Honey Pomelo

Chapter 212 The General's Daughter

The Zhuangyuan groom returned, and the wedding ceremony immediately entered its climax.

Almost all the high officials of the court were present. After all, even the Crown Prince, Prince Yun, and Prince Xin, the three princes most likely to inherit the throne, had personally attended. It would have been rather impolite not to come for a drink of wedding wine at this time.

Although many of these people were there for Han Jiayan and the Princess, it didn't stop them from enjoying the sight of the Zhuangyuan groom making a fool of himself.

By the time Zhao Zhen walked out, Han Mo was already surrounded by a large group of children.

Although these children were all dressed in hempen clothes, they could not be forcibly driven away on such an occasion.

It wasn't until Zhong Yanchong and the others scattered a lot of copper coins that a path was cleared for Han Mo.

"Getting married is really not ordinary tiring..."

As he was about to enter, Han Mo whispered into Zhong Yanchong's ear.

"Brother Han, if you help me get a good position with Prince Xin, will you help me fend off the wine today?"

"Prince Xin? Do you still need me to help you get it?"

Han Mo gave Zhong Yanchong a meaningful glance. He really hadn't expected that his previous pretense, which had deceived the world, had not deceived Zhong Yanchong.

"Who in Bianliang city doesn't know that your relationship with Prince Xin's attending scholar is unusual? If not you, who else should I ask? Besides, my family matters are my business, and yours are yours. Don't mix us up!"

Zhong Yanchong winked at Han Mo as he spoke.

Hearing him say that, Han Mo also breathed a sigh of relief. So that's what it was!

"Then it's settled. Today's drinking is all up to you!"

Looking at the dense crowd at the entrance, Han Mo already felt a headache.

Although the wine back then had a low alcohol content, about twenty to thirty degrees.

But it couldn't withstand how heartily people drank now.

Especially since there were quite a few military officers among the guests today. When they got excited, they would just pick up a jar and drink.

He could handle one or two, but looking at the hundreds of people at the entrance, even a small cup from each person could get him drunk.

"It's a deal!"

After receiving Han Mo's promise, Zhong Yanchong's spirits suddenly lifted.

Although the Zhong family was a renowned military family in the court, Zhong Yanchong was currently on the civil official path, and the family's influence could not help him much at this time.

Since he was from a military family, if he could get a position in the Grand Marshal's office in Daliang, perhaps his day of prominence would be just around the corner.

With Zhong Yanchong's knowledge and his own deep background, he would be of great benefit to Xu Churen in stabilizing the situation in Hebei.

Han Mo saw no reason not to go along with such a mutually beneficial arrangement.

After the bride crossed the brazier and the horse's saddle, and after the ceremony, the bride was sent to the bridal chamber. Han Mo finally had a moment of respite.

"This is for you, use it for now!"

While the groom changed his clothes, Zong Ying quietly slipped in from outside and sneakily stuffed an oil-paper package into Han Mo's hand.

"Brother Zong, you are truly my savior!"

As soon as the paper package was in his hand, Han Mo smelled the aroma of roast chicken legs.

He couldn't even bother to change his clothes. He grabbed the greasy, roasted chicken and tore into it with big bites.

After finishing the entire chicken leg and drinking half a pot of tea from the teapot beside the table, he barely felt alive.

"Hahaha, the national mood is getting stranger and stranger. From the fifth watch until noon, not a single bite of food is given. I heard that at the wedding of a son of a minister from the Ministry of Revenue last time, the groom actually fainted from hunger!"

Looking at Han Mo's ravenous eating, Zong Ying had the expression of someone who had been through it all.

"You don't know, if you don't get me some food soon, I'll faint from hunger in a moment!"

Han Mo said with a wry smile.

"Alright, today is your wedding day, I won't talk about those annoying things. There's still some time before the banquet, so hurry up and rest!"

Seeing Han Mo's distressed look, Zong Ying patted his shoulder with a headache before turning and walking out.

This was probably Han Mo's only wedding in his two lives. Although the wedding process was very strict, and the rules to be followed were indeed ridiculously numerous.

However, he didn't know if Han Mo had a masochistic tendency, but after filling his stomach, looking at the bustling crowd outside, he actually felt a little excited.

Although among the officials present, Liang Shicheng and Wang Fu were the most distinguished in terms of rank.

However, for various considerations, Han Jiayan ultimately chose Prince Yue, Zhao Si, as the witness for the ceremony.

However, to save face for Liang Shicheng, he was given the position of master of ceremonies.

Fortunately, this Prince Yue was the current Emperor's own brother, so even if Liang Shicheng was more forceful, he couldn't find fault.

Facing these distinguished figures, plus the royal descendants of noble status, Han Mo naturally had no reason to refuse.

However, when it came to middle and lower-ranking officials, Zhong Yanchong's role became evident.

He cracked jokes and helped Han Mo fend off drinks, and it went on for more than an hour. Finally, when Han Mo started to stagger, the nobles finally let him go.

Only when the servants helped Han Mo back to the bridal chamber did Han Mo realize that Zhong Yanchong, that scoundrel, was not just a good drinker!

Seeing that two jars of wine had already gone into his belly, the guy acted as if nothing had happened and was still drinking with several familiar sons of military families.

Recalling the time he was almost drunk to death by them, Han Mo cursed inwardly, "Damn it, I can never drink with this scoundrel again!"

Only after the door to the bridal chamber was closed did Han Mo finally relax completely.

"It's a joyous occasion today, I wonder if you can drink a little less..."

Hearing Han Mo close the door, Zhe Yourong, who was sitting on the bed, immediately complained in a low voice.

"I wish I could drink less, but do those scoundrels outside let me? You don't know, if Brother Zhong hadn't fended off the drinks for me today, I would have been drunk by them even if I were ten times as strong!"

Han Mo spoke as he poured himself a cup of tea, rinsed his mouth, and then felt much more relaxed.

After letting out a long sigh, Han Mo realized that Zhe Yourong was still sitting motionless on the bed.

"Let's be honest, who doesn't know who? You must be hungry after working all day. How about we eat something first, and then continue with the next steps?"

"You!"

Hearing Han Mo's flippant tone, Zhe Yourong gritted her teeth in annoyance.

Her bridal veil hadn't even been lifted yet, and this guy was already making sarcastic remarks.

A scholar can bear it, but it's unbearable! An uncle can bear it, but an aunt can't bear it either!

Without a word, Zhe Yourong lifted her veil and stood up from the bed.

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? Don't you forget, today is our wedding night. You're not going to fight me, are you?"

"Hey, hey, hey, murdering your husband will get you drowned in a pigsty!"

...

The joys of the Zhuangyuan's chamber are naturally not to be revealed to outsiders. However, the aftermath of this night's revelry left a few words in the history books of later generations.

Three days later, the Zhuangyuan groom Han Mo had an audience.

The Emperor asked: "Why are the corners of your lips dark?"

Han Mo replied: "I did not heed my teacher's words and only punished myself."

The Emperor asked: "What do you mean?"

Han Mo replied: "My teacher said, only women and villains are difficult to raise, and this humble subject did not believe it."

The Emperor said: "A daughter of a general, her reputation is well-deserved."