When a wealthy family organizes a wedding or funeral, managing relationships can be quite challenging. If the son-in-law and maternal uncle are seated at the main table, where do the superiors and colleagues sit? Therefore, in addition to inviting a few trusted individuals to form a financial committee, it is essential to enlist several sociable people who are well-versed in the customs of weddings and funerals to establish a ceremonial committee. This committee will oversee, arrange, and manage the ceremonial affairs during the event. Otherwise, one might offend someone without even realizing it. If the slighted son-in-law or maternal uncle leaves in a huff just before the seating begins, what should have been a joyous occasion could quickly turn into a farce!
Moreover, in a household like the Duke Ying’s, where guests are either nobles or esteemed relatives, failing to discuss arrangements in advance could lead to even greater complications if a guest feels slighted.
For instance, Ma Youming felt neglected and displeased simply because he received the wedding invitation on short notice.
Yan Chaoqing perked up upon hearing Song Mo’s words. Since the marriage between the Song and Dou families was arranged, this was the first time Song Mo had inquired about his wedding.
Logically, this marriage was something Song Mo had meticulously planned; he was not someone to be easily manipulated, so he should have been quite concerned about the wedding details. However, he appeared somewhat indifferent. This indifference was not a tactic to keep Duke Ying off guard, but rather a genuine acceptance of Duke Ying’s arrangements, allowing him to take charge.
Yan Chaoqing sensed that something unpleasant had likely occurred between Dou Zhao and Song Mo. Previously, he thought Song Mo’s frequent interactions with Dou Zhao were unwise. Dou Zhao was engaged to Wei Tingyu at the time, and Song Mo’s concern for Dou Zhao had exceeded that of an ordinary friend. He feared that Song Mo might act impulsively and do something unbecoming. Now that Dou Zhao’s engagement to Wei Tingyu had been dissolved and Song Mo had reached a marriageable age, he believed there was no one more suitable for Song Mo than Dou Zhao, given her capabilities to manage household affairs.
Yan Chaoqing worried that Song Yichun might discover he had been deceived and that the situation could change unexpectedly. He also feared that misunderstandings might cause Song Mo and Dou Zhao to part ways. He wanted to find a moment to speak with Song Mo but could not find the right opportunity. His anxiety had kept him from sleeping well for days.
At this moment, Song Mo shook off his previous indifference and regained the calm composure he had once displayed in strategizing. How could he not feel pleased? It seemed that the situation between the two had taken a turn for the better!
Yan Chaoqing sighed in relief and smiled, “Does the young master have any ideas?”
Song Mo replied, “Who should we invite to assist with the wedding?”
Yan Chaoqing carefully explained the roles of the “full fortune person,” the “groom’s father,” and the “ceremonial officiant.”
Song Mo listened attentively. After Yan Chaoqing finished, he shared his encounter with Ma Youming and then asked, “Who did Father invite as the full fortune person?”
Yan Chaoqing informed him that Liao Bifeng had been entrusted with the wedding arrangements.
Liao Bifeng quickly responded, “The invitation was extended to the wife of the Marquis of Changxing.”
Song Mo frowned slightly. Although the wife of the Marquis of Changxing held a prestigious position, she did not have a father-in-law, which disqualified her as a fortune person.
After some thought, he said, “For the full fortune person, let’s invite the eldest lady from Uncle Lu’s side. As for the ceremonial committee, I trust Father will manage that without confusion. For the groom’s father, let’s invite Ma Youming, Dong Qi, Shen Qing, Wang Qinghuai, Zhang Xuming, Lu Zhan, and Gu Yu.” He paused for emphasis, “And let’s also include Tian En. For the one carrying the gold and silver vessels, we can ask Lu Zhan’s eldest son, Lu Gui, and for the ceremonial officiants, let’s invite the wives of Wang Qinghuai and Zhang Xuming.”
With that, the ceremonial details were quickly decided.
Liao Bifeng gasped in surprise. Lu Zhan was the eldest grandson of Lu Fuliyi. Inviting Lu Zhan’s wife as the full fortune person and his son to carry the gold and silver vessels was acceptable, considering the Lu family was related to the Duke. Moreover, the Lu family had been prominent for generations, and the eldest lady was well-respected for her virtues. However, the groom’s father was a prominent figure, and among the guests were three young masters, with Wang Qinghuai’s wife being a first-rank noblewoman and Zhang Xuming’s wife being the granddaughter of Princess Ningde. This lineup rivaled that of a royal wedding! It was even more extravagant than a royal wedding.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead. It seemed the young master placed significant importance on his future bride!
Yan Chaoqing, however, cast a complex glance at Song Mo. The young master had grown up! He understood that a husband and wife are one and that Dou Zhao’s honor reflected his dignity; his dignity could elevate Dou Zhao’s glory.
If the spirit of his late wife could see this, she would surely be at peace.
Thinking of this, Yan Chaoqing felt a pang in his heart, and his eyes grew moist.
Gu Yu, on the other hand, looked displeased. Hadn’t he already said that the fourth miss of the Dou family was not a suitable match? Why didn’t Tian Ci listen to him? To save face for her, he even temporarily set aside his grievances with Dong Qi. Tian Ci was taking this fourth miss of the Dou family too seriously!
Did that fourth miss of the Dou family even realize what Tian Ci had done for her?
Thinking of this, he felt wronged by Song Mo and couldn’t help but say, “Tian Ci, let’s not invite Dong Qi. He’s cunning and sly, lacking ability, yet he always looks down on you…”
Song Mo interrupted him with a smile, “But doesn’t Dong Qi often boast about how much he admires me? Let’s invite him to help out this time. With so many people watching, he surely won’t go back on his word. As for the matters during the wedding procession, with Wang Dahai around, there shouldn’t be any issues.”
