Full House Spring

Chapter 108 Shili Hongzhuang
Seeing that he was frowning, Xia Li didn't seem to be pretending. She thought that she had already accepted the generous dowry from her elder brother and sister-in-law, so she didn't need any from her second brother, so she just accepted it generously.

She handed the brocade box to Shi Mi, turned around and looked at her second brother, and said in a dissatisfied tone:
"Brother, you look much thinner, and your cheeks are more and more thin. How do you take care of yourself?"

Although Fang Jingzhi was thin, his posture was straight, like a green pine tree. He smiled and said:
"I'm just tired from traveling. I'm a little thinner but my face is still handsome. You don't have to worry too much."

He already had a very good appearance, and no matter how he went through it, he still looked very handsome. Xia Li smiled and asked, "How many days can you stay at home this time when you come back?"

Fang Jingzhi frowned and said helplessly: "There are other inspectors waiting for me. I can only stay at home for two days at most. It is already very rare to be able to watch you get married. If I succeed in this matter, Kuang Chengrui will never dare to bully you in the future."

Xia Li said in a brisk voice: "He doesn't have the guts. What is the situation in Kyoto now? Has anything happened in the Cheng'en Marquis's Mansion?"

After all, Xia Li grew up in that mansion, so it is natural for him to miss her. Fang Jingzhi said in a deep voice:
"Although Lu Lingchuan suffered some hardships in the court, nothing serious happened. On the day I left the capital, Empress Lu successfully gave birth to the eldest prince. The situation in the capital is about to change again. It depends on whether Lu Lingchuan can take this opportunity to stand up."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiao He came over with a food box. Xia Li came back to his senses and said, "Second brother, eat something to fill your stomach first, and we can talk while we eat."

Fang Jingzhi was not so polite in front of his sister. He took the food and took a few bites. Only then did he feel like he was alive again.

He swallowed his food and continued, "Lu Lingchuan asked me about your situation privately, and I made up an excuse to evade him. No matter what he was thinking, there is no chance for you two. What do you think?"

Xia Li had a calm expression, his eyes seemed to contain a bright light, and he said frankly:
"Second brother did the right thing. He and I were originally master and servant, and we won't have too many interactions in the future. There's no point in knowing too much."

Fang Jingzhi told Lu Lingchuan about the engagement because of his deep love for his sister. Although he looked sad, he didn't do anything excessive, so he was considered a gentleman.

Xia Li didn't want to continue this topic. She raised her lips and said cunningly, "After I left, was there any involvement between my second brother and Miss Gao? Putting aside other things, she is a very good girl."

Fang Jingzhi took a bite of the tender and juicy chicken leg and said vaguely, "Don't mention this in front of outsiders in the future. The emperor wants to select a concubine, and Prime Minister Gao plans to send Miss Gao to the palace to participate in the selection. She is now a concubine, and she has nothing to do with me."

Xia Li opened her mouth slightly, her eyes filled with disbelief. She worriedly asked, "Did Miss Gao volunteer to enter the palace? The palace is dangerous, she could have stayed out of this mess. The Gao family is extremely powerful, why did they have to let their daughter fight for wealth and fame?"

Fang Jingzhi poured the last bit of soup from the bottom of the bowl into his mouth and said lightly: "Not all families are not greedy for power like ours. The next generation of the Gao family has mediocre qualifications, and Prime Minister Gao must work hard to gain personal connections. Who knows, the next ruler of the world may have Gao family blood. Miss Gao's personal wishes are not important."

Xia Li couldn't bear the thought that such a dignified and elegant girl like Gao Mingyu would be completely changed in the harem struggle.

Fang Jingzhi filled his stomach and said calmly, "Everyone has their own destiny. We are just mortals. It's useless to think too much. I have to go pay my respects to my parents. I have some official business to discuss with my father. I won't stay here with you. You should go and rest."

Fang Jingzhi had no feelings for Gao Mingyu, so this incident did not have much impact on him. Xia Li was not a person who liked to dwell on trivial matters. She stood up and said, "Then I will send my second brother out."

Xia Li sent Fang Jing straight to the gate of the courtyard and watched him disappear into the night before turning back to the house. After tonight, there will be another man by her side. She is not sure whether it will be a joy or a sorrow, but she hopes that what awaits her is all good things.

Xia Li thought she would have insomnia at night, but she slept very soundly. However, when she woke up, there were many people in the room. She was confused and let them dress her up. When she woke up completely, she was already dressed.

As soon as Zhong Huiting entered, she saw Xia Li's ink-black hair had been combed into a high bun by Madam Quanfu, with long phoenix six-bead hairpins inserted on both sides. Her usual beauty had turned into an allure that could make people lose their minds. Many female relatives surrounded her, like the moon surrounded by stars.

She secretly complained in her heart, wondering how much good deeds Kuang Chengrui must have done in his previous life to marry such a beautiful woman. Zhong Huiting smiled and offered her some extra make-up. There were too many people around, so she had no chance to talk to Xia Li alone, and could only say some polite words.

