Getting Married

Time flashed by in the blink of an eye, four days passed.

Fifth Day of the Fifth Lunar Month.

On this day, Jin Province City was still peaceful, with people busily engaged in their daily lives.

Only the Huai Pawnshop looked particularly festive today.

It was decorated with lanterns and streamers everywhere, rows of red flower lanterns hung on both sides of the street.

The doors of the Huai Pawnshop were covered with rabbit-shaped paper cuttings, symbolizing good fortune and auspiciousness.

"The pawnshop's young master is finally getting married!"

"Wishing Young Master Zhao a son soon!"

"Wishing the shopkeeper and his wife a long and happy life together!"

At the entrance of the pawnshop, the crowd surged, the streets were packed with men, women, and children, all with smiling faces, and countless words of blessing were shouted from their mouths, directed at Zhao Huai at the door.

"Thank you all for coming!"

Zhao Huai cupped his hands slightly, thanking the crowd with a smile.

He was dressed in a red robe, with a Red Embroidered Ball hanging on his chest, a Jade Belt paired with a Silver Red Crown, his figure tall and upright, appearing heroic and extraordinary.

Since that night, the engaged couple had talked for a long time, and after discussing it, they both wanted to be straightforward and get the wedding done sooner rather than later.

Both of them were easygoing people, so they decided to do it.

Because their elders couldn't attend the wedding, they could only invite these neighbors and friends with whom they had good relationships to participate in the wedding.

"The bride is here! The bride is here!"

"I heard she's as beautiful as a celestial being!"

"Shopkeeper Zhao is truly blessed!"

As a red sedan chair came into view, a large number of adorable children with Double Bun Hairstyles ran back and forth on the street, not forgetting to shout in their childish voices.

They were also busy, carrying bags filled with Red Dates, Peanuts, Wedding Candies, and other things, distributing them to pedestrians on both sides of the road.

These were all children Zhao Huai had hired to enhance the wedding atmosphere.

For this wedding, Zhao Huai also made a grand gesture, spending a lot of money to make it a spectacular affair.

He himself had not married even at the age of thirty in his previous life, living a busy and muddled life. He never expected that in this life, he would be getting married just after turning twenty-three.

Soon, Yu Qinghan, wearing a red veil, was helped down from the sedan chair by two beautiful maids.

She wore layers of red skirts, adorned with Jade Hairpins and Earrings, her decorations were extravagant, as delicate as the spring blossoms, words could not describe even a fraction of her beauty, both stunning and dignified.

After the Entering the Gate Ceremony, Yu Qinghan slowly entered the inner hall.

The inner hall was originally intended for feasting with both families, but given their special circumstances, Zhao Huai had to invite the neighbors to witness the ceremony.

Not only that, but even the wedding procedures had to be simplified.

Originally, they should first bow to heaven and earth, then to the ancestors, and finally to the elders, but now they could only bow to heaven, earth, and the ancestors.

Zhao Huai and Yu Qinghan sat facing each other, the man on the west and the woman on the east, symbolizing the union of yin and yang.

In fact, weddings in ancient times were not lively. The Book of Rites - Jiao Te Xing says: "Weddings do not use music, it is the meaning of the secluded yin. Weddings are not congratulated, it is the order of people."

The Book of Rites - Zeng Zi Wen says: "For three days, the family of the bride does not play music."

However, marriage is ultimately a joyous event, "a great auspiciousness, an extraordinary auspiciousness."

In later generations, with the collapse of ritual and music and the rise of chaos, many rituals were abolished, and weddings gradually became lively.

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

Zhao Huai and Yu Qinghan bowed to each other.

At this moment, a young attendant brought clean water for the two to wash their hands, and another attendant poured wine. The two exchanged cups, and before drinking, they cut off a lock of each other's hair with scissors and tied them together to express their unity of heart, this is called "Binding Hair".

It is precisely, "Binding Hair as husband and wife, love without doubt."

After drinking the nuptial wine, their hands were tightly clasped together, symbolizing holding hands and growing old together, never betraying each other in this life.

Thus, the main wedding ceremony concluded, and it was time for the bride and groom to greet the guests.

