……
Wang Shouzhe was also taken aback, he didn’t expect the emotionally intelligent Gongsun Qiang to have a hidden card to play?
It was then that he remembered.
It seemed that before Gongsun Qiang arrived, he had brought two horse-drawn carriages alone, and no one knew what was loaded in those carriages?
Could it be… in those carriages…
Just as everyone was in doubt.
Suddenly.
The doors of the two carriages at the end of the procession were opened, and a huge object stepped out of each carriage.
“Boom! Boom!”
Accompanied by two loud noises, the bluestone road shattered.
What came into everyone’s view were two giant statue-like objects.
They were about ten feet tall, wide and fat, and seemed to be cast from a kind of dark crystal, giving a sense of endless power.
“What is this?”
Some of the direct descendants of the Liu’s Clan who were watching changed their expressions, “Are these the two inkstone puppets of the Gongsun’s Clan in Shanyang?”
The people of the Liu’s Clan were not unfamiliar with these two puppets.
The Liu’s Clan in Shanyin and the Gongsun’s Clan in Shanyang were separated by a mountain ridge. To be precise, they shared the same ridge.
The two clans had shared territories, so friction was inevitable.
Conflicts over mineral resources had occurred more than once or twice, and there was some resentment in their hearts.
These two inkstone puppets were usually stationed in the Gongsun’s Clan’s mine for mining, but when there were conflicts between the two sides, these two inkstone puppets would occasionally appear on the battlefield.
They were extremely powerful and seemed invulnerable. Apart from the Ancestor of the Liu’s Clan, no one could suppress these two inkstone puppets.
After suffering a few losses, the Liu’s Clan had begun to consider getting two puppets to guard the disputed mine.
They had found a seller through the connections of the Ancestor.
Unexpectedly, Gongsun Qiang brazenly brought the two inkstone puppets to the Liu’s Clan’s territory, which was really audacious.
Wang Shouzhe was also stunned.
Dear uncle, aren’t you just holding a wedding? Do you have to make it look like you’re here to make trouble?
What was even more astonishing was that each of the two inkstone puppets had a drum hanging on their chests. The drums were specially made battlefield drums, about ten feet in diameter and weighing over a thousand pounds, which would be difficult for an ordinary Xuanwu practitioner to lift.
But hanging on the bodies of the two puppets, they were steady and didn’t seem to be struggling at all.
Gongsun Qiang took out a small array plate. The array plate was made of inkstone, and many strange runes were engraved on it.
He pressed his palm on the small array plate, and Xuanqi continuously poured into it.
Something strange happened.
The two inkstone puppets suddenly moved.
“Boom!”
Their fists, like giant hammers, slammed hard on the giant drums. The war drums suddenly made a thunderous sound, shaking people’s eardrums and making their hearts panic.
“Boom!”
“Boom! Boom!”
As they pounded on the giant drums, the rhythm of the drumbeats accelerated, and a cheerful wedding drum music was played out by them.
Even the heavy footsteps of the inkstone puppets seemed to blend with the drum music, making the atmosphere more cheerful and the melody more exciting.
The scene was as shocking as it could be.
Wang Shouzhe was stunned.
Uncle, your idea is really unique.
The expressions of the people of the Liu’s Clan also became very strange. They stared at the scene in disbelief, wondering if Gongsun Qiang was here to celebrate his nephew’s wedding or to make trouble?
For a moment, they didn’t know how to deal with the situation.
On the other hand, the common people didn’t think so much. They were first shocked, then became extremely excited. The cheers came wave after wave, like a tsunami echoing in the sky.
Seeing this, Gongsun Qiang became even more excited.
He kept controlling the small array plate in his hand, speeding up the rhythm of the inkstone puppets’ drumming, making the drum music more shocking and the rhythm faster.
Although the scene was spectacular, the inkstone puppets were too heavy. Every step they took left a hole in the bluestone road. The bluestone road at the entrance of the Liu’s Clan was almost a disaster scene.
The expressions of the people of the Liu’s Clan became even more strange and suspicious.
It was clear that Gongsun Qiang was using the wedding as an excuse to cause trouble and damage their property.
But they had no evidence.
“My dear nephew, isn’t my trick good? It took me two months to train these two inkstone puppets.” Gongsun Qiang grinned at Wang Shouzhe, his face full of pride, “Isn’t the war drum Phoenix Seeking the Phoenix nice? Did I bring honor to you, uncle?”
Wang Shouzhe’s face darkened, Uncle, thank you so much.
Looking at the expressions of the people of the Liu’s Clan. If it weren’t for the big happy day today, they would have caught you, skinned you, beaten you up, and then expelled you from Shanyin Town.
