Listening to the commotion outside, Huang Ying finally couldn't help but softly speak.
"Brother Xiaobei, why don't you go out and join the banquet? I'll just sit here for a while."
Chen Xiaobei reached out and lifted Huang Ying's veil. Their eyes met, and seeing Huang Ying's tear-filled eyes, Chen Xiaobei felt a pang of reluctance. He gently pulled Huang Ying into his embrace.
Just then, the Lotus Cult Leader and Shen Ziyan pushed aside the door curtain and entered. Seeing them already holding each other, they couldn't resist teasing, "Hey, hey, hey, what are you two in such a hurry for? The guests haven't left yet."
Huang Ying quickly wiped away her tears and stood up with a smile.
"Second and third senior sisters, I..."
"Oh, Huang Ying, sit down. What's the rush to lift the veil? Sit for a while first..."
Shen Ziyan then said to Chen Xiaobei, "You hurry out to eat. We sisters will talk for a bit."
Chen Xiaobei had no choice but to stand up and walk out.
Looking around outside, the doors of the surrounding houses were absent, only cloth curtains. Chen Xiaobei secretly lamented, "This carpenter Zhang needs to hurry up."
Seeing Chen Xiaobei emerge, the village protection team members let out cheers, each one inviting Chen Xiaobei to sit by them.
Chen Xiaobei cupped his hands to the crowd repeatedly, greeting them one by one, and finally came to the side of Doctor Wang and Wang Dagui.
Accompanying the two in drinking were the village elders and a few other highly respected elders from the village.
Chen Xiaobei looked around but couldn't find Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiao'er. He frowned suddenly, greeted everyone, and then hurried out of the courtyard.
Chen Xiaobei rushed towards his old house.
The door of the old house was open, and the lights were on inside. He could hear voices talking – it was Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiao'er.
He was about to hear Chen Qiao'er complain repeatedly, "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, why can't we go out to the banquet!"
"Sister Huang Ying looks so beautiful in her wedding dress, I want to go see again..."
There was silence in the room, followed by Cui Hongyu's movement, "Qiao'er, can we go after today? Today is your brother's wedding day, so you and I cannot cause trouble here. Do you understand?"
"Come, eat fish."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei's nose felt a little sore. He stood at the courtyard entrance, unsure whether to go in.
If he went in, he would have to forcibly drag Cui Hongyu and Chen Qiao'er to the scene.
He thought it would be quite awkward, but if he didn't go, his conscience would bother him.
Just then, he heard Chen Qiao'er say again, "Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, do you think brother will forget about us after he marries his new bride? Will he come to ask us to join the banquet?"
Inside the room, Cui Hongyu chuckled a couple of times, but the laughter sounded a little strained. After all, no matter how open-minded one was, facing such a situation, one couldn't help but have some emotions.
"What are you thinking about all day with your little brain? You are his biological sister, how could he not care about you? However, even if he invites you to the banquet, you are not allowed to go, remember?"
Chen Qiao'er nodded, "Sister-in-law, I remember. If brother invites me, I'll say I've already eaten my fill."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei changed his mind. He decided not to go in. It would only be awkward for everyone, so it was better to leave each other some space, especially for Cui Hongyu.
Just then, someone gently patted his shoulder from behind. Turning around, he saw it was Liu Rumei. Liu Rumei gestured to him, beckoning him to walk back.
The two left Riverhead Village one after another and arrived at the small river outside the village.
Looking at the dark river water, Liu Rumei said, "Even if Hongyu is magnanimous, she must be feeling a little sad right now. You shouldn't go disturb her."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "Yes, I can understand that."
"But I always feel I owe her too much. When she married me, she didn't even get a proper meal."
After hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Liu Rumei smiled, "Hongyu has good judgment, she didn't marry the wrong person."
Chen Xiaobei sighed, "Right or wrong, it's just making do."
Liu Rumei shook her head, "Zhu Meng's army is gone. What are your plans next?"
Chen Xiaobei's words shocked Liu Rumei, "I want to find Hu Fan and resign from my position as village head."
What?
This truly surprised Liu Rumei.
"You know, with that identity, many things are easier to handle. After all, in your Qingniu County, the village head is already a not-insignificant official position."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, "I know that, but I want to spend a good life with Hongyu and Huang Ying in peace, and earn more money for the people of Riverhead Village. I won't think about anything else."
Hearing this, Liu Rumei felt a sense of admiration. So many people were reluctant to give up such power and would climb higher whenever they had the chance, but Chen Xiaobei was the opposite.
He was willing to give up everything he had obtained, wanting to pursue a stable life.
Seeing Liu Rumei in silence, Chen Xiaobei asked,
"Miss Liu, you should be returning to the capital soon, right?"
Liu Rumei was startled at first, then tilted her head and smiled, retorting, "Don't you want me to stay here any longer?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head, "You don't belong to Riverhead Village. Your father is a high-ranking prince. How could he allow his daughter to be in such a poor mountainous area? Returning to Wannian City to enjoy prosperity and wealth is the life you should have."
His words made Liu Rumei a little dejected.
Was prosperity and wealth the life she desired?
"Alas, but I don't want what you're talking about. I also want to be like you, living a stable life and accompanying the one I love."
Chen Xiaobei looked at Liu Rumei with surprise, "You should follow in the footsteps of His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Hearing this, a hint of bitterness appeared on Liu Rumei's face, "The Crown Prince..."
Just as she was about to speak, she stopped herself and suddenly laughed, "Alright, today is your joyous occasion. Let's not talk about these things. Come on, we should go back and toast the guests."
The two returned to Chen Xiaobei's new home in silence, one after the other.
By then, everyone was already drunk and swaying. Chen Dachun and the others were singing and dancing, clearly having had too much to drink.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei arrive, everyone came forward to pull him, urging him to drink.
Liu Rumei helped to persuade the guests while also ushering Chen Xiaobei to first toast his two uncles and the village elders.
The禮 of hierarchy must not be neglected. When Chen Xiaobei arrived, the village elder had already passed out and was snoring on the table, while his two uncles were also swaying unsteadily.
Several elders of the village were also starting to talk drunkenly.
Seeing that his two uncles were not completely drunk, Chen Xiaobei quickly went to toast them.
Upon seeing Chen Xiaobei, Wang Dafu and Wang Dagui were naturally overjoyed, raising their wine cups with beaming smiles.
"Good, you've made something of yourself, our nephew has made something of himself. You've married two beautiful wives in succession. Your mother must be at peace in the afterlife."