Chapter 767 Miss Shen Zhenglin's Wedding
The Zhao family had traveled for half a month and rested for a full day and night before finally recovering their energy.
Cheng Wanwan put down everything she was doing and took the entire Zhao family on a tour of the capital. The capital was very large, with a great many places to visit.
A large group of people strolled around, looked around, tasted food, and bought some new gadgets, and the day passed quickly.
The next day was the wedding of the Shen and Lin families.
This is one of the reasons why the Zhao family came to the capital.
When the people of Dahe Town learned that Young Master Shen was getting married, they were all incredibly excited. They had grown attached to Young Master Shen, who had lived in their village for so long. Besides, no matter how high a position Lord Shen rose, he would always be the respected official in their hearts.
Now that Young Master Shen is finally getting married, they can't be careless. So they prepared congratulatory gifts and handed them over to the Zhao family, so that the Zhao family could bring them to the capital to present the gifts.
These gifts alone filled a carriage.
"Elder sister, I'm so glad to finally see you." Madam Shen said with a smile. "If it weren't for the upcoming wedding, I would definitely have gone to Wanwan's house to have a chat with you. I just couldn't find the time, so I hope you won't mind my rudeness."
Of course, Old Mrs. Zhao wouldn't hold such a small matter against her. The main reason was that the Shen family's situation was also special. There was no matriarch or many servants. Old Mrs. Shen, an elderly woman, handled all the affairs inside and outside the house. She was too busy with the wedding to have time to talk to people outside.
In the past two days, Cheng Wanwan also sent Granny Qi and several maids to help, otherwise Old Madam Shen probably wouldn't even have time to sleep.
As the groom's godmother, Cheng Wanwan didn't have time to chat in the backyard. Instead, she entertained guests in the front yard as an elder.
The Shen family's influence in the capital was still shallow, and most of the guests were Shen Zheng's classmates and colleagues. There were relatively few ladies and young women. Cheng Wanwan was responsible for receiving the few female relatives, while Shen Dongming, along with the Zhao brothers, Zhao Dashan and Zhao Ergou, received the male guests.
As noon approached, the courtyard became lively.
"Madam Ruan, Young Master Ruan, have arrived!"
The servant at the door announced, and Madam Shen was immediately startled: "We did not invite the Ruan family to the banquet."
The Ruan family are military generals who command a large army. The Shen family has no connection to them at all, so why are they here?
"They must have heard that Xiao Zheng is my godson, so they came over." Cheng Wanwan smiled and took Old Madam Shen's arm, and went out to greet them together. "Madam Ruan, Young Master Ruan, welcome, welcome."
Madam Ruan presented her congratulatory gift: "I have come uninvited, please don't be offended, Madam. The main reason is that the children in the family are all grown up but still not married, so I wanted to share in the joy."
Looking at the thin and frail young master Ruan, Madam Shen couldn't help but ask, "How old are you this year? Why are you so thin?"
"Hehehe!" Ruan Mingzhu moved closer to Madam Shen. "I am Miss Ruan, not Young Master Ruan, hehehe."
“This girl just loves to cause trouble.” Madam Ruan said deliberately with a stern face. “She insists that wearing men’s clothing is convenient, and she wanders around in men’s clothing every day. People in the capital’s social circles have almost forgotten that I have a daughter. How am I going to find a husband for her?”
Madam Shen chimed in, "Miss Ruan is cheerful and lively. Whoever chooses her as their daughter-in-law will be very fortunate."
“That’s right!” Ruan Mingzhu put one arm around Old Madam Shen and the other around Cheng Wanwan. “Aunt Wanwan, don’t mind my mother. Let’s go inside.”
Madam Ruan glared at her fiercely. If this wasn't her only daughter, whom she had risked her life to give birth to, she would have wanted to put her back in and remake her.
As soon as the group entered the courtyard, the sound of firecrackers crackling came from the gate, indicating that the wedding procession had returned.
Shen Zheng rode a tall horse in front, followed by his two best men, Zhao Sanniu and Zhao Sidan. Afu and Cheng Jia lit firecrackers on the side, and behind them was a procession of gongs and drums. Next to them was the matchmaker leading the bridal sedan chair, along with the maids and servants from the Lin family who were part of the dowry. The whole procession was grand and extremely lively.
Upon reaching the main gate, Shen Zheng dismounted and, according to custom, invited the bride to alight from the sedan chair. The old woman with the blessing placed a large red ribbon in their hands, and the two walked side by side into the courtyard.
