Chapter 155 The Grand Wedding (1)
On the eighth day of the sixth lunar month, Meng Guanqi, who had rested well at home for two days, changed into his seventh-rank official robes early in the morning, ate a hearty meal, and set off from home. Before leaving, he turned back and said, "There is an hour of rest time at noon, but today is my first day on the job. I don't know if my superior will arrange a welcome banquet, so I probably won't be coming back today."
As a result, he came back happily a quarter of an hour later, and even made it in time to have lunch with everyone.
Liu asked in surprise, "Didn't you say your boss was going to arrange a welcome banquet for you but you weren't coming back? Why did you come back?"
The weather was hot in June, and he was covered in sweat.
Meng Guanqi sat down and scooped up a bowl of chilled plum juice, drinking it down before letting out a comfortable sigh: "No, I heard my superior has been in the Hanlin Academy for six years now, and he's extremely poor. He's borrowed money from many people and hasn't paid it back. When new colleagues arrive, everyone is too embarrassed to ask him to treat them..."
So when he saw everyone either eating their cold meals brought from home with tea, or just munching on flatbread, and only those who were slightly better off could go out to a small shop outside the capital to eat a bowl of noodles, Meng Guanqi thought, since his home was so close, why should he force himself to suffer? So he happily came back.
Sure enough, when he returned home, he found not only chilled plum juice but also five dishes on the table. He immediately felt better and, while eating, he glanced at Li Xiaoxiao affectionately. To be honest, he used to feel a little embarrassed about staying at her house, but after seeing his colleagues' meals and the half-day commute home after get off work, he instantly threw away his pride.
Summers are scorching hot, winters are bitterly cold; there's no difficulty that can't be solved by living close to home.
Madam Liu was also very happy. She knew that when Magistrate Meng was serving in the capital, he didn't even have time to go home for lunch. He could only grab a quick bite at a street food stall or eat the dry rations he brought from home. Only dinner was a proper meal for him. Now, her son was essentially working right at her doorstep, able to come home for lunch every day, and after lunch, he could rest for half an hour, ensuring he was full of energy all day long.
Liu decided that from now on, she would have Ah Sheng drive her to and from get off work, saving her the time of walking, and since it was so close, she wouldn't have to worry about being late.
After Meng Guanqi went to work in the afternoon, Liu sent Zhao Jian to deliver Meng Guanqi's wedding invitation. However, Zhao Jian returned with a gloomy face in less than an hour.
Liu asked in surprise, "What's wrong? What happened?"
Zhao Jian took all the invitations back, but couldn't send out a single one.
Madam Liu was shocked: "They rejected them all? The Meng family won't even accept an invitation?"
Zhao Jian looked at Madam Liu with some concern: "Madam, the old mansion has issued a warning that no one in the household is allowed to accept the young master's invitation. Even the people from the first and third branches have been warned..."
Fearing that Liu would be upset, he did not dare to tell her what the head steward of the Meng family had said. The old Minister Meng meant that unless Meng Guanqi changed to a respectable bride, he should not expect anyone with the surname Meng to appear at his wedding.
How could Zhao Jian possibly convey such words to Liu Shi? He only dared to subtly express that none of the Meng clan members would accept the invitations or attend Meng Guanqi's wedding.
Even though Liu had prepared herself not to receive the blessings of the Meng clan, she still couldn't help but feel upset when faced with the stark reality.
Xiaoxiao has done nothing wrong. Just because they look down on her background, they dare to openly slap their entire family in the face like this.
With a forced smile, Liu took the invitation back: "Since we can't send them out, let's not send any to the Meng family. Just send one to Li Niang. Besides, our house in the east of the city is quite small; there won't be enough room for more people."
But she secretly wiped away her tears, feeling that no one was there to congratulate her son on his wedding. She felt that people had too much prejudice against Li Xiaoxiao and didn't know how good she was.
Li Xiaoxiao soon found out about this. Although she felt that it would be better if no one came to her wedding, given how many people with ulterior motives were there, Liu was heartbroken because of it, and her family was indignant on her behalf. She felt that if no one came to her wedding, it would really make Meng a laughingstock.
She went to find reinforcements.
She went to Pang Shi first: "Madam cried because no one came to congratulate me on my wedding. Can you help me find some people to attend my wedding? I don't want that Meng fellow to laugh at me."
Pang Shi was furious: "They dare to look down on you?! Don't worry, how many people can stand in your little courtyard? I can bring a whole battalion of soldiers over for you!"
