Firecrackers exploded one after another at the Ji family’s main gate. At the entrance, Ji Yaoting had already dismounted and was taking a ceremonial bow under the master of ceremonies’ guidance, preparing to shoot the screen.
Sang Shisi pulled Yang Jingyuan through the main gate: “You’re here for the wedding feast, you need to pay your respects to Madam Ji. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten all your etiquette. The newlyweds are about to enter, hurry up.”
Yang Jingyuan didn’t object, following Sang Shisi to the front hall.
A wedding canopy had been erected in the front hall, with banquet tables set up. The main hall was filled with women and guests. Yang Jingyuan was pushed forward by Matron Chen, forcing himself to step inside.
Matron Li, having received advance notice, announced with a smile: “Madam, Third Young Master Yang, and Young Master Sang have come to offer their congratulations.”
Madam Ji couldn’t help but lean forward, her eyes brightening as she saw two young gentlemen approaching together, standing tall and dignified before her. She had already witnessed Sang Shisi’s bearing as the son of an official family. Seeing Yang Jingyuan for the first time, she looked him over several times.
“Congratulations to you,” Yang Jingyuan made a deep bow, performing a formal greeting.
Sang Shisi also cupped his hands and bowed deeply, his face full of smiles: “Congratulations on this joyous occasion, Madam Ji!”
The two young men in their fine silk robes stood out like cranes among chickens, drawing whispered discussions from the women and young ladies in the hall.
Madam Ji was somewhat surprised by Yang Jingyuan’s handsome appearance, feeling more pleased inwardly. Up front, Ji Yaoting was already leading the bride in by a red silk cord, leaving no time for further conversation. She smiled, “Thank you both for coming to witness the ceremony.”
Yang Jingyuan and Sang Shisi stepped aside after paying their respects. Yang Jingyuan quickly glanced toward Madam Ji’s side, seeing Ji Yingying whispering with her maid, not sparing him a single look.
“The newlyweds to bow to Heaven and Earth!”
Sang Shisi quickly pulled him to the back.
The hall was packed to bursting. As the newlyweds performed their bows, waves of joyous laughter filled the air. Yang Jingyuan leaned against the wall, watching Ji Yingying through the crowd.
Sang Shisi said gleefully: “She hasn’t looked at you once.”
Yang Jingyuan merely grunted, not engaging with his comment.
After a while, Sang Shisi couldn’t hold back anymore and tugged at his sleeve: “How do you plan to apologize to her?”
Yang Jingyuan glanced at him: “If I don’t apologize, she won’t marry me?”
Sang Shisi drew in a sharp breath, his eyes clearly saying, “Keep pretending, let’s see how you maintain this act when Ji Yingying breaks off the engagement in anger.”
Yang Jingyuan flashed a brilliant smile: “I’ve decided. I absolutely won’t become like you. And I definitely won’t let her turn into a second Madam Niu Qi!”
“My Qiniang is especially gentle and lovely now. I can’t wait until next year when she comes of age and we can marry!” Sang Shisi proclaimed to Yang Jingyuan with great satisfaction.
Upstairs, the three bows were completed, and the master of ceremonies called out “Escort them to the bridal chamber!”
People began laughing. Madam Ji invited the female guests to the back courtyard for the feast, while the male guests were invited by Second Young Master Zhu to the outer hall for drinks. Ji Yingying needed to accompany her new sister-in-law to the bridal chamber, finally having a chance to escape Yang Jingyuan’s burning gaze. After entering the back courtyard, she grew increasingly angry and called Ying’er over with a devious plan: “Go tell my brother to find a way to get Yang Third Young Master drunk!”
Ying’er exclaimed in dismay: “Miss, don’t get the groom drunk! He’s the bridegroom!”
“Don’t worry! Second Brother Zhu and his friends will help my brother handle the drinking!” Ji Yingying grew more excited as she thought about it: “He mocked me with his words and won’t let me break off the engagement! I won’t be able to sleep tonight if I don’t teach him a lesson! Hurry! Use that premium Jiannanchun liquor the Yang family sent, it’s strong enough!”
When the feast began up front, Ji Yaoting came out after lifting the bride’s veil to attend to the guests.
He pulled Second Young Master Zhu aside and bowed deeply, causing Zhu’s face to flush purple as he stepped aside: “Elder Brother Ji, there’s no need for such ceremony.”
Ji Yaoting said frankly: “Second Brother Zhu, though my sister and you weren’t meant to be, you still help me wholeheartedly knowing this. You deserve my bow!”
