The initiator and the finisher

As the sun gradually moved westward, Xu Qi'an, dressed in the official robes of a prince consort, along with several servants and his second uncle, waited at the gate of the mansion to welcome the guests attending the banquet.

Soon, he saw a group of familiar faces: County Magistrate Zhu, Chief Clerk Li, Head Constable Wang, and others from the Changle County.

Xu Qi'an's mind flashed back to his early days in Great Feng. Head Constable Wang and Chief Clerk Li were his mentors in listening to music in brothels. During that time, Old Wang and Old Li would drop a coin of silver every day.

"Your humble servant Zhu Ming pays his respects to Xu Yinluo."

County Magistrate Zhu strode forward and bowed deeply.

Head Constable Wang and his men bowed respectfully.

Xu Qi'an greeted him with a beaming smile:

"Why are you still staying at the Changle County? Old Zhu, the imperial court has been nurturing scholars for a hundred years, precisely so that you will dedicate yourselves to the country. You must not slack off."

County Magistrate Zhu was overjoyed. Suppressing his inner happiness, he bowed and said:

"Xu Yinluo is right to teach us a lesson."

After chatting for a few minutes, County Magistrate Zhu led Head Constable Wang and others, following behind the Xu Household's servants, into the mansion.

Old Zhu was practically floating on air. He had worked diligently in Changle County for many years but never saw any hope of promotion. Xu Yinluo's words just now were intentionally meant to help him.

After welcoming the people from Changle County, Xu Qi'an soon received a second group of guests. A large and luxurious carriage stopped by the street. The coachman brought out small stools, and three people got out of the carriage one after another—Wang Simu and the two young masters of the Wang family.

"Father is unwell and unable to travel, so he sent his two siblings to congratulate Xu Yinluo on his wedding." Wang Simu bowed to the uncle and nephew.

"Sister-in-law, you're too formal. Just call me elder brother. Please come in." Xu Qi'an warmly led Wang Simu inside, his face beaming.

"Arrange a special seat for your younger brother and sister-in-law later; don't refuse."

Wang Simu smiled, but a strange feeling sank in her heart. She felt that Xu Yinluo's smile had a hint of unsettling eeriness about it.

He had just had his servants bring Wang Simu and her two elder brothers into the mansion when he turned around and saw his second uncle greeting the third group of guests.

Those were the leaders and gang leaders of the Martial Arts Alliance. Among them, Xiao Yuenu, whose face was veiled and whose skirts fluttered, was the most eye-catching. Even without looking at her appearance, her temperament and figure were already outstanding.

After receiving the invitation, they arrived in the capital a few days in advance and stayed at the inn in the capital.

These sect leaders and gang leaders all hold official positions, albeit nominal ones without real power. However, having these official positions allows them to act flexibly wherever they go and stay at inns.

"Senior Kou didn't come?"

Although Xu Qi'an had expected this, he still showed displeasure.

"Senior Kou has gone into seclusion and asked us to come and congratulate Xu Yinluo," Xiao Yuenu said softly.

Xu Qi'an glanced at her and nodded:

Please come in, everyone!

He didn't say anything more and had his servants lead the martial arts alliance members into the mansion, because he saw Song Qing and Chu Caiwei from the Bureau of Astronomy, as well as Yang Qianhuan, who was facing away from the Xu Residence and using short-distance teleportation instead of walking.

After all, turning your back to the crowd is classy, but walking backwards is ridiculous and completely lacks any sense of style.

"Senior Brother Song, Senior Brother Yang, Caiwei, you've arrived!"

Xu Qi'an greeted him with a beaming smile and overflowing enthusiasm.

Chu Caiwei kept glancing inside, and said in a sweet voice:

Has the feast begun?

Song Qing smiled and said:

"Junior Sister Caiwei has been hungry since last night."

Amazing! Exactly the same as Lina and Lingyin! Did the three of you plan this all along? Xu Qi'an laughed:

"Waiting for the sunset, waiting for the sunset."

Song Qing said in a deep voice:

"Why wasn't I allowed to send a gift for Young Master Xu's wedding?"

Would I dare accept anything you offer? It's either some bizarre alchemical concoction or True Person- sized doll. Xu Qi'an's mind was full of complaints as he laughed:

"Given our friendship, Senior Brother Song, there's no need for you to stand on ceremony."

Finally, it was Yang Qianhuan's turn. He cleared his throat and recited:

"To reach out to the moon and pluck the stars from the sky, in this world..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Qi'an interrupted him:

"Senior Brother Song, Junior Sister Caiwei, come in, come in! Senior Sister Zhong is waiting for you inside. Oh? Isn't this Senior Brother Yang? Why is he still standing there?"