Li Xiaoxiao said, "The wedding venue is in our small courtyard in the east of the city. There isn't enough room for a battalion of soldiers. Pick twenty for me to accompany our young master to pick up the bride. Just make a little noise, so they don't think I really have no one to spare."
Pang Shi patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, your marriage is just like my sister's wedding. I can find as many people as you need. And if you need any more people, just go to your sister-in-law. Don't be shy."
Li Xiaoxiao and Pang Shi booked twenty people, which gave her confidence. She went back and told Liu Shi that the wedding would definitely be a lively affair and that no one would look down on them.
After returning to his post, Pang Shi became increasingly angry, his face constantly drawn. Wan Quan couldn't help but ask him what was wrong, and Pang Shi rattled off the story. Wan Quan couldn't help but get angry as well: "This is outrageous! This is too much! Commander Pang, rest assured, if we don't have enough people, I can help make up the numbers."
Wan Quan found out, and the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince soon found out as well. When A Ze came back from school and heard about it, he was so angry that he burst out: "Father, I need to ask for leave. I want to go with Brother Guan Qi to pick up the bride and send Sister Xiao Xiao off to her wedding."
The Crown Princess said demurely, "I will go and inform the Empress Dowager later that I will be returning to my parents' home on the thirteenth. Since I have already left the palace, I might as well visit Xiaoxiao's home and see her off on her wedding."
The Crown Prince sneered repeatedly: "Meng Shiqian is getting more and more senile as he gets older. He dares to look down on my people. Since you and your son are going, I will also take the time to sit down. Even if I don't eat at the banquet, it will still be a good way to show those who are laughing at me from behind. Do you think Li Xiaoxiao is someone they can bully?"
Aze was really brave this time. He didn't even need the Crown Prince to help him ask for leave. He went to see Emperor Jian'an himself and asked for leave in person.
Emperor Jian'an was taken aback: "Attending another wedding? Whose wedding?"
Aze said, "Grandfather, do you know Sister Xiaoxiao? She's marrying Meng Guanqi, who is the third-ranked scholar in this imperial examination. My life was saved by Sister Xiaoxiao. Please grant me a day off, Grandfather, so I can go to Sister Xiaoxiao's wedding."
Emperor Jian'an was stunned and murmured, "Meng Guanqi, a newly appointed third-ranked scholar, actually wants to marry a maid? And the Meng family can agree to that?"
Aze immediately retorted, "Grandfather, Sister Xiaoxiao is no longer a maid; she is a law-abiding citizen!"
Emperor Jian'an didn't argue with him about this. Instead, he smiled and patted Aze's head: "Ke'er is such a loyal and righteous child. Since you want to attend her wedding, then go ahead. Your grandfather has granted you leave."
Aze cheered, "Thank you, Grandfather!"
After Aze left the bedchamber, Emperor Jian'an said, "Liang Qisheng."
Liang Qisheng responded, "Your Majesty."
Emperor Jian'an asked, "Are there any auspicious days in June?"
Liang Qisheng said, "June 13th is the best day of the whole month. July is the Ghost Month, so if you want to find an auspicious day for marriage, you have to wait until August."
Emperor Jian'an said, "June is too rushed, and August is too late. Go and find someone to calculate and avoid the most unlucky days in July, and pick an auspicious day."
Liang Qisheng bowed and said, "Yes."
Emperor Jian'an said, "I remember there was a former prince's residence in Yongning Ward. The Imperial Household Department has never repaired it, citing insufficient funds in the Imperial Treasury. Send someone to repair it, and the necessary funds will come from my private treasury. Make sure it is repaired to a presentable state within a month."
Liang Qisheng's heart skipped a beat: "Yes, this servant will take care of it right away."
After working for three days, Meng Guanqi submitted a leave slip to his superior. Officials in Dawu are entitled to ten days of marriage leave. Since he was getting married on June 13, he needed to start preparing in advance on the 11th.
Although they had only been colleagues for a few days, he politely sent invitations to several colleagues and superiors, asking them to come and have a drink at his wedding when they had time. However, when they heard that he was marrying one of their former maids, the colleagues from the Hanlin Academy immediately looked strange. After receiving the invitations, they were vague and did not say whether they would come or not.
In this situation, they usually wouldn't come. Meng Guanqi didn't care; he would get his leave, pack his bags, and leave, not caring whether they came or not.
After taking leave, Meng Guanqi personally delivered an invitation to Headmaster Gu.
