Chapter 160: Marriage

At the city gate. Chen Yong, sitting at the front of the carriage, saw the ox cart drawing closer and said to Song Ruize inside, "Brother Ze, the little sister is here."

Song Ruize and the others emerged from within.

The ox cart approached the carriage and came to a stop beside it.

Song Ruize walked toward the ox cart, his brow furrowing slightly when he saw Tang Yichen holding the reins.

Qin Huiyin was standing right beside Tang Yichen at that moment.

"Brother, you've waited long."

"Switch," Song Ruize said flatly.

"Switch to what?"

"Switch carts. You all take the carriage, and we'll drive the ox cart."

"Mother and Third Grandpa can go in the carriage, let's just take the ox cart," Qin Huiyin said. "Besides, Brother Qibin and the others are guests; we shouldn't neglect our guests."

"They are all grown men; they aren't that delicate," Song Ruize replied indifferently.

Jiang Qibin chimed in from the side, "Indeed, Sister, we aren't that delicate. You take the carriage, and we'll ride the ox cart."

Li Taohua stepped down from the ox cart and said, "I won't argue with you youngsters. I'm taking the carriage. Oh dear, my old bones and joints have been aching terribly lately, so I could use a rest."

With that, Li Taohua called Tang Luwu and Tang Yixiao over as well.

She pulled Qin Huiyin along, rearranged the seating, and pointed at Tang Yichen. "Brother Chen, the carriage can't fit this many people, so you stay behind."

"How about I stay behind instead?" Qin Huiyin suggested. "I'm already used to riding the ox cart anyway."

"Absolutely not," Li Taohua said. "Why should a young maiden like you squeeze in with them? Brother Chen can represent our family; him staying behind to accompany the guests also shows our sincerity."

Tang Yichen smiled and said, "Very well, I shall drive the ox cart."

"Do you even know how?" Song Ruize asked coolly.

"If I didn't know how, would this old ox have walked here all by itself?"

"An old ox knows the way—has a scholar like you never heard that saying?"

"I've only ever heard of an old horse knowing the way. This is my first time hearing about an old ox doing so. From which school of thought did Brother Song acquire this phrasing?"

Unable to bear it any longer, Qin Huiyin pulled Song Ruize away. "I suddenly remembered that we don't know how to drive a carriage. Please, Brother Ruize, go drive the carriage, and leave the ox cart to my eldest brother."

Neither of these two could be placed in the same space; they were too prone to striking sparks.

Dragged away by Qin Huiyin, Song Ruize looked back and threw a provocative glance at Tang Yichen.

Tang Yichen's expression darkened as he climbed back onto the ox cart in a huff.

He knew this arrangement was the most sensible one. The carriage had been brought by Song Ruize; it made no sense to force Song Ruize and his men onto the ox cart while everyone else took the carriage—that would be like the guest usurping the host's place. Leaving him behind to drive the ox cart while calling Song Ruize to drive the carriage was a much more polite arrangement. Yet, Tang Yichen couldn't shake the feeling that Qin Huiyin's favoritism toward Song Ruize was painfully obvious.

Chen Yong and the others exchanged uncertain glances.

Chen Yong ventured, "Young Master Tang, you are a scholar, so you probably don't have much physical strength. Shall I drive instead?"

"I have at least this much strength," Tang Yichen said coldly. "Scholar or not, I grew up in a farming family and worked the fields during my breaks."

In front of Song Ruize's subordinates, Tang Yichen refused to show any weakness.

Jiang Qibin said with a beaming smile, "Young Master Tang is right. Which of us born to poor families isn't strong and sturdy? Then we'll have to trouble Young Master Tang to drive the ox cart for us common folk."

To wait for the ox cart trailing behind, the carriage in front did not move very fast. Every so often, they would stop to rest and wait for the people behind.

Qin Huiyin handed over a water flask. "Brother, have some water."

Song Ruize took it and gulped down several large mouthfuls.

