Chapter Thirty-Five: Yue Fei's Wedding

  Yue Fei and others returned to Qilin Village, brothers went home with their parents to talk about the imperial examination and Yue's recognition of his ancestors, the officials heard it naturally delighted, after delighting a bit sad.

  The next day, several officials gathered at Wangjiazhuang to discuss the matter of Yue Fei's recognition of his ancestors and return to his ancestral home.

  "Yue Fei and his mother can return to their hometown, recognize their ancestors, and naturally it's a good thing. However, the children have sworn brotherhood with Yue Fei, inseparable as shadows. If Yue Fei returns to his hometown in Tongyin, what about the kids? Should they follow him too? If they go to Tongyin, should we also follow them?" Zhang Da was hesitant and uncertain in his heart.

  "In my opinion, this is not a bad thing. I heard from my family member Tang Huai that Liu Duoyuan asked Yue Fei to take the position of Zhongjun, but Yue Fei politely declined. From this, it can be seen that Yue Fei has great ambitions and will definitely become a great talent in the future. The children who follow him will also make a name for themselves, and our faces will also gain honor. Why don't we just go to Tangyin with them? We can entrust our family members to manage the household here. Tangyin is not far from Neihuang, and we can come back anytime we want. For the sake of the children's future, I am willing to abandon my home and business to head to Tangyin." said Tang Wenzhong.

  "I also had such an intention, but I haven't made up my mind yet, so please come and discuss it with me. Since Brother Tang has this intention, then I won't hesitate anymore." Wang asked.

  "Since the two brothers have made up their minds, I don't have any objections. However, I wonder what Yueshan thinks about this in her heart? In my opinion, it's better to ask for Yueshan's opinion first before making a decision." Zhang Da said.

  Just as they were discussing, Yue Fei walked in and bowed to the three officials, saying: "Three uncles, Yue Fei thanks you for your care and concern for my mother and me over the years. I am about to recognize my ancestors and return to my clan, so I came to inform you."

  "Peng Ju, you get along extremely well with your brothers in Qilin Village, like a family. If you leave, how can these younger brothers bear it? Moreover, Master Zhou has left a will, wanting the younger ones to follow you together to achieve great things. They cannot be separated from you." Wang Yuanwai said.

  "Three uncles, I am also reluctant to leave you. However, I have received the kindness of Lord Liu and the hard work of Lord Xu, and it is difficult for me to go against their wishes. I can only leave all the uncles and brothers, which is also a helpless move." Yue Fei said.

  "Good nephew, we have a great idea, to keep you brothers together for life, never to be separated." said Zhang Yuanwai.

  "Zhang Bobo, what a good idea? Quickly tell me." Yue Fei asked happily.

  "Just now we several people discussed it together and decided to go with you to Tangyin," said Zhang Da.

  "General Zhang, it's absolutely impermissible. What merits or abilities does General Yue have? I dare to trouble all of you seniors to accommodate me and spare the life of a junior like myself." Yue Fei hastily said.

  "My dear nephew, don't worry, we will send someone to take care of the family business here. The road is not far, and you can come back in a day or two if you want to. We made this decision only because we hope that the children will follow in your footsteps and achieve great things in the future, bringing glory to our ancestors."

  "Xianzhong, we have already made up our minds and are of one heart, so you needn't decline," said Tang Yuanwai.

  Yue Fei had no choice but to return home and report this matter to his mother.

  "A few of the gentlemen's actions are truly moving, but they have large families and many people in Qilin Village, it's not easy for them to relocate to Xiaotangli. I'll discuss this with them again." said Yue Anren.

  "Auntie, no matter what, I and my mother must go with you to Tangyin," said Niu Gao.

  "Of course I welcome you and your mother traveling together. In the future when your brothers go out, we older sisters will have a say at home." said Yue Anren.

  "Mother, I'm going to move to Tongyin. This is a big matter and I'd like to report it to Father-in-law. Today, Father-in-law has also helped me a lot," Yue Fei said.

  "This naturally requires a personal visit to bid farewell and thank. Fei'er, you go to the county government tomorrow to see your father-in-law and bring some gifts." Yuen Anren said.

  The next morning, Yue Fei bid farewell to his mother and rode into the city on horseback. He bought some candies on the street and went straight to the government office.

  The gatekeeper saw Yue Fei's arrival and hastily reported it to the county magistrate.

  Li Chun saw Yue Fei coming and came out of the pavilion to welcome him.

  After arriving at the back hall, Yue Fei thanked his father-in-law for his support and told him in detail about everything that had happened during the examination in Xiangzhou. Li Chun listened with gratitude in his heart towards Liu Du Yuan and Xu Xian Zhu.

  "Father-in-law, I, the humble son-in-law, have been favored with the love of Director Liu. He has ordered Governor Xu to investigate my hometown and build a house for me, and has commanded me to move back to my hometown."

  "All this is thanks to your father's kindness in recommending me. I have come today especially to thank you." said Yue Fei.