Headmaster Gu has decided to move Wanshan Academy from Guiyuan Mountain to the outskirts of Beijing. This move has been strongly supported by the Gu family, who quickly bought him a large plot of land, and construction is now in full swing.
Since the imperial examination, Gu Shanchang has remained in the capital and has not returned to Luzhou. He is now a close confidant of the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince plans to recommend him as the Junior Chamberlain of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, replacing Li Wenkui in his original position.
Since becoming the Crown Prince's advisor, he naturally learned the truth about the Crown Prince's assassination and poisoning.
Now that Meng Guanqi had come in person to deliver the invitation, he calmly accepted it and said, "Your Meng family doesn't approve of this marriage, does it? Do you need my help?"
Meng Guanqi was taken aback: "What kind of help?"
Master Gu said, "I can adopt Li Xiaoxiao as my goddaughter and let her marry as a member of the Gu family. Then neither the Meng family nor anyone else will have any objections to Li Xiaoxiao's identity, and your future path will be easier."
Meng Guanqi was stunned. Gu Shanzhang was actually willing to do this for him?
Master Gu sighed, "I used to think you were just bewitched by her because you spent so much time with her. But I never expected that she would save the Crown Prince from danger time and time again, yet still maintain her original intentions, remaining low-key and unassuming. People belittle her, but she has never come out to explain. I knew then that she was an extremely magnanimous person, perfect for you. Now that you two are about to get married, people are still mocking and ridiculing her because of her background. If she could marry as the adopted daughter of the Gu family, all these voices would disappear."
Meng Guanqi was moved and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your willingness to stand up for Xiaoxiao, but neither of us cares about these rumors. Xiaoxiao is more insightful than me and is confident that she is in no way inferior to me, so there is really no need to make a fuss about her background, lest we drag the Gu family into this mess and cause you to be criticized."
Headmaster Gu had expected him to agree with tears of gratitude, but to his surprise, he refused. He was astonished: "Are you really not going to reconsider?"
Meng Guanqi smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind words, sir. Xiaoxiao really doesn't need to use her status to enhance herself. We are the two of us living our lives. As long as we are happy, that's all that matters."
After thinking for a moment, Headmaster Gu finally nodded. Since he was so confident, there was no need for him to go through the trouble.
After discussing the marriage, Headmaster Gu returned to the main business, frowning as he said, "The Crown Prince told me that the Emperor recently visited the Sixth Prince at Qinghe Palace. I'm afraid the Sixth Prince will be released soon."
After learning the truth, Headmaster Gu's impression of Emperor Jian'an worsened. What was he doing? Was he sitting on the sidelines watching the tigers fight? This was raising a tiger to cause trouble!
Meng Guanqi said, "Ever since the Emperor resolutely protected the Sixth Prince, the Crown Prince should have known that this day would come. However, I have rarely seen the Crown Prince recently, so I don't know if he has found any clues in all this time?"
Gu Shanzhang said, "Now that Vice Minister Wang of the Ministry of War has surfaced, it has been confirmed that he is one of the Sixth Prince's men. However, the Crown Prince has not been able to find out who is behind them. Although the Sixth Prince is also a prince, he was only eleven or twelve years old when he began to harm the Crown Prince, and he has always lived deep in the palace. How could he allow a dignified Vice Minister of War to work for him? I'm afraid that only when Vice Minister Wang is brought down will it be possible to find out who is behind it."
But how could a vice minister of the Ministry of War be so easily brought down? Since he has already revealed his true colors, he must have already taken care of all the necessary arrangements. There is absolutely no way to find any fault in him on the surface.
Meng Guanqi pondered: "First it was the principal officer of the Ministry of War, then the vice minister of the Ministry of War. Do you think it's possible that the minister of the Ministry of War is involved?"
Gu Shan sighed, "If the next one is the Minister of War, then the Crown Prince can really abdicate and give way to a more capable person. If it's not him, the Crown Prince has already confirmed that the person behind the scenes is probably not a member of the cabinet, but their power should not be underestimated."
Meng Guanqi said, "If they are not in the imperial court, then they are a force of their own. Aristocratic families, vassal kings, and regional officials all have this kind of power, especially border generals. The Crown Prince must pay special attention to them."
Gu Shanzhang said, "The Crown Prince has considered all the people you mentioned, but strangely, he has never been able to find out how he contacted the Sixth Prince. Their channels for exchanging messages were either blocked or closely monitored, but no findings were made during the ten months that the Sixth Prince was imprisoned."
Meng Guanqi also found it troublesome and sighed, "They've really hidden it well."