As for what Dong Qi thought… what did it matter?
Once Song Mo spoke, Gu Yu understood the underlying logic. If they could embarrass Dong Qi and let him add some flair to Song Mo’s wedding, Gu Yu immediately brightened up, winking, “I’ll go deliver the invitation to Dong Qi.” He looked eager to stir up trouble.
Seeing that Gu Yu’s attention had shifted, Song Mo smiled slightly and asked Yan Chaoqing to write invitations for Ma Youming and the others.
Liao Bifeng then went to the ceremonial committee to inform them of the guests Song Mo had invited.
Yan Chaoqing chuckled, first preparing the invitation for Dong Qi and handing it to Gu Yu.
Gu Yu excitedly left Duke Ying’s residence.
As he gazed at the dark alley outside, he suddenly felt a twinge of regret. He should have spoken to Tian Ci a bit more.
Then he thought if Tian Ci were marrying someone other than the fourth miss of the Dou family, how interesting this grand and lively wedding would be!
Gu Yu sighed, feeling that even the joy of teasing Dong Qi had diminished.
The next day was the day for the bridal preparations. The ceremonial committee had long since prepared for the wedding, but suddenly, Liao Bifeng brought news that Song Mo had invited several close friends to assist with the wedding, completely overturning the previous arrangements. The ceremonial committee was thrown into chaos.
Some clever individuals took Liao Bifeng’s list to see Duke Ying.
Song Yichun and the others had not yet dispersed and were being served by maids and matrons during their late-night snack.
Song Maochun, Song Fengchun, and Song Tongchun were all smiling as they flattered Song Yichun. After some haggling, Song Maochun and Song Tongchun’s wives secured positions as ceremonial officiants, while Song Fengchun’s son was assigned to carry the gold and silver vessels. Everyone was satisfied with the benefits they shared.
Upon hearing the steward’s report, Song Maochun and the others exchanged glances of discontent.
The Song family members, except for Song Han and Song Mo, were not included at all!
This was a slap in the face for Song Yichun!
A half-eaten dumpling lodged in Song Yichun’s throat, turning his face red. If it weren’t for Tao Qizhong’s timely intervention, he might have choked right there.
“This ungrateful wretch!” he coughed and cursed Song Mo.
Tao Qizhong quickly signaled to the steward, handing over a cup of tea to help Song Yichun catch his breath. After a while, Song Yichun finally calmed down. Tao Qizhong then gently advised, “The young master has invited only those with official titles, except for Uncle Lu. Among them, three are young masters. The Duke should not oppose the young master; otherwise, it would offend all the young master’s guests. Moreover, the young master can say it was your idea. Think about it, how many noble families in the capital still hold significant influence today? The Duke should reconsider!”
Song Yichun’s face turned a shade of purple, and he reluctantly said, “Should we just let that ungrateful wretch do as he pleases? How will I explain this to the Marquis of Changxing?” His tone softened slightly.
Song Maochun and Song Tongchun exchanged glances.
Tao Qizhong continued, “Fortunately, there is only one relative from the Marquis of Changxing. We can easily find an excuse to smooth things over. My concern is that the young master has invited so many prominent figures, and Dong Qi, who has never respected the young master, is among them…”
This was not merely a wedding; it was a show of force against him!
Song Yichun was furious.
But apart from his anger, he had no other options.
As Tao Qizhong had said, if he rejected Song Mo’s request, he would offend everyone on that list, and then he would become the most despised person!
The steward was a clever individual who knew how to handle the situation. Without making a fuss, he returned to the ceremonial committee and instructed them to follow the list.
Tao Qizhong hurried to the Marquis of Changxing’s residence to apologize to the Marquis’s wife.
Meanwhile, Song Yichun felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on his heart. He lay in bed, grumbling, cursing the maids, and kicking the servants, tossing and turning until dawn.
When the people he had arranged to urge the bridal preparations finally arrived, the sleepless Tao Qizhong accompanied them, explaining that Dong Qi and the others insisted on joining the festivities. Song Yichun could not refuse and had to agree, explaining extensively before inviting them to the flower hall to take their seats and offering them gifts to appease them. Only then did he manage to settle them down.
Finally, Song Yichun got up to wash and appeared in the hall, looking dispirited.
Wang Qinghuai and the others had already arrived, enjoying tea with Song Mo and Yan Chaoqing.
The golden five- and six-cornered hats, the bright red official robes, and the colorful insignias illuminated the flower hall, making it resplendent. As Song Yichun stepped through the door, he couldn’t help but twitch his eye and frown.
“Father!” Song Mo smiled and stood to greet Song Yichun, exuding calm elegance and unmatched grace.
No matter the occasion, he always presented himself as a refined young gentleman, yet he harbored a belly full of schemes that left Song Yichun feeling unable to hold his head high!
Song Yichun seethed with anger as he watched Wang Qinghuai and the others approach to greet him. He had to put on a friendly demeanor and exchange pleasantries with them.
Then Song Yichun noticed that Dong Qi was conspicuously absent from the group.
He barely suppressed a laugh.
Song Mo, oh Song Mo, you are still a bit too naive!
What kind of person was Dong Qi?
The carefully groomed heir of the Duke of Guang’en.
Would he easily give a face to anyone?
Good things come in pairs!
With seven people, either add one or subtract one.
Add one, and as the auspicious time approached, you were so adamant yesterday about not needing anyone from my side. Today, I have no one to offer you.
Subtract one, and you invite all these people overnight. I wonder who you will choose to remove?
In an instant, Song Yichun wore a warm smile.