Returning home in glory
The sandstorms from Mobei seemed to still be swirling in my bones, but the area before me was already the territory of Mingzhou.
On both sides of the official road, the newly planted rice seedlings in the rice fields are green, and the smell of moisture mixed with soil hits your face, no longer the bone-chilling dryness of the frontier.
Niu Zhuang reined in his horse and took a deep breath. Behind him followed a group of personal soldiers, all covered in dust.
The battle was over, and the Western Qiang was destroyed.
He is Niu Zhuang, an insignificant soldier in the Mingzhu Guards. Not only did he return safely, he also brought with him a lot of real military achievements.
After traveling with His Majesty for a few years, he earned the rank of General Dingyuan, a fifth-rank official. He was only twenty-three years old. How could he not be proud?
Your Majesty personally praised his bravery and had been thinking about his lifelong affairs since the Northern Expedition, and personally instructed the Mingzhou government to take care of him.
His parents sent a message saying that the marriage was settled and urged him to come back and get married.
Look, he is back and can see the outline of Mingzhou City from afar.
"General, Mingzhou City is ahead." A personal soldier whispered.
Niu Zhuang hummed, his eyes sweeping over the farmers working by the roadside. Once upon a time, he was one of them, toiling in the fields, his biggest wish being to have enough food and clothing. Now...
Return home in glory.
He subconsciously straightened his back again, and his heart felt even warmer.
The streets were still the same streets, and the shops were mostly familiar, but there were many glances with surprise, curiosity, and hushed discussions.
"Is that the kid from the Niu family?"
"That's incredible! He's really become a general!"
"Look at that official uniform, I heard he's a fifth-rank official!"
"Are the ones following behind him the personal guards? What a majestic presence..."
Niu Zhuang couldn't help but feel happy. This feeling was even more refreshing than beating down a Western Qiang centurion on the battlefield! He was a fifth-rank official, the same high position as the prefect of Mingzhou. It was incredible!
The thought was like a small flame, warming his chest.
As soon as the team turned into the familiar street, a sharp-eyed neighbor recognized him.
"Ouch! It's the Niu family, the general is back!"
A cry of surprise was like a stone dropped into calm water.
All of a sudden, doors along the street opened one after another, and more and more people looked out.
The half-grown children were even more daring, giggling and running behind his horse, shouting in a clear voice as they ran: "General! Look at the General! General Niu is back!"
The shouting attracted more children, and soon a string of little ones followed behind the team, chattering and making a lot of noise.
Niu Zhuang rode on his horse, feeling the gazes from all directions. There was surprise, envy, and pride in their eyes. He felt that he had never felt so glorious in his life.
A neighbor with quick legs and feet had already run to Niu's house to report the news.
When Niu Zhuang and his group arrived at the black lacquered gate, there was already a large crowd of people gathered at the door. Old Man Niu and Old Woman Niu were surrounded by relatives and neighbors, standing on tiptoe to look out.
"Here I come! I'm really back!"
Someone shouted and the crowd automatically parted ways.
When Old Lady Niu saw her son sitting upright on his horse, his crimson official uniform almost dazzled her eyes. She burst into tears and, without caring about anything else, staggered forward and grabbed Niu Zhuang's arm as he just got off the horse. Tears flowed like beads from a broken string: "Zhuangzi! My son! You're really back..."
Old Man Niu stood aside, wanting to pat his son's shoulder, but afraid that his rough hands would scratch his bright clothes, he could only mutter repeatedly: "Okay, okay, it's good that you're back. It's better than anything else to be safe..."
The gossip girls and old neighbors around immediately came to comfort him:
"Sister-in-law, please stop crying! The general is back, what a great joy!"
"That's right! Brother Niu, you two have finally made it! Zhuangzi is such a high-ranking official now!"
"Look at this handsome man and the authority he carries! Our entire street is benefiting from this!"
“Bring honor to our family, bring honor to our family!”
Listening to these praises and seeing his parents crying with excitement, Niu Zhuang felt a lump in his nose. The man who shed blood but not tears on the battlefield now had hot eyes.
He held his parents' hands tightly with his backhand: "Dad! Mom! My son is back! I'm sorry for being unfilial and making you worry!"
