flstandardbreds Chapter 137 Guan Yu Marries Xiao Qiao
Chapter 137 Guan Yu Marries Xiao Qiao
Sun Luban was a decisive and efficient businesswoman. After dealing with Sun Luyu, she immediately went to find Xiao Qiao, pulled her aside, and asked, "Mother, what did my mother say?"
Marriage is a major decision that definitely requires the consent of her mother, Bu Lianshi, or at least her mother's opinion.
Sun Luban couldn't handle this personally, so she had to rely on her mother-in-law, Xiao Qiao.
Xiao Qiao said in a low voice, "Your mother said that it seems very unlikely that your father can take back Jianye now, and your two younger brothers are still in Guan Yu's hands. You have to help them, and then that's it."
Sun Luban understood; his mother had tacitly agreed. Sure enough, as soon as his father was defeated, the family began to fall apart, and the couple prepared to abandon each other in the face of disaster.
Now that the woman's side is settled, the next step is to win over the man.
After whispering for a while, Sun Luban turned and hurried to the gate of the mansion. He handed a string of copper coins to the guard at the gate and said, "Please inform Wang Zhizhong that Sun Luban has important business to discuss with him."
Wang Fu had already been appointed by Liu Bei as the Chief Administrator of Yangzhou, making him the second-in-command of Yangzhou after Guan Yu, so calling him Chief Administrator Wang was appropriate.
Although Sun Luban was able to move into the Wu Hou Mansion as he wished, he was also placed under house arrest like the women of the Sun family. He could not leave the mansion without Guan Yu's permission, but fortunately he had money.
After receiving the money, the garrison immediately notified Wang Fu, who then sent someone to invite her to the Zhizhong Prefecture.
Upon meeting, Wang Fu skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point: "May I ask what important matter Madam Zhou has with me?"
Sun Luban had no connection with Wang Fu and, too lazy to be humble, went straight to the point: "I heard that Young Master Anguo is still unmarried, and you've met my sister, Xiaohu, the Prefect. I wonder..."
Wang Fu's eyes lit up and he quickly smiled and said, "Madam, please sit down and let's sit down and talk."
After saying that, he called out, "Quickly serve tea to Madam Zhou, and go to my residence to fetch the tea that Young Master Anguo sent."
On the day Deng Hong returned to the city to report the victory, he brought some tea for Guan Yu. Guan Yu then gave some to Wang Fu, who cherished it greatly and usually kept it for himself, never willing to use it to entertain guests.
Soon the tea was served. Wang Fu personally brewed it and handed it to Sun Luban with both hands, smiling, "Madam Zhou, please try it and see if it suits your taste?"
Sun Luban was speechless. When I first arrived, you ignored me, but now you're extremely enthusiastic. You change your attitude faster than flipping through a book.
Sun Luban took a sip of the tea and found it bitter and hard to swallow, but he still praised it against his conscience.
Wang Fu listened patiently before smiling apologetically and said, "What Madam Zhou just said, about the marriage between Young Master Anguo and the Second Miss, we can have a good talk."
This is a good thing. If Guan Xing and Sun Luyu really become a couple, it will be of great benefit to stabilizing Jiangdong.
Wang Fu had actually had this idea for a while, but since the war between the two sides had not yet ended, it was somewhat inappropriate to discuss it at that time.
Now that Lü Meng has withdrawn his troops, the gentry and common people of Jiangdong have given up hope. It's time to put stability maintenance on the agenda. Moreover, the Sun family has taken the initiative to extend an olive branch, so why should we be reserved?
Sun Luban smiled and said, "My mother has already given her approval, and my sister is also very fond of Young Master Anguo. Now it's up to you two..."
Wang Fu patted his chest and said, "Leave this to me. I will definitely persuade General Guan to go to the Sun family to propose marriage as soon as possible, and I guarantee that all the formalities of marriage will be completed."
This is a formal marriage, so all the proper etiquette must be observed.
Sun Luban smiled and said, "Then I'll wait at home for Wang Zhizhong's good news. There's one more thing. I heard that Uncle Guan has been widowed for many years and hasn't remarried, and my mother-in-law has also been a widow for several years..."
Wang Fu's eyes widened instantly, his breathing quickened, and after a moment of hesitation, he suddenly turned and roared towards the door, "Tell the kitchen to prepare some food for Madam Zhou, and bring out my treasured wine..."
