From bright and early in the morning today, Marchioness Wei Ziqin and all the servants started getting busy.
Qiao Zhongbang greeted guests in the forecourt with a smile on his face from start to finish. He was happy for his second brother from the bottom of his heart.
Although the wedding planning had been a bit rushed, all of the necessary things that ought to be present were not lacking.
Second Uncle Qiao, who was marrying a wife again after 10 years, was a bit panicked too, making several blunders since early in the morning.
Even so, in order to avoid any possible delays that might cut into the auspicious time for the ceremony, Second Uncle Qiao set out from the estate with his groomsmen more than two hours in advance.
Meanwhile, the bride had been staying at the Ren Estate since the day before. Even though the two estates were considered neither far nor near each other, they were bound to be able to bring back the bride within two hours. There would not be a delay to the marriage ceremony.
As for Qiao Mu, she was wearing a festive crimson dress for once. She specially ran over to Brother Xiao Hu’s courtyard to check in on him.
When she entered, she could hear Brother Xiao Hu grousing to Shaoyao discreetly, “Shaoyao, it’s not like I’m a lucky charm. Just look at how I’m dressed. It’s my dad that’s getting married today, not me…”
Shaoyao said phooey to him.
Yet Qiao Hu went up to hug her with a grin and said, “Shaoyao, don’t you say this marriage between the two of us should be moved up the agenda now.”
“Bah!” Shaoyao rolled her eyes at him. “What do you mean ‘the two of us.’”
It was at this moment that the little fellow popped out like a candle that was as bright as the light produced by 10 million candles[1], shouting, “Brother Xiao Hu!”
This freaked out the embracing couple so much that they swiftly extricated themselves before hastily straightening out their collars with a light cough.
Qiao Mu sauntered up to the two people with her paws behind her back before circling around them. “Brother Xiao Hu, if you want to marry Shaoyao, you have to ask me first.”
Qiao Hu immediately went up to her with a simper while rubbing his palms together. “Younger Sis, you can’t bear to see your elder brother stay a bachelor forever.”
“I can’t say.” Qiao Mu tilted her petite head and stepped in front of Shaoyao. “With our Shaoyao being so outstanding, who wouldn’t she be able to find?”
Qiao Hu got agitated when he heard this, and he quickly grasped his younger sister’s petite hands. “Younger Sis, you cannot pull your brother’s leg.”
Qiao Mu cast him a glance before taking out a box and tossing it to him. “For you.”
“What is this, Younger Sis.”
“The mystic breakthrough pill I promised you last time.”
Qiao Hu was overjoyed as he opened it to take a look. The two globular mystic breakthrough pills inside were truly too pleasing to the eye.
“Younger Sis, you treat us so well.” Qiao Hu laughed foolishly as he rubbed the back of his head.
“I’m going now. I have to help Mom greet the guests.”
“Crown Prince Consort, I’ll go with you.” Shaoyao hastily cast off Qiao Hu as she caught up to Qiao Mu. Along the way, she informed, “When I came over just now, I heard that Mistress Eldest Aunt and Maternal Young Miss had returned.”
Qiao Mu was startled, but she finally realized after a moment that Shaoyao was referring to Qiao Wenxiu and her daughter.
While leading Shaoyao toward the courtyard where her mother was, Qiao Mu gave a nod and then inquired, “Has that whatever Yuan continued to stir up trouble for them afterwards.”
“After having Sir Pang attend to them for several days as Miss instructed, the situation did turn for the better, but that Zhou Yuan is like a rabid dog that can’t be shaken off.”
Qiao Mu nodded.
After all, every family had its hardships. Besides, she was merely an unmarried little lady, so she couldn’t interfere with too much and meddle in everything.
In any case, she could let her dad and mom handle these trivial affairs. Dad was her cousin Pu Ruolan’s uncle by blood, so he naturally would be able to back up Pu Ruolan with this identity as her elder.
[1] Alluding to the modern ‘3000-watt lightbulb’/unwanted third wheel saying.