However, the Crown Prince had been investigating this matter for so long without any results, and the master and apprentice were also at a loss for words. After saying a few more words about working at the Hanlin Academy, Meng Guanqi left the Gu residence.
When I got home, I was surprised to find that Wan Quan had arrived.
Meng Guanqi asked in surprise, "Why is Eunuch Wan here?"
Wan Quan smiled broadly and congratulated Meng Guanqi: "I am here on the orders of the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess to add to the dowry for Miss Li. On the thirteenth, the young master specially took a day off to escort Miss Li to her wedding. The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess will also be there to witness the ceremony."
Meng Guanqi was both surprised and delighted. She quickly thanked the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. After seeing Wan Quan out, she discovered that there were more than a dozen loads of dowry items in the courtyard.
Liu and Granny Qi were checking the gift list one by one, while Li Xiaoxiao watched the excitement from the side.
Liu was overjoyed and held up the jade ruyi, saying, "The Crown Princess has bestowed twelve loads of dowry in total. The first load is the jade ruyi and the phoenix crown. Xiaoxiao will not need the phoenix crown I prepared for her wedding the day after tomorrow. She can use the one bestowed by the Crown Princess. It will bring honor to our family."
Hearing that the Crown Prince's entire family was coming to Meng Guanqi's wedding, what did it matter whether Madam Meng came or not? Madam Liu immediately forgot her slight sadness. Look! The entire Eastern Palace is here to support Li Xiaoxiao. The Crown Prince treats her like an honored guest, and the Crown Princess has bestowed twelve loads of dowry upon her. Even she and her husband value Li Xiaoxiao so much, yet the Meng family still acts so high and mighty and looks down on her?!
They dare to slap the Crown Prince's face; I wonder who will be laughed at when word gets out?
Now Liu was full of energy, and all her dizziness and headaches disappeared. She quickly told her family to put all twelve loads of dowry into the house so that the people carrying the dowry would carry them at the front when the wedding procession took place the day after tomorrow.
The whole household was in a frenzy. Liu wished she could conjure up several clones of herself, as she had to manage both the wedding preparations at the Li residence and the preparations for receiving guests at the house in the east of the city. Zhao Jian had to make countless trips back and forth every day, and even his horse was almost worn out.
June 12th was even busier. The rented tables, chairs and benches had to be set up first, and then chickens and pig heads had to be slaughtered to invite the gods. Meng Guanqi could no longer stay at the Li residence; he had to return to the Meng residence in the east of the city to prepare for the wedding.
Back in the east of the city, there was a shortage of this and that. If something was missing, they had to go out and buy it. If they couldn't buy it temporarily, they had to rent it. Even with Meng Guanqi in charge, he felt overwhelmed. He had always thought that his wedding wouldn't be too crowded and that it would be quite simple. But when he got busy, he realized that there were so many things to do.
As he rolled up his sleeves to repair a bent stool, a servant ran in and said, "The eldest son of the third branch and the fifth son of the old house are here."
Meng Guanqi was taken aback, and then he saw Meng Wenli and Meng Mao walk in together.
Meng Guanqi stared at them blankly: "Uncle Wenli, Fifth Uncle? What brings you here?"
Meng Mao, with his hands in his sleeves, said, "It came secretly; your grandfather doesn't know."
Meng Guanqi gave a bitter smile: "Fifth Uncle..."
Meng Mao turned to Meng Wenli and said, "Alright, since you're already here, hurry up and help with the work. Where's the foreman you brought? Don't count on me, I don't know anything!"
Meng Wenli remained silent, then waved his hand, and a steward entered with five servants, who then took over the tasks from Meng Guanqi.
The manager looked around and began assigning people to help with the work.
With six more people and someone to direct things, the somewhat chaotic courtyard immediately became orderly. Tables and chairs were set up, lake-green tablecloths were laid out, kitchen staff took over, and wedding cakes and candies were packaged. The servants of the Meng family breathed a sigh of relief. This was how a wealthy family should conduct a wedding!
Meanwhile, the master of the house, Meng Guanqi, was pulled by his two uncles to the study in the outer courtyard for tea. Meng Mao said, "Those small matters can be left to the servants and stewards. There's no reason for you to do them yourself."
Meng Guanqi poured tea for the two men: "I really didn't expect my two uncles to come and help—" He didn't mention that the Crown Prince and his wife would come to observe the ceremony, and Meng Wenli and Meng Mao didn't seem to have known the news before they came.
