The Xu Family's Wedding Procession

Several days later.

At the Chen family's old home in Dongxi Village.

"What? Father, you want Er Gou and me to become vassals of the Xu Household?"

Shock showed on Chen Daming's face, while Chen Ergou fell into thought.

"This concerns all of you, so you must each think it through. Daniu, Fangfang, that goes for you too. If you don't want this, I won't force you."

"I'm old. There's little I can do for you now. This time, I had to put my own reputation on the line to get San Shu to agree."

"If you're willing, you can stand alongside the Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, and Zhou Households."

Uncle Chen hunched over, his old pipe still in hand, and urged them earnestly. "They may be beneath you now, but when one man attains the Way, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. However high the Xu Household climbs, that's how high you may climb with it."

"San Shu told me that Great Wei's Aristocratic Clans are divided into nine ranks, and the Xu Household hasn't even entered their ranks yet."

"He said the Xu Household is only just getting started."

"His heart is as broad as the sea, his bearing as steady as a mountain. What he seeks is a foundation that will last a hundred generations."

Resentment flashed across Chen Daming's face. "His children may all be outstanding, but how many years does Xu Chuan have left? However far ahead he sees, won't it all come to nothing after he dies?

"How can he guarantee that the Xu Household will prosper generation after generation, with never a spendthrift descendant?"

"The Xu Household happened to seize the right moment. But if our Chen family keeps growing, generation after generation, someone who brings glory to our ancestors will naturally emerge."

"You certainly are looking far ahead."

Uncle Chen glanced at him, then at his children.

Madam Lü also spoke. "Father, my husband is right. My grandfather built the Lü Household from nothing and made it one of Qingjiang County's wealthy, respected families in just over a decade. But by my generation, it has already begun to decline."

"The world changes without warning. No one can say what the future holds."

"I understand where you stand. Er Gou, what about your family? What have you decided?"

Uncle Chen looked over at him.

"I..."

Chen Ergou and Xu Yan both remained silent.

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

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

Daniu seemed to recall something, and his expression turned bitter. "I used to think I was no worse than A Yuan or Brother Shitou."

"But after what these past few years have put me through, I understand now that people really are born with different talents. For a Lineage to grow, though, what matters even more is guidance from someone who can see far ahead."

"Make the best use of every resource, and let every person use their talents."

"Each member of the Lineage has their own duty."

"That's how the Xu Household works. Uncle Chuan is the pillar that steadies the sea, guiding them forward while nurturing each person's strengths."

"Brother Shitou is the eldest son of the main line, the one who will carry on the household. He needs steadiness and an imposing presence."

"A Yuan is quick-witted and adept with everyone. He's a rare talent for business. He oversees all the Xu Household's enterprises, and even Uncle Chuan seldom interferes."

"Charcoal Head was sent to a Martial Arts Hall when he was little and has devoted himself to the Martial Way."

"Even Aunt Bai Jing only manages the inner household. She never meddles in anything else."

When he mentioned Bai Jing, he cast a glance at his mother, whether deliberately or not.

In his heart, he compared the two.

A smile touched Uncle Chen's lips, and he nodded. "That's my good grandson. With an eye like yours, even if you don't become a Xu Household vassal, you could make the Chen family a wealthy merchant household in your lifetime."

"Er Gou, what about you?"

Chen Ergou pondered for a moment, then raised his head. "So be it. I was never cut out to make decisions. Since I have a chance to return to what I know, I'll keep following Brother Chuan."

"In that case, Daming, take your family home. Live your lives well."

In the end, Chen Daming did not want to take the path Uncle Chen had laid out.

Perhaps it had been destined from the start.

Uncle Chen relayed Xu Chuan's terms to Chen Ergou and Daniu: the Chen family's property would be folded into the Xu Household and allocated under its authority.

Xu Yan, however, flatly refused.

Chen Ergou tried to persuade her, to no avail. At last, he gritted his teeth and decided to divorce her.

Knowing her greedy nature, he left her seventy percent of the family's assets. He, Daniu, and Chen Fangfang voluntarily joined the Xu Household as its vassals.

Uncle Chen told Xu Chuan what Chen Daming's family and Chen Ergou's family had decided.

Xu Chuan was astonished, and his regard for Chen Ergou rose considerably.

"Er Gou, a man needn't fear he'll never find another wife. In a few years, I'll find you a better one."

Xu Mingyuan was there too. He patted Daniu on the shoulder and, seeing his miserable expression, consoled him. "Daniu, don't grieve over those few possessions your family lost."

