Chapter 173: Chapter 173

The bride and groom started off first, while on the Tian Family’s side, there were more than a dozen young men who came with Meng Cheng’an to pick up the bride, helping move the dowry and arranging the bride’s friends and relatives onto the cars heading to the hotel.

Apart from the bridal car, the Meng Family also arranged buses to pick up friends and relatives, trying to ensure everyone was satisfied.

It wasn’t until Tian Chenhui locked up his house that the bustling courtyard finally quieted down.

For Tian Xiang’s wedding, all the neighbors in the courtyard were invited.

Everyone took the car arranged by the groom’s side to the hotel, where the two newlyweds who left earlier were already there, welcoming the guests at the entrance.

The weather today is quite nice, the sun shines brightly, but it is not as dazzling as the bride and groom at the door.

For this wedding, the Meng Family even hired three photographers for full coverage.

For other families, journalists from the newspaper would come to join in the fun.

But there were too many leaders at this wedding, so no one dared to come and take pictures.

The hotel has two floors in total, and the two families planned forty tables, nearing the start of the banquet, everyone who should be there arrived, and nearly all seats were full.

At this moment, another sedan stopped at the entrance, and Meng Shaoqing, who rushed from the airport, arrived.

The city leaders seated upstairs in the private room quickly came downstairs upon hearing the commotion to greet her.

Meng Shaoqing was still wearing her work suit, and as she entered, she gave Tian Xiang a small gift box, a new wedding gift prepared for her nephew and niece-in-law.

"I’m not sure if it’s suitable. If it’s too small or too big, I’ll have someone adjust it later."

As Meng Shaoqing entered, there was a moment of silence in the downstairs hall; once she was ushered upstairs by the leaders, everyone began whispering again.

The eldest daughter of the Meng Family!

She had been away for a long time but returned in the last two years, and her position is quite high. Once the old man is gone, she’ll be the face of the Meng Family later on.

With Meng Shaoqing here, Tian Xiang and Meng Cheng’an finished their welcoming duties and then went to the hotel’s prepared rest room to change clothes.

This time, Meng Zhi prepared two sets of wedding attire for Tian Xiang, starting with a wedding dress and then changing into a red qipao after the welcoming.

Meng Cheng’an didn’t need a change; he wore a suit the entire time.

When Tian Xiang went to the compartment to change, Meng Cheng’an waited in the outer room.

When Tian Xiang came out wearing the red qipao, Meng Cheng’an took out a set of ruby jewelry and put it on for her.

Tian Xiang hadn’t seen this set before and asked, "Is it new?"

Meng Cheng’an: "It’s my grandmother’s relic."

Tian Xiang: "I never heard you mention it before."

Meng Cheng’an: "I just got it during the New Year."

Tian Xiang was a bit puzzled, "What do you mean just got it?"

Meng Cheng’an: "Didn’t I tell you before about my grandmother’s side? This set was dug out from her dowry residence. It used to be a cultural center, and by the end of the year, it was returned to our family."

Meng Cheng’an’s grandmother was a lady from a wealthy family, and she brought several properties as her dowry when she got married. However, when the old man had an incident, those properties were confiscated.

Back then, in order to secure her dowry, the old lady hid quite a few boxes in some secret places. Previously, they didn’t dare to dig them up, but now those houses that can be returned have been returned, and these things can be put to use now.

Tian Xiang had never seen the old lady, but from her actions, she could guess she was a smart and capable woman with a bit of cunning, likely a fusion of Meng Shaoqing and Meng Zhi.

After dressing up, Meng Cheng’an repacked the wedding dress and jewelry and asked the guards outside to take them back to the car first, as these items were very valuable.

The two left the room and had a bite to eat in the private room on the second floor before going to the toasting segment.

They started from the neighboring table, moving from the second floor to the first floor.

This time, for the precious grandson’s wedding, the old man had specifically sent someone to pick ten strong young men from the military to move the dowry, drive cars, drink for the grandson, and resolutely protect the precious darling.

While the hotel was lively, not far away at the bus stop, Lu Feng was holding his bicycle, staring blankly towards that direction.

After today, she would completely belong to Meng Cheng’an, rightful and legal as husband and wife.

Lu Feng was unhappy and filled with jealousy.

Clearly, still in university, how did she get married?

What’s the rush? Couldn’t she wait a few more years? She was that eager for him?

Lu Feng curved his lips into a smile.

So, they say, a woman’s purity is just a facade; inwardly, she’s not much different from a man.

Lu Feng felt suffocated, feeling all his previous efforts were a joke, as if he were a clown, emptying his heart just to move around in front of her.

And yet, she never spared an extra glance his way; any emotional movement was just his own.

Lu Feng didn’t know what to say; he felt blocked inside, his mind in a turmoil.

One moment, he thought, forget it, she’s married now, wishing means nothing.

But soon he realized he couldn’t let it go; he didn’t know why, he just felt a strong sense of unwillingness, as if Tian Xiang originally belonged to him but was forcibly snatched away.

Driven by such emotions, he wanted to take her back, and the thought crossed his mind as soon as he learned she was getting married.

But the other side is the Meng Family, and that person is Meng Cheng’an; how could he even think of taking her?

Just like now, so many cars parked outside the hotel, with guards and military personnel, with every entrance and passage under watch, those people armed. What could he take?

But can it really end ?

Lu Feng felt he wouldn’t be able to sleep, constantly thinking and unable to move on.

Although he wanted her before, it was never this intense.

Ever since Tian Xiang got engaged to Meng Cheng’an, he felt something off about himself, becoming more pitiable.

Lu Feng took a deep breath, got on his bike, and left, planning to buy a ticket at the train station, get back to school early, and have a chat with Chang Wan to see if she had any insights or opinions about Meng Cheng’an’s marriage.

This wedding banquet slowly came to an end after two o’clock.

When guests were leaving, the Meng Family arranged cars to send everyone back, just like before.

Tian Xiang and Meng Cheng’an bid the guests farewell at the door, and Meng Zhi arranged for the two of them to head back first.

Even though there were people shielding him from drinking, Meng Cheng’an still had to personally toast in front of some important figures. After a few rounds, he ended up drinking too much, his handsome face flushed.

Tian Xiang was fine; her drinks were diluted with a lot of water, so while she felt a little dizzy, overall, she was okay.

Just as they were about to get in the car, Hu Honglian came over to see off her daughter and son-in-law, holding Tian Xiang’s hand, "Make some sobering soup when you get back, get some rest, wear more clothes, or you might catch a cold, have a headache..."

Hu Honglian couldn’t put her mind at ease, truly wishing she could go along with her daughter and son-in-law.

But obviously, that wouldn’t be appropriate.

Tian Xiang: "Mom, I know, don’t worry."

Hu Honglian nodded, but her hand holding her daughter’s was somewhat reluctant to let go.

At this moment, Tian Weibing came over and said, "The car is waiting in the back, we should get going too."

Hu Honglian sighed and slowly released her grip, not expecting Tian Xiang to suddenly hold her hand, "Dad, Mom, let me see you to your car."