The grand wedding

You stepped on the flowers.

Xu Lingyin pointed at the fox cubs and said loudly.

Bai Ji tilted her head, looked at her, and replied in a childish voice:

It wasn't damaged.

"I've always played it this way."

"You're the one who stepped on it and broke it." Xu Lingyin raised her light eyebrows, her expression and tone serious and earnest, as if it were very important.

"I didn't break it," Bai Ji retorted crisply.

After arguing for a moment, the human child and the Xu Lingyin cub rushed over on their short legs. She was so fast that she was invisible to the naked eye, all thanks to the explosive power of her muscles.

But Bai Ji was faster, transforming into a white shadow and dodging her attack, appearing on her right and watching her warily.

"What are you doing!" Bai Ji demanded loudly.

The little bean ignored it and pounced on it again.

A human and a fox chased each other in the courtyard. Xu Lingyin ran wildly, cracking the bluestone slabs paved in the courtyard, while Bai Ji transformed into a swift white light, sometimes to the left and sometimes to the right.

A moment later, the little boy realized that he couldn't catch Bai Ji and became very anxious.

When she went hunting with the Li Gu tribe in Southern Frontier, she did encounter some agile animals, but the Li Gu tribe members shot them down with bows and arrows, so there was no need to chase them.

She doesn't have a bow and arrows with her, and she doesn't know how to use them.

"I'm not playing anymore!" Xu Lingyin stopped and said with a pleading look:

"Come here, I'll take you to eat meat."

Bai Ji indeed stopped, licked her lips with her pink tongue, and said in a sweet voice:

What kind of meat should we eat?

Xu Lingyin spread her arms wide and gestured wildly:

"The meat is so delicious, you'll see when you come."

As she spoke, she flashed a fawning smile.

Bai Ji was also a glutton. As soon as she heard there was meat to eat, she believed the little bean and ran over happily, saying in a sweet voice:

"Eat meat, eat meat!"

The quick-witted and brave Xu Lingyin pounced on it and pinned it down:

"Got you!"

In the room, Mu Nanzhi, who was lying on the desk, raised her head, looked towards the door, and frowned, saying:

"I think I heard Bai Ji crying!"

The 'clang' stopped, and Xu Qi'an, with his hands around Mu Nanzhi's waist, also looked out the window and said:

"I heard it too."

"Get out of the way!" Mu Nanzhi reached out and shoved Xu Qi'an.

She cared deeply for Bai Ji, just like raising her own child.

Xu Qi'an left.

Mu Nanzhi quickly put down her skirt, bent down to pull up her silk trousers, carefully straightened her clothes, and hurriedly left the room.

Xu Qi'an followed behind, and the two left the room. Following the sound, they soon saw Xu Lingyin and her apprentice Lina.

Xu Lingyin carried a wooden stick on her small shoulders; Bai Ji was tied to one end of the stick. Bai Ji struggled and cried:

"Let me go, let me go, sob sob sob."

The master and apprentice were walking towards the kitchen.

"What are you doing!"

Mu Nanzhi was shocked and ran over, lifting her skirt, to rescue Bai Ji.

We want to eat meat.

Xu Lingyin watched with some regret as Aunt Mu untied Bai Ji.

Xu Qi'an flicked her forehead and scolded her:

What did I tell you when I was in Southern Frontier?

Xu Lingyin, who had been beaten, covered her head with her hands, but she was not guilty and said righteously:

"My older brother said that if you step on a flower, you have to roast it and eat it with meat."

"It ruined the flowers my mother planted."

Lina, standing to the side, had an "I knew it" look on her face. Her silly apprentice had finally Aperture Opening. He had been trying to pin the blame on Bai Ji, but now he knew that before eating the fox, it was best to establish the crime first, so that no one could find fault with him.

Xu Qi'an turned to Bai Ji and asked what had happened. Bai Ji tearfully described the incident, then accused her:

"I was having a great time, and they caught me as soon as they saw me, and they even lied to me, sob sob sob."

