Chapter 64: Who Are You? (The Fourth Male Lead Makes His Appearance)
She grasped the man's hand, about to squeeze it, when suddenly she felt a sense of familiarity.
Turning around, he immediately burst out laughing, "It's you?"
Lu Qilang scolded, "Ever since the Song family came, I've been staying obediently in the courtyard, afraid of getting in their way. I moved a stool and sat at the gate every day, hoping to catch a glimpse of you, but I haven't even seen your shadow. You haven't come to see me for three days, can't I come to see you? If you don't want to see me, then I'll leave."
Lu Qilang felt increasingly aggrieved as he spoke, and turned to leave.
Lu Jinlan smiled and pulled him back, "Who said I didn't want to see you? Look at you, your eyes are all red."
Lu Jinlan wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes. Lu Qilang pursed his lips and suddenly hugged her tightly.
He rested his head on her shoulder, his voice muffled with sobs, "He has family, relatives, friends, and confidants, but my world only revolves around you. Please love me a little more, okay? Even just sending someone to tell me now and then, so I know you haven't forgotten me, haven't abandoned me, okay?"
Lu Jinlan was taken aback, then understood.
Yes, she has a vast world to explore, countless new things to do every day, and everything to conquer. He, on the other hand, only has a small courtyard. Even though he is given fine clothes and delicacies, his spiritual world revolves around her, and his greatest daily expectation is for his wife's favor.
Lu Jinlan patted his back, "How could I dislike you? Don't overthink it. Has someone wronged you? Has someone bullied you?"
Lu Qilang shook his head repeatedly, "No, everyone is very kind to me, and my doctor is very kind too, but I just miss you so much."
Lu Jinlan smiled, "I've been too busy these past few days to visit you. But you can come see me anytime. By the way, have you been practicing calligraphy lately?"
"I practice, but I keep thinking about you, and the more I write, the sadder I get."
Lu Jinlan chuckled softly, "After the wedding, once the elders have all left, our lives will continue as before. I'll eat with you every day. Just bear with it for a few more days."
“The manor is currently training a group of male servants. They are also orphans, and you might have something in common with them. I'll have Jiang Lan and you take turns teaching them. Once you have something to do, you won't have any wild thoughts.”
Lu Qilang glanced at her, secretly thinking that Lu Jinlan still didn't like being bothered by him, and felt slightly disappointed.
He lowered his eyes slightly. "Okay, then I'll go back."
Lu Jinlan shook her head helplessly. With her keen insight and keen understanding of the world, how could she not understand a man's thoughts?
Of all the men she had, Qilang was the most skilled in martial arts, but also the most sensitive.
Unlike Rin, he wasn't able to grow up in a healthy environment, developing a resilient soul amidst the love of his parents.
Unlike Yu Mian, he was not quick and accurate in finding his place, nor was he adept at winning favor or cleverly pleasing all the elders.
Qilang was simpler and more honest than them, to the point of being a little clumsy. Like a little country dog, he followed his master around blankly, not knowing how to please his master, yet longing to be patted on the head and given a reward.
He had never been loved and was always unsure if he was still loved. When his inferiority complex took hold, he would deliberately say self-deprecating things, hoping she would confidently tell him: that's not true.
Lu Jinlan understood his unease and his inner conflict, and knew how to use a firm attitude to make him believe that he was cared for.
"Stop!" Lu Jinlan wrapped her arms around his waist. "You're already here, do you want to leave? Stay and keep me company."
Qilang turned around, a smile in his eyes, "I thought I was the only one who missed you."
Lu Jinlan pressed her forehead against his and whispered gently, "Who said that? Every time I see those male servants training, I think of you. I wonder if you went through the same hardships when you were little. I didn't expect you to be wearing a male servant's outfit today. You really love role-playing. Now, every time I see this outfit, I'll think of you. To be honest, you look quite good in it."
Lu Jinlan's fingertips traced his collar, and she tugged at his belt. "Come on, let's go to the bed and let me have a good look at you."
*
As dawn broke, Lu Jinlan was woken up by Qilang. "My wife, wake up. It's your wedding day. Get up now."
