As the sun slowly moved westward, Xu Qi’an, wearing his Prince Consort’s formal attire, waited at the mansion gates with Second Uncle and several servants to welcome wedding feast guests.

Soon, he saw a group of familiar faces—Magistrate Zhu, Secretary Li, Chief Wang, and others from Langle County.

Xu Qi’an’s mind flashed back to his early days in Great Feng when Chief Wang and Secretary Li had first introduced him to the pleasure houses. During that time, Old Wang and Old Li had lost a silver tael every day…

“This humble official Zhu Ming pays respects to Officer Xu,” Magistrate Zhu hurried forward and bowed deeply.

Chief Wang and the others offered formal greetings.

Xu Qi’an welcomed them with a broad smile:

“Why are you still at Langle County? Old Zhu, the court nurtures scholars for a hundred years precisely so you can dedicate yourselves to serving the nation. You mustn’t slack off!”

Magistrate Zhu’s heart bloomed with joy, but he suppressed his delight and bowed:

“Officer Xu’s guidance is wise.”

After some small talk, Magistrate Zhu led Chief Wang and the others to follow a Xu family servant inside.

Old Zhu’s steps were almost floating. He had toiled diligently in Langle County for many years without seeing hope for promotion. Officer Xu’s words just now were meant to help advance his career.

After receiving the Langle County group, Xu Qi’an soon welcomed the second batch of guests. A large, luxurious carriage stopped at the street side. The driver brought out a small stool, and three people descended from the carriage—Wang Simu and two young masters from the Wang mansion.

“Father is unwell and cannot travel, so he sent us three siblings to congratulate Officer Xu on his marriage,” Wang Simu bowed to his uncle and nephew.

“Sister-in-law is being too formal. Just call me Big Brother. Please, come in,” Xu Qi’an warmly led Wang Simu inside, smiling broadly:

“I’ll arrange a special seat for my sister-in-law later, please don’t refuse.”

Wang Simu maintained her smile, but her heart inexplicably sank, feeling something unsettling about Officer Xu’s smile.

Just as he had servants lead Wang Simu and her two brothers inside, he turned to see Second Uncle greeting the third batch of guests.

They were the masters and chiefs of the Martial Arts Alliance, among whom Xiao Yuenu was most eye-catching with her gauzy veil and flowing skirts. Even without seeing her face, her bearing and figure were outstanding.

After receiving the invitations, they arrived in the capital several days early and stayed at the city’s guest houses.

These masters and chiefs now all held official positions. Though these positions held no real power, having nominal official status allowed them convenient travel anywhere and access to guest houses.

“Elder Kou didn’t come?”

Though Xu Qi’an had expected this, he still displayed displeasure.

“Elder Kou is in closed cultivation and asked us to convey his congratulations to Officer Xu,” Xiao Yuenu said softly.

Xu Qi’an glanced at her, nodded, and said:

“Please, everyone, come in!”

He didn’t say more, letting servants lead the Martial Arts Alliance members inside, because he saw Song Qing and Chu Caiwei from the Celestial Observatory, as well as Yang Qianhuan who was facing away from the mansion, using short-distance teleportation instead of walking.

After all, turning one’s back on the masses projected dignity, but walking backward would just look ridiculous and destroy the image.

“Senior Brother Song, Senior Brother Yang, Caiwei, you’ve arrived!”

Xu Qi’an’s face broke into an enthusiastic smile as he went to welcome them.

Chu Caiwei kept glancing inside and asked in a sweet voice:

“Has the feast started?”

Song Qing smiled:

“Junior Sister Caiwei has been hungry since last night.”

Perfect, exactly like Li Na Lingyin—did you three plan this? Xu Qi’an smiled and said:

“At sunset, at sunset.”

Song Qing said solemnly:

“Why wouldn’t you let me give you a wedding gift, Young Master Xu?”

Would I dare accept anything you send? It would either be some strange alchemical creation or a life-sized doll… Xu Qi’an’s mind was full of retorts, but he smiled and said:

“With our friendship, Senior Brother Song needn’t stand on ceremony.”

Finally, it was Yang Qianhuan’s turn. He cleared his throat and began to recite:

“Holding the bright moon to pluck stars, in this world…”

Before he could finish, Xu Qi’an cut him off:

“Senior Brother Song, Junior Sister Caiwei, please go in! Senior Sister Zhong is waiting for you inside. Oh? Isn’t this Senior Brother Yang? Why are you still standing there?”

