Arrangements for the Marriage

Meanwhile, after Su Yuanshan left the Pill Pavilion compound and returned to the estate, his steps were light as he passed through corridors and flower-lined paths, a hearty smile still lingering between his brows.

Just now at the Pill Pavilion, he had finalized the marriage engagement before Lin Fan and Su Qingwei, and at last, a great stone in his heart had fallen to the ground. Lin Fan was extraordinarily capable. Not only was his alchemy unfathomably profound, but at such a young age, his cultivation had already reached the Bone Tempering Realm. His innate talent was surely first-grade, if not second-grade. Moreover, Lin Fan was steady and measured by nature, and had once come from a prominent Capital City clan. For his daughter to find such a fine match would be an excellent home for Su Qingwei and a tremendous opportunity for the entire Su Family. Leaving aside everything else, the children Su Qingwei bore in the future would certainly not have poor innate talent.

Without delaying, he headed straight for the main residence in the rear courtyard. He wanted to share the news with his wife.

The inner courtyard of the Su Family's main residence was elegantly laid out with pavilions and terraces, while the garden beyond the corridors was planted with flowers, grasses, and trees. Madam Su was seated on a soft couch by the window, threading a needle as she slowly embroidered a handkerchief.

Madam Su had been born into a scholarly family. Gentle and composed by nature, she had managed the Su Family's inner household for many years, always handling matters thoroughly. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw Su Yuanshan enter with his face beaming. She immediately set aside her needlework.

"Judging by Master's expression, did something happy happen?"

Su Yuanshan laughed heartily and took a seat to one side. A maid hurried over and served him a cup of hot tea.

"That Lin Fan today was truly remarkable. He refined more than a dozen furnaces of various pills, and every batch was high-grade. And at such a young age, his cultivation has already reached the Bone Tempering Realm. At his age, I had only just entered the Muscle Refinement Realm!"

"It is indeed a joyous matter for the estate to have such a capable person. But Master, it seems you need not be quite so delighted over this alone." Madam Su looked at Su Yuanshan, who was smiling so broadly his mouth could hardly close, somewhat puzzled.

Su Yuanshan waved a hand at her words. "Of course, it is not only that. Just now, Lin Fan agreed to enter into a marriage engagement with Qingwei. We only need to settle the wedding date."

"Truly?!" The embroidered handkerchief in Madam Su's hand trembled slightly, and surprise immediately filled her eyes. "This truly is a joyous event of heaven-shaking proportions."

Even a golden guest elder was, strictly speaking, still an outsider. But if Lin Fan and Su Qingwei married, things would be entirely different.

"Lin Fan truly has a fine temperament as well. As expected of someone who once came from the Capital City." Su Yuanshan lifted his teacup and took a sip, then slowly continued telling her about Lin Fan's background.

After hearing him out, a few motherly worries surfaced between Madam Su's brows. "Lin Fan is indeed excellent, but he is currently wanted by the imperial court. That is ultimately a hidden danger. Could it implicate Qingwei in the future?"

"Madam need not worry too much." Su Yuanshan waved his hand, his tone calm. "This place is far from the Zhao Kingdom's royal capital; the mountains are high and the emperor is far away. The authorities here are not as powerful as those in the Capital City. Besides, Lin Fan is hardly the only master living the life of a fugitive in this town. So long as our Su Family protects him, the authorities will certainly say nothing. And once Lin Fan's strength advances further in the future, this little wanted notice will be beneath mention. There are plenty of martial arts experts who have committed countless evils yet were recruited by the imperial court."

Hearing her husband's analysis, Madam Su's hanging heart settled somewhat, but she still could not stop worrying about her daughter.

"It is only that Qingwei is a child we watched grow up. Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, she would be getting married? In the end, I still cannot bear to part with her." Madam Su sighed, then continued, "Master, marriage is one of life's great events. It must never be handled carelessly."

