Chapter 125 The Wedding Night

It was the first time in her life that she had ridden in a bridal sedan chair, and it was also her first time getting married. Qiao Mianmian felt both nervous and sweet.

After the wedding ceremony, they entered the bridal chamber. Qiao Mianmian couldn't wait to ask, "Is anyone in the room?"

"Reporting to Madam, I'm the only one in the room." Cuizhi brought over a cup of warm tea. "The young master has been taken out for a banquet. If you're tired or hungry, you can tell me. There's food prepared for you in the kitchen, you can eat anytime."

Qiao Mianmian, with her head covered by a red veil, found it inconvenient to do anything. "How much longer until it gets dark?"

“It’s still early, Grandma.” Cuizhi wondered if Grandma was in a hurry. “From your house to the Lu family’s house, with all the music and festivities along the way, it only takes half an hour. There’s still a long time before it gets dark.”

Hearing that it would take so long, Qiao Mianmian casually lay back. She couldn't lift the red veil, but she couldn't just sit still and wait.

"Cuizhi, I'm not hungry. You should go and rest for a while. I got up before dawn, and I imagine you did too. Let's both get some sleep." Qiao Mianmian felt sleepy as soon as she lay down. Since there was no one else in the room, she did whatever made her comfortable.

Seeing that the eldest mistress was indeed lying down sleeping, and remembering the eldest young master's instructions, Cuizhi let the eldest mistress go.

However, she dared not sleep; the eldest grandmother could do as she pleased, but she could not.

Cuizhi listened to the occasional voices outside. She was tired, so she sat down in a chair and waited for her grandmother to wake up.

At the banquet outside, Ouyang Yi led the way in toasting Lu Zhao, saying, "You're quite something, lad! You married a master chef, so you'll never have to worry about food again!"

The others raised their glasses. They were all men, and close to Lu Zhao. Regardless of their true thoughts, they all said nice things at this moment.

Lu Zhao drank two cups in a row, and seeing the person coming over to toast him again, he quickly said, "Good brother, I really can't go on anymore."

Qingjiu pushed forward, "Yes, let me drink in place of my master." His master gets drunk after just two cups, how could he drink any more? Luckily, he had replaced the wine in the jug with water at the beginning, otherwise his master would have already gotten drunk.

But the pot of water is quickly finished, and if you try to get a new pot, you might not be able to get water from it.

Those people naturally refused and kept pestering Lu Zhao to drink, even Zhou Jing'an came over to urge him to drink.

None of these brothers intended to let Lu Zhao go.

"Alright, alright, I'll drink to my heart's content with you all today. But those of you who aren't married yet, remember, when you get married, you have to drink with me too!" Lu Zhao raised his wine cup and handed the wine pot to Qingjiu, asking Qingjiu to fill it with wine.

When Granny Kong saw this, she stopped the wine from the corner. She didn't know that the young master had switched the wine. "You too, if you don't help, how will the young master consummate the marriage if he gets drunk?"

"Granny Kong, can't you consummate your marriage if you're drunk?" Qingjiu looked over in confusion, then said smugly, "Oh dear, we're not that stupid, it's all water."

"Then you should go quickly." Only then was Granny Kong relieved, watching the eldest young master drink cup after cup, he really seemed to be doing it right.

Qingjiu brought out more wine, and Lu Zhao drank two jugs in a row before Ouyang Yi realized something was wrong. "You kid, how come your alcohol tolerance has improved?"

It was too late when they discovered it; he was already drunk and sitting on the ground, unable to get up.

Lu Zhao quickly had Qingjiu help him up, taking this opportunity to go to the bridal chamber.

"My lord, Lord Ouyang just discovered it. I wonder if he'll remember it tomorrow." Qingjiu smiled and saw her master to the door of the new house, calling out to Cuizhi.

Inside the house, Cuizhi had already woken up the eldest mistress, opened the door to let the eldest son in, and then asked Qingjiu to fetch hot water.

When the veil was lifted and the nuptial wine was exchanged, Qiao Mianmian saw that Lu Zhao's cheeks were flushed, and her own face also felt hot.

The two were standing very close. Only after hearing the door close did Qiao Mianmian reach up to support her head. "My headdress is so heavy, could you help me take it off?"

