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Chapter 384

Fortunately, with abundant connections, the master chef contributed two apprentices, Jiang Sheng was responsible for vegetables and dried goods, Zhang Tie took charge of the meat, and the wedding couplets were all handed over to Xu Mo.

Even the odd jobs were helped by Wen Zhiyun and Chang Yan.

Neither family was from Fengjing, without too many relatives and friends, it was expected that just three or four tables would be enough, to be neatly arranged in the yard and front hall.

The only problem was that the tables and chairs had to be borrowed, but the generous head shopkeeper of You Ran House offered to provide them.

When everything was prepared, the wedding was only one or two days away.

Jiang Sheng and Xiao Zhu took Zhang Xianglian to Heavenly Silk Store, and after trying on three to five bridal outfits, they unanimously chose the most expensive one.

"Too expensive, no." Zhang Xianglian was reluctant, "Wearing it only once, no need for something so expensive."

"Auntie don\'t worry, we\'ll give it to you as a gift," Jiang Sheng said breezily, "I and my brothers will pay for this bridal gown, to present it to our beloved auntie."

Zhang Xianglian\'s eyes moistened, but she still resolutely shook her head, wanting the cheapest one.

Jiang Sheng ignored her and signaled Xiao Zhu with his eyes.

Xiao Zhu immediately pushed Zhang Xianglian to look at other things. By the time the phoenix crown and jewelry were chosen, the most expensive bridal gown had already been delivered to the small courtyard.

The night before the wedding was also called the adorning night.

The bride’s family needed to bring over gold, silver, and other dowry items, pressed at the bottom of the dowry chests, so it was also known as pressing the bottom of the chest.

Jiang Sheng took back his coiled gold bracelet, feeling some heartache for a moment, but it was soon dispelled by the joy throughout the courtyard.

She walked through the swaying red lanterns, stepped over the flickering candles, and entered the bedroom pasted with bright red double happiness characters.

Inside, sitting on the luxurious bridal bed was a delicate and fragile woman. She walked from Shili Village to Fengjing, and in the thirty some years, gave birth to four children, but couldn’t keep any of them alive.

But she was not alone, because standing outside the door were all her children.

"Auntie," Jiang Sheng called out sweetly, "We\'ve come to adorn you."

The coiled gold bracelet, gold necklace, mandarin duck purse, jade pendant, dozens of acres of land deeds.

There was also an envelope from Chang Yan, who gently exhorted, "Auntie, don\'t rush to open this yet, keep it for the wedding night."

The gazes of the surrounding brothers and sisters were clearly disdainful: Only this kid would act mysterious.

Chang Yan just laughed gently, keeping his gaze on the auntie.

The sudden large amount of gold and silver, plus the papers written with her own name, even if Zhang Xianglian didn\'t recognize their value, she could also see they were precious.

"You..." She choked up, "You shouldn\'t spend so much, I can\'t accept, you are still children..."

"We hope auntie can be happy, and hope auntie will never fear again," Xu Mo said gently yet powerfully as the representative, "This is auntie\'s home, we are auntie\'s family. If auntie suffers any grievance, just come to the family to confide."

It wasn\'t spilled water, nor a discarded ball.

You have a home.

Zhang Xianglian cried out, the contrast between the past disgrace and current joy was so dreamlike she felt unreal.

Warmth was not actually hard to obtain. Even eating chaff and vegetables, as long as one was loved, there was love.

Outside came the sounds of urgent knocking, someone dropping the door bar, and heavy rushed footsteps, even the rough breathing was audible.

By the time the footsteps stopped, the person outside already had tears brimming, "Older sister, congratulations!"

Zhang Xianglian looked up in shock, unexpectedly seeing an old acquaintance from thousands of miles away, "Cui\'er, Qiquan, how did you..."

Not just her, even the Jiang siblings\' eyes were wide.

Only Chang Yan remained unruffled, with a faint smile.

"Thanks to Xiao Song sending us the news." Liu Cui walked in, looking Zhang Xianglian up and down, "Qiquan and I rushed over as soon as we got the message, luckily made it in time."

As for her battered bottom and exhaustion from rushing through the night, she didn\'t mention it at all.

