Top Scholar

Chapter 387 The Big Wedding
In the autumn morning light, the Yangtze River laps against the pier, splashing up tiny golden waves.

The Guanyizui Wharf was decorated with colorful pavilions and red flags, and every railing was adorned with the character "囍" (double happiness). This was a spontaneous gift from the people of Luzhou for the three grooms, as it was believed that nothing less would express their affection for them.

At the beginning of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the three wedding processions met at the dock. The servants were busy carrying the dowries of the three families onto the pier. The gold-powdered double happiness characters on the red wooden boxes dazzled people in the sunlight.

At the nearest berth to the pier, a 400-ton warship had been waiting for some time. The ship was painted entirely in vermilion, with a huge red "囍" (double happiness) character outlined in gold on its square bow.

The three bridal sedan chairs landed steadily on the pier, and the three grooms, carrying their respective brides, climbed the red-felt ladder and boarded the wedding boat amidst the cheers of the people of Luzhou.

The Su family servants then distributed wedding candies and money to the people who came to see them off, which made the cheers and blessings even louder.

May the top scholar have a long and happy marriage!

May Master Su have a son soon!

"Martial arts champion happily married!"

After the newlyweds and their dowry had all boarded the ship, the three grooms stood at the bow and bowed to the crowd seeing them off at the dock.

The wedding boat slowly sailed away from the dock amidst the captain's shouts, raised its sails, and headed towards Hejiang along the Yangtze River.

~~
The Yangtze River was exceptionally calm at the end of September, with no waves, allowing the 400-ton barge to move quickly and steadily.

Before long, the sounds of drums, music, and firecrackers at the dock, along with the cheers of the people of Luzhou, gradually faded away, leaving only the rushing sound of the ships cutting through the river, accompanied by the warm autumn sun shining on the calm river surface.

The sky is blue, the water is clear, and a few egrets occasionally glide past the wedding boat. Today, the weather is perfect; it's truly an auspicious day for the wedding.

The captain's cabin of the wedding boat was bright and clean, and the three brides sat side by side on a couch covered with red felt. All three wore the same phoenix coronet and wedding gown, and the same bright red veil, making it impossible to tell them apart.

The three grooms were at the cabin door, talking to the maids and servants guarding the door, wanting to go in and talk to their brides.

It was not allowed in the first place, but the maids and servants eventually gave way after the grooms' persistent pleading and the barrage of red envelopes.

"Gentlemen, hurry in and out, and don't overstep your bounds," the head old woman nagged.

"Okay, okay," the groom replied, then casually closed the door.

The three grooms stood before the three brides, trying to guess who was who. The one on the left couldn't wait to lift her veil and stand up, revealing a bright and elegant face with a ruby ​​pendant on her forehead. Who else could it be but She Yunluo?

“We were just wondering if you would come in and talk to us,” She Yunluo said with a smile. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist.”

Upon hearing this, Huang E and Zhu Yin both lifted their veils and gracefully rose to their feet; one was breathtakingly beautiful, the other charming and alluring. The three brides standing side by side made even the stunningly beautiful autumn foliage outside the window pale in comparison.

The three grooms felt increasingly guilty and ashamed to face their brides.

"There's something..." the eldest brother said first, "I have to tell you now."

“We’ve been targeted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard,” Su Tai said in a muffled voice. “When I saved Mr. Yangming, it seems Qian Ning recognized me.”

“I knew he was no good back then,” She Yunlu snorted.

“Qian Ning is currently waiting for us in Hejiang,” Su Lu continued. “So no one can say for sure what will happen after we disembark. Maybe nothing will happen, and it will just be a false alarm. But who knows, maybe a prison van is already prepared at the dock…”

"I'm so sorry, our once-in-a-lifetime wedding has been marred by such a distressing situation," Su Man sighed. "But it was even more wrong of me to keep it from you and catch you off guard."

"I thought it was something serious," Zhu Yin said with a smile. "My dad said that last night."

“My father told me too,” Huang E said softly.

“I was right there at the time,” She Yunluo said.

"So, what are you thinking...?" The three grooms looked at the three brides somewhat nervously.

"What else can we think? Of course, it's like marrying a chicken and following the chicken, marrying a dog and following the dog, marrying a carrying pole and carrying it with you, marrying a monkey and running all over the mountain." She Yunluo said nonchalantly, "If there's anything, just take responsibility."

"Mmm." Su Tai opened his arms and hugged his bride tightly, moved.

Zhu Yin gazed intently at Su Man and said firmly, "Senior brother, you can't possibly leave me behind. I'm sticking with you for life! I'll follow you through thick and thin, even if we're shattered to pieces!"

He paused for a moment, then added, "I'll follow you again in the next life."

"Junior sister." Su Man blushed and reached out to hold Zhu Yin's small hand for the first time, whispering, "I will be good to you for the rest of my life."

"You have to be good to only me." Athena Chu pressed her advantage. "I also want to be with one person for life!"

"Okay, sure." Su Man nodded.

On the other side, Huang E looked at Su Lu with a resolute gaze and said, "I said before—if one day you truly become a sage for the greater good, I will not blame you! Nor will I let you leave me out!"

“Xiu Mei…” Su Lu’s eyes reddened, and he held her hand tightly, whispering, “I originally wanted to be your partner, but I didn’t expect to break my promise so soon.”

“Hongzhi, you did the right thing. If everyone cowers in the face of danger, what hope is there for this world?” Huang E reached out and cupped Su Lu’s face, her smile full of understanding and tolerance.

"As for the consequences, let's face them together."

"Yes!" Su Lu nodded emphatically, finally unable to resist pulling his bride tightly into his arms.