Should I say that Lingyin's IQ skyrockets when it comes to food, or should I lament that we finally have someone in the family with the lowest IQ? Xu Qi'an muttered to himself, poking Xu Lingyin's forehead with his finger and angrily saying:

I'll teach you a lesson later.

Turning his head to glare at Lina:

"Lingyin is immature, and you're immature too?"

Lina stuck out her tongue:

"Just playing around, trying to scare the little fox. I'll rescue it once it's in the kitchen."

Xu Lingyin was taken aback and realized her master's sinister intentions. She then looked at Lina with eyes that betrayed her class.

Lingyin clearly didn't see Baiji as a playmate or friend; she was only focused on eating her. This mindset needed to be changed. Although having more "children" in the family inevitably leads to friction, constantly roasting and eating them wasn't acceptable. Xu Qi'an sighed and pulled Xu Lingyin outside.

"Follow me!"

He pulled Xu Lingyin into the courtyard, waved, and from the open window of the east wing in the distance, his aunt's favorite potted plant flew out.

Xu Qi'an placed the flowerpot on Xu Lingyin's head and said:

"If you stand there for an hour and the flower on your head breaks, you're not allowed to eat meat for three days."

"Oh!"

Xu Lingyin stood at attention as she was being beaten.

After warning the little boy never to think of eating foxes again, Xu Qi'an saw a eunuch in a python robe leading a column of imperial guards into the mansion.

The eunuch in python suit is here to deliver the reward. According to the custom, the husband of the princess will be named "Consort Prince Consort". The Prince Consort was originally an official position, but gradually became the standard official position for the emperor's son-in-law. Therefore, the princess's husband also has the abbreviation of "Consort Prince Consort".

In addition to the title, the emperor would also bestow upon the son-in-law a jade belt, fine clothes, a silver saddle, a hundred bolts of seven-colored silk, as well as gold, silver, and a house, etc.

These things should have been bestowed long ago, but the Empress was too busy with state affairs and simply didn't have the time, so it was delayed until now.

After the gifts were distributed, the eunuch laughed and said:

"This old servant first wishes Xu Yinluo a happy marriage and a long and harmonious life together."

As was customary, Xu Qi'an rewarded each eunuch and imperial guard with ten taels of silver.

With the wedding date approaching, the Xu Residence was in a flurry of activity. The aunt in charge of household affairs was overwhelmed with work and often complained in private that while the mother was having a leisurely time, she, as the aunt, was suffering the most.

To ease his aunt's burden, Xu Qi'an summoned Miao Youfang back to work like a slave, while he himself took the time to finish studying the wedding program.

Marriage has always been a major life event, hence the complicated and troublesome process.

From the initial engagement to the wedding, six ceremonies are performed: 1. Betrothal, 2. Asking the name, 3. Presenting auspicious gifts, 4. Presenting betrothal gifts, 5. Setting the wedding date, and 6. The wedding ceremony.

The first five procedures have already been completed, leaving only the "wedding procession" remaining.

That night at the dinner table, after Second Uncle Xu and his nephew clinked glasses, Uncle Xu tentatively asked:

"During the wedding ceremony, why don't you ask your aunt to give up her seat to your sister-in-law?"

Her aunt's eyes immediately reddened, and she glared angrily at her husband:

"What do you mean!"

Second Uncle Xu said:

"Since ancient times, when it comes to marriage, if the parents are alive, they will sit in the main hall. After all, your sister-in-law is Ningyan's birth mother. If she stands there while you sit there, with so many guests watching, it will not be good for Ningyan's reputation if word gets out."

"Today, an official from the Ministry of Ministry of Rites mentioned this matter to me."

Aunt raised her voice and shrieked:

"Ningyan was raised by me."

Xu Erlang ate his food slowly and deliberately, and casually said:

"Indeed, it is against propriety."

