Hurting Each Other

The atmosphere in the hall was strange, as if some emotion was brewing, waiting to reach a critical point before it exploded.

Yang Qianhuan's gaze swept across the crowd from under his hood, paying particular attention to the table where everyone was vying for attention. He realized that Li Lingsu's prediction was correct; these women all wanted to sabotage the wedding to some extent.

However, due to various reasons, it is difficult to directly destroy it.

Therefore, they had to put on a show, each using their own unique methods to vent their anger, in short, they couldn't let Xu Ningyan and Prince Lin'an have an easy time.

Yang Qianhuan then looked at Xu Qi'an, seeing his dismayed expression, and Senior Brother Yang felt a surge of satisfaction.

If this matter gets out, Xu's reputation as a womanizer will definitely be ruined. With this stain on his record, he can seize the opportunity to smear Xu Ningyan relentlessly.

Xu Qi'an was indeed having a headache; now he was engaged in a battle of wits with the fish in the pond.

The fish are scheming and are both allies and enemies, while he and the fish are both enemies, and he must keep the fish's mindset steady.

Huaiqing's move was insidious; she directly triggered the fish's mentality, driving them into a frenzy.

For example, the Flower Goddess might remove her wrist, cause a scene, and accuse him of being philandering, heartless, and ungrateful; or Li Miaozhen might storm off, mocking him; or the Imperial Advisor might draw his sword to kill him; or Lin'an might hear the news and rush out, crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide to force him to drive away the fox spirit.

Their intentions are malicious.

At the same time, Xu Qi'an stared at Ye Ji with some suspicion, as this was not like her usual style.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox had previously mentioned wanting to give him a gift, but Xu Qi'an waved his hand and refused as he opened the bag, saying: No, no.

His attitude was clear: just leave a few Ji in the Southern Frontier, and he'll visit when he has time.

Xu Qi'an took the fact that the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox hadn't made a statement at the time as a tacit agreement, little did he know she was brewing a big move here.

Sending eighteen fox spirits? You're ruining my reputation! People will think I'm so lecherous I don't even spare any of the females around me. If word gets out, even riding a mare will make me look like a madman. Xu Qi'an pondered this as he looked around at the crowd, trying to find an ally to help smooth things over.

Lingyue looked very angry and couldn't be relied on; her birth mother was, after all, a "newcomer" and shouldn't put on airs; Miao Youfang was playing dead and was too weak to even be cannon fodder.

My aunt has the status and position, but she has absolutely no fighting ability.

Zhong Li scrutinized Ye Ji, her brows gradually furrowing beneath her disheveled hair.

"I've met Xu Yinluo!"

Apart from Ye Ji, the seventeen fox maidens gracefully bowed and smiled, saying:

"From now on, we servants belong to Xu Yinluo."

Beautiful women are always hostile to each other. Seeing the fox-women striking seductive poses, not only Mu Nanzhi and the others, but even outsiders like Wang Simu, Xu Yuanshuang, and her aunt felt displeased.

Xu Qi'an followed suit and said:

"I am extremely grateful to all the ladies for attending my wedding. After the wedding feast, I will send you back to the Southern Frontier."

"I cannot repay the Emperor's kindness."

Night Princess covered her mouth and chuckled softly:

"Xu Lang, you're being hypocritical again. These are all your concubines from the Southern Frontier. What, now that we're in the Central Plains, you don't want them anymore?"

Xu Qi'an was shocked.

Upon hearing this, the men in the hall began to look at him with strange and ambiguous expressions.

Although Xu Qi'an was not the emperor, his harem was far larger than that of an emperor.

Now I understand why Li Lingsu hated her elder brother so much.

Xu Erlang thought to himself.

Mu Nanzhi gently pressed down on the bracelet, and suddenly felt an urge to die together with the unfaithful man.

She could tolerate Luo Yuheng partly out of helplessness, but also because he was, after all, a terrestrial immortal, qualified to be ranked alongside her.

As for marrying Lin'an, she is now filled with anger and resentment, wishing she could scratch Xu Ningyan's face.

Still want to keep these seductive sluts in your mansion?

Do you think I don't have a temper?!

Luo Yuheng's mentality was similar to that of her "good sister." If she could tolerate one Flower Goddess, she wouldn't tolerate a second Lin'an, let alone these kinds of people.

The other fish thought similarly.

As an experienced fishpond owner, Xu Qi'an immediately noticed the uncontrollable widening of Li Lingsu's smile and sensed the impending crisis.

He was about to speak and expose Ye Ji's identity when he heard Zhong Li whisper:

"You're Fuxiang? No, who's controlling you?"

