Will You Marry Me

Since Xu Chuan gained the Destiny Talent [Divine Farmer Hundred Herbs], in addition to cultivating the Five Elements Creation Technique daily, he also began reading the medical books and herbology texts that Xu Mingyuan had collected.

At the same time, he continuously studied the medicinal properties of herbs.

His proficiency in the Way of Medicine advanced by leaps and bounds daily.

Xu Mingwei occasionally ventured deep into the Broken Tooth Mountain range, becoming familiar with [Frost Breaking Clouds].

But only for an hour or two.

Yang Ronghua was a sensible woman. She did not harbor any dissatisfaction because Xu Mingwei did not accompany her constantly. Instead, she helped Bai Jing manage the affairs of the Xu Family.

Her arrangements were proper, earning her Bai Jing's high praise and the affection of many maidservants and household guards.

She understood the Xu Family's predicament.

With her father Yang Zhao gone, the Xu Family was isolated and alone. In the future, they would have to rely on themselves to deal with the various aristocratic families in Qingjiang County.

And Xu Mingwei, as the eldest son of the family and the future head of the Xu Family, had to prioritize the Xu Family in everything.

Six days later.

A carriage drove out of Qingjiang County Town and soon entered Dongxi Village, stopping at the entrance of the Xu Family residence.

Four sword-wielding guards rode on horseback on either side.

A household guard was driving the carriage. He jumped down and retrieved a retractable ladder from the back, setting it up.

A noblewoman and a pretty young woman with a ponytail alighted from the carriage, each accompanied by a maidservant.

Zhou Ming, who had been waiting at the entrance for a long time, stepped forward and inquired, "Are you Madam Wu and Miss Wu?"

"Yes," the maidservant replied.

"Madam Wu, please follow me. My Madam has been waiting for you for a long time."

"Thank you, Steward Zhou."

Madam Wu had visited the Xu Family twice before and naturally recognized Zhou Ming.

"You are too kind, Madam. Please, both of you."

Apart from Madam Wu, Miss Wu, and their maidservants, everyone else waited outside the Xu Family residence.

The pretty young woman looked around as she walked, her eyes filled with curiosity about the Xu Family.

"Ru Shan, stop looking around. It's unbecoming."

The pretty young woman immediately withdrew her gaze upon hearing this and said, "Yes, Mother."

Madam Wu was the legitimate wife. The children of concubines also had to call her Mother. As for their birth mother, they would call her Little Mother.

They passed through the front courtyard and headed towards the central hall.

The maidservants and household guards in the front courtyard were also observing them secretly.

"So this is Miss Wu. She gives off a heroic and spirited aura, completely different from the Eldest Young Madam."

"Do you think this Miss Wu could become our Second Young Master's wife?"

"Are you all trying to get punished by discussing the young masters like this?"

Upon hearing this, they all returned to their work diligently.

The people of the Xu Family were kind but had strict rules, which instilled awe in the servants.

"Sister Wu, I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival."

Bai Jing rose to greet her, her face full of smiles. Her eyes then glanced at the pretty young woman.

"I wish I could visit my sister more often, but I have the inner chambers of the Wu Family to manage, and I rarely have free time."

The two women exchanged a smile.

"Please sit, let's chat."

After the three were seated, the maidservants stood behind their respective mistresses.

Three maidservants from the Xu Family brought in pastries and tea, placing them on the tea table beside the three women. They then quietly retreated a short distance before turning to leave.

Bai Jing and Madam Wu chatted about everyday matters.

Not long after.

Xu Mingyuan entered the hall. He first bowed to Bai Jing, cupping his hands and saying, "Greetings, Mother."

"This is Madam Wu and Miss Wu."

Xu Mingyuan then turned and cupped his hands towards the two women, "Greetings, Madam, Miss."

As he spoke, he observed them both, especially Miss Wu, with whom he was to be matched.

Her ponytail was tied with a red silk ribbon, and she wore clothing resembling a narrow-sleeved Hu costume. The indigo fabric made her skin appear as white as snow, and her almond-shaped eyes were as bright as stars, with a hint of heroism in her brows.

She was striking.

While not possessing the peerless beauty of Yang Ronghua, her heroic spirit had its own unique charm.