When they finally arrived at the village, the boisterous jeers and laughter of the villagers could be heard from afar.

Qin Huiyin had never witnessed an ancient wedding before, and hearing such lively commotions instantly piqued her curiosity.

Song Ruize drove the carriage directly to the courtyard where the Tang family was temporarily staying.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Qin Huiyin eagerly dashed toward the neighboring house.

"Mother, I'm going to go see the bride."

Tang Luwu and Tang Yixiao had always been her little shadows; seeing her run off next door, they scampered after her.

Li Taohua slowly stepped down from the carriage and smiled at the sight. "Normally she acts like a little adult, but today she has quite a bit of childish charm."

"Huiyin is a clever girl, and you are truly fortunate," Third Master Tang remarked.

Song Ruize tethered the horse, walked to the back of the carriage, and pulled out two bolts of silk. After placing them into Li Taohua's arms, he unhitched the horse and led it away.

He didn't say a single word from beginning to end. Having dumped the items into Li Taohua's arms, he immediately prepared to slip away.

"Wait a moment..." Li Taohua called out to him. "What is this?"

"Fabric."

"Of course I know it's fabric; I'm not blind. What are you giving these to me for?"

"A reward from above. I have no use for it." With that, Song Ruize led the horse away.

His pace was extremely swift, as if he were afraid someone might chase after him.

Li Taohua: "..."

Third Master Tang chuckled beside her and said, "One of these two bolts of fabric is suited for a young maiden, and the other for you. It's obviously meant for you and Huiyin. The boy doesn't know how to speak kindly, but his heart is in the right place."

"If he had been this sensible in the past, I wouldn't have..." Li Taohua curled her lip. "What is the meaning of this now? I am no longer his mother; why is he trying to win my favor?"

"Perhaps it isn't you he wishes to please?" Third Master Tang gestured toward the neighboring yard. "You may not wish to acknowledge him as a son, but Huiyin and he are growing closer and more like siblings by the day. This young man has a grand future ahead of him. Befriending him brings only benefits and no harm, and it's also good for Huiyin's future. Since that is the case, why not use this opportunity to mend relations?"

"The fabric is fine; I'll accept it." Li Taohua cradled the fabric and walked inside.

Third Master Tang smiled and headed outward. "The village hasn't been this lively in ages. This old man will go join in the excitement as well."

The Zhang family next door had already welcomed Xiao Chunni into the home. At this moment, more than half of the villagers were gathered here; some helped with cooking, while others arranged tables and chairs. Seeing Qin Huiyin arrive, they cheerfully greeted her.

Qin Huiyin asked with curiosity, "Where is the bride?"

"Inside!" Xiang Chuntao said. "That Xiao family is truly stingy. Aside from some half-new clothes, they didn't give her any dowry at all. Erhu not only gave five taels of silver, but he also bought several outfits for Xiao Chunni. In the end, those clothes ended up being worn by Xiao Chunni's shameless old mother. Everyone from our village who went to fetch the bride is saying that the old hag has fattened up like a pig, yet she stubbornly squeezed herself into those tiny clothes—it was utterly disgraceful."

"I'm going to go take a look at the bride," Qin Huiyin said.

Inside the bridal chamber, a few village children were curiously gazing at the bride. She was dressed in red bridal robes, wearing a red flower in her hair, her face heavily adorned with vibrant makeup. With her head lowered in shyness, her eyes held a mixture of apprehension and nervousness.

"Hello, elder sister Xiao. I am Qin Huiyin from the house next door," Qin Huiyin said, stepping forward to introduce herself.

"Huiyin, little sister, Erhu has mentioned you and your family to me, and he told me about everything that happened," Xiao Chunni said nervously, standing up. "Please, sit down. I'll pour you some water."

"You're the bride, you should sit and rest. No need to be so polite," Qin Huiyin said, pulling Xiao Chunni down to sit beside her. "I figured you might be bored, so I came specially to keep you company and chat for a while."