But after a while, she was pushed aside again. Mrs. Zhou pulled a maid forward and said to Xia Li with a smile: "Ali sent someone to bring you some makeup. You know her situation. It would be bad if she bumped into you. Wait until you return home and she will come to see you again."

Xia Li raised his pretty face and said politely to Mrs. Zhou:
"Sister, it's time for you to take good care of your health. There are too many people here, so it's not suitable for her to come. I will accept this dowry gift. Aunt, remember to thank Sister for me."

Mrs. Zhou nodded slightly. She was about to say something else when someone outside started to make a noise: "The groom is here, the groom is here, let's go to the front yard to watch the fun~"

With this shout, all the women in the family rushed out, and Mrs. Zhou followed them. Xia Li finally had some peace and quiet.

Compared to Xia Li's calmness, Kuang Chengrui was more excited. He was wearing a red wedding gown and riding on a horse, with an upright posture and a majestic demeanor, attracting a lot of attention.

In addition to the Kuang brothers, there were also his comrades from the guard post who came with him to welcome the bride. He deliberately picked out a few who were highly educated so that they could exchange poems with the Fang family children when welcoming the bride. Although Kuang Chengrui could read and write, he was not very proficient in poetry, so he had to seek help from outside.

Fang Qizheng and Fang Jingzhi looked down on their brother-in-law, but they would not embarrass him at this time, so they symbolically gave him a few pairs and let him pass.

When Kuang Chengrui finally saw the bride wearing a veil and a wedding gown waiting for him to come, he was so moved that his nose ached. The more his emotions fluctuated, the more expressionless his face became. Fang Qizheng saw his red eyes clearly. He whispered to Sun Fuya beside him:
"This brat has our sister in his heart. Look at how useless he is."

Sun Fuya glared at him and said angrily, "We are all family, don't talk nonsense, my brother-in-law values feelings."

Fang Qizheng snorted coldly. Although he didn't say some things, he knew them clearly in his heart.

At this moment, Xia Li was wearing a veil and could not see what was happening outside. She could only walk out with the help of her maid. She heard Kuang Chengrui's steady voice and felt inexplicably at ease.

When she bid farewell to her parents in the hall, she was still able to hold back her tears. She was carried on the bridal sedan by her eldest brother and sat alone inside. The moment the sedan was lifted out of the house, she could not hold back her tears and broke down. She was reluctant to leave her home and her parents. She had only stayed there for a few months, but for some reason she felt such a deep bond in her heart.

Xia Li cried inconsolably in the bridal sedan, but those who were watching the fun outside were extremely envious of Kuang Chengrui. There were more than 300 people carrying the dowry alone, which showed how generous it was. Those who came to Kuang's house to attend the wedding were amazed at the dowry in the yard.

Shunzi's mother said to Yu, "My God, you are not marrying a daughter-in-law, you are clearly marrying a golden phoenix. All this dowry will not allow us to eat and wear it in several lifetimes. You just wait to enjoy the happiness of being a daughter-in-law." Yu's hands trembled with excitement. There was only joy but no greed in her eyes. She finally understood the good intentions of the old man. Marrying a daughter of aristocratic family will benefit the grandson infinitely. The dowry is only a visible benefit. There are deeper things. Although she does not understand, she can vaguely see some clues.

Unlike Cui, Yu was not fond of being flattered. She was clear-headed and said:

"You are wrong. The bride's dowry is her own private property. The family expenses should be earned by men themselves. We are not a family without rules."

Shunzi's mother curled her lips in disapproval. Although she did not agree with what was said, she knew that the Kuang family was no longer the same as it used to be. Her son followed Kuang Chengrui around to run errands and was counting on him for promotion in the future, so she had to flatter him a few times.

Kuang Yulin looked at the heavy dowry being carried into the house, her face turning pale and blue, and her fingers clenched the handkerchief tightly. She had not expected that her sister-in-law's dowry would be so generous. Last year, when County Magistrate He's daughter got married, her dowry was not even half of her sister-in-law's.

She saw it with all her heart. The dowry was so heavy that it bent a carrying pole. If she had known that the Fang family loved their daughter so much, she should not have colluded with her mother and made her sister-in-law unhappy.

If she could please her sister-in-law, she would be very happy if she could get something out of her. Kuang Yulin carefully recalled what she had said to her sister-in-law. Her words were not too extreme, so perhaps she could still save something.

Kuang Yulin turned around and saw Kuang Yuru smiling innocently. She immediately drooped her face. This was her real sister-in-law. She was afraid that no matter how much she did, she would not be as pleasing as her.

But she no longer had many choices. If she relied on her second brother to find a good husband for her, she would probably end up being an old maid. No matter what the result was, she had to give it a try.

