Chapter 609: Chapter 609. A Happy Day
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
After three years, Su Qjng and Xiao Zeyu returned to Mo City. This was their base camp and where they had stayed during their escape.
Stepping into Mo City once again, Su Qing and Xiao Zeyu saw a bustling scene. He remembered that it was devastating the first time they entered Mo City. The entire city was almost empty, and there were empty houses everywhere. No one dared to do business. The Xiao Family Army was already a strong bow, and they only relied on their last strength to protect the city.
The current Mo City had a strong army and strong horses. People came and went on the streets, and there were many shops. The commoners he saw were not skinny and dressed much better. There was no trace of sadness on their faces. The light was in their eyes, and they had a goal to live.
Xiao Zeyu didn’t want to waste money and manpower, so he and Su Qing disguised themselves as merchants. The royal guards disguised themselves as escorts, making them look like a large caravan.
In the past, the people of Mo City would stop and watch when they saw such large caravans. Now, they were used to it. As a new commercial base, many merchants came and went every day. No one paid much attention to Su Qing and the others.
The city guards were still very strict with their checks, as there were more spies in the bustling city. Cheng Yu requested that all those who entered the city be dealt with the same way as before.
All of them were required to register. Those who did business had to write down what business they were doing and who they were doing business with. Those who seek refuge must state clearly with whom they are seeking refuge.
Where did they live?
These were the rules that Su Qing and the others had set up in Mo City, and they have continued to this day.
When Xiao Zeyu’s convoy was being interrogated, the head of the guards at the city gate was very serious. After looking through the customs documents, he looked at their business documents and even checked the goods on the carriages.
Xiao Zeyu and the others had brought gifts for the people of Peach Blossom Cove, so they weren’t afraid of being checked. They couldn’t find any flaws either.
After the inspection, they were asked to write down where they were staying and who they were doing business with.
Su Hanxuan still had business in Mo City. The guards went over and said they were doing business with the Su family. When they heard they were doing business with the Empress’s family, the city guards did not make things difficult for them and let them enter the city.
However, someone recognized Su Qing and Xiao Zeyu and hurriedly left when they saw them in casual clothes.
Su Qing and Xiao Zeyu went to the Su family’s residence in Mo City. After packing up, the couple and Zhong Yong visited Aunt Li’s family in casual clothes.
It had been three years since they last met. Aunt Li’s family no longer lived in their original place. Li Daniu had a share in the winery and earned much money yearly. His family had now built a big house and had slaves living the life of a rich man.
Xiao Zeyu and Su Qing asked around as they approached the Li family. When the Great Tang had just been established, Xiao Zeyu had sent someone to look for Li Daniu, wanting to give him an official position. Li Daniu was unwilling to enter the palace because of the restrictions. Ultimately, Xiao Zeyu gave him the Marquis of Carefree and Unfettered title. He also gave Aunt Li the title of ruler.
It was the same for Seventh Master Jiang. He had already been given a fief, and the Northern Barbarian Kingdom he had conquered made him the City Lord. After Xiao Zeyu became the Emperor, he also asked Seventh Master Jiang if he would become an official in the capital. Seventh Master Jiang still liked being the City Lord and was unrestricted.
Xiao Zeyu had given Aunt Jiang the title of a noble wife and Seventh Master Jiang the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Families. The title of Marquis would be passed down from generation to generation. It could be said that he was worthy of the good brothers who had fought alongside him in the past.
“Wulilala!”
Xiao Zeyu and Su Qing had just arrived at the front door of the Li family’s house when they heard the cheerful sound of a horn. They saw that the house was decorated with lanterns and streamers. The front door was pasted with the red word “Happy.” Red lanterns were hung on both sides of the door, and the lanterns also had the word “Happy” written on them.
The courtyard was filled with guests. A table had been set up, and half of the banquet was on the table. The banquet could begin after the bride and groom had finished their worship.
“Li Daniu is getting married?”
Xiao Zeyu and Su Qing looked at each other. Why didn’t they hear anything?