My aunt almost cried, feeling wronged. She had been busy preparing for the wedding these past few days, and had even lost a lot of hair. But thinking about her four siblings, she was relieved that at least one of them was finally getting married and starting a family.

She was still quite content, just waiting to receive the newlyweds' greetings to her parents. But before she even saw the newlyweds, she was betrayed by her husband and son.

The aunt glanced at Xu Ningyan, and seeing that he didn't speak, her nose stung with tears. She turned her head away and said petulantly:

"Fine, I won't sit then."

Xu Erlang swallowed his food and said slowly:

"But out of affection, Mother should sit. As the old saying goes, the kindness of raising is greater than the kindness of giving birth. Everyone knows that my eldest brother lost both his parents at a young age and was raised by my father and mother. Therefore, even if outsiders know that my aunt is still alive, no one will question my eldest brother."

Xu Lingyue followed suit and said:

What do you think, brother?

The aunt immediately looked at her unfortunate nephew.

Xu Qi'an laughed:

"Erlang is right. If I don't agree, my aunt will probably kick me out of the neighboring courtyard and make me live alone again."

The aunt finally relaxed, raised her chin, and snorted.

Xu Lingyin and Lina lowered their heads and ate their food, lost in their own worlds.

Bai Ji squatted by the table, nibbling on the chicken in small bites.

Mu Nanzhi acted as if it were none of her business, eating her meal seriously, but her feet under the table would occasionally kick Xu Qi'an in frustration.

"Who knows that every grain of rice on the plate is the result of hard work?"

Xu Qi'an repaid evil with kindness, picking up a few grains of rice from the edge of her bowl and putting them back in.

Dinner concluded in this peaceful and joyful atmosphere.

On the same night, Ji Baiqing sat in the candlelight, lost in thought, her face gentle, dignified, and beautiful.

Xu Yuanhuai's daily routine was as regular as the rising and setting of the sun and moon. After dinner, he would practice breathing exercises for half an hour and then go to sleep early.

Xu Yuanshuang pushed open her mother's bedroom door and, seeing that she was indeed not asleep, smiled and said:

"Is Mother thinking about my eldest brother's wedding tomorrow?"

Ji Baiqing nodded slightly and said softly:

"I still haven't been notified, so when it's time to pay respects to my parents, I'm afraid I won't be included."

Xu Yuanshuang asked softly:

"Is Mother feeling regretful?"

Ji Baiqing sighed and said:

"When I gave birth to him, he was so small. In the blink of an eye, twenty-one years have passed, and he's reached the age to start his own family. Being able to witness his wedding, I have no regrets."

Xu Yuanshuang pursed her lips and remained silent.

Although my mother said she had no regrets, how could she not truly long to participate in her eldest son's wedding as his mother?

Instead of being a silent bystander.

Bureau of Astronomy.

Li Miaozhen woke up from her daze, opened her eyes, and saw Su Su sitting at the table, intently looking at a storybook with illustrations.

The ghost was dressed in white, with exquisitely beautiful features and a captivatingly alluring aura.

In terms of looks alone, Su Su is exceptionally beautiful.

"Oh, Master, you're awake!"

Su Su closed the sketchbook with delight and poured herself a cup of warm tea. "You've been unconscious for five days without a drop of water. Have some tea to quench your thirst."

Li Miaozhen indeed had a dry mouth and throat, and her lungs felt like they were on fire.

Even if Daoist School's physical body is weak, once they reach the fourth rank, they have long since Grain Avoidance from grains and can go for months without food or drink without any problems.

However, she was injured and was in a weak state.

After finishing a glass of warm water, Li Miaozhen let out a sigh of relief and asked:

"Where is this? The Xu Residence?"

"This is the Bureau of Astronomy. Junior Sister Caiwei comes to check your pulse every day, and the Holy Son helps you disperse your excess Primordial Spirit power daily to prevent your sea of consciousness from bursting." Su Su sat back down at the table and continued reading her storybook.

