Top Scholar

Chapter 386 Welcoming the bride
With their own concerns, the group was even less likely to delay, and they rode at full speed, arriving in Luzhou City that very afternoon.

After arriving home, Su Lu did not go to his father-in-law's house, because at that time it was customary for men and women not to meet before marriage. If he went there rashly at this time, wouldn't it make him seem like he had something to hide in the eyes of the Embroidered Uniform Guard?

He then went to the Zhu family first, under the pretext of delivering betrothal gifts to his elder brother...

The Zhu family was also in a flurry of activity. Zhu Jie was surprised to see Zhu Ziming bring Su Lu in. "Eh, Hongzhi, did you really have to come here personally to urge me to get ready?"

"Uncle-Master, let's talk somewhere else," Su Lu said in a deep voice.

"Alright." Zhu Jie knew something big must have happened, so he immediately took Su Lu to Zhu Zhang's place.

~~
In Mr. Gangshan's study.

Su Lu recounted the whole story, then said with a wry smile, "Sigh, who would have thought we'd run into an acquaintance back then? What bad luck!"

"Sometimes that's just how it is; when bad luck strikes, even drinking cold water can cause problems." Zhu Jie sighed, "I'm afraid the person surnamed Qian is like a night owl entering the house—they only come when they have something to do."

"Hmm..." Zhu Zhang nodded in agreement, and then comforted Su Lu, "But don't panic, that Commander Qian might not recognize your brother."

"Yes," Zhu Jie added, "If he was sure you were his brother, he would have arrested you on sight. Why would he have let you leave the city? What if you ran away?"

“If we run away, wouldn’t that be an admission of guilt?” Su Lu said, “Wouldn’t that play right into his hands?”

“Doesn’t this just prove that he has no evidence?” Zhu Jie said, “Your brother is not what he used to be, so he can’t just arrest and interrogate you. So he may just be testing you.”

“But once suspicion arises, it’s easy to uncover more inconsistencies,” Zhu Zhang sighed. “For example, your second sister-in-law’s identity, her mother’s territory, and her Lolo warriors…”

Upon hearing this, Su Lu's expression grew even more solemn. "So, they'll find evidence soon and arrest my second brother?"

“They can’t find any evidence.” Zhu Zhang shook his head and said, “The chieftains don’t care about the Embroidered Uniform Guards, so they wouldn’t dare to cause trouble in Lincheng.”

"But when do the Embroidered Uniform Guards need evidence to arrest people?" Su Lu hadn't even had time to breathe a sigh of relief when Zhu Jie said quietly.

"What should we do now?" Su Lu hurriedly asked the two elders for advice.

He has never dealt with intelligence organizations before, so he really lacks experience.

“This is difficult.” Zhu Zhang frowned and said, “The secret police and civil officials are irreconcilable enemies, they are completely different from each other, and we can’t find anyone to talk to.”

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard has a centurion's office in Luzhou. The centurion's surname is Qu, and he has a good relationship with our family. After Lao Jiu's incident, I bribed him quite a bit..." Zhu Jie continued, "Although a centurion can't manage much, he can help inform people and let them be prepared for anything."

He said in a low voice, "I'll have someone ask him tonight which family the Imperial Guards from the capital are after."

"Thank you for your trouble, Uncle Master," Su Lu said softly.

"Hey, we're family, no need for formalities." Zhu Jie waved his hand. The two families were now in a relationship where they shared both prosperity and adversity, so there was really no need to be polite.

"Then what about tomorrow's wedding..." Su Lu knew it was inappropriate to say it, but she couldn't stay silent, "How about postponing it?"

"Nonsense!" This greatly displeased Zhu Jie: "You brat, what do you take my Zhu family for? Even if the sky falls, this marriage will still take place!"

“That’s right. Besides, you’re here to rescue Mr. Yangming, and the Zhu family has a share in this. If anything goes wrong, we’ll share the burden!” Zhu Zhang said in a deep voice.
"Hongzhi, don't panic! Doing so will only expose your weaknesses and give others something to use against you!"