You dog, old grudges and new hatred, today we’ll settle accounts. Just wait… Yang Qianhuan secretly vowed, his pure light flickering as he followed Song Qing and Chu Caiwei inside.

After seeing off the Observatory Master’s disciples, Xu Qi’an looked toward the end of the street, his expression stiffening slightly as he took a deep breath and went to welcome them.

“Miaozhen, Holy Child, welcome welcome.”

Li Miaozhen wore Daoist robes with a sword on her back, her expression blank.

The Holy Child approached with a broad smile, first offering congratulations in rapid succession, then turned to scold Li Miaozhen:

“Junior Sister, who are you making that sour face for? Isn’t Officer Xu’s wedding a tremendously joyous occasion? Aren’t Officer Xu and Princess Lin’an a match made in heaven? Officer Xu just saved your life, yet you make such a face—truly inconsiderate.”

Li Miaozhen glanced at Xu Qi’an and smiled:

“Congratulations to Officer Xu on winning his princess bride!”

She rarely wore such an insincere smile.

Li Lingsu said seriously:

“Junior Sister must show mercy later when we crash the bridal chamber.”

I guessed right, Li Lingsu and Yang Qianhuan are plotting something… Xu Qi’an laughed coldly inside as he led the siblings in.

Guests arrived batch after batch as dusk slowly fell.

As the first lanterns were lit, he finally saw Wei Yuan’s carriage slowly approach, driven by the feminine Nangong, with Jiang Luzhong, Zhang Kaitai, and other Gold-rank officers riding horses on either side, followed by Silver and Bronze-rank officers.

Xu Qi’an took a deep breath and went forward to welcome them.

Nangong Qianrong stopped the carriage at the street side and, seeing him approach, instinctively made way.

She couldn’t afford to offend this person anymore.

Xu Qi’an set up the footstool, opened the carriage door, and helped Wei Yuan down, smiling:

“Lord Wei, this humble officer has waited long for you.”

Wei Yuan rarely attended weddings or funerals, but he had to come to Xu Qi’an’s wedding.

After alighting, Wei Yuan turned to look back at the carriage.

From within emerged a face as cold and beautiful as a painting. She wore men’s clothes without makeup, but this did not diminish her beauty, instead adding an androgynous charm.

Since ancient times, beautiful women in men’s attire have always possessed a moving allure.

Xu Qi’an’s expression slowly froze. “Your Majesty?”

He thought to himself, you’re the supreme ruler—why aren’t you staying in the palace instead of attending a wedding?

This doesn’t follow protocol!

Huaiqing said coolly:

“Lin’an is my beloved sister. On her wedding day, I’ve come to share in the celebration. Does Officer Xu object?”

She came, after all, no avoiding it… Xu Qi’an forced a smile:

“You’re most welcome!”

Wei Yuan patted his shoulder and said slowly, “During the feast, I must sit near Her Majesty.”

Xu Qi’an nodded first, then asked:

“Why is that?”

Wei Yuan smiled kindly and silently mouthed two words as he walked into the mansion with flowing sleeves.

“Watch the show!”

…Xu Qi’an suddenly didn’t want to escort him in anymore and let Second Uncle take over.

A moment later, Daoist Jin Lian arrived with the members of the Tiandi Society.

Chu Yuanzhen’s first words upon seeing Xu Qi’an were:

“I want to sit with Number One and Number Two.”

Are you here to watch the show too… Xu Qi’an cursed internally while maintaining an elegant and polite smile as he escorted the Tiandi Society members inside.

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

Xu Qi’an examined Yang Gong and smiled knowingly:

“Congratulations, Teacher, on advancing to Transcendent.”

Yang Gong…

The Xu mansion had four courtyards and three halls. Guests were arranged in different locations according to their status and official rank.

The Xu clan members, for instance, were seated in the great hall between the inner and outer courtyards, while those from Langle County and lower-ranking officials were seated in the outer courtyard.

Those of the sixth rank and above were arranged in the eastern court of the inner courtyard, while the Bronze and Silver-rank officers were in the western court, adjacent to the Martial Arts Alliance members.

As for Xu Qi’an’s close friends, they sat in the core inner hall.

The inner hall had five tables.