"Come work with me from now on."

Xu Mingyuan glanced at Xu Chuan, who smiled and nodded. "Treat Daniu well."

"Thank you, Second Young Master. Thank you, Household Head." Daniu cupped his hands.

"Listen to yourself. We keep work and friendship separate. When it's just us, you can still call me A Yuan."

Smiles spread across Daniu's and Chen Fangfang's faces. The gloom in their hearts cleared like the sky after rain.

Uncle Chen had one less worry on his mind.

Two months later, he passed away without living to see the Year Sacrifice through.

The Xu Household held a grand funeral for him.

In the blink of an eye.

The second day of the second month arrived, when the dragon raised its head.

Mountain streams babbled, and white shepherd's-purse flowers bloomed along their banks.

Xu Mingwei's wedding was another grand occasion for the Xu Household.

Many of the county seat's Aristocratic Clans came, as did close elders of the Yang Household from the Commandery Seat.

After more than three hundred years, the Yang Household had grown far too large for everyone to attend.

Only the elders close to Yang Zhao's branch had come.

Of course, if Yang Shichang were marrying into the Wen Household in the Commandery Seat, it would be a different matter. The celebration would surely be far livelier than this.

At that moment, outside the Xu Household's front gate.

Xu Mingwei wore a bright-red, round-collared robe woven with golden cloud patterns. A black jade belt trimmed in gold clasped his waist, while five bats surrounding the longevity character, subtly embroidered along his hem, flickered into view as he moved.

On his head was a black gauze hat with outstretched wings, with a gilded court flower pinned to either side. It made his sharp brows and bright eyes stand out all the more.

His nose rose straight as a peak, and nerves pressed his lips into a slight line.

Blue satin court boots with pale soles covered his feet, and a great red silk flower lay across his chest. He shone like cinnabar fresh from the fire.

A moment later.

Xu Mingwei mounted a fine black horse and was about to set off with the wedding procession.

Xu Mingshu came running out with the White Tiger.

"Big Brother, wait."

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

"Father told me some of the Yang Household's people came from the Commandery Seat. They'll probably have their noses in the air. Ride Little White over and knock them down a peg."

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

Xu Chuan knew many in the Yang Household were unhappy about the marriage. After a moment's thought, he said, "Listen to Xueji. The Xu Household may not measure up to the Yang Household, but we can't let them look down on us."

"All right, Father."

"Little White, lie down. Let my big brother ride you today, and I'll bring you something tasty when he gets back."

Xu Mingshu leaned close to the White Tiger's ear and spoke softly.

Her words seemed to hold a special power. The White Tiger nodded as though it understood, then gave two "awoo" cries, as if haggling.

"You greedy Little White. Fine, you win."

The guards and servants had long since grown used to seeing Xu Mingshu talk with the White Tiger.

"Big Brother, climb on. I'll come along in case Little White throws a tantrum."

"A Yuan, Charcoal Head, Yunnu, you go too. Remember, don't take things too far."

"Don't worry, Father. We'll bring our sister-in-law home on time," Xu Mingyuan said with a laugh.

All five Xu children set out together.

And so.

As soon as the suona sounded, gongs and drums burst into life.

"Father, Mother, I'm off."

Tears filled Bai Jing's eyes, though a happy smile rested on her face.

Xu Chuan took her soft hand and gently rubbed it, then said to Xu Mingwei, "Go on."

They had watched their children come into the world crying, and now they watched them marry and start families of their own.

For parents, what greater happiness could there be?

The wedding procession set off.

By the time it reached Qingjiang County, a sizable crowd was watching and following.

They had all come to see the White Tiger.

"It's a Xu Household wedding today, isn't it?" someone along the street suddenly asked.

"How do you know?"

"Once that Variant White Tiger appears, who in Qingjiang County wouldn't know it belongs to the Xu Household?"

"Oh? The Xu Household can tame beasts like that?"

"Who knows?"

Azure Cloud Street.

Outside the gates of the Yang Residence.

"Cousin, leave it to me when they get here. I'll make the Xu Household understand that the Yang Household's daughters aren't so easily married. If they don't have what it takes, they can go right back where they came from."

The corner of Yang Shichang's mouth twitched, but he did not stop him.

Since ancient times, the bride's family had always put the groom through some difficulties.

He would have to play it by ear.

"They're here! They're here!"

A handsome boy of about ten, dressed in black-and-gold silk, shouted at the top of his lungs.