The Yang Residence.
Yang Ronghua's boudoir.
"Miss, miss! Eldest Young Master Xu got into a fight with the young masters from the Commandery Seat!"
"Big Brother Mingwei wasn't hurt, was he?"
"Of course Eldest Young Master Xu won! He even defeated Young Master Shihui, whom the household head praised, with a single punch!"
Yang Ronghua's heart brimmed with joy, a shy blush on her face. "I knew Big Brother Mingwei was the best."
A little while later.
Another maid came running in.
"Miss, Eldest Young Master Xu composed a bridal hastening poem."
"By the willow ford waits a fragrant carriage draped in brocade; silver candles in the painted hall illuminate this joyous day. Before the diamond-patterned mirror, fresh brows are drawn; before the tortoiseshell curtain, old dust is wiped away..."
"It's time for us to go out, too."
The main hall.
Yang Zhao and his wife sat in the seats of honor.
After a boisterous crowd streamed inside, Xu Mingwei cupped his hands and bowed to Yang Zhao and his wife. "Your son-in-law pays his respects to Father-in-law and Mother-in-law."
"Mm."
Yang Zhao stroked his short beard and nodded in satisfaction.
"The bride is here!"
Someone shouted, and the crowd parted to make a path.
A woman in a wedding gown of overlapping shades of emerald walked slowly toward them.
A Kingfisher Phoenix Hairpin adorned her hair, with emerald floral pins on either side. She held a black-lacquered round fan traced with gold half over her face, its surface painted with meticulously detailed flowers. Her visible eyes were like obsidian steeped in a clear spring.
A green jade belt cinched her waist, and the dangling silk cords were strung with emeralds, giving off clear, melodious chimes as she moved.
Everyone around them fell silent at once.
The instant Xu Mingwei turned around, the woman before him filled his eyes and heart.
Yang Ronghua knelt on a meditation cushion and bowed three times to Yang Zhao and his wife.
"Your daughter bids farewell to Father and Mother."
Madam Yang lowered her head and wiped her tears, crying and smiling at once.
"Go." Yang Zhao nodded. "Now that you are marrying, respect and obedience must come first. Never forget our family teachings; remain virtuous and composed..."
"Your daughter will keep Father's teachings firmly in mind."
Choking back tears, Yang Ronghua bent in a bow to Yang Zhao.
Yang Zhao turned to Xu Mingwei and said with a smile, "My worthy son-in-law, I entrust Hua'er to you. Treat her well."
"Your son-in-law will never forget your teachings. I will cherish and love her."
Afterward, Yang Shichang carried Yang Ronghua out on his back and helped her into the bridal sedan.
The Xu Household's wedding procession set off for Dongxi Village.
Naturally, quite a few people from the Yang Household accompanied them. This was customary: they went to support the bride's side so the groom's family would not look down on her.
Around noon.
The wedding procession returned to the Xu Household.
Then came the wedding bows.
The wedding officiant called out:
"First, bow to Heaven and Earth; may husband and wife love without doubt."
"Second, bow to your parents; may father and mother flourish together, blessed with fortune and longevity."
"Husband and wife, bow to each other; may you grow white-haired together and never part."
The grand feast began.
Apart from Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian, who were still young, the others all stayed beside Xu Mingwei, taking drinks on his behalf and pouring wine.
After a round of toasts, Xu Mingwei was already half drunk, even with Xu Mingyuan taking nearly half the drinks for him.
Supported by Chen Daniu, Xu Mingyuan, Xu Mingxuan, and the others, Xu Mingwei entered the bridal chamber.
Once inside, there were still a host of wedding customs to observe.
For instance, binding their hair: cutting a lock from each of them and tying them together in a pouch to treasure as a token.
Scattering longans and red dates to pray for the early birth of a noble son.
Sharing the nuptial cup: splitting a gourd into two cups and drinking bitter wine together, symbolizing sharing sweetness and hardship alike.
Eating undercooked dumplings and asking, "Will you bear children?"
Night fell.
"My wife, we should retire."
"Mm."
Yang Ronghua's voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, almost inaudible.
Her cheeks glowed rosy and clear, her beauty a feast for the eyes.
Xu Mingwei lowered the gauze curtains and slowly lay down with her in his arms.
Then—
The Yang Residence.
