Those who came included not only Ge Xiaomao's former classmates, but also their friends.
At the sight of them, tears welled in Ge Xiaomao's eyes. He took a deep breath, fought back the urge to cry, and rose to step forward.
"Greetings, fellow scholars." Dressed in festive wedding clothes, Ge Xiaomao smiled and saluted the arriving scholars with clasped hands.
Lu Lin and the others returned the salute together, smiling.
The members of both families seated at the four tables hurried to their feet. At last, joy appeared on the faces of the Ge Family.
The Sheng Family also rose with smiles, though without much warmth.
Sheng Rong's mother swept her gaze over their Literary Rank robes, a trace of coldness still on her face.
One of the Sheng Family members whispered to her, "Sister, I think we should let it go. Ge Xiaomao is Void Sage Fang's former classmate, after all. These people will still lend him a hand."
Sheng Rong's mother snorted and lowered her voice. "Lend him a hand? If they truly wanted to help him, would Ge Xiaomao still be failing the Licentiate examination? A little instruction would have been enough for him to pass, wouldn't it? To put it plainly, these people only came out of respect for Void Sage Fang. It has nothing to do with that dim-witted son-in-law. Now that Void Sage Fang can't come, who will bother with Ge Xiaomao once today is over? If we weren't afraid your niece's ruined reputation would keep her from finding a husband, why would we marry her into the Ge Family?"
"He does have some connection to Void Sage Fang, after all. The Fang Household's clan head has already sent someone with gifts. That shows the Fang Household still acknowledges the connection."
"What is the