"Relatives and friends gathered to witness the ceremony, and the bride and groom came to pay their respects!"
Amidst the matchmaker's auspicious words, the newlyweds walked to the front of the hall.
Two people sat in the hall, Old Madam Shen and Shen Dongming, both with joyful expressions, feeling the satisfaction of watching their son grow up.
Cheng Wanwan stood on the sidelines watching the ceremony and was happy for the newlyweds.
Xiao Zheng is 21 years old this year, and Miss Lin is 20 years old. In this day and age, they are already considered to be older single men and women, but they are willing to wait.
In feudal times, when most marriages were arranged by parents, it was truly fortunate for them to find their ideal partner.
"One bow, and the two families are united in marriage."
"I bow again, wishing the couple a harmonious and happy marriage."
"Three bows, and children and grandchildren surround your knees."
"The ceremony is complete; escort them to the bridal chamber!"
Shen was so happy that his mouth stretched all the way to his ears, and he led his bride toward the bridal chamber with a beaming smile.
Meanwhile, the banquet officially began in the courtyard.
The people found their seats and sat down, eating and talking at the same time.
"Madam won't have to work so hard anymore," Lu Yingxue said with a smile. "I heard from Madam Lin that Miss Lin is the head housekeeper. With Xiaozheng's wife in charge of the household from now on, you can relax and enjoy your retirement."
Madam Ruan continued, "When my sons got married, the most important thing I valued was their ability to manage the household. If a daughter-in-law is capable, the mother-in-law will have much less to worry about."
“Who can argue with that?” Cheng Wanwan said with deep feeling. “My eldest and second eldest sons’ wives are both quite nice, but my youngest son is nineteen this year and I still don’t know where his marriage will lead. He’s impulsive and a bit slow-witted. I also hope to find a capable wife, but just thinking about it gives me a headache.”
"I'm the one with a headache!" Madam Ruan looked in the direction of her daughter. "Look at her, she doesn't look like a girl at all. She doesn't know needlework, music, calligraphy, painting, or anything else. She's completely clueless about managing household affairs. If you're not afraid to laugh at me, I've already decided to raise this girl for the rest of my life. So be it, the Ruan family can afford to raise her anyway."
Cheng Wanwan looked over and saw Ruan Mingzhu sitting at a table with a group of men, drinking and talking loudly, looking very comfortable.
When the groom, Shen Zheng, came out, the men at the table quickly got up and surrounded him, insisting that he drink. Ruan Mingzhu also joined in the fun.
Shen Zheng knew he couldn't escape, so he took all the wine glasses offered to him and drank them down one after another.
"You guys are too ruthless!" Zhao Sanniu squeezed in. "I'm the groom's brother. If the groom can't drink anymore, I'll drink!"
"Hey, Zhao Jingyu, you look great today!" Ruan Mingzhu looked him up and down. His dark red clothes were much neater than the military uniforms. She picked up a wine glass and handed it to him. "I won't toast the groom. I'll drink with you. Do you dare?"
Zhao Sanniu looked at her speechlessly: "I don't drink with women..."
"Shut up!" Ruan Mingzhu stomped on his foot hard. "Today I am Young Master Ruan. If you don't want to drink with me, fine. I'll go drink with the groom and see how many cups he can withstand!"
She immediately grabbed him and blocked Shen Zheng's path.
Zhao Sanniu had no choice but to drink with her. The people around them, unaware of their past conflict, thought it was just for fun and even egged them on.
"Young Master Ruan, you are the son of the General of the Cavalry, we cannot lose when it comes to drinking!"
"Young Master Zhao, your mother is Madam Sui. Madam Sui is a role model for women, and you must be a role model for men. You must drink Young Master Ruan under the table!"
Zhao Sanniu slammed his hand on the table: "Drink!"
Nguyen Minh Chu put one foot on the stool: "Pour ten cups first!"
Mrs. Ruan, who was in the distance, was completely bewildered and got up, wanting to rush over.
Cheng Wanwan quickly pulled her back and said, "Do I need to explain what kind of person Zhuzhu is? If you don't let her drink now, she'll just throw a tantrum and not care about anything. On the bright side, she's not hiding from men to drink, but drinking openly here. If she drinks too much, someone will take care of her, right? She can drink her fill this time and know how bad it is to be drunk, so she won't drink in the future."
Madam Ruan was heartbroken.
This girl does like to drink, and she often drinks secretly, but she doesn't dare to drink too much for fear of being discovered.
Perhaps this time, drinking too much will really teach him a lesson; otherwise, who has the energy to keep an eye on things every day...?
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