Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2291: Chapter 2290: Delivering the Concubine

”What? Which family sends off a concubine with such pomp? The family they’re going to must be either rich or noble!” someone responded in surprise.

”Definitely! Let’s quickly follow and see what’s going on. Maybe we can snag a cup of wedding wine!”

The kids clapped their hands and shouted, ”Let’s go get wedding candy! Let’s go get wedding candy!”

In ancient times, an eight-bearer sedan chair meant eight porters were carrying it, but it was actually rare. One reason was that ancient roads weren’t wide, and using an eight-person chair was inconvenient and made it seem like the bride’s family was trying to show off.

Therefore, noble families used high-end horse carriages for weddings, while ordinary wealthy families used a two-person sedan and invited eight musicians to play wedding tunes, which was quite grand.

Of course, the real focus is on the bridal dowry car behind it.

Bai Ruozhu also considered this, so she didn’t arrange for eight musicians. She wanted to catch people’s attention without making the scale too grand and embarrassing others.

Delivering a concubine with as much pomp as a proper wedding? Isn’t that just offending people?

Fo Lanying listened to the crowd’s discussions, a slight smile appearing on her lips. But she couldn’t show it too clearly and could only give Yuan Licheng a look, as the two of them cupped their hands and paid respects to the onlookers.

”Thank you, everyone, for your support. Thanks, really.” This was said with a smile, and Fo Lanying didn’t have to hold her laughter anymore.

This move by the master is truly brilliant! Fo Lanying couldn’t help but admire with utmost respect.

Wait, she must have been called ’master’ too many times by Yizi and Jianqi. Why did she also call her master...

Behind the sedan chair followed the dowry car. Bai Ruozhu wasn’t giving away the dowry without reason. It was all given by the Lao Family when Lao Wan was sent over, and the Bai Family wouldn’t take someone else’s dowry for free; it must be sent out.

At this moment, someone in the crowd craned their neck to look hard for a long time and nudged the person in front, saying, ”Move aside, let me get a clearer look!”

The onlookers in front naturally wouldn’t move and pushed him back, saying, ”Why move? Latecomers take the back.”

The person was dressed as a junior servant, seemingly without any status, so no one feared him.

The junior servant, in a rush, gritted his teeth and fished out over ten copper coins from his pocket, handing them to the person in front, saying, ”Brother, take these coins for tea, let me have a look.”

The person in front turned back, giving him a bemused look, as if saying, ”In this day and age, there are many who love to watch the excitement, but not to the point of spending money, right?”

”Alright, have a look, then.” That person took the copper coins and happily allowed the junior servant to move into position.

The junior servant was from the Lao Family. A few days back, he followed the steward to send Lao Wan and the dowry to the Bai Residence, so he found the dowry car somewhat familiar. He vaguely felt something wasn’t quite right.

He finally squeezed to the front. He managed to clearly see the contents of the dowry car, even spotting the Lao Family emblem on the car, his eyes widening in shock, wondering if the person in the sedan was Miss Lao Wan.

Soon, he saw the maid following beside the sedan chair—it was none other than Lao Wan’s maid, Ding Xiang!

Previously, the maid was on the other side of the chair, so he couldn’t see clearly. Now, he finally saw.

The junior servant anxiously muttered ”Oh no,” turned around, and ran outside, but people pressed in behind him, pushing and shoving him and even scolding him. Only then did he squeeze out and run toward the Lao Mansion.

He was a smart servant. Knowing the Bai Residence had already received the people, it was impossible to suddenly make such a grand gesture using a chair to deliver them. Moreover, the direction of the sedan wasn’t toward the Bai Residence.

That means the Bai Residence was trying to send the Lao Mansion’s minor lady away!

Fo Lanying glanced at the person running away and quietly asked Yuan Licheng, ”Do you think that person is the Lao Mansion’s servant Ruozhu mentioned?”

”Probably, but didn’t Ruozhu tell you the timing is right? Even if the Lao Mansion finds out, it’s no big deal. They wouldn’t dare to make a fuss. A concubine is like a gift; it can be sent around. Doing this isn’t out of order,” Yuan Licheng whispered.

Fo Lanying gave him a glare, ”You called her ’Ruozhu’? Don’t blame me for not warning you—if Jiang Yichun, that wife-loving madman, hears it, who knows how he’ll deal with you.”

Yuan Licheng shrank his neck, ”I was just following your lead. I’ll be careful next time, alright?”

As they chatted, the bridal procession had already reached the street where Du Zhongshu Wang Residence was located.

Du Zhongshu was later titled king, and there wasn’t time to build a new mansion. So the emperor gave him a confiscated house.

With such commotion outside, the gatekeeper at the Du Residence couldn’t help but hear it. Curious, the gatekeeper popped his head outside and soon saw the sedan chair stop at their Wang Residence entrance.

The gatekeeper was a bit flustered, confused about the situation since the steward hadn’t mentioned any upcoming celebrations.

”Go inform your Lord that our master, the Lady Chief Doctor Bai, has sent him a concubine!” Fo Lanying shouted loudly. As her voice spread, the onlookers burst into an uproar.

Because of Du Zhongshu’s secretive actions, his matters with Bai Ruozhu had spread throughout the Capital. The townspeople loved pondering scandalous affairs, so many said Du Zhongshu admired Bai Ruozhu; even though she’s married, he’s still infatuated.

Fortunately, up to this point, no one had talked negatively about Bai Ruozhu, so her timing for this move was impeccable.

”What?” The gatekeeper was still a bit slow to react.

Yuan Licheng instructed the four musicians, ”Start playing wedding tunes, otherwise the Lao Family miss might be displeased!”

The four musicians enthusiastically played their suona horns, and the joyful and loud sounds immediately transmitted into the Du Residence mansion.

The gatekeeper rushed back frantically and eagerly reported to the steward. The steward was speaking with Du Zhongshu, who frowned deeply when he heard the news.

”Your Highness, about this matter...”

”Go investigate and reject them as quickly as possible,” Du Zhongshu stayed composed. Bai Ruozhu didn’t appear herself, so he didn’t need to personally address the bridal attendants.

However, he anticipated the steward might struggle to stop them because no ordinary people were sent by Bai Ruozhu. But if they entered the mansion, he would find a way to throw them out.

Thinking about Bai Ruozhu sending him a concubine, Du Zhongshu felt a tinge of irritation, his heart aching slightly deep down. He was dazed, wondering why he felt this way. Could it be...

At that moment, he was uncertain about his emotions toward Bai Ruozhu—was it hatred, resentment, or contemplation?

In his youth, he was a good-for-nothing, his cockfighting and gambling pursuits empowered by her words, prompting him to take things seriously and strive to contribute to his family. Yet, in those days, he never imagined liking a woman heavily pregnant from the countryside.

Later, learning about Bai Ruozhu’s husband’s disappearance and her being ridiculed by villagers prompted his unwavering visit to Mountain Village to check on her, even pretending to be her husband Chang Sheng’s friend to reduce villagers’ gossip about her.

In truth, from that moment on, he cared about her. Otherwise, given his nature, why would he bother with a stranger, let alone assist a distant acquaintance?