"Second Young Master Xu's reputation in Qingjiang County is no less than that of the Eldest Young Master. Even my husband often praises him, saying that if he had such a son, the family's decades-long foundation could flourish."

Bai Jing's face was beaming with pride. "Madam Wu, you flatter me. Everyone knows that the children you've raised are all outstanding."

After a few pleasantries.

Bai Jing invited Madam Wu to walk around and chat privately, while asking Xu Mingyuan to accompany Wu Rushan on a stroll.

Xu Mingyuan quietly stayed by Wu Rushan's side.

In business, he was decisive and shrewd, adept at navigating relationships, but in matters of the heart, he was a complete novice.

Suddenly.

Wu Rushan stopped and turned to face Xu Mingyuan.

Xu Mingyuan also halted. He had been looking down at the ground, but now he raised his head to meet her gaze.

"Doesn't Second Young Master Xu have anything to say?"

Xu Mingyuan remained silent.

Wu Rushan continued, "They say you're smooth-talking and a business prodigy, capable of engaging in witty banter with the heads of various families without losing your composure. Why are you so quiet now?"

"If you don't want to speak, then let's spar."

"Okay," Xu Mingyuan finally said.

The two found a courtyard and began to fight.

Wu Rushan, full of fighting spirit, attacked first, her dark hair flying wildly as she moved.

Xu Mingyuan countered each move.

After more than ten exchanges, he gauged her strength. She was, surprisingly, a Third-rate Martial Artist.

Not from the main family, and a woman, yet at sixteen, she was a Third-rate Martial Artist. She must have put in a great deal of effort.

"No need to hold back!"

Wu Rushan, with her fiery temper, spread her arms and fiercely kicked her leg towards Xu Mingyuan's chest, swift and accurate.

Xu Mingyuan reacted quickly, grabbing her legs with both hands to stop her advance.

Their eyes met.

They froze in that position.

Seeing she couldn't break free, Wu Rushan suddenly exerted force with her waist and swept her other leg towards his head.

Xu Mingyuan reacted, stepping back sharply, narrowly dodging the blow.

"Miss Wu, I apologize for my earlier offense."

"In a spar, there's no distinction between men and women."

Xu Mingyuan was surprised. He hadn't expected a woman from a prominent family to have such a personality. A hint of admiration flickered in his eyes.

"Since Miss Wu is so forthright, I will accompany you to the end."

But she was, after all, a woman.

After a brief exchange, Xu Mingyuan accidentally touched her chest. It felt like an electric shock, and he abruptly withdrew his right hand.

He then stopped and apologized.

"It's fine. You didn't mean it, and I was being overconfident."

Wu Rushan's face flushed slightly, her heart fluttering like a startled deer, but she quickly regained her composure.

Xu Mingyuan said, "Miss Wu has outstanding Talent. I am not your equal. If you had the full support of the Wu Family, you might have already surpassed my Martial Arts cultivation."

"Do you really think so?!" Wu Rushan sighed softly. "It's a pity that women are ultimately not valued in this world."

"My father doesn't say that," Xu Mingwei said with a smile. "He always says that in a family, men and women are equal, each holding up half the sky."

"Patriarch Xu is truly unique," Wu Rushan's eyes sparkled.

"My father is naturally the most capable. My siblings and I all achieved what we have today through his personal guidance from a young age."

Unconsciously, Xu Mingyuan had switched from 'father' to 'Dad'.

He only called Xu Chuan 'Dad' when he was speaking to someone he felt close to.

"Oh, what were you like when you were little?"

"Me?"

Xu Mingyuan smiled, a nostalgic look on his face. He didn't refuse and simply recounted some amusing anecdotes from his childhood.

Wu Rushan was shocked to hear that the Xu Family had been so poor in the past, surviving on just ten acres of land. Her admiration grew immensely.

She hesitated for a moment, then made a decision. Looking at Xu Mingyuan, she asked, "Second Young Master Xu, what do you think of me?"

"Heroic and valiant, a woman who is no less than any man."

"Then, will you marry me?"

"Ah?!"

Hearing this, Xu Mingyuan's entire body trembled. He stood there, dumbfounded.