Because too many guests arrived at the family's home today, they couldn't even entertain them all...
As a result, when Prefect Chen and his wife, along with Inspector Qin and his wife, alighted from their carriage, there was no one at the entrance to greet them.
"Wow, what a lively scene! The Old Yun family sure knows how to put on a show. If you didn't know better, you'd think the Emperor himself had arrived!" Madam Huang remarked, looking at the red silk streamers and large red flowers adorning the doorframe, as well as the festive 'xi' characters on the door panels.
Prefect Chen nudged her and reminded her, "Today is Er Man's wedding. Don't just blurt out whatever comes to mind. If you dare to spout any more nonsense, I'll deal with you when we get back..."
Madam Huang rolled her eyes dismissively. "It's just a wedding, what's the big deal? To put it bluntly, they're all country folk. It's embarrassing to hold such a grand wedding!"
Prefect Chen: "..."
Inspector Qin and Madam Xue: "..."
Wait, if you're saying that, does that mean country folk aren't allowed to have weddings?
So, they should just go to the bride's home, carry her back, have a meal, and then consummate the marriage that night?
"Mom, please stop talking!" Chen Xiaoran tugged at Madam Huang.
Ever since they returned home from Dashui Village last time, her parents had been bickering constantly, never a moment of peace...
Often, over a trivial matter, the couple would argue all day long.
Chen Xiaoran felt that their days together were probably numbered.
After alighting from the carriage, Qin Yiyi and Qin Fenglan eagerly ran into the courtyard.
They hadn't seen their sister Xi Tian for a long time and missed her dearly...
As early as half a month ago, Yun Erman had sent someone to deliver a letter and an invitation to Inspector Qin. It would be great if he could come, but they would understand if he couldn't.
After all, the Inspector was so busy; how could he travel a thousand miles to a village just to attend a wedding?
Moreover, the Old Yun family was not some high-ranking official or noble, so there was no need for him to come personally...
As fate would have it, Inspector Qin happened to have nothing to do recently, so he brought his wife and children.
Yun Jinshan had rushed back from the academy that morning. His father was getting married, and he absolutely had to come back to witness it and join the festivities.
"Huh?" Little Xi Tian, sitting on a stool, blinked her big eyes. "Sister Yiyi, Sister Xiao Lan? Why are you here?"
As she spoke, she hopped off the stool and ran towards them...
Qin Yiyi scanned the crowd, and seeing Jinshan helping to carry dishes, she felt a little relieved.
It was good that Jinshan was at home.
It seemed this trip wasn't in vain!
"We're here to attend Brother Er Man's wedding!" Qin Yiyi said with a smile.
Qin Fenglan, with her arms crossed, had a detached expression...
She had come to Dashui Village purely to visit Little Xi Tian. As for weddings and love, they had nothing to do with her.
"Welcome, welcome!" Little Xi Tian's eyes curved into crescents as she pulled her two little sisters to sit beside her. "We've made a lot of delicious food today. You must be hungry. Come, have some blood sausage, gnaw on some big bones..."
Little Xi Tian enthusiastically served them food.
Gao Jingde glanced towards the entrance and thought to himself, since Yiyi and Fenglan were here, then Xiaoran must be here too, right?
As expected, Chen Xiaoran stepped over the threshold and bounced into the courtyard...
Gao Jingde's face lit up. He put down his chopsticks and went to meet her, "Sister Xiaoran!"
"Brother Jingde!"
The two little dumplings held hands and, without even eating, went to the back garden to catch dragonflies.
Shangguan Fang'er scratched her face, gnawing on a big bone, and observed her surroundings.
What was going on with all these couples?
Had they arranged their marriages since childhood?
"Fang'er!" Yun Sanman came out of the kitchen with a plate of jelly. "Try this jelly, it's made by Big Sister-in-law..."
"What's jelly?" Shangguan Fang'er asked curiously.
"You'll know when you try it. Here, let me feed you!" Yun Sanman picked up a piece of jelly, dipped it in garlic sauce, and offered it to Shangguan Fang'er.
Kong Xingzhuo, who was drinking his sorrows away: "..."
Scumbag!
If Gao Fengjuan saw this scene, wouldn't she be furious to death?
Yun Erman was greeting guests with a wine cup in hand. He hadn't eaten a single dish yet, but his face was already flushed and he was swaying unsteadily...
The people of Dashui Village drank honestly, without holding back. If the cup was full, they'd drain it in one go.
Emperor Cheng was eating with great relish. He hadn't tasted such delicious food in years.
Putting aside everything else, the pork offal stew, despite being greasy, had a wonderful flavor when the pickled cabbage, blood sausage, big bones, and pork belly were stewed together...
The imperial chefs in the palace could never produce such a delicacy.
"My Lord, eat slowly. Have some water!" Eunuch Zhao stood by, serving him.
"Old Zhao, you try some too. When we leave, we absolutely have to scoop up some pickled cabbage or something." Emperor Cheng was in an exceptionally good mood.
Eunuch Zhao replied with an "En."
To think that the dignified Son of Heaven would ask for pickled cabbage. How much did he love it...
Well, it was rare for the Emperor to have such a good appetite, so eating more was fine.
Emperor Cheng sat at a table with Old Man Yun, the village chief, and Fu Daqiang.
Madam Gu sat with the village women, chatting and laughing. Everyone was very happy.
But as soon as they saw Qin Yiyi and Qin Fenglan, as well as Chen Xiaoran, the elderly couple stood up and hurried towards the entrance...
Prefect Chen and Inspector Qin had arrived, so they naturally had to go and greet them personally.
Emperor Cheng felt a flicker of curiosity and asked Eunuch Zhao, "Who has arrived?"
He had also seen three young girls run in earlier, but he didn't know whose children they were.
Eunuch Zhao shook his head. "I'm not sure..."
Xiao Jinheng coughed lightly, put down his chopsticks, and leaned close to his father's ear to whisper a few words.
Emperor Cheng heard him and said, "Oh, so it's them!"
A moment later, Old Man Yun and Madam Gu welcomed Prefect Chen and his wife, along with Inspector Qin and his wife, inside.
"Hahaha, lively, truly lively!" Inspector Qin exclaimed loudly, his mood extremely cheerful.
Prefect Chen was even more excited. He looked at the dishes on the table and smelled the aroma of wine wafting through the air, his mouth watering with anticipation...
If he didn't get thoroughly drunk today, he wouldn't go home.
"My Lords, please take the honored seats!" Old Man Yun invited them to the main table, while Madam Gu led Madam Huang and Madam Xue to sit with the other women.
Because they often visited Dashui Village, they were very familiar with the villagers, but they hadn't noticed Emperor Cheng.
So, after sitting down, Prefect Chen, without a word, picked up his wine bowl and drained it. "Haha, that's the spirit!"
Emperor Cheng: "..."
Inspector Qin took a bite of pickled cabbage, his eyes scanned the surroundings, and suddenly, his body trembled. He stared fixedly in one direction.
Emperor Cheng raised his gaze and looked at him.
Then, with a muffled thud, Inspector Qin toppled under the table.