Futile Devices Scans

Liang Wenwu and Qiu Wan’e’s wedding was ultimately set for the third day.

Old Master Liang even specially sent a wedding invitation to the county yamen.

Thinking of Old Master Tong, Tao Mo felt somewhat conflicted and originally wanted to find an excuse not to attend. However, Hao Guozi was extremely interested in the matter. Since the Liang family lived in a neighboring county, he had long wanted an opportunity to look around there. Unwilling to dampen his spirits, Tao Mo reluctantly agreed. Naturally, the responsibility of preparing the wedding gift fell to Mu Chun, who was temporarily taking over Old Tao’s duties. For the sake of appearances, Hao Guozi also persuaded Mu Chun to buy them each a respectable set of ready-made clothes.

On the day itself, while the sky was still dim before dawn, Hao Guozi carried breakfast to wake Tao Mo.

Since the neighboring county was nearly three hours away from Tanyang County, the bridal sedan had departed the previous night and was expected to arrive around the hour of Chen.

Tao Mo did not know the route, so he simply followed behind the procession from afar.

After attending to Tao Mo, Hao Guozi was about to go wake Mu Chun when he discovered that Mu Chun was already fully dressed and heading out the door.

“You…”

Seeing Hao Guozi looking him up and down, Mu Chun asked in confusion, “Is something wrong?”

Hao Guozi sighed. “It’s fortunate the bride will be wearing a red bridal veil and won’t be able to see you. Otherwise, after seeing how you look, she might run away with you instead.” They were both wearing blue robes, yet somehow Mu Chun managed to look effortlessly elegant and ethereal, while Hao Guozi looked like a mere page no matter how he dressed.

Mu Chun smiled. “You’re worrying too much.”

Seeing how gentle and refined Mu Chun was, and knowing that he was an old acquaintance of Old Tao’s whose background was well known, Hao Guozi found him far easier to trust than the arrogant and aloof Gu She. A thought immediately sprang into his mind. If his young master ended up with Mu Chun, everyone would probably have far fewer worries.

“Master is waiting,” Mu Chun said as he walked past him.

Startled, Hao Guozi hurried after him. “Mu Chun, are you married?”

With a single glance, Mu Chun understood exactly what he was thinking and replied calmly, “I am not.”

“Then do you have someone you’re fond of?”

“No.”

Delighted, Hao Guozi began, “Then—”

“Then perhaps you can continue this conversation after we get in the carriage.” Mu Chun glanced back at him with a half-smile.

Immediately, Hao Guozi felt as though every thought in his mind had been laid bare, leaving him nowhere to hide. It was as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over his enthusiasm, extinguishing it entirely.

After boarding the carriage, they first went to wait outside the Qiu residence.

The bridal sedan was already stationed at the entrance, while the sounds of drums and gongs rang out endlessly, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

Although Liang Wenwu could not walk properly, he had still personally come to fetch his bride. Dressed in brilliant red, even his somewhat aloof features carried a rare trace of happiness.

Sitting inside the carriage, Tao Mo suddenly felt an indescribable loneliness. Most likely, for his entire life, such joyous drums and gongs would never sound on his behalf.

Seated opposite him, Mu Chun noticed his dejected expression and said with a smile, “Before Old Tao departed, he entrusted me with a task.”

Tao Mo froze. “What task?”

“To keep an eye out for a young mistress on his behalf.” Mu Chun smiled as he watched Tao Mo’s expression change instantly.

“He clearly knows that I… I… only want to be a good official.”

“A good official has even greater need of a virtuous wife,” Mu Chun replied.

Stammering, Tao Mo said, “Hao Guozi could do that too.”

Mu Chun laughed. “How could that be the same? Surely you don’t intend for Hao Guozi to socialize with the wives of your fellow officials in the future?”

After thinking about it, Tao Mo had to admit that would indeed be inappropriate. Suddenly, Gu She’s figure flashed through his mind. If it were Gu She… that would be even more impossible. He quickly dismissed the thought.

Mu Chun said, “That Second Miss Qiu is both courageous and intelligent. If she did not already have someone else in her heart, she would not be a bad match.”

The comment made Tao Mo’s heart pound wildly. “Th-this is her wedding day today…”

“I was merely speaking hypothetically.” Mu Chun smiled lightly and let the subject drop.

Yet Tao Mo’s thoughts churned like a stormy sea. He could not help wondering whether Mu Chun’s words had been spoken on Old Tao’s instructions.

The two sat silently inside the carriage. After some time, it slowly began to move.

The rocking motion made Tao Mo drowsy, so he found a comfortable position and fell asleep.

Since the bridal sedan was carried by people, it naturally moved far more slowly than a carriage. Combined with the frequent rest stops along the way, the procession progressed at a leisurely pace.

As a result, Hao Guozi had no choice but to drive for a while, stop for a while, then continue, only to stop again.

After waking up and eating a little to fill his stomach, Tao Mo promptly went back to sleep.