"You coming is good, as long as you came." Zhang Xianglian wiped her tears, "Let me find you a place to rest, you must be exhausted. Have you eaten, I\'ll make some food."

"Aiya, about to get married tomorrow and still busy about this and that. We already booked an inn, no lack of food and drink." Liu Cui stopped her, "Sister, just let\'s have a good long chat, keep you company well."

The bedroom door was closed, and the two sisters laughed and cried, catching up properly on the past few years.

Only Zhang Qiquan, massaging his sore old waist and grumbling stomach, looked pitifully at Jiang Shengn, "Master, she\'s not hungry but I am."

The wedding banquet preparations were still ongoing in the yard, how could food be lacking.

The master chef had come over at some point, and after formally meeting Zhang Qiquan, immediately cooked a bowl of savory soup with baked cakes, simply divine cuisine.

Two bowls were also delivered to the bedroom, while urging them to rest early.

On the big wedding day, the bride had to get up before daylight to bathe, and invite the five blessings ladies to do her hair, while preparing the youths to carry the dowry.

The bride price was delivered yesterday, the deep red flowers still unopened, carried over with the dowry to the Kong residence altogether.

When the sun was high in the sky, the spirited master chef came with people to fetch the bride.

Led by Jiang Sheng, several mischievous boys made no lack of trouble, reciting acidic poems to make the groom read aloud, listening to which all present felt their teeth ache.

The groom finally saw the bride with great difficulty. The nervous master chef was so anxious he couldn\'t get a word out, so the beaming head shopkeeper came forward, "Congratulations Sister-in-law, celebrate Sister-in-law, auspicious timing has arrived, let\'s get on the bridal sedan."

"Let\'s go, onto the sedan!"

Zhang Xianglian had no brothers from her maternal side, so the sturdy Fang Heng from the Kongs gave her a steady lift onto the bridal sedan.

Her children all stood at the sides, smiling and clapping, faces full of joy.

"Auntie, you must gain happiness!"

"Xianglian Sister, live well!"

All seven boys excluding Jiang Wu, plus Xiao Song, neatly lifted the grand eight-man bridal sedan.

Xiao Zhu followed behind, hands full of copper coins, scattering handfuls wherever there were more children, eliciting cheers and blessings.

When the bridal sedan went far away, the suona music also faded into the distance.

The lively little courtyard quieted down, only the lingering aroma in the big iron wok evidenced the wedding feast.

"So this is the feeling when marrying off a daughter." Jiang Sheng sighed sagely, "The sedan leaving does feel somewhat dreary."

The later revelry was all at the Kong residence, the groom\'s home.

Luckily there were still guests arriving for the banquet, most were Zhang Xianglian\'s acquaintances from the workshop, Miao Zhaoying also came with Da Ya, currently exchanging money at the registry.

Commoners were poor, at most contributing ten-odd or twenty coins for a wedding feast, but the clerk Xu Mo still carefully recorded every name in beautiful writing.

Until someone put down fifty taels of silver ingots.

"Tan Yue Sister," Jiang Sheng was both shocked and delighted, "You came? And He Rui Brother too, you are here for the feast?"

"Yes," Tan Yue smiled gently. "We represent the old madam in coming, this is the gift money from Jiang Mansion."

"Hurry and sit then, food coming up." Like a little adult, Jiang Sheng nimbly led them to their seats.

After the sedan bearers like Xiao Song returned, the wedding feast officially began serving steadily.

The dishes were fresh, meat plentiful. Though it couldn\'t compare to You Ran House\'s lavishness, for commoners it was a rare treat of rich food.

Jiang Sheng ate till his face was rosy, even clamoring to keep a portion for Auntie Zhang to also taste.

Everyone was very happy.

Only the slender youth harbored melancholy, standing by the window where his oldest brother read, looking at his grinning second brother, stroking the long blade the third brother always carried, rolling the silver needles the fourth brother rarely let go of.

Finally, he carefully folded his little sister\'s red hair ribbon and solemnly tucked it into his sleeve. Picking up a writing brush, he gently danced it across the parchment.

"I\'ve been away for too long, it\'s time to return. Don\'t be sad, forever your little fifth."