The newlyweds had arrived!
Everyone here was Shang Chaozong's personal guards. Unlike those at the Prefect's Mansion, there were no dignitaries concerned with keeping up appearances. Shang Chaozong dismounted and led the bride from the bridal sedan. "Ooh!" The crowd immediately erupted in cheers and teasing, swarming around them.
The military did not have as many rigid rules between superiors and subordinates as civil officials did. A good commander would not put on airs before his brothers. There were times when orders had to be obeyed without question, and times when things could be relaxed and lively. When orders were enforced, they were superiors and subordinates; when things were relaxed, they were brothers. When Prince Ning was alive, he would even sling an arm over an ordinary soldier's shoulder. Such a sight was unimaginable among civil officials. Being surrounded by a group of soldiers and bragging with them, squeezing in with them to eat and sleep together, picking food for them, passing them water, or having soldiers smear ink across his face after he lost a bet—those were all common occurrences.
Having grown up at his father's side, Shang Chaozong had absorbed such things by sight and sound. Naturally, he would not put on airs before his brothers.
Faced with their teasing, all he could do was repeatedly cup his hands and beg for mercy.
Most of the guards were seeing the bride for the first time. Just looking at the size of her as she stood beside the Prince, they secretly clicked their tongues. Such a robust Princess Consort was probably one of a kind under heaven!
From the pavilion beside the artificial hill, Niu Youdao watched the scene with a smile. Yuan Gang quietly came to his side and slipped a pellet into his hand. Niu Youdao turned