Chapter 411: Hat Strap Is Crooked

Soon, Sang Hong and Sang Qian received the news and came out to greet them with a group of people.

Sang Qian was dressed in a new groom's attire, looking extremely festive and radiant.

Those around him secretly praised him. Sang Qian was already handsome, and now, dressed up, he looked even more dashing and elegant.

Guests from various families in Brightmoon City who came to offer congratulations whispered among themselves:

“Young Master Sang looks truly happy today.”

“Of course. If you could marry a great beauty like Miss Zheng, knowing you’d be able to consummate the marriage right after the ceremony, you’d be happy too.”

“But the Chu family’s arrival bodes ill. Let’s see how they handle it.”

“Pffft, the Chu family is destined for decline, while the Sang family are the Emperor’s trusted favorites. How can they be compared?”

The scattered discussions around him intermittently reached his ears, but Zu An remained unmoved, observing the father and son who had come out to meet them with an amused expression.

“Ah, Niece Xie, you truly shouldn't have gone to such trouble. Your father already sent a generous gift,” Sang Hong said, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Zu An and greeting Xie Daojun instead.

Xie Daojun smiled slightly, “Uncle, you’re too kind. That was my father’s token of goodwill. This is mine. After all, Miss Zheng and I are good friends, so it’s only right for me to send a gift.”

Sang Hong sighed, “Niece, you are truly beautiful and considerate. I wonder who will be fortunate enough to marry you in the future.”

Xie Daojun’s face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head shyly.

Zu An, standing nearby, interjected unhappily, “Minister Sang, aren’t you being a bit biased? I also brought a gift, so why do you only praise Miss Xie? What about me?”

Sang Hong: “…”Sang Qian: “…”

Everyone nearby cast sidelong glances, implicitly asking, “Why do you think he only praised Miss Xie? Don’t you have any self-awareness?”

From Sang Hong: Rage +250!From Sang Qian: Rage +357!

Sang Hong merely uttered, “Oh, it’s Young Master Zu. All guests are welcome, and of course, our Sang family will gladly welcome those who genuinely come to offer congratulations.”

Sang Qian, however, was not as composed as his father and angrily shouted, “What kind of gift is this?!”

From Sang Qian: Rage +666!

He noticed that the gift was a hat, and a green one at that.

Although the idiom of a “green hat” (implying a cuckold) did not exist in this world, he instinctively felt that this gift was not good.

Zu An smiled slightly, holding out the hat. “I just thought this hat was especially vibrant and perfectly suited Brother Sang’s temperament. Here, let me put it on for you.”

As he spoke, he moved to place it on Sang Qian’s head.

Fearing a hidden mechanism, Sang Qian cautiously stepped back. “Who gives a hat at a wedding? Aren’t you intentionally trying to cause trouble?!”

Zu An sighed. “I genuinely came to offer a gift. It’s just that my family is poor now, so I can’t afford expensive gifts like the large Eastern Pearl Miss Xie brought. But my intentions are the same. Could it be that a powerful family like the Sangs only accepts expensive gifts and rejects less valuable well-wishes?”

Although they knew he was deliberately sowing discord, those around them still murmured. Indeed, someone coming to offer a gift, even if it wasn't valuable, still conveyed goodwill. Moreover, Duke Brightmoon had always been upright, and many in Brightmoon City had received favors from the Chu family. The fact that the Chu family couldn't even afford a decent congratulatory gift now made their plight truly pitiable.

Hearing the whispers around him, Sang Qian was furious. “You little brat, I see you’re here to cause trouble today!”

From Sang Qian: Rage +777!

“Qian’er!” Sang Hong stopped him. “All guests are welcome. Today is your joyous day, and of course, any gift offered should be accepted.”

“But…” Sang Qian vaguely felt that something was amiss but couldn't quite articulate what it was.

Zu An smiled faintly. “Minister Sang truly understands propriety. Here, Brother Sang, let me put it on you personally.”

With that, he directly placed the hat on Sang Qian’s head.

Sang Qian tried to dodge, but his father stopped him with a look, so he had to reluctantly stand still.

Of course, if they had known the connotation of a “green hat,” they would have absolutely refused.

“Oh, Brother Sang, don’t move, it’s crooked.” Zu An adjusted the hat again, then nodded with satisfaction. “Excellent, excellent, this hat suits Brother Sang perfectly.”