One table seated Wei Yuan, Nangong Qianrong, Jiang Luzhong, and other Gold-rank officers. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, due to their deep friendship with Xu Qi’an, were exceptionally allowed to sit with the Gold-rank officers.

As for Li Yuchun, for the sake of his mental health, Xu Qi’an had sent him to the western court to sit with the Silver and Bronze-rank officers.

One table was for the Xu family—the Second Uncle, the Second Aunt, Ji Baiqing, the Xu Yuanshuang siblings, and the Xu Lingye sisters.

One table seated the four great scholars from Cloud Deer Academy, Zhao Shou, Xu Er’lang, Song Qing, and Yang Qianhuan.

One table had Daoist Jin Lian, Asura, Master Hengyuan, Chu Yuanzhen, Miao Youfang, Li Lingsu, and Li Na’s brother Mo Sang.

Worth mentioning, after the war, Mo Sang had been granted an official position and didn’t want to return to the Southern Borderlands, currently serving in the Imperial Guard.

The last table was the most formidable: Huaiqing, Zhong Li, Li Miaozhen, Mu Nanchi, Li Na, Chu Caiwei, and Wang Simu.

Wang Simu looked around uneasily, feeling out of place among these women.

Li Lingsu was laughing inside, thinking this dog Xu Ning Yan actually arranged for him to sit with these women—did he want to die faster?

He had thought Xu Ning Yan would banish him and Brother Yang to some quiet corner, and he had been prepared to brazenly make his way to the “main event.”

How could the Holy Child miss such a good opportunity? Life’s greatest joy was to sit with his enemy’s former lovers at his wedding feast and fan the flames.

The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat strange.

Xu Er’lang transmitted:

“Big Brother, why did you arrange for Simu to sit with all the sisters-in-law?”

“We need someone clever to mediate,” Xu Qi’an replied.

“Father, something seems off about the atmosphere.”

Nangong Qianrong glanced at the table of women, then at the other tables, noticing that Li Lingsu, Chu Yuanzhen, Xu Er’lang, Miao Youfang, and others would occasionally steal glances at that table, their eyes hiding eager anticipation.

Wei Yuan simply smiled.

“Second Brother, what’s the story with these young ladies?”

Ji Baiqing had a sharp eye. Just looking at the expressionless faces of the women at that table, she knew something was amiss.

Well, not all were expressionless—the girl from the Southern Borderlands and the one in yellow was eating with great gusto, their mouths gleaming with oil.

Additionally, she was puzzled as to why Mu Nanchi was sitting there.

Shouldn’t Little Ru’s sworn sister be sitting at their table?

Second Uncle Xu thought for a moment and transmitted:

“Well, well…

“Several of them were quite close to Ning Yan, um, including Her Majesty.”

Ji Baiqing suddenly understood.

The Cloud Deer Academy scholars were the most normal, drinking and eating as they should.

“Oh? There are still two empty seats.”

Li Lingsu looked at the two vacant spots beside Li Miaozhen and smiled: “Ning Yan, who are those seats for?”

Xu Qi’an, as the groom, was currently sitting beside Wei Yuan. Hearing this, he answered:

“Oh, those are for the Imperial Preceptor. She should be arriving soon.”

Just as he spoke, a golden light descended from the sky into the inner hall, transforming into Luo Yuhen’s form.

She was devastatingly beautiful, like an immortal maiden.

Huaiqing, Li Miaozhen, Xu Lingye, Zhong Li, and others glanced lightly at the Terrestrial Immortal without speaking.

Li Lingsu’s smile inevitably widened, more enthusiastic than the groom himself as he hurriedly stood up, his grin reaching his ears:

“Imperial Preceptor, come, come sit!”

After Luo Yuhen sat down, she glanced at Xu Qi’an but said nothing.

Seeing everyone had arrived, Li Lingsu cleared his throat.

At another table, Yang Qianhuan received the signal to attack and exclaimed loudly:

“Ning Yan was such a romantic figure in his youth, talented and handsome. Now that he’s married Lin’an, how many grieving women must be secretly weeping, heartbroken! How pitiful, how pitiful!”

After the initiator Yang Qianhuan finished, the finisher Li Lingsu put down his wine cup and retorted:

“How can Brother Yang say such things?

“Ning Yan has always been deeply and exclusively devoted to Princess Lin’an. If other women cry, let them cry—what does that have to do with Ning Yan? They’re just vulgar women trying to climb the social ladder.”