The Xu Family Welcomes the Bride

Several days later.

Dongxi Village, the old Chen family residence.

"What? Father, you want me and Ergou to become vassals of the Xu family?"

Chen Daming's face was filled with horror, while Chen Ergou appeared contemplative.

"This matter concerns everyone, and you all need to think deeply. Daniu, Fangfang, it's the same for you. If you don't wish to follow, I will absolutely not force you."

"I am old now, and there isn't much I can do for you. This time, I even had to humble myself and beg Sanshu to agree."

"As long as you are willing, you can be like the Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, and Zhou families."

Uncle Chen, hunched over, still gripping his old pipe, earnestly advised, "Don't look at how they are not as good as you are now. But when one person achieves success, their whole family benefits. The heights the Xu family reaches in the future will also mean the level you can attain."

"Sanshu told me that the Great Wei's noble families are divided into nine ranks, and his Xu family hasn't even entered the ranks of so-called noble families yet."

"He said the Xu family is just getting started."

"His vision is as vast as the sea, his demeanor as steadfast as a mountain. He is planning for a foundation that will last for a hundred generations."

Chen Daming's face showed indignation as he retorted, "Although his descendants are all outstanding, Xu Chuan can only live for a few more years. Even if he has foresight, won't it all be for naught after his death?

How can he guarantee the Xu family will prosper for generations, with no degenerate heirs?"

"His Xu family is just fortunate to be at the right time, but my Chen family will naturally produce those who bring honor to our ancestors through generations of natural reproduction."

"You do have a long-term perspective."

Uncle Chen glanced at him, then at his children.

Madam Lü also said, "Father, my husband is right. My own Lü family also started from scratch with my grandfather. In just over a decade, we became wealthy merchants and celebrities in Qingjiang County, but by my generation, we were already starting to decline."

"The world is unpredictable, and no one can be sure about the future."

"I understand your stance. Ergou, what is your family's decision?"

Uncle Chen looked over.

"I..."

Chen Ergou and Xu Yan remained silent.

"Grandfather, I agree." Chen Daniu was the first to step forward.

"I don't mean to belittle my own family, but Uncle Chuan is truly the wisest person I've ever met."

Chen Daniu seemed to recall something, his face etched with bitterness. "In the past, I always felt I wasn't inferior to A Yuan, nor to Brother Shitou."

"But after these years of trials and tribulations, I've realized that people's talents do have inherent differences; it's innate. However, for the development of a family, it's more important to have someone with foresight to guide it."

"Make the best use of everything, and let everyone perform to their best."

"Family members each perform their duties."

"The Xu family is like this. Uncle Chuan is the stabilizing force, guiding the Xu family's progress and nurturing each person to bring out their strengths."

"Brother Shitou is the eldest son, the heir, needing stability and authority."

"A Yuan is quick-witted and adaptable, a business prodigy. He manages all of the Xu family's various businesses, and even Uncle Chuan rarely interferes."

"Tantou was sent to a martial arts school from a young age, dedicating himself to Martial Arts."

"Even Aunt Bai Jing only manages the inner household and never inquires about other matters."

When mentioning Bai Jing, he inadvertently glanced at his own mother.

He made a comparison internally.

Uncle Chen's lips curved into a smile, and he nodded, "As expected of my good grandson. With such insight, even without becoming a vassal of the Xu family, the Chen family would be enough to become wealthy merchants within your lifetime."

"Ergou, what about you?"

Chen Ergou pondered for a moment, then looked up and said, "Forget it. I'm naturally unsuited to be a decision-maker. Since I have the opportunity to return to my old profession, I'll continue to follow Brother Chuan."

"If that's the case, Daming, you can go back and live your lives well."

Chen Daming ultimately did not want to follow the path Uncle Chen arranged.

Perhaps it was destined from the beginning.

Uncle Chen relayed Xu Chuan's advice to Chen Ergou and Chen Daniu: the Chen family's assets would be merged into the Xu family and managed collectively by them.

However, Xu Yan firmly disagreed.

Chen Ergou's persuasion was fruitless. In the end, he gritted his teeth and decided to divorce Xu Yan.

Knowing her greedy nature, he left her seventy percent of their family's wealth. He himself, Chen Daniu, and Chen Fangfang voluntarily joined the Xu family, becoming their vassals.

Uncle Chen informed Xu Chuan of the decisions made by Chen Daming's family and Chen Ergou's family.

Xu Chuan was greatly surprised and looked at Chen Ergou with newfound respect.

"Ergou, a true man shouldn't worry about not having a wife. In a few years, I will find you a better one."