"Oh, it's a beautiful day, why are you crying? Stop crying!"
"Hurry, come in! Don't stand at the door!" a cousin shouted.
"Yes, yes, come in! Stop crying, this is a good thing!"
A clever nephew shouted at the top of his voice, "I'm going to Zuixianlou to reserve a table! Today, our Lao Niu family is having a grand banquet to welcome the general!"
"Yes! Let's have a feast! We must have a feast!"
Amidst the clamor and celebration, Niu Zhuang was escorted into the main hall by the crowd. The hall was packed with relatives or neighbors who came to congratulate him sincerely. It was as lively as boiling water.
Some good-hearted neighbors prepared firecrackers and set them off with a loud bang, letting everyone around know that they had a great general!
The meal was served at noon, and Niu Zhuang kept drinking one cup after another. He got drunk and only sobered up in the evening.
After saying goodbye to her parents and asking about trivial matters at home, Niu Lao Niang finally couldn't hold back and brought up the serious business: "Zhuangzi, you're back just in time. Tomorrow is a good day. Let's quickly arrange your wedding!"
Niu Zhuang perked up: "Mom, the letter is so urgent, which girl is it?"
Mother Niu and Father Niu looked at each other and smiled broadly.
"She's Tiantian, the daughter of Yang the butcher, who lived at the east end of the street where we used to live." There was a hint of pride in Old Lady Niu's tone.
"Yang the Butcher? Yang Tiantian?" Niu Zhuang was stunned. The Yang family was considered a wealthy family in their poor street. They ran a butcher shop. When he was a child, he often stared at the shiny butcher shop and swallowed his saliva.
Yang Tiantian... seems to be a... well, quite strong girl. I have the impression that she has a round face and a figure that seems to be fuller than the average girl?
Thinking of this, the pride he felt at returning home in glory felt like a small hole had been poked in his heart. He was now a fifth-rank general! A favorite of His Majesty!
Even if he didn't marry a goddess, he'd at least marry a pretty, slim woman who would be a face to show off, right? Marrying a butcher's daughter was a bit...
He subconsciously felt that he was not worthy of his current status.
The slight change on his face could not be hidden from the shrewd old lady Niu.
The old lady's face turned stern and she pointed at him, "What? Judging from your expression, you're still not happy? You little brat, just because you became an official you look down on your old neighbors?"
"Mom, I'm not..." Niu Zhuang wanted to defend himself.
"You're nothing?" Old Man Niu said in a deep voice, "Have you forgotten what our family was like before? Your father and I worked as porters, and your mother worked as a mender. We rarely ate meat all year round! The Yang family runs a shop and lives a prosperous life. Tiantian is the apple of her parents' eyes, well-fed and healthy. She's a blessing! We're so lucky to be your match!"
Old Lady Niu took over the conversation, her tone urgent: "Your father and I have secretly visited her several times! She is so skillful, helping the family run the shop, keeping accounts impeccably, and being open and forthright with others, not shy at all! We all like her so much!"
"That's it! Your father and I sacrificed our dignity and went to his house two or three times to ask for your help. Butcher Yang finally agreed, seeing that you've truly made it, and with His Majesty personally acting as matchmaker! How dare you find fault with me?"
The barrage of criticism completely destroyed Niu Zhuang's vanity.
He suddenly woke up. Yes, if it weren't for His Majesty's words and if he hadn't earned this military merit, how could his family, with their previous situation of worrying about the next meal, have married into the Yang family?
He immediately put on a smile, scratched his head and chuckled, "Mom, Dad, don't be angry, I know what I'm talking about! If you say it's a good idea, then it must be a good idea! I know the girl from Uncle Yang's family very well! I'll marry her! Tomorrow I'll marry her off in a grand ceremony!"
Seeing that he had given in, the two elders' expressions turned from gloomy to bright.
The next day, the Niu Mansion was decorated with lights and filled with guests.
Niu Zhuang was wearing a bright red wedding dress, which made his figure look even more upright.
Although the prefect of Mingzhou did not come in person, he sent his advisor to deliver congratulatory gifts. Almost all the prominent families in the city sent gifts, and the housekeepers at the door were busy receiving gifts, and the sound of people singing their names could be heard everywhere.