Lu Jinlan frowned and turned over. "It's still early."
Qi Lang whispered, "It's getting late. The groom has been up and getting ready for a long time. I saw the process sheet from the Ministry of Rites the other day. There are dozens of procedures for the groom to go through before he gets into the sedan chair. I'm afraid he didn't sleep much last night. We're doing alright here, but you should get up, wash, change, and have breakfast too. People outside have already started preparing. You're the main character today, so it's time to get up."
Lu Jinlan closed her eyes and hummed in agreement, but still refused to move.
Qilang smiled. "My lady, I have a favor to ask of you. Today, I'd like to disguise myself as a male servant and go to the front with them to greet the guests. Is that alright?"
Lu Jinlan finally opened her eyes and looked at him in surprise, "Why are you torturing yourself? I'll give you some money, you can go out and have fun for a day, go shopping and buy some things, isn't that better?"
Qi Lang pleaded, "But I want to witness your big day. You must be a magnificent and heroic bride. Please let me see."
Lu Jinlan hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Qilang is right, today is a big day, and people outside have been busy preparing for a long time.
However, everyone has their own division of labor, and there are people to take care of everything for her. Lu Jinlan is responsible for inviting Xiang Ruzhen and Yan Wuxin to have breakfast together.
After tidying up a bit, when the auspicious hour arrived, the three of them mounted their horses together and set off with a grand wedding procession towards the rising sun.
Everyone in the capital knew that Lu Jinlan was getting married today, and the streets were packed with onlookers.
The Lu family had made preparations in advance, preparing a hundred or so baskets of copper coins to scatter along the way.
As soon as a handful of copper coins are scattered, auspicious words spring up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
"Lord Lu, may you have a long and happy marriage!"
"Lord Lu, may you have a daughter soon!"
"Lord Lu, please bless my child so that he can also get into the Royal Academy next year!"
What nonsense is this? Lu Jinlan thought to herself: Do you think I'm some kind of turtle in a wishing well?
Dressed in red with a red flower, she rode a snow-white, gleaming Akhal-Teke horse, sitting upright on the steed, full of pride and high spirits.
On this joyous day, she couldn't be bothered with anything else, and simply cupped her hands in a gesture of thanks to those around her, saying, "Thank you! Thank you all for your blessings!"
*
Before the wedding procession arrived, Rin had already covered his head with a red veil.
Following protocol, his father, Madam Yang, instructed him before he boarded the sedan chair: "Now that you are married into your wife's family, you must obey her, handle the household affairs for her, and share her burdens. As her husband, you must be filial to your elders, restrain your concubines, discipline your servants, and strive to produce offspring for the Lu family as soon as possible."
Lin Cheng agreed to all of them, and then Song Jingxiao carried him to the bridal sedan chair, whereupon Lu Jinlan lowered the curtain.
Before marriage, a woman obeys her mother; after marriage, she obeys her wife. The two women stood before the sedan chair, completing a ceremony symbolizing the transfer of maternal and marital authority.
Song Jingxiao patted Lu Jinlan's shoulder, "Lan'er, from now on Cheng'er is yours. He's been spoiled by me and his father. If he does anything wrong, you'll be in charge of disciplining him. But I still hope you can be more tolerant of him and treat him kindly."
Lu Jinlan said respectfully, "Please rest assured, Mother-in-law, I will treat him well. He will receive just as much affection from me as he does at home."
Song Jingxiao's eyes welled up with tears. "Then I'm relieved. Let's go, don't miss the auspicious time."
The procession set off again. Lu Jinlan looked back and suddenly realized that the small sedan chair looked like a box.
The person inside the box was still covered with a red veil. Despite the commotion outside, nothing could be seen inside.
She rode a tall, imposing horse through the streets like a victorious general returning home. And in the procession were the spoils of war, waiting for her to unpack them.
Even during the wedding ceremony, Lin Cheng couldn't see anything. The red veil covered his face, and he could only tightly hold the red silk in his hand. When Lu Jinlan pulled him over, he followed closely behind.
"I bow to Heaven and Earth!"
"Bowing to the parents twice!"
"Wives and husbands greet each other!"
