Her guards

Chapter 243 The Wei Family's Happy Event
Longxi City boasts bustling streets that rival those of the capital, and it has been even more lively these past few days than usual.

Because the Wei family is about to hold a wedding.

The Wei clan occupied almost half of Longxi City, with a large number of members, and they held one or two weddings every year.

But this time was different; it was the wedding of the youngest son of Wei Cui, the chief general of the Wei clan.

Wei Cui held an extraordinary position, and his youngest son, Wei Jiao, was even more renowned.

When Zhao Tan usurped the throne, he killed the three brothers Wei Cui. Wei Cui escaped by chance and originally thought that his wife and young son had also been killed by Zhao Tan. Unexpectedly, after Deng Shan ascended the throne, Wei Cui's wife returned with the young son.

Very suddenly, as if it had fallen from the sky.

Many people still remember that scene.

It was a spring day when a magnificent carriage appeared in front of the city gate.

There were more than a dozen burly guards beside the car.

When the city gate guards stopped them, the burly guards shouted insults at them.

"You blind fool, hurry up and come down to greet Madam Wei!"

The words "Wei Shi," "Madam," and "Lady" left the guards and people at the city gate completely bewildered. Then, the beaded curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a graceful and charming woman stepped out, giving the guards and people at the city gate a slow smile.

"Zhao Tan has been executed, so I no longer need to serve him. Go quickly and tell the General that his wife has returned."

As she spoke, she pushed a boy who looked about seven or eight years old from behind her in front of her.

The boy was also dressed in gorgeous clothes, with a jeweled belt around his waist and a pearl crown on his head, but the jewels paled in comparison to his handsome face.

"Also, his son Ajiao no longer needs to recognize someone else as his father and can come back to see his biological father."

The appearance of the mother and son, and the words "I will submit to Zhao Tan," still resonate deeply with many people in Longxi City.

Then the Wei family members rushed out and brought the woman and child into their home.

Then it was rumored from the Wei family that both the mother and son were mentally ill.

Not long after, the woman somehow climbed up the Wei family's memorial archway and jumped down, dying instantly.

Next, that crazy son would either sneak out and spout nonsense in the market, or he would beat people and set fires at the Wei family's house for three days and three days in a row, causing unrest in the household.

However, General Wei Cui doted on this young son and refused the clansmen's suggestion to lock him up. Instead, he invited famous doctors to treat him until he was sent to the capital.

It is said that he became a disciple of the great Confucian scholar Wang Zaitian, but later news came that he was still insane, and not just beating people and setting fires, but confiscating their property and exterminating their entire clan...

It is said that the emperor indulged it.

He deliberately used madness to tarnish Wei Cui's reputation.

This emperor is really... no good!
For the people of Longxi, since the chaos of the previous dynasty, it was General Wei who led a group of people to maintain the stability of Longxi. They had no impression of that emperor, Deng Shan.

The officials in Longxi were still appointed by General Wei. Although the capital and Longxi had not severed ties, for more than ten years they had been governed by a line drawn between them, with no interaction between them.

General Wei's residence, built against the mountain and perched high up, was known as Wei Family Fortress. According to merchants who occasionally passed by and had been to the capital, it was comparable to the imperial palace.

At this time, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered outside Weijiabao.

The Weijiabao was newly decorated, and it did look like a happy occasion, but neither officials from all over Longxi came to congratulate and help, nor could any relatives and friends come and go.

Unlike the lively weddings of the Wei clan members in the past, this was not a grand affair.

There were many more guards, three or four layers deep.

"...It is said that the bride's background is extraordinary."

"...Oh, what? Another madman?"

"...Oh no!"

"...It's also possible; what daughter from a good family would marry a madman?"

"...Stop talking nonsense, that bride is the emperor's...illegitimate daughter."

This news caused even more noise and excitement among the crowd gathered outside Weijiabao.

Compared to the clamor outside, Weijiabao became increasingly quiet.

He had originally intended to intimidate Wei Jiao, but Wei Jiao retaliated by threatening to sleep outside his home. Fortunately, Wei Cui's two eldest sons from his ex-wife returned from the army in time and, as his elder brothers, persuaded him to return home.

Otherwise, the whole city will know about it.

I wonder what crazy things Wei Jiao will say next.

The words that madwoman shouted when she brought Wei Jiao home in front of the city gate are still a nightmare for many people. She is truly a disgrace to the Wei clan.

Wei Cui, who had just returned from outside in the early morning, immediately summoned the Wei clan members of Weijiabao and reprimanded them.

"This marriage was arranged by His Majesty, who issued the decree. Our Wei family should take it very seriously."

"The so-called solemn treatment is not only about respecting the new bride, but also about ensuring that the wedding ceremony goes perfectly."

"If anyone ruins this marriage, I, Wei Cui, will no longer recognize them as a member of the Wei family."

The room was packed with people, regardless of age or gender, all of whom bowed their heads and answered yes.

Wei Cui's deep gaze swept over them, then a smile suddenly appeared on his face.

"Ah Jiao," he called out.

The members of the Wei clan in the hall all turned their heads and saw Wei Jiao standing in the courtyard at some point.

"You woke up so early?" Wei Cui asked. "Didn't you get enough rest?"

He inquired with concern, then frowned and glanced at everyone again.

It's obvious that Ah Jiao didn't sleep well because of them...

Everyone bowed to Wei Jiao, who was standing in the courtyard, saying things like, "Ah Jiao, it was our fault," "Uncle deserved to die yesterday for making you angry," and "Aunt was inconsiderate; she should have sent the servants from your residence in the capital back so they could serve you more attentively."

Wei Jiao looked at the scene before her with a smile and took a deep breath.

It's so familiar; that feeling of being suppressed, bowing your head in apology, your eyes full of resentment.

"Father is back, of course I've come to pay my respects." He ignored the others and looked at Wei Cui closely. "It's been so many years, Father, how come you've aged so much?"

He sighed softly. "Father, you must take care of your health and not overwork yourself. Otherwise, when we walk together, people will say we don't look alike and that I am Zhao Tan's son."

A tense silence fell over the room. Everyone had only one thought in their minds: How familiar this was! The ravings they had heard years ago were starting again.

Wei Cui laughed heartily.

"Good, good." As before, he never scolded the youngest son. "I understand. I will definitely take good care of him."

He then gestured to the stunned crowd.

"You all go about your business. Remember, you must not disgrace the Wei family."

Everyone responded in agreement and withdrew from the hall.

Perhaps because Wei Cui didn't speak this time, no one talked to Wei Jiao. They all looked straight ahead, as if he didn't exist, and walked past him.

Wei Jiao didn't mind and looked at Wei Cui in the hall with a smile.

"Come here." Wei Cui smiled and beckoned to him, "Ajiao, I'll take you to see the new house that's been prepared."

Wei Jiao nodded with a smile: "Okay, okay."

……

……

The Wei family mansion was a maze of interconnected buildings. Wei Jiao, accompanied by Wei Cui and surrounded by a group of stewards, walked for most of the day before arriving at a particular courtyard.

Looking at the crabapple blossoms, the gate, and the walls of the courtyard, Wei Jiao's smile seemed to freeze for a moment.

“I specially had them clean up the courtyard where your mother lived before she passed away, and use it as your wedding room,” Wei Cui said. “Your mother will be very happy to see you get married.”

After saying that, he turned back to look at Wei Jiao and smiled slightly.

"Ah Jiao, don't you think so?"

Wei Jiao looked at the courtyard gate and smiled slowly: "Yes."

Several stewards pushed open the dark red door and bowed respectfully to Wei Jiao.

"Sir, please."

As the courtyard gate opened, Wei Jiao saw the bright sunlight and blooming vines in the courtyard. He seemed to see a woman smiling and turning around in the shadows of the vines.

“Ah Jiao…”

Wei Jiao seemed to hear a female voice, but the phantom in front of him dissipated in the wind the next moment.

A smile spread across his face as he strode inside.

"Let me see how Father has decorated the wedding room!" he said, raising an eyebrow at Wei Cui. "I still remember how Father decorated this old house for Mother. Father must treat me even better than Mother."

Wei Cui glanced at his eyes and nodded with a smile: "Don't worry, my son."

.......
.......
Although he doted on his youngest son, Wei Cui, as the head of the clan and the Grand General of Longxi, was still very busy. After accompanying his son to see the new house, he went to attend to other matters.

It wasn't until nightfall that they sat down to eat, listening to the steward report on the day's events.

To be precise, it's about Wei Jiao.

I spent the whole day in the Begonia Courtyard.

He even sent Xiuyi to reprimand the women in the household who were in charge of decorating the wedding room, complaining that it wasn't exquisite enough.

besides……

“Nothing else has happened,” the steward said in a low voice.

For example, going crazy or going insane.

Wei Cui took a bite of food and smiled, "You've certainly improved over the years."

Based on his childhood temperament, he should have gone mad and started biting people as soon as the gate of the Begonia Courtyard was opened in the morning.

After saying that, he asked again.

"Are all those things still there?"

Although he didn't say anything, the steward knew, so he nodded hurriedly and whispered, "It's in the madam's original storeroom. Everything the madam used during her lifetime is there. Young master, you will see it."

Wei Cui stirred the soup in his hands with a calm expression.

These people in my family never seem to understand this principle. They insist on openly displaying their malice towards others, unaware that what truly hurts is the gentleness in their words and subtle actions.

He drank the soup in one gulp.

"Keep an eye on that side," he said, then instructed, "Prepare the best-looking men in the clan, in case the groom gets into trouble and can't go to the wedding alone."

He smiled after saying that.

"This marriage is a matter of face for the Wei family, and we must also give Miss Yang face."

As for the groom, who cares?

……

……

The night was dark, but the Begonia Courtyard was brightly lit.

But there was no one.

Wei Jiao sat in a room with an open chest in front of her, on top of which was a bright red dress.

Wei Jiao's fingers traced the surface, leaving it mottled. He withdrew his hand, his gaze suddenly turning dark red, as if his fingers had been stained red.

"So many years have passed." He chuckled. "The dress my mother wore before she died, it's kind of you to still keep it."

The dark red in their vision faded, and the dress suddenly began to writhe, revealing flesh growing from the empty space, as if a woman's fragmented body was about to stand up.

But the next moment, Wei Jiao lowered his eyes, turned his head, picked up a bowl of medicine, poured it into his mouth, and looked back at the trunk, where his mother's figure gradually faded away.

"Mother," he said softly, "I can't see you right now because I have someone I care about."

　We're getting married tomorrow, everyone please be patient, I'll try my best to speed up the plot!
　　(End of this chapter)