Someone outside the door shouted excitedly, "Here comes the bride!"
Immediately afterwards, someone lit the firecrackers hanging on the door knocker. The long string of firecrackers crackled merrily, creating a lively atmosphere. In the distance, the wedding procession with gongs and drums was slowly approaching. Luo Xunlong led the way into the courtyard, looking extremely proud as he smiled at everyone.
The plump matchmaker beamed happily. She was quite endearing as she continuously offered congratulations to the elders of the Su Mansion who had come out to greet them. Under everyone's gaze, she lifted the curtain and helped the bride out of the sedan chair.
The bride, dressed in a red wedding gown, stepped out of the sedan chair. The well - tailored wedding dress accentuated Cuihuan's curvy figure, making her look extremely charming. The matchmaker supported her as she steadily stepped over the brazier.
A gentle spring breeze blew up, slowly fluttering the bride's skirt and the red veil, making the onlookers' hearts race. They crowded forward, eager to catch a glimpse of the bride's beauty.
However, just as they caught a glimpse of the bride's fair chin and cherry - like lips, the matchmaker quickly pressed the red veil down with her chubby hand, completely covering the beautiful bride. This elicited a chorus of disappointed groans from the men. They felt as if a cat was scratching at their hearts for not seeing more.
Luo Xunlong and Cuihuan entered the house. They paid homage to Heaven and Earth and to the elders, and then served tea to all the elders. Old Master Su, sitting in the main seat, couldn't stop smiling. He took out a large red envelope from his bosom and stuffed it into Cuihuan's hand. Then, he took the tea shakily, brought it to his lips, and took a big sip happily.
As Cuihuan's nominal "adoptive mother", Madam He naturally also received the tea served by her son - in - law. She smilingly presented a red envelope with her own hands.
Wei Dongling was surrounded by everyone and forced to sit on a chair. As the Fifth Princess of the royal family, she was also to be served tea by the newlyweds. Wei Dongling completely forgot to prepare her red envelope. She felt her empty robe and then her sleeves. Blushing with extreme embarrassment, she was laughed at by everyone.
Lin Baiwan quickly handed over a red envelope to save the situation. Waving his hand, he said, "Hey! Fifth Princess, didn't you ask me to hold it for you just now?"
Wei Dongling then touched her nose and said awkwardly, "Forgot, sorry!" She reached out to take the red envelope and then handed it to Cuihuan.
Someone shouted, asking the Fifth Princess to say a few words of blessing to the newlyweds. Wei Dongling stood up and said loudly, "I, the princess, hereby wish this couple to have a precious child soon and live in harmony for a hundred years!" Then, she waved her hand, signaling A Cheng to distribute rewards to the onlookers, which elicited cheers and applause.
Wei Dongling added, "In addition, to celebrate Brother Long and Huanhuan's wedding, our Tingfenglou Teahouse will officially open for business tomorrow! For three consecutive days, all milk tea and beverages will be 50% off! 50% off!"
Everyone in the room burst into laughter. How could there be an advertisement at such a moment?
Young Boss Yang from Changyun Cloth Workshop was the first to react. He clapped his hands and cheered. He had been craving milk tea for months since Tingfenglou had been closed.
Lin Baiwan, his son, and A Cheng all stood there stiffly, almost in tears.
During the month that Wei Dongling was in Xiliang, they had been constantly busy. They had been asking around about Old Master Su's whereabouts. After finally getting news of Old Master Su, they had barely rested for a few days before they were busy searching for Young Master Yu all over the capital. And just when Luo Xunlong was in a hurry to get married, they had been running around like spinning tops without a moment's rest.
Uncle Li and Luo Xunlong were good at martial arts and could help Miss Wei in the palace. They could only do their best to provide support in the rear. But now, Miss Wei announced in public without consulting anyone that the milk tea at Tingfenglou would be on sale starting tomorrow? This was going to kill them!
Wei Dongling thought, "Hey! Are you all stupid? Since the imperial concubines left the palace for mourning, a large number of maids and eunuchs have been idle. Isn't it easy to just transfer some of them over to help make pearl balls for three days?"
Moreover, after she led everyone to leave safely, they needed a means of livelihood. They couldn't just sit idle and eat up all their resources.
Everyone in the Su Mansion was stunned.
A Cheng thought, "Is this okay?"
Lin Baiwan said, "Alright then!"
Old Master Lin said, "Next time, give us a heads - up. Grandpa's heart is not very strong."
The matchmaker watched the family members exchanging glances with different expressions. She walked forward smilingly and asked Lin Baiwan for a reward. Lin Baiwan was in a good mood today. He quickly told A Cheng to give the matchmaker a huge red envelope. The matchmaker was so happy that she couldn't close her mouth and thanked them repeatedly before leaving.
At night, after seeing off all the guests, Wei Dongling and Ruan Niang finally had time to carefully check the wound on Qi Jinlan's back of the head in her room.
Next to the round table, Wei Dongling held a candle while Ruan Niang examined it carefully. She said with concern, "How could she be so reckless? It's so swollen now. You'll probably have to sleep on your side tonight." Apply the medicine properly, and it will get better in three to five days.
Just as Qi Jinlan was about to reply, there was a knock on the door. Pin Hao's voice came from outside, "Miss Jinlan, are you asleep? I heard you got injured, so I brought you some wound medicine."
Qi Jinlan was a bit at a loss. Was it appropriate for a man like Pin Hao to knock on a woman's door at night? She was just about to say that she didn't need it when Wei Dongling quickly covered her mouth. Pinching her throat, Wei Dongling replied, "Wait a moment." Then, she winked at Qi Jinlan, signaling her to open the door. Wei Dongling herself pulled Ruan Niang behind the screen.
If Pin Hao hadn't taken the initiative to bring Miss Qi back to the Su Mansion, would such a thing have happened on this happy day? Pin Hao should apologize to Qi Jinlan!
If there was really nowhere for Miss Qi to go, they had bought a small mansion when they found Old Master Su a few days ago. Sending Qi Jinxuan there would have made people feel better. Why did he have to make the Su Mansion look so ridiculous in front of everyone!
Qi Jinlan walked towards the door hesitantly, looking back several times. She opened the door with a trembling hand.
Pin Hao looked at her anxiously. He sized Qi Jinlan up and down and asked, "Miss Jinlan, are you okay?"
Qi Jinlan curtsied and lowered her head, saying, "Thank you, Lord Pin Hao, for your concern. I'm fine."
Hearing this, Wei Dongling was so anxious that she kept tapping on the screen. Fine my foot! Jump up and scold him! Make him apologize and learn a lesson! What, does the bump on your head not hurt anymore?
Pin Hao handed Qi Jinlan a bottle of wound medicine and said in a low voice, "It was my lack of consideration that caused you to get injured. I feel really bad about it. This is some excellent ointment I brought from the prince's mansion. I hope you'll get better soon."
Without waiting for Qi Jinlan's response, he stuffed the bottle into her hand. Qi Jinlan looked at the porcelain bottle in her hand, not knowing whether to accept it or not. She looked back into the room.
Pin Hao quickly took out a gold ingot from his robe and stuffed it into Qi Jinlan's hand. He said in a low voice, "Take this. I'm really sorry for causing you trouble." He hoped that she would feel a little more comforted because of this gold ingot.
Through the gap in the screen, Wei Dongling saw the shiny gold ingot in Qi Jinlan's hand. Jealousy made tears stream down her unruly lips.