Chapter 105: Reunited as Husband and Wife

October 16th, the golden autumn, a time of gold and jade. A match made in heaven, a union sealed by fate. Highly auspicious!

In the Wang family’s opulent estate, a place of picturesque mountains and lakes, the pavilions, terraces, and covered bridges were crowded with illustrious guests. The air was filled with the rhythmic clinking of jade ornaments, and not a single commoner was to be seen among the throngs of well-wishers.

"The dragon and phoenix sing in harmony, a match fashioned by the heavens. The gentle breeze welcomes the guests, and the clear waters add to the affection. Orioles fly and swallows dart, while the fragrant grass thrives. Draped in magnificent silks, the bride walks upon a rainbow. Together, from youth to gray hair, they shall remain inseparable, like fish entwined with water."

Old Master Wang, serving as the master of ceremonies, shook his head with gusto, his voice booming as he announced the commencement of the wedding.

A hundred children, dressed in brand-new garments, walked ahead singing nursery rhymes. Lu Lelia, clad in vibrant wedding attire and carrying the ceremonial wild goose and the five-colored silk love-knot bells, wore an awkward, forced smile as he followed behind.

"Life rarely offers a love worth guessing; we yearn for the beauty to appear. To catch a glimpse of her fair face, offer your heart’s tribute and do not dally," Old Master Wang urged with a beaming face.

Lu Lelia handed the ceremonial items to Qing'er, who stood before him. She took them, made a dissatisfied face at him, and turned to run back into the room.

After waiting for quite a while at the entrance of the main hall, Lu Lelia was finally ushered inside.

Firecrackers exploded, and the ceremonial music resounded in unison.

"The beauty is shy and charming, summoned time and again to appear. With a round fan gently swaying to veil her face, pray, groom, come forth and unveil her."

As Old Master Wang’s voice faded, Qing'er entered carrying a basin of clear water, followed by Wang Liuli, who was dressed in stunning, ornate bridal robes, her face hidden behind a round fan, walking with delicate, graceful steps.

Lu Lelia took the bride’s snow-white hand in one of his, and with the other, he lifted the fan. Before him appeared a face so beautiful it defied any imperfection.

The two locked eyes. They had not seen each other for over twenty days, and now, standing face to face, they were to be husband and wife for a lifetime. Fuming with suppressed annoyance, Lu Lelia pinched Lu Jiu’s cheek hard. A sharp pain shot through his toes as Lu Jiu stepped down firmly on his foot in retaliation.

"The groom is elegant and handsome, his talent spanning the ages. His bright eyes hide sharp intellect, his sword-like brows exude righteousness. His speech is refined, his manners humble. If not him, who else in this world could it be? The bride is beautiful and virtuous, blessed with both talent and grace. Her star-bright eyes shimmer with tenderness, her sandalwood lips pearls of speech. Her gentle laughter is enchanting, her graceful figure dances. Even the moon goddess would envy her; she is in the prime of her youth."

Old Master Wang swayed his head, reciting the congratulatory verses with a grin. The guests and relatives smiled, none noticing the silent skirmish between the pair.

The two used the clear water to cleanse their hands. However, their gazes continued to clash, sparking with hidden fire.

During the *Tonglao* ceremony, where the couple sat on the floor, a plate of delicious braised beef was placed between them. Lu Lelia’s chopsticks darted in and out with lightning speed, occasionally deliberately blocking Wang Liuli’s path. Unable to compete, Wang Liuli threw down her chopsticks in frustration and refused to eat altogether.

Believing he had won, Lu Lelia smirked triumphantly before finally drinking the nuptial wine with her. Guided by the master of ceremonies, they bowed to Heaven and Earth, to the elders, and to the guests.

After exchanging heart-locks and cutting a strand of their hair to place in a silk pouch, which the bride kept, the formal rites were essentially concluded.

At dusk, after being toasted by countless guests—some known, some strangers—Lu Lelia felt quite dizzy. He mounted the horse adorned with red silk and circled the palanquin three times. Amidst the sound of firecrackers and the escort of family and friends, he finally brought his lawful wife, Wang Liuli, home.

Pei Wuniang, accompanied by a group of youths and two children, followed behind in the clamor of firecrackers, stepping precisely in the bride’s footprints to soak up some of the good fortune, occasionally pushing others aside with playful dominance.

Lu Lelia shook his head repeatedly as he led his gorgeously dressed bride toward the meticulously decorated central hall.

He had hoped that once the rituals were finished, he could offer tea to his elders, rest for a moment, and then return to his own banquet to entertain the guests. But upon entering the hall, he saw his grandfather carefully tending to three guests, and Lu Lelia was left utterly dumbfounded.

Sitting in the lower seat was none other than Jun Nanfeng, the Lecturer of the Lizheng Academy. If he remembered correctly, the Lu family had not sent him an invitation; why had he come unbidden?

In the upper seats sat two figures. The first was the princess and master from Yuzhen Temple, who usually ignored worldly affairs; she sat composed and leisurely. The other was an elderly man with a refined, scholarly appearance, exuding an air of quiet authority and dignity. Seeing him seated alongside Princess Yuzhen, not in a lower position, Lu Lelia quickly guessed who he was.

The newlyweds found themselves in a dilemma. The order of their bows was critical, and offending either party would be disastrous.

"Why are you standing there like fools? Hurry and pay your respects to the matchmaker, Prime Minister Li!"

Used to such occasions, Princess Yuzhen took the lead, placing herself in the seat of honor and effortlessly dissolving the awkwardness.

This powerful and busy Prime Minister had not even been invited to the Wang family banquet. His sudden appearance in the Lu family’s hall was entirely unexpected.

