Chapter 71 (1/2)
Chapter 71 - Receiving Bride
“Bang&h.e.l.lip;Pop&h.e.l.lip;.”
Deafening sounds of exploding firecrackers resounded in the manor, originating from the manor’s head and spreading to its tail. Everybody had smiles plastered across their faces. This year was more tiresome compared to the previous ones, but the amount of money they had earned was equivalently larger as well. If every year could be like this where they could earn more money even if they had to strain themselves a little, everybody would be pleased to do so.
The reason for so many good events this year was obviously the marriage of manor’s first young master He Yitian.
The eldest young master’s bride was not a girl from some trifling, small family, but from a family that equivalently const.i.tuted one of the three influential families of Tai Cang county alongside He family- the Cheng family.
Cheng family took a ma.s.sive hit to their reputation previous year, but as they say, a camel in dire straits is still bigger than a horse. Even He and Xu- the other two influential families didn’t dare to look down upon them.
Manor’s entrance opened with a rumble, and a group of people walked out amidst pounding of drums and beating of gongs.
He Yitian was dressed in a red gown. Although his Internal Energy had already attained the realm of the seventh layer, at this moment, it didn’t seem to make a difference as fine beads of sweat emerged on his forehead.
This was not due to being tired or dressed too heavily, but due to anxiousness and feeling himself at the edge.
Following closely behind He Yitian were He Yihai, He Yixuan, and He Yiming- his siblings who had attained the sixth layer. Looking at their eldest brother’s appearance, each and every one of them was laughing inwardly and gladly extracting joy from his misfortune.
Looking at their undisguised wry smiles, He Quanyi couldn’t help but recall his own younger times. His face stiffened as he furiously shouted, “You brats, we should marry you off next year as well!”
He Yihai and the rest immediately restrained their smiles and even a.s.sumed an honorable appearance. Only He Yiming’s face was still incessantly twitching.
Pa.s.sing year, he’d turned fifteen. If he was a junior of an ordinary peasant household, he indeed might have to get married. However, in He family, furthermore as a prominent member of the family’s young generation, n.o.body would allow his marriage- be it his father or grandfather.
A slight cough sounded from behind, and everybody immediately straightened up, even including He Yitian, who respectfully said, “Grandfather.”
He Wude walked out to the front; his face carrying a gentle smile which was becoming increasingly gentler as his vision fell upon He Yitian.
As an old man, watching his grandson taking a wife and continuing the clan’s bloodline was naturally a joyful occasion for him.
“Quanyi, when you arrive at the Cheng family, keep them in check. Don’t let our clan lose face.”
“Yes, father,” He Quanyi respectfully said, “ You can be rest a.s.sured, we will definitely ensure Yitian’s bride returns here.”
According to the local traditions, the groom’s side should bring a huge group. However, He Yitian’s father and grandfather were unable to go in person. As such, only his third uncle could a.s.sume the charge. Though with He Quanyi’s popularity and strength, he was more than qualified to a.s.sume this responsibility.
He Wude nodded his head in satisfaction before suddenly waving his hand, “Yihai, Yixuan. According to the county customs, if the bride is from a martial family, duels would be held and only groom’s brothers can partic.i.p.ate. Only after the defeating the bride’s side- the hosts- would you be able to bring back the bride. You two, how confident you are?”
He Yihai and He Yixuan simultaneously straightened their chests and heroically said, “Grandfather, you can be rest a.s.sured. We will certainly not let the eldest brother lose face.”
Yihai and Yixuan’s strength had already attained the realm of Internal Energy’s sixth layer. In Tai Cang county, such members of young generation could be counted on fingers. Cheng family’s young generation although had a few members at the sixth layer, these two had frequently dueled with them and had rarely suffered defeat. This was the reason these two were so confident.
The Lord Master’s vision s.h.i.+fted to He Yiming who was wordlessly smiling. From the beginning to end, the former had not mentioned his most formidable grandson at all.
He Yiming’s strength was already at the eighth layer half a year ago. Adding [Splitting Mountain Thirty Six Forms] on top of that, not to mention the fact that he was essentially a paragon in the young generation, even members of the second generation who possessed such strength could be counted on fingers. Moreover, if he could deliver that day’s frightening strike again, n.o.body in the entire Tai Cang county could sustain that strike.
Therefore, he was only going to enjoy the hustle and bustle. He wouldn’t have any chance to act all.
After all, this time, the occasion was the marriage between Cheng family and He family- not a true martial compet.i.tion. The arranged guards for bride would obviously not be too strong. If He Yixuan and He Yihai truly couldn’t beat the guards, that would not be a loss of face for just He family, but also for Cheng family.
After bidding farewell to the Lord Master, He Quanyi took the lead. The younger generation followed behind him as they hastened towards the county town.
He manor was quite a distance away from the county town. According to the customs, the groom side would spend the night in a random courtyard of the county town, then return back the next day.
As for palanquins and other things, He Quanming had already made suitable arrangements in the county town. Once the two sides met, they could then immediately proceed to the Cheng Residence.
The group steered their horses. Apart from the five directly-related males, the group consisted of ten carefully chosen servants. Although their strength was only somewhere around the third layer, their reputation and usefulness in other matters was more than enough to make for it.