Chapter 4 - 4 Lovers Eventually Become Family

Editor: Atlas Studios

Next, things became simpler. The matchmaker only needed to convey the intentions of both parties; there was no need for the two to decide face-to-face.

Then, Zhao Qingmei walked out of the tea house, whispered a few words into Uncle Niu’s ear, and with the help of the maid, Tan Yun, got into the carriage.

“Miss, what’s wrong with you?”

In the carriage, Zhao Qingmei’s face was flushed, as red as a ripe peach.

This hierarch of theirs was usually ruthless, decisive, and fearsome. Just mentioning the words “Demon Sect Hierarch” could make countless experts in the Jianghu tremble. Yet now, she was showing such an expression.

“Repeat what you just said.”

“If Doctor An agrees, the wedding is set for this month.”

Tan Yun thought for a moment, then repeated her earlier words.

Zhao Qingmei lightly responded with an ‘um,’ her face so red it looked like it could drip water. She lay softly on the table as if she had lost all her strength, but with a blush and a satisfied smile at the corner of her mouth.

It seemed Jing didn’t recognize her at all, but that was fine.

“Alas.”

Seeing this, Tan Yun could only sigh helplessly.

……

Niu Fu followed An Jing back to the private room.

“Doctor An, how was it?” Niu Fu impatiently asked, “This Miss Zhao has top-notch looks and figure, and she comes from a noble family. If I spread the word, countless noble young men in Yu State City would flock to her.”

An Jing picked up a pestle and mortar and shook his head, saying, “She’s great, but my humble Jishi Hall might not…”

With her delicate beauty, gentle temperament, and demeanor of a noble lady, she was an ideal match for a man. The way Zhao Qingmei looked as she left seemed to suggest she had some unspeakable secret.

“Doctor An, just tell me if you want this wife,” Niu Fu interrupted An Jing.

“Me!?” An Jing took a sip of tea and asked, “Miss Zhao doesn’t seem very satisfied with me.”

“She said she was very satisfied with Doctor An, and that the wedding should be this month.”

Niu Fu eagerly snatched the teacup from An Jing’s hand and said, “Just give me your answer, Doctor An.”

That Miss Zhao sent me here, and you think she’s not satisfied with you?

The meal is right in front of you; how could you not eat it?

Niu Fu was like an ant on a hot pan, anxiously waiting for An Jing’s word to confirm this marriage.

And once it was done, Miss Zhao would give him one hundred strings of coins.

An Jing blinked in surprise and said, “Miss Zhao really said that?”

He hadn’t anticipated Zhao Qingmei’s feelings.

“Yes.” Niu Fu said seriously, “When have I, Niu Fu, ever lied?”

Miss Zhao was not just satisfied; if you agreed, she would marry you on the spot.

“In that case, let’s set the wedding for this month.” An Jing smiled.

Hearing An Jing’s words, Niu Fu let out a sigh of relief, feeling ecstatic.

One hundred strings of coins!

That’s one hundred strings of coins!

Heaven has truly smiled upon me.

“Doctor An, get ready to arrange the wedding in a few days. I’ll start preparing everything now.” Niu Fu said excitedly as he dashed out the door.

Watching Uncle Niu’s retreating figure, An Jing couldn’t help but mutter, “This Uncle Niu, he really has a kind heart…”

……..

Gengzi Year, seventh day of the seventh month.

Good for prayers, offering sacrifices, getting married, opening markets, trading. Not good for taking medicine, seeing a doctor, or moving.

That day, Jishi Hall was adorned with red lanterns and silk, filled with a festive atmosphere.

“The bride is coming! The bride is coming!”

“Doctor An is getting married!”

“I heard the bride is very beautiful.”

First, there was a series of firecrackers, then a few children ran out happily.

The crowd was packed, each person craning their neck to catch a glimpse of the wedding.

The sound of suonas blended with the firecrackers, creating cheerful and piercing noises.

“Congratulations, Jing!”

“Congratulations, congratulations!”

“May you have a chubby baby boy next year.”

“Yes, yes, when the baby has his one-month celebration, you must come.”

“An Jing, you’re so lucky to marry such a beautiful bride; you must have accumulated good karma for eighteen lifetimes.”

“Isn’t that the truth? Truly enviable.”

……..

An Jing was accepting congratulations from all the guests.

Jishi Hall was quite renowned in Yu State City, especially among the poor. An Jing was known as the kindest doctor in the city.

“Everyone, eat and drink to your heart’s content, don’t be shy.”

An Jing couldn’t hide the smile on his face, drinking one glass after another.

The banquet had seventeen or eighteen tables. Dishes were presented one after another, and empty plates were taken away. An Jing was busy, constantly greeting and seeing off guests.

“Arrest Officer Han is here!”

A young constable dressed in black strode in.

“An, congratulations, congratulations,” Han Wenxin greeted An Jing.

Han Wenxin, one of the two great arrest officers in Yu State City, had a father, Han Ju, who was a retired constable with extensive connections in the city. Coupled with Han Wenxin’s capabilities, he became an arrest officer at a young age.

After an incident where several horses in the Yu State Military Command caught an epidemic, and none of the many doctors in the city could help, An Jing treated the horses and prevented the epidemic from spreading.

Since then, Han Wenxin had been grateful to An Jing and considered him a close friend.

“Brother Han, come, sit, sit.”

An Jing laughed.

“No need to be so formal between us,” Han Wenxin laughed, finding a seat at random.

“Brother Han, we must have a good drink together later,” An Jing said, patting Han Wenxin’s shoulder.

“After this, it’ll be harder for us to go out drinking. Our carefree days are over,” Han Wenxin said, winking.

In the past, Han Wenxin and An Jing often went out to listen to music and drink when they had free time, forming a close bond.

“Drinking? Did we ever drink together? Brother Han, don’t say such things,” An Jing said, glancing at Han Wenxin indifferently.

Han Wenxin: “???”

This was faster than a courtesan changing her mind?

An Jing patted Han Wenxin’s shoulder and said, “Brother Han, you’re not getting any younger; it’s time to think about settling down.”

“Me? I’m not in a hurry,” Han Wenxin shook his head and then, as if remembering something, said, “By the way, I heard you married a noble lady. Is that true?”

“Of course, it’s true.” At this, An Jing couldn’t help but beam.

Han Wenxin couldn’t help but mutter, “Noble ladies come with quite the dowries…”

He hadn’t seen how the lady looked, but noble marriages in Great Yan typically had impressive dowries.

This meant his brother An might be set for life.

“A dowry?”

An Jing glared at Han Wenxin, “Brother Han, you are such a materialist.”

What’s a dowry?

Money and wealth are just external possessions; how could they compare to true love?

Han Wenxin raised an eyebrow and chuckled, “Brother An, you misunderstand me; I, Han Wenxin, am just a simple man.”