#521 - The waxing and waning of the moon, the sorrows and joys of separation and reunion (Part 1)

The next day.

The twenty-fifth day of the tenth month, Tianji Year 15.

Before dawn, joyful锣 and drum sounds echoed throughout Shuzhou City. The city was adorned with lanterns and decorations everywhere, and embroidered dragon flags hung on both sides of several main streets.

Ning Yukun had issued an imperial decree a few days prior, declaring a celebration throughout the land today for the victory at Niutou Mountain.

All government officials were given a day off.

Hundreds of minor offenders in prison were granted amnesty.

A banquet for the people was set up in Fuyan坊, starting from dawn and lasting until midnight.

The entire city was decorated in red, resembling the New Year. Although the imperial decree stated it was to celebrate the victory at Niutou Mountain and the surrender of Yang Province.

Even ordinary people knew what all the commotion was really for today.

Naturally, it was to add some festive cheer to Wei Changtian and Young Master Wei's wedding.

From a "semi-public secret" to "no more pretense, I'm laying my cards on the table."

When Wei Changtian single-handedly charged into the imperial army twice in a row, everyone understood which side he was on.

Of course, ordinary people mostly assumed that the Wei family and Ning Yukun were in a cooperative relationship, unaware that the latter was entirely supported by Wei Changtian.

But regardless, Wei Changtian's position within Shu, second only to the Empress, was beyond doubt.

His wedding was practically no different from an "imperial wedding."

Therefore, even with such a grand celebration today, no one felt it was inappropriate.

On the contrary, many people were genuinely happy from the bottom of their hearts.

Because these people had personally experienced the "superiority of the Shu system."

They hoped this kind of life could continue, so naturally they hoped Shu would not perish.

And the key to Shu's survival depended on two people.

Ning Yukun and Wei Changtian.

From a纨绔世子 (good-for-nothing young master) despised by the world to the now much-loved Young Master Wei... After being in Shuzhou for over a year, Wei Changtian had at least completed his "whitewashing" in Shu.

But in reality, he had never "publicly promoted" himself. On the contrary, he would often deliberately "give" credit to others.

For example, with the reduction of land taxes, the people only knew that Her Majesty the Empress was benevolent and kind to her subjects.

For example, with the stable grain prices, the people only knew that Yingfengsheng was ethical and unwilling to profit from the nation's difficulties.

For example, with the disappearance of mountain bandits and rogue gangs, the people only knew that the Gongji Association was acting on behalf of heaven, eliminating evil and eradicating wrongdoing...

Therefore, ordinary people did not know that Wei Changtian had intentionally or unintentionally done so many good deeds, but they still subtly changed their perception of him.

Even if they didn't admire him, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they respected and admired him.

Therefore, the festive atmosphere in Shuzhou City today was not at all fake.

The sounds of flutes and drums, the shadows of people intermingling, the streets filled with the fragrance of musk.

At the auspicious hour, Wei Changtian, who did not sleep in, rode a tall horse to the Liang residence and picked up Liang Qin, who was covered with a red veil, into the bridal sedan.

This bridal sedan was obtained with great effort by Little Xu. It was modeled after the imperial sedan, with many phoenixes carved around it and a row of colorful lanterns in front. It was not only exquisite but also very grand.

Leading the sedan, he rode at the head of the wedding procession.

Wei Changtian proceeded along the main street, but did not go directly home. Instead, he led the band and procession around several more streets.

Unlike his previous marriage with Xu Qingwan, this was a proper wedding, and the rules and procedures were much more complicated. Parading the bridal sedan through the streets was one of them.

"Congratulations to Young Master on his wedding!"

"Young Master Wei! We wish you and your wife a long and happy life together!"

"This sedan is so beautiful! If I could sit in it once, I'd be willing to die!"

"Daddy! I found lucky money!"

"Quickly put it away. This is Young Master Wei's lucky money. I'll thread it for you when we get back, and you can wear it every day."

"..."

The people on both sides of the road were lively and crowded. Some mischievous children even followed the procession for several streets, jumping and picking up a full pocket of lucky money.

Could it be that I have social superpowers?

Smiling and waving to the crowd, Wei Changtian felt greatly puzzled.

He originally thought he might not be comfortable with this kind of "crowd of people," but he didn't expect to be embarrassed at all.

But on second thought, compared to what I've experienced before, this can only be considered a small scene.

Looking back at the slightly swaying curtain of the bridal sedan, his smile grew even wider.

After today, I will have another wife.

Three wives in a year, four more to go before becoming "Wei Xiaobao."

At this rate, I should be able to achieve my goal by the year after next at the latest.

The golden sun was bright overhead, and the sky was clear.

Wei Changtian didn't know what Liang Qin was feeling right now, but he was really happy, and even temporarily put aside all the troublesome things about Xu Suisui, Kui Long, and Da Feng.

It seems that my decision not to delay any longer and marry Liang Qin sooner was right.

Tomorrow and tomorrow, how many tomorrows there are.

Troubles are never-ending, so we should do what should be done as soon as possible, so as not to leave regrets in the future.

The bridal sedan parade lasted for a whole morning.

In the afternoon, at the hour of Wei, the wedding procession finally returned to the Wei residence, which was decorated everywhere with red.

Amidst the congratulations of the guests, Liang Qin temporarily went into the side room, while Wei Changtian went to the main hall with the others to talk and chat, waiting for the start of the ceremony.

The Chinese character "婚" (marriage) can be broken down into 女 (woman) and 昏 (dusk), so ancient wedding ceremonies were generally held at dusk, also to facilitate entering the bridal chamber directly after the ceremony.

It was still more than an hour away from the auspicious time, so everyone naturally had to wait a little longer.

Autumn waters, silver halls, mandarin ducks flying wing to wing; heavenly breezes, jade halls, luan birds singing in harmony.

Outside, the best opera troupe in Shuzhou was performing a play called "The Fairy's Fate" for the guests, drawing constant cheers.

Inside, Wei Changtian was chatting and laughing with a group of important guests, the atmosphere festive and lively.

Although according to etiquette, Little Xu and Lu Jingyao could not show their faces today, Chu Xianping and Du Chang were still in Yang Province and could not make it back, and Wei Xianzhis and Qin Caizhen once again missed their son's wedding.

However, Liang Zhen returned from Guanghan County, and with You Wenzong and other civil officials being good speakers, even if they were just saying polite words, it would not be a cold scene.

And just like that, amidst laughter, the sun gradually set in the west.

The sunset glow seemed like a red veil bestowed by heaven, draping a layer of soft wedding dress over the entire Shuzhou City.

Wei Changtian looked at the copper clepsydra in the corner with a smile, less than a quarter of an hour before the ceremony began.

"Lord You..."

Smiling and cupping his fist at You Wenzong, who was serving as the wedding officiant, he was just about to say something.

But at this moment, Zhang San suddenly walked in from outside with hurried steps.

Although he also had a smile on his face, it could be seen that this smile was obviously a little forced.

"Young Master..."

Walking quickly along the wall to behind Wei Changtian, Zhang San leaned over and whispered:

"An hour ago, Princess Wuping was just sent to the back door of the residence. The person released the Princess's acupoints and then left. They were all experts, and our people failed to stop them."

"This humble one has settled the Princess in the backyard, but..."

"Young Master, Princess Wuping insists on seeing you now."