Lu Zheng, Liu Qingyan, and Shen Ying immediately became honoured guests at the Zhao residence. They were respectfully invited to seats in the front row.
When it became known that the three were friends Zhao Wenrong had made in Tonglin County, the relatives and friends familiar with Zhao Wenrong were even more delighted.
“Zhao Wenrong is only the third son, yet this wedding is surprisingly grand.” Shen Ying glanced around and remarked softly.
“I heard he is greatly favoured by the old madam.” Liu Qingyan turned back with a smile.
Lu Zheng added, “He also went to Tonglin County to manage local affairs. He does not compete for the position of family head, so others only seek to win him over.”
Shen Ying nodded. “Quite clever. On ordinary days, one really could not tell.”
“Eh?”
At that moment, Lu Zheng’s brow arched. Shen Ying’s eyes slanted sideways, and Liu Qingyan could not help sniffing lightly before turning to look.
The three saw a young man with bright eyes yet a face full of worry enter the Zhao residence.
When this young man arrived, he did not present an invitation. Instead, he used an illusion spell. Clearly, he was also a cultivator, though his clumsy illusion made even Lu Zheng feel a twinge of awkwardness watching it.
After entering, the young man blended naturally among the guests. He said nothing, simply finding a seat near the central hall.
Liu Qingyan spoke with some concern. “He would not be here to cause trouble, would he?”
If he were a relative or friend, even without an invitation, he could have someone announce him. Using an illusion spell did not seem the way of a friend.
“Let us watch first. With us here, we will not let Zhao Wenrong be taken advantage of.” Lu Zheng waved a hand, unconcerned.
There was no helping it. This young man’s cultivation was truly too weak. If it had been when Lu Zheng first arrived in ancient times a year ago, he might have felt some tension.
As for now, this young man probably could not even manage to act in his presence.
With their level of cultivation, even focusing their attention on the young man, he remained completely unaware. He casually sat at an inconspicuous round table, only continually glancing towards the rear courtyard.
…
Soon, the auspicious hour arrived, and nearly all the guests had come.
Candles were lit, incense burned, music played, and the newlyweds entered.
Zhao Wenrong, dressed in a red long robe and beaming with joy, entered. Lin Yushu was at his side, wearing a grand red wedding gown with a phoenix shawl. She smiled brightly, supported by maidservants as she followed Zhao Wenrong.
At the same moment, Lu Zheng and the others saw the young man immediately turn his gaze to Lin Yushu. In an instant, emotions of surprise, adoration, disappointment, and regret flashed across his eyes.
The three exchanged glances, their curiosity greatly aroused.
A smile tugged at Shen Ying’s lips as she whispered, “Could it be that Lin Yushu and this fellow have some history?”
“Miss Lin does not seem like that sort of person.” Liu Qingyan murmured. Living in the county, she occasionally met Lin Yushu and knew her better than Shen Ying did.
“No hurry. Keep watching.”
Lu “Melon-Eating” Zheng continued cracking melon seeds nonchalantly. “What is the rush? We have nothing else to do. Let us enjoy the show.”
So the three continued watching the drama. Zhao Wenrong and Lin Yushu successfully completed the bowing ceremony, then were surrounded by a crowd and escorted to the bridal chamber.
A moment later, having finished the formal procedures in the bridal chamber, Lin Yushu remained inside while Zhao Wenrong emerged again to toast the guests.
“Thank you all for your support!”
“Deeply grateful!”
“Brother Liu, a full cup!”
Zhao Wenrong toasted several tables. Glancing in a certain direction, he scanned around but did not see the person he sought.
Frowning slightly, Zhao Wenrong came to the table where Lu Zheng and the others sat.
“Brother Lu, ladies, to have the three of you attend in person truly honours Wenrong beyond measure!”
Zhao Wenrong took a cup from the tray held by an attendant behind him and drained it in one go.
Just as the young man stepped forward a couple of paces, pushing through the surrounding crowd to approach the couple.
“Yushu!”
Hearing such an intimate address, Lin Yushu paused in surprise. She looked up, hesitated a moment, then suddenly remembered. “Brother Zheng!”
“It is me!”
The young man nodded eagerly. Before he could say more, Lin Yushu turned to Zhao Wenrong. “Husband, this is Brother Zheng Mosheng. He was a neighbour we knew very well in the past, but five or six years ago his family suddenly moved away. I never expected to meet him here.”
At this, Lin Yushu could not help feeling happy. She turned to Zheng Mosheng. “Brother Zheng, did your family move to Yizhou Prefecture?”
“I…”
Zheng Mosheng opened his mouth. Before he could continue, more people surged forward to offer congratulations to the couple.
Lin Yushu no longer reminisced with Zheng Mosheng. She merely greeted him, then continued forward with Zhao Wenrong.
“I…” Zheng Mosheng reached out a hand. Watching Lin Yushu walk away, he finally murmured in a voice only he could hear, “I do not live in Yizhou…”
Lin Yushu, as she left, did not notice, but Zhao Wenrong saw that Zheng Mosheng’s gaze was off. Moreover, he had clearly never heard of any Zheng family by that name in Yizhou Prefecture.
Yet this was naturally not the time to deal with matters, so he merely noted it mentally and continued forward.
Then he immediately spotted Lu Zheng and the two ladies seated ahead.
A genuine smile appeared on his face. Zhao Wenrong hurried over with Lin Yushu. Before the three could offer congratulations, he cupped his hands in thanks first.
“Many thanks to Brother Lu and the two ladies for coming. Wenrong is truly honoured!”
“You are too polite. May you enjoy a hundred years of harmony and soon be blessed with noble children!” Lu Zheng returned the cupped-hand salute with a smile.
Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying also smiled and offered congratulations.
The three carried themselves with extraordinary bearing and grace. Though the crowd did not know them, seeing their prominent seating, no one dared underestimate them. They gathered around but did not interrupt.
After a brief exchange, Zhao Wenrong and Lin Yushu excused themselves and soon reached the central hall, completing the newlyweds’ entrance ceremony.
The following procedures were offering incense, blessings and bows, guidance by the master of ceremonies, and the wedding bows.
The Zhao family’s old madam beamed with joy, watching the couple bow with a wide smile and full heart. On the spot, she gave Lin Yushu a white mountain jade bracelet from her own wrist.
And in the instant of the wedding bows, Lu Zheng saw Zheng Mosheng shift his body as if about to act.
Lu Zheng’s eyes narrowed. Shen Ying’s brow arched, and Liu Qingyan’s fingers trembled lightly.
Three strands of almost imperceptible spiritual qi quietly positioned themselves beside Zheng Mosheng.
Yet Zheng Mosheng took a deep breath. In the end, he settled back into his seat.
Liu Qingyan could not help breathing a sigh of relief. She whispered, “It seems his nature is not bad. He did not recklessly misuse his abilities.”
Shen Ying remarked coolly, “Or perhaps he simply dared not act openly in the city.”
The two women turned together to Lu Zheng, only to see him still cracking melon seeds, with a small pile of shells already accumulated. “What is the hurry? We have nothing better to do. Keep watching.”
