Grand Wedding, Breakthrough

Yang Manor.

Yang Ronghua's boudoir.

"Miss, miss, the eldest young master of the Xu family and the young masters from Prefecture City have started fighting."

"Is Mingwei gege not hurt?"

"Naturally, the eldest young master of the Xu family won, defeating even the esteemed Young Master Shifui with a single punch!"

Yang Ronghua was overjoyed, her face blushing shyly, "I knew Mingwei gege was the most capable."

A moment later.

Another maidservant ran in.

"Miss, the eldest young master of the Xu family has composed a poem to urge the bride."

"The fragrant carriage stops by the willow bank, silver candles in the painted hall illuminate the auspicious hour. In the rhombus mirror, new eyebrows are drawn, by the tortoiseshell curtain, old dust is wiped away."

"We should also be heading out."

Main Hall.

Yang Zhao and his wife sat in the place of honor in the main hall.

After a large group of people noisily entered, Xu Mingwei cupped his hands and bowed to Yang Zhao and his wife, "Your humble son greets Father-in-law and Mother-in-law."

"Mm."

Yang Zhao stroked his short beard and nodded with satisfaction.

"The bride is here."

Someone shouted loudly, and the crowd parted, creating a path.

A woman wearing a jade-green wedding dress, with shades of light and dark interwoven, walked in slowly.

She wore a kingfisher-inlaid phoenix hairpin on her head, with jade floral pins on both sides. She held a black lacquered, gold-decorated round fan, half-covering her face. The fan was painted with meticulously drawn flowers, and her exposed eyes were like obsidian immersed in a clear spring.

A jade belt cinched her waist, and the tassels hanging from it were adorned with jade, emitting a clear, crisp sound as she moved.

The surrounding people suddenly fell silent.

The moment Xu Mingwei turned, his eyes and heart were filled only with the woman before him.

Yang Ronghua knelt on a cushion and bowed three times to Yang Zhao and his wife.

"Daughter bids farewell to Father and Mother."

Madam Yang lowered her head and wiped away tears, crying and laughing.

"Go," Yang Zhao nodded and said, "You are marrying now, obedience comes first. Do not forget the family teachings, maintain chastity and self-possession."

"Daughter remembers Father's teachings."

Yang Ronghua choked back a sob and bowed to Yang Zhao.

Yang Zhao then looked at Xu Mingwei and said with a smile, "Virtuous son-in-law, I entrust Hua'er to you. Treat her well."

"Your humble son will not forget Father-in-law's teachings and will surely cherish and love her."

Afterward, Yang Shichang carried Yang Ronghua out the door and onto the sedan chair.

The Xu family's wedding procession began to head towards Dongxi Village.

Naturally, many people from the Yang family also followed. This was a customary practice to support the bride's side and prevent them from being looked down upon by the groom's family.

Around noon.

The wedding procession returned to the Xu family.

Then came the ceremony.

The officiant sang:

"First bow to heaven and earth, may the couple's love be unwavering."

"Second bow to the esteemed elders, may father and mother flourish in health and happiness."

"Couple's bow to each other, may they grow old together and never part."

The grand banquet began.

Except for Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian, who were too young, the others stayed by Xu Mingwei's side, responsible for drinking toasts and pouring wine.

After a round of toasts, Xu Mingwei was half-drunk, partly due to Xu Mingyuan helping him drink.

Supported by Chen Daniu, Xu Mingyuan, Xu Mingxuan, and others, Xu Mingwei entered the bridal chamber.

Upon entering the bridal chamber, there were still many customary rituals to observe.

For example, the hair-tying ceremony, where strands of hair from both the bride and groom are cut and preserved in a pouch as a token of fidelity.

The scattering of longans and red dates, praying for "an early birth of noble sons."

The sharing of the nuptial cup, where a gourd is split into two bowls, and the newlyweds drink bitter wine together, symbolizing sharing both hardship and sweetness.

Eating raw dumplings, to signify the hope for "raw" (meaning birth)?

Night.

"Wife, it's time for us to rest."

"Mmm."

Yang Ronghua's voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, barely audible.

Her cheeks were rosy and radiant, giving her a look that was simply delicious.

Xu Mingwei pulled down the bed curtains and gently lay down with her in his arms.

Then--

Yang Manor.

"Shihui, you were defeated by Xu Mingwei of the Xu family this morning," Yang Hua, Yang Zhao's cousin, said calmly.