He had a premonition that many years from now, the idiom of the “green hat” would spread throughout this world, beginning today...

Sang Hong said gravely, “Young Master Zu, have you caused enough trouble? If there’s nothing else, please leave. Of course, if you wish to stay and observe the ceremony and drink some wedding wine, you are also welcome.”

Zu An also put away his smile and said in a deep voice, “No, things are certainly not over. I came today precisely because there are some matters I wish to settle with Minister Sang.”

“Settle matters with my father? What are you to him?!” Sang Qian retorted angrily.

From Sang Qian: Rage +358!

Born into a prominent family, he had always looked down on scoundrels like Zu An, who came from common stock. Yet, to his dismay, such a person had married the most beautiful woman in all of Brightmoon City—a goddess whom many young masters from noble families wouldn't even dare to dream of. And now, this toad had devoured her.

Therefore, he found Zu An disagreeable in every way upon seeing him.

Sang Hong also sneered, “Perhaps Duke Brightmoon has the right to stand before me and say that. As for you? You’re not qualified enough.”

His tone was filled with contempt, and many nearby burst into laughter, all finding Zu An presumptuous.

Leaving aside the Sang family’s status, even with him, an eighth-rank master, standing here, how could a young junior like you have the audacity to settle accounts with him?

“Are these enough to qualify?” Zu An scoffed, giving the agreed signal. Soon, a group of crimson-robed soldiers rushed in like wolves, surrounding them.

Sang Qian’s expression changed. For his wedding, it was impossible to invite the entire River Defense Camp army; he had only invited a few high-ranking officers. The manor only had some house guards and retainers, who were no match for these crimson-robed soldiers if a conflict broke out.

Sang Hong was also secretly moved. He had heard that Zu An had brought the crimson-robed army into the city to confront Liu Yao’s imperial guards, but he hadn’t expected him to bring them here.

Having been involved in politics for many years, he was accustomed to changing his demeanor at any moment. “Young Master Zu, what is the meaning of this? Can’t we discuss things calmly?”

Zu An secretly lamented, if not for the crimson-robed army, who would pay attention to a fifth-rank cultivation like himself? After all, strength was paramount.

Since the other party was wary of the crimson-robed army, he saw no need to be polite. “Just now, you had such a condescending look. Now you’re willing to speak reasonably and pleasantly? How pathetic!”

“Zu, don’t go too far!” Sang Qian roared.

From Sang Qian: Rage +888!

To be publicly humiliated by a young junior was intolerable, even for Sang Hong, who possessed deep cunning. “I merely don’t want any trouble on my son’s big day, but don’t you dare think I’m afraid of you.”

From Sang Hong: Rage +996!

As he spoke, he stepped forward, his eighth-rank cultivation aura directly spreading out. Many people around him paled, unable to stand firm, and retreated backward.

Many of the crimson-robed soldiers also stepped forward, collectively blocking the pressure he released.

Zu An stood in the middle as if nothing was amiss, smiling. “Just now at the Chu family, General Liu looked down on our Chu family’s crimson-robed army and foolishly insisted on a fight. He lost, and he lost badly. Does Minister Sang also wish to try?”

Sang Hong’s expression changed several times. He reacted quickly, immediately retracting his aura. “Young Master Zu, you jest. This Sang knows full well the renown of the Chu family’s crimson-robed army across the land. However, everything in the world must conform to reason. Marriage is a major life event. Bringing an army to bully and cause trouble like this, no matter where you go, it would surely be indefensible.”

“Bully and intimidate?” Zu An almost laughed. He never thought Sang Hong would use that term against him.

“A’Zu~” Xie Daojun, beside him, tugged on his sleeve, then sent a spiritual message, “This will provoke public outrage. Moreover, the soldiers under Minister Sang and his son have surely received news, and if they rush here, a major battle will ensue. No matter how valiant the crimson-robed army is, they might not be able to withstand the combined forces of the City Guard and Imperial Guards.”

Of course, as a member of the Xie family, she also did not want the situation to escalate, to avoid forcing the Xie family into involvement.

“Very well, for Miss Xie’s sake, I shall reason with you,” Zu An’s words caused Xie Daojun to blush deeply.