Time Travel: The Best Doctor in Ancient Times

Chapter 640: Chapter 487: The Bride-Pride Ceremony Approaches

Upon hearing this, Gu Changsheng couldn’t help but mentally give Uncle Song a thumbs-up!

Such admirable courage! His eviction speech was impeccable!

Just didn’t know whether the evildoer, who never took others’ words seriously, would accept the challenge!

”Evildoer, look, after all your troubles on the road, you should go back to your mansion to rest...” Gu Changsheng looked at the evildoer, pretending to be in difficulty, and glanced at Yue Xilou, who looked displeased, ”In my house, you won’t find peace...”

Didn’t he see her Flower Peacock gearing up for a fight? It seemed he didn’t mind having another round even after a full meal!

Zhou Mu chuckled upon hearing this, giving her a look with a fleeting shadow passing in his eyes, but then he stood up, ”If so, I shall return to my mansion!”

Gu Changsheng let out a long sigh of relief at his words.

Dammit, that was just too good! It saved her from having to be non-cooperatively violent!

”After seven days, the army will return to the city, and the Imperial Clan of Capital City will come along!” Zhou Mu observed Gu Changsheng’s expression and spoke with a slight curve on his lips.

”Ah?” What did he mean? Gu Changsheng looked baffled at the handsome face not far away.

”Zhou Mu!” Yue Xilou, standing beside them, was incensed, looking ready to attack anyone in his path.

”On my way back, I have already declared to the world that after seven days, I will have the bride-pride ceremony, known to the Four Kingdoms, heard by all passersby!” Zhou Mu raised an eyebrow, looking at Yue Xilou with a good mood.

”What?” Gu Changsheng was stunned.

Damn it, talking about being known to the Four Kingdoms, heard by all passersby, am I not human? Not only am I a human, but I am also the person involved. Why don’t I know about it?

”Changsheng, my love, the teacher is already aware of this. If you hadn’t come to meet me at Wenjun Pavilion, I wouldn’t be allowed to see you according to the custom...” Zhou Mu gazed at the small woman in front of him, his voice low and seductive.

Gu Changsheng twitched the corner of her mouth at his words, blaming her, huh?

Dammit, even Foster Father knew! Why didn’t she know?

It felt like she was always kept in the dark!

This was clearly an arranged marriage! Was there anyone who cared to ask for her opinion?

That was really too bullying!

”Get out, get out, get out! I am so annoyed! Go back to your kennel!” Gu Changsheng waved her hands impatiently. Seeing that Zhou Mu wasn’t moving, she immediately pushed him towards the door, ”Didn’t you say that we’re not supposed to meet by custom? Now get out! Are you trying to embarrass me to death?”

Everyone who saw this couldn’t help but smile!

The way their lady interacted with His Highness Prince Mu, if outsiders saw it, they would certainly be taken aback!

Yet, His Highness Prince Mu indulged his lady in just such a manner, and even seemed quite pleased about it!

”We respectfully see off the Son-in-law!” Uncle Song led, smiling as he spoke.

”We respectfully see off the Son-in-law!”

The people in the house also followed with laughter.

Seeing this, Zhou Mu felt the warmth of the pushing hands on his back, his lips curled into a faint smile. He turned to give Gu Changsheng a deep look and then walked out.

Yuan Bao hurried to follow, and of course, as per usual, he swept all the refreshments from the table on his way out...

The next day, the news that His Highness Prince Mu returned to the city ahead of time spread quickly, along with another even more exciting piece of gossip—that Prince Mu’s Mansion was gathering Red Silk, and after seven days, with the city decked in colors, His Highness Prince Mu would hold the bride-pride ceremony with Medicine God Lady Changsheng!

This set the entire Liuzhou Region abuzz! Anything to do with His Highness Prince Mu was always big gossip in the streets and alleys, let alone his engagement with Lady Changsheng!

This was truly like a Cinderella story!

An Abandoned Wife with a child, was now getting engaged to His Highness Prince Mu! This, this... They had thought that even if these lofty individuals had some affection, they would ultimately not come to fruition due to the vast differences in status!

But this bombshell fiercely shattered their previous perceptions!

In these times, people held customs in high regard, and seeing that the marriage rites had already progressed to the second phase, this marriage seemed to be set in stone, irreversibly!

Within just one day, Liuzhou Region was in uproar. In the streets and alleys, tea houses and taverns, the focal point of discussion was the bride-pride ceremony between His Highness Prince Mu and Lady Changsheng. Even troupes and storytellers turned the saga of their acquaintance, mutual recognition, and subsequent engagement proceedings into booklets to spread the word...

Envying neither mandarin ducks nor immortals, wishing only to be Changsheng at Gu Residence!

For a moment, countless girls’ hearts were broken, their prince charmings embracing others with eyes only for them...

There were those who envied, those who were jealous, those who marveled, and even more, who hoped the two could truly establish a good marriage!

”Have you heard? The Red Silk from Liuzhou Region has all been purchased by the County Prince’s Mansion! His Highness Prince Mu plans to use Red Brocade for ten miles, to formally request an engagement at Gu Residence!”