"Brother, give me a hug." Seeing the other two couples hugging, Athena Chu also felt envious.

"Sigh..." Su's face turned red, and she hugged Zhu Yin like she was hugging a stove. "Hold on tighter."

"There's really nothing I can do about you..."

~~
At Shenshizhong, the ship arrived at Jiangdongmen Wharf.

The streets of Hejiang County were deserted. The entire county's residents waited at the dock for the three grooms to return with their brides. The elderly sat on bamboo stools by the stone steps, the young people prepared firecrackers, and the gong and drum band was already set up.

As soon as the boat docked, firecrackers and drums erupted in a cacophony. As the three grooms, each carrying their bride, descended the red-carpeted gangway from the wedding boat, the people of Hejiang showered the three couples with countless flower petals, offering them their best wishes through a rain of blossoms…

The elderly people also scattered grains on the ground to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune to the three newlywed couples.

After the three brides were put back into the bridal sedan chairs and the three grooms rode white horses, they slowly entered the county town amidst the cheers and festivities of the people of the county.

Upon entering Jiangdong Gate, a brand-new white marble archway stands prominently in the center of the street. The archway is over three zhang high, with four pillars and three bays, and the plaque in the very center bears the four powerful characters "解元及第" (meaning "Top Scholar in the Imperial Examination") written in gold powder!

The stonemasons of Hejiang worked day and night to finally erect the archway before the wedding.

Although there are still many details to be refined in the future, the large red silk curtains hanging on both sides of the plaque and the large '囍' character pasted on the four pillars make it the best wedding gift for the top scholar.

The people crowded around the three newlywed couples as they passed through the archway and arrived at the residence of the top scholar, but they did not go inside.

There was no way around it; there were just too many people coming, and even after the expansion of the Jieyuan Academy, it still couldn't accommodate even one-tenth of them.

However, the county and the Su family had anticipated this, and set up thousands of tables and chairs on the street... borrowing all the desks and chairs in the county school.

All restaurants and eateries in the county are closed today to ensure the grand and unparalleled wedding banquet of the Su family.

The people then sat down on the street, waiting for the ceremony to end so they could enjoy a feast.

The residence of the top scholar was packed with distinguished guests. Not only were the heads of various prominent families from Luzhou present, but also officials such as Xiao, the provincial education commissioner; Lu, the prefect; Hou, the county magistrate; Ma, the military commander; the chief secretary of the Prince of Shu's residence; and Yan Song, among other prominent figures.

All the teachers who had taught the Su brothers, including Zhang Yanqiu, Liu Dachuan, Qian Shanchang, Mr. Zhu, and Mr. Niu, were also invited.

Even the master's wife, who makes scorched pork, came.

The only regret is that the old master is too old, Mr. Yangming cannot leave Guizhou, and Master Zhu is far away and cannot attend...

Su Lu, Su Tai, and Su Man's classmates, as well as their fellow examinees from the Xiucai examination and their fellow Juren from this year's examination, also came.

Even the seven-member group from the Lizhe Society came.

This naturally includes Yang Shen...

Yang Shen's arrival naturally aroused great enthusiasm from Lu Zhaoye. He earnestly invited Yang Shen to sit at the main table, saying that this would allow him to have a clearer view of the ceremony.

"Brother, you don't have to go." Yang Dun felt sorry for his brother.

"It's alright," Yang Shen said with a carefree smile. "I've come to terms with it. Brother Jieyuan and my cousin are a perfect match. I want to give them my blessings up close."

"Alright, alright..." Yang Dun stopped trying to stop him, afraid that he might be saying one thing but meaning another.

~~
As dusk settled and night approached, it was the time for the newlyweds to perform their wedding ceremony.

The hall was brightly lit, with thousands of red candles illuminating the wedding hall in a warm glow.

On the altar were a three-legged bronze incense burner, five-colored offerings of fruit, and a tablet inscribed with the words "Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher".

Three thick red felt mats were laid out in front of the table.

The old man and woman sat in the main seat on a carved armchair. The old man wore a dark blue brocade robe with a black horn belt around his waist; the old woman wore a crimson embroidered chrysanthemum jacket. She was so happy that her eyes were almost closed from the joy of her three grandsons getting married together.

Su Youjin and his wife sat to the left of his parents. Su Youjin was wearing the official robe of a sixth-rank military officer, and his aunt was wearing a lady's shawl and a jacket... This was an imperial edict that Su Youjin had obtained for his meritorious service in repairing the river.

Su Youcai and his wife sat to the right of his parents, their attire much simpler. Su Youcai wore a scholar's robe, and the proprietress naturally matched him, so as not to overshadow him.

"The auspicious time has arrived, the newlyweds shall perform the wedding ceremony..." Cao, the county magistrate in charge of the ceremony, announced loudly.

The three grooms then led the three brides with red ribbons to stand in front of the red carpet.

"First bow to Heaven and Earth..." As the master of ceremonies chanted, the musicians played "Joyful Reunion." The three couples simultaneously bent their knees, placed their hands on the ground, and performed a bow and three kowtows before the incense table.

"Second worship high hall..."

The newlyweds turned around, faced the six elders, and performed the traditional bow and kowtow ceremony.

The old lady kept wiping away tears, the eldest aunt was beaming with joy, and Su Youcai couldn't help but shed a few tears as well.

"Husband and wife pay homage..."

The newlyweds stand facing each other, one step apart, and bow once.

"The ceremony is over, and we will be escorted to the bridal chamber..."

The musicians changed to playing "Joyful," and everyone cheered as they escorted the bride and groom into their bridal chamber.

P.S. Posted first, edited later. Please vote with monthly tickets for my big wedding!
(End of this chapter)