Chapter 471: Day 36 into the Farming Story (Complete)

Chapter 471: Thirty-Six Days in the Farming Story (End)

Father and Mother Di exchanged a glance, both seeing the same thought in each other's eyes: "That good-for-nothing!"

Father Di puffed out his beard and glared, muttering under his breath, "This damn fool! Such a big matter, and he comes back without even discussing it with his old man first! He just blabbed it to the whole escort agency! We haven't even sent the betrothal gifts yet! Haven't exchanged the marriage contracts! This—this is a damn disgrace!"

His son was way too impulsive and careless!

Mother Di, though, was more easygoing about it and couldn't help but smile. "Never mind, old man. You know how Qing Ji is—once he sets his mind on something, not even ten oxen could drag him back. If he's this happy, then we should be happy for him too. An Yi really is a one-of-a-kind, great kid. As long as they're both happy, that's all that matters."

Better than him staying single his whole damn life, anyway.

Qing Ji was already leaning that way before!

That afternoon, several young escort guards who were closest to Di Qingji and always loved joining in on the excitement were hanging out in the shade by the training ground, shooting the breeze about the Junior Escort Leader's big upcoming event.

The youngest guard stroked his chin, all curious and raring to go. "Hey, so is the Junior Escort Leader basically marrying into Young Master An's family? Should we brothers start getting ready too—like, go carry the bridal sedan and walk him over?"

He was already picturing it in his head: a bunch of big, burly dudes in escort uniforms hauling a giant red bridal sedan down the county streets—that would definitely turn the whole town's head! He started cracking up to himself, shoulders shaking with glee.

Another guard, built like a brick wall, rubbed his big, meaty hands together and grinned. "Carry the bridal sedan? Hell yeah! Ha!" He laughed a few times, then turned serious. "But if the Junior Escort Leader really needs us to show up and have his back, then sedan it is! We'll definitely be there! We'll carry it steady and smooth, and send him off in style!"

A guard with a simple, honest face next to him suddenly remembered something, a look of awkwardness and embarrassment creeping onto his dark face. He rubbed his hands together and stammered, lowering his voice, "Um... I—I heard that at weddings, the b-bride... I mean, the couple, they gotta put on some powder and get all dolled up, right? Our Junior Escort Leader..."

"Uh, so us guys going as escorts—do we gotta... clean ourselves up too? Slap on some stuff?" He pictured it: a bunch of weathered, rough-skinned guys who'd spent years out in the sun and wind, sitting in front of bronze mirrors, slapping on rouge and powder, drawing their eyebrows and lining their eyes. He couldn't help but shiver. A weird flush crept across his dark face, his eyes showing both reluctance and a strange, weird hint of shyness!

The moment he said this, the other guards froze for a second, then looked at each other.

And then—

"Hahahahaha!"

"Old Wan! What are you thinking?! With that bark-like face of yours, would powder even stick? It'd all flake off with one gust of wind! Hahaha!"

"Oh, I can't breathe! My stomach hurts! Just picturing that scene... If the Junior Escort Leader found out, he'd chase us down the street with a knife for eighteen blocks!"

"But thinking about it more carefully, it does sound kind of fun, doesn't it?"

"Get out of here! Stop making crazy suggestions! If the Junior Escort Leader hears about this and actually makes us do it, we'd lose face all the way back to our ancestors!"

"Exactly! The Escort Leader and the others will have a plan. We just wait for orders and do whatever we're told!"

The group dissolved into laughter and roughhousing, shoving each other around, the air buzzing with good vibes.

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Another spring had come in full force.

The old tree was already thick with leaves, its green canopy casting a cool shade over the little courtyard.

The Qiuxia flower bed in the back courtyard had indeed burst into a sea of blooms last year, like clouds and rosy mist, stunning the whole street.

The flowers hadn't bloomed yet, but the leaves were thick and green, promising a new season of blooms.

Today, the little courtyard was even livelier than usual.

The courtyard gate was wide open, and fresh red lanterns hung under the eaves, all decked out in festive colors, radiating pure joy.

At the stone table in the courtyard, Father and Mother Di were chatting with Old Master Zhou and his wife, wearing smiles that were both gratified and complicated.

Di's second brother, with his wife and kids, was helping greet the arriving guests—mostly escort guards and outriders from the agency, regulars from the bookshop, neighbors, and also the village chief who'd come all the way from the countryside, along with Jiang Chiliu and Fu Cong.

Today was Di Qingji and An Yi's wedding day.

With all the formal betrothal rites and gifts done, two horses walked side by side.

Those guards who'd wanted to powder their faces and carry the sedan never got their wish.

Di Qingji's face was glowing—being able to spend his life with An Yi, with family and friends there to witness it, was the greatest blessing of his life.

They'd chosen to hold the ceremony in this little courtyard, on the finest day of spring, with only their closest loved ones around to celebrate.