Marriage

"Miss Wu, we've only just met for the first time. Isn't this...?"

Xu Mingyuan even began to stammer.

"Isn't what?"

"Your Wu Family and my Xu Family are a match in social status. Now that we've met, I think you are good-looking, and your martial strength surpasses mine. The atmosphere in the Xu Family is also what I've always longed for. I am willing to marry you—don't you wish to marry me?"

"Could it be that I do not meet the eyes of the Second Young Master Xu, and you dislike me?"

"Of course not." Xu Mingyuan repeatedly waved his hands, looking thoroughly unable to fend her off. "Miss Wu, you are forthright, unlike every woman I have met before. You are admirable."

"Then isn't that settled?"

"But we have no feelings for each other."

"Feelings?"

Miss Wu covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh. "So the Second Young Master Xu longs for the mutual affection and heaven-made match found in storybooks."

"More or less. My elder brother and sister-in-law are like that."

"Such things do exist in this world, but they are a minority after all. When great clans marry, they mostly examine each other's family background and character, and whether the marriage can bring benefits to both lineages.

"If it can, then they marry. As for feelings, they can slowly get along after marriage. If they truly cannot get along, they can simply leave each other alone. This concubine certainly will not hinder the Second Young Master Xu from taking concubines or anything of the sort."

Miss Wu smiled faintly, then added, "You are the business prodigy praised by every family patriarch. How could you fail to calculate the benefits our two families would gain from this marriage alliance?"

Xu Mingyuan thought it over and over. He always felt that something was off, yet he also felt there was nothing wrong with it.

The Xu Family naturally did not fear the Wu Family, but as Qingjiang County's foremost great clan at present, with members of its lineage serving as Qingjiang County Magistrate, the Wu Family's foundation was still far stronger than the Xu Family's.

If he took the lead and truly joined hands with the other four great clans against the Xu Family,

the Xu Family's road would be exceedingly difficult.

A marriage alliance could ease the tension between them. By conceding a small portion of benefits, it could buy the Xu Family several years, or even more than a decade, to develop.

He believed that by then, the Xu Family would absolutely replace the Wu Family as the foremost great clan.

After hesitating for a while, Xu Mingyuan sighed. "Miss Wu, you have convinced me."

"I will tell my mother that I am willing to marry you."

"As for feelings, I suppose we truly can only cultivate them slowly ourselves."

Though Xu Mingyuan and Xu Mingwei both placed the Xu Family first, when it came to feelings, Xu Mingwei was steadfast and loyal, while Xu Mingyuan had spent years dealing with great clans and wealthy merchants. He was accustomed to weighing every matter's advantages and disadvantages, calculating gains and losses.

Even though he too wished for a relationship like that of his Big Brother Xu Mingwei, he could not avoid weighing it all up.

"Then, happy cooperation."

"Mm, happy cooperation."

Xu Mingyuan did not know whether to laugh or cry, but he also admired her somewhat. Perhaps only someone with her temperament would dare to be so bold.

How could ordinary young ladies of great clans dare to speak so uninhibitedly and frankly?

Afterward.

Xu Mingyuan told Xu Chuan about it.

Xu Chuan was slightly stunned as well, then smiled. "Such a woman is rare in this world. A Yuan, you brat, are truly fortunate."

"This marriage your mother chose for you is very good. She is suited to enter our Xu Family."

"She wishes to pursue the Martial Dao. Our Xu Family can support her with all our strength."

"As for feelings, with time, feelings will grow!"

"Your mother and I were the same. If I had also picked and chosen east and west back then, I fear there would not have been brats like you."

"You need not concern yourself with the marriage. Your mother will arrange it for you. Remember to treat her well after she enters our household."

"Yes, Father."

Late that night.

Xu Chuan also gave Bai Jing ample praise, saying she had found an excellent marriage match.

"Having spent so long with Husband, this concubine naturally knows a thing or two about the sort of woman Husband admires."

"It isn't me who is marrying her. Why choose someone I like?" Xu Chuan shook his head and laughed.

"Because Husband is the head of the household. In the hearts of the children, your standing is far higher than mine. If you are dissatisfied, even if they like someone, they will give up."

Xu Chuan thought it over. It really did seem to be so.

"My wife understands me. You worked hard entertaining the Wu Family today, my wife. Your husband will reward you properly."

"You shameless thing!"

When Xu Mingxuan and the others learned the news, they all congratulated Xu Mingyuan.

