activa-t Chapter 18 The Big Wedding
Chapter 18 The Big Wedding
As dawn broke, wisps of rosy light spread from the auspicious clouds.
The morning mist dispersed, leaving a hazy, indistinct view.
The streets were filled with the sounds of gongs and drums, and the booming of firecrackers.
The two lion dancers could be heard before they were seen. In their chase, they cleared away all the obstacles in their path.
A band of musicians suddenly emerged from the mist, their suonas and drums creating a harmonious symphony.
Following closely behind were ceremonial guards carrying flags, long banners, and placards.
The eight guardian deities were carrying the palanquin, its gold trim and fiery red lacquer surging out from the thin mist, their movements laborious.
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He Nianwei, adorned in a phoenix coronet and wedding robes, wore a sorrowful expression, her eyes brimming with tears. It seemed she was reminded of a painful memory, and grief welled up within her; she covered her face and sobbed softly.
Even in such a poignant state, her stunning beauty could not be concealed. Anyone who saw He Nianwei in such a state would surely say, "She is so beautiful, she evokes pity in me."
"Truly a magnificent bridal procession stretching for miles!"
Some in the crowd exclaimed in amazement and envy, while unmarried women looked on with longing, as if the beautiful woman sitting in the sedan chair was themselves.
Pedestrians, vendors, and peddlers along the street all ceased their business. Merchants, shoemakers, and other similar businesses lined both sides of the street, making it impassable.
Children followed the lion dancers, chasing and playing. Only after the women repeatedly scolded them did they reluctantly move aside and rejoin the crowd.
Fang Hongxuan sat quietly on the second floor of the inn. He drank the wine in the jar in one gulp, and then stared intently at He Nianwei, who had made a fleeting appearance in the sedan chair.
"She's truly a pretty little girl..."
As the old Taoist priest spoke, he never stopped eating, and the table of delicious dishes had already been almost completely devoured.
Although the Liu family's wedding was such a grand affair, the inn's business was not affected; on the contrary, it became even more prosperous.
The hall was still noisy.
The actress, still partially veiled by her pipa, moved to the side of the two. Her slender fingers plucked the strings of her pipa, producing a soft, melodious tune reminiscent of the Jiangnan region.
The patrons at the next table watched intently as the lively scene unfolded downstairs, with people chatting loudly and clinking glasses.
Some diners, dressed in hemp clothing and short jackets, enthusiastically played drinking games, their bowls clashing louder and their chants growing louder.
His loud and boisterous behavior displeased the customers, and the waiter quickly stepped forward to dissuade him.
Fang Hongxuan tossed some silver coins at the actor and waved for him to leave. The actor, though pleased, insisted on finishing the performance before bowing and departing.
"It's them!"
Fang Hongxuan frowned slightly, but his face showed no emotion.
The six people mingling in the crowd were out of place among the surrounding people. The man in the lead was the bandit leader who had escaped from Fang Hongxuan.
His short, black hair, curled like weeds, and his face covered in scars made him stand out from the crowd. The other five people were on guard, their eyes scanning their surroundings with a fierce look.
The bandit leader changed his real name to Ban Yinuo, and was originally a military household in Fumo County. He was previously just a tenant farmer who barely made ends meet, and because the landlord exploited him too much, the young master's new daughter-in-law was quite beautiful.
After being beaten and scolded several times, anger rose in his heart and evil thoughts arose in his mind.
Not only did they ambush and kill the landlord and his young master, but they also chopped them all into mincemeat. Even his wives and concubines, whom he had raped, were not spared.
The entire family of thirteen was wiped out by him.
Fearing exposure, he disfigured himself and joined the army.
For some unknown reason, Ban Yinuo has now joined the Liangshan bandits, becoming their leader, recruiting soldiers and horses, and wreaking havoc in the area.
In just a moment, Fang Hongxuan understood everything.
"I see..."
Fang Hongxuan got up and headed towards the Liu residence, but stopped the old Taoist priest.
"Daoist Master, you should stay outside for now. I will meet up with the other two and then we will all come out to find you," Fang Hongxuan said.
After all, the Taoist priest's features were too obvious, making it really difficult to disguise himself.
The old Taoist priest had no choice but to agree, and thus parted ways with Fang Hongxuan.
...
Inside the Liu Mansion
There were many figures in the woodshed, all carrying firewood to the kitchen.
Li Shouxin looked around until he was sure no one was paying attention to the two of them before leaving the group delivering firewood.
"Senior brother, the courtyard where the old master of the Liu family lives is extremely strange. Last night I tried to investigate, but I was almost awakened by the old master on his bed."
Although the distance was far enough that I couldn't see clearly, I could clearly discern that the old man was already dead. The resentment he exuded was beyond the reach of a normal person.
Li Shoujing came to a conclusion after a moment's thought.
"If not, we should reunite with our master first. If we really can't resolve this, then we must also make our escape. We must not act rashly and end up in danger."
Just as the two were about to leave, they were caught red-handed by Jia Si. He revealed his vicious nature and grabbed the stick in his hand, intending to strike Li Shouxin in the face.
Li Shoujing would never agree to this.
With a hand the size of a clay pot, he easily pulled the stick away, and with a slight effort, broke it in two. Such incredible strength left Jia Si dumbfounded, his legs trembling, and he dared not utter a word.
Li Shouxin wrapped his arms around Jia Si's neck, and the two of them pressed their faces together.
His fierce expression made Jia Si, who was already terrified, even more frightened, and his trembling legs were instantly soaked with sweat.
"Be smart. If you die here, your boss won't avenge you."
With his pent-up emotions finally released, Li Shouxin's stern face softened slightly.
Jia Si nodded hastily, like a chicken pecking at rice or a dog licking its face. He was as obsequious as could be.
Before the two had left, the sounds of gongs, drums, and suonas resounded throughout the fields, followed by the continuous sounds of firecrackers and shouts.
The eight guardian deities gently lowered the sedan chair, and a veil with gold trim and peony patterns peeked out from behind the curtain.
Two maids supported He Nianwei on either side as they led her into the Liu family mansion.
"The bride has arrived!"
A matchmaker with ample breasts and a large mole between her lips waved a round fan with a smile. A crisp, piercing cry burst from her red lips.
Fang Hongxuan mingled with the group of relatives and friends and squeezed in with the crowd.
Liu Yiheng, who was pale and had sunken eyes, looked more energetic today, and his face had a bit more color.
Inside the hall
The three chairs are arranged in a triangular shape.
Liu Yisheng sat in the seat on the left, while the seat next to him was empty. Behind the two chairs sat an elderly man who was nearing the end of his life.
His skin was dull and lifeless, his teeth sparse, his hair white and withered, and his face covered with spots. Even though he was dressed in brocade and riches, it could not conceal his air of decay.
A flash of golden light appeared in Li Shouxin's eyes, but his face showed more solemnity and fear.
"Junior brother, what did you gain?"
"Senior brother, this place is extremely ominous. We should leave quickly."
From Li Shouxin's perspective, the old patriarch of the Liu family was utterly devoid of human life; his limbs were stiff, his face was blue and his fangs were bared, and he was covered in lividity. He looked exactly like a demon emerging from its coffin!
Behind it drooped an old dog that was as tall as a person when standing!
Although Liu Yisheng still retained some human charm, the yellow dog behind him was almost identical to the one the old man was carrying.
Fang Hongxuan, who was standing in front of the door, also changed his expression slightly. The compass in his palm was spinning rapidly, and the pointer was swaying. However, it stopped on Liu Yisheng and the old master of the Liu family!