"Mm." Zhu Jie nodded and said, "We'll get married as planned tomorrow. We can deal with them after they make their move!"

"Yes," Zhu Zhang replied. "The enemy is in the dark while we are in the light; this is the only way. Only after they make their move can we respond effectively."

"Yes." Su Lu nodded.

"Let's go back first. The sky isn't going to fall," Zhu Jie said with a final smile. "Maybe it's just a false alarm."

~~
Not long after Su Lu returned to Jin Gui Xuan, Su Man, who had gone to the military yamen to deliver the betrothal gifts, also returned.

"So? What did my father-in-law and Governor She say?" Su Lu asked hurriedly as soon as he closed the study door.

She Yunluo will also be married off from the Military Affairs Office, so She Saihua arrived in Luzhou yesterday and moved into the Military Affairs Office.

"When I said the wedding was postponed, your parents-in-law scolded me," Su Man said with a wry smile. "They said to get married first and not to believe everything they hear and scare yourself."

“Your father-in-law thinks so too,” Su Lu said. “However, this matter has nothing to do with my elder brother from beginning to end. You must preserve our family’s academic record.”

"Bullshit!" Su Man cursed, then muttered, "If I were to protect you, you'd still be the top scholar in the provincial examination."

“I am Yangming’s most senior disciple,” Su Lu said with a wry smile, “How could I possibly protect myself?”

"I'm sorry..." Su Tai lowered his head guiltily and said, "If only I hadn't shown up back then."

"Second Brother, please don't say that." Su Lu grabbed Su Tai's shoulders with both hands and said seriously, "You did this to help me rescue our teacher, and the idea was mine. It's all my responsibility!"

“It was clearly my fault that I messed it up…” Su Tai shook his head.

"Alright, now's not the time to talk about who messed things up," Su Man said in a deep voice. "Let's think carefully about how to deal with this!"

"I've thought it through," Su Lu said in a deep voice. "Four words—I'll never admit it!"

"Of course I can't admit it." Su Tai nodded vigorously and said, "Don't worry, Qiu Ge'er! I'd rather die than reveal a single word." "Me too!" Su Lu also gritted his teeth and said.

~~
Su Lu never expected that she would be unable to sleep all night on the eve of her wedding, tossing and turning until dawn.

But as my father-in-law and uncle-in-law said, the wedding could not be postponed, much less canceled; it could only proceed as planned…

Before dawn, Jin Gui Xuan was bustling with activity. Chef Hu prepared a sumptuous breakfast to entertain the wedding procession.

At 2:45 AM, the wedding procession, having eaten and drunk their fill, was ready to depart.

The three grooms also donned bright red round-necked auspicious robes, black gauze hats adorned with flowers, and red silk sashes draped diagonally across their shoulders. They bowed to their parents to say goodbye, mounted white horses also draped in red, and, guided by the wedding procession, led a three-bearer sedan chair out of the Golden Osmanthus Pavilion amidst music and fanfare.

In Beitan Lane, the neighbors and villagers got up early, set up incense tables and flowers, and set off firecrackers to send off the three grooms to their weddings.

The wedding procession split up at the Bell and Drum Tower. Su Man followed one group towards Zhujiashan, while Su Tai and Su Lu followed the main group to the Military Affairs Office.

At this time, the military yamen was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Large red lanterns with the character "囍" (double happiness) hung on both sides of the gate. Even the soldiers guarding the gate changed into red uniforms to add to the auspiciousness of the military governor's daughter's wedding.

Unlike the chaotic scene at Erlangtan, where the groom's family lived in a solemn and respectable place, the wedding procession entered the military yamen smoothly and without fanfare.

Then, guided by Arno and Wong, the two grooms went to pay their respects to their mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law.