"How do you pick them?" Lu Zhao sat down next to Qiao Mianmian and smelled the woman's unique fragrance as soon as he leaned in.

Qiao Mianmian held both sides of Lu Zhao's hair and taught him how to remove the hairpin. Then, her black hair fell down, and she straightened up slightly to help Lu Zhao remove the jade hairpin as well. "This is the first time I've dressed up so formally. It's really tiring. Are you feeling much better now?"

When she went to look at Lu Zhao, she saw that Lu Zhao was also looking at her. His handsome face was right in front of her. She saw Lu Zhao swallow hard, and her knees buckled, and she fell into Lu Zhao's arms.

The soft, warm fragrance enveloped Qiao Mianmian. Lu Zhao embraced her slender waist. He was a vigorous young man, and at this moment, he casually lowered the gauze curtain, which swayed until late at night.

At first, Qiao Mianmian wasn't quite used to it, but she enjoyed it more and more later, especially Lu Zhao's firm muscles, which were quite interesting to touch even in the dark.

But later she simply couldn't keep up, and finally bit Lu Zhao's shoulder hard before falling into a deep sleep.

When Qiao Mianmian woke up the next day, Lu Zhao was already dressed. Her arms and legs were sore, but when she saw that Lu Zhao was fine, she thought that even if she was lustful, she should have a limit.

But seeing a handsome guy as soon as you open your eyes does make you feel better.

“Today is the first day, so you don’t need to pay your respects to your grandmother from now on,” Lu Zhao said.

Qiao Mianmian yawned as she got up, and after washing up, she went to pay her respects to Lu Zhao.

Grandma Lu had been waiting for this day for a long time. "Good, good, I've finally waited for this day."

After giving them tea and a sealed envelope, she invited the young couple to sit down and have a meal together.

Grandma Lu ate a light breakfast, but it was also quite substantial. She added white fungus to the white porridge and cooked cucumbers in chicken soup. She was particular about her food and lodging, except for the small courtyard where she lived with Lu Zhao.

There was no one else at home. After breakfast, Old Mrs. Lu kept Qiao Mianmian and her husband behind to talk. "After Zhao's daughter-in-law returns home, I will also be going back to Bianjing."

Qiao Mianmian: "Why so fast? Grandmother can stay a little longer, so I can make you some delicious food."

"I can't hurry. There are many things going on in Bianjing, and I'm worried about them. There are some things I need to go back to deal with."

Old Mrs. Lu had to go back to deal with Meng Wanying and couldn't let her cause trouble. Besides, her son didn't have a legal wife, and she still controlled the inner quarters of the Lu family. "Speaking of which, I've been here too long. Fortunately, seeing you two get married smoothly, I can go back with peace of mind."

Lu Zhao also tried to persuade his grandmother to stay, but the old lady insisted on going back.

"As you know, Bianjing can't do without this old body of mine." After saying this to her grandson, Old Madam Lu called Qingjiu over and said, "You've worked hard serving the eldest young master all these years. Now that your master is getting married, it's time to find you a suitable match. A few days ago, the Zheng family came to me."

Today, she won't comment on whether Qingjiu is clever or not. At least Qingjiu is loyal and a true friend of her grandson. It's only right that she helps make some arrangements.

Speaking of the Zheng family, Qiao Mianmian also looked at Qingjiu, "Sanhua told me that it's already quite difficult for a young lady to be so proactive. She has taken a liking to you, but if you really don't agree, she won't force you. This time, Uncle Zheng came to see the old lady. If you agree, she'll ask someone to calculate an auspicious date. If you don't agree, it's okay. You can still greet each other when you meet in the future."

During those days, everyone saw how much effort Zheng Sanhua put into making Qingjiu.

Lu Zhao also said, "A real man should be willing if he wants to, and if he doesn't like someone, he should just be decisive and not drag it out."

"No...no, I don't dislike it." Qingjiu said worriedly, "I'm reluctant to leave you, my lord, because I'm thinking about moving out after we get married."

He's been thinking a lot about getting married lately, and although he hasn't come to a conclusion yet, he's really been pondering it.

“I don’t dislike it, so would you like to marry Sanhua?” Qiao Mianmian pressed.

Qingjiu couldn't answer again and glanced at her master.

