back to her new house."

Four or five people came and escorted the bride toward the building behind. Seeing this, Chen Yulan quickly followed and protected Ye Baoling.

Because Ye Baoling left the Ye family with her mother when she was young, and only occasionally returned for a meal during festivals, she had little interaction with the people of the third branch of the family, so no one from the third branch knew her.

Although no one except Grandma Guan and her husband Yang Pinxian knew that the bride was the granddaughter of the eldest son's family, Grandma Guan was still worried that the truth would be revealed.

She felt the lobby was too crowded and noisy, so she said, "Everyone should go back to their rooms and stop gathering here."

Everyone assumed the old lady wanted to keep Ye Huaizhang's kidnapping a secret, so they didn't dare to say anything and wisely dispersed.

Not long after, Ye Jinsong accompanied Ye Qizu in.

After taking his seat, Ye Qizu said with a slight complaint, "I just heard that Huai Zhang had an accident. How could you keep such a big thing from me?"

Grandma Guan observed Ye Qizu's expression and guessed that he probably didn't know much, so she complained in a low voice: "It's in South Africa... no one can help. I'm afraid if I tell Second Brother, you'll worry and suffer too."

"No news at all?"

Ye Jinsong shook his head and sighed, "There's not a single piece of news."

Ye Qizu is tall and thin, with a rather dignified appearance. He is nearly eighty years old, but very healthy.

He looked around at the festive wedding decorations and couldn't help but say, "It would be good to find him a wife."

The implication is that even if Ye Huaizhang doesn't come back, adopting a son would still count as a share of the property.

"Whose daughter is she?" Ye Qizu asked again.

Grandma Guan vaguely avoided Ye Qizu's question, saying, "It was extremely difficult to find a girl in the entire city whose birth chart matched Huai Zhang's."

Ye Qizu assumed that the family was poor and of humble origin, so he didn't press for details and simply said, "Have her go to the ancestral hall to offer incense tomorrow."

Grandma Guan understood that Ye Qizu was blaming her for not inviting him to sit at the head of the table and drink the tea served by the bride at such an important wedding.

Ye Qizu is the second son in the third generation of the Ye family. His older brother died when he was five or six years old, so he is actually the eldest son of the third generation and the current head of the Ye family.

"This girl is here to bring good luck in a marriage, she's not really going to marry into our family. We've met some good people."

Therefore, it is not feasible to go to the ancestral hall to offer incense or serve tea to Ye Qizu.

"I see. That's quite rare," Ye Qizu said after a moment's thought, then asked, "What's this young lady's surname?"

The mother and son exchanged a glance. They had discussed this beforehand. They would say that the bride's surname was Gu to both the family and the outside world, but it was two different things to spread the word that the bride's surname was Gu and to tell others that the bride's surname was Gu.

Especially when facing Ye Baoling's own grandfather.

Just as Ye Jinsong was about to speak, he heard his mother sigh softly.

"Ouch!" Old Madam Guan rubbed her forehead, her face full of pain: "My head..."

"Mom, are you alright?"

Ye Jinsong raised his voice, successfully changing the subject.

"I feel extremely dizzy."

Ye Qizu thought that Old Madam Guan was worried about her grandson's safety and had overworked herself, so she hurriedly said, "Quickly call a doctor to come and take a look."

*

The third son's mansion consists of three buildings. The building where the old lady and her eldest son's family lived was called Chengheju.

The wedding room was on the third floor of Chengheju.

Everyone else had left, leaving only Ye Baoling and Chen Yulan inside.

Ye Baoling looked around at the interior decorations. The Brazilian blackwood wall panels, paired with furniture in a slightly antique European style, showed that the house was quite old.

However, the large red "囍" character prominently displayed clashes with the overall style and looks somewhat comical.

On the bedside table, there was a picture frame.

It is a photo of a middle-aged woman and a teenage baseball player.

The middle-aged woman was wearing a cheongsam, with a faint sorrow on her face. This was Yang Pinxian. Ye Baoling recognized her at a glance, her eyes filled with unspoken sadness.

If she wasn't mistaken, the boy in the baseball uniform should be Ye Huaizhang.

This is Ye Huaizhang's room.

She needs to stay here for three nights to complete the wedding ceremony.

The bed was just the right firmness, the bedding was brand new and smelled of flowers, and the air conditioning was kept at a constant temperature all day. She didn't need to be very adaptable, and she could stay here comfortably for the next three days.

Chen Yulan had already walked around the room and returned.

“Cousin…” Chen Yulan called Ye Baoling “cousin” just like Gu Man’er. “The bathroom has a huge bathtub and a room specifically for hanging clothes, with lots of men’s clothes hanging there. They’ve set aside a wardrobe; may I hang your clothes in there?”

"Sure."

Ye Baoling walked in and found that the walk-in closet was larger than her and Man'er's room, with three walls of large wardrobes, one of which had a large mirror that was perfectly fitted on it.

Another wall is covered with bookshelves, which are crammed full of books.

In front of the bookshelf was a comfortable sofa, suggesting that Ye Huaizhang usually liked to read in his dressing room.

The wardrobe left for her to hang her clothes was in the corner, in the gap between two large wardrobes. She wasn't staying there permanently, so she just needed a place to hang her clothes.

After tidying up the clothes she had brought, Ye Baoling prepared to change out of her traditional dragon and phoenix wedding gown, while Chen Yulan went outside to familiarize herself with the surroundings.

After changing into the clothes she had bought the day before yesterday, Ye Baoling hung up her wedding dress.

Unexpectedly, the dragon and phoenix gown got caught on a hook on the closet, and a string of pearls decorating the lapel fell down with a "clatter".

They were everywhere—in the corners of the wardrobe, on the floor.

Ye Baoling stood there helplessly for a while, hands on her hips, before squatting down to pick up the pearls one by one. One pearl had fallen into a slot inside the wardrobe, and she reached out to hook it out, but couldn't manage it.

Just as she was about to give up and wait for Chen Yulan to arrive before trying to find a solution, she pressed her finger hard and with a "click," the slot moved.

She suddenly realized that there was a hidden compartment inside, and the slot was a switch.

A note from the author:

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A Mystical and Eerie Secret Chamber: Welcome, my new master! [Dog head with rose in hand]

It's September! School starts today, and work resumes. Wishing everyone a prosperous new month! [Let me see...]