Wife, Don't Be Like This!

Chapter 10 - This Old Lady's Son-in-law

The nineteenth year of the Ninghe era, the twenty-first day of the sixth month.

The grand wedding.

The Song and Luo families were both great clans in Ningping County. This wedding was naturally a lively affair, known throughout the entire city.

According to Song Hongtao's wishes, he was just a live-in son-in-law, so a simple gesture from both sides to go through the motions would suffice. But the Luo family disagreed, insisting on a grand and magnificent celebration. Since the Luo family was paying for it anyway, he didn't insist.

The shops on both sides of the street were covered with large, red 'happiness' characters. Gongs and drums boomed, firecrackers thundered, and it was extremely lively.

The wedding procession stretched for over a hundred meters. Coupled with the eighty-eight carrying poles of dowry arranged by the Song family, it almost filled the entire street.

Six sturdy men dressed in red short shirts carried bamboo baskets in their arms, grabbing handful after handful of copper coins and tossing them to both sides, often causing a scramble.

Song Yan was dressed in bright red wedding robes, riding a tall horse and following behind. The person leading the horse was the Luo family's Third Young Master, Luo Tianyang.

"It seems the Luo family places great importance on this live-in son-in-law. Normally, a live-in son-in-law just gets a small sedan chair and is carried in through a side door. But this one gets a tall horse, parades through the streets, and the one leading the horse is even the Luo family's Third Young Master. They've really given him a lot of face."

"I don't think the Luo family necessarily values this son-in-law that much. I heard the Luo family's eldest young miss is not in a good condition. The Luo family is in a hurry for a 'chongxi' marriage. Since it's for 'chongxi', naturally, the livelier, the better."

[N: Chongxi (冲喜): The superstitious practice of arranging a joyous event, like a wedding, for a gravely ill person in the hopes that the festive energy will drive away the sickness and bad luck.]

"That's true. But is this Ninth Young Master very favored in the Duke's mansion? To actually have an eighty-eight pole dowry?"

"If he were truly favored, would he be going to be a live-in son-in-law?"

"That woman surnamed Yang in the Duke's mansion is notoriously cruel and vicious. Of the Duke's five concubine-born sons, only this one survived. Of the six concubine-born daughters, three went missing, and the remaining three were married off at eleven or twelve.

What a sin. It's a blessing from the heavens that this Ninth Young Master has grown this old. As for the dowry, it's probably because the Luo family gave a large betrothal gift. If the dowry were too small, it would be a loss of face, and these large households care most about face."

"Do you think those four dead concubine-born sons and three concubine-born daughters were all killed by Yang Shi?"

"Isn't that obvious? Even a fool knows it must have been done by Yang Shi."

The rustling sounds of whispers from all around entered his ears, and then the topic went off track. The attention of the melon-eating masses shifted to Yang Shi. Although Yang Shi also wanted to maintain a good reputation outside, and the affairs of the Duke's mansion were strictly forbidden from being spread, there is no wall in this world that doesn't have a crack.

The more one tries to hide something, the more outrageous some rumors become.

"What do you all know? There's a big story here. I heard that Yang Shi was originally a hen that couldn't lay eggs. She found a demonic Daoist and learned a wicked art called the 'Life Exchange Technique.' One life for one life. By sacrificing a concubine's son, she could give birth to a son. Otherwise, where did her eight sons come from? Even a sow isn't that fertile."

"So scary."

Grapevine news isn't necessarily guaranteed to be true, but it's absolutely guaranteed to be wild.

Fortunately, the three from the groom's escort party, Song Zhen, Song Yun, and Song Lu, were afraid of losing face and had gone to the Luo family early. Otherwise, if they had heard this, it's not guaranteed they wouldn't have been angered to the point of vomiting blood.

He turned his head for a look. Behind him, the eighty-eight poles of dowry chests were swaying.

Song Yan grinned: "Tianyang."

"Eh? Brother-in-law, what's up?" Luo Tianyang immediately responded.

Ever since confirming that those tablets, not even as big as a fingernail, were effective, Luo Tianyang was thoroughly impressed by Song Yan. He was even hoping to butter up this brother-in-law so that when it came time to fulfill his promise, he could eat a couple of mouthfuls less.

"Find a chance later to open up those dowry chests and see what's inside."

Song Yan instructed. The four old servant women were not around, so he wasn't worried about being overheard.

This kind of mischievous business was most suitable for Luo Tianyang to handle.