"Shihui, you lost to Xu Mingwei of the Xu Household this morning," Yang Hua, Yang Zhao's older cousin, said evenly.
"Father, Xu Mingwei is indeed just as Uncle described. His talent is extraordinary, with the potential to become a Grandmaster. He also seems to possess natural divine strength, with strength far beyond ordinary men," Yang Shihui replied respectfully.
"Younger Cousin, you certainly chose a fine husband for Ronghua."
"Make your preparations. In another month or so, Father will have smoothed things over with his connections, and your transfer papers will come through."
"Thank you, Elder Cousin."
"No need for thanks. We're all family. Just remember to work for the good of the lineage."
Yang Zhao nodded in agreement.
Still, he knew the Yang Household had chosen him because, among its members serving as officials, he was the most outstanding and had the best record of governance.
With little difference in their connections, the one with the strongest record naturally stood the best chance.
The next day.
The members of the Yang Household returned to the Commandery Seat.
Another month or so passed.
Xu Chuan, Xu Mingwei, and his wife all came to see Yang Zhao and his family off.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, when I have time in the future, I will certainly bring Ronghua to visit you in the Commandery Seat."
"There's no hurry. Help your father strengthen the Xu Household. Qingjiang County's pond is too shallow; it will never be able to contain your household."
"Isn't that so, Brother Chuan?" Yang Zhao looked at Xu Chuan with a smile.
Xu Chuan smiled faintly without saying more.
"Stop here. If you keep seeing us off, you might end up coming all the way to the Commandery Seat."
Everyone smiled at Yang Zhao's joke.
"Even if you escort a friend for a thousand miles, you must eventually part. County Magistrate Wu, County Commandant Fang, please lend Brother Chuan and his family your support."
"Haha, Brother Yang, of course we will."
The Yang Household was a great tree with deep roots in the Commandery Seat. Unless they had no other choice, County Magistrate Wu and the others naturally would not risk offending it by moving against the Xu Household.
Besides, the Xu Household left no cracks in either its conduct or its business dealings, and internally, it was as solid as an iron barrel.
They could not easily find a pretext, either.
Two months later.
The first light of dawn broke, and purple qi came from the east.
Xu Mingwei sat cross-legged in the courtyard, regulating his breathing as he silently recited the core principles of the Little Dragon Elephant Art.
The dragon soars, the elephant treads, dividing yin and yang;
Water and fire unite to temper true astral force.
Three passes and nine apertures connect with Heaven and Earth;
In every breath, the mysteries of creation reveal themselves.
With the centers of his palms and soles and the crown of his head facing heaven, his Baihui acupoint seemed like an open skylight as he sensed the power of Heaven and Earth.
Suddenly.
His mind emptied, his awareness became a mirror reflecting his entire body, and his pores opened like lotus petals. The power of Heaven and Earth turned into glimmering white motes that seeped into his flesh.
An hour later.
Xu Mingwei opened his eyes, joy filling them.
"I sensed Heaven and Earth and drew qi into my body. I finally did it!"
"Twelve years of bitter cultivation—I haven't let Father down!"
Just then, a maid passed through the arched courtyard gate, her face also bright with joy.
"Eldest Young Master, the physician came this morning and said the eldest young mistress is with child."
Xu Mingwei's eyes widened, and then he burst into laughter, even happier than he had been at breaking through to Xiantian. He immediately rose to visit Yang Ronghua.
The news also spread through the entire Xu Residence at once.
Overjoyed, Xu Chuan waved his hand and promptly rewarded every servant, maid, and guard with half a month's wages.
"Hua'er is with child. Shitou, you mustn't be so reckless anymore."
Xu Chuan fixed Xu Mingwei with a stern look, seemingly hinting at something.
Xu Mingwei scratched his head.
He had a record: on the day after their wedding, Yang Ronghua had been unable to get out of bed after his exertions the previous night.
They had even moved the tea ceremony to the afternoon for her.
His brothers had teased him mercilessly over it.
Bai Jing sat beside Yang Ronghua, smiling from ear to ear as she held her hand and fussed over her comfort.
Xu Mingwei drew Xu Chuan aside and lowered his voice. "Father, I broke through to Xiantian this morning."
"Really!"
Delighted surprise filled Xu Chuan's face. "Come, tell your father all about it in the study."