Chapter 1441: The Prince and the Pauper

Chapter 1441: Chapter 1441: The Prince and the Pauper

Qing Anzhi glanced at Chen Moxiang and said, "You can call me Uncle too, just like Moxiang does."

Lin Tian nodded and called out, "Uncle."

Hehe~

Chen Moxiang laughed. Why has this kid become so silly after learning about his position? To be fair, it’s kind of cute.

It took Lin Tian a while to come to his senses, puzzled, he asked, "But... I haven’t really made any major contributions or gone through any evaluations."

The leader said, "Returning those forty-seven invaluable national treasures to the country is already a remarkable feat. Moreover, the improvements you’ve brought to Luoyan Dock and the major ancient martial arts families is another great achievement. How can you say you haven’t contributed? As for the evaluations, they were conducted secretly, so it’s normal you didn’t know."

Lin Tian said, "I still... feel a bit unreal."

"Haha, you’ll get used to it over time. The position of elder at Luoyan Dock is merely a title, which only holds significance within the systems of Luoyan Dock and the major families. It doesn’t have real power in the government. Do you understand?"

Lin Tian nodded, "I understand."

The state giving him this position, to be honest, is just a nominal title. It sounds impressive, but the actual power is quite limited. Yet, it is an achievement many people could never attain in their lifetime.

Of course, it does have certain benefits. Like sitting next to the leader and Qing Anzhi now. It’s a special honor, a symbol of identity.

Today, people from all major ancient martial families are present, but not a single elder from the Alliance showed up. I happened to fill this gap, and this position was prepared for me!

At this moment, the entire noisy main hall gradually quieted down. Everyone’s eyes turned towards the red carpet at the center of the main hall.

The red carpet was laid in the center of the hall, extending from the entrance to the red altar where the bride and groom are to bow.

At this time, walking on the red carpet were Mr. Xu and Zhou Zhenghao and his wife. These three needed to sit at the red altar to witness the couple.

The three of them walked to the red altar, but Mr. Wang didn’t sit down. Dressed in a clean white robe, he stood in the center of the red altar, hands clasped behind his back, his tiger eyes hiding a smile as he glanced around.

"Welcome, guests, to witness the union of my Wang Family’s daughter and the Zhou Family’s young master. The couple shall enter!"

Mr. Wang spoke without a microphone, his inner strength settled in his abdomen, his voice powerful and clear, every word audible.

Next, Zhou Chenghang walked in, wearing a bright red and black nine-grade official robe embroidered with gold, draped diagonally with a red floral ball, and a jade belt with gold edging around his waist. In his smooth hand, he held one end of a red silk ribbon, with the other end held by someone wearing a phoenix coronet and robe, with a red veil featuring a dragon and phoenix design covering her head, and boots adorned with auspicious clouds.

The groom was handsome and distinguished, with a face like a crown jade. Though the bride’s face was unseen, she exuded grace and elegance.

Fortunes united in harmony.

Dragging a long phoenix gown, the two of them slowly reached the red altar.

Wang Zheng, also dressed in a dark red robe, stood to the side of the red altar, shouting loudly, "Kneel!"

The newlyweds knelt on the prayer mats facing the hall.

"May you be like the unshifting boulder, and I the sturdy bulrush; though the bulrush is as fine as silk, the boulder shall not move," Wang Zheng shouted, his voice resonating like a great bell, ensuring every guest could hear it clearly.

This phrase is from "The Peacock Flies Southeast," serving as the wedding vow for today’s couple, read aloud by ’Master of Ceremonies’ Wang Zheng.

"First bow to heaven and earth!"

The couple slowly turned and bowed deeply.

"Second bow to the parents!"

The couple turned again, bowing deeply to Mr. Wang and Zhou Zhenghao.

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

Zhou Chenghang and Wang Sijing faced each other and bowed again.

From Lin Tian’s seat, he had the clearest view of the entire main hall. He could see Zhou Chenghang’s profile, expressionless and devoid of joy.

Lin Tian became even more curious about Wang Sijing’s expression. He squinted slightly and activated his X-ray vision. Through the red veil, he discovered that the person under it was not Wang Sijing!

Indeed! It wasn’t Wang Sijing, but Lin Tian had seen her—Wang Sijing’s maid. What was her name again?

This scene of a costume drama unfolding before him made Lin Tian unable to contain his laughter. Wang Sijing really had guts! Daring to use a body double.

Wasn’t she afraid the veil might accidentally fall off during the ceremony?

If he hadn’t met Mr. Wang earlier or drunk the tea served by Wang Sijing, he surely would have made some small moves to expose the veil right off the maid’s head, bringing disgrace to both the Wang and Zhou families.

Sadly, the enmity has been settled peacefully now.

But even if Wang Sijing didn’t want to marry, having a maid replace her in the ceremony wasn’t a solution. Could the maid substitute her in the bridal chamber? Bear her children?

Isn’t that nonsense?

Thinking of the future troubles of this marriage, Lin Tian’s dark side laughed even more happily.

Chen Moxiang lightly tugged at Lin Tian’s clothes and asked, "Why are you laughing like that? So lecherously?"

Lin Tian leaned to Chen Moxiang’s ear and whispered, "The bride is a fake, not Wang Sijing."

Chen Moxiang’s face changed dramatically, incredulously asking, "How do you know that?"

"Ha, a sage has his ways. Do you believe if I said I have X-ray vision?"

"Nonsense." Chen Moxiang rolled her eyes.

At this moment, Wang Zheng shouted again, "To the bridal chamber!"

Zhou Chenghang helped the ’bride’ stand slowly. At this time, someone started clapping, and soon the main hall was filled with applause, as if blessing the marriage.

Lin Tian also clapped a few times, but in his heart, he was mourning for Zhou Chenghang. He really wanted to see Zhou Chenghang’s expression after lifting the red veil and finding the bride wasn’t Wang Sijing.

After sending the bride to the bridal chamber, Zhou Chenghang would have to return to the main hall. With so many guests, he needed to toast every table.

Lin Tian didn’t know how many tables the Wang and Zhou families set up together, but he was sure Zhou Chenghang wouldn’t manage to finish a round of toasts. Even one glass per table would utterly inebriate him.

Thinking about it, with this guy returning drunk tonight, there’s no way he’d be able to lift the veil. Thinking of this, Lin Tian felt a bit disappointed.

At this point, the banquet had begun. Plates of gourmet dishes were being served to the tables, and the main table was gradually filling up with people.

Each table was set for ten people, and Mr. Wang, Zhou Zhenghao, and Wang Zheng stepped down from the red altar.

When Zhou Zhenghao and Wang Zheng saw Lin Tian sitting at the main table, their expressions turned quite remarkable. Any previous joy was immediately washed away.

Due to the occasion, they didn’t show it, but their gazes towards Lin Tian were anything but friendly.