Chapter 100: Clearing the Level - A Lovely Country Wedding, That Darling Assigned Essay Topic...
As everyone chatted and laughed in the Zhang family's simple courtyard, a seven or eight-year-old boy secretly ran up and touched the shield sword that Changsun Qingjing carried. Changsun Qingjing gave him a small packet of candied dates that he always carried with him, smiled, and chased him away.
Changsun Minxing finalized the time for welcoming the bride with Zhang Liang, checked whether the cloth bag, bronze mirror, and red candles to be turned over and stepped on when the newlyweds entered the house were complete, and personally led several strong men to seal the gaps in each window with hemp, fill the stone mortar with three liters of millet, cover the well with a straw mat, and personally hang three arrows on the top of the door.
The group straightened their clothes and checked the decorations on the oxcart, then called upon the hastily assembled country band, and off they set off with music.
The door to Li Fan's mother's house wasn't as secure as the wedding party had expected. The people blocking the door were just a group of nosy teenagers. Zhang Liang, Changsun Minxing, and some other villagers who were watching the commotion helped them push the door open with a little effort.
Changsun Qingjing secretly thought that Li Shimin and Changsun Minxing were both meticulous. It was really not worth it to damage such a simple wooden gate and then have the orphan and widow rebuild it. Indeed, it would be better to skip the formalities and avoid causing trouble for the bride's family.
The courtyard was bustling with noise. Li Shimin escorted Li Fanniang's mother through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with people from time to time. He deliberately concealed his usual sharpness, speaking and behaving like an ordinary wealthy young man, using colloquialisms and rustic expressions.
"Erlang's performance was quite good." Changsun Qingjing bowed and greeted the Li family guests as he walked.
Changsun Minxing smiled and said, "You're not bad either. Chasing dogs and stealing candy, you even made this old woman believe it. I wonder what kind of trouble Shimin has given you and Zhang Liang?"
Changsun Qingjing raised his hand to the temporary band, and the sounds of bili, drums, and pipa filled the air, causing a stir among the crowd.
The band and the wedding party made way for Zhang Liang, who strode confidently forward. His resolute face was covered in sweat, and he tightly clutched a pair of wild geese in his arms.
"Oh no. The goose is going to suffocate." Changsun Qingjing picked up a piece of bamboo from the ground and poked Zhang Liang in the back: "Here's the official tablet, give me the goose!"
"The groom has come to fetch the bride! All guests, step back!" Changsun Minxing shouted.
Instead of making way for Zhang Liang, the guests in the Li family courtyard erected three high walls in front of the wedding procession.
“You are the ones who have come!” Li Shimin, Li Fanniang’s “cousin”, smiled and pushed aside the three walls of people, standing in front of Zhang Liang and his group.
A mischievous glint flashed in his eyes as he strode forward to block Zhang Liang and his group: "Wait! My cousin is getting married; how can we let you take her away so easily?"
Zhang Liang recognized Li Shimin, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes. He then bowed respectfully and asked, "What advice do you have for me, brother?"
Upon seeing this, the people in the courtyard immediately started jeering: "The new uncle needs to teach this kid a lesson!"
"Shimin told these most capable family soldiers that today, as the son-in-law, he must make a show of force but not harm Zhang Liang in the slightest. He will be richly rewarded afterward!" Changsun Minxing whispered in Changsun Qingjing's ear.
Changsun Qingjing couldn't help but smile slightly, thinking that Li Shimin really regarded him as the brother of this orphan girl Li Fanniang, the only person the whole family could rely on, which was why he was so considerate.
Changsun Minxing's strange gaze alerted her. She suddenly realized that she was dressed in men's clothing and was also the groom's clerk. Her unintentional smile just now almost sold her out.
She quickly coughed a few times to sound serious, and then complained, mimicking the manner of the young men in the group: "I didn't expect this uncle to be so difficult; I'm afraid the groom is going to suffer."
She looked around again, and, making sure that her unconscious display of girlishness had not been noticed, she asked Li Shimin in a gruff voice, "My Zhang Lang is upright and has an extraordinary bearing. He and your sister are a perfect match. Why are you making things difficult for him?"
“Alright! Let’s have a contest!” Zhang Liang readily accepted the bamboo cane that Li Shimin threw to him and tucked the ceremonial tablet into his waistband.
As dusk settled, a breeze stirred in the courtyard. Two young men, wielding bamboo as weapons, faced each other beneath the steps. The bamboo staffs clashed, whistling through the air like the roar of dragons.
A cheer erupted from the crowd. Everyone knew that according to old customs, the bride's family had to provide a son-in-law; otherwise, if she were easily married off, wouldn't her family be ridiculed by the neighbors for having no one to marry into the bride's family?
Now, I heard that Li Fanniang's cousin has come from afar to recognize her and prepare a dowry for the orphan girl. He is a man of noble character and has an impressive bearing. Fanniang will have both her husband's family and her own family to rely on in the future. This can be considered a great blessing in disguise.
Of course, according to old customs, once a marriage agreement was made in advance, the bride's family could not go back on their word on the wedding day. The crowd, however, were simply enjoying the spectacle.
"Uncle, please don't hurt the groom, or your sister will be heartbroken!" someone joked.
"Groom, don't hurt the eldest brother-in-law, or you won't be able to take the bride away today!" someone shouted mischievously.
Li Shimin's expression darkened, and his movements faltered slightly, as if he were running out of strength. Seeing this, Zhang Liang lunged forward and, with a flick of his bamboo staff, snatched the staff from Li Shimin's hand!
