After dawn broke, all of Moon Spring County bustled with life. Vendors set up breakfast stalls, steam billowing, while peddlers shouldered their loads and roamed the streets and alleys. Silence gave way to clamor—another flourishing scene of peace.
The Xu residence was even busier, with guests gathering in throngs.
High officials and dignitaries, wealthy merchants and local gentry all assembled there. Confucian School scholars and farming families devoted to study also arrived one after another. Both the notable figures and the common folk of Moon Spring County received a warm welcome at the Xu residence.
Some guests from grand, vermilion-gated households harbored Resentment, but none dared voice it lightly. The Xu Family had always upheld a tradition of farming and scholarship and conducted themselves this way. Besides, a True Person had emerged from their family, making them difficult to offend.
More importantly, True Person Xuanming from Fengyang Commandery had arrived. Until they understood his attitude, they would be better off behaving themselves.
Guests arrived one after another, some ordinary people, others cultivators. By noon, everyone of standing in the county had come. Xuandu and Xuanming finally appeared, and at the sight of the excited crowd, the two exchanged a smile. This had all been within their expectations.
After all, in a county town, True Persons were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns, perhaps even utterly unique. Even an ordinary True Person of the Heavenly Circuit realm was an absolute powerhouse.
After a few polite remarks, Xuandu led Xuanming away and returned to the Pine Crane Courtyard. The siblings dined alone, enjoying the birthday banquet. Having become True Persons, they had earned the right to indulge themselves.
After the birthday banquet ended, Xuanming stayed at the Xu residence for several more days, discussing the Dao with his eldest sister