During this part, many men repeatedly toasted Yu Qinghan, ostensibly to offer congratulations, but really just to get a glimpse of the bride. Zhao Huai, naturally, couldn't tolerate this and blocked every attempt.

This immediately provoked "public anger," drawing a large group of drinkers who challenged him to a drinking contest, vowing not to leave until he was drunk.

But how could these ordinary mortals compare to Zhao Huai, who was already halfway to being a cultivator? He could dispel alcohol, so naturally, he could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. Even after drinking several shi of wine, he showed no signs of intoxication and remained quite energetic.

The wedding reception had over a dozen tables, each laden with a full Manchu Han Imperial Feast. Zhao Huai stayed with the guests, unable to get away, and time passed quickly.

"Doctor Yan is here!"

A slender, middle-aged man in green robes, with a smile on his face, strode in.

"Oh! Isn't this the famous doctor of Jin Province, Better than Yama?"

Zhao Huai was overjoyed to see the newcomer, but his tone carried a hint of jest.

Yan Jing was a renowned doctor in Jin Province, famous for saving lives and healing the wounded. His medical skills were superb, and he could handle all kinds of difficult and complicated diseases. He was highly praised by the common people. It was said that he could bring back anyone who wasn't completely dead.

His fees were also relatively fair, unlike those unscrupulous quacks who charged exorbitant prices and still couldn't cure people.

His surname, Yan, was homophonous with Yama, so his nickname was Better than Yama. The common people often joked that he was gambling with Yama and challenging the immortals.

When Zhao Huai first came to Jin Province, the situation was still very turbulent, and unfortunately, a terrible plague broke out.

At that time, even with Yan Jing's great skills, he couldn't stop the large-scale spread. It was Zhao Huai who later found him and proposed many methods for preventing and treating infectious diseases, which finally suppressed the continued outbreak of the plague.

Thus, the two became acquainted and became good friends.

More importantly, this Yan Jing was also a hidden cultivator. Although his cultivation level was not as high as Zhao Huai's, it could not be denied that Zhao Huai had consulted him more than once on cultivation matters when his realm was still low.

"Good lad, you've finally gotten married. I thought you were going to be like me, planning to be single for life!"

Yan Jing raised a glass of wine and scolded Zhao Huai with a smile.

"Your bride looks extraordinary."

Yan Jing took a sip of wine and laughed loudly.

"Beautiful, isn't she? That's because I have good taste."

Zhao Huai's lips curled up in a smug smile.

"Still showing off in front of me, huh? Be careful, I might just tear down your Huai Pawnshop one day!"

"You can try, you're no match for me now."

"Alright, you've soared to the sky now, and you don't even put your old brother in your eyes anymore."

The two chatted for a while, then Yan Jing's expression suddenly turned serious, and he said solemnly:

"Brother Zhao, you might have a big deal coming up in the next few days, you must seize it."

"Oh?"

Zhao Huai raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

His relationship with Yan Jing was not only that of friends, but also a cooperative one.

The source of his pawnshop's business was generally through Yan Jing's recommendation. The other party's inside information in the Great Xia Dynasty was definitely top-notch.

"I got news from Yan City that a profiteer secretly transported a cart of stolen goods. He went to many pawnshops, but no one dared to buy them. It's very mysterious, and I don't know what's inside. I dare say, the most discerning person in all of Jin Province is you."

"If this deal goes through, you won't have to work for half a year."

"But I'm not interested," Zhao Huai said with a faint smile.

"How can you not be interested in all that silver?"

Yan Jing also laughed.

"I've earned enough money, I'm financially free," Zhao Huai shrugged.

"Alright, suit yourself."

Since Zhao Huai didn't care, Yan Jing didn't bother to make a fuss, and instead said another piece of news: "The Technique Auction you inquired about will start tomorrow afternoon, don't forget to go then."

"Got it."

Zhao Huai nodded, this news was still very important to him.

Now that he had obtained the Heavenly Heart Wisdom Eye destiny, he couldn't waste it, so naturally, he had to get a few more techniques to learn.