"Good!" Changsun Qingjing led the cheers, "Uncle is as fierce as a leopard, and Zhang Lang is exceptionally brave. But in the end, my Zhang family's son is slightly better, and Uncle's defeat is not unjust."
"Zhang Lang has passed the first test," Li Shimin said with a smile. "I am ashamed of my inferiority." He slowly retreated from the first human wall.
"He feigned defeat perfectly; only an expert could see through it," Changsun Minxing explained to Changsun Qingjing incessantly. "Zhang Lang is also a clever fellow, seizing the opportunity in an instant. In short, it's right to say they are evenly matched."
“I thought you didn’t like swordplay, but only liked textual research and phonetics,” Changsun Qingjing said, stroking the wild goose.
“I am a descendant of the Dai people, so of course I like riding, archery, and swordsmanship,” Changsun Minxing said. “You underestimate me.”
The two exchanged knowing smiles, waiting for Li Shimin to present Zhang Liang with another difficult problem.
"For the second challenge, my sister loves listening to pipa music. The groom can play a tune at random. If she's satisfied, you've passed the challenge!"
Before Zhang Liang, still panting after the bamboo cane battle, could speak, Changsun Minxing borrowed a pipa from the musician: "No need for the groom to play; the best man, Changsun Neyan, is willing to play a piece called 'Xizhou Qu' for everyone on behalf of the groom."
"Alright." Li Shimin nodded in agreement.
Changsun Minxing sat on the ground, his eyes lowered as he tuned the strings. He picked up his scepter and first played a few low harmonics, then suddenly his fingers moved rapidly, vividly capturing the splashing waves and the rhythmic melody of the Lotus Picking Song. The guests held their breath, and a group of young men and women even began to hum along to the tune.
When everyone sang the line "The sea water ripples green in the air," Changsun Minxing suddenly struck the speaker panel with his scepter, producing a clear and melodious sound like shattered jade being thrown onto a plate. The sounds of lovebirds, red carp, and egrets from Xizhou seemed to leap crisply from the pipa strings, and the originally sorrowful love song was transformed by his playing into a touch of joyful fulfillment.
"This second hurdle must be overcome as well!" the crowd cheered. Although Zhang Liang had hired someone to perform the "knife-wielding" act, to onlookers, his willingness to come prepared despite knowing he wasn't musically inclined showed his respect for the bride and her family. The more impressive the "knife-wielding" act, the more face the bride's brother would have, and the less excuse he could use to prevent the bride from getting into the car.
Li Shimin pretended to be well-versed in human relationships and said with feigned modesty, "Although you asked someone to play for you, you are a thoughtful person, and your relatives and friends are very grateful. So I will consider you to have passed." The second line of people also tactfully made way.
"Gentlemen, please wait a moment. Lady Li still needs to get ready." Ah Cai emerged from behind a screen that seemed out of place in the simple farmhouse, and bowed to the grooms. "The bride's 'heart-shaped' hairstyle will take another hour to complete; then the forehead veil, facial makeup, and securing the jeweled crown will take another hour; and then dressing her in the inner garment, the blue robe, and the leather belt will take another hour..."
The guests burst into laughter: "You quick-witted little lady, are you going to let the groom pick up the bride or not?"
Changsun Qingjing, leading the wedding party, shouted in rhythm with the Jie drums: "Bride! Come out! Bride! Come out! Beautiful lady, do not hesitate! Open the brocade curtains to welcome your lovely guest!"
"Is the makeup done yet? I'm so impatient!" This remark caused everyone to burst into laughter.
Taking advantage of the chaos, Changsun Qingjing handed the pair of geese to Zhang Liang. Amidst the gasps of the crowd, Zhang Liang tossed the geese over the screen, where they landed steadily in Li Fanniang's arms.
"Rouge color, surpassing the morning sun! Three stars shine, emerging from the boudoir! Bride, urge her out!" The crowd joined Changsun Qingjing in the commotion.
"Uncle, isn't this clearly putting you in a difficult position?"
"Zhang Lang is utterly incapable of reading and writing poetry. Let's find an easier one and let him go!"
Changsun Qingjing and Changsun Minxing exchanged a glance and said, "Uncle really came to make things difficult for me. He didn't even mention beforehand that he came up with such a terrible idea. All the simple sentences I wrote on the tablet for Zhang Liang are now useless, and none of the famous lines I memorized are of any use. I had only taught Zhang Liang a few simple, vulgar poems to help him with his wedding preparations along the way, so what is he supposed to do now?"
Looking at Zhang Liang, whose face was flushed, Changsun Minxing urged Changsun Qingjing, "Go back to your villa tonight and make Li Shimin kneel and kowtow. Now hurry up and help Zhang Liang out of this predicament; it's all up to you now."
“Brother, don’t panic, I’ll do it!” Changsun Qingjing, dressed in an indigo robe, stepped forward from the crowd. She bowed to those around her with an elegant and unpretentious air, showing no trace of girlish coquetry. Li Shimin secretly applauded, but feigned displeasure: “Young master, I know you’re protective of your brother. But composing poetry is no child’s play. If even a single line is displeasing, my sister won’t board the carriage. Can you bear that responsibility? Have you thought it through…”
Changsun Qingjing cupped his hands and said, "I can accept that. I guarantee the Li family will be satisfied, and the bride and her maternal uncle will be especially satisfied."
Li Shimin couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Fine, since you're so stubborn, I'll hear what your poetic talent is like."
Author's Note: A showdown between two social media thugs [666]
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