“We can’t go empty-handed!”
Xiao Zeyu stopped in his tracks. Su Qing took out a pair of sparkling and translucent jade ruyi from the system and asked him,
“How about this as a congratulatory gift?”
There were many treasures in Su Qing’s system. Xiao Zeyu would reward her whenever he had the time. As long as treasures were offered as tribute, he would order people to move them all to her palace. Su Qing would put all these treasures into the system. Xiao Qi was her best housekeeper. No one would betray her.
“A little too little.”
Xiao Zeyu glanced at the jade scepter. Aunt Li and the others did not understand the value of jade. It was not even as valuable as a gold nugget.
“What about these?”
Su Qing took out a complete set of gold jewelry. They were all from the best jewelry shop in the capital, Qilin Manor. They were made of gold and inlaid with gemstones. They looked costly.
“Didn’t I give this to you?”
Xiao Zeyu immediately recognized that he had ordered someone to send this to Su Qing Palace. Why did she take it out as a gift?
“I don’t like wearing it. I might as well take it out and give it as a gift.
Su Qing didn’t like jewelry like this. Other than wearing a phoenix coronet and a cape for significant occasions, she usually wore a jade hairpin. It was light and elegant. Su Qing was the least extravagant Empress in history.
“Alright.”
Xiao Zeyu shook his head helplessly. His Qing’er didn’t like complicated things. This jewelry set was too flashy, but it was still very presentable.
“First, bow to heaven and earth; second, bow to the high hall; husband and wife bow to each other…”
The officiator in the courtyard had already shouted. Xiao Zeyu and Su Qing brought Zhong Yong into the Li family courtyard.
Standing at the entrance, they saw Li Daniu wearing a red wedding robe and smiling brightly. The bride covered her head with a veil and was led by the bridal granny with red silk to pay her respects to Li Daniu.
Xiao Zeyu smiled sincerely when he saw his good brother’s high-spirited appearance. Fortunately, he had decided to come to Mo City. Otherwise, he would have missed out on his good brother’s life.
“Please come in, distinguished guests.”
When a servant saw Xiao Zeyu, Su Qing, and Zhong Yong, they hurriedly arrived to receive them. An accountant’s room at the door specialized in writing the gift accounts. The servant brought Xiao Zeyu and Su Qing to the table where the gift accounts were written:
“Esteemed guests, please write down the names here.
Xiao Zeyu took the brush and wrote the three words’ Ji Shui Sheng.’ Su Qing wrote only two words,’ Su Qing.’ Zhong Yong took the brush and drew his name. He wrote in cursive script. Although it looked like he was baring his fangs and brandishing his claws, it had his strength of character.
Ji Shuisheng? Su Qing?
When the accountant saw these two names, he was stunned. He quickly raised his head to look at Xiao Zeyu and Su Qing. Xiao Zeyu and Su Qing placed the jewelry and jade ruyi on the table. In an instant, the gifts on the table paled in comparison.
The accountant jumped to his feet. He looked at Xiao Zeyu and Su Qing excitedly. He opened his mouth and wanted to shout, but Xiao Zeyu made a gesture to keep quiet. He was so scared that he swallowed the words about to come out of his mouth.
Zhong Yong didn’t have anything to give him, so he placed a banknote worth a hundred taels of silver on the table. The accountant quickly called the butler over and pointed at Xiao Zeyu and Su Qing, whispering to him,
“Go and tell the old master that a distinguished guest has arrived. Hurry up and arrange for him to sit in the upper seats.”
The butler hurried over and bowed to Xiao Zeyu and Su Qing.
The butler led Xiao Zeyu, Su Qjng, and Zhong Yong to the seats of honor. The people sitting at the table were all old acquaintances. When they saw Xiao Zeyu and Su Qing, they all stood up and looked at them excitedly.
Li Daniu had just finished paying his respects to the bride and was using the red silk to guide her to the bridal chamber. He accidentally glanced at the courtyard and suddenly stopped in his tracks. He did not enter the bridal chamber and strode over..