The wedding procession arrived at the Wen residence. Bai Shiqi dismounted and stood motionless at the gate.
Wen Tao goaded her: "Young Chief Bai, aren't you a pillar of strength who dares to act and take responsibility? Are you even afraid of taking a concubine?"
Bai Shiqi: "Young Chief Wen, you're willing to be a scoundrel who abducts a commoner's daughter, binding and bringing her here even if the young lady is unwilling. But I'm not like you. Matters between men and women require mutual consent. A forced marriage is something I don't want, and even Fourth Miss Song doesn't want it!"
Wen Tao: "That's simple. Let's just ask the bride, shall we?"
He turned, took a few strides to the sedan chair, lifted the curtain, pulled the gag from Fourth Miss Song's mouth, and even untied her ropes for good measure, putting on a kindly and amiable expression: "Fourth Miss, Shiqi is back. Today, in front of everyone, you choose your own husband. Will you pick me or Shiqi?"
The congratulatory guests had come out to watch the spectacle. Just as they reached the main gate of the Wen estate to peek, thinking they had missed the drama, they didn't expect Wen Tao to be so considerate, actually setting the stage right at his doorstep.
The canal gang's carriage, carrying the Zhao brothers and Qiu Yunping, had followed closely all the way. Zhao Ziheng lifted the curtain and asked for advice: "Master Yunping, who do you think this Fourth Miss Song favors?"
Qiu Yunping, held tightly by Zhao Ziheng and unable to escape, could only speak the honest truth: "I'm afraid the Young Chief will have difficulty extricating herself today."
Zhao Ziheng caught the implication in his words: "You mean... Fourth Miss Song favors Shiqi?"
Qiu Yunping: "The maiden is willing, but the lad is not!" He was quite melancholy: "There are plenty of young ladies in Suzhou Prefecture who fancy the Young Chief. One more doesn't make a difference."
So many young ladies wished to step into the Bai family's gates, but deterred by Chief Bai's strict household rules, they could only gaze from afar.
Zhao Wujiu found it quite amusing: "Well then, it seems we're definitely having this feast today." As unruly as Bai Shiqi was, he never thought she'd fall into someone else's trap.
Fourth Miss Song had been bound since last night. She was briefly untied this morning to change into her wedding dress, then after being forced to dress and make up by four stout matrons, she was tied up again. Now, rubbing her numb arms, her glistening eyes fixed on Bai Shiqi, tears falling like pearls: "Seventeenth Young Master, I've been longing day and night, just hoping for your return..."
Bai Shiqi involuntarily took two steps back, already feeling trapped. Unexpectedly, Wen Tao blocked her from behind, smiling ambiguously: "Shiqi, if you don't marry her, I'll be waiting to enter the bridal chamber!" He pulled a deed from his robe, unfolded it, and shook it rustling before her.
Bai Shiqi stared at Fourth Miss Song's deed of sale, gnashing her teeth: "When will you give this to me?" She knew Wen Tao had a backup plan.
Wen Tao was very forthright: "After the wedding night."
Bai Shiqi glared at him fiercely: "Wen Tao, we have a long future ahead!"
Wen Tao seemed to have anticipated her words, agreeing with a face full of smiles: "We do... have a long future ahead!"
The crowd of onlookers at the gate all congratulated her. Fourth Miss Song, covered with the red veil, was helped out of the sedan chair. The bridesmaid supported her as she entered through the side gate. Having figured out the key point, Bai Shiqi turned and thanked the crowd of boisterous young men: "Since Brother Wen has everything prepared, thank you all for your support today!"
Among these young men were some familiar with her, who inevitably added to the fun, stepping forward to say: "Shiqi, Brother Wen willingly gives up the beauty he obtained. It shows how much he values you as a brother. We're all dying of envy!"
They had originally thought to see the two come to blows over Fourth Miss Song. Who would have thought Wen Tao left with such imposing momentum, yet returned having lost the beauty, all smiles and laughter? It was truly baffling.
Bai Shiqi thought to herself: If you're envious, I'll give her to you.
Wen Tao standing beside her, shaking that deed, was utterly detestable. Bai Shiqi wished she could punch his handsome face. However, as they grew older, the childhood scenes of them fighting until bruised and swollen, requiring several people to pull them apart, had gradually vanished. Especially since Wen Tao shot up in height after sixteen, now almost a head taller than Bai Shiqi. Their fights had taken on a somewhat more civilized flavor.
In the main hall of the Wen residence, Bai Shiqi sat in the seat of honor. Fourth Miss Song knelt gracefully and offered tea. Seeing Bai Shiqi drink the tea, Wen Tao gave a signal, and a maid presented a set of gold hair ornaments as Fourth Miss Song's entry gift.
The guests cheered. The bridesmaid helped the shy Fourth Miss Song back to the bridal chamber. Wen Tao stepped forward, draping an arm over Bai Shiqi's shoulder, and said warmly with a smile: "Shiqi, today we brothers must get thoroughly drunk. When we were kids, we were all immature, roughhousing to stretch our limbs. You wouldn't hold a grudge against your elder brother for that until now, would you?"