  "Son-in-law, there's no need for so much courtesy, we're all one family, don't be polite. It's just that your and my daughter's marriage should be arranged now. Since my wife passed away, I've never remarried, and my daughter has lost her mother's love since childhood, it's really pitiful. I want you two to get married soon, to fulfill my long-held wish. Son-in-law, I know you're a man of great ambition, you can't stay at home all the time. Your mother is old and needs someone to take care of her, after my daughter gets married, she can serve your mother morning and night. This is my top priority, please hurry back home and tell your parents, choose a good day, I'll personally send my daughter over. No need for betrothal gifts, as long as you two love each other in the future." Li Chun said.

  Yue Fei listened and thanked him a thousand times over.

  Bid farewell to Father-in-law, ride horse back to Qilin Village, and report this matter to mother.

  Yue An was delighted when he heard his son's words. He invited Wang Yuanwai, Zhang Yuanwai and Tang Yuanwai to discuss the marriage together.

  Everyone was delighted when they heard about Yue Fei's marriage.

  "It's been a long time since we've had a lively occasion, this time we must make it lively. Miss Li is the county master's daughter, and we can't skimp on etiquette. As for the betrothal gifts, our three families will add two to one to make five, and take care of everything." said Zhang Yuanwai.

  "That's natural, and there's no need to worry about the new house either. The Wang family mansion has plenty of rooms, just vacate a few and that's it. Everyone will make preparations separately, this time we must have a grand feast for the guests, and hold the wedding in a grand manner." Mr. Wang said.

  "We'll be moving soon, so it doesn't matter if we spend a bit more money, as long as everyone is happy and lively," said Tang Yuanwai.

  Yue Anren was deeply grateful for everyone's generosity, and Yue Fei thanked everyone on behalf of his mother.

  Having chosen a auspicious day, the five brothers of Yue Fei rode horses to the county government office to deliver the betrothal gifts. After returning home, they helped the family servants set up the festive venue.

  The Wang family's grand courtyard is decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, filled with laughter and chatter. The drummers and musicians are playing lively music to welcome the guests from afar, who have all gathered together in a joyful and bustling atmosphere.

  Li Chun led the crowd of yamen runners carrying Miss's sedan chair and dowry, blowing trumpets and beating drums as they came. The five brothers of Yue Fei, dressed in red and decorated with streamers, led the way at the front.

  Arrived at Wangjiazhuang, firecrackers burst into sound, drums and music shook the sky.

  The county magistrate ordered the servants to carry the dowry to both sides of the Wang family's main hall and arrange them, then the flower sedan chair arrived. According to local customs, Yue Fei kicked open the sedan door, and two matrons supported Miss Li down from the sedan, coming to the central hall, where five brothers of Yue Fei stood on both sides.

  The wedding ceremony began, the musicians played music, the master of ceremonies took his place, and Yue Fei and Miss Li arrived at the center of the main hall. The elders, including Yue Anren, Zhong Yuanwai, Niu Anren, and Li Xianzhu, sat in the upper seats of the main hall. The couple bowed to each other according to etiquette and then paid their respects to the guests.

  The ceremony ended, and the bridesmaid escorted Miss Li into the bridal chamber. Yue Fei and his brothers thanked the guests in the main hall.

  The Wang family's large courtyard was filled with guests, the hall was packed, and tables were arranged from the main hall to the surrounding side rooms, totaling several dozen.

  The banquet began, with the sound of wine cups clinking, congratulations and laughter filling the air. Everyone was drinking freely and having a great time.

  After three rounds of wine, County Magistrate Li stood up and said to the officials: "My young son-in-law and daughter are still young, relying on your care. There are many things in the yamen that are not convenient for a long stay, so I'll take my leave now and thank you all."

  The county magistrate's subordinates repeatedly tried to persuade him to stay, but Li Xianzhi was determined to leave. The crowd had no choice but to put down their wine cups and send the county magistrate out of the gate.

  The wedding feast lasted until dusk, with everyone cheering and drinking merrily, only stopping when they were drunk.

  The next day, Yue Fei went to the county government office to thank his relatives, and all his brothers went together.

  Yue Fei bowed to his relatives, and all the brothers also paid their respects to the county master.

  Li County magistrate set up a banquet and warmly entertained all the guests.

  "My son-in-law, you and your brothers will go to the capital to take the imperial examination in the future. Be sure to let me know when you do, I'll be waiting here for good news." Li Chun said.

  "Please be at ease, General. I won't forget the kindness you've shown me. As soon as there's news, I'll come back to see you," Yue Fei said.

  Li Chun listened and was delighted in his heart.

  "My father-in-law, my younger brother and I will be leaving for our old home in Tongyin three days later. Due to the urgency of time, we bid farewell today. For any disrespect, please forgive us." Yue Fei said this and bowed again to Li Chun.

  All the brothers also bid farewell one by one. Li Chun saw that they had made up their minds to leave, and he didn't say those polite words of persuasion again, so he just returned the courtesy and sent them off."