Li Miaozhen closed her eyes and looked inward. Her Primordial Spirit was resilient and powerful, like steel that had been forged countless times.

Although the body is weak, it is not a serious problem.

"Logically, I should be able to break through to the Transcendent Realm, but unfortunately I can't comprehend the Supreme Forgetfulness," Li Miaozhen sighed.

For a Yin spirit to ascend to the Yang spirit, the most basic requirement is sufficient resilience.

The pill her master fed her back then has now been fully absorbed, laying a solid foundation for her.

"The Holy Son said that Daoist Jinlian intends to take you into the Earth Sect to cultivate merit." Su Su turned a page and continued:

"With your merits, Master, promotion to the third rank is a piece of cake; it's just a matter of whether you're willing."

Li Miaozhen pondered for a moment and then smiled:

"Of course I would."

Su Su breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile:

"I thought you would say: I'm not interested in the Earth Sect, I only want to go to the Human Sect."

Li Miaozhen asked in surprise:

Why?

Su Su winked and made a face:

"That way, when you're consumed by karmic fire in the future, you'll have plenty of reason to cultivate with Xu Ningyan. Although I'm Xu Ningyan's concubine, since my master also likes him, I don't mind being a maidservant in his dowry."

"Go! Go! Go!"

Li Miaozhen spat at her, her gaze falling on the storybook, and casually asked:

What books are you reading?

Upon hearing this, Su Su's eyebrows furrowed, and she said:

"The book tells the story of a scholar named Xu Ningyan who, after passing the imperial examination with flying colors, abandoned his wife who had shared his hardships, and, coveting wealth and status, married a princess."

Li Miaozhen, of course, could understand her implied meaning, and frowned, saying:

What happened?

Su Su hummed:

"Xu Ningyan is getting married to Princess Lin'an tomorrow."

Li Miaozhen was stunned.

The year of Huaiqing, the twenty-seventh day of the second month.

Suitable for moving into a new house, praying for offspring, and getting married.

As dawn broke, and with some time still remaining before the wedding procession left the mansion, the main road from the Xu Residence to the imperial city was already lined with people eager to witness the ceremony.

The entire capital knew that Xu Yinluo was going to marry Princess Lin'an.

As the pillar of the Great Feng Dynasty and the national treasure in the hearts of the people, Xu Yinluo's wedding naturally attracted much attention and was celebrated by all.

On this day, soup kitchens were set up at all eight city gates, from the outer city to the inner city, and soup was distributed for three days.

The Imperial Palace, Shaoyin Palace.

The Empress Dowager ordered a thorough inventory of the dowry items, which included a phoenix crown adorned with pearls, nine colorful pheasants, and four phoenixes; a magnificent robe embroidered with chicks; a pair of pearl and jade pendants; a gold leather belt; a jade dragon crown; a jade ribbon ring; a crown and comb with pearl flowers; and a crown and comb with seven treasures.

The dowry was lavish and prepared to the highest standards.

Besides his noble status in Lin'an, the royal family also dared not neglect or treat Xu Qi'an with disrespect.

These matters should have been handled by the Empress, but after Huaiqing ascended the throne, Emperor Yongxing's Empress was deposed, and now the Empress Dowager remains the head of the harem.

The Empress Dowager didn't seem to mind the hard work. Since Wei Yuan's resurrection, she smiled more and more, no longer as indifferent as before.

Furthermore, with Consort Chen under house arrest in the inner palace and Yongxing under house arrest in the Bureau of Astronomy, neither of them can get out. The Empress Dowager will have to take over this matter. Even if she doesn't pity Lin'an, she will have to consider Xu Qi'an's attitude.

After everyone had finished taking inventory, the Empress Dowager, accompanied by a group of palace maids, entered her bedroom in Lin'an.

She wanted to see if the bride was ready.

PS: A moment of silence.