Lu Zhengjie, who was standing by, also had a helpless look on his face, Gongsun Qiang, you win!
I admit defeat!
Fortunately, although the scene was a bit strange, the actual effect was very good. The emotions of all the spectators were ignited, and they began to dance happily to the strong rhythm of the drumbeats.
In this way, even the people of the Liu’s Clan couldn’t find any faults, and let Gongsun Qiang do as he pleased. After all, he was the bridegroom’s uncle, and he was helping to hold up the scene according to the wedding procession.With the path cleared by two ink-stone puppets ahead and the resonating dance of the phoenix and the phoenix in the sky, the Wang’s Clan wedding procession made its way to the front door of the Liu’s Clan main house amidst the bustling crowd of people.
Only then did the two uncles retract their divine powers. The phoenixes in the sky disappeared, and the ink-stone puppets returned to the carriage with heavy steps.
“Wang’s Clan groom, Wang Shouzhe, has arrived.”
The main door of the Liu’s Clan house had long been opened. As Liu Gaoyun, a member of the Liu’s Clan, announced loudly, several members of the Liu’s Clan came out from the main house to welcome the Wang’s Clan wedding procession according to the rituals.
The accompanying clan members and followers were all entertained by the Liu’s Clan members, with only Wang Shouzhe being invited into the main hall.
The layout of the Liu’s Clan main hall was already grand, but today it was decorated even more splendidly. The red “happiness” characters and silk flowers were everywhere, presenting a festive atmosphere.
Liu Gaowang, the Clan Leader of the Liu’s Clan, and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Xu, were both dressed in grand ceremonial clothes, waiting solemnly for Wang Shouzhe to pay his respects.
Wang Shouzhe straightened his clothes and respectfully greeted, “Shouzhe pays his respects to father-in-law and mother-in-law.”
Father-in-law Liu Gaowang coughed, and immediately a close servant respectfully helped Wang Shouzhe up.
“Good, good, good~” Mother-in-law Mrs. Xu carefully looked at Wang Shouzhe, the more she looked, the more satisfied she became, “Shouzhe, just as the rumors say, you are indeed handsome and heroic. Come, come, sit down, serve the tea and refreshments.”
Wang Shouzhe sat down as instructed, his back straight, not daring to show any negligence.
After drinking tea and eating refreshments, and making a few casual remarks, the ceremony was considered to have passed.
Mother-in-law Mrs. Xu said, “Shouzhe, it’s almost time. Ruo Lan is waiting for you in the backyard, you go ahead.”
“Yes. I will take my leave now.”
Wang Shouzhe stood up and bowed, then respectfully left the main hall, leading a group of young friends towards the courtyard.
Liu’s Clan main house, courtyard.
The layout here was square, with flower beds and trees, and a large piece of hard stone ground that could serve as a martial arts field.
At the same time, the courtyard also had corridors connecting various doors and courtyards.
To go to the backyard for the bride, this place was a must-pass if one did not want to climb over the wall.
Right here, at this “must-contest place for the military”, a group of young men and women from the Liu’s Clan, even those from the Wan generation, had been waiting here for a long time, all looking excited and eager.
The leader was Liu Yuanrui, the legitimate second son of the Yuan generation. Among the young people under eighteen, he had the highest status and prestige.
Today’s Liu Yuanrui was dressed in luxurious and festive clothes, a change from his usual elegant attire. He swept his gaze over the crowd with a stern look, “Did you all understand what I just instructed?”
“We understood.” The young and energetic unmarried members of the Liu’s Clan shouted in unison.
“Our slogan is……”
“Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, my sister is the boss.” “Clan Leader, Clan Leader, don’t show off.” “Big or small matters, wife is the boss.” “If you dare not to obey, ask your uncles and aunts.”
The sound was loud and the momentum was fierce, causing the air to tremble slightly.
“Oh, Yuanrui, you’ve made quite a lively scene.” At this time, Wang Shouzhe and a group of young brothers walked into the courtyard. Seeing this situation, they naturally understood that they had entered the next stage of the wedding.
Liu Yuanrui also greeted them with a smile on his face, bowing his hand in a cultured manner, “Brother-in-law, you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”
Wang Shouzhe glanced at the young people of the two generations, from eight or nine years old to seventeen or eighteen years old, all showing a “tiger-wolf” posture and staring at him. He felt a little scalp numb and said somewhat guiltily, “Yuanrui, we’ve known each other for a long time, and our relationship is like that of real brothers. You know my character. Let’s skip these old-fashioned rituals.”
Before Liu Yuanrui could speak.
