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Chu Family Village was brightly lit all night. As morning dawned and sunlight broke through the clouds, the whole village buzzed with excitement.

Grandma Ge knocked on Ge Lihua’s door, “Lihua, it’s time to get up, bathe, and dress.”

“I’m up, Grandma,” Ge Lihua replied, then quickly got out of bed to prepare for her wedding.

The bed couldn’t fit everyone, so Shen Ruyue and Chu Qingyue were taken away by Chu Xuhua and Ning Yuting in the middle of the night. Tang Jinghong had matters to discuss with Chu Qingzhi, so she also returned to her room.

Chu Qingning, Chu Qingfrost, and Chu Qingyan had stayed with Ge Lihua, and now they were awake as well.

“I’m going to wash up and grab the makeup tools. Sister Lihua, wait for me,” Chu Qingyan said before dashing out.

Chu Qingning and Chu Qingfrost quickly got ready and went back to their homes; there were many tasks to attend to today, and duties had already been assigned.

Chu Qingning said, “Lihua, I’ll bring you some food later. Eat before you get your makeup done, or you won’t be able to eat anything all day.”

Ge Lihua’s voice came from the bathroom, “Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

Everyone busied themselves…

By noon, Ling Yanjiang arrived, “Little junior sister, this is for you.” He was holding a stack of banknotes, about ten thousand taels, and handed them to Ge Lihua.

Ge Lihua was surprised, “Big senior brother, where did you get this money?”

Ling Yanjiang smiled, “I rushed back to the inn where I was captured last night, and surprisingly, the stuff I hid on the beam was still there.”

Ge Lihua pushed Ling Yanjiang’s hand back, “Even so, I can’t accept so much money from you. Keep it for yourself, big senior brother.”

“Is it too little?” Ling Yanjiang asked. “This is all the money big senior brother has for now. When I return to the eastern border, I’ll make it up to you.”

Ge Lihua clarified, “It’s not that it’s too little; it’s too much.”

Ling Yanjiang placed the banknotes on the dressing table, “Then keep it. Big senior brother doesn’t have anything else to give you.”

Ge Lihua looked at Ling Yanjiang.

Ling Yanjiang didn’t say more and left. Now, he only had this little junior sister as family, and he wanted to cherish her.

Ge Lihua’s gaze fell on the banknotes, staring at them for a while before putting them away, planning to return them to big senior brother someday.

Chu Qingyan curiously asked, “Sister Lihua, what did your senior brother do before?”

“I’ll tell you later, okay?” Big senior brother’s identity was somewhat dangerous and not suitable for discussion.

“Okay,” Chu Qingyan agreed.

Ling Yanjiang left Grandma Ge’s house and took a walk around the village.

The entire Chu Family Village was decorated with conspicuous red lanterns and festoons. Most villagers wore red clothes, creating a festive atmosphere.

The family also hired musicians, whose lovely and celebratory music resonated throughout the village, enhancing the ambiance.

Children, dressed in red, ran and played among the crowd, adding liveliness to the joyful atmosphere. The entire scene was vivid and animated.

Even though little junior sister was getting married within the village, the event did not lose any dignity.

Perhaps it doesn’t matter where one gets married, but rather to whom one is married!

Thinking this, Ling Yanjiang smiled and found a spot to sit quietly, waiting to witness the wedding.

Many people came to add to Ge Lihua’s dowry. Chu Qingzhi gave a pair of purple-gold phoenix hairpins, Chu Qingyue gave ruby earrings, and Chu Qingning gave a pair of blue jade bracelets…

Various jewelry and accessories were given in abundance.

Ge Lihua looked around at everything happening, feeling grateful. She had thought she was all alone but found herself having a family again.

Xujin, thank you!

Chu Qingning recorded the dowry gifts from everyone on a paper and handed the list to Ge Lihua, “Lihua, these are the items everyone just gave you.”

Ge Lihua briefly glanced at it before setting it aside, indifferent to these material gifts, “Qingning, I’m starting to get nervous.”

Chu Qingning took Ge Lihua’s hand, smiling softly, “We’re all here with you.”

As time slowly passed with everyone busily preparing, evening approached, and the sun’s intimate embrace with the earth seemed to herald the joyous event.

At the main house, the matchmaker called out, “Quick, the auspicious hour is upon us. It’s time to fetch the bride.”

With the matchmaker’s cue, drums and gongs started to play, creating a lively and jubilant atmosphere.

Chu Xujin, dressed in his wedding attire, looking radiant and joyful, mounted his steed, adorned with red flowers, leading the procession to fetch Ge Lihua from Grandma Ge’s house.

Villagers and children followed the procession, all heading towards Grandma Ge’s home.

Since it was all within the same village, they arrived quickly.

Chu Xujin dismounted, his heart leaping with joy, “Lihua, I’ve come to take you home.”

Inside, Ge Lihua smiled at his words but remained silent, following the rituals before being led outside by the matchmaker, her head covered in a traditional bridal veil.

Ling Yanjiang, taking the place of Ge Lihua’s brother, carried her to the bridal sedan, then turned to Chu Xujin, “I entrust my little junior sister to you. You must take good care of her from now on.”

Chu Xujin assured solemnly, “Please rest assured, big senior brother. I will take good care of Lihua.”

Ling Yanjiang patted Chu Xujin’s shoulder, “Thank you.”

With the bride fetched, it was time to head back. Following custom, the bridal procession took a different route home, not retracing their steps.

After circling the village, they returned home.

Firecrackers crackled loudly, announcing the bride’s successful arrival.

“Congratulations, congratulations…”

“Congratulations, congratulations…”

In the presence of friends and family, Chu Rong and Li Qingyu took their seats in the main hall. Chu Xujin and Ge Lihua performed the wedding rites, officially becoming husband and wife. The bride was then escorted to the bridal chamber, and the groom stayed to entertain the guests.

The master of ceremonies announced with a long and loud voice, “Let the feast begin!”

This was the moment everyone had been looking forward to. Hearing the call to start the feast, everyone promptly found their seats, eagerly anticipating the meal to come.

As the sun fully set, lanterns and bonfires illuminated the surroundings, casting a warm, reddish glow on the faces of the smiling guests, as if the flames themselves were extending their blessings to the newlyweds.

The wedding banquet featured several dishes that were new to the villagers, including smoked sausage, stir-fried bamboo shoots with bacon, and slices of pork in sauce. The preparations of the bamboo shoots with bacon and the sauced pork had already tantalized the children, making their mouths water, and the adults were just as eager.

So, as soon as the dishes were served, both adults and children reached for these three dishes with their chopsticks.

Chu Junbao devoured two pieces of smoked sausage, finding it increasingly delicious with each chew, and went for another helping, exclaiming, “This smoked sausage is so fragrant and tasty!”

After enjoying the sausage, he also tried the stir-fried bacon with bamboo shoots and the sauced pork slices, both of which offered unprecedented flavors.