Lu Lelia and Wang Liuli quickly stepped forward, knelt, and took the tea offered by the maid Ping'er, presenting it to the great matchmaker.

Li Linfu took the tea, sipped it symbolically, and looked at the two with an expressionless face.

"Good."

The Prime Minister said only that single word before taking his leave with the white-haired, sharp-eyed elder standing behind him.

The three members of the Lu family escorted them all the way to the gate, watching until the Prime Minister’s figure disappeared before returning inside.

"Prime Minister Li is truly a man of deep sentiment. I only cured his mother’s illness back in the day—such a small matter. Not only did he personally act as your matchmaker, but he also took time out of his busy schedule to send gifts and visit our home. This is a tremendous honor for the Lu family," Lu Manman muttered to his grandson and granddaughter-in-law, wiping away tears of emotion as he leaned on them for support.

After respectfully serving tea to Princess Yuzhen, the newlyweds knelt to await her instructions.

"Your Wang family is the wealthiest in the world; it is not easy to think of a gift for you, girl. This jade ring was placed on my hand by my mother; it has been with me for decades. Today, I shall bestow it upon you."

Princess Yuzhen removed a white jade ring from her finger and handed it to Wang Liuli. She then produced a brocade box and handed it to Lu Lelia.

"This contains the items your master used when he was in Chang'an. He can never return, so you shall inherit them."

Looking at the young, obedient couple, Princess Yuzhen was suddenly overcome with melancholy. She declined the Lu family’s offer to escort her out and drifted away.

As guests and elders of high standing, the couple then politely served tea to Jun Nanfeng, who had been smiling silently all the while.

"Hehe! My useless son competed with Young Master Lu and returned defeated. As an honorable man, he should have come to offer his congratulations. However, because he accidentally injured Young Master Lu, he was too ashamed to show his face. I had no choice but to come myself. Firstly, to apologize to Young Master Lu, and secondly, to congratulate you two on your heaven-sent union. I hope you will not blame me for coming uninvited; it is quite presumptuous."

Jun Nanfeng’s face was filled with a gentle smile, his words so courteous that it was impossible to hold any grievance against him.

"Master Jun, you are too kind. Who in Chang'an does not know of your noble character and vast learning? Your presence at my grandson’s wedding brings splendor to the Lu family. We are deeply honored," Lu Manman said, his heart full of sincere respect for scholars.

"You overpraise me, old sir. I am but a minor official at the academy, and a son-in-law living in another's house, which many look down upon. I do not deserve such accolades. However, I truly admire your grandson’s talent. As a scholar with nothing but empty sleeves, I have no grand gift to offer, so I shall offer them two words of blessing instead."

Jun Nanfeng waved his hand politely, smiling at the newlyweds.

"We await your guidance, Master."

Lu Lelia and Wang Liuli bowed respectfully.

"Young people must not only have self-confidence but must also learn to wait with patience. One day, the opportunity to display your talents will surely come."

After smiling at Lu Lelia, Jun Nanfeng looked at Wang Liuli with admiration.

"The name of the ninth daughter of the Wang family is something even an old teacher like me at the academy has heard of long ago. For you, I have only one piece of advice: when a husband and wife are of one mind, their strength can cut through metal."

With a witty smile, Jun Nanfeng took his leave.

When the richest man in Chang'an married off his daughter, he did not follow the custom of wealthy families who sent several maids as part of the dowry. Only Qing'er, her personal maid, had accompanied her.

In the newly decorated bridal chamber, Qing'er had everything neatly arranged. She sat bored, waiting for the couple to return. Little did she know, Lu Lelia would rush in ahead of his bride, throw himself onto the brand-new bed, and collapse, refusing to move.

"Master! That is so improper! Which groom would rush into the room and just lie down like that?" Qing'er pouted, glaring at Lu Lelia in dissatisfaction as she moved to pull him up.

"Leave him be. He’s been standing all day and drank quite a bit of wine. If he wants to lie down, let him. There are still guests outside to attend to later."

Wang Liuli, who had also had an exhausting day, walked in, her expression numb and her face weary.

Unexpectedly, Lu Lelia stretched, suddenly flipped off the bed, and stood before Wang Liuli with a dark expression.

"Lu Jiu, oh Lu Jiu, now you must give me an explanation!"

"Explanation? What explanation do you want?" Wang Liuli asked, sitting on a wooden stool with a calm expression, her brows furrowed.

"What did you say back then? You said you only wanted me to help you fend off those suitors, and that you, Lu Jiu, would never marry anyone. Now, what is the meaning of all this?"

Filled with resentment, Lu Lelia glared at her.

"From the day we parted, Lu Jiu ceased to exist. The one who married you is Wang Liuli, not Lu Jiu. You may simply consider Lu Jiu dead."

Wang Liuli rubbed her waist in apparent pain, speaking with total calm.

Lu Lelia was stunned. How had he failed to see such a simple truth?

"So, this is the trap you dug. And here I was, trusting you so much back then," Lu Lelia said, his heart filled with bitter resentment.

"A woman’s words are never to be trusted. Have you learned your lesson yet?" Wang Liuli picked up a cup of tea that had gone cold, took a sip, and let out a sigh, entirely unconcerned by his reaction.

This time, Lu Lelia realized he had been thoroughly defeated and had nothing more to say. Yet, his heart felt heavy, and he glared at his lawful wife with lingering indignation.

"You promised me a great reward afterward! Was that a lie too?"

"To have a woman as talented, beautiful, and wealthy as Wang Liuli as your wife—is that not a grand enough gift?"

Wang Liuli’s beautiful eyes blinked, and she smiled triumphantly.