Meng Xiaoping rushed and hurried, finally completing the wedding dress and other items that needed to be embroidered in advance before the wedding, managing not to delay the marriage ceremony.

The Wang family also bustled about, getting the bridal chamber ready, though it was situated in the old residence. Although there had been an understanding between the Wang and Meng families that the couple would move out to live independently after the wedding, the Lunar New Year was fast approaching. The Old Master felt it would be best for the new bride to spend her first year with the whole family during the festive season. Only after the New Year would Wang Qingtong and his young wife move out. Moreover, if they moved out now, they still hadn't acquired many necessities or understood many essential matters! Having them live with the elders now could help them acquire things and also allow the elders to guide them, especially the new bride, as certain matters required instruction from the family to prevent any untoward situations arising from their inexperience when they lived alone.

On the day of Wang Qingtong and Meng Xiaoping's wedding, Wang Qingchen also went to the old residence very early with Wang Youfu and Lady Yang. Although he might not be of much practical help, his presence alone showed that he cared about Wang Qingtong's marriage.

Having witnessed several weddings in this era, Wang Qingchen was somewhat familiar with the customs. He stood to one side, watching his paternal aunt-in-law busy herself everywhere. As Wang Qingtong's mother, Lady Tian was naturally overwhelmed on the wedding day. Seeing Wang Qingchen standing idly by, Lady Tian asked him to help receive guests, as they were beginning to arrive one after another. Of course, Lady Tian’s primary motive was to leverage Wang Qingchen’s current status as a Juren (Provincial Graduate); she felt it would greatly honor her son if a Juren helped welcome guests on the day of his wedding.

Wang Qingchen, who had been fretting about not having anything useful to do, readily accepted Lady Tian’s request and immediately began assisting the eldest branch of the family in greeting the attendees.

Wang Qingchen’s status indeed played a role. Some guests coming for the celebration saw him there receiving people and speculated that the Juren from the Wang family must be on very good terms with the groom, given he was helping out with the reception.

The immediate Wang family members hadn't considered this angle, but Zhang Shi, hearing the discussions among the arrivals, glanced at Lady Tian who was bustling about and scoffed, "She certainly knows how to bask in reflected glory!"

As for the Old Master and Old Madam, they were very pleased to see Wang Qingchen helping to receive guests, taking it as a sign that the younger generation in the family was getting along well.

Soon, Wang Qingtong went to the Meng family residence to escort the bride. Meng Xiaoping there was also completely prepared. Her mother came to give her final instructions, mostly revolving around how to maintain good relations with her in-laws after entering their household, and how to get along with Wang Qingtong.

Meng Xiaoping listened attentively, nodding, "Mother, your daughter understands!"

"Alas, once you are in your in-laws' home, it will be different from being here with us. You must learn to forbear in all matters, do you understand? You are marrying into their third son’s line; not only do you have the Old Madam and your mother-in-law above you, but you must also show deference to the wives of their first and second sons. It's fortunate that you won't have to live with the elders downstairs and can set up your own household." Meng Xiaoping’s mother said, stroking her daughter's head.

"Mmm, I understand, Mother," Meng Xiaoping replied. "Now that I am marrying into the Wang family, I won't be able to visit Mother and Father often. You both must take good care of yourselves at home."

Meng Xiaoping's mother nodded, "Ah, don't you worry about that!"

The mother and daughter spoke for only a short while before Wang Qingtong arrived to fetch the bride. Meng Xiaoping's mother quickly excused herself.

In a farming family's fetching of the bride, even if the groom’s party faced some minor teasing from the bride's side, it was usually just playful antics. Thus, it wasn't long before Wang Qingtong successfully received his bride. Looking at the bride concealed beneath the red veil, Wang Qingtong remembered the Meng Xiaoping he had seen before, and the sheer joy of finally marrying her caused his face to break into an unrestrained grin, beaming happily as he escorted the bride back.

When the Wang family members waiting at home saw Wang Qingtong return with the bride, they immediately began to cheer and tease him. Wang Qingtong, seeing this, naturally smiled even more brightly, though Wang Qingchen privately considered it bordering on foolishness. As for Meng Xiaoping, still hidden beneath the veil, the playful shouts caused her cheeks to flush involuntarily—fortunately, no one could see her blush now.

