"From today onwards, we must no longer call her 'Young Lady,' but 'Young Madam'," Mama Yang immediately corrected Lichun.
"Yes, Young Madam, have some tea." Lichun cleverly changed her address and then raised an eyebrow, glancing at her mother as if asking if this was correct.
Fu Xinci took the teacup with a smile, took a gentle sip, and then said to Mama Yang, "Mama Yang, you know our family situation. Please go outside and help keep an eye on things."
"Yes, this servant will go now." Mama Yang had not expected that the Young Madam would adapt so quickly to her new identity and strive to be a good hostess.
...
Wisps of black smoke rose from the direction of the sea. Residents from the town had already rushed back to report the news. When everyone learned that the Japanese pirates had been wiped out, they were so excited they could barely refrain from singing and dancing.
Today was a day of victory, and also the wedding day of Qi Xiaoqi and the Eldest Miss Fu. The residents spontaneously lit firecrackers to celebrate.
Those who didn't have firecrackers at home ran to the general store to buy them.
The general store was packed with people. The owner and his family of four or five were so busy they had to take two breaths at a time.
When the residents who had gone to support at the seaside and mountain pass returned with triumphant smiles, the number of guests arriving at the Qi family's courtyard and the Meng family's great courtyard to attend the wedding banquet gradually increased.
Grandpa Meng sent Bao'er on horseback to the seaside again to invite the Captain and Xiang Tong to the wedding banquet.
The Captain and his companions returned after handling the aftermath. After greeting Grandpa Meng, they went to the Qi family's residence.
Everyone they met on the way was beaming with joy. Lan Tianyao sighed again, "It's so good, it's as if the entire town is celebrating a joyous occasion."
"Defeating the Japanese pirates is a great cause for celebration for the town's residents."
Lan Tianyao saw Xiang Tong's response and remembered the most important matter.
"Xiang Tong!"
"Don't shout. When you see Xinci later, tell her yourself."
"Are you out of your mind? Miss Fu is getting married today. Do you think it's appropriate for us outer men to get close to her?"
"Boss Lan, you are indeed thoughtful. However, in the eyes of outsiders, we are all Xinci's senior brothers."
"Even if we are senior brothers, we should still be mindful today." The Captain didn't want Xinci's reputation to be dragged down by them.
"Mm."
They all shared the same sentiment.
In the Qi family's courtyard, Qi He finally waited for the Captain and a few others.
"How was it?" He was still concerned about the situation by the sea.
"Everything has been tidied up perfectly. Those soldiers, fearing you might not be at ease, have all stayed by the sea to patrol and stand guard. When we were coming back, they asked me to convey a message to you: get married with peace of mind, and you can invite them for a wedding feast another day."
Qi He knew his companions were looking out for him. He turned to Old Jin beside him and discussed, "Uncle Jin, please send people to deliver two tables of banquet food to the seaside."
"Alright, I'll have someone send it over shortly. You can rest assured and entertain Xinci's senior brothers."
Old Jin had heard that the Japanese pirates by the sea today were dealt with by Xinci's senior brothers, without the soldiers even needing to intervene. The soldiers of Eagle Beak Cliff should properly thank them.
"Uncle Jin, please rest assured, I will entertain the senior brothers well."
...
The warm spring breeze of March gently brushed their hair, carrying a fragrant aroma. The liveliness in the Qi family's courtyard was beyond words.
Guests continued to arrive for the wedding banquet, and the men were genuinely there to celebrate. The excitement reached its peak when the matter of wiping out the Japanese pirates was brought up.
Those who had witnessed it firsthand recounted the thrilling and dramatic events, one after another.
Those who hadn't been present were filled with regret, wishing they could smash their heads against a wall.
They muttered, "Why didn't I go to the seaside then?"
"Where did you go?" someone asked.
"I went to the mountain pass."
"Then there's nothing to be done."
While the men were excitedly discussing, the scenes of Miss Fu's senior brothers fighting the Japanese pirates were embellished and retold by them.
Those who spoke took great pleasure in it, and those who listened were filled with longing.
Old Jin stood by the side, clenching his fists. If he were a few years younger, he would also go to the battlefield to fight the Tatars and kill Japanese pirates.
...
Meanwhile, the women of various ages in the town were purely there to see Miss Fu's senior brothers.
"Oh my, look at these young gentlemen, are they married yet?" The matchmaker's mind started whirring the moment she saw them.
She instantly reviewed all the young ladies of Ningyuan City in her head.
Was the eldest daughter of the Qian family better?
Or was the third daughter of the Feng family more suitable?
She wondered if these young gentlemen would take a fancy to the Zhang family's youngest daughter, who was born late in life.
The matriarch of the Zhang family had already given her a hint: if she could marry off this sister-in-law, she would receive a generous red envelope.
Thinking of the generosity of the Zhang family matriarch, the matchmaker's thoughts spun faster than a windmill, so fast that she momentarily lost track of herself.
Eh, what was she just thinking about?
This forgetful brain. If it weren't for the crowd, the matchmaker would have wanted to punch her own head.
The women below Eagle Beak Cliff were more sensible. Although they also wished for a good marriage, they had foresight.
After much thought, they knew their own daughters were not worthy of them and could only look a few more times for satisfaction.
But they kept muttering, "What a pity."
"What's there to regret? The ancestors always said that one should choose a partner according to their worth and tailor clothes according to the body. Who says our daughters are not worthy of them?"
Chunyu was familiar with these aunts and elderly women, and they didn't speak behind her back.
After overhearing some whispered gossip, Chunyu began to whisper to her young lady.
"Young Lady," Chunyu called out, then realized she had misspoken and quickly corrected herself, "Young Madam, you have no idea, the aunts and elderly women in town are truly audacious."
"What's wrong?"
"They actually have designs on your senior brothers."
"..." Fu Xinci wanted to laugh but managed to hold back. "They have good taste, it's just a pity. All the senior brothers are married."
Chunyu had also met Yang Xinjie and Xiao Ai, and her admiration for them was only slightly less than that for her own Young Madam.
"Young Madam's senior sisters are all top-notch beauties, and your senior brothers are dashing and elegant, like celestial beings. How could these country girls possibly have designs on them?"
Fu Xinci hadn't expected Chunyu's reaction to be so strong.
Chunyu: How could she not react? They were all her idols!
"Young Madam, this servant must go out and see. We can't let your senior brothers be taken advantage of."
"Didn't you say they had all given up?"
"What if they get greedy again? This servant must help your senior brothers keep an eye on them, lest they fall into their traps." After speaking, Chunyu rushed out like a little rooster preparing for a fight.