The two chatted and ate, and soon finalized his marriage without informing Guan Xing.
Then they began to discuss the marriage between Guan Yu and Xiao Qiao. This was a rather troublesome matter, because although the two of them were somewhat interested in each other, their identities were too sensitive and they were both too concerned about their reputations. They had to come up with a way to get things done without hurting each other's feelings.
After discussing it for a long time, they realized that this matter was difficult to handle, and Guan Yu had to take the initiative to step forward. You can't expect Xiao Qiao to come to you willingly.
Afterwards, Wang Fu sent a carriage to take Sun Luban back to the Marquis's residence, and then rushed to the military camp to find Guan Yu, who was training troops. He pulled him aside to explain the situation and ask for his opinion.
Guan Yu immediately agreed, saying, "I have no objection to Anguo and Xiaohu's marriage. Go and prepare the gifts, and we will propose marriage on a chosen day."
He also quite liked the daughter of the Sun family, and a marriage alliance with Sun Quan would be beneficial to the stability of Jiangdong. The reason he rejected Sun Quan's marriage proposal and even insulted him was because that blue-eyed thief had no good intentions at all.
I, Guan Yu, am, after all, a general under the King of Hanzhong. You, Sun Quan, as the King of Hanzhong's rival, are trying to bypass the King of Hanzhong and propose marriage directly to me. What are you trying to do? Do you really think I, Guan Yu, am blind?
If you, Sun Quan, truly want your son to marry my daughter, you should inform the King of Hanzhong and have him act as guarantor. That's the proper procedure, not bypassing the King of Hanzhong and coming directly to me.
But things are different now. He has completely broken ties with Sun Quan. His decision to have his son marry Sun Quan's daughter is for political reasons, to legitimately seize Sun Quan's power base in Jiangdong. If he doesn't agree to this, then Guan Yu must be out of his mind.
With Guan Yu nodding, everyone except the groom Guan Xing agreed to the marriage; Guan Xing's own opinion was irrelevant.
Wang Fu leaned close to Guan Yu and whispered, "There's one more thing. Miss Lu Ban is willing to act as matchmaker for you and Madam Zhou. Madam Zhou's lack of refusal means she agrees. My lord, it's your turn to step forward now."
Guan Yu blushed, but fortunately, he had a naturally red face, so no one could tell.
Wang Fu continued, "This is a good thing. If the King knew, he would definitely agree. But if you mess it up, the King will definitely punish you."
"My lord, you are a grown man, you can't let the woman take the initiative. Give me a straight answer, whether you agree or not, I need to reply to Miss Luban."
Guan Yu gritted his teeth and decided to go for it. So what if Cao Cao is Cao Cao? It's no big deal.
Seeing Guan Yu nod, Wang Fu immediately turned and left. He went to find Sun Luban to discuss and decide to put Guan Xing's matter aside for now, and instead focus on Guan Yu's matter first. Guan Xing hadn't returned yet, so why the rush?
After agreeing on the procedures, Wang Fu ordered Zhou Yin to go to the Wu Hou residence and bring his mother back to the Zhou residence with the highest honors.
They are, after all, members of the Zhou family. What kind of behavior is it for them to stay at the Sun family's house all the time?
The day after bringing Xiao Qiao back to his residence, Guan Yu personally brought generous gifts to the Zhou family to propose marriage. The procession carrying the gifts alone stretched for two miles.
This demonstrates both the importance placed on the Zhou family and serves as a form of public relations, conveying to everyone in Jianye that Guan Yu is about to marry Xiao Qiao.
On the third day, the two officially got married. The general's mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and various musical instruments were played in turn, making it a very lively occasion.
According to past practice, the process of engagement, marriage, and betrothal would take at least half a year. But now we live in a chaotic world, where efficiency is paramount. We're too busy fighting to keep up with all the formalities.
Therefore, Guan Yu and Xiao Qiao's marriage was arranged in just two days by Wang Fusun and Lu Ban.
The wedding night.
Guan Yu, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, and Xiao Qiao, who was dressed up, sat on the edge of the bed, looking embarrassed. Although they were acquaintances, they were more embarrassed than strangers in this kind of situation.
The two stood there dumbfounded for a long time before Guan Yu finally said weakly, "Madam, it's getting late, let's go to bed."
Xiao Qiao didn't answer, but nodded shyly like a young girl. Guan Yu then took the opportunity to move closer, and then...