"Of course not," Bai Shiqi said with a forced smile. "My father and Uncle Wen have always hoped we could get along harmoniously. Today, I should thank you." However, under the table, her foot seemingly accidentally stepped on Wen Tao's boot, grinding down hard twice before lifting it, only when his expression changed dramatically.
Wen Tao's temper today was surprisingly good, almost to the point of not retaliating when hit or answering back when scolded. Having his foot stepped on, he didn't even curse loudly, which was strange and suspicious.
Lively music rose in the hall. Behind a screen, a songstress parted her vermilion lips to sing a tune of blooming flowers and a full moon.
Zhao Ziheng and a group of young men came to make merry with drink. Bai Shiqi, caught in the middle, was forced to drink, finding it difficult even to escape.
Wen Tao, holding a wine cup, came over to toast Zhao Wujiu. Watching the scene from afar, a faint smile touched his lips: "Since you, sir, are a guest brought by Shiqi, you are a guest of the Wen residence."
Zhao Wujiu raised his cup for a small sip: "Have you known Bai Shiqi for long, Master Wen?"
"Since we were children," Wen Tao didn't hesitate to display their relationship in front of Zhao Wujiu. "Our fathers' generation were friends. As for our generation, we fought plenty as kids." Not knowing what he recalled, he sighed: "Bai Shiqi was really too mischievous back then."
Zhao Wujiu, remembering her heaven-defying, earth-plunging remarkable skills, also agreed: "Young Chief Bai is indeed rather unruly."
Although Zhao Ziheng was a playboy, compared to her mischievousness, he fell far short.
Halfway through the wedding feast, a crowd clamored to see the bride, pushing Bai Shiqi towards the bridal chamber.
Zhao Wujiu pleaded fatigue, and servants from the Wen family led him and his guards to the guest quarters to rest.
Bai Shiqi stood at the door of the bridal chamber, with only one thought in mind: I never imagined in this lifetime I'd have a day as a groom lifting a bridal veil.
Wen Tao pushed open the bridal chamber door and then shoved her inside: "What are you hesitating for? The bride is getting anxious."
Zhao Ziheng cheered for his good buddy. Qiu Yunping watched the excitement from the back of the crowd. The group of drunken young men urged: "Quickly! Lift the veil so we can continue drinking!"
Surrounded and plied with much drink, Bai Shiqi was now somewhat tipsy, almost floating into the bridal chamber. She floated right up to the bride and with a swish lifted the veil. Fourth Miss Song bowed her head low, infinitely shy. Today, on her joyous day, meticulously made up, she was truly a beauty as fair as jade.
The young men all congratulated Bai Shiqi on his good fortune, but only Wen Tao, witnessing his speechless misery as if having swallowed a bitter pill, fell into thoughtful silence.
That evening, Zhao Ziheng drank until he slid right under the table, and it was Shu Changfeng who had him carried back.
The rest of the young men were all babbling drunken nonsense. Some clung to their companions, refusing to let go and planting sloppy kisses, while others simply sprawled on the floor, unwilling to get up. Of the whole table, only Bai Shiqi remained standing tall, sitting bolt upright with a wine jar in his arms.
The musicians in the hall had long been dismissed. Wen Tao instructed the steward and servants to escort all the guests back to their rooms to sober up and rest. He himself picked up a jar of wine and sat down opposite Bai Shiqi, tapping the table. "Bai Shiqi, wake up."
Bai Shiqi's gaze was fixed and vacant as he turned his head blankly towards Wen Tao, struggling to maintain his last shred of sobriety. Seeing the face magnified before him, he slapped it without ceremony, his tone full of provocation. "Bastard, looking for another fight?"
Wen Tao caught his flailing hand and asked tentatively, "No fighting today. Can you still drink?"
Bai Shiqi: "I'd be your grandson if I was scared! Come on, let's keep going!" He lifted the wine jar... and poured the entire contents over Wen Tao's head.
Wen Tao grinned mischievously... and emptied the remaining half-jar from the table over Bai Shiqi's head, feigning concern. "Oh dear, Shiqi, you're soaked through. Let me take you to change your clothes."
Bai Shiqi's head was spinning, but he knew Wen Tao was surely up to no good. He shoved him hard. "Get lost! Waiting to see a joke at my expense, are you?" He stood up, planted one foot on the stool, grabbed Wen Tao by the collar, and breathed wine-laden fumes in his face. "Tell me, where... where did you hide my... my guest?"
Wen Tao narrowed his eyes slightly, a dangerous glint flashing briefly before disappearing. "Which guest?"
"The one... in the wheelchair."
"Don't worry. Your brother here is always a good host. Your esteemed guest has already been taken to a guest room to rest."
Bai Shiqi, his tongue tangled, urged him. "T-take me to him."
Wen Tao's fingers brushed seemingly unintentionally over Bai Shiqi's cheeks, flushed pink from the wine, and his gaze swept over his lips. "It's late. What business do you have with him?"
Waves of dizziness washed over Bai Shiqi. He clutched Wen Tao's lapel, refusing to let go. "I want to see him! See him!"
Wen Tao: "How about changing your clothes first?"
Bai Shiqi: "No!"
