LOT – Chapter 175 The Zhao Family’s Bride Eloped

When he said that, everyone’s eyes turned toward the box of sticks in a new way.

“So, they just sent a bunch of junk over?”

Still, it was something sent by the emperor, so they figured they might as well leave it there.

After returning, Little Sun told the emperor about it. Emperor Xuande slapped his forehead regretfully and said, “How could I have forgotten about this? Decades have passed, and those sticks must be nearly rotten by now.”

Ever since the late emperor passed away, these things had been dumped carelessly into the storage rooms. No one had cared for them. In these dark, damp corners, it would be strange if they hadn’t decayed.

“Alas, it seems we won’t get to see that grand performance after all.”

Once her crisis was over, Lin Mo quickly returned to her cheerful mood. She was now preparing to attend the wedding banquet of Zhao Hanlin’s son.

The Zhao family was indeed in a state of panic.

“None of us has caused any trouble recently, right? If anyone has caused any trouble, don’t even think about showing up on your elder brother’s wedding day.”

Zhao Hanlin gathered the entire family for a meeting. He was more nervous than when receiving the emperor himself.

Mrs. Zhao, seeing her husband so tense, comforted him: “Do you forget our family’s values? We’ve never done anything wrong or unjust. If there were any issues, Little Lin wouldn’t even have come to the wedding.”

Zhao Hanlin paused for two seconds. “You really think if there were issues, she wouldn’t come? Somehow I feel she’d come even more enthusiastically.”

Everyone present: …Well, that does make sense.

“Father, Mother, rest assured. We’ve never done anything wrong or unjust. Even if Little Lin were here, she wouldn’t find any fault with us.”

Their family was strict and upright; how could they possibly be doing anything bad?

Whether the family could actually do bad things was another matter, but one thing was certain—this wedding banquet would not be quiet.

Although the Lin and Zhao families were only acquaintances, courtesy demanded that they attend.

As Lin Mo arrived with her family, she looked around and remarked, “Xiao Bai, why does the Zhao household seem so small to me?”

Bai Xiao replied, “That’s just the front courtyard. The back is much larger.”

At this moment, the Zhao family was on edge. Their courtyard was large, inherited from their ancestors, and they had never taken bribes or engaged in corruption!

During the reception of guests, Lin Mo and Bai Xiao were quiet for a while because their mouths were busy with food—they had focused all their attention on eating.

It had to be said: Mrs. Zhao had shown foresight. She knew these two were foodies, so she prepared plenty of food to keep them occupied and distracted.

Once the food was finished, the two of them wouldn’t stay calm any longer.

Bai Xiao cheerfully exclaimed, “Big news, big news! Today there’s a super big news!

Everyone present froze. The Zhao family nearly fainted from fright.

Lin Mo, intrigued, urged, “Well, hurry up and tell us. Is it related to today’s events?”

Bai Xiao said, “Very much related—it’s about the Zhao family. Their son is supposed to be getting married… but the bride eloped!”

Everyone present: !!!

The Zhao family: !!!

The bride eloped! How could she elope? She’s already supposed to be married!

Bai Xiao continued, “The bride eloped this morning. By the time the Li family discovered it, it was too late, so the bride’s personal maid had to impersonate her. Now the maid is ready to ride the bridal sedan chair.”

Lin Mo was stunned: “Oh my god! A substitute bride! What kind of novel plot is this!”

“This is a spectacular plot! The maid is the protagonist, the eloping bride is a supporting character. After the maid marries, she hides her identity and lives happily with Zhao’s son. Just when the couple’s relationship is flourishing, the original bride returns.

“She has become much more pragmatic after facing hardships. Seeing her maid now a distinguished young lady, she becomes jealous. She forces the maid to swap identities and a series of love-and-hate conflicts unfold. In the end, the original bride suffers the consequences and departs in disgrace, while the maid and Zhao’s son live happily together.”

All the novels Lin Mo had read before suddenly appeared in her mind. This plot? You could predict it with your toes!

“Right? Doesn’t this plot perfectly match the current situation?”

Bai Xiao was stunned by her, saying, “You should write a story yourself. I think you’d make money writing this.”

Everyone else was also shocked. Zhao’s son, preparing to receive his bride, had extremely complicated emotions.

Hearing that his bride had eloped, he felt both angry and sad. As a talented young man in the capital, why would she elope?

But after hearing this little rascal’s explanation, his sadness vanished completely.

Lin Mo continued sharing her thoughts: “Who did the bride elope with? How come I don’t even know what rank or position the Li family holds? Their daughter elopes and they want a maid to substitute as the bride—what were they thinking?”

Bai Xiao explained, “It’s normal you don’t know about the Li family. Their eldest son took the same exam as your brother. He’s a minor official, and their family only has him as a promising child.

“Because of this Li young master, Zhao’s son and Li’s daughter had some interaction. Li’s daughter is quite beautiful, and if she married Zhao’s son, the two families would become in-laws, elevating Li family’s status.

“But Li’s daughter herself wasn’t reliable. Initially, she liked Zhao’s son enough to make the marriage arrangement, but due to her older brother’s connections, she often attended banquets. Most of the people she mingled with weren’t high-born ladies, but daughters or younger sisters of minor officials, and daughters from wealthy merchant families.

“You know wealthy merchant daughters—they dress extravagantly and elegantly, are generous, and have seen plenty of wealth. After seeing such lavish scenes, Li’s daughter changed. Although the Zhao family had official positions and father and son were both officials, they weren’t that wealthy. She started to become picky.”

After hearing Bai Xiao’s explanation, Lin Mo didn’t know how to describe Li’s daughter.

“Your status isn’t higher than hers, and yet you start being picky after the marriage arrangement? This person really has problems.”