"Jieyuanlang, I am your brother-in-law, courtesy name Xiuqing." Huang smiled and cupped his hands to Su Lu. This was the first time the two had met.

This is quite normal these days; many people don't even know what the bride looks like until they enter the bridal chamber.

"Younger brother greets elder brother-in-law." Su Lu hurriedly bowed deeply.

"Brother-in-law, no need for formalities, come with me." Huang then led Su Lu through the red-draped corridor to the entrance of the main hall of the inner courtyard.

Outside the hall, relatives of the Huang family from Suining stood in a crowd. As soon as they saw the groom arrive, they surrounded him and said with smiles, "The top scholar has come to welcome his bride!"

Su Lu hurriedly bowed, and the adopted sons who served as best men took out red envelopes to distribute. The bride's family members took the red envelopes and then stepped aside, without making things difficult for the groom.

Upon entering the main hall, one sees Huang Ke sitting upright in the center, with the Huang family elders seated on either side.

Su Lu straightened his robe, stepped forward, knelt down, and handed the marriage certificate to Huang Ke with both hands, saying respectfully, "Father-in-law, your son-in-law has come to welcome your daughter to her wedding on the orders of my parents."

"Very well." Huang Ke smiled as she accepted the marriage certificate, and helped Su Lu up with both hands, saying, "I will entrust my daughter to my worthy son-in-law from now on."

Then he said to Huang Qiao, "Go and urge your sister."

~~
Inside the embroidered pavilion, Huang E, dressed in a bright red silk skirt and draped with a shawl embroidered with phoenix patterns, sat gracefully in front of a dressing table adorned with the character "囍" (double happiness).

Aunt Quanfu from the clan was styling her hair into a bun for the last time, and then she was placed on a phoenix crown adorned with pearls and kingfisher feathers. Thanks to Empress Ma, the founding empress, all women in the world could get married in a phoenix crown and embroidered robe.

Looking at the stunningly beautiful bride in the mirror, the Huang family's sisters-in-law and aunts exclaimed in admiration:

"I've never seen such a beautiful bride before!"

"She's qualified to be an empress."

"That Su family brat got off easy."

At this moment, Huang Qiao urged the sedan chair to be carried outside the embroidered tower.

Huang's wife then served glutinous rice balls, which were fed to Huang E by Commander Han's mother, Madam Huang.

Huang E herself chose a husband who passed the imperial examination with top honors, and now Madam Huang is convinced of his worth. She scooped up a glutinous rice ball, blew on it to cool it down, and fed it to Huang E, saying, "May your life be perfect and sweet."

After Huang E ate the glutinous rice balls, Madam Huang covered her head with a veil, and Aunt Quanfu helped her down from the embroidered tower to the hall to bid farewell to her father.

The father and daughter had parted ways yesterday, but Huang Bingxian still couldn't help but tear up. He waved his hand and said, "Go, and take good care of your parents-in-law."

"Your daughter will remember your teachings, Father. Please take care of yourself too." Huang E said with tears in her eyes, "Your daughter takes her leave."

After bidding farewell to her father, Huang helped her step over the red-cloth-covered saddle and onto the red felt sedan chair.

The sedan chair was lined with brocade cushions embroidered with mandarin ducks, and contained love knots and candied fruit.

Huang lowered the sedan curtain, patted the sedan three times lightly, and said loudly, "May you have a safe journey, sister!"

"Lift the sedan chair!" Zhu Zihe, the groom's best man, announced loudly.

On the other side, Bai Yunshan, who was serving as the chief of staff to Su Tai, also shouted loudly, "Raise the sedan chair!"

Sixteen sedan chair bearers steadily lifted the two bridal sedan chairs and followed the two grooms to the front of the yamen, where they joined the wedding procession.

The wedding procession then left the military headquarters with great fanfare and headed towards the East Water Gate.

P.S. I've been working on this part for a long time, which is why I'm late in writing it. I'll definitely finish it in the next chapter, but check back tomorrow morning...

(End of this chapter)