Everyone in the hall was taken aback when they heard Zhong Li's words. They all looked at Zhong Li, and then at Ye Ji.

Fuxiang?

Is this woman Fuxiang? Xu Ningyan's lover?

Wasn't she already dead? Besides, Fuxiang doesn't look like this, and she's not Demon Race.

Very few people know that Ye Ji is actually Fuxiang.

Were they controlled?

What does this mean? Who controls the Fuxiang Fuxiang, and why?

Amidst a flurry of thoughts, Zhong Li suddenly screamed and fell into Chu Caiwei's arms, crying out in pitiful sorrow:

"My eyes, my eyes are blind."

Chu Caiwei was taken aback and quickly lifted her senior sister's hair, only to find that her eyes were red and tears were streaming down her face. Although she had been traumatized, she had not gone blind.

Even with Xu Ningyan by her side, Senior Sister still occasionally suffers a little misfortune. Chu Caiwei felt a pang of pity, then waved to everyone to indicate that Zhong Li was alright.

Fortunately, it was just a wisp of divine thought, otherwise Senior Sister Zhong, you would have perished. You really are a cunning fox! Later, I'll trap that wisp of your thought inside Fuxiang's body, and you'll know what it feels like to be defied. Xu Qi'an had actually guessed it.

A true Fuxiang wouldn't put him in such a difficult position.

Only a quirky and mischievous nine-tailed celestial fox would do something like that.

Xu Qi'an seized the opportunity, quickly put on a serious face, clasped his hands in a fist and said:

"So it's the King of the Kingdom. I am very grateful that the King has traveled all the way to the capital to attend my wedding."

After performing the ceremony, he feigned a wry smile and said:

"As for these fox spirits, there's no need for that, Your Majesty. Please don't tease me. Is there something important you wish to discuss with me tonight? Hmm, we can discuss business after the banquet. Now, let's sit down and have a drink of wedding wine."

He acted in a businesslike manner and implied that the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox had conspired with Huaiqing to "frame" him.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox clicked its tongue and said:

"Boring!"

Everyone glanced at Huaiqing a few times.

Mu Nanzhi's complexion improved slightly, and Luo Yuheng's stern face also softened.

Xu Lingyue felt that her older brother was a good brother again.

Li Miaozhen and Su Su lowered their heads and drank, seemingly satisfied.

On the contrary, no one asked about Fuxiang's problem yet; they just kept it in mind.

Li Lingsu and Yang Qianhuan were unhappy, thinking to themselves that this guy had escaped another disaster.

The crisis has been temporarily averted, but the "shock and anger" from just now dissipated so easily. Xu Lingyue smiled and said:

"Judging from my elder brother's expression, he seems unaware that the fox clan sisters are coming. Why is Your Majesty mocking my elder brother?"

She seemed to be questioning me, but she was actually speaking in a teasing and joking tone.

Her deception and ambiguity make it difficult to discern her true attitude.

It was rare for Xu Lingyue to start a group buy, and the straightforward Li Miaozhen sneered:

"His Majesty and Princess Lin'an share a deep sisterly bond; this is undoubtedly a test to see if Xu Yinluo is a fickle man."

Huaiqing said calmly:

"I know Xu Yinluo's character well. What I fear is that some women with malicious intentions might deliberately approach Xu Yinluo. For example, they might disguise themselves, approach him as like-minded friends, or pretend to be weak and pitiful, etc."

Lin'an is naive and straightforward, but he can't outmaneuver these women.

"Who are you insulting?!" the fish roared in fury.

Zhong Li was also unhappy because she felt that "pretending to be weak and pitiful" was a veiled criticism of her.

Munan Zhi smiled and said:

"Your Majesty is so thoughtful, Ningyan. Aunt Mu thinks that if you hadn't married Princess Lin'an, you and His Majesty would have been a match made in heaven."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of countless people in the hall changed.

The straight shot from the Flower Goddess caught Huaiqing off guard.

The Flower Goddess continued:

"By the way, Your Majesty has ascended the throne. Now that the court is stable and the world is at peace, it's time to consider marriage. This place is full of talented young men; does Your Majesty have someone you admire? Perhaps you could choose one."

After saying this, she looked terrified and sincerely admitted her mistake:

"I spoke carelessly while intoxicated and offended Your Majesty. Please forgive me."

Luo Yuheng said calmly:

"To be sent to the Imperial Academy of Music!"

Huaiqing nodded:

"Can!"

Li Miaozhen, Su Su, and Ye Ji, who had just taken their seats, nodded in unison.

Mu Nanzhi's expression changed slightly. She knew that she was beautiful and the most beautiful woman in the world, making her an easy target.

