The maids of the Cheng Family were parroting what happened to Second Miss Cheng and Sister-in-law Cheng.
As soon as Second Miss Cheng heard Manbao’s question and Bai Dalang’s answer, her face turned crimson. Sister-in-law Cheng chuckled, just about to tease her when they heard a commotion in front, and a servant girl ca running quickly, saying, "Miss, the young master and they have entered, they’re already waiting in the flower hall."
Bai Dalang was ushered by the crowd to the front hall, where Mrs. Cheng was already seated. He hurriedly went to pay his respects, and only with the madam’s permission did the Cheng family servants call for Second Miss Cheng from the side chamber.
Manbao and Lijun, along with a few others, ran to see Second Miss Cheng, escorting her to the front hall, where they watched her and Bai Dalang bid farewell to Mrs. Cheng.
Mrs. Cheng gave them so advice and, holding back tears, entrusted her daughter to Bai Dalang.
Cheng Dalang then stepped forward, carrying his sister on his back, and delivered her to the sedan chair in the front courtyard, marking the start of the bridal procession.
Manbao and their group followed along to join in the festivities. After all, they weren’t really family on the Cheng side, if anything, they were with Bai Dalang’s side, so it was only proper to attend the Bai family’s wedding reception.
Wei Zhi managed to take so ti to watch a wedding, but before he could get comfortable, this group of guests was swept along to Changqing Alley.
It wasn’t until they were seated that they realized they had ended up attending two banquets, celebrating both the bride’s departure and the groom’s reception.
Lord Wei couldn’t help but shake his head slightly, glancing over to see Tang He and Yang Heshu sitting nearby. He nodded slightly to them and asked, "Did you two take leave to co here?"
Both of them replied with a smile, "Yes," and Yang Heshu laughed, "I was acquainted with Old Master Bai back when I was in Luojiang County; however, I didn’t expect Lord Wei to be here too."
Lord Wei chuckled, "I also visited Qili Village before Lord Yang, and I was staying at Old Master Bai’s at that ti."
Just then, Old Master Bai ca over with a wine cup, and Lord Wei raised his cup to express his gratitude for the hospitality he received back then.
Old Master Bai repeatedly bowed humbly. The invitation from Wei Zhi was delivered by Manbao, and he’s no fool; he knew well enough who the invitation was truly for.
Of course, there was also so reason to do with the Bai Family. After all, they did have so connections, didn’t they?
In the capital, the Bai family didn’t have many relatives and friends. Besides Bai Shan and the Zhou Family, they had so distant relatives, most of which were considered clan related.
Old Master Bai didn’t send out invitations to them; first, they weren’t familiar, and second, they hadn’t really interacted much before. Sending invitations suddenly might make people think it was rely for gift money.
Thus, the remaining guests were the classmates and friends of the four children.
When Old Master Bai was planning the guests, he specifically gave many invitations to the four of them. He declared, "It’s not about the gift money, it’s about the liveliness. It wouldn’t do for a banquet to have more household servants than guests, right? The more bustling it is, the more prosperous their days will be in the future."
As soon as Bai Dalang heard this, he quickly invited all the ntors, classmates, and friends he could think of. Bai Shan did inquire about inviting Feng Zongping and others, but it wasn’t easy to take leave from the Chongwen Pavilion. Wouldn’t it be absurd if everyone from the Chongwen Pavilion ca just for a wedding banquet at his house?
So, he didn’t invite them but instead invited forr classmates from the Imperial Academy.
Bai Erlang did the sa; after so discussion, the two of them quietly sent a card to Libationer Kong on behalf of Bai Dalang.
After all, Bai Dalang was one of Libationer Kong’s students, wasn’t he?
Of course, Libationer Kong couldn’t make it, for all the students at the Imperial Academy were his students, numbering in the thousands. If he had to attend every student’s wedding, how much wine would he have to consu in a year?
However, he took note since it was rare to receive a wedding invite from an unfamiliar student, so he took the ti to write a piece for Bai Dalang.
Old Master Bai was particularly delighted upon seeing this and had it frad, planning to take it back to hang in the front hall at ho.
The writing of Libationer Kong is quite famous.
Manbao invited all the doctors and imperial physicians she was familiar with, whether they had ti to co, she didn’t concern herself.
But since even Wei Zhi ca, naturally, others would co to give face to Zhou Man, so quite a few people showed up.
Even though it wasn’t in their hotown, this wedding was held with great festivity and decorum. Cheng Dalang, who escorted the bride, was quite satisfied after seeing it.
His satisfaction led him to pour more wine into Bai Dalang.
Bai Dalang had already downed three cups and was feeling a bit dizzy, so he looked over to Bai Shan and Bai Erlang beside him.
The two of them picked up on it imdiately, and even though they weren’t keen on drinking, they mustered up the courage to step in. After a cup each, Bai Shan realized the situation wasn’t looking good, so he quietly sneaked away, heading next door to fetch Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang, saying, "Brother Zhou Wu, Sixth Brother Zhou, it’ll be your turn next month. Let’s have a rehearsal today."
Zhou Wulang and Zhou Liulang were pushed to Bai Dalang’s side. By this ti, Bai Dalang’s classmates were stepping up to propose a toast, so they had no choice but to step up.
Zhou Wulang was okay with alcohol, although he didn’t particularly dislike drinking. While drinking, he lanted, "If only Fourth Brother were here, this kind of thing wouldn’t faze him at all."
Zhou Liulang nodded and said softly, "I wonder where Fourth Brother is now. My wedding is on the eighth; he has to make it back, right?"
Bai Shan said, "I know where he is."
Zhou Liulang was surprised, turning his head to him, "You’re that amazing? Where is he?"
Bai Shan pointed ahead, "Look, over there."
Zhou Liulang and Bai Erlang turned to see Zhou Silang being guided in by a servant, scanning the crowd with his eyes before locking gazes with both Zhou Liulang and Bai Shan.
Zhou Liulang imdiately turned to go over, but Bai Dalang grabbed him and pulled him over, "Sixth Brother Zhou, co here, I’ll introduce you; this is Young Master Zhao, my classmate..."
So, was this about deflecting the toasts?
Zhou Liulang couldn’t break free, while Bai Shan, who wasn’t good with alcohol, slipped away and ran over to et Zhou Silang, "Fourth Brother Zhou,"
He noticed Xiang Mingxue standing by and gleefully said, "Brother Xiang is back too. When did you arrive?"
"Got ho half an hour ago, but none of you were ho," Zhou Silang said. But what really surprised him was, "Did my parents co?"
Heaven knows how shocked Zhou Silang was when he learned about it, so he simply took a quick wash, changed clothes, without even washing his hair, and hurried over with Xiang Mingxue.
Bai Shan led them to the main hall, saying, "Uncle Zhou is in the hall, while Manbao and the others are in the garden. Who would you like to see first?"
Zhou Silang paused, then turned his steps, "I’ll see Manbao first."
Bai Shan chuckled and went to the garden with him.
The female guests were there in the garden. Bai Shan stopped a maid along the way, asking her to fetch Manbao, then he and Zhou Silang, along with their acquaintance, found a large rock in the garden to sit and wait.
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