With a long string of firecrackers ignited, Hua Niang set off atop a magnificent horse.
The thirteen Chai sisters followed closely by her side. To prevent Chai Yue from feeling unwell midway, Changsun Ling'er specifically had four palace maids carry a soft chair to follow behind the procession.
Initially, Changsun Ling'er wanted to arrange for a sedan chair to follow, but Chai Yue smiled and said that only Zhuzi could ride in a sedan chair today, which is why it was changed to a soft chair.
With music and fanfare all along the way, the wedding procession left the Duke's mansion and headed straight for the First Division's camp.
The First Division was stationed just outside the mansion. To prevent the training shouts from disturbing Chai Yue's rest, there was a distance of over a mile separating them.
The marriage of the two had long been rumored throughout the Heavenly Fire Army. The highly respected commander of the First Division was to be married and taken away in a sedan chair, which had caused quite a stir in the army.
Those who had been enlisted for a long time gathered on both sides of the road to watch the spectacle.
Most of these people were among the first batch of soldiers recruited from Fang Family Village and were familiar with Hua Niang and Ma Chao.
Therefore, upon seeing Hua Niang, dressed in wedding attire and riding a tall horse, they couldn't help but shout out teasingly.
"Hua Niang! Why are you marrying Brother Zhuzi? Otherwise, shall I get in your sedan chair and go with you?"
"Exactly, exactly! Hua Niang, Brother Zhuzi looks like a wooden club, how could he be as handsome as us!"
"Right, Hua Niang, after you meet Brother Zhuzi later, will you call yourself "niangzi" or "langjun"?"
"Hua Niang, shall we eavesdrop tonight?"
"Hua Niang, let me ask something everyone is curious about. Since you are marrying Commander Zhuzi, who will be on top tonight?"
"Exactly, exactly! If our commander is below, you must be careful not to break the spear!"
Hua Niang, riding on the horse, blushed all the way to her neck upon hearing this and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Although their words were a bit coarse, she could discern the well wishes behind their speech.
The Chai sisters beside her, hearing the soldiers' words, couldn't stop laughing.
They had never seen such a scene; it was too amusing.
However, as these soldiers spoke, their words became increasingly vulgar. Although Changsun Ling'er hadn't heard enough, her status was still a factor. If they continued like this, who knew what outrageous things they might say.
Thus, Changsun Ling'er, blushing, quickly shouted towards both sides of the road.
"Hey, hey, hey! That's enough! Be careful, lest your Second Division commander comes back to deal with you!"
"Besides, your Duke's wife is also here. Be careful, or your commander might spank you when you get back!"
The soldiers who were teasing were startled upon hearing this. They looked carefully through the wedding procession and indeed saw the pregnant Chai Yue among them.
At this, no one dared to say anything explicit anymore. They all became as well-behaved as kittens, and some were even apologizing to Chai Yue.
"Alright, it's nothing. Today is a good day, let everyone be happy. Don't be so restrained."
Seeing their tense expressions, Chai Yue glared at Changsun Ling'er and quickly stepped forward to appease the soldiers by the roadside.
"Alright, alright, Sister admits her mistake. I forgot that there's someone here who likes to hear such things."
Seeing Chai Yue glare at her, Changsun Ling'er held her arm and teased her, instantly making Chai Yue blush crimson.
Chai Yue, seizing the opportunity when no one was paying attention, lightly slapped Changsun Ling'er on the chest: "In my opinion, Sister feels embarrassed with so many people listening to such things, doesn't she?"
"Or, Sister, shall I ask my husband to find some soldiers to tell them outside your window tonight?"
After saying this, she covered her mouth and started laughing.
Changsun Ling'er didn't dare to retaliate, rolling her eyes, she said: "You, you're just bullying Sister with the little rascal in your belly!"
By the time the procession reached the First Division's encampment, all the soldiers of the First Division, except for the new recruits on training duty and those who had gone to the wedding procession to join the fun, had already lined up in two rows, waiting. There were at least a thousand of them.
Their own commander was actually being married off like a woman, which they found hard to believe, and even felt a little bit of shame.
Therefore, they were all prepared to give Hua Niang a show of strength. Anyway, this was a normal part of the wedding procession, and no one would show displeasure.
Seeing the wedding procession approach, they all clenched the sticks hidden behind their backs, ready to strike at any moment.
However, as the procession drew closer, they suddenly discovered a group of beautiful and charming ladies accompanying Hua Niang!
"Are these the bridesmaids?" The soldiers of the First Division doubted if they were seeing correctly and even rubbed their eyes.
"Company Commander, are we still going to beat them?" another soldier asked his company commander.
"Beat your sister! Do you still want to get married?" The leading company commander slapped the soldier on the forehead.
"With so many beautiful young ladies, why not think about how to take them home?"
"These are actually bridesmaids, damn it, who could possibly hit them?"
As they got closer, they also saw their Duke's wife among the bridesmaids.
Looking at Chai Yue, the company commander's heart pounded. He quickly shouted to the soldiers under his command: "Quick, throw away those sticks, throw them far away! Anyone who accidentally injures the Madam, I'll skin him alive!"
The soldiers were stunned for a moment, then quickly threw the sticks towards the back of the crowd, afraid that if they fell on the ground, Chai Yue might accidentally step on them.
That high, bulging belly housed the young Duke!
Hua Niang, looking at the sticks flying everywhere, was instantly dumbfounded. Was this a rhythm to beat her to death?
"Hehehehe, how is it, Hua Niang? Do you know now how correct it was to have us sisters be your bridesmaids!"
Zhang Yuanshuang, seeing Hua Niang's dazed expression, teased her with a laugh.
Hearing her words, Hua Niang snapped back to reality. Looking at the sticks that were still being thrown out of the crowd from time to time, she couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Ruthless Zhuzi, let's see how I deal with you tonight!"
"If I don't make you unable to get out of bed tomorrow, you won't know how a bull dies!"