Li Zhao's parents died early. Among his family members, his grandmother loved him the most, while his second uncle hated him the most.
As for the rest, some respected, loved, and trusted him. Of course, there were also those who were jealous, dissatisfied, and resentful towards him.
Counting them all, those who loved him outnumbered those who disliked him.
He thought that in such a critical moment, it couldn't have been done by just one person to deceive the ears and eyes of the King of Chu and help him escape from the disaster of the clan's extermination. It must have taken the whole clan's efforts.
Those who loved him wanted him to live and continue the bloodline of the Li clan.
Two lines of hot tears rolled down from his eyes. He opened his mouth and silently said:
"Grandmother, uncles, and all the members of the Li clan, please rest in peace. Bingjun will surely carry on the flame of the Li clan."
Perhaps finally getting the promise from his mouth, the gentle breeze that had been hovering around him rose into the air and merged with other air currents.
Before the wind in the yard completely dissipated, everyone heard a long and contented sigh.
The souls of the Li clan could finally rest in peace.
This religious ceremony lasted for a full two hours. It was not until the afterglow of the setting sun shone on the old and moss - covered tile roofs of the Li Mansion that the golden bell in the hand of Taoist Yuanzheng finally fell silent.
Li Zhao, Jiang Mian, and Jiang Zhiqing surrounded the brazier and threw in the paper money and paper figurines they had prepared earlier.
The fire burned fiercely. The flames reflected on the faces of Li Zhao, Jiang Mian, and Jiang Zhiqing, making their faces as dazzling as the rosy clouds in the distance.
After the religious ceremony and burning the paper money, Li Zhao took the wine, poured a cup, bowed three times towards the altar, and spilled the wine on the ground.
Next were Jiang Zhiqing and Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian, following Li Zhao's instruction, handed the wine cup to Si Liu. Si Liu was greatly surprised and quickly waved his hand: "This... this is inappropriate."
Jiang Mian smiled faintly and said: "After this disaster, the Li clan is no longer as glorious and prosperous as before. My father is just an ordinary commoner now. There is no distinction between the noble and the humble. Everyone is here for the Li clan today. Let's all toast the members of the Li clan together."
Si Liu looked at Li Zhao. Li Zhao smiled and nodded at him. Only then did he take the wine cup, step forward, bow, and offer the toast.
After Si Liu took the lead, the others were no longer coy. One by one, they stepped forward.
Finally... it was Xiao Jingcheng, supported by Taoist Yuanzheng.
Jiang Mian looked a little surprised on her face.
Why was Xiao Jingcheng also...
Holding the wine cup, Xiao Jingcheng bowed respectfully towards the sacrificial table, with a solemn and serious expression.
In the past, both the Li and Xiao clans were noble families of high - ranking officials, and their family backgrounds were on par.
Now, although the Xiao clan had ascended to power in the Central Plains, it had only been in control of the world for less than twenty years. And the rise of the Xiao clan was closely related to the extermination of the Li clan.
The destruction of the Li clan rang the alarm bell for the Xiao clan, telling them that if the King of Chu did not die, the world would never be at peace.
As a member of the Xiao clan, he should offer this toast.
Li Zhao perhaps also thought of the connection. Seeing Xiao Jingcheng toast the deceased members of the Li clan, his expression changed slightly, and his gaze towards Xiao Jingcheng became a little softer.
After the sacrifice, it was almost dark.
"Thank you all for your help today. Otherwise, things would not have gone so smoothly. I, Li, should have hosted a banquet for you all in the mansion, but it's too late. Please go home quickly."
Li Zhao said to Si Liu and the others.
Si Liu quickly said: "Master Li is too polite. The Li clan has helped us so much, allowing our children to study and learn. What we did for the Li clan today is just a piece of cake."
Another person said: "Yes. Compared with what the Li clan has done for the people in the city, this is nothing."
"Will Master Li leave again after coming back? What are your plans for the future?"
Li Zhao looked at the person, smiled, and said:
"Nineteen years ago, Yingniang and I parted ways. We hadn't gotten married at that time. It was only a few months ago that I reunited with my wife and daughter. Now that I'm back in Luozhou, I plan to hold a wedding for Yingniang and me in the Li Mansion in a few days. I hope you all can come to support us then."
Jiang Mian and Jiang Zhiqing were both shocked.
Get married... in the Li Mansion?!
Jiang Mian had proposed to hold a wedding for her parents when they were in Guangdu County, but Li Zhao had not agreed.
Although she had guessed that Li Zhao had other plans, she never thought that he was going to marry Jiang Zhiqing in Luozhou, in the Li Mansion.
Jiang Mian looked at the person beside her. Jiang Zhiqing seemed to have also realized it. She covered her mouth tightly, with tears in her eyes, almost crying out.
Jiang Mian suddenly understood.
Yes, her father's consideration was right. They should get married in the Li Mansion.
This was the greatest respect her father could give to her mother.
In this way, the people of Luozhou would know that Jiang Zhiqing was the wife Li Bingjun had married through proper procedures, and she, Jiang Mian, was a legitimate descendant of the Li clan.
The people of Luozhou were also very happy to hear this.
"Great! After the wedding, the Li Mansion will be bustling again!"
"Yes, yes, it should be like this!"
"If Master Li and Mrs. Li need our help, just say the word. We will surely do our best!"
Li Zhao didn't answer them. Instead, he said to Taoist Yuanzheng: "Since we are going to get married, please choose a lucky day for us, Taoist."
Taoist Yuanzheng stroked his goatee and smiled: "Easy, easy."
After saying that, Li Zhao handed over the eight - character horoscopes of himself and Jiang Zhiqing that he had prepared earlier.
Taoist Yuanzheng calculated for a while with the two horoscopes, pinching his fingers and muttering to himself. Then he smiled at Li Zhao:
"Five days later, everything will be auspicious. It's the perfect day for you two to get married."
"After that, your life will surely be complete, everything will go smoothly, and you will be safe and happy."
"Five days is enough. Thank you, Taoist."
The commoners all patted their chests: "Master Li, don't worry. We'll take care of everything. We won't miss the great joy of Master Li and Mrs. Li!"
With the help of the people of Luozhou, who brought new bedding, candles, etc., Li Zhao, Jiang Mian, and the others planned to stay in the Li Mansion tonight instead of in the inn.
After seeing off the last person and closing the main gate of the Li Mansion, Li Zhao turned around and saw Jiang Zhiqing's tear - streaked face. He smiled.
He raised his sleeve to wipe the tears from her face and said: "Why are you crying? Aren't you happy that we're getting married in the Li Mansion?"
Jiang Zhiqing couldn't hold back anymore and threw herself into Li Zhao's arms, crying loudly.
"They say that women are made of water. I've really seen it today."
"Okay, okay, Yingniang. If you keep crying, the Luozhou River might dry up."
Jiang Zhiqing punched him hard and scolded him a few times. Instead, Li Zhao hugged her even tighter.
Jiang Mian was lying in the distance, watching, and couldn't stop smiling.
She got up and wanted to step back, but unexpectedly, there was a solid wall of flesh behind her. She exclaimed and bumped into the person. Neither of them could stand steady, and they fell to the ground entangled with each other.
Jiang Mian felt something gently brush against her lips. It was cool and a bit soft...