"The ceremony is complete!"
It's finally over. I've been working on this from morning till noon, but it's finally done.
Lin Cheng was helped up and taken away. Lu Jinlan began to busy herself with entertaining the guests. After going around the room, her face was almost stiff from smiling.
Lu Jinlan reached the table she had carefully arranged. Besides Xiang Ruzhen, Yan Wuxin, and a few other close classmates, Luo Dali was also there.
Lu Jinlan poured a glass of wine to toast Luo Dali, saying, "Sister Luo, I must toast you. Luckily you let me in that day, otherwise there wouldn't be this grand wedding today."
Luo Dali quickly replied, "Lord Lu, you flatter me."
Luo Dali is not good at socializing and always feels quite helpless in crowded situations.
Today, the place is teeming with guests. The Lu family's business ventures naturally attract wealthy merchants from all over, and even businessmen from various regions and neighboring countries have come to offer their congratulations. The Song family's military career has also garnered numerous military generals and court officials. Lu Jinlan has a wide circle of friends, and many of her classmates have specially traveled from afar to show their support. Many prominent figures and dignitaries in the capital, admiring her fame and seeking her acquaintance, have also come to offer their congratulations.
Luo Dali had thought that Lu Jinlan's wedding banquet was a major event in the capital. Lu Jinlan must have just said it casually that day, and might have already forgotten about it.
Of course, she was busy and it was understandable that she forgot. But just a few days later, she received an invitation from the Lu family.
She then thought, maybe I shouldn't go? Lu Jinlan's wedding will be attended by prominent figures from all walks of life. What would a lowly gatekeeper like me do there? They sent an invitation, but it's just a formality. How could I actually go?
As a result, two days before the wedding, Lu Jinlan saw her as he passed by the city gate and specifically reminded her: "Lord Luo, don't forget to come to my wedding banquet the day after tomorrow."
So Luo Dali thought it over and over, and still came. She was prepared for an awkward situation, but as soon as she entered, she was led to Xiang Ruzhen's side.
Xiang Ruzhen said warmly, "Are you Sister Luo? My name is Xiang Ruzhen. Jinlan told me that you are from Beizhou and I am from Mianzhou. She said that since our hometowns are close to each other, sitting next to each other can help ease our homesickness."
It was only at that moment that Luo Dali believed that Lu Jinlan had genuinely invited her and had made all sorts of thoughtful arrangements for her, which moved her deeply.
She had always looked down on people with great reputations, assuming they were mostly just all talk and no action. However, after meeting Lu Jinlan, she was secretly amazed: no matter how great Lu Jinlan's reputation was, it couldn't compare to even a fraction of Lu Jinlan's own.
At this moment, Lu Jinlan came over to offer a toast. Luo Dali, tongue-tied and full of things to say, finally only managed to utter three words: "I'll drink it!"
Lu Jinlan laughed heartily, "Sister Luo is a straightforward person."
She glanced at Lu Qilang, who was occasionally glancing at her from the corner, and said, "Everyone, please allow me to excuse myself for a moment. Ruzhen and Wuxin, please take care of them for me."
Yan Wuxin grabbed her arm, "It's not even dark yet, are you in such a hurry to go to the bridal chamber?"
Lu Jinlan said in a low voice, "Why go to the bridal chamber? I'm tired and sleepy. I'll find a place to relax for a while and come back in a bit."
Lu Jinlan originally planned to hide in Qilang's room for a while, but in the blink of an eye, she only saw Lu Qilang's back.
That's strange, how did he know I was going to leave?
Lu Jinlan thought to herself that they were telepathically connected. When she arrived at Qilang's courtyard, she saw that his door was ajar. The man was behind a screen, his back to her, and he had changed into an ivory-white robe.
Lu Jinlan curled the corners of her lips, deliberately lunged forward, and hugged him tightly.
The person in his arms froze instantly. Lu Jinlan smiled and said, "It's me, what are you afraid of?"
She grabbed his arm, turned him over, and was about to kiss him when their eyes met. Looking at the completely unfamiliar face in front of him, Lu Jinlan froze.
She couldn't help but take a deep breath. "Who are you?"
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