"You scoundrel! I'll settle this old score with you today, you just wait!" Yang Qianhuan secretly swore. A flash of light appeared as she followed Song Qing and Chu Caiwei into the mansion.

After seeing off the supervisor's disciples, Xu Qi'an looked towards the end of the long street, his expression stiffened for a moment, then he slowly exhaled and went to greet them.

"Miaozhen, Holy Son, welcome, welcome."

Li Miaozhen carried a sword on her back, wore Daoist robes, and remained expressionless.

The Holy Son greeted her with a beaming smile, first offering a series of congratulatory remarks, then turning to reprimand Li Miaozhen:

"Junior sister, who are you trying to fool with that sour face? Isn't Xu Yinluo's wedding a joyous occasion? Are Xu Yinluo and Prince Lin'an a match made in heaven? Xu Yinluo just saved your life, and you're still giving me that sour look. You really don't know any better."

Li Miaozhen glanced at Xu Qi'an and smiled:

Congratulations to Xu Yinluo on winning the princess's heart!

She rarely wore a forced smile.

Li Lingsu said in a serious tone:

"When we're having our wedding night pranks, junior sister, please go easy on me!"

"I was right, Li Lingsu and Yang Qianhuan were indeed plotting something wicked." Xu Qi'an sneered inwardly and escorted his fellow disciples into the mansion.

Guests arrived in batches, and night slowly fell.

As dusk settled, he finally saw Wei Yuan's carriage slowly approaching. Driving the carriage was the effeminate Nangong, with Jiang Luzhong, Zhang Kaitai, and other golden gongs riding on either side, followed by silver and bronze gongs.

Xu Qi'an took a breath and went to meet him.

Nangong Qianrou parked the carriage on the side of the street, and when she saw him coming, she instinctively made way for him.

We can't afford to offend this person now.

Xu Qi'an placed the stool down, opened the car door, and led Wei Yuan out of the car, smiling as he said:

"Duke Wei, I have been waiting for you for a long time."

Wei Yuan rarely attends weddings or funerals, but he absolutely must attend Xu Qi'an's wedding.

After getting off the train, Wei Yuan turned his head and glanced at the carriage behind him.

Inside the carriage, a cool and elegant face peeked out. She was dressed in men's clothing and wore no makeup, but this did not diminish her beauty; on the contrary, it added a touch of androgynous charm.

Throughout history, beautiful women who wear men's clothing have always possessed a captivating charm.

Xu Qi'an's expression slowly froze. "Your Majesty?"

He thought to himself, "You, the Emperor, why aren't you in the palace attending a wedding?"

That's not polite!

Huaiqing said calmly:

"Lin'an is my beloved younger sister. On her wedding day, I came to ask for a cup of celebratory wine, but Xu Yinluo seemed unwilling?"

It's finally here; there's no escaping it. Xu Qi'an forced a smile:

"Welcome!"

Wei Yuan patted him on the shoulder, his tone slow, "During the banquet, I will sit near His Majesty."

Xu Qi'an nodded first, then asked:

Why is that?

Wei Yuan smiled gently, silently uttered two words, and walked gracefully into the mansion with his flowing sleeves.

Watch the show!

Xu Qi'an suddenly didn't want to escort him to the mansion anymore, so he asked his second uncle to do it instead.

A moment later, Daoist Jinlian arrived late with members of the Heaven and Earth Society.

Chu Yuanzhen's first words to Xu Qi'an:

"I want to sit with Number One and Number Two."

"Are you here to watch the show too?" Xu Qi'an cursed inwardly, but maintained an elegant and polite smile as he escorted the members of the Heaven and Earth Society inside.

Next, Zhao Shou arrived with four great scholars from the Cloud Deer Academy.

Xu Qi'an scrutinized Yang Gong and smiled knowingly:

"Congratulations, teacher, on your advancement to the extraordinary level."

Yang Gong

The Xu Residence has four courtyards and three halls, arranged in different locations according to the individual's status and official rank.

For example, members of the Xu clan were arranged in the main hall between the inner and outer courtyards, while those from Changle County and officials of lower rank were arranged in the outer courtyard.

Those of the sixth rank and above were assigned to the east courtyard of the inner courtyard, while the Nightwatchers copper and silver gongs were assigned to the west courtyard, adjacent to the members of the martial arts alliance.

As for Xu Qi'an's relatives and friends, they sat in the innermost hall.

There are five tables in the inner hall.

