Jiuxi

Chapter 638 Chapter 636 [A Gentleman is Open and Honest]

In the evening, the banquet began.

In the lobby of the Duke's Mansion, distinguished guests from the north and south gathered together, with laughter and joy all the time.

The civil officials were headed by Huaizhou Governor Yao Chong, and most of the officials from various places came in person. Even the Governors of Dingzhou and Jingzhou sent their trusted officials.

The military honor was naturally headed by Duke Rong Xiao Wangzhi. There were many military generals from the border army, not to mention his absolute confidant like Li Chengen. Others like Song Shifei, Pei Sui, Duan Zuozhang, Fan Wendi, Huo Zhen and others also came in person to congratulate.

Although Jingzhou Governor Liu Shouguang and Dingzhou Governor Li Jingda were unable to spare the time, they still sent their sons to come.

Together with important officials in the court and representatives of prominent families in the south of the Yangtze River, there were more than a thousand guests. Although Lu Tong had specially asked the craftsmen to build a spacious enough lobby when building this new county mansion, it still could not accommodate so many people. Therefore, the guests who could enter the lobby were of noble status, and the rest were arranged to feast elsewhere.

Various delicious dishes from all over the world are presented like flowing water, and the aroma of fine wine is intoxicating.

At the main table, Lu Tong declined several times, but was finally pushed to the main seat by Xiao Wangzhi, with him and Yao Chong sitting on his left and right.

Lu Chen sat on the right of Xiao Wangzhi, with Guangling prefect Zhan Hui sitting at the same table with him.

The atmosphere was very harmonious. Yao Chong looked at Lu Tong and smiled, "Guangling Prefecture has countless famous people in its history. The Duke of the County is no less than the sages of the past. The elders and villagers are all proud of him. Even I am proud of him."

The governor kept a very humble attitude. It was obvious that he had not forgotten the conflict in front of the governor's mansion, and he could not help feeling a little uneasy.

However, Lu Tong seemed to have forgotten it long ago, and said modestly: "Fang Bo is too kind, how dare he be compared with the ancient sages."

Yao Chong wanted to continue talking about this topic, but suddenly there was a commotion nearby.

I saw a tall general coming over with a wine jug in his hand. It was Song Shifei, the commander-in-chief of the Feiyun Army.

He first greeted Xiao and Yao, then said to Lu Chen: "Sir, I have come to congratulate you on your wedding. Please drink this cup!"

The generals sitting at the tables nearby cheered loudly.

Lu Chen secretly laughed at this guy for coming just in time, so he stood up and said with a smile: "Although I can drink a lot, I will definitely drink your glass of wine."

Seeing that he did not refuse, Song Shifei could not help but be overjoyed and said loudly: "Thank you for your honor, sir!"

He raised his glass and drank it all first, and Lu Chen then raised his hand and drank it all.

"Master is so straightforward!"

"My father-in-law is truly a great man!"

"Sir, I'll toast you a glass!"

With Song Shifei taking the lead, the other generals all went into battle carrying wine jugs, as if they were leading troops to charge on the battlefield.

If no one made a fuss at the wedding banquet, it would naturally be less fun. Therefore, neither Lu Tong nor Xiao Wangzhi stopped these powerful generals in the army, and they all watched with a smile.

Lu Chen accepted everyone who came to him, drank until the glass was empty, and was full of passion.

Qin Zilong and two of his personal soldiers stood behind him, one holding a pot and the other holding a cup.

The generals took turns to come forward and watch Lu Chen drink one cup after another. Everyone's eyes sparkled in admiration.

Seeing this, Yao Chong could not help but sigh: "Not only is the Duke proficient in military tactics, he is also a heavy drinker!"

Xiao Wangzhi, who was sitting on the other side, smiled without saying anything. He looked at the wine jugs tightly held by the two guards, then glanced at Lu Tong who was calm and composed, and chuckled, "Even if it's just water, it's not easy to drink so much."

Lu Tong did not hide his feelings and said leisurely: "We can't ruin the atmosphere."

After a round of drinking, the generals were shocked to find that Lu Chen was only slightly drunk and still conscious. Fortunately, they all knew their limits and it was okay to liven up the atmosphere. If they insisted on drinking the groom today, they would probably be attacked by the others.

As night falls, the lobby becomes increasingly lively.

Lu Chen followed the etiquette and offered a glass of wine to each table. Then he heard Lu Tong say loudly: "Today is my son's big day. I am very grateful to all the distinguished guests for coming. Please don't leave until you are drunk."

Everyone responded in unison, and then Xiao Wangzhi joked, "Lu Chen drank a lot today. I think we should stop here. We can't ruin his good fortune."

Good-natured laughter rang out one after another, and someone as bold as Song Shifei shouted, "The Duke is right. Please invite the County Lord to the bridal chamber."

Lu Chen raised his hand and nodded at him, then bowed to all the guests and said with a smile: "Please eat and drink well, and don't be restrained."

"Go quickly, sir!"

More than a dozen generals shouted in unison, and there was another burst of laughter in the hall.

Lu Chen no longer hesitated and turned to walk towards the inner house.

The fresh air hits my face, and the noise gradually dissipates behind me.

The moonlight is like water, and the lights are like paintings.

Lu Chen looked at the graceful figure in front of him and asked softly, "Have both ladies had dinner?"

Song Pei replied, "Yes, sir, I have used them all."

