That evening, near the City God Temple in the eastern district, it was as lively as an opened night market.

Wine tables stretched from the Li family’s courtyard outward, extending all the way to the end of the street leading to the City God Temple. Every few zhang along the road, torch stands were planted, and from a distance, the City God Temple street looked as if a fire dragon had risen. The temple front was crowded with waves of common folk who had come to watch the excitement. The Li family continuously arranged for people to distribute peanuts and red dates, and the lucky ones could even grab red envelopes filled with copper coins. Adults beamed with joy, while children went completely wild with delight, weaving in and out of the crowds, their laughter and playful shouting echoing endlessly.

This joyous occasion, with the bride and groom belonging to different social classes—scholarly gentry and commoners respectively—made the seating arrangements for guests distinctly segregated, clear at a glance.

If Li Mu had merely married an ordinary daughter from a scholarly family, tonight’s wedding banquet would likely have seen not a single scholarly guest besides the host family.

But the bride was a daughter of the Gao family—this changed everything completely.

The Gao family would suffer humiliation among the scholarly clans for marrying their daughter down to a humble household, inevitably facing criticism behind their backs. However, given the Gao family’s deep foundations and previous reputation, their family influence clearly wouldn’t be significantly weakened by this marriage alliance, or rather, wouldn’t be obviously weakened in the short term or quickly replaced by other scholarly clans.

The lesser scholarly families near Jingkou, who normally had no opportunity to curry favor with the Gao family, now had a rare chance to show their loyalty to the Gaos—who would be foolish enough to offend the Gao family for the sake of maintaining class boundaries?

That evening’s banquet gathered all the prominent families near Jingkou.

It could be said that since the Great Yu dynasty’s southern migration, scholarly families condescending to actively attend banquets at commoner households—such a scene, if not unprecedented for all time, was absolutely unprecedented before tonight.

Thus, tonight’s guest seating arrangements were quite interesting.

The Li family residence had three courtyards. After entering the hanging flower gate of the second courtyard, between the left and right covered walkways was a square courtyard.

This was tonight’s main venue for the wedding banquet.

To show respect for the bride’s family, the Li family specially arranged several tables at the head position for Gao Yin to host guests.

Starting from the lower position, they arranged wine tables for their own side, extending outward like this.

Between the head and foot positions, a screen was set up as a divider.

After Gao Yin and those local scholarly families who had actively sent invitations to attend the banquet out of respect for the Gao name took their seats, tonight’s groom Li Mu came to offer toasts.

In his heart, Gao Yin was extremely dissatisfied with this brother-in-law who was several years younger than himself.

But his sister had already married over—what could he do? Moreover, this was in front of so many people at the wedding banquet.

To embarrass Li Mu would be to slap his own Gao family’s face again.

Naturally, he was courteous and polite.

Since he behaved this way, which of the remaining guests dared say anything unfavorable? So they spoke blind flattery—phrases like “made by heaven and earth” and “a match made in heaven” rolled off their tongues, and they all returned toasts to Li Mu.

Li Mu smiled broadly, accepting all who came to toast him, draining each cup completely. The crowd cheered, praising his bold spirit.

Gao Yin could only smile bitterly inside. After Li Mu left, seeing the people around him fawning and flattering with tedious words and detestable faces, his heart grew increasingly gloomy. Cup after cup of wine went down his throat, and before the banquet had ended, he was somewhat drunk. Jiangtao hurried over to escort him to his pre-arranged lodging to rest.

With Gao Yin drunk and departing, the scholarly families naturally followed suit, rising to leave together. Before they had even exited the Li family’s main gate, they began discussing Li Mu’s leveraging of gratitude to demand marriage and Gao Qiao being forced to marry off his daughter, saying, “Only someone of Lord Gao’s character—sincere as if simple, broad as if a valley, whose word carries the weight of nine tripods, who values promises like mountains—would allow him to fulfill his heart’s desire and ascend to heaven in one step. But such methods are truly despicable, utterly lacking in grace.”

Another person said, “Just a common military man—what do you expect of him? It’s not that we look down on humble commoner families, but those people’s usual behavior is indeed contemptible. Each one racks their brains, single-mindedly seeking to climb upward through scheming, presenting disgraceful spectacles. With such a good opportunity, how could Li Mu not take advantage to coerce others? It’s just pitiful for the Gao family’s daughter—I heard she has ethereal beauty and a mind full of learning, yet she’s married down to such a person. It’s truly like a cow chewing peonies—utterly ruining the scenery!” After speaking, he shook his head and sighed with a pained expression.