These past few days, Yang Shi had been busy both inside and out, saying she was preparing his dowry. But Song Yan didn't believe for a second that Yang Shi was really that kind. To Yang Shi, spending money on him, a concubine's son, was no different from cutting off her own flesh.

The not-so-long street took a surprisingly long time to traverse. By the time they reached the Luo Mansion, it was already close to noon.

The Luo Mansion was decorated even more lively and festive, with numerous guests. Almost all the prominent figures in Ningping County were present. Even the County Magistrate and County Deputy were no exception. Even the Prefect of Song Prefecture had personally attended.

Although the relationship between Luo Yuheng and the Ning Emperor was very strained, and she had been repeatedly demoted, the Ning Emperor had not, in fact, purged those who were close to Luo Yuheng. They didn't dare attend the running feasts for her adopted sons and daughters, but for her biological daughter's wedding, it was probably fine.

After stepping over the basin of fire, Song Yan was supported by Gu Banxia and welcomed into the Luo Mansion. Many guests, handmaidens, and servant boys looked at Song Yan with all sorts of expressions, but most were gloating over his misfortune. After all, even if the Luo family was large and wealthy, being a live-in son-in-law was ultimately a bit shameful. Of course, some gazes were also very envious, as if lamenting why they didn't have the opportunity to latch onto a rich woman.

Entering the main hall, his mother-in-law Luo Yuheng was seated in the main seat.

The Luo family elders were all imperial relatives, so naturally they would not be present here.

The escort party from the Song family, Song Zhen, Song Yun, and Song Lu, were all seated in the guest seats, looking at him with smugness, contempt, and mockery.

In the guest seats on the other side were the officials from the prefecture and county, who had also come to serve as witnesses.

This was his first time seeing his mother-in-law. Song Yan was slightly stunned. He saw that this woman's figure was slender and graceful, her skin whiter than snow, and she had a pair of large, moist phoenix eyes. Though she lacked a wanton and coquettish air, she possessed a natural enchanting charm that moved the heart.

Her waist was slender, but her chest was exceptionally ample. The phrase 'a slender branch bearing plump fruit' was no exaggeration.

Her three thousand strands of black hair were elegantly coiled up. The most eye-catching feature was probably the tear mole beneath the corner of her eye, which added a touch of charm.

Truly a beautiful woman.

Thinking about Luo Tianshu's age, Luo Yuheng was probably in her late thirties, but at a glance, she looked no older than twenty-six or twenty-seven.

This mother-in-law was skilled in preserving her youth, her charm still remained.

But what made Song Yan's heart skip a beat was Luo Yuheng's appearance. The features around her eyes were quite similar to Luo Tianyi's. No one would doubt they were biological mother and daughter.

Now this was interesting.

On the small side of things, his already beheaded father-in-law had a vast green prairie on his head.

On the large side of things, it would be quite a spectacle. Who knows how many people's heads would roll.

At the same time, Luo Yuheng was also sizing up Song Yan. She nodded her delicate head, a faint smile on her lips. Perhaps because Song Yan could save her daughter, the more the mother-in-law looked at her son-in-law, the more satisfied she became.

Just this appearance alone was so very handsome.

More handsome than her Prince Consort back then.

She was a 'face-con', and liked good-looking people.

Most importantly, despite this kid looking like a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, the report Gu Banxia brought back was: beast, savage, wild donkey... Thus, in the future, when Xuan'er's consumption is cured, their married life would surely be very harmonious.

Unlike her beheaded Prince Consort.

But I heard that because his mother died early and he was imprisoned alone in the backyard, he's extremely starved for love, so he prefers older women... This way, he probably won't mind that Tianxuan is three years older than him.

Hmm, as long as this kid doesn't get any ideas about me, it's fine.

Thinking this, Luo Yuheng looked at Song Yan, and the more she looked, the more she liked him.

The Hour of Wu had arrived. Next, it was time for the wedding ceremony.

But at this time, a problem arose. Although Luo Tianxuan was the bride, she suffered from consumption and couldn't possibly appear at the scene.

After all, consumption is contagious.

The people present were just here to show their support, not to throw their lives away.

The scene fell into a strange silence. The old servant woman in charge of officiating the wedding hadn't received any instructions from Luo Yuheng beforehand, and for a moment, she didn't know what to do.

"Madam, how about we choose one of the First Young Miss's handmaidens to take her place in the wedding ceremony? What do you think?" After pondering for a moment, the old servant woman asked helplessly.

