Chapter 147

The next day, before dawn, the Qiao household was already adorned with lanterns and decorations, buzzing with activity.

Qiao Jiaojiao intentionally rose early, dressed in a festive red dress, her hair now thick enough to be neatly combed.

Mr. Qiao and Mrs. Qiao had been bustling about since early morning. Qiao Tianjing, as the groom, was now dressed in his wedding attire. Qiao Jiaojiao quickly latched onto her idle second brother.

“Brother! Brother!”

“Oh, Second Brother, when we go to the Han Mansion for the bride’s welcoming ceremony later, you must take me along, no matter what!”

“I also want to join in the fun! I want to see the bride’s welcoming ceremony too!”

“Hey hey hey, little sister is so good! Today, you can stick to Second Brother, and Second Brother promises to take you wherever he goes!”

Qiao Diyi smiled and rubbed Qiao Jiaojiao’s cheek.

Qiao Jiaojiao was extremely happy and exclaimed joyfully.

Qiao Diyi lifted her up and said with a smile, “Let’s go! Let’s go see the groom with Second Brother!”

Inside the Qingzhu Courtyard, Qiao Tianjing stood in the hall, already dressed neatly.

He wore a red brocade robe with golden cloud patterns embroidered on it. A jade belt was wrapped around his waist. With broad shoulders and a narrow waist, he stood tall and straight like a pine tree.

Qiao Jiaojiao only glanced at him once, and she was stunned, exclaiming in admiration.

“Brother!”

Qiao Tianjing turned his head at the sound, with a smile on his lips. Dressed in his ceremonial attire, he was exceptionally handsome, like a piece of warm and smooth jade.

Qiao Diyi quickly went up to him, circled around Qiao Tianjing a few times, and praised, “Big Brother, you really look different from others! There’s a saying, when I first saw Big Brother, I felt like you were as bright as the moon!”

Qiao Jiaojiao couldn’t help but laugh.

“Second Brother always has a way with words, look at how sincere and straightforward he is!”

Qiao Tianjing patted Qiao Diyi on the shoulder and said with a smile, “When Second Brother becomes the groom, he will definitely outshine Big Brother.”

Qiao Jiaojiao touched her chin.

“Big Brother is a gentleman, Second Brother is a spirited youth, both handsome in their own way! But Second Brother still has to wait. I remember when Second Brother got married, he was also eighteen!”

At this, Qiao Diyi began to count on his fingers in his mind.

He was only fifteen now. Did he have to wait three more years to marry Miss Xiao from the Xiao family?

So long!?

Thinking of Miss Xiao from the Xiao family, Qiao Diyi’s heart was stirred again.

The day before yesterday, he finally got a chance to talk to Miss Xiao at Duke Dingguo’s mansion. She said she would participate in the Han Mansion’s bridal ceremony today!

Thinking of this, Qiao Diyi was even more eager than Qiao Tianjing.

By nature, Qiao Diyi was still full of youthful vigor.

He believed that if he truly liked someone, he should be sincere and open about his feelings. So he never hid his feelings, and he even wished he could see Miss Xiao all the time!

Once everything was ready at the Qiao Mansion, the friends invited by Qiao Tianjing for the wedding began to arrive one after another.

In addition to the young colleagues from the court, there were also old friends from the same class.

Tan Hanchi was also there.

This was the favor granted by Emperor Yong. Since Tan Hanchi was young, he was asked to join in the fun.

Qiao Jiaojiao could roughly guess Emperor Yong’s intentions.

There are no absolute solitary ministers in the court. Since Tan Hanchi was going to become a close aide to the emperor, he should be able to observe all directions, listen to all sides, and handle all situations adeptly in the capital.

Moreover, with Emperor Yong’s suspicious nature, if he truly wanted to promote Tan Hanchi, he would definitely test him in every possible way, thoroughly grasping all his flaws and preferences.

Who knows, maybe today at Big Brother’s wedding, Emperor Yong has planted many spies, waiting to see the whole situation!

Qiao Jiaojiao inwardly sneered, but Tan Hanchi’s appearance still made her spirit tremble!

Because Miss Han had few friends in her circle, Anning cousin had already gone to help on the bride’s side.

Today, during the bride’s welcoming ceremony, Tan Hanchi might run into Anning cousin!

The auspicious time for the welcoming ceremony arrived quickly. The Qiao household was lively with drums and gongs. Qiao Tianjing wore a red flower on his chest, mounted a tall horse, and led a group of groomsmen, marching grandly towards the Han Mansion.

Qiao Jiaojiao sat in Qiao Diyi’s arms, wearing a small red flower on her head, and followed the wedding procession, laughing joyfully.

Many children ran and played along the way. The Qiao household immediately distributed wedding candies and cautioned against stepping on them.

Finally arriving at the gate of the Han Mansion, it was already crowded with people. Blocking the door were Han family relatives, all smiling and waiting to “trouble” the groom!

Qiao Tianjing dismounted, but before he could enter, Han family relatives started to intercept.

“Wait! Wait!”

“They say Qiao Dalang is the renowned top scholar of the capital. Today, we must witness it!”

“Haha! Quick, recite ten poems before you can enter!”

At these words, everyone started clamoring, their spirits high.

Qiao Jiaojiao, sitting on Qiao Diyi’s shoulder, looked around with curiosity.

“This is blocking the groom’s entrance, right? Haha, interesting!”

Qiao Tianjing smiled and gestured to the young men blocking the door.

“It’s a bit tough for one person to recite ten poems. Since I have so many good brothers here to support me, I’ll recite one first, and my brothers can share the rest, how about it?”

Qiao Tianjing’s group of brothers immediately shouted, “That’s a must! Today, I must carry the bride home!”

“Haha! Qiao Dalang, you go first, quickly, we’re waiting to welcome the bride!”

Qiao Tianjing, being a genuine top scholar, had no problem reciting poems at all.

The rest of the men were also knowledgeable in literature. The last poem was recited by Tan Hanchi.

The Han family relatives did not expect these ten poems to not trouble the groom’s party at all. Just as they were about to come up with another plan, Qiao Tianjing signaled to his friends, and the next moment, everyone surged forward!

“Welcome the bride!”

“Red envelopes! Red envelopes here!”

Amidst the lively atmosphere, Qiao Tianjing and the others broke through and hurried inside.

In the Han Mansion, someone was already waiting to guide the groom to the courtyard where the bride was waiting.

At this moment, the courtyard gate was closed, with the word “Double Happiness” posted on it.

Qiao Tianjing took a deep breath and knocked on the courtyard door.

Knock, knock, knock—

From inside the courtyard came a tinkling laughter like silver bells.

Then a woman’s voice asked, “Gentleman, why have you come?”

Qiao Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up upon hearing this familiar voice.

Wasn’t this Cousin Anning?

A few days ago, Cousin Anning sent a message, saying that because Miss Han had few friends, she was introduced by Mrs. Yang to help out and support Miss Han.

At first, she was a bit embarrassed, but after meeting Miss Han, she was delighted.

Cousin Anning wrote in the letter that she had never seen such a clear-minded girl before. She admired her greatly and quickly became good friends with Miss Han!

Qiao Jiaojiao didn’t expect their relationship to warm up so quickly, and Cousin Anning had already taken on the important task of sending off the bride!

Qiao Tianjing naturally recognized Anning’s voice too. With a smile on his face, even before he could speak, one of his good brothers answered for him.

“From the distinguished Qiao family of the capital!”