"I came today precisely because I wished to discuss with Madam how we should arrange the marriage." Su Yuanshan set down his teacup and looked toward his wife. "By tradition, we should first exchange birth charts, formally set the engagement, choose an auspicious date, and then hold the wedding. The engagement rites cannot be lacking. We cannot shortchange Lin Fan, and even less can we shortchange our daughter."

Madam Su grew serious as well, lightly tapping the edge of the table with her fingers as she calculated the arrangements one by one.

"First comes the betrothal and presentation of gifts. Although our Su Family is the bride's side, and Lin Fan is marrying into the estate, the rites must still be thorough. As for the betrothal gifts, Lin Fan is alone and has no elders, so our Su Family will prepare them."

Su Yuanshan took over, saying, "Exactly. We must also prepare a great deal more for our daughter's dowry. We cannot let her suffer any grievance."

"I began gradually preparing Qingwei's dowry years ago. Silks and fabrics, gold and silver jewelry, farmland and shops—I have already set aside quite a lot. Now that the engagement has been decided, I will take stock of it all. After the marriage, as Master said, Qingwei need no longer trouble herself with the mundane affairs of managing the shops. Her monthly stipend will continue as before, and she need only remain at home and keep Lin Fan company."

"And their residence." Su Yuanshan recalled something and added, "That elegant Sunset Glow Courtyard on the north side of the estate has a spacious compound, dozens of rooms, and even a small side room for alchemy. We can have it renovated again and use it as Lin Fan and Qingwei's residence after their marriage. It will be convenient for Lin Fan's alchemy and cultivation, while also suitable for the young couple's daily life. I will instruct the steward to immediately summon craftsmen, inspect and repair it at once, and add some furniture and decorations along the way."

"Good. That is exactly what should be done." Madam Su nodded gently.

They then began settling on the wedding date. Su Yuanshan had a maid bring over the family calendar, and he and his wife searched through it together for an auspicious day.

"The wedding should be held as soon as possible. Only by turning raw rice into cooked rice early will things be most secure. I think six days from now would be quite suitable." Madam Su pointed to a date six days later and spoke softly.

After setting the wedding date, Su Yuanshan discussed further details with his wife. Only then did he leave in high spirits, summoning the estate steward and servants to explain every matter they had just discussed. The steward and servants accepted their orders and withdrew. At once, the entire Su Family Estate began bustling with activity.

Craftsmen were summoned into the estate to renovate Sunset Glow Courtyard, while servants took stock of the silks and vessels in the storerooms. Many maids and older servant women also began inventorying the young lady's dowry chests and trunks. An air of lively celebration quietly spread throughout the vast Su Residence.

Meanwhile, within the Pill Pavilion courtyard, flowers and trees rustled softly, and petals drifted leisurely down. Lin Fan and Su Qingwei gazed into each other's eyes, the air full of the shy yet tender atmosphere between a young man and woman.

Only when the sky had grown dark did Lin Fan rise and accompany Su Qingwei out of the Pill Pavilion compound, heading toward the Su Family head's courtyard. The Su Family head's courtyard occupied a vast area, practically an estate within the estate. Since Su Qingwei had not yet married, she still lived in the same courtyard as her parents.

Dusk deepened, and lanterns had already been lit along both sides of the Su Residence's bluestone avenue. Their warm yellow halos spilled over the bluestone path between them, stretching the pair's shadows long. The evening breeze carried the fragrance of flowers as it brushed past. All the way, Su Qingwei kept her head slightly lowered, gently twisting the corner of her clothes with her fingertips, a faint blush tinting her cheeks.

When they reached the gate of the Su Family head's courtyard, Su Qingwei stopped and lifted her eyes to look at Lin Fan. Firelight reflected in her clear, bright eyes, where joy and shyness intertwined beneath their glistening watery sheen.

"You can see me off only this far." Her voice was soft and fine, seeming even gentler than before.

Lin Fan stopped. "All right. If anything comes up, come find me at any time. From now on, I'll cultivate martial arts in my own small courtyard during the day, so I won't go to the Pill Pavilion as often."