"Militia Commander Wu, please come in."
So Wu Shuangren had twenty or thirty guards carry the gifts, and thus they entered the Xu residence smoothly.
Those waiting to see what was happening in the distance were somewhat taken aback, some whispering, "It seems the Xu Clan's chosen marriage partner this time is no ordinary person!"
The butler led Wu Shuangren through a courtyard, along several long corridors, and to the outside of the main hall.
Xu Cheng and his entourage were already waiting in the main hall. Although he had waived all the formalities, he was, after all, Wu Shuangren's father-in-law and could not come out to greet them in person.
Wu Shuangren led Xu Yu into the main hall.
All eyes fell on Wu Shuangren.
Wu Shuangren remained calm, looked up at Xu Cheng sitting in the main seat, stepped forward, and bowed in greeting.
"Greetings, Father-in-law!"
Xu Cheng smiled broadly and nodded repeatedly, "Good, good! Son-in-law, no need for formalities, please take a seat."
Under the butler's guidance, Wu Shuangren sat in the first seat to Xu Cheng's right, while Xu Yu stood behind him.
"Shuangren, let me introduce you."
Xu Cheng pointed to the first man on his left, a middle-aged man dressed in a dark red brocade robe, and said, "This is General Zhang Da, the military commander of Shu Province. Hearing that you were coming to welcome the bride, General Zhang specially came to offer his congratulations."
A provincial military commander is usually Subordinate Fourth Rank or Fifth Rank military officer. However, in a prefecture like Shu Province, the military commander is Principal Fourth Rank official, which is higher than the rank of most provincial governors.
Jiannan Circuit was not a military town; it only had an observer, not a military governor. The observer did not have military power, so Zhang Da, who commanded more than 4,000 men, was a powerful figure in the entire Jiannan Circuit!
Today, Wu Shuangren is getting married, and Zhang Da personally came to offer his congratulations, which is a great honor.
"Greetings, General Zhang."
Wu Shuangren stood up and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.
The other party is my father-in-law's boss, so I have to give them face.
"Haha, I've long heard of Commander Wu's reputation. A young hero who repelled the Mount Liang rebels, I've always wanted to meet him!"
Zhang Da laughed.
Although he wasn't wearing armor today, his battlefield aura was undeniable, and even his smile carried a hint of chilling intent.
"General Zhang, you're too kind."
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the other party, Wu Shuangren sat down again.
"Shu Province and Yi Province are adjacent, and now Shuangren has become Brother Xu's son-in-law. We should all visit each other more often in the future."
Zhang Da continued.
Wu Shuangren's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Xu Cheng, who then gave him a wink.
Wu Shuangren then smiled and said, "I will be having more and more dealings with Shu Province in the future, so I really need to keep in touch more often."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Da nodded in satisfaction.
Today was clearly not a good day to discuss official business; he was only there to get to know Wu Shuangren, and that was all.
The wedding ceremony then continued.
"The Prefect of Shu Province has sent a congratulatory gift!"
"The Prefect of Shu Province has sent a congratulatory gift!"
"The Shu Province and the Military Governor of Jiannan Circuit have sent congratulatory gifts!"
"..."
As the master of ceremonies announced the wedding ceremony, almost every powerful and influential person in Shu Province sent a congratulatory gift, demonstrating the grandeur of the event!
Wu Shuangren and Xu Cheng exchanged a glance, both knowing full well that this face was only gained by borrowing the reputation of the Yuan Clan.
The only important figure present today who is here purely for Wu Shuangren is probably Zhang Da.
"Welcoming the bride--"
The process continues.
Amidst the sound of suona horns, Xu Yuebai, dressed in a red wedding gown and covered with a red cloth, was led into the main hall by her maid.
Wu Shuangren turned to look at his bride; until now, he still didn't know what she looked like.
Even if he doesn't care much about love, he definitely cares about his wife's appearance and figure.
However, since Xu Cheng said his daughter is very beautiful, she shouldn't be too bad-looking.
Xu Yuebai, hidden under the red cloth, seemed to sense Wu Shuangren's gaze and turned her head slightly to 'look' in Wu Shuangren's direction.
"Serving tea to bid farewell to the elders!"
The emcee shouted loudly.
Wu Shuangren stood up and walked to Xu Yuebai was dressed in red.
Someone brought them tea, and they each accepted a cup.
Wu Shuangren stepped forward, bowed slightly, and handed the teacup in his hand to Xu Cheng with both hands:
"Father-in-law, please have some tea."
Xu Cheng the teacup and took a small sip.
Then, Xu Yuebai stepped forward and handed a teacup to Xu Cheng as well. "Father, please have some tea."
Xu Cheng took the teacup from Xu Yuebai's hand, and his usually composed expression finally changed.
He nodded and took a small sip.
Then he stood up, reached out and took his daughter's hand, placing it in Wu Shuangren's palm.