The Wu Family discussed this marriage matter for a long time. Trading an unvalued concubine's daughter for some benefits held by the Xu Family was an excellent bargain, so they agreed as well.

As for whether they would deal with the Xu Family afterward, they could take one step and see the next.

A mere marital relationship meant little to a great clan that had stood for a hundred years. It could be severed at any time.

The Wu Family.

Youlan Courtyard.

This was the courtyard where the Wu Family Patriarch's second wife lived.

Wu Rushan had grown up here since childhood.

A gorgeously dressed madam entered the courtyard and saw Wu Rushan practicing her punches.

"Shan'er, good news."

"Little Mother."

Wu Rushan stopped moving, casually wiped the fragrant sweat from her forehead, and cupped her hands to her.

"Shan'er, your father has already agreed to a marriage alliance with the Xu Family. The Xu Family's Second Young Master is among the finest in Qingjiang County in both character and appearance, and you will marry over as his principal wife."

"At last, you can live a good life."

As she spoke, the gorgeous madam lowered her head, took out a handkerchief, and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Wu Rushan was her daughter. From the moment she was born, she had been a concubine's daughter. Worse still, she had gone against convention by liking martial arts practice, so she had never received her father's favor.

Now that she could find such an excellent husband, it was heaven's blessing.

"No, tomorrow we must go to Yun'an Temple to fulfill our vow. You are coming with me."

"Understood, Mother." Wu Rushan was delighted, then asked curiously, "By the way, Mother, do you know why Father agreed?"

"Did the Xu Family promise him something?"

"I don't know, but that is something the Xu Family and your father need to consider. What does it have to do with you? Do not ask too much. Just stay home and prepare to be married."

"Has the wedding date been set?"

"It is still far too early. The Three Letters and Six Betrothals have not even been completed yet. What, are you impatient to marry over already?"

The gorgeous madam smiled. "Last time, when you went to the Xu Family with the first madam, you already met the Second Young Master Xu, didn't you? How was he? Was he like the rumors said?"

"His appearance cannot be called particularly handsome, but he is refined and upright, modest and courteous. Though he is called a business prodigy and is busy with trade, he has not forgotten to practice the Martial Dao. His strength is above mine."

"You girl, it seems you truly have fallen for that boy from the Xu Family."

"That is good too. Little Mother can finally put one matter to rest. Oh, I remember his family has a little girl as well, around ten years old. She is a perfect match for your younger brother Feng'er. Once you marry over, you can bring them together."

"If Feng'er can marry a legitimate daughter of the Xu Family, he will surely gain face before your father."

Wu Rushan smiled lightly and casually gave her assent.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed.

The full moon banquet for the Xu Family's eldest legitimate grandson.

Naturally, they invited guests far and wide to celebrate it.

Of the Four Families Fang, Wang, He, and Cao, only the Wu Family came.

When many clans and wealthy merchants saw the Wife of the Wu Family Patriarch and several others arrive, they were all astonished.

"How strange. Not long ago, the Wu Family and the Xu Family were fighting until heaven and earth turned upside down. Why would they come today to celebrate the Xu Family's eldest legitimate grandson?"

The many families were all perplexed.

When the eating and drinking had nearly ended, Xu Chuan suddenly announced, "Everyone, I thank you all for honoring us with your presence at my grandson's full moon banquet today."

"Besides that, I have another joyous matter to announce."

"My young son Mingyuan will become engaged to the Wu Family Patriarch's daughter half a year from now. As for the wedding date, the Wu Family Patriarch and I have discussed it. Since both are still young, we have decided they will marry in October next year."

"Haha, congratulations, Xu Family Head! Your family truly has joyous events one after another."

"Yes, who would have thought that, without a sound, you would form a marital relationship with the Wu Family?"

The various patriarchs raised their cups and offered their congratulations.

Xu Chuan said, "It is all because the Wu Family Patriarch has shown us favor. Otherwise, how could my young son possibly be worthy of seeking the hand of the Wu Family Patriarch's beloved daughter?"

His words were watertight, giving the Wu Family ample face.

"The Xu Family Head is too courteous. It is my daughter who has married above her station."

"Come, Brother Wu. Today, you and I must drink to our hearts' content."

The very next day, this matter spread throughout all of Qingjiang County.

The Four Families Fang, Wang, He, and Cao all visited the Wu Family. Only after an hour did they leave.

As for what they discussed, no one knew.

Yet Qingjiang County remained calm and peaceful.