Nan Qingqing had thought it through.
This era was different from the future. Once she bore the reputation of being returned after a broken engagement, people would gossip behind her back.
Though it wasn’t her fault.
In this age where arranged marriages dominated, even if she returned home safely, her stepmother would still find ways to marry her off again.
Rather than being blindly wedded off to someone else,
It would be better to marry Lu Baiyang.
At the very least,
Lu Baiyang’s character was decent.
And he was short-lived.
In the future, she could also make use of Lu Baiyang’s connections.
To thank him, she would properly raise his two children, helping them grow up well. It could be considered a mutual benefit.
So marrying Lu Baiyang was her best option at the moment.
Lu Baiyang’s expression was complicated, “Have you thought it through?”
Nan Qingqing nodded firmly.
Lu Baiyang seemed to have made a tremendous decision, his handsome face filled with determination, “Alright, I’ll marry you.”
Nan Qingqing smiled faintly, relieved.
The two walked out one after the other.
Lu Baiyang stood there, straight and sharp, his voice resolute, “Mother, I’m marrying Comrade Nan.”
The old lady Lu slumped into her chair, her expression complex, not knowing what to say.
To be honest,
She had always hoped her son could marry the daughter of an official family in the military, bringing honor to their household.
Unexpectedly, after all this, he still ended up marrying a village girl.
But the old lady couldn’t bring herself to object.
After all, their family had wronged Nan Qingqing.
After digesting the news,
The old lady sighed, “If you’ve decided, then it’s settled.”
Lu’s mother was unhappy, “Baiyang, it’s not that your sister-in-law wants to criticize you, but aren’t you afraid people will laugh at you? With your qualifications, there are plenty of good girls you could marry. Mother and I often said we hoped you’d marry an official’s daughter, so our family could benefit too. But you’re so disappointing.”
Lu Baiyang said calmly, “Sister-in-law, I think Comrade Nan is very good.”
Lu’s mother choked, “Good? I heard she was having an illicit affair with someone when she was just a teenager…”
Lu Baiyang suddenly straightened up.
He said sternly, “Sister-in-law, I’ve decided to marry Comrade Nan, which makes her a military dependent. Making unfounded accusations against a military dependent like this could get you arrested by the police and sent to jail.”
Nan Qingqing sneered, “You accusing me of having an illicit affair is just slander from your foul mouth. But your son was caught in bed with Nan Honghong having an illicit affair. If I report this to the county authorities, your son could be charged with hooliganism. Have you had too much horse piss? Do you want a bullet to go with it?”
Lu’s mother’s face turned pale.
Nan Honghong took a deep breath. She had finally managed to snatch Lu Jianguo, though not in the most honorable way. But the process didn’t matter – only the result did.
She stepped forward, smiling sweetly, “Sister, since you’ve decided to marry Uncle Lu, and today is my wedding with Jianguo, shouldn’t you take off that new dress you’re wearing and give it to me?”
Nan Qingqing spat, “I’d rather give it to a dog than to you! And who said I’m not getting married today? Comrade Lu Baiyang!”
Lu Baiyang lowered his eyes, “Yes.”
A mischievous glint flashed in Nan Qingqing’s eyes, “Why wait for another day when we can get married today!”
Lu Baiyang: “…Alright.”
Hearing this,
Lu’s mother immediately objected, “That won’t do! We paid for all the decorations today, why should you use them for free?”
Nan Qingqing responded indifferently, “Actually, I don’t think they look good either. You can take them down, and you can put them back up after we finish our ceremony.”
These words nearly made Lu’s mother spit blood in fury.
How could they remove decorations that took two whole nights to put up?
Even if they did take them down, they couldn’t just be reinstalled instantly!
Nan Qingqing turned the tables, “Whether you remove them or not, don’t delay our auspicious timing.”
Swallowing her frustration, Lu’s mother stamped her foot in anger.
Nan Honghong tugged at Lu Jianguo, “You go tell them we need to get married first. Why should they go before us?”
Lu Jianguo stole a glance at Lu Baiyang and trembled with fear, “I don’t dare. You go say it if you want.”
Nan Honghong: “…”
At that moment.
The master of ceremonies looked toward Lu old lady.
The old lady nodded with a grave expression.
The master of ceremonies immediately beamed and began directing with both hands, “Start the music, the cheers, and the songs!”
Instantly.
The atmosphere of celebration filled the air.
Nan Qingqing and Lu Baiyang bowed to heaven and earth, then kowtowed to Lu old lady.
After their ceremony concluded.
Lu’s mother irritably urged Lu Jianguo, “You two might as well have your ceremony together now.”
After these two completed their bows, there would be many elders to kowtow to.
Besides bowing to the old lady.
They would need to kowtow to their parents, second uncle, and third uncle’s entire family.
Nan Honghong and Lu Jianguo stood grinding their teeth before Nan Qingqing and Lu Baiyang.
Nan Qingqing smiled brightly, “What are you standing there stupidly for? Like two mountain vultures? Kowtow!”
Lu Baiyang turned to look at Nan Qingqing’s cunning, fox-like expression and finally understood why she had insisted on having their ceremony today, and why she had been determined to have it before Lu Jianguo – it was all for this very moment.
Somehow.
Seeing Nan Qingqing’s smile.
Lu Baiyang couldn’t help but curve his lips slightly, a faint smile touching his mouth.
Nan Honghong and Lu Jianguo reluctantly knelt down, and Nan Qingqing could almost hear the sound of their grinding teeth.
Sitting there like an elder, Nan Qingqing said, “Although your relationship began as an affair, you’ve ultimately become husband and wife. Your third aunt wishes you consistency from start to finish, adherence to your duties, and to carry on gloriously.”
Lu Baiyang: “…”
Still that vengeful little fox.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone.
Nan Honghong and Lu Jianguo wished they could crawl into mouse holes.
But they could only grind their teeth and kowtow to Nan Qingqing and Lu Baiyang, addressing them properly, “Third Uncle, Third Aunt.”
Nan Qingqing had finally vented her frustration.
As the wedding concluded, the banquet began.
The two brides were separately escorted to their bridal chambers.
Nan Honghong found Nan Qingqing.