Zhu Second Master sighed: “Elder Brother Ji, we grew up together. I know your family has a feud with the Zhao family. The Zhu family is also modest; marrying Yingying would only bring trouble to our household. Her marrying Young Master Yang means the Yang family can protect her. I understand everything. No need for courtesy.”
Ji Yaoting punched his shoulder and spoke honestly: “But I’m not happy about it. I’m incapable, can’t protect my sister. Let the Yang family take advantage of our situation. Today when Yang Third Young Master came to offer congratulations, I couldn’t stand the sight of him.”
The two exchanged a glance, breaking into conspiratorial grins as they linked arms and joined the feast.
Outside, cups were exchanged freely at the banquet. As Ji Yaoting made his rounds, he turned to see Second Young Master Zhu and his friends surrounding Yang Jingyuan and Sang Shisi.
Zhu declared boldly: “Young Master Yang, you’re engaged to Second Miss Ji. She’s like a sister to me!”
His friends shouted in unison: “She’s our sister too!”
Zhu finally had his moment to show authority over Sang Shisi and Yang Jingyuan: “Today you must pass our drinking challenge!”
The group cheered: “You must pass our drinking challenge!”
Sang Shisi counted quietly – goodness, eleven people, each holding a three-jin jar of Jiannanchun. He swallowed dryly, his playboy spirit rising: “They say a mighty dragon can’t suppress a local snake. Third Brother, let’s face this together. We may lose to people but not to their formation! Are you coming one by one or all at once?”
All at once? There’s enough liquor in those jars for a bath. Yang Jingyuan wasn’t foolish. But sometimes, a man’s chest holds nothing but spirit. Without a word, he grabbed the jar in front of him and started drinking.
Zhu’s eyes lit up as he drank with him.
One jar down. Zhu grew excited: “Good! Another!”
Yang Jingyuan had learned martial arts from a Qingcheng Daoist master, practicing internal energy cultivation methods. He could down a jar of wine in one breath without gasping. After three jars, Zhu’s face had turned the color of preserved meat. He hiccupped, spraying the alcohol that had reached his throat, and slid under the table.
His friends’ blood was up, and they swarmed forward.
When Ji Yaoting finished his rounds and came to this table, people were sprawled everywhere – on the ground, chairs, and tables. Sang Shisi sat dazed in his chair, clutching an empty wine jar with unfocused eyes. Yang Jingyuan looked like he’d been pulled from the water, but still wore a smile.
“Young Master Yang.” Ji Yaoting waved his hand in front of him.
Yang Jingyuan smiled at him, then collapsed into his arms, completely drunk.
Ji Yaoting had also drunk quite a bit but maintained his clarity, remembering it was his wedding night. He kicked Zhu: “Wake up! He’s drunk!”
Zhu opened his eyes, staggering to his feet, and looked down at Yang Jingyuan, chuckling: “How could he not be drunk? My wine jar was half water, but he drank pure liquor!” As he spoke, all the collapsed people became alert.
Sang Shisi’s tongue was thick: “You, you all were faking.”
Everyone burst out laughing: “You weren’t faking? How can you still talk?”
Sang Shisi threw away the empty jar and declared righteously: “Watered-down wine is still wine! I wasn’t faking!” His eyes rolled as he cupped his hands: “It’s getting late, I’ll take my leave first!”
Before anyone could react, Sang Shisi was supported by his servant as he fled the Ji residence.
Helped onto his horse, Sang Shisi swayed and mumbled: “Third Brother, your brother has done what needed to be done. This is a great opportunity, just wait for Second Miss Ji’s sobering soup!”
As the night deepened, guests began to leave. Sang Shisi had abandoned Yang Jingyuan and fled. Ji Yaoting took the opportunity to settle Yang Jingyuan in his former room in the outer courtyard.
When he went to the bridal chamber, Ji Yingying was already waiting at the second gate: “Brother, did you get him drunk?”
Ji Yaoting nodded with a smile, his gaze falling on the food box Ying’er was carrying. He couldn’t help but warn her: “Just don’t put croton in the sobering soup. Don’t go too far.”
Ji Yingying smiled sweetly: “Don’t worry. I just added extra salt and vinegar. Later I’ll tell Ji Ying not to send any tea to his room. You should go now, don’t keep your sister-in-law waiting!” She happily left with Ying’er.
Ji Yaoting couldn’t help but smile. As long as his sister’s prank was harmless, it was fine. His mind was on his new bride, and he couldn’t care about Yang Jingyuan’s fate, so he headed straight for the bridal chamber.
Once the feast ended and the female guests were sent off, Madam Ji retired for the night, completely unaware of the siblings’ collaboration with Second Young Master Zhu to deal with Yang Jingyuan.