Chapter Three: The Grand Wedding

Outside the door, the clamoring of voices filled the air as neighbors hurried over to watch the spectacle. Su Yang, dressed in a bright red groom's robe with a vermilion bridal veil atop his head, awaited the evening when his bride would lift the veil.

"Here he comes, here he comes!"

"Ha! Still wearing the bridal veil—what a disgrace for a scholar!"

"The Su family is truly at its end now, with no heirs left."

The villagers pointed and whispered, though more than a few men eyed the scene with envy. The reputation of a live-in son-in-law was indeed unsavory, but if the opportunity fell to them, they would not hesitate to accept—this was the wealthy Wang family, after all. So what if the wife was unattractive or lame? From then on, they would live in comfort, never again needing to toil for food. Even if it meant having no descendants, in these times of hunger, many men could see the appeal.

Unfortunately, not just anyone could become the Wang family's son-in-law. Had Su Yang not been a scholar, the Wangs would never have considered him. The Jiangnan Restaurant in Yanggu County belonged to the Wang family, and dining there was no small expense. They also owned a cloth shop and a pharmacy, both thriving businesses.

Now that he was marrying in, once his mother-in-law passed, he would be the master of the Wang household.

The harsh words from the crowd did not fall kindly on the ears of the Wang family's servants and maids, and their impression of Su Yang diminished further.

"Peach Blossom, do you think I look foolish today?" Su Yang whispered to the maid supporting him.

"Master, pay no heed to the idle gossip," Peach Blossom replied, a pang of sympathy rising in her heart. After all, he had done nothing wrong—why must they criticize him so harshly?

Su Yang tossed what he held in his hands toward the crowd. A flash of silver glinted as it fell to the ground with a clatter, and cries of pain rang out as a few were struck on the head.

"Silver beans! They're silver beans!"

"What? Silver beans? Don't you dare snatch mine—Su gave them to me himself. Let's see who dares take them from me!"

"You're talking nonsense—would Su the scholar even know you?"

"Haha! They really are silver beans!"

"Damn it, who stepped on my hand?"

"Move your damn ass!"

The crowd dove greedily for the silver, eyes gleaming red with excitement.

"Peach Blossom, look—everyone's kneeling before me now."

"Master, it seems they are the ones who should be ashamed," Peach Blossom replied, her spirits lifting as she saw her master happy.

Su Yang climbed into the bridal sedan, accompanied by the resounding clang of gongs and the piercing notes of the suona, playing a tune grand as a hundred birds greeting the phoenix.

People outside would never scorn beggars, for beggars were beneath them. They would only mock those who were better off, convinced that they, too, could be a son-in-law if only fate had favored them. Why should such fortune fall to Su Yang?

Why indeed? If not for Su Yang, this opportunity would be theirs—they too could be living a life of ease with the Wang family.

"Thank you, Scholar Su! Auspicious blessings on your wedding!"

"What a good man Scholar Su is!"

"Father, didn't you just say Scholar Su was a disgrace to scholars, a spineless coward?"

"Shut up! Hurry and see if there are any silver beans left."

The very people who had mocked Su Yang now offered him their gratitude.

The sedan chair stopped at the Wang family's grand gates.

With the veil still covering his face, Su Yang could not see outside, but he imagined the Wang family's guests—each one of status, each likely to have mocked him as well. Best not to look.

"Father, Second Uncle’s move was crafty—he secured a son-in-law before us, and even if we went to court, we’d be in the wrong," said Wang Hewen, eldest son of the Wang family's main branch.

"Father, brother, I say if we’re going to kill, one or two makes no difference—why not finish the job?" his younger brother Wang Jiangwen suggested, making a throat-slitting gesture, his eyes flashing with malice.

"Smack!" In the next instant, Wang Hewen slapped his younger brother, the crisp sound drawing the attention of those nearby. They quickly exchanged polite smiles before turning their heads back to the new son-in-law.

"Is this the place to utter such words?"

"Besides, doing it once is one thing, but if it happens again, everyone will know it was us of the main branch!"

"The risk is too great; we absolutely cannot be reckless," Wang Hewen warned, glaring at his brother.

"You should learn from your elder brother. And mind your tongue—don't let everything slip out," said Wang Shangfu, their father, dressed in silks and stroking his jade thumb ring, a smile on his face. "Your Second Uncle's fortune cannot be left to outsiders. There are many ways to reclaim it."

—

Crossing the fire basin.

Paying respects to Heaven and Earth.

The sound of wooden wheels turning reached Su Yang's ears, but through the veil he could only make out a vague silhouette—a good figure, but lame. As for how ugly she truly was, he could not say. Yet the whispers about the bride’s dark skin and pockmarked face were perfectly clear.

Small matters, all small matters. Once the lights were out, it would make no difference. He would find some excuse tonight to avoid his marital duties, and afterward, there would be no need to endure this misery—he could always dally with a maid or two and live his days in comfort.

After the wedding rites, they entered the bridal chamber. The Wang family’s young lady remained outside to toast the guests, leaving only Su Yang inside with Peach Blossom, who waited at the door for orders.

Name: Su Yang (Prospective Immortal)
Incense Merit: 10
Realm: None
Techniques: [Incense Division] [Aura Observation Technique]
Longevity: 118+
Family Progress: You have successfully married. Once you become a true man, you will earn 20 incense merit!
Daily Hint: The greater your offspring's achievements, the higher your daily incense merit.

The information on the panel had updated. After consummating the marriage, the wedding would be complete. Only the longevity stat showed a plus sign; the techniques did not. For now, longevity was sufficient—what he lacked was strength.

If he consummated his marriage with Wang Chunxiao tonight, he could complete the task and earn twenty incense merit. With the ten he already had, he would have thirty in total—perhaps enough to reach the ninth-grade Blood-Forging Warrior.

Yet he still could not tell how much incense merit was truly needed to advance his realm.

Outside, the guests surged like a tide.

"I heard the Wang family's eldest daughter was hideous, but I never thought she'd be so dark!"

"And so pockmarked—tsk, tsk!"

"I’ve seen Scholar Su selling his calligraphy on the street—he’s got such a handsome face. If he went to the brothels, those courtesans would be the lucky ones. How did he end up as a son-in-law to the Wangs?"

"What a pity—a fresh flower planted in a pile of manure."

"Tell me, can the Wang girl even fulfill her wifely duties, being lame as she is?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down!"

—

Afternoon.

Peach Blossom had stood outside the door for most of the day. She had missed breakfast, and her stomach was growling with hunger.

"Little Peach Blossom, are you hungry?"

The sudden voice from inside startled her, making her nearly jump in fright. She turned urgently and whispered, "Master, please get back to the wedding bed—you mustn’t break the rules!"