Chapter 26: Waiting for makeup, drinking, playing cards, fighting, and business dealings...
Changsun Qingjing, wearing a colorful ceremonial crown, sat regally in the main hall. A simple screen separated the bride's female relatives and other guests of honor.
Although the Gao family did not publicize the marriage, many relatives and friends from the same clan still attended.
Changsun Chang didn't want the wedding to be too flashy, nor did he want it to appear too shabby in front of the Li family. Since he had already tacitly accepted Gao Shilian as Qingjing's adoptive father, he also didn't want his Changsun family members to overshadow him. After careful consideration, Changsun Chang only brought his own children, along with those of his elder brothers Changsun Mo and Changsun Chi, who were in the capital, to the banquet.
Whether intentional or coincidental, Changsun Anye accompanied the imperial entourage to Luoyang and has not returned since. His younger brother, Wuyi, born of a concubine, was left unattended in Yongxing Village, so Changsun Chang took the opportunity to bring his quick-witted nephew along to attend his half-sister's wedding.
Wang Wude kept his promise and came to the Gao residence, both as a distinguished guest invited by the woman and as a prankster to trick Li Shimin by impersonating Changsun Qingjing's cousin during the "marriage ceremony".
Since their parting at Longshou Plain, Wang Wude dared not tell the playboys and wandering knights of Chang'an about the strange story of Li Shimin and Changsun Qingjing meeting there. However, he could not suppress his restless desire to share, so he spread what he knew in a half-truthful and half-false way. With the embellishment of the scoundrels of Wuling, the story became a legend of an adopted daughter who cleverly escaped her father's confinement and a young master who, moved by filial piety, insisted on keeping his marriage contract.
Of course, if the young scoundrels could make things difficult for the groom, who usually outsmarts them in both knowledge and martial arts, by posing as the bride's relatives, and show off their power in front of him, it would be an even more joyous occasion.
Wang Wude, leading the lynx "Kuzhi" that he had managed to redeem for the bride, and accompanied by a string of well-meaning young men, some carrying hawks and others carrying congratulatory gifts, entered the Gao residence with an invitation personally written by Gao Shilian, ostentatiously using a business card that enhanced his own status.
Changsun Wuji greeted the guests at the entrance of the rather unimpressive mansion. He vaguely remembered hearing about Wang Wude somewhere, but he couldn't recall any connection between this person and Gao Shilian. However, this person did have Gao Shilian's handwriting as proof.
Furthermore, the gift of birds and beasts, along with the explicit mention of assisting the Gao family's son-in-law and using the obstacle course to bolster their prestige, led Changsun Wuji to naturally conclude that this was a clever arrangement by his uncle Gao Shilian before his demotion. After thanking Wang Wude, he invited him to meet the elders of his family.
The women surrounded the young bride, chatting and joking. The young girls chattered excitedly about the groom's family background, appearance, and official position.
"What does your new uncle look like? Is he like your maternal grandfather or like Gao Zhili?" Wang Wan, Qingjing's niece, blinked and asked curiously.
Seeing her elder sister glare at her daughter, Changsun Qingjing covered her mouth with her fan and laughed, "How would I know? He usually only comes to visit my uncle and brother. I don't know him at all!"
"Don't try to fool me," Wang Wan said with a smile, leaning closer to Changsun Qingjing. "We've all heard that because Gao Zhili Lang was implicated by Husi Zheng, the new uncle gave up his promising future as a royal attendant and rushed back to Xijing from Luoyang overnight to visit Mr. Gao and Uncle Xiuming. He stated that he was willing to fulfill his childhood marriage agreement. Was the matchmaker Dou Daosheng, the eldest son of Princess Wan'an?" Faced with the half-true, half-false rumors, Changsun Qingjing was both amused and exasperated, unable to get a word in edgewise.
"Where did this absurd and unfounded rumor come from?" Changsun Qingjing smiled calmly. "Don't spread it anymore."
Because Changsun Anye had gone to great lengths to drive away his stepmother and younger siblings, the women of the Changsun family inevitably felt guilty. These words, spoken by Changsun Qingyu, who had little direct involvement with the matter, not only reminded Changsun Qingjing not to forget his family, but also implied a desire to befriend the Duke of Tang.
“Mother, that’s so unfair! Li Shimin is clearly as skilled in riding and archery as his father, yet you only praise him as being like the Lady of Tang!” Li Dazhi, the son of Changsun Qingyu, peeked out from behind the screen separating male and female guests and their families.
"When we went hunting together last time, Father was there too, and he praised him highly!" Li Dazhi's elder brother, Changhui, also tried his best to defend his friend. These young people did not know about the advice Lady Dou had given to the emperor when she was young. They just felt that praising a young man without mentioning his bravery and only saying that he resembled his mother was not a compliment. Therefore, they wanted to argue for their friend in front of their mother, Changsun Qingyu.
"Dazhi, Dahui, you two good-for-nothings, how dare you eavesdrop on the ladies' gossip? And you even call your future uncle by his name! You deserve a beating!" Wang Wan pretended to sit up from the cushions, ready to chase after her two cousins.
"Ah Wan, don't behave so disrespectfully in front of your elders!" Hui Qiong, the eldest daughter of Changsun Sheng, was chatting with her stepmother, Madam Gao, about her past before her marriage to show their closeness when she saw Wang Wan's mischievous behavior and sternly stopped her.
"Ah, I like your granddaughter." Madam Zheng, who had never commented on any young men or women, suddenly smiled and said to Madam Gao, "Cheerful and bright! She suits the Gao family's taste perfectly."