”Who’s to argue with that? They say His Highness Prince Mu spoils Lady Changsheng to the point of making others green with envy! A marriage procession of ten miles bedecked in red brocade, and that’s just for the bride-price ceremony. Who knows what grandeur the actual wedding will bring!”

”Do you even have to mention it? His Highness Prince Mu is so wealthy he could rival a nation, and Lady Changsheng’s family is loaded too. Neither of them is hurting for money, that’s for sure!”

”Hey hey, there’s news from the North, I’ve heard. They say the Imperial Clan of Capital City is backing them, with the Imperial Family’s approval no less. They’re seriously discussing marriage now—there’s no escaping it!”

”But hasn’t the Emperor always looked down on Lady Changsheng? How come he’s agreed to this all of a sudden?”

”I heard Prince Mu exchanged a lifetime of military achievements for this! A lifetime of achievements, all to marry Lady Changsheng!”

”What? For real?”

”Facts are right before your eyes. How else do you think His Highness managed to wrap his arm around such a massive thigh?”

”Ah, Lady Changsheng is truly lucky! To suddenly marry into The Imperial Family, from then on, Madam Gu’s family will be among the Imperial Kin, glorifying her ancestors!”

”I only regret that my household churns out nothing but boys, else who knows if we’d have a shot at soaring to great heights in the future!”

”Quit dreaming! Even if your family did have a daughter, she wouldn’t have Lady Changsheng’s beauty! And even with that beauty, she might not possess Lady Changsheng’s talents!”

”Hehe... Fair point. I’m just envious, that’s all! Admit it, you all feel the same way, right?”

”Hahaha...”

”...”

Everywhere was filled with joyous discussions, as the entire Liuzhou Region was caught up in an unprecedented frenzy!

And this hullabaloo didn’t affect Gu Changsheng in the least.

She was being forced by her foster father to mournfully learn the customs for the bride-price ceremony.

Kneeling and bowing, her head spun and she saw stars!

”Xiao Si Xi, what is your master up to? Call him here, I promise not to kill him!” In the midst of learning the rituals, Gu Changsheng grabbed Xiao Si Xi and took a glance at the Nanny who was teaching her. She opened her mouth bitterly, as if bearing deep hatred.

That damn Nanny, just perfect at tormenting her!

Even with her toes, Gu Changsheng could figure out that this old nanny must have been sent by that evildoer!

At her words, Si Xi blinked big eyes and replied with a smile, ”To report to my lady, the master has been out hunting in the mountains these past two days, busy catching geese for the bride-price ceremony!”

Upon hearing this, Gu Changsheng couldn’t help but curl her lips. It was customary to offer a live goose for the bride-price, as geese were migratory birds symbolizing harmony with the natural order. Geese were also said to stay single for life if they lost their mate, signifying fidelity.

Gu Changsheng felt that this was just blatant mockery!

Fidelity? That’s ironic when applied to her! She was an Abandoned Wife, for crying out loud, with a son old enough to fetch soy sauce. Speaking of fidelity in her remarriage—who would believe it?

She prayed that evildoer wouldn’t catch any geese. Amen!

”My lady, the master has bought up all the red silk in the Liuzhou Region just for you! A ten-mile trail of red silk for the bride-price procession—just imagine the scene!” Si Xi’s eyes sparkled with admiration as she spoke.

”Hold on!” Gu Changsheng scoffed immediately upon hearing that, her voice dripping with disdain. ”Didn’t he pledge his entire fortune to me as a betrothal gift? And now he’s spending a fortune to put on such a show? Using my money, he really doesn’t feel the pinch, does he?”

”Er...” Si Xi was immediately at a loss for words upon hearing that.

How could she respond to that? It was tough. Indeed, it was true that her master had vowed his entire wealth as a betrothal gift to his lady.

”Can’t a man have a little stash for himself...” Muttering to herself while touching her nose, Si Xi looked sheepish and uncomfortable.

Gu Changsheng shot her a look and declared triumphantly, ”Money turns men wicked! That’s an eternal truth! Say goodbye to the idea of having a private stash. From now on, your master can forget about it!”

Some say that to capture a man’s heart, you must first capture his stomach, but Gu Changsheng detests this notion. Cook every day and you’ll end up a haggard housewife—try capturing a man’s heart then!

So you see, to capture a man’s heart, you must first seize his purse! Leave him penniless and see what he can plot. Humph!

”My lady... this isn’t really fair...” Si Xi sounded on the verge of tears, distressed by the prospect.

Thinking about it, marrying her lady would make her master’s life quite miserable...

Seeing Si Xi’s woeful expression lightened Gu Changsheng’s mood. She spoke with wicked glee, ”Xiao Si Xi, if you pity your master, tell him to cancel this marriage. What’s the point of all this hassle?”

”Impossible!”

A stern rebuke came from outside the door. Gu Changsheng, who had been lounging quite carelessly in her chair, immediately sprang to her feet at the sound, greeting with earnest respect, ”Foster Father...”

”The big ceremony is around the corner, and here you are slacking off and uttering such ill-omened words! As your father, I am utterly vexed!” Mr. Ban Shan stormed in, moving quickly toward his daughter and bombarding her with a barrage of criticism. ”What have I told you? This is a happy occasion! You must speak thoughtfully and carefully, lest you spoil the festive mood...”