A marriage meeting (Part One)

"Second Miss?"

Upon hearing that, Lu Changsheng immediately realized he had been overthinking things.

It was not the eldest young lady, Lu Miaoge.

It was her younger sister.

The woman in black stockings he had met once at Bambooheart Lake.

Thinking about it, that made sense. Lu Miaoge was beautiful, talented, and a talisman master. Under normal circumstances, how could the Lu Lineage possibly marry her off-and to him, at that?

But marrying the Second Miss to him was already quite something.

After all, she not only possessed a sixth-grade spiritual root, but was also the daughter of the Lu Lineage's head.

It seemed that becoming a first-rank middle-grade talisman master and displaying his talent for talisman making had convinced the Lu Lineage to invest heavily in binding him to them for good.

Remembering those unforgettable long legs in black stockings and high heels, Lu Changsheng nodded and cupped his hands. "Uncle Lu, I'll be there on time tomorrow."

Even though he guessed that the Lu Lineage wanted to deepen his ties to them and bind him to them completely, Lu Changsheng felt no resistance.

In fact, he was more than willing.

It was not because of the Second Miss's looks, or her long legs in black stockings and high heels.

Rather, his previous trip for the Three-Year Appointment had made him realize that this world was far more dangerous and difficult than he had imagined.

With his temperament, it would be hard for him to get anywhere in a world like this.

Besides, he now had a whole family in tow.

So Lu Changsheng had finally come to terms with it.

Since he had the Many Children, Many Blessings System anyway, he would simply keep his head down in the Lu Lineage for now.

Once he had more children, they had grown up, and he had broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm or something, he could consider the future.

Although he was living under someone else's roof, thanks to his talent for talisman making, the Lu Lineage had treated him well during the years since he moved to Green Bamboo Valley.

They were a thoroughly upright cultivation lineage.

In any case, it was safer than struggling alone outside.

If he married the lineage head's daughter this time, he would not only gain another wife with a spiritual root, but the Lu Lineage would also truly regard him as one of their own.

He could then continue keeping his head down within the Lu Lineage with greater peace of mind and no worries hanging over him.

As for leaving the Lu Lineage, he still wanted to leave and establish himself independently someday. But that seemed rather distant now, and Lu Changsheng could not be bothered to dwell on it.

When that day truly came, if the Lu Lineage had treated him well, he would not leave them empty-handed.

"Good."

Uncle Lu patted Lu Changsheng's shoulder warmly. "The lineage head has already settled things with the Second Miss, so as long as you conduct yourself well tomorrow, this marriage will be as good as settled. There shouldn't be any problems."

"Yes."

Lu Changsheng nodded in acknowledgment and saw Uncle Lu out.

Yet his mind involuntarily returned to Lu Miaohuan's noble, coldly alluring air.

He remembered how, just because he had glanced a little longer at her black stockings, she had snapped, "Keep looking and I'll gouge your eyes out."

He felt that the Second Miss was probably not easy to please. How tomorrow's meeting would go was anyone's guess.

Hopefully, the lineage head really has settled everything, and the Second Miss has reined in her temper a little-that she isn't as unpleasant as I imagine.

Otherwise, even if she has a sixth-grade spiritual root and is the lineage head's daughter, I'll have to forget it.

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath, let it out, and returned to the courtyard.

Although he was very willing to enter into this marriage, he was not about to swallow his pride and beg her to marry him just for the sake of having a mother with a sixth-grade spiritual root for his children.

Never mind dignity or pride-he already had four wives, six concubines, and two favored consorts. He truly did not have the mental energy to cater to someone with a temper.

Adding such a wife to his household could also easily upset the balance and peace among his women and undermine his authority as their husband.

"Husband, did Uncle Lu come with good news?"

Just then, one of his women looked at Lu Changsheng and asked.

"Hehe, I've recently made a breakthrough in the Talisman Way and advanced to first-tier middle-grade talismans."

"So Uncle Lu came to discuss a few things with me."

Lu Changsheng replied.

He did not mention that Uncle Lu had come about a marriage meeting.

After all, telling his wives and concubines that he was going to meet a prospective bride tomorrow felt extremely awkward.

He would wait until things were settled before telling them.

"What? You've already become a first-rank middle-grade talisman master!"

"You're amazing, husband!"