At one table sat Wei Yuan, Nangong Qianrou, Jiang Luzhong, and other members of the Golden Gong (a prestigious rank in the imperial examinations). Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, due to their close friendship with Xu Qi'an, made an exception and sat with the Golden Gong members.

As for Li Yuchun, for the sake of his physical and mental health, Xu Qi'an sent him to the west courtyard to sit with the other silver and bronze gong players.

The table was occupied by the Xu Household: the second uncle, aunt, Ji Baiqing, Xu Yuanshuang and her brother, and Xu Lingyue and her sister.

Four great scholars from the Cloud Deer Academy, Zhao Shou, Xu Erlang, Song Qing, and Yang Qianhuan were seated at the table.

Sitting at the table were Daoist Master Jinlian, Asuluo, Master Hengyuan, Chu Yuanzhen, Miao Youfang, Li Lingsu, and Lina's brother, Mosang.

It is worth mentioning that after the war, Mosang was granted an official position by the imperial court and was unwilling to return to the Southern Frontier. He is currently serving in the Imperial Guard.

The last table was impressive: Huaiqing, Zhong Li, Li Miaozhen, Mu Nanzhi, Lina, Chu Caiwei, and Wang Simu.

Wang Simu looked around and felt out of place among these women.

Li Lingsu was secretly laughing her head off, thinking to herself, "That scoundrel Xu Ningyan actually arranged for me to be with these women. Does he want me to die even faster?"

He had originally thought that Xu Ningyan would send him and Brother Yang to a secluded corner, and he was prepared to shamelessly sneak into the "home ground".

How could the Holy Son let such a good opportunity pass by? The most delightful thing in life is to sit with his confidantes at the wedding of his "enemy" and then stir up trouble.

The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat strange.

Xu Erlang transmitted his voice to question:

"Brother, why did you arrange for Simu to be placed among the sisters-in-law?"

"There always needs to be someone clever to smooth things over," Xu Qi'an replied.

"Godfather, I feel like something's off."

Nangong Qianrou glanced at the women at that table, then at the other tables. He noticed that Li Lingsu, Chu Yuanzhen, Xu Erlang, Miao Youfang, and others would occasionally steal glances at that table, their eyes filled with secret anticipation.

Wei Yuan smiled.

"Second brother, what's going on with these girls?"

Ji Baiqing had a sharp eye; just by looking at the expressionless faces of the women at that table, she knew something was wrong.

Well, not everyone had a blank expression. The young girls from Southern Frontier and the girl in the yellow dress ate heartily, their mouths greasy.

In addition, she wondered why Mu Nanzhi had also sat down there.

Shouldn't Xiaoru's sworn sister be sitting at their table?

Second Uncle Xu thought for a moment and replied telepathically:

"This, this"

"Several of them are quite close to Ningyan, including His Majesty."

Ji Baiqing suddenly realized.

The Confucian scholars at the Cloud Deer Academy are the most normal; they drink and eat as they please.

"Oh, there are still two empty seats."

Li Lingsu glanced at the two empty seats next to Li Miaozhen and smiled, "Ningyan, whose seats are these?"

Xu Qi'an, the groom, was sitting next to Wei Yuan when he heard this and replied:

"Oh, that's the Imperial Advisor; she'll probably be here soon."

As they were talking, a golden light descended from the sky, drifted into the inner hall, and transformed into the appearance of Luo Yuheng.

She was exquisitely beautiful, like a celestial being.

Huaiqing, Li Miaozhen, Xu Lingyue, Zhong Li, and the others glanced at the terrestrial immortal but remained silent.

Li Lingsu's smile inevitably widened, even more enthusiastic than the groom's. She quickly stood up, her mouth stretching to her ears, and said:

"Imperial Preceptor, come, come and sit!"

After Luo Yuheng took his seat, he glanced at Xu Qi'an but didn't say anything.

Li Lingsu cleared her throat once everyone had arrived.

At another table, Yang Qianhuan received the bugle call to enter the palace and exclaimed loudly:

"Ningyan was a handsome and dashing young man, but now that he has married Lin'an, I wonder how many resentful women will secretly shed tears and be heartbroken. How pitiful, how pitiful!"

After Yang Qianhuan, the initiator, finished speaking, Li Lingsu, the finisher, put down her wine glass and retorted:

Brother Yang, what are you saying?

"Ningyan is deeply devoted to Prince Lin'an. What does it matter to Ningyan if other women cry? They're just vulgar women trying to climb the social ladder."

P. S.: Yuewen has a poll for Best Author of the Year, could you please vote for me?