By the time they reached the neighboring county, the sun had already begun its descent westward.

The wedding matron repeatedly urged everyone to hurry lest they miss the auspicious hour. In truth, she hardly needed to. The entire wedding procession had already begun moving faster on instinct.

The increasingly loud sounds of drums and gongs woke Tao Mo. As he rubbed his eyes and sat up, Hao Guozi poked his head into the carriage from outside and said happily, “Young Master, we’ve arrived.”

Tao Mo quickly stretched and climbed out.

After the long, bumpy journey, he felt as though all his bones had been shaken apart. Thinking back to when he had first traveled to assume office—a journey that had taken even longer—he did not remember feeling nearly this exhausted. Could it be that his time in Tanyang County had made him soft and pampered?

Tao Mo silently reflected on himself.

Mu Chun stepped down from the carriage shortly afterward. His every movement flowed as naturally as drifting clouds and running water, carrying an effortless elegance that immediately drew attention from everyone nearby.

The Liang family member greeting guests at the entrance brightened visibly and hurried over. “Magistrate Tao, you’ve traveled a long distance. You must have had a tiring journey.”

Tao Mo recognized him as the young man who had asked him to preside over matters outside the Tong residence and quickly returned the greeting with a smile.

The young man led him inside.

Judging from the size of the Liang residence, Old Master Liang had not been exaggerating when he said that Second Miss Qiu would never have to worry about food or clothing in the future. Tao Mo felt somewhat reassured. He was guided all the way to the main table, while separate arrangements were made for Mu Chun and Hao Guozi.

The table was filled with strangers who immediately began exchanging pleasantries with him. Feeling slightly awkward, Tao Mo nevertheless responded to each one in turn.

Among them was a middle-aged man of about forty who kept glancing at him. He seemed to want to strike up a conversation but also appeared to be holding something back. Eventually, another man beside him could not contain himself and said, “That gentleman is the magistrate of Tanyang County, while this gentleman is the magistrate of our county. Since both are the local officials of the bride and groom, one could even call them relatives by marriage!” Having delivered what he believed to be a witty remark, he laughed.

The entire table could only laugh along politely.

With an opening finally available, the middle-aged man joined the conversation. “I heard that Magistrate Tao purchased his official position.”

Tao Mo smiled and acknowledged it.

“Purchasing an official position is good. Much better than being a scholar like us who spent years buried in books.” He sighed theatrically. “Hanging from the rafters and pricking oneself with an awl, studying by the light that shines through a hole in the wall—how could any of that compare to mountains of gold and silver and effortless success?”

Tao Mo replied, “You’re speaking rather deeply. I’m afraid I don’t quite understand.”

Assuming Tao Mo was mocking him, the man chuckled twice. “Whether you understand or not hardly matters. As long as the court understands, and the prefect understands… that’s enough.”

Naturally, Tao Mo knew he was being ridiculed, but he had no desire to argue. He simply smiled and replied, “Since we draw salaries from the court, it is only right that we help shoulder its burdens.”

Seeing Tao Mo effortlessly deflect all his barbs, the man smiled without warmth. “Magistrate Tao truly possesses lofty ambitions. I can only admire from afar.”

The man who had introduced them immediately grew uneasy and tried to smooth things over. “Both gentlemen are pillars of the court, two great talents of our age. Why compare one above the other?”

Instead of helping, his words darkened the middle-aged man’s face. He had always despised those who relied on family wealth and influence to buy official positions. To hear himself compared to such a person felt like an insult.

The speaker immediately realized he had said the wrong thing and silently cursed himself for meddling. He did not dare continue.

Compared with the other tables, the atmosphere at theirs became noticeably strained.

Tao Mo began looking around instead. Mu Chun and Hao Guozi had been seated at different tables. Mu Chun’s table was further inside, clearly receiving more respect. The people seated there all appeared refined and scholarly… Suddenly, Tao Mo’s gaze stopped, and his eyes widened.

Though he could see only the person’s back, it was one he had seen hundreds of times and dreamed of hundreds of times. There was no possibility of mistake.

That person was clearly…

As though sensing his gaze, the person suddenly turned around.

The delicate and beautiful face resembled fresh bamboo shoots emerging after rain, exquisitely lovely and moving. His eyes shimmered like autumn waters, while his lips were as red as cherries… the sort of beauty that captivated hearts without effort and left people unable to free themselves.

“Yiyu…”

The name slipped unconsciously from Tao Mo’s lips. Yet the moment he spoke it, it somehow felt strangely unfamiliar.

Yiyu saw him as well. Startled, he quickly turned away. After a while, however, he could not help glancing back. Seeing that Tao Mo was still looking at him, his face paled slightly. After a moment’s hesitation, he finally nodded.

Encountering Yiyu here and now, Tao Mo discovered that he no longer felt any of the heartbreak or resentment he had once imagined. All that remained was a melancholy sense that times had changed and people had changed with them, accompanied by a quiet sigh.

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