Many wealthy local gentry and businessmen whom Niu Zhuang didn't even know came to visit in person, calling him "General Niu" and toasting him. The banquet was not enough to seat everyone, and only when a restaurant came up to please him and prepared dozens of tables could the banquet accommodate so many people.
Just in terms of gifts, he received more than two thousand taels of silver, and also a lot of shops and land.
The wedding procession was even more grand, with music and firecrackers all the way, attracting half of the city's people to come out and watch the fun. Niu Zhuang was riding on a tall horse decorated with red and colorful ribbons. Listening to the noise around him, his heroic spirit rose again. Now, he was really extraordinary.
When we arrived at the Yang family, the butcher Yang and his family couldn't hide their joy on their faces and greeted us very warmly.
After some formalities, the bride was carried out by her brother and put into the sedan chair.
Through the thick veil, Niu Zhuang only felt that the figure was quite solid. The little muttering in his heart couldn't help but emerge again, but he still had a bright smile on his face.
The ceremony of worshipping in the hall, toasting and making noise continued until late at night. When the guests in the front hall gradually dispersed, Niu Zhuang stepped into the bridal chamber with a bit of drunkenness and indescribable anticipation.
The red candles are burning high, and the room is full of joy.
He took a deep breath, picked up the scale on the table, and carefully lifted up the big red veil.
The candlelight flickered, and a face like a silver plate came into view.
Her skin is fair and delicate, brought about by the Jiangnan water towns. Her cheeks have a healthy blush, like a ripe peach. She has curved eyebrows, big, dark eyes, and naturally upturned corners of her mouth, which makes her look sweet even when she is not smiling.
The whole person is round and plump, with rounded shoulders and arms, revealing a fresh and full vitality.
Yang Tiantian raised her eyes and glanced at him quickly, with the shyness of a newlywed, but more of a graceful brightness.
Niu Zhuang felt as if something hit his heart. The smile was so sweet that it touched his heart!
This girl makes people feel at ease and happy just by looking at her.
"Are you Tiantian?" He heard his voice was a little dry.
"Yeah." Yang Tiantian responded, her voice clear and crisp, like a piece of rock candy in her mouth, "Husband."
The word "husband" was soft and gentle, but it made Niu Zhuang feel numb from the tips of his ears to his heart.
He was very satisfied with this marriage!
The next morning, the new daughter-in-law served tea.
Yang Tiantian changed into a light red casual dress, which made her look fairer and neater. She respectfully offered tea to her parents-in-law with smooth movements and appropriate words.
Old Lady Niu took the tea, smiled so hard that her teeth were showing, and held her hand tightly, refusing to let go.
After drinking tea, Yang Tiantian didn't say much. She started to clean the house and arrange breakfast with a little maid who came with her as a dowry. Everything was in order.
In between, she could still find time to ask Niu Zhuang: "My husband, who are your good comrades and old friends in Mingzhou who need to be visited? I've looked at the gift list, is there anything else we need to buy? I think we should also send a piece of the satin His Majesty gave us to General Wang's family, to make it look more substantial."
Niu Zhuang sat aside, watching his new wife take care of the household affairs, and he was very satisfied! This daughter-in-law was not only pleasing to the eye, but also a good housekeeper.
He chuckled and stood up: "Hey! All up to you! I'll go right away!"
He changed his clothes, carried the prepared gifts, and walked out the door humming a tuneless tune.
The warm spring sunshine shines on my body, the aroma of stewed meat wafts from the yard next door, and the sounds of children playing in the street can be heard in the distance. There will never be a day so good as this.
He thought to himself that he should take some things to visit his father-in-law's house.
I'll have to buy some good wine later and have a good drink with my father-in-law!
He had just taken a few steps and before turning the alley, when he saw a white-haired old woman, leaning on a smoothly polished wooden stick, standing tremblingly at the corner of the wall not far from his gate, stretching her neck to look over here.
Niu Zhuang felt that the old woman looked familiar and stopped in his tracks.
The old woman seemed to recognize him. She stumbled a few steps and grabbed his arm. "Is that you, Zhuangzi? You're finally back. Where's my Shuanzi? Why didn't he come back with you?"
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