Xu Mingyuan was also present at the time. He patted Chen Daniu on the shoulder and, seeing his crestfallen face, comforted him, "Daniu, don't feel bad about your family's meager possessions."

"Follow me from now on."

Xu Mingyuan glanced at Xu Chuan, who smiled and nodded, "Don't mistreat Daniu."

"Thank you, Second Young Master. Thank you, Patriarch," Chen Daniu said, cupping his hands.

"Looking at you, we should keep things professional. Privately, when it's just us family, you can still call me A Yuan."

Chen Daniu and Chen Fangfang smiled, their worries completely gone, like the sun breaking through after rain.

Uncle Chen's heart was finally at ease.

Two months later, he passed away, unable to see the Yearly Sacrifice.

The Xu Family held a grand funeral for him.

In the blink of an eye.

The second day of the second lunar month, when the dragon raises its head.

The mountain stream tinkled, and shepherd's purse bloomed by its banks.

Xu Mingwei's wedding was another grand event for the Xu Family.

Many prominent families from the county town arrived, and from the Yang Family's side, close elder relatives from Prefecture City also came.

The Yang Family, with over three hundred years of history, was vast, so not everyone could attend.

These were merely the close elders from Yang Zhao's branch.

However, if Yang Shichang had formed a marriage alliance with the Wen Family in Prefecture City, it would have been a completely different story, much livelier than this.

At this moment, at the entrance of the Xu Family mansion.

Xu Mingwei was dressed in a crimson robe embroidered with golden cloud patterns and a round collar. His waist was cinched with a black jade belt inlaid with gold, and the hem of his robe subtly displayed a pattern of five bats holding longevity symbols, appearing and disappearing with his steps.

He wore a black gauze cap with wings, adorned on both sides with gilded palace flowers, making his sharp, bright eyes even more striking.

His nose was high and prominent like a peak, and his lips were slightly pursed with nervousness.

He wore blue satin boots with pink soles and a large red silk flower diagonally across his chest, making him shine like tempered cinnabar.

Suddenly.

Xu Mingwei mounted his black steed, about to set off with the wedding procession.

Xu Mingshu and the White Tiger ran out.

"Big Brother, wait up."

"Xue Ji, what is it?" Xu Mingwei turned and asked with a smile.

"I heard Father say that there are people from Prefecture City on the Yang Family's side, and they're likely to be arrogant. You should ride Little White, to give them a show of force."

Xu Mingwei looked at Xu Mingshu. "Is that really necessary?"

Xu Chuan knew that this marriage had displeasured many in the Yang Family. After some thought, he said, "Listen to Xue Ji. Although our Xu Family cannot compare to the Yang Family, we cannot be looked down upon either."

"Okay, Father."

"Little White, get down. Let Big Brother ride you today. I'll get you delicious food as a reward when we get back."

Xu Mingshu whispered into the White Tiger's ear.

Her words seemed to possess a special power. The White Tiger nodded as if it understood, letting out two "awoo" sounds, as if bargaining.

"Greedy Little White, you've got it."

The other guards and household servants, seeing Xu Mingshu communicating with the White Tiger, were already accustomed to it.

"Big Brother, you can get on. I'll follow, just in case Little White throws a tantrum."

"A Yuan, Tantou, Yun Nu, you all go too. Remember not to go too far."

"Don't worry, Father, we'll bring Sister-in-law back on time," Xu Mingyuan said with a hearty laugh.

The five sons of the Xu Family set out together.

And so.

As the suona sounded, the gongs and drums also began to play.

"Father, Mother, I'm leaving."

Bai Jing's eyes were filled with tears, but her face held a happy smile.

Xu Chuan held her soft hand, caressed it, and said to Xu Mingwei, "Go."

Watching their children being born and then getting married and having children.

For parents, this was probably the greatest happiness.

The wedding procession set off.

Upon arriving in Qingjiang County, many onlookers followed.

They were all there to see the White Tiger.

"Isn't it the Xu Family's wedding today?" someone suddenly said from the sides of the street.

"How did you know?"

"Once that strange White Tiger appeared, everyone in Qingjiang County knew it belonged to the Xu Family."

"Oh, the Xu Family actually possesses such beast-taming skills?"

"I'm not sure about that."

Qingyun Street.

In front of the Yang Manor gates.

"Cousin, you don't need to worry about this later. I want the Xu Family to know that a woman from my Yang Family isn't easily married. If he's incapable, he can just go back where he came from."

Yang Shichang's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't stop her.

Marriage has always been a time when the bride's side would find ways to make things difficult.

He could only play it by ear when the time came.

"Here they come, here they come!"

A handsome young boy, around ten years old, dressed in black and gold silk, shouted loudly.