Lu Chen thought for a moment and said, "I'll have someone inform your parents in a few days."

Song Pei's heart trembled, and she almost shed tears, but she couldn't hide her surprise and whispered, "Yes, Master."

Lu Chen said no more. Since he had promised this well-behaved maid, he would naturally give her a status.

When he arrived at the back house, Lu Chen washed up first, and then went to the main room where Lin Xi was without any hesitation.

After sending the maids away, he stepped in.

What meets the eye is a bright red joyful color, and the red candles emit a warm and soft light.

Walking around the screen and coming to the inner room, Lu Chen froze in his tracks before he could even say the word "Madam". He saw a pair of beauties, each good at their own thing, sitting side by side by the bed.

The one on the right is graceful and dignified, with a natural elegance, just like a blooming peony.

The one on the left is as bright as fire, with the heroic demeanor of a female knight in the martial arts world, and also a bit of the charming charm of a woman with surging emotions.

Especially since they were all wearing bright red wedding gowns, they looked like twin flowers at first glance. The intense visual impact was difficult to describe in words.

The two looked at Lu Chen who was suddenly stunned with full eyes. Finally, Lin Xi couldn't help but smiled softly and asked, "Are you drunk?"

Of course Lu Chen was not drunk. The wine that Lu Tong had people prepare for him was actually almost the same as water, except that it had a slight hint of alcohol in it.

The scene before him was beyond his expectations, and a bold guess suddenly popped up in his mind, so he sat down at the table and said shamelessly: "That's good."

Wang Chulong's face flushed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Lin Xi rolled her eyes at him, bit her lower lip and said, "What are you thinking about?"

Lu Chen chuckled, turned his head and looked, only to see three wine glasses on the table. He felt more confident, then picked up the pot and poured three glasses of wine, coughed lightly and said, "Madams, it's time to drink the wedding wine."

Wang Chulong seemed to want to explain, but Lin Xi nodded first and said, "That's right."

She took Wang Chulong's hand and walked to the table. The three of them looked at each other, and a charming atmosphere quickly spread.

Lu Chen held the wine glass and said softly: "Thank you for not disliking me."

As the sweet and mellow wine entered his stomach, Lu Chen's eyes became more eager.

Lin Xi seemed to muster up the courage and said, "Husband."

"Eh."

Lu Chen quickly agreed happily.

Lin Xi suppressed her smile and said, "You should go and rest."

"Uh-huh?"

Lu Chen opened his eyes wide and stared stupidly at the two beauties in front of him.

Wang Chulong looked at his rare loss of composure, lowered her head slightly and smiled with her hands covering her mouth.

Lin Xi also smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"

"This……"

Even though Lu Chen was full of wisdom and could remain as steady as a mountain in the face of the most powerful enemy in the world, he was a little confused at this moment.

He thought the two had discussed it privately and decided to give him a big surprise, but instead of getting the surprise, he was confused.

Lin Xi still held Wang Chulong's hand and said leisurely, "Sister Chulong and I have agreed that we will sleep together tonight. My husband must be very tired after a busy day, and he deserves a good rest. What do you think?"

Lu Chen suddenly realized, and looking at the two people's mischievous smiles like children, he couldn't help but laugh and said, "So that's it."

Wang Chulong felt a little nervous.

It is a moral code that a woman should obey her husband after marriage. This behavior is actually not appropriate, but since Lin Xi has brought it up, she will definitely not change her mind halfway. Moreover, she knows very well why Lin Xi wants to do this. To put it bluntly, he just can't bear to see her alone tonight.

After all, for a woman, tonight is the most important moment in her life.

"Sister Lin has good intentions..."

Wang Chulong secretly sighed in his heart and quietly held Lin Xi's hand.

Lu Chen looked at the tenderness in Lin Xi's eyes, and now he completely understood her intentions, so he smiled and said, "Okay."

When Wang Chulong heard this decisive answer, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

However, the next moment the smile on her face turned into shyness. Lu Chen put down the wine glass and did not turn around to leave. Instead, he walked straight towards the embroidered bed.

Lin Xi was stunned.

This was completely different from what she had expected.

She certainly didn't mean to disappoint Lu Chen on purpose, or to cause trouble on such a happy day. In fact, she was just kind-hearted and couldn't bear to see Wang Chulong alone in the empty room tonight because Lu Chen would definitely come to her side. Although Wang Chulong might be able to understand it, it was still a bit cruel for her.

Based on her understanding of her junior fellow apprentice, Lu Chen would definitely understand why she did this and would not be so impatient.

But Lu Chen did not leave. Instead, he sat down beside the bed.

Lin Xi was embarrassed and puzzled, and asked, "Husband, don't you want to rest?"

"You guys...don't think about things so complicatedly."

Lu Chen spoke in a calm tone, looking very cheerful and righteous. He said righteously, "From now on, are we a family?"

Lin Xi and Wang Chulong nodded at the same time.

Lu Chen said calmly: "Tonight is the most important moment in our lives. How can we be separated in this long night? Since we are a family, there is no need to be rigid. Why not take advantage of this beautiful time and chat together? Isn't it better?"

The two girls were so stunned by his calm demeanor that they couldn't find any words to refute him for a moment.

Lu Chen stretched out his hands, clapped them on both sides, and said with a smile: "Come, I will tell you a story."

(End of this chapter)