"Shuangren, from this day forward, I entrust my daughter to you. I hope you two will grow old together in happiness!"
At this point, Xu Cheng's eyes finally reddened, and his voice trembled slightly.
Xu Yuebai's hands also began to tremble.
Wu Shuangren gently grasped Xu Yuebai's hand, his gaze steady, and simply said, "Father-in-law, rest assured."
Next, Wu Shuangren led Xu Yuebai out of the main hall.
The woman's hands were soft, and her palms were a little cool. Wu Shuangren could clearly feel the tension in her body and hear her rapid heartbeat.
He didn't say anything, but simply gripped the other person's hand tightly and walked out steadily, step by step.
The moment Wu Shuangren stepped out of the Xu residence, he heard Xu Yuebai's soft sobs.
He didn't rush to leave, but held the other person's hand and stood outside the Xu residence for a while until the other person calmed down.
"Feel sorry."
Xu Yuebai's clear voice came from under the red cloth.
"It's alright, it's only human nature."
Wu Shuangren said softly.
"Thank you... my husband."
Xu Yuebai said somewhat embarrassedly.
She had assumed that Wu Shuangren, who had achieved fame at a young age and was full of vigor, must have a strong and domineering personality. She thought that she hadn't been able to hold back her tears on such a joyous day and that it would displease him.
I didn't expect the other person to be so gentle.
Let's go.
Having lived two lives, this was the first time Wu Shuangren had been called "husband," and he felt somewhat strange.
Next, he personally led Xu Yuebai into the bridal sedan chair that had been prepared in advance.
A dozen or so extra carriages, filled with all sorts of gifts and gold and silver jewelry, joined the procession.
This is the dowry given by the Xu Clan.
What truly moved Wu Shuangren was not the dozen or so cartloads of gifts from the Xu Clan, but the hundred fine warhorses!
Xu Cheng had told Wu Shuangren in advance that when he came to fetch the bride, he would let him take one hundred warhorses as his daughter's dowry.
Even with the Xu Clan's strength and resources, giving away a hundred warhorses would be a painful expense!
This shows Xu Cheng's love for his daughter, as well as his emphasis on and sincerity regarding this marriage alliance!
"The groom mounts his horse, ascending step by step to higher ground."
The emcee shouted loudly.
Wu Shuangren walked to the front of the group and mounted his horse.
"With golden saddle and jade bridle, it soars straight to the clouds. The horse treads on auspicious clouds, and people welcome good fortune!"
All the guards mounted their horses, and all the carriages were ready to go.
"Having received the newlyweds, they bid farewell to their parents. The bridal sedan chair departs, accompanied by the resounding beat of gongs and drums. Two hundred fine horses escort the procession, followed by a hundred-person ceremonial guard. Returning to the mansion for the wedding ceremony, may this bring great fortune and prosperity! The sedan chair departs—"
The suona horns sounded, and the drums and gongs resounded!
Wu Shuangren took the lead, setting off with the entire team.
From the Xu residence to the city gate, the entire route was lined with people seeing him off, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
As the procession exited the city gate, someone on the city wall activated their Internal Skill and shouted loudly:
"Today we return together, may our hearts remain forever united, until our hair turns white!"
"A promise made in this life, a lifetime with only one person!"
? 199 Another Traits appears: Iron Hou comes to surrender
The stench of blood filled the valley.
The gate at the valley entrance opened, and blood and corpses spread from the gate all the way to the mountain path outside.
Most of these corpses were miners, dressed in rags, covered in foul odors and stained with black ash.
They died on their way to escape.
The ground suddenly shook, and a group of people approached from afar, arriving at the entrance of the valley.
There were more than fifty riders in total, and all the riders on horseback were wearing standard lamellar armor.
The leader was young, with a cold and sinister face. At this moment, his expression darkened, making him appear even more ruthless.
The general in charge of guarding the mine hurried forward, looking anxious, and knelt on one knee before the young man's horse.
"Young Master, I have failed in my duty."
What happened?
The young man on horseback asked through gritted teeth.
"Today was the day to deliver supplies, and those miners suddenly launched an attack when the gate of the village was opened, rushing out all at once!"
"How did a bunch of unarmed, starving scum manage to break through?"
"They secretly hid several shovels, and the two leaders knew martial arts; they were quite strong..."
Who are these two people?
"I... I'm not quite sure."
"Waste!!"
The young man shouted angrily from horseback and lashed the general with his whip!
His Zhang Yu, and he was the only son of Zhang Da, the military commander of Shu Province.
This private mine was his father's secret business, of great importance, and he had always been in charge of it. The soldiers guarding the place were almost all Zhang Da's private troops.
How many people escaped in total?
Zhang Yu forced himself to calm down.
"Only a dozen or so people actually escaped; I've already sent men to pursue them."