"Father, Xu Mingwei is indeed as Uncle mentioned. His talent is extraordinary, possessing the potential of a Grandmaster, and he is suspected to have Innate Divine Strength, with physical power far exceeding ordinary people," Yang Shihui said respectfully.

"Cousin, you've picked a good husband for Ronghua."

"Prepare yourself well. In a little over a month, Father will be able to smooth things over and get the transfer documents issued."

"Thank you, Cousin."

"No need to thank me. We're all family. Just remember to work for the family's benefit."

Yang Zhao nodded in agreement.

However, he knew in his heart that the Yang family chose him because he was the most outstanding among the Yang family officials, with the best achievements.

When the connections were similar, it was natural for the one with outstanding achievements to have greater hope.

The next day.

The Yang family members all returned to Prefecture City.

Another month passed.

Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei, along with his wife, came to see Yang Zhao and his family off.

"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, when I have the time in the future, I will definitely bring Ronghua to visit you in Prefecture City."

"There's no rush. Focus on helping your father expand the Xu family. The pond in Qingjiang County is too shallow; it ultimately won't be able to contain your Xu family."

"Right, Brother Chuan," Yang Zhao said, looking at Xu Chuan with a smile.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly and said nothing more.

"We should stop here. If we escort you further, we'll end up in Prefecture City."

Hearing Yang Zhao's teasing, everyone chuckled.

"All good things must come to an end. Magistrate Wu, Captain Fang, Brother Chuan, I ask that you look after my family."

"Haha, Brother Yang, of course."

The Yang family had deep roots in Prefecture City. If they had no other choice, Magistrate Wu and the others would naturally not risk offending the Yang family to deal with the Xu family.

Furthermore, the Xu family conducted their business and affairs flawlessly, a solid unit from the inside.

They couldn't easily find a pretext.

Two months later.

As the morning light broke and purple energy flowed from the east.

Xu Mingwei sat cross-legged in the courtyard, meditating and reciting the general principles of the Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique.

Dragon Soars, Elephant Treads, Dividing Yin and Yang, Water and Fire in Harmony, Refining True Gang.

Three Passes and Nine Orifices Connect Heaven and Earth, One Breath In, One Breath Out, Witnessing the Profound Yellow.

He sat with his five senses facing the heavens, his Baihui acupoint like an open skylight, sensing the power of heaven and earth.

Suddenly.

His mind became clear, his consciousness like a mirror, illuminating his entire body. His pores opened like lotus petals, and the power of heaven and earth transformed into points of pure white light, seeping into his muscles and bones.

Half an hour later.

Xu Mingwei opened his eyes, filled with joy.

"Sensing heaven and earth, drawing qi into the body, I've finally done it!"

"Twelve years of arduous cultivation, I have finally lived up to Father's expectations!"

Just then, a maidservant walked through the arched courtyard gate into the yard, also with a joyful expression on her face.

"Young Master, the doctor came this morning and said the Young Mistress is pregnant."

Xu Mingwei's eyes widened, and then he burst into laughter. He was even happier than when he broke through to the Innate realm. He immediately got up to go see Yang Ronghua.

This news also immediately spread throughout the entire Xu Manor.

Xu Chuan was overjoyed and waved his hand, immediately rewarding all the Household Guards, Maidservants, and escorts with half a month's wages.

"Hua'er is pregnant, Shitou, you can't be so reckless anymore."

Xu Chuan glared at Xu Mingwei, seemingly with a hidden meaning.

Xu Mingwei scratched his head.

He had a history; the day after their wedding, Yang Ronghua was so exhausted from the previous night that she couldn't get out of bed.

The tea ceremony was specifically moved to the afternoon.

He was teased relentlessly by his brothers.

Bai Jing sat beside Yang Ronghua, beaming, holding her hand and constantly asking about her well-being.

Xu Mingwei pulled Xu Chuan aside and lowered his voice, saying, "Father, your son broke through to Innate this morning."

"Really!"

Xu Chuan's face lit up with surprise. "Come, let's go to the study, your father wants to hear all about it."

...which was directly deleted...

And then------

The dan furnace was warm, the silken curtains stirred, a jade hairpin slanted, loosening the clouds of her hair.

The toad's light peeked through the tent, gazing at their intertwined necks; the crane's cry pierced the heavens, mingling with panting sounds.

A spiritual spring surged within the peach stream's waves, true essence flowing between them, opening the Ren and Du meridians.

At the height of their joyful cultivation, a red lotus bloomed.