Grandma Lu saw all of this and said, "Alright, with your brain, you've been thinking about this for months and still haven't come to a conclusion. I'll make the decision for you. I'll have Zhao'er give you a contract of indenture, and the marriage with the Zheng family will be settled. I'll take five hundred taels of silver from my private treasury as your dowry... that's all for you."

The old lady initially wanted to say it was part of her dowry, but then felt it wasn't quite right.

With the old lady's decision made and seeing that Qingjiu didn't object, Qiao Mianmian also said, "Then we'll take four hundred taels, add it together with what the old lady gave, and you can use it to buy a house or land."

As a junior, she couldn't exceed the amount the old lady had given her. Besides, given the relationship between Lu Zhao and Qingjiu, she knew that Lu Zhao would secretly give Qingjiu other assets.

Qingjiu was in a daze, reluctant to part with his master, yet unable to say anything to refuse the marriage.

When he went back and talked to Songmu about his confusion, Songmu said that he couldn't bring himself to say it because he had fallen for Zheng Sangu.

Do you care?

What does it mean to take something seriously?

Qingjiu fell into deep thought. He couldn't come up with an answer, but the thought of Zheng Sanhua made him feel good, and the corners of his lips couldn't help but turn up.

Old Madam Lu was efficient in her work. While she was still in Lin'an, she sent Granny Kong and Lu Zhao to the Zheng family.

When the Zheng family heard that Qingjiu had agreed, everyone from top to bottom wanted to hold the banquet as soon as possible, so the date was set for half a month later.

One happy event after another occurred in the alley. Everyone said that this year was an auspicious year. After Qiao Mianmian returned to her parents' home, Old Madam Lu was about to return to Bianjing.

Before leaving, Old Mrs. Lu specially called Lu Zhao into the house to talk.

"Lu Xingzhou is dead, and I will not give Meng Wanying another chance to speak."

Looking at her grandson who had started his own family, Grandma Lu was filled with joy. "From now on, you can live your own life. I will try my best to live a long life. As long as I outlive your lecherous father, you can be happy in Lin'an."

"Grandmother will surely live to be a hundred years old." Lu Zhao's eyes welled up with tears.

"Zhao'er, I don't know when I'll see you again after this trip back home. Remember to write to me often. If I ever pass away, you must come." Speaking of her funeral arrangements, Old Madam Lu's voice choked with emotion. "You are my most beloved grandson. I don't want your father to carry my memorial tablet; you must come, understand?"

Lu Zhao knelt down, "Grandson will remember."

He kowtowed deeply to his grandmother, saying that if it weren't for her sheltering him from the storms of life, he wouldn't have the happy life he has now. In his heart, his grandmother was one of the most important people in his life.

"From now on, you and your granddaughter-in-law need to discuss things together. The Qiao family raised her like a treasure, not to let her marry into our family and suffer. You need to cherish and love her. Couples will always have disagreements, so try to understand her more, okay?"

Grandma Lu was a woman herself, and she knew how difficult it was to be a daughter-in-law.

Lu Zhao explained, "Grandmother, don't worry, I will listen to Mianmian in everything."

"As long as you two are doing well, this old woman will be at ease. And most importantly, have a child soon, I'm looking forward to holding my great-grandchild!" Old Mrs. Lu said, instructing Cuizhi to stew some tonic for Lu Zhao and his wife.

After the grandfather and granddaughter finished talking, it was already late at night. When Lu Zhao returned to the room, Qiao Mianmian had just finished washing up and was waiting for him.

"You can't bear to part with your grandmother?" Qiao Mianmian pulled Lu Zhao down to sit.

"Um."

“After that, I’ll go with you to Bianjing to visit her. We’ll go secretly, so no one will know, and we won’t have to go to the Lu family to pay our respects.” Qiao Mianmian held Lu Zhao’s hand. His palms were calloused and not very pleasant to touch, but she liked the feel of them. “We can also pay our respects to your mother, don’t you think?”

She looked up at Lu Zhao, her eyes sparkling. When Lu Zhao looked down at her, he couldn't help but kiss her.

Qiao Mianmian, having already become shameless, sat on Lu Zhao's lap with a grin, "I really didn't expect that the usually serious Lord Lu would be thinking about... Ah... I was just joking..."