"You've already become a mid-grade talisman master, husband! Doesn't that mean you could become a second-rank talisman master someday?"

"You've worked so hard lately, husband!"

Several other wives and concubines nearby heard him as well. Their lovely eyes immediately lit up, their faces filled with delighted surprise as they looked at Lu Changsheng with admiration and love.

Ever since Lu Changsheng became a talisman master, they had made some effort to learn about talisman masters.

They knew how difficult every step forward was. Now that Lu Changsheng had advanced again, his standing within the Lu Lineage would rise as well.

And as his wives, they too would share in his elevated status.

The little children nearby did not understand what any of it meant, but seeing their mothers' expressions, they joined in the shouting. "Wow, Daddy's amazing! Daddy's so awesome!"

Faced with this scene, Lu Changsheng could not help smiling.

Having his wives, concubines, and children look at him with such love and admiration truly felt wonderful.

It thoroughly satisfied his masculine ego.

That night.

Afterward!

Afterward!!

Afterward!!!

Afterward-

Holding the women nestled against him, brimming with tenderness and having been especially eager and energetic that night, Lu Changsheng felt that he ought to pay more attention to this particular benefit of the Hundred-Forging Treasure Body Art.

Early the next morning, seemingly worried that Lu Changsheng might forget or oversleep, Uncle Lu even came to fetch him.

Lu Changsheng tidied himself up a little, then headed to Bamboo Heart Lodge with Uncle Lu.

Bamboo Heart Lodge was not far from Bambooheart Lake. Lush green grass and blooming flowers surrounded it, making for beautiful scenery.

Aside from the bustle during the trading fair on the first day of every month, the place was quiet and secluded.

"The Second Miss will be here shortly. Wait a little while."

"The Second Miss actually has a rather simple disposition. Just coax her a little and go along with what she says."

Uncle Lu was very invested in the matter. After giving Lu Changsheng these instructions, he left.

He went outside to stand watch, lest anyone come nearby and disrupt the marriage meeting.

After all, Lu Yuanding cared a great deal about this matter and had given him explicit instructions.

Lu Changsheng nodded, walked over to the stone table in the courtyard, and sat down. Taking out a Purple Clay Tea Set, he began brewing spirit tea and waited calmly.

About half an hour later, Lu Changsheng heard a crisp, enticing, rhythmic "tap, tap, tap."

He turned toward the sound and caught

sight of a tall, graceful figure approaching, proud and aloof as a peacock.

It was none other than his prospective bride for the day, Lu Miaohuan.

Lu Miaohuan had clearly dressed up especially for the occasion, and he could see the carefully applied makeup on her face.

She wore a fitted dress woven in shades of black and deep blue, with pinpricks of starlight shimmering and flowing across it. It looked as though she had draped herself in the starry night sky, a breathtaking sight.

This Black-and-Blue Starry Dress was far more modest than the black, gold-embroidered gown he had seen last time, revealing only her elegant, fair swan neck and part of her collarbones and delicate shoulders.

Yet the graceful curves wrapped within the dress, full in front and rounded behind, still inevitably set the imagination wandering.

"Tap, tap, tap-"

Lu Miaohuan approached with graceful steps, her beautiful legs in black stockings appearing and disappearing beneath her skirt. Under its hem, her delicate feet wore a pair of luxurious high heels that matched her dress, wreathed in a nebular shimmer. Each step rang out with a crisp tap, leaving flecks of starlight behind.

Lu Changsheng simply watched that exquisite figure slowly approach, every step full of grace.

After all, beauty was meant to be admired.

The Second Miss had dressed up especially for this. If he turned a blind eye and failed to appreciate her properly, would he not be letting her good intentions go to waste?

He had to admit that once beauty reached a certain level, figure and bearing were what truly mattered.

The Second Miss before him was tall and graceful, her face coldly beautiful and noble. From within, she radiated an aloof, aristocratic air that warned strangers away, an imposing presence that involuntarily awed others and made them feel inferior.

Yet at the same time, she easily stirred a desire to conquer her.

"Lu Changsheng greets Miss Miaohuan."

Lu Changsheng withdrew his gaze and stood, cupping his hands and bowing to Lu Miaohuan with a refined, gentle expression.

Although she was breathtakingly alluring and suited his tastes perfectly, Lu Changsheng had sailed past a thousand sails and been tempered through countless trials. He still possessed this much composure and self-control.