Chapter 260 - 256: Mad Man, Mad Woman 20

Chapter 260: Chapter 256: Mad Man, Mad Woman 20

The local gossip didn’t affect Ji Xiaosong in the slightest. She looked at the boxes piling up in the courtyard, nearly filling it, and had Ji Dan take inventory of each one.

Just as the inventory of the last box was complete, Wu Chufeng walked in.

"Song Song, what do you think? Aren’t I brilliant? I brought over more than half of our entire storeroom."

Ji Xiaosong arched an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips. Her gaze swept over the mountain of boxes piled high in the courtyard as she said with feigned reproach,

"My, my, is Lord Wu planning to move the entire Wu Mansion over? With more than half of your storeroom here, whatever will the Wu Mansion do now? Don’t tell me it’s going to be completely empty."

Far from being embarrassed, Wu Chufeng puffed out his chest, sidled up to her with a smug grin, and said,

"Nonsense, Song Song. As long as you’re happy, forget half the storeroom—what would it matter if I brought over the entire Wu Mansion? Soon enough, the Wu Mansion and the Ji Mansion will be one family. Why draw lines between us?"

As he spoke, he reached up to gently adjust his hair crown, as if he were stating the most natural thing in the world.

At that moment, Ji Xiaohua, Ji Dan, and Little He, who had been standing to the side, saw Wu Chufeng and hurried forward. They bowed respectfully and spoke in unison.

"Greetings, Lord Wu."

"Greetings, brother-in-law."

Wu Chufeng finally seemed to notice them. He smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, no need for such formalities. We’ll all be family soon."

Seeing him like this, Ji Xiaosong couldn’t help but let out a laugh. She reached out and gently poked his chest. "You and your silver tongue," she said.

"But you’ve certainly made quite a scene today. You’ve almost completely filled my courtyard, and all the neighbors are watching."

Her eyes were filled with a mix of affection and gentle scolding. She then turned slightly, made an elegant gesture of invitation, and said softly,

"Lord Wu, since you’re already here, shall we move to the study? We can properly discuss the many details of the wedding. It can’t all be settled with just your enthusiasm and emptying the storeroom. There are many details that require careful consideration."

With that, her gaze shifted to Wu Chufeng, filled with a hint of anticipation.

At her words, Wu Chufeng’s smile grew even wider. He nodded eagerly. "Of course, Song Song. I was hoping we could discuss everything thoroughly."

With that, he straightened his robes and, with a brisk pace, walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Ji Xiaosong toward the study.

Upon entering the study, Ji Xiaosong went gracefully to the desk. A thick book detailing wedding rituals was already laid open upon it.

She picked up a calligraphy brush, dipped it in ink, and turned to Wu Chufeng. "You see? According to this guide to wedding rituals, everything from the bridal procession to the banquet seating chart and the bride and groom’s ceremonial attire requires careful planning. Take the day of the procession, for instance. How many people are you planning to bring? And what sort of fun challenges have you prepared? You can’t let me get into the bridal sedan too easily, you know."

Wu Chufeng walked over to the desk and leaned down to look at the book of rituals. He frowned in thought for a moment before saying,

"For the procession, I plan to bring my mansion’s most capable men, and I’ll invite a few good friends to join as well. I want it to be a grand and lively affair, so the entire Capital City knows about the great event of Wu Chufeng’s wedding. As for the challenges, I’ve already thought of a few. I guarantee they’ll make you and Xiao Hua roar with laughter, but I’ll still successfully bring you home as my wife."

Ji Xiaosong nodded gently, her gaze shifting to the section on banquet seating arrangements. "The seating chart for the wedding banquet affects our families’ reputations and shows respect to our guests, so we can’t be careless. The placement of all the officials from the imperial court, as well as the seating for our family elders, must be carefully considered. Also, what about the menu? Do you have any thoughts on that?"

Wu Chufeng thought for a moment, then said, "Regarding the menu, I’ve already consulted the head chef at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. We’re preparing a feast of rare delicacies. It will include auspicious dishes like ’The Dragon and Phoenix Bring Fortune’ and a sweet lotus seed soup to symbolize a sweet life together. I guarantee our guests will eat their fill and be satisfied."