The nearly seventy-year-old aunt was brought to the Gao family's new residence from the nunnery in Zhongnan Mountain by Changsun Wuji in the afternoon. She was immersed in the sorrow of Gao Shilian's demotion and the weariness of the journey, and only came back to her senses after a while.
Changsun Qingjing, who usually made her happy, was dressed in auspicious clothes and wore a colorful ceremonial crown, unable to move. Changsun Wuji was too busy to deal with the relatives and friends attending the banquet and dared not neglect a single one. He barely had time to warm up the table.
While chatting with Madam Gao, Lady Xianyu, and Lady Gao, the old princess looked around her shabby new house and recalled the prosperity of Ye City in the past. She couldn't help but feel sad, and there was no one to pull her out of this depression.
Wang Wan was not related to the Gao family by blood, but her lively and bright appearance was just like another eldest grandson, Qingjing. This reminded Old Madam Zheng of her carefree girlhood, and she couldn't help but feel close to her. Her mood was as bright as the sky over Ye City, and she didn't hold back her praise.
In her youth, Madam Zheng was the center of social circles among the noble ladies of Ye City. Even after years of living a life of quiet contemplation, she still possessed the ability to liven up any atmosphere. The ladies began praising Wang Wan's appearance and personality, and some even inquired whether she was betrothed.
Wang Wan greeted the kind elders shyly, then pretended to adjust her fashionable updo, lingering behind the screen for a moment before sitting down beside Qing Jing. She rested her chin on her hand, tilted her head, and said with a smile, "In short, all the Wang sisters are envious of Aunt's marriage. Such a gentleman, so upright and righteous, is truly a rare find!"
She tugged at Qingjing's wide sleeve and said in a coquettish tone, "Auntie, tell me about his stories!"
"I'm not familiar with him," Qingjing said gently. "You'll see him in a little while."
“Since you’re so tight-lipped…” Wang Wan raised her eyebrows and said somewhat provocatively, “Then I’ll have to play a good trick on him, making him rush me to get ready dozens of times wouldn’t be too much!” She was amused by her own brilliant idea and clapped her hands excitedly, hoping that this harmless “threat” would pry open Changsun Qingjing’s mouth. However, Wang Wan’s questioning failed once again.
"It's all up to you." Qingjing pretended to be indifferent as she looked in the bronze mirror in front of her. She was a little worried that her new makeup would smudge and that the jade on her colorful flower crown might fall off. She was also afraid of being laughed at, so she quickly turned her head to continue listening to everyone's chatter.
Hearing everyone praising the groom, Madam Zheng's initial worries about the hasty marriage vanished. She figured that even if the sixteen-year-old boy was of average appearance and had no official rank or position, his willingness to take on the responsibility of caring for the orphan girl based solely on their childhood verbal engagement and their close friendship with Gao Shilian, despite their age difference, was commendable. She felt a greater respect for him.
Although the fact that the groom's mother was once Yuwen Yong's adopted daughter made Madam Zheng slightly uncomfortable and resentful, the happy smile of Changsun Qingjing in the bronze mirror quickly soothed her displeasure.
"This time I'll play Lanling Wang, and you'll play Zhou Jun."
"I won't play Zhou Jun, I want to play Hulü Guang!"
"Hulü Guang is not in the play."
"Don't make a fuss! The young men will take turns playing Lanling Wang, and none of them are allowed to hogging the mask!"
Boys of different generations but similar ages from the Changsun, Wang, and Zhang families gathered together, jumping and scrambling to grab the most eye-catching prop for the masked dance.
The descendants of these victors seem to have forgotten that they are the heirs to the army that besieged Kim Yong. Of course, nothing can stop the boys from idolizing the lone hero who turned the tide of battle, even if that hero is the enemy of their meritorious ancestor.
"Hmph! Put your masks on, don't take them off. You people are already mediocre-looking! Suddenly taking off your masks will make you look nothing good!" Changsun Wuyi, who had been observing coldly for a while, made a merciless comment to his chattering peers.
The main room was eerily quiet for a moment, then descended into even greater chaos.
"Changsun Wuyi is a scholar with a mouth full of venomous teeth!"
"Changsun Wuyi is a foul-mouthed, jealous jerk!" the boys accused and cursed unhappily.
"He mocked us for being ugly and was utterly rude. Hit him! Hit him!"
"Fine, let's fight. No cheating allowed. Take turns sparring with me."
Changsun Chang was playing board games with his cousin Changsun Cao, his nephew-in-law Li Keshi, Wang Shao, and others when he heard his young nephew rambling incoherently. He deeply resented Changsun Anye for neglecting to discipline his younger brother, which had led to the boy's sharp tongue and lack of restraint, and his absence of the magnanimity expected of a scion of a noble family. This boy was worlds apart from his deceased elder brother Changsun Xingbu, his short-lived second brother Changsun Heng'an, and even his fourth brother Changsun Wuji, who had been raised under the care of Gao Shilian. He decided to temporarily teach the boy a lesson on behalf of his deceased brothers.
And so, after his uncle Changsun Chang struck Changsun Wuyi's forehead a few times, the other children's anger subsided.
"Uncle, you don't need to take it too seriously when children are playing around. Let them argue it out. If they can't win the argument, they can fight it out. Those who are bad at talking or weak will naturally learn a lesson! They will also remember the principles of how to conduct themselves," Li Keshi advised.
"Where is the groom now? How many people from the Li family came to fetch the bride?" Changsun Qingyu approached the Liubo chessboard and muttered to herself, "I need to block the door in advance."
Author's Note: Haha~ I just won't let them meet!
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