Xu Qi'an awkwardly tried to smooth things over, "Grand Preceptor, the joke went too far."

Luo Yuheng lowered his head and drank.

Wang Simu didn't dare to speak the whole time, afraid of being caught in the crossfire. It wasn't that she was afraid of verbal sparring; when Miss Wang got sarcastic, she could be quite formidable.

It's just unnecessary.

"Now that's more like a wealthy family," Xu Erlang smirked, recalling what his elder brother had said to him when his aunt moved in, gloating over her misfortune.

Brilliant! Brilliant!

Master Jinlian, Zhao Shou, Wei Yuan, and the others calmly ate their food and drank their wine, listening with great interest.

Xu Pingzhi coughed and said:

"Ningyan, it's almost time."

Xu Qi'an understood immediately, stood up, and smiled:

"Excuse me, everyone!"

He took Miao Youfang and Xu Erlang with him, each with a pot of wine, and went out to offer toasts.

He first went to the courtyard where the martial arts alliance members were, offered them a toast, and then asked:

"Is Alliance Leader Cao in seclusion?"

Xiao Yuenu smiled and said:

"The alliance leader is attempting to break through to the third rank."

Xu Qi'an nodded. Ji Xuan's Blood Pill was in his hands. The reason he didn't give it to Cao Qingyang wasn't because he was stingy, but because it would be too wasteful.

Cao Qingyang was at the half-step third rank, and his physical body began to transform, no longer a completely mortal body. After participating in the Central Plains War, he made further progress. At this time, he could withstand the backlash of the Blood Pill without relying on luck.

However, at Cao Qingyang's level, reaching the third rank is only a matter of time, so there's no need to waste a Blood Pill.

That's how Blood Pills advance: those that can withstand the effects are no longer needed, and those that can't withstand them are useless.

It can be said that the Blood Pill has only two functions: one is to replenish the body of extraordinary martial artists, and the other is to provide a fast path for those who are blessed with good fortune to advance to the extraordinary level.

Xu Qi'an looked at Xiao Yuenu, who was mature, gentle, and had a first-class appearance and figure, and smiled:

"I have something I'd like to ask Master Xiao."

Xiao Yuenu held the wine cup in her slender, jade-like hands, and smiled faintly.

"Xu Yinluo, please speak."

Xu Qi'an transmitted his voice:

Are you Yukihime?

Xiao Yuenu's smile remained unchanged. "What is Xu Yinluo saying? Yuenu doesn't understand."

Xu Qi'an smiled and left with his little brother and follower.

He then went to the courtyard where the Nightwatchers gathered. Chun Ge mingled among this group of crude and uncouth men, like a clear stream in a mudslide. This had nothing to do with his appearance or clothing, but rather with the leftover bones and food scraps that were either scattered on the ground or piled up on the table.

No, Brother Chun did garbage sorting.

Bones are placed together, fruit peels are placed together, and fish bones are placed together.

Li Yuchun's current position remains that of a silver gong player, but the number of bronze gong players under his management has increased, and so has his salary.

Life was going fairly comfortably.

Xu Qi'an knew this leader's character. Like Wei Yuan, Chun Ge had appreciated and taken care of him out of public interest, not personal gain.

Therefore, Xu Qi'an could not grant him official titles and riches out of personal favoritism.

This is disrespectful to Brother Chun (Chris Lee), and he probably wouldn't want it anyway.

Of course, the necessary care and support will certainly be provided.

There were so many guests at the wedding that we went from table to table toasting each other and chatting for a bit. By the time we finished this routine, it was late at night, and the wedding banquet was coming to an end.

Xu Qi'an did not return to the inner hall, because he had to go to the gate of the mansion to see off the guests again.

He learned from his second uncle, who had come out with him, that the infighting in the inner hall had not subsided because of his departure.

"For some reason, the plates keep breaking; more than a dozen have shattered. Most of them hit Miss Zhong. Don't you think she's unlucky?"

According to my second uncle, everyone in the hall had experienced some bad luck to varying degrees.

Lingyin nearly choked to death on a chicken bone; Lina burned her tongue with chicken soup; Li Lingsu tripped and fell while offering a toast, hitting her head on the corner of the table and breaking it.

Wei Yuan's clothes were stained with wine and food because the table Li Lingsu was sitting on was the same table the night watchman Nightwatchers. When Nangong Qianrou was wiping Wei Yuan's clothes, she accidentally tore them.

Yang Qianhuan always liked to stand up halfway through a meal, facing away from everyone in the corner, only to have her head hit by her aunt's spider plant.

Xu Qi'an looked at the dark street and laughed:

"Of course, Zhong Li is a prophet, and she's plagued by bad luck."

