In this remote place, far from the reach of imperial power, the common folk had almost never seen royalty or nobility before.

To suddenly have so many arrive at once, all with extraordinary bearing, handsome and noble in appearance, left the townsfolk utterly dazzled.

Especially the women — to witness such a grand spectacle once in this lifetime was enough to leave them without regrets.

Just as the women were nearly overwhelmed and pressing forward, the auspicious hour arrived.

“Greetings to the groom! Wonderful, groom! The hour has arrived, please!”

The wedding attendant waved her hand, and the servants cleared the way.

The wedding procession wasted no time, striding forward together.

Such a grand display was far beyond what an ordinary family’s wedding procession would have.

It was a bit hurried, yes, but it didn’t diminish their esteemed status in the women’s hearts.

The haste only showed just how much this husband cared for the bride waiting inside.

The degree was just right — not too much, not too little.

In the courtyard where the bridal chamber stood, Qiao Mu sat right in the center outside the main hall.

In the courtyard, there were plenty of people, some standing, some sitting.

Besides the nine sisters, there were also quite a few maids.

Everyone was anxious, their gazes almost all fixed on the front gate outside.

The gate was knocked on from outside, and even separated by a courtyard, those in the quiet hall could still hear the sound.

Yue Qinchun and Gong Xing’er and the others stood up at once upon hearing the knock.

“Jiu’er, they’re here, they’ve arrived, what do we do?”

Before anyone else could speak, the maid guarding the door pulled it open.

Outside, another maid came running in.

“Miss Jiu’er, they’re here, they’ve already come through the gate.”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded and stood up. “Just follow the plan, no need to panic.”

“Wh-what’s step one again?” The maid was so anxious she was practically flailing her arms.

“Close the door.” Feng Jiu’er walked out calmly.

“Right, right, close the door.” The maid turned and pushed the door shut together with another maid.

They didn’t close it completely either, leaving a gap, and then hung up a specially made iron chain.

This way, it wouldn’t be so easy for anyone to get in from outside.

“Quick! Everyone help, Xuepiao, we’re blocking the door, hurry! Hurry up!” Gong Xing’er shouted the whole way as she ran.

After all, a single chain alone trying to hold back a dozen-plus men outside was basically a joke.

The whole group moved to block behind the door.

They could faintly hear footsteps approaching, and everyone fell silent.

“They’re really here.” Xiao Yingtao stamped her foot, peering out.

“Wow! So many handsome men, so beautiful! So easy on the eyes!”

“Let me see.” Yue Qinchun shoved Xiao Yingtao, who was still wiping her mouth, aside.

“They really are so beautiful! All of them! The groom is handsome, His Highness is even more handsome, Big Brother Jian Yi is the most handsome of all! All so beautiful! And so tall!”

“I want to look too.”

“Let me see.”

More and more people crowded forward, and the gap in the door grew wider and wider.

“Hey, hey, hey.” Feng Jiu’er really couldn’t stand watching anymore. “You’re about to push the door down.”

“Calm down! Calm down!” Xiao Yingtao finally snapped out of it.

“Stop pushing! You can look your fill later.” Gong Xinyue also reached out and pulled someone back with one hand.

Finally, the dozen or so people behind the door settled down somewhat.

The footsteps outside grew closer and closer, and the girls all straightened their backs.

“Knock, knock, knock…”

A knocking sound came from outside, followed immediately by Feng Jiang’s steady, somewhat reserved voice.

“My wife, I’ve come.”

Feng Jiang’s words drew hoots and jeers from the men outside.

Gong Xing’er and Leng Xuepiao stood on either side, pressing hard against the door so no one outside could take advantage of any opening.

Xiao Yingtao and Yue Qinchun leaned their heads together and coughed loudly at the same time.

“Marrying Sister Qiao won’t be so easy!”

“Not so easy!” the rest of the dozen-plus women echoed in unison.

“What do we need to do to open the door?” Feng Jiang asked.

“Just ram it open.” Someone outside called out, “This door won’t stop us.”

“Yu Jingfeng, you dare!” Leng Xuepiao suddenly cut in coldly.

The girls quieted down, looking at the one who normally never spoke.

“I wouldn’t dare!” Yu Jingfeng’s tone turned anxious, and he looked thoroughly frightened.

“Xuepiao, weren’t you supposed to be accompanying Qiao Mu? Why are you here too?”

“Meaning, if I’m not around, you can just act recklessly?” Leng Xuepiao shot back.

“Of course not.” Yu Jingfeng laughed sheepishly. “I was just joking just now.”

“To get through the door, silver, gold, or bank notes will all do the trick.” Xiao Yingtao stuck out her small hand.

“Wife, careful not to get your hand pinched.” Xing Zizhou pulled Yu Jingfeng beside him back. “Don’t push the door!”

He’d recognized Xiao Yingtao’s hand at a single glance.

“However much my wife wants, I’ll give it.” Xing Zizhou continued.

“Isn’t your money my money too?” Xiao Yingtao frowned. “I want the brother-in-law’s money. If the sincerity’s there, the door will definitely open.”

“That’s right, today it has to be the brother-in-law’s money.” Yue Qinchun chimed in.

“I’ll give it.” Several voices rang out at once.

Feng Jiu’er seemed to have caught her own man’s voice among them; she gave a light cough but said nothing.

“Well then, hand it over!” Xiao Yingtao wiggled her fingers. “Just slip it in here.”

Inside and outside the gate fell silent, and then Feng Jiang’s voice came through.

“How much do you all want? I didn’t know to bring silver.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.” Zhao Yusheng frowned. “You’re here for the wedding procession and you didn’t bring red envelope money?”

“Xing Zizhou didn’t mention it, and this is my first time — I didn’t know.” Feng Jiang reached out and took the money pouch from Yang Sheng’s hand.

He pulled it out, frowned, and said, “Yang Sheng, this is all you brought?”

“Mm.” Yang Sheng nodded.

“You’d think none of you had ever gotten married before.” Xing Zizhou also untied his own money pouch.

“I’ve got some here — just don’t let my wife find out.”

“Wu Ya, Jian Yi, do you two have any?” Feng Jiang turned to look at the two men behind him.

Di Wu Ya and Jian Yi stood there, arms crossed, looking every bit like a pair of guards.

Though — probably, likely, most likely — there had never, since ancient times, been such a stunningly handsome pair of guards.

Jian Yi raised an eyebrow, lowered his arms, undid his money pouch, and tossed it over.

Yu Jingfeng startled and said, “Your Highness, why are you looking at me?”

“This king never carries silver when going out.” Di Wu Ya’s voice rang out, heavenly as ever.

“I…” Yu Jingfeng untied his own money pouch, pulled out the silver inside, and counted it.

“Your Highness, does this count as yours? There’s…”

“Count it as yours.” Di Wu Ya cut off Yu Jingfeng. “It’s Little Jiang’s wedding — you can’t be so stingy today.”

“Your Highness.”

Before Yu Jingfeng could finish speaking, Xing Zizhou snatched his money pouch away.

“Never said I wouldn’t pay you back! Besides, if you’re not generous now, when it’s your turn to get married, Master Xiao Jiang here won’t have any excuse to be generous either.”

“Is that how it works?” Yu Jingfeng was still asking.

The silver in his pouch was completely emptied out and handed over to Feng Jiang.

“I’ve got some more here.”

“Here’s a bit.”

“Here.”

Soon, everyone had emptied their pockets, and Feng Jiang’s hands were full of silver, along with bank notes.

He put everything into one larger money pouch and pushed it through the gap in the door.

“Ladies, please accept this with our compliments!”