Chapter 2350 - 2083: Gathering in Ye City

In Xiahou Yuan’s resentment, Zhang Fei’s wedding proceeded as scheduled. Despite the many grievances, Xiahou Yuan still displayed the proper etiquette at the wedding to show respect to Zhang Fei.

Initially prepared to make a move before the wedding banquet, Xiahou Yuan’s heart sank upon seeing Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, Huang Zhong, Xuu Chu, Hua Xiong, and others brazenly bringing various weapons into the wedding venue. Their stance barely stopped short of explicitly saying, "Welcome to causing trouble, warmly welcome everyone to cause trouble, we are waiting for you to cause trouble."

Although able to send his daughter, Xiahou Yuan had already come to terms with it. It was just that he couldn’t suppress his anger, so he planned to give Zhang Fei a hard time at the wedding. However, seeing the postures of Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong and the others clearly showed that they were fully prepared to handle today’s situation.

Looking at the surrounding circle of Inner Qi Manifestation around his elder brother Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan could only helplessly sit at the main seat observing the ceremony. With such a lineup today, if any mishaps were to happen, it would undoubtedly end in embarrassment. But thankfully, if unable in the martial aspects, they still had those adept in civil matters.

As the Wedding Wine was brought forward, a smile abruptly appeared on Xiahou Yuan’s face, and then he provocatively looked at Zhang Fei.

"Zhang Yide, as long as you don’t spit out this Wedding Wine, and drink it proper, the Cao Family and the Xiahou Family will recognize you as this son-in-law. If you change color, or drink it and spit it out, Juan’er will still marry you, but how others see it will no longer concern our Xiahou Family," Xiahou Yuan’s sneering voice was transmitted over.

"As a real man, why would I fear this? Even if it’s poisonous, what can’t I, with my Inner Qi Manifestation, swallow?" Zhang Fei sneered as he voice transmitted to Xiahou Yuan.

The Wedding Wine was brought up, one black and one white. Zhang Fei silently picked up the black half, and from afar, the smell exuded a bitterness that all who extended their blessings could sense.

Zhang Fei, with a smile on his face, slowly drank it down. Chen Xi, Fa Zheng, and all observing civil and military officials were left dumbfounded, while Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun wore expressions of disbelief. Although the wine was not poisonous, it was clearly not an ordinary wine, warranting Xiahou Yuan’s bold declarations.

This was the Coptis Bitter Bile Wine that Xiahou Yuan prepared for this day. Its degree of bitterness was such that when Xiahou Yuan once used a finger to dab a little and tasted it, his whole face contorted, yet Zhang Fei drank it with a smile.

"How is it? I, Zhang Yide, am a man of my word," Zhang Fei transmitted over with a voice tinged with arrogance to Xiahou Yuan, who didn’t know how to respond upon seeing Zhang Fei. Could someone have such firm willpower, as if one made of steel, without even changing face?

"Big brother, help me, get me a bit of that Wedding Wine," Xiahou Yuan voice transmitted to Xiahou Dun, who then got a slight amount for Xiahou Yuan. Taking a sip, Xiahou Yuan nearly exploded, and looking towards Zhang Fei had a newfound respect for a true man, truly one with unchanging expression.

At night, as Zhang Fei’s taste nerves had regenerated, his entire face twisted. Even now, he could still feel the bitterness, showcasing how truly deranged Xiahou Yuan was to use such a concoction.

"Juan’er, was your family elder insane?" Zhang Fei said with a twisted face.

"Uh, didn’t I tell you to swap out that Wedding Wine? Also, you should call him dad, or father-in-law," Xiahou Juan advised. Due to Xiahou Yuan’s constant irritation, Xiahou Juan, when searching around, found that jar of bitter wine and quickly realized Xiahou Yuan’s intentions.

After taking a sip, nearly spitting out bile, Xiahou Juan immediately decided to notify Zhang Fei; this stuff was simply undrinkable. If used as Wedding Wine, Zhang Fei would certainly vomit on the spot, resulting in considerable embarrassment.

Upon receiving the news, Zhang Fei initially responded that he was not afraid of bitterness, that a trifling bitter wine was nothing to be concerned about. Ultimately, Xiahou Juan’s repeated warnings led Zhang Fei, to prevent Juan’er from worrying, to hesitantly consult Hua Tuo. Hua Tuo concocted a simple mixture, allowing Zhang Fei to clearly understand that the bitter wine could indeed distort one’s face with its bitterness.

Immediately, Zhang Fei urgently sought Hua Tuo for a solution. Hua Tuo, with a casual hand, performed a simple operation, and the problem was instantly resolved. The bitter taste? Cutting the taste nerve was the simplest solution.

"There, that’s better. However, today nothing you eat will have any taste," Hua Tuo said while formulating medicine. "This is the most suitable method for an Inner Qi Manifestation. Given your physical quality, though I removed some of your taste nerves, they will naturally regenerate by tonight."

"Oh, no taste, no problem, no problem, today it’s all about drinking wine," Zhang Fei nonchalantly said, seeming unbothered. Today, who needs food when wine is the main event?

With this trick, Zhang Fei was no longer afraid of bitterness, so he didn’t swap the wine.

"But swapping it would have been deceitful, wouldn’t it? Besides, I can’t let you lose face in front of my father-in-law, no matter what I must make you hold your head high in their presence," Zhang Fei said, swallowing hard, partly due to the bitterness, and partly due to Xiahou Juan’s tender smile amidst the candlelight.

The next day, Zhang Fei brought Xiahou Juan to pay respects to the aunt and uncle, essentially a post-wedding visit. Things were relatively harmonious on Xiahou Juan’s side, albeit with a hint of awkwardness, yet Zhang Fei in no time squared off with his father-in-law Xiahou Yuan.

"What exactly was the wine you gave me yesterday? Why does my mouth still taste bitter?" After completing the expected courtesies, Zhang Fei immediately pointed at Xiahou Yuan in irritation and spoke.