And so, the two of them remained in the study, discussing every last detail of the wedding. At times they would share a laugh over an amusing idea, and at others, they would fall into deep concentration over an important part of the ceremony.

Once they had ironed out most of the details, Ji Xiaosong finally asked about Wu Daniu and Wang Cuihua.

"So, your father went to the Imperial Palace. It seems he didn’t receive a heavy punishment."

"He voluntarily resigned from service and gave up all his official posts. I then took the opportunity to request an imperial decree for our marriage. The Emperor probably figured the Wu Family’s descendants don’t pose much of a threat, so he just punished a few people and didn’t pursue it further."

"So you’re saying your father sacrificed his official post to protect Xiao Mumu?"

"That’s right. His favoritism for Wu Wanqing knows no bounds, so I’m not surprised he did it. I’m just sorry this has been an inconvenience for you. After we marry, we will probably have to establish our own separate household."

"I don’t consider that an inconvenience at all. In fact, I think it’s a wonderful thing. By establishing our own household, we can live our lives as we wish, free from the many rules of the main Wu Family estate. We won’t have to get entangled in all those complicated family conflicts."

Ji Xiaosong tilted her head slightly, a faint smile on her lips. "Besides, this way, our little home will be completely ours to run. I’m happy just thinking about it."

Hearing this, Wu Chufeng’s eyes filled with delighted surprise. He reached out, gently took her hand, and said,

"Song Song, I’m so glad you feel that way. I’ve been planning for this as well. I’ve already purchased a spacious residence in the East Suburb of the Capital City. It’s in a quiet, secluded area with a wide courtyard. Once we move in, we can enjoy a garden full of blossoms in the spring, cool off by the pond in the summer, watch the leaves fall in autumn, and chat by the stove through the winter nights."

"It sounds lovely. It’s just that purchasing a residence and furnishing a new home will probably take a great deal of effort. Still, it will be the fruit of our shared efforts, which makes it all worthwhile."

"If you find you’re not comfortable there, as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, I also have a residence near the General Mansion. It’s just a bit small, with only two main courtyards."

"Let’s decide where we’ll live after we’re married. For now, tell me—now that your father has resigned, where will he go? If I recall correctly, he still has two sons who aren’t yet of age, doesn’t he?"

"Right. Aunt Wang has two sons, who are passed off to outsiders as legitimate sons. One is sixteen and the other is thirteen, and they both still attend the Royal Academy. Now that my father has resigned, they won’t be able to continue studying there."

"And Aunt Wang didn’t throw a fit?" Ji Xiaosong asked, her curiosity piqued.

"How could she not? The moment she heard he was resigning and that the two boys would have to withdraw from the Royal Academy, it was like kicking a hornet’s nest. First, she wailed in front of my father, accusing him of disregarding her and their sons, of standing by and watching their futures be ruined. Then she threatened suicide, claiming it was his favoritism for Wu Wanqing that forced him to make such a decision."

"For the past few days, she has thrown the entire Wu Mansion into an uproar. The servants are all gossiping behind her back. She even brought the two boys to kneel in front of my father’s study, wailing that he couldn’t be so cruel as to ruin their prospects of becoming officials. But my father’s mind is made up. Did she really think her tantrums could change it?" Wu Chufeng’s voice was tinged with disgust.

"My father told her that the current situation at court is complex, and his resignation was the best possible outcome to ensure the safety of our entire family. As for the boys, while they can’t continue at the Royal Academy, he could hire a private tutor to instruct them at home. But Aunt Wang wouldn’t hear a word of it. She’s still being relentless, even threatening that she won’t let the matter drop until he ’solves’ her sons’ problem."

Wu Chufeng spread his hands helplessly, his expression a picture of exasperation at Aunt Wang’s unreasonable behavior.

"Still, no matter what fuss she makes, it won’t change the reality of the situation. My father’s decision isn’t something she can sway. She’s had to quiet down for the time being, but I expect she’ll find some new trouble to stir up in the future."