Second Uncle Xu nodded:

"Yes, Song Qing and Chu Caiwei said the same thing. Later, you and Erlang's teacher Zhang Shen said that Confucian School Law Technique could be used to avert disaster. But he misread 'no misfortune here' as 'no jealousy or rivalry here.'"

Xu Qi'an was startled:

"You're not dead, are you?"

"They're saved!" Second Uncle Xu said.

This is also a kind of bad luck. Xu Qi'an breathed a sigh of relief and sighed inwardly.

There is no misfortune here; it is Zhong Li's bad luck that is being dispelled.

There's no "jealousy or rivalry" here; it's directed at Mu Nanzhi, the reincarnation of the Immortal Tree, the Emperor Huaiqing, and the terrestrial immortal Luo Yuheng.

Zhang Shen was indeed lucky to survive.

The reason he mispronounced it was mostly Zhong Li's fault. Of course, he had also been watching the drama with great interest for a long time, which left a deep impression on him.

As for Luo Yuheng and those fish... they're all dead!

Zhang Shen, a renowned scholar from the Cloud Deer Academy, single-handedly defeated them.

"So no matter what, I got my revenge."

Xu Qi'an put his hands on his hips and laughed loudly.

Second Uncle Xu thought for a moment, then suddenly realized:

"You did that on purpose? Hey, you little rascal, you're so cunning."

Xu Qi'an slipped out to offer toasts, deliberately omitting Zhong Li, as revenge against those who were watching the show and causing trouble. This was a plan that had been arranged before the wedding banquet even began.

Since we can't escape it, let's hurt each other.

"Oh, Duke Wei has arrived."

Xu Qi'an saw Wei Yuan leading the Nightwatchers out of the mansion in a grand procession.

Wei Yuan's face was grim, his chest stained with a large patch of oil and dirt, as well as a crack.

"Oh dear, Duke Wei, how could you be so careless?"

Xu Qi'an greeted him with a smile, lowering his voice, "This robe was made for you by the Empress Dowager, and it seems to be the only one?"

Wei Yuan glanced at him, then walked away looking displeased.

Then Zhao Shou led four great Confucian scholars out, while Zhang Shen, looking dejected, was carried on Yang Gong's back.

"Teacher, what's wrong with you?" Xu Qi'an asked, feigning surprise.

Zhao Shou laughed:

"Today was truly wonderful; the money I gave as a gift was definitely worth it."

Li Mubai, Chen Tai, and Yang Gong stroked their beards and laughed.

Zhang Shen was the one who suffered, not them; they were the ones who enjoyed watching and listening.

Xu Qi'an looked ashamed:

"It was the students' negligence that caused trouble for the teacher. I'll write a poem for you later."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shen's face lit up.

The faces of Zhao Shou and the other scholars darkened, and their smiles vanished.

After seeing off group after group of guests, Xu Qi'an knew the battle was not over yet.

Apart from Wei Yuan and the great Confucian scholars of the Cloud Deer Academy, the guests who visited were mostly people with whom he had a casual or indifferent relationship.

The first two, either holding high positions or serving as teachers, needed to maintain their image and status, so they did not choose to stay and participate in the wedding night festivities.

The members of the Heaven and Earth Society, the fish in the pond, the wicked disciples of the Bureau of Astronomy, the cronies of the brothels, the scoundrels of the martial arts alliance, and so on—this bunch of fellows are still at the mansion.

The wedding night festivities were about to begin. Xu Qi'an pinched the bridge of his nose.

In this era, the custom of "teasing the newlyweds" is prevalent in various regions, and its significance can be summarized as follows:

First, to ward off evil and avert disaster.

The idea of warding off evil spirits and disasters by teasing the bride or groom is similar to naming a child "Dog Egg"—a humble name implies a strong life and ease of raising.

Second, to enhance the relationship between the bride and her husband's family.

Third, to enhance the relationship between the bride and groom.

The second and third are similar. In an era that emphasized arranged marriages, the bride and groom were strangers, or strangers who had only met a few times.

Therefore, they need to "play around" to eliminate the awkwardness and distance between them.

Over time, the custom of "teasing the newlyweds" became a tradition.

Xu Qi'an guessed that Yang Qianhuan and Li Lingsu, those two scoundrels, would take the opportunity to make things difficult for him.

The fish will most likely take the opportunity to make things difficult for Lin'an.

But it's okay, he had anticipated all of this, and everything is still under control.

It's time to ask Protector Yuan to come out of seclusion.

This will deter these petty scoundrels and women.

"I also want to know what they're thinking. After tonight, have Senior Brother Sun protect Protector Yuan and list her as a Great Feng." Xu Qi'an stroked his chin.

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