After Kuang Yulin figured it out, she was not so twisted anymore. Cui was still under house arrest, so she had to go back and tell her mother the news outside, lest she lose her temper again. She was very afraid to face her mother's face distorted by jealousy.

At the same time, after crying, Xia Li felt less depressed, but she was very uncomfortable with the bumpy ride in the sedan chair. Fortunately, she didn't eat much before leaving, otherwise she would have vomited it all.

Kuang Chengrui was considerate. He came over to ask about Xia Li's situation. When he found out that she was upset, he immediately ordered the wedding procession to slow down. Shunzi saw this while riding on horseback, and whispered to Kuang Chengdong beside him, "I hope our eldest brother won't be henpecked in the future. Look at how useless he is."

Kuang Chengdong also wore new clothes today, his hair was neatly combed by his mother, and he looked very brave and heroic while riding on horseback. He glanced at Shunzi and said in a slightly cold voice:
"You are so courageous that you even dare to make up stories about my eldest brother. My sister-in-law is a real noble lady from an aristocratic family. How can an ordinary woman compare to her? My eldest brother is not henpecked. It is natural for him to love his wife. If you don't even love and protect your own wife, what kind of man are you?"

Shunzi glared and said, "Whether she is a daughter of an aristocratic family or an ordinary woman, aren't they all used to carry on the family line and warm the bed? Why do you have to treat them so carefully? It's really troublesome."

Kuang Chengdong looked at him with disdain and said unhappily, "A reckless man like you is not worthy of marrying a wife."

顺子搞不明白他为何反应这般大，不过他娘说的话肯定不会错，他将来娶个能暖被窝生孩子的女人就行了，不听话就用拳头揍，绝对不惯着她。

Although the wedding procession slowed down, Xia Li still felt uncomfortable. Just when he was about to give up, the sedan chair finally stopped. Shi Mi stood beside the sedan chair and whispered, "Miss, we have arrived at Lord Kuang's residence..."

Xia Li exhaled a breath of foul air and covered her head with the veil again. When Shi Mi and Du Ruo helped her get off the sedan chair, her legs were shaking. Kuang Chengrui stepped forward and said, "We don't have so many rules in our family. If you can't walk, can I carry you in?"

Xia Li raised her eyebrows slightly. She didn't want to cause gossip just after getting married, so she refused: "It's okay for me to walk this short distance. Just let Shi Mi and the others support me. There's no need to cause criticism."

Kuang Chengrui respected her wishes, but did not force them. He only told Shi Mi and the others to support her carefully. After they entered the front hall of the Kuang family, witnessed by the clan members, the two of them bowed and bowed. After being sent to the bridal chamber, Kuang Chengrui directly drove away the female relatives who came to watch the fun so that Xia Li could have some peace and quiet.

At the matchmaker's urging, Kuang Chengrui reached out and lifted the veil. At that moment, the beautiful imagination that had been hidden for a long time could finally bloom freely. Kuang Chengrui's breathing stagnated slightly. He suppressed the heat in his chest and said in a low voice:
"I have to go outside to entertain the guests. If you are tired, just wash up and rest. They dare not come to make trouble."

Kuang Chengrui was quite dignified. The women who wanted to see the bride were very afraid of him, so his words were very credible. Xia Li nodded slightly and said, "Eat something before drinking to fill your stomach, so as not to hurt your body."

Kuang Chengrui was very happy to feel his wife's thoughtfulness. He whispered:
"I'll do as you say. I'll have someone bring you some food later. Eat and then wash up. This make-up looks good but it's too tiring."

Xia Li didn't expect him to be so thoughtful. The smile on his face became more genuine. He urged, "The guests outside are waiting for you. Please leave quickly."

Although Kuang Chengrui was reluctant, he had to turn around and leave. As soon as he stepped out, a timid voice was heard outside.

"Sister-in-law, I'm Yuru. I'm here to bring you food. Can I come in?"

The little girl's voice was clear and pleasant, and it was very pleasing to the ear. Xia Lie raised his voice and said, "Come in quickly, there's no need to be restrained."

Kuang Yuru then walked into the house with small steps. She was wearing a lilac-colored skirt and had two buns on her head. She looked very cute. Her small face, which was as big as a palm, had a pair of big watery eyes. At first glance, she was a simple and smart girl.

Bai Guo hurriedly stepped forward to take the food box from her hand. Xia Li waved at her with a smile on her face and said softly, "Yu Ru, come and sit down. Thank you for bringing me food. I'm so hungry."

Kuang Yuru was only twelve years old. She walked up to Xia Li shyly and whispered, "My eldest brother loves my eldest sister-in-law, so he asked me to send her off."

The little girl was an honest person, not so cunning. Xia Li smiled and said:

"Even if it was your eldest brother who ordered it, you were the one who ran the errands to deliver it, so I still have to thank you."

Yu Ru had never seen a girl prettier than her sister-in-law, and she was treated so gently by her. She blushed immediately and was at a loss.

(End of this chapter)