These few men strutted arrogantly, but they angered several people seated nearby.

Tonight’s drinkers celebrating the groom included not only neighbors but also that group of Jingkou heroes who usually called Li Mu brother.

These so-called “heroes,” frankly speaking, were originally local “tyrants” of Jingkou.

The refugee migration south involved untold hardships on the road, not to mention enormous risks. So to survive, they often banded together in groups, migrating with entire clans. Those who could shake off pursuing northern troops, pass through war zones, and finally lead their followers here were all strongmen with real capabilities.

Everyone had fled here, but the cultivable land granted by the court was limited. With bandits running rampant and local native gentry exploiting them, families trained soldiers to compete for living space, and conflicts between different clans and surnames were inevitable. Eventually, the strong emerged as leaders, gradually producing several local tyrants, most notably Sun Fangzhi of the Sun family, Dai Yuan of the Dai surname, and Guo Zhan of the Guo family.

These men’s ancestors, like Jiangtao, had all served as officials, but now fallen to this state, each attracted refugees to follow them. To compete for “leader” status, their mutual conflicts were even fiercer. Local gentry further fanned the flames, hoping they would fight among themselves, as this benefited their own land grabbing.

This was why Jingkou’s public security had been chaotic and fragmented before.

This situation only changed three years ago.

At that time, these three men set up an arena to compete for leadership through martial contest. When conflict arose during the combat, each brought their clan members and followers into the brawl. Just then, Li Mu returned from military service and, hearing the news, intervened to stop the fighting. On the arena platform, with his powerful martial skills and exceptional boldness, plus his father and grandfather’s prestige, he made the three men submit willingly and jointly acclaim Li Mu as their leader. From then on, they agreed to divide territories and call Li Mu brother, continuing to this day.

Today Li Mu was getting married, and these men brought congratulatory gifts and came happily to the banquet, seated at the head table of the lower section. Already not particularly virtuous people, and having drunk considerably, how could they tolerate hearing those scholars disparage and mock them so? All were furious, but considering this was Li Mu’s wedding banquet venue, they barely restrained their impulse to draw blades. Among them, Sun Fangzhi had the most volatile temper and immediately retorted: “You dignified scholarly families usually think highly of yourselves, considering yourselves superior to others, but when it comes to actual crisis, you can’t even save a single person and can only rely on our Li family brother charging into enemy lines to rescue people! Never mind taking a fancy to a woman—even if he demanded lives in gratitude, it would be perfectly justified. Who dares say otherwise?”

Dai Yuan, elegant and refined in scholar’s dress, tapped his chopsticks and laughed: “Fourth Brother Sun speaks truly! Lord Gao’s noble character commands Dai’s utmost respect. In the previous Jiangbei campaign, though Dai was untalented, I also led my sons across the river to join the army. Though I achieved no merit, I can say I acted without shame. I wonder which among these people ever followed Lord Gao on the Jiangbei battlefield? Since you so look down on us humble families, yet tonight come uninvited, speaking of shameless behavior and disgraceful spectacles—we truly bow in defeat!”

As his words fell, the courtyard guests all burst into hearty laughter.

The scholars were struck speechless, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

Among them, one surnamed Gu named Gu Wei had previous grievances with Dai Yuan over his sister’s marriage matters. Unable to contain himself, he charged back angrily, shouting: “Dai Yuan! We came tonight entirely out of respect for Governor Gao! If not for Governor Gao being here, do you think we would come to this banquet?”

Dai Yuan feigned surprise: “Oh my, didn’t you understand what I just said? That was precisely my meaning! If not to flatter the Gao family, why would you condescend to share a banquet with us?”

As soon as he finished speaking, another round of hearty laughter erupted from all around.

Only then did Gu Wei realize the meaning, and in shame and fury, emboldened by wine, he suddenly drew his sword and viciously thrust at Dai Yuan through gritted teeth. Several hot-blooded young scholarly sons also returned, shouting encouragement from the sidelines.

Dai Yuan rose with a flick of his sleeve, dodging the sword thrust, and said coldly: “If you want to fight, follow me outside—I’ll oblige you to the end!”

Gu Wei, blazing with fury, slashed wildly with his sword. Seeing he couldn’t hit anyone, he changed to fