Chapter 136 Extra Ruili 1
When Ruijin got married, the Zhang family hosted a grand and lively celebration. Many relatives from the Zhang clan came to congratulate them, along with numerous merchants and officials from the city. Luo Yan, who doted on his only grandson, also saw many of his former students and friends - those who had received his kindness, gather for the occasion. The festivities rivaled the excitement of when Ruijin passed the imperial exams and the family secured the salt monopoly.
The eaves of the house were adorned with ten-meter-long red silk, and the garden gates were lit with bright red lanterns. The neighboring Luo family did the same, so despite the wedding being held in the cold of winter, the Zhang and Luo residences were decorated so vibrantly that the sight warmed hearts from afar.
The union of these two families was not just matched doors and families, but also one of master-disciple bonds and mutual respect. Moreover, the newlyweds were green plums and bamboo horse, and every guest who came to toast the wedding praised it as a perfect match.
[门当户对 (mén dāng hù duì): lit. matched doors and families; fig. a marriage between families of equal social status.]
[青梅竹马 (qīng méi zhú mǎ): lit. green plums and bamboo horse; fig. childhood sweethearts.]
From early morning, the sound of firecrackers never ceased, with one round barely finishing before another started, sometimes even bursting simultaneously from both families.
Ruili, being part of the host family today, had always loved a lively scene. After dressing up early, he was pulled into the courtyard to assist his Little Dad in greeting guests. By the time the bridal procession arrived, he had already busied himself all morning - his mouth dry from talking, his feet sore from walking. Once the ceremony concluded and the newlyweds were escorted to the bridal chamber, he slipped in after them.
"Ruili, are you sure it’s alright for you to stay with me? Though I couldn’t see much under the veil earlier, the noise outside suggests many guests are here. Won’t you be scolded for not attending to them?" Luo Yuxing sat properly on the crimson wedding bed, having been coaxed by Ruili to remove his veil and set it aside. He glanced at Zhang Ruili, who was sprawled on the soft couch, legs stretched out as a maid massaged his feet and shoulders, and spoke gently.
Ruili sat up, handing the fruit plate in his arms to a servant. "My dear Yuxing, even the donkey at the village entrance deserves a break. I’ve been running around all morning, my back and legs are killing me."
Luo Yuxing’s eyes flickered, and he suddenly moved closer to Ruili. "When you get married in the future, I’ll help you like this too, alright?"
Ruili threw his head back and giggled. "Oh please, by then you’ll be my elder sister-in-law. If I marry, you’ll definitely have to fuss over me too." He then flopped into Luo Yuxing’s arms. "But now that you two are married, so many hearts in Siyang will be broken." Sniffing the faint fragrance, Ruili feigned sorrow.
Luo Yuxing pushed him upright. "You didn’t want me to marry your brother?"
"Nonsense." Ruili shook his head and sighed. "I’ve long known that my stubborn elder brother had you in his heart. They say once he sets his mind on someone or something, he never wavers. How could I stand in the way? Having you join our family makes me happy."
A smile touched Luo Yuxing’s lips. "When did he tell you that?"
"Ages ago." Ruili lay back on the couch, resting his head on his hands, then patted the space beside him, inviting Luo Yuxing to join him.
"My brother became quite amusing after his ‘iron tree bloomed.’ If he saw something nice at the City Temple, he’d buy it. When he went to the provincial capital for exams, he’d return with a cartload of goods. Every year, when our family’s trade caravan traveled south or north, if they went to Jiangnan, he’d insist Uncle and Second Uncle bring back rare Suzhou embroidery. If they went to Sichuan, it had to be famous tea or Shu brocade. If they went to Huizhou, ink treasures were a must."
[铁树开花 (tiě shù kāi huā): lit. iron tree blooms; fig. a rare or miraculous event.]
Luo Yuxing lay beside him, puzzled. "What’s wrong with that?"
"You must realize my brother never used to care about such things. When he came to propose, were you so dazed you didn’t even check the betrothal gifts?"
After returning from the capital, Ruijin had been busy hosting banquets before suddenly proposing. The matter was rushed, and Luo Yuxing, never one to crave wealth, had only briefly heard his grandfather mention incorporating the betrothal gifts into his dowry before focusing on his own affairs. He hadn’t paid much attention.
He and Ruijin weren’t particularly old, and by most standards, their marriage was early. Though both families had long known of their mutual affection and expected a wedding eventually, no one anticipated it would happen so soon - so soon that Luo Yuxing hadn’t even prepared his bridal attire.
Though his grandfather was reluctant to part with him, he reasoned that the marriage was inevitable. Moreover, Ruijin’s proposal came at the peak of his reputation, with both local and capital families eyeing him as a son-in-law. That he chose to propose at such a time was a blessing, so the grandfather agreed without hesitation.
The wedding was scheduled for winter to give Luo Yuxing time to prepare, but it couldn’t be delayed too long. If held near the New Year, many relatives and friends would be too busy to attend, and combining the celebrations would create chaos. Pushing it to the following spring was also impractical, as Ruijin would soon leave for his new post in another prefecture.
Though the assigned prefecture neighbored Siyang and wasn’t as far as north-to-south travel, the journey still required crossing several counties, taking over half a month. Add another month for settling in, and there’d be no time left for a wedding.
Thus, the best compromise was this month.
Ruili said, "All those things my brother hunted down became your betrothal gifts. Never mind their value, your family is well-off and lacks no luxuries. What’s truly rare is the thought, that he’s had you in mind for so long."
Luo Yuxing’s cheeks flushed. Exactly so, he didn’t care about wealth, only sincerity.
Ruili squeezed his hand. "Don’t worry. Though my brother usually appears reserved and distant, those who truly enter his heart are cherished deeply."
Luo Yuxing had grown up under Luo Yan’s protection. Though he lost his parents young, his grandfather’s doting love made up for it. His nature was somewhat tender, and now, marrying young - though to someone he admired, with the Zhang family having watched him grow and adoring him, Ruijin’s imminent departure for his post meant leaving his grandfather’s shelter. He couldn’t help but feel some unease.
But after hearing Ruili’s words, his heart felt lighter.
[Many thanks to GisenyiDuverge, because she was the one who told me that the previous chapter wasn’t the last one. She was also the one who bought these chapters so we could read them together.
Thank you...😊]
You're welcome! And thank you for the translation!!
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