Chen Fangjie, the brother-in-law on the side, laughed and said, “Shouzhe, I remember two months ago, when I went to your house for the wedding. I said the same thing to you, how did you answer me then?”
“Uh… alright.” Wang Shouzhe said helplessly and honestly, “I said at that time. This wedding, it’s a once in a lifetime event, it should be lively, with more ceremonial sense, so that we can have more memories when we get old.”
“Thanks to Shouzhe’s care, the memories of my wedding are unforgettable and will be engraved in my heart forever.” As Chen Fangjie spoke, he couldn’t help but get a little teary-eyed. During this part of his wedding, Shouzhe, he was too, too…
Even now, thinking about it, he couldn’t help but want to cry. Getting married was really not easy.
“Brother-in-law, you insisted on helping with the wedding this time.” Wang Shouzhe suddenly realized, “So you were waiting for me here. It’s really karma.”
“Not at all.” Chen Fangjie, who had spent a lot of time with Wang Shouzhe, had trained his skin to be much thicker, “I just thought, I absolutely can’t let Shouzhe’s wedding have any regrets.”
Liu Yuanrui also said with a smile, “Brother-in-law’s words always make Yuanrui reflect deeply. In that case, let’s not waste brother-in-law’s precious wedding time, let’s start the ceremony.”
“Yuanrui, you’re a scholar, you should be cultured.” Wang Shouzhe knew he couldn’t avoid this, so he bowed his hand and threatened, “You’re sixteen this year, you’ll have to get married sooner or later.””Of course, of course, I am a scholar, and I consider you as my own brother. I would never make things difficult for you.” Liu Yuanrui bowed politely, then asked, “Are you ready, brother-in-law?”
“I’m ready.” Wang Shouzhe took a deep breath and adjusted his posture.
“Cough, cough!” Liu Yuanrui suddenly perked up and began to speak earnestly, “In our Xuanwu family, the most important thing is the character ‘Wu’ (martial). Without martial strength, how can we protect our family? Brother-in-law, don’t you think I’m right?” Liu Yuanrui looked at Wang Shouzhe with a smile.
“You’re right.” Wang Shouzhe nodded.
He had to admit this point.
“However, today is the joyous day of your wedding with my sister. It’s not appropriate to brandish weapons. How about this? Brother-in-law, you just need to show your strength today, and that will be considered as passing the test.” Liu Yuanrui said politely.
“Is it that simple?”
Wang Shouzhe was suspicious.
“It’s that simple.” Liu Yuanrui nodded with a smile, “You are my dear brother-in-law, how could I, as your junior, deliberately make things difficult for you?”
As he spoke, he clapped his hands lightly.
Suddenly.
A deep voice came from the corridor next to them: “Yuanrui, I’m here.”
As the voice fell, a series of “thump, thump, thump” heavy footsteps followed.
A nine-foot-tall giant man carrying a large stone ball on his shoulder strode over. He was extremely muscular, his body covered in bulging muscles, and his face was full of beard, looking like a fierce general on the battlefield.
Wang Shouzhe’s eyelids twitched, sensing something was amiss.
The giant man threw the stone ball on the ground with a “thud”. The thick bluestone floor was immediately smashed into a pit.
Liu Yuanrui smiled and bowed to Wang Shouzhe: “Brother-in-law, since we are as close as brothers, I can’t make things difficult for you. You just need to lift this stone ball over your head, and we, your juniors, will acknowledge that you have the strength to protect my sister.”
“This…” Wang Shouzhe was sweating, looking doubtful, “Yuanrui, isn’t this wrong? This part of the ceremony is only for unmarried peers or juniors, why is this uncle joining in the fun?”
Liu Yuanrui chuckled: “Brother-in-law, this is our younger brother from the Yuan generation.”
As he spoke, he turned to the giant man: “Come, Yuanqiang, tell your brother-in-law how old you are this year?”
The giant man scratched his head, and smiled at Wang Shouzhe in a simple and honest manner: “Brother-in-law, my name is Liu Yuanqiang, and I am eighteen years old this year.”
Eighteen years old!
Wang Shouzhe was shocked.
It took him a while to recover, and he couldn’t help but cough awkwardly, saying: “This younger brother Yuanqiang… looks quite, quite mature.”
Liu Yuanrui was still smiling, looking as pleased as a weasel who had stolen a hen: “Brother-in-law, Yuanqiang has been practicing a horizontal training method since he was a child, and he looks a bit mature because he overdid it.”
Mature! You call this mature?!
Wang Shouzhe’s mouth twitched, and he couldn’t help but complain in his heart. This damn kid Yuanrui, when a scholar decides to be shameless, he can be even worse than a Xuanwu practitioner.
…