Meng Mao said, "Two Mengs can't be written with the same stroke. Your grandfather didn't allow everyone to come, so your uncle and I came secretly. Don't let it slip. Tomorrow when you go to pick up the bride, we'll blend in and pretend to be there. That way, if anyone says that no one from the Meng family attended your wedding, we'll have something to say."
With these two as representatives, others will see that even if they know the Meng family doesn't approve of Meng Guanqi's marriage, they won't be gossiped about behind their backs.
Meng Mao was a playboy who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun. He came to watch others work but didn't lift a finger. However, Meng Wenli was a down-to-earth and honest man. After having a cup of tea, he took the initiative to help with the work. Thanks to the six people he brought, Meng Guanqi's side had already set up the decorations for receiving guests the next day before it even got dark.
The next day, just as dawn broke, the two arrived again. Liu, who had rushed over early that morning, only then learned that the two had been helping out since the previous day. Although she knew they had come secretly, she genuinely welcomed them and truly needed their help: "When I left, A-Ze had already arrived. Xiao-Xiao is getting ready, with Madam Pang and Granny Qi accompanying her. I was worried and came over to check on things, afraid the young people wouldn't understand the proper procedures… But since you, Brother Wenli, are here, I won't stand on ceremony. I'll leave the arrangements for Qi-Ge'er's wedding procession to you; I'll just keep an eye on Xiao-Xiao."
Originally, Li Xiaoxiao was to be escorted by her maternal relatives when she left home for her wedding. However, since she had no elders, Liu had to rush between the two families, acting as both the bride's and groom's family members, fearing that something might go wrong. Now that there were two uncles and elders present, the wedding officials were not in such a hurry to handle matters before the bride was brought back, so she couldn't stand seeing the two of them slacking off.
The only person who actually did the work was Meng Wenli. Meng Mao bringing an account book and saying he would keep the books was already considered helping out.
After giving her instructions, Liu hurriedly returned to Chang Le Fang. By the time she entered the mansion, it was already broad daylight. Li Xiaoxiao had already combed her hair, and the makeup artist that Liu had specially invited had given her the most popular makeup style for brides in the capital. The moment the makeup was finished, there was a strange silence in the room.
Li Xiaoxiao knew she wasn't a stunning beauty, and even if the makeup artist had the skills of a plastic surgeon, it was probably impossible for her to transform into a breathtaking beauty. There must be a reason why the room was suddenly so quiet.
So she picked up the bronze mirror and looked at herself, and was so frightened she almost dropped it: "A ghost!"
Her face was covered with a thick layer of white powder, with two round blushes on her cheekbones that looked like monkey bottoms, a yellow flower in the center of her forehead, and a thick dot of red on her lips. If she were dressed in white, she would look exactly like a female ghost.
The makeup artist hurriedly said, "Pah, pah, pah, there are no taboos, no taboos. Bride, this is the most popular makeup in the whole capital. It's supposed to look good like this. I've worked on at least ninety or a hundred brides, and not one of them has thought this makeup was bad."
Li Xiaoxiao pointed to her neck and face and said, "Look at the color of my neck, and then look at the color of my face. Is this appropriate? What's the difference between this and wearing a mask?"
The makeup artist was a little embarrassed: "Young lady, your skin tone is a bit dark. Otherwise, I'll apply some powder to your neck as well, so the transition will be more natural."
Ugh! Not only did she not get a chance to change her makeup, but she also has to apply it to her neck. And the weather is so hot. Cosmetics in this era have no waterproof or sweatproof properties. If she sweats when she goes out, won't she look even more like a ghost?
She argued with the makeup artist, wanting to wear lighter makeup. She said heavy makeup was fine, but could she choose a foundation that matched her skin tone?
As a result, the makeup artist only had one shade of foundation, and she used that same foundation to apply makeup to all the brides in the capital.
Li Xiaoxiao: ……
I feel like crying, what should I do?
After playing in the backyard, Aze and Rui Rui got tired and ran in holding his little hand to see if Li Xiaoxiao had finished her makeup. When he saw her face, he took a step back in horror.
How terrifying! Is Sister Xiaoxiao going to marry Brother Meng Guanqi with a face like that?
Little Rui Rui was bumped by A Ze, and curiously looked up, only to meet Li Xiao Xiao's eyes.
He pouted and burst into tears.
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Author's Note: I've changed the title to "Transmigrated into the Magistrate's Kitchen Maid." Maybe changing the title will make it sound better. [Rabbit Head with Upright Ears]
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