This kind of thing should have been discussed before the ceremony. But every time she went to ask, Luo Yuheng would always say there was no hurry and they'd talk about it when the time came. Now, she was the one in a difficult position…

The old servant woman grumbled in her heart, She's not even afraid of shaming her son-in-law. It seems this Luo Yuheng really doesn't like this live-in son-in-law.

But that makes sense. The Luo family has imperial blood. For their legitimate eldest young miss to marry a concubine's son, it would be strange if she were satisfied. Even if she is gravely ill, she is not someone just anyone can climb up to.

This kind of special situation wasn't common, but it wasn't unheard of either. Under normal circumstances, one would choose from the bride's personal handmaidens to take her place. But Luo Tianxuan had no handmaidens, so the only choice was Gu Banxia. Gu Banxia was the bed-warming maid, so it was suitable.

Or they could just skip the ceremony, but that would be rather inauspicious.

And they still needed to carry out the 'chongxi'.

"This is improper." Luo Yuheng hadn't yet made a sound, but Song Zhen was the first to speak.

As Luo Tianxuan's original fiancé, Song Zhen shouldn't have come. The Luo family certainly wouldn't welcome him, but he still came thick-skinned.

Naturally, it wasn't because he regretted it. Even if Luo Tianxuan were as beautiful as a celestial fairy, he wouldn't regret it.

No other reason, he just wanted to see Song Yan get humiliated.

This detestable bastard. Just for asking for a bed-warming maid, Gu Banxia, he actually dared to refuse, making me lose all face. Who gave him the guts?

The other guests around did not make a sound. Most of them also knew about the dirty laundry of the Duke's mansion. They didn't know what kind of trouble this Song Zhen was about to stir up.

Song Zhen had obviously prepared his lines in advance, and spoke eloquently:

"What kind of status does Miss Tianxuan have? What qualifications does a mere handmaiden have to take Miss Tianxuan's place in the wedding ceremony?"

"Why not use a rooster to take her place? Roosters ward off evil. If he performs the ceremony with a rooster, perhaps it will completely drive out the evil sickness from Miss Tianxuan's body."

As soon as these words were spoken, the surroundings instantly became dead silent.

The gazes directed at Song Zhen were full of strangeness. Everyone knew Song Zhen wanted to cause trouble, but no one had expected him to be so vicious.

Some people couldn't help but look at Song Yan with a mocking expression. If Song Yan really performed the wedding ceremony with a rooster, he would truly lose all face and would never be able to hold his head high for the rest of his life.

Song Yan also opened his mouth slightly. Perform the wedding ceremony with Brother Kun?

That's not appropriate, is it?

Beside him, Gu Banxia's face was grim. She was clearly very angry.

Song Zhen, however, paid it no mind, looking smug and triumphant. He just couldn't stand to see Song Yan happy. He just wanted to deliberately humiliate Song Yan. What of it?

I have to say, Old Seven is a scholar for a reason. The method he came up with is just that good. And he even found the excuse of warding off evil. Aren't you trying to have a 'chongxi'? A rooster wards off evil, how perfect. It leaves Song Yan with no way to refuse even if he wanted to.

Moreover, Song Yun was very loyal as a brother, and gave this opportunity to be in the spotlight to him.

No one noticed that Luo Yuheng's pretty face was already covered in frost, with only the corner of her mouth curling into a cold sneer.

Seeing that Luo Yuheng hadn't made a sound, Song Zhen, who was waiting to see the joke, couldn't hold it in any longer:

"Madam, what do you think of this junior's proposal?"

"Shut up for me."

Just then, Luo Yuheng's slender jade hand slammed down on the armrest, and she suddenly flew into a rage. Her cold voice echoed in the main hall, and who knows how many people trembled three times over.

"This is this old lady's son-in-law."

"This old lady's."

"A son-in-law is half a son. This old lady wouldn't even bear to let Yan'er suffer the slightest grievance. The betrothal gifts for the Song family were worth seventy to eighty thousand taels of silver. I even arranged a jade-like bed-warming maid for him. For the wedding's pageantry, I wanted to startle the entire Ningping County. Even for leading the horse, Tianyang had to do it personally."

"You, Song Zhen, what kind of vexing piece of shit crawled out from where? How dare you humiliate this old lady's son-in-law like this!"

Death penalty, must be the death penalty, absolutely the death penalty.