"I took it seriously." Lu Zhao carried her to the bed. What did it matter if it was daytime? This was his own wife. He hadn't been satisfied last night because she cried out in pain, so now was the perfect time to continue.

The young couple was deeply in love, and even the smallest spark could ignite a raging fire.

The next day, Old Madam Lu set off back to Bianjing. Lu Zhao and Qiao Mianmian saw her off at the city gate. Old Madam Lu was also reluctant to leave, but there was nothing she could do; things in Bianjing couldn't do without her.

When Old Madam Lu returned to Bianjing, she summoned her son and made him kneel before the ancestral tablets in the ancestral hall.

"Mother, did your son make you angry?"

"You know perfectly well what you've done." Old Mrs. Lu looked at her son with disappointment. "You've lived to this age, and you still can't figure out how to be a decent person? You're no good as an official, and you're no good as a father. Now look what's happened, Lu Xingzhou is dead, are you happy now?"

"What?" Lu Shen's eyes widened. "How could this be? It's Lu Zhao, it's him, isn't it?"

"Shut up!" Old Mrs. Lu slapped him across the face. She was old and her hand hurt after slapping Lu Shen. "It's Lu Xingzhou's bad luck, he can't blame anyone else! Don't try to pin this on Zhao'er. If anything happens to him, I'll make sure you're exiled too!"

She kept her word, saying, "Zhao'er has already let Lu Shen and Meng Wanying go. You two had a good life but insisted on causing trouble. You deserve this retribution."

In fact, Lu Shen had known for a long time that Lu Xingzhou was in trouble. If Lu Xingzhou were alright, he would definitely have written to him. But he didn't know that Lu Xingzhou was dead.

He stared blankly at the ancestral tablets, his eyes becoming empty, followed by resentment.

"To tell you the truth, now that Lu Xingzhou is dead, Meng Wanying cannot be kept alive either. Keeping her alive would only bring disaster to the Lu family. Before I returned to the manor, I had Granny Kong give her the medicine."

Old Mrs. Lu said with a stern face, "I should have killed that vixen Meng Wanying twenty years ago, and none of this would have happened. A man can be lustful, but he must be able to distinguish right from wrong. Lu Shen, you have disappointed me too much. You should kneel here and think carefully about what you have done all these years. If you can't figure it out, you don't need to get up, and you don't need to go to court."

Lu Shen was truly stunned; he now regretted it. His mother had never been a soft-hearted person; the reason she stopped Lu Zhao from killing was for the greater good of the Lu family.

But this time, the old lady couldn't bear it and took action to eliminate Meng Wanying and her son.

Over the years, Lu Shen has had genuine feelings for both Meng Wanying and Lu Xingzhou; it would be a lie to say he wasn't heartbroken.

But beyond sadness, there was even more resentment.

He didn't understand why the old lady was so supportive of Lu Zhao.

Aren't grandsons and sons always closer to sons?

And Lu Zhao didn't pay attention to Lu Xingzhou's death? Who would believe that?

Looking at the ancestral tablets of the Lu family, Lu Shen laughed heartily. He still didn't think he had made a big mistake by keeping a mistress. He thought it was because Lu Zhao's mother was narrow-minded and intolerant. Otherwise, how could such a thing have happened?

Lu Shen knelt in the ancestral hall for three days. Old Madam Lu only sent some water to drink, and did not give him any other food.

They were released on the fourth day.

Old Mrs. Lu understood her son. She kept him locked up to facilitate Meng Wanying's funeral arrangements, not because she really hoped Lu Shen would repent.

They've all lived to a ripe old age; their personalities are already set, and nothing can change them anymore.

After dealing with these messy matters, Old Mrs. Lu returned to her usual life and began to look for marriage partners for her other grandsons born out of wedlock.

She's getting old, and there always needs to be a capable matriarch in the family. Besides, her son is useless, so she has to rely on her grandson; otherwise, how could she just watch the Lu family decline?

As for Lu Zhao's half-brothers, Lu Zhao was unwilling to return and left them land, estates, and other properties. Now that the old lady is willing to spend time and energy raising them, everyone is very happy.

Everyone has ambition, and everyone is happy when there is a way out.

However, after kneeling in the ancestral hall, Lu Shen's health deteriorated significantly. In addition, he indulged in wine and women and did not know how to control himself, so his complexion became worse and worse.