Soon, the auspicious hour arrived. Wang Qingtong and Meng Xiaoping performed the ceremonial bows, and shortly thereafter, the wedding banquet commenced. Drinking was, of course, unavoidable at the feast, and as the focus of the day, Wang Qingtong was certainly plied with copious amounts of alcohol. Many men among the farming folk were formidable drinkers, leading to numerous challenges for Wang Qingtong.

Wang Qingchen watched as Wang Qingtong was forced to drink heavily. Even with the assistance of Wang Qingshan and Wang Qingyun helping him fend off drinks, he still consumed a large quantity, eventually leaving Wang Qingshan and Wang Qingyun themselves quite tipsy. Wang Qingchen couldn't stand by, stepping in to help block some of the toasting.

The Old Master, Old Madam, and Lady Tian were, naturally, watching Wang Qingtong constantly. When they saw Wang Qingchen come to assist, they knew immediately and were very satisfied, subsequently paying no mind to how much the young men drank.

Although Wang Qingchen joined the drinking later, he still consumed a substantial amount. After all, there were many capable drinkers among the guests, and when the atmosphere heated up, bouts of competitive drinking became common. As the host family, the Wangs found it hard to refuse these challenges, resigning themselves to 'accompanying the gentlemen to the bitter end.'

By the end of the feast, Wang Qingchen was showing signs of intoxication, let alone Wang Qingshan and Wang Qingyun, who were likely already being escorted to rest by their respective wives, having drunk themselves quite under. Surprisingly, Wang Qingtong appeared relatively sober, though still clearly affected.

After the banquet concluded, Wang Qingchen supported the unsteady Wang Qingtong toward the bridal chamber. At this point, relying on Wang Qingshan and Wang Qingyun was unrealistic.

As Wang Qingchen helped Wang Qingtong walk, he realized he had overestimated the groom. The man was clearly drunk, walking anything but a straight line; Wang Qingchen suspected he would have collapsed entirely if not supported.

"Look at you, drinking so recklessly! Did you have to empty every cup offered? Really, you’re completely sloshed now!" Wang Qingchen grumbled, regardless of whether the inebriated man could comprehend him.

"Hey, Qingchen... hehe, I’m getting married today, I... I’m happy, really happy! Whoever toasted me, I drank with them..." Wang Qingtong mumbled back, though it was unclear if any clarity remained in his mind.

"Being happy isn't an excuse to drink yourself senseless!" Wang Qingchen retorted with a pout.

"Hehe, when... when you get married... you'll understand..." Wang Qingtong chuckled foolishly.

"Right, we were talking about you, and you bring up me, even daring to tease me for not being married? You’ve got some nerve!" Wang Qingchen shook his head and laughed.

Wang Qingtong either didn't understand or simply muttered something too quietly for even Wang Qingchen, who was right beside him, to hear clearly.

Wang Qingchen considered that nothing important was usually said by a drunkard, so he didn't press for clarification, figuring his duty was done once the groom was safely in the bridal chamber.

However, the moment Wang Qingchen thought this, he instantly regretted it—why hadn't he asked? It was just a single sentence! He lost the crucial moment to evade, and Wang Qingtong, feeling suddenly nauseous, leaned over and vomited directly onto him.

Struggling with the nauseating smell, Wang Qingchen hesitated: should he abandon the groom here and rush off to change, or endure the stench and get the man into the bridal chamber? Furthermore, he worried that his own foul smell might offend the bride.

Before Wang Qingchen could decide on a course of action, salvation arrived. The Old Master, concerned about both Wang Qingchen having drunk heavily and Wang Qingtong being completely passed out, had summoned Wang Qinghua, who hadn't drunk much, to check on them in case they needed assistance.

Wang Qinghua, worried about the pair, hurried over without delay.

But just as Wang Qinghua caught up, he witnessed Wang Qingtong throwing up all over Wang Qingchen. Seeing his second brother looking utterly stunned, Wang Qinghua initially suppressed a laugh but eventually couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.

Hearing the outburst, Wang Qingchen turned to see Wang Qinghua and exclaimed helplessly, "Eldest Brother, aren't you going to lend your brother a hand?"

Wang Qinghua quickly stifled his laughter upon his second brother’s request and rushed over to help. He took Wang Qingtong from Wang Qingchen, telling him to go change immediately, then, still struggling to suppress his amusement, escorted Wang Qingtong to the bridal chamber.

Wang Qingchen watched the two figures walk away, unsure of what expression to wear. Finally, resigning himself to his fate, he turned to go change his clothes; he felt he might gag himself if he stayed dressed in that foul-smelling attire.