Chapter 7: The Wedding and the Banquet

"Sister, are you really leaving us?!"
"Big sister, I don't want you to leave."
"Sister, please don't go."

That evening, word spread among her younger siblings that the family was holding a banquet for Lu Jiaoe’s wedding. Lu Jiuqing, Lu Zhuer, and Lu Jiuzhou crowded around her, their eyes filled with dependence and reluctance.

They had been raised by their eldest sister, and their bond with her was incredibly strong. Since their parents were always out working in the fields, Lu Jiaoe had been the one to look after them and handle the housework whenever she wasn't at school. She was a wonderful eldest sister; whenever there was something delicious to eat, she would always give it to them first, only eating whatever remained. Now that she was getting married and leaving home, they were heartbroken and desperate for her to stay.

"I will come back to visit, and even if I can't, I will write to you often and send you treats. You must study hard. The place I’m going to is Beijing! One day, you’ll all come to Beijing to live with me."

Lu Jiaoe had always loved children, and she adored her own siblings even more. Having raised them herself, she found them obedient, sweet, and remarkably sensible, which made their bond feel even more profound. Upon hearing that they might one day join her in Beijing, Lu Jiuqing and Lu Zhuer felt a little less distressed. Lu Jiuzhou, comforted by the promise of treats and the prospect of being reunited with her later, also calmed down.

"Big sister, I will definitely work hard at my studies," Lu Jiuzhou promised.
"Me too, sister," added Lu Jiuqing.
"Me too, sister, I promise!" chimed in Lu Zhuer.

The three children vied to make their pledges. They followed their eldest sister’s lead in everything; though studies were difficult, they were determined to try. Lu Jiaoe knew her own family’s situation well. Her own grades were only mediocre, and her siblings were not much better off.

Her older brother, Lu Jiuqing, and her younger sister, Lu Zhuer, were already in school, but their performance was merely average—not enough to rank in the top ten of their classes. At this rate, they would struggle to even graduate from high school, let alone consider vocational school.

Therefore, Lu Jiaoe fetched three bowls, filled them with water, and took advantage of the dim evening light to secretly drop a "Clear Spirit Pill" into each one.

In her previous life, while in the world of cultivation, the Clear Spirit Pill had been one of her favorite elixirs to hoard and refine. The ingredients were common and cheap, and the process was simple. Its only effect was to sharpen the senses and improve focus. When she first discovered its properties, her first thought was that it was the perfect elixir for students, parents, and teachers alike. She had refined so many that she had plenty left over, and she consumed them regularly. Most importantly, it had no side effects—perfect for someone like her, who lacked both diligence and innate talent.

She gave one to each child. Lu Jiuqing, Lu Zhuer, and Lu Jiuzhou, trusting their eldest sister completely, drank the water without hesitation, finishing every drop.

She also had many "Body Strengthening Pills," another favorite of hers. She planned to give those to the whole family, but she would wait until the day of her departure.

The effects of the Clear Spirit Pill were remarkable. When they returned from school the next afternoon, Lu Jiuqing and Lu Zhuer both remarked that their lessons felt incredibly simple, and they had finished their homework in record time.

The wedding banquet was scheduled for the afternoon to accommodate Gu Fengji’s tight schedule, starting just before five o'clock. There were five tables in total, hosting the paternal uncles’ families, the paternal aunt’s family, the maternal grandparents, uncles, and aunts, along with several elders from the clan. Gu Fengji was accompanied by Ling Yulin, a high-ranking officer, and two fellow soldiers.

Lu Jianping and Su Yulan did not want their eldest daughter to feel slighted, and they wanted her to have a sense of dignity in front of her new husband, so the banquet was exceptionally lavish: lemon duck, boiled chicken, pan-fried fish, braised pig trotters, pork belly, a platter of pig stomach and knuckles, beef offal stew, radish and bone soup, two vegetable stir-fries, spicy-sour radishes, and white rice. Lu Jianping had purchased the pork and beef on Lu Jiaoe’s advice, and she had prepared the dishes herself.

When Gu Fengji and his companions saw the table overflowing with meat dishes, they were genuinely stunned. They knew the local standard of living; it was by no means wealthy, and few families could afford to eat meat daily, let alone prepare such a spread. The Lu family had shown immense generosity and sincerity. Even Gu Fengji, let alone Ling Yulin and the others, had not expected such a reception. At the very least, their opinion of the Lu family had improved significantly.

The meal lasted just over an hour. Once the introductions were finished, Gu Fengji spoke up.

"Father, Mother, Lu, the tickets are bought. We leave the day after tomorrow. I will take Lu to the station myself. I have already informed my parents, and someone will be there to meet you when you arrive."

Despite it being his own wedding banquet, Gu Fengji had no intention of staying longer. He finished his instructions to the elder Lus and Lu Jiaoe, and then he left.

It was all so sudden. Lu Jianping and Su Yulan had expected their daughter to stay for at least another week or ten days. They were stunned that she was leaving in two days, and the smiles that had been on their faces faded away.

Only Lu Jiaoe felt no surprise. She knew perfectly well that this man had been forced to marry her; she never expected him to be overjoyed or deeply affectionate. Besides, she had no illusions about what sparks she might have to offer that would make him truly willing. Gu Fengji’s behavior was normal, and at least he was willing to take responsibility.

Moreover, the Gu family lived in Beijing. Even an ordinary family there would likely look down on a bride from the countryside like her. Even decades later, with improved economy and education, such biases against outsiders remained. She understood this, and she found it perfectly natural.

She had never intended to rely on anyone else. Her past two lives had taught her that one is only ever truly reliable to oneself. To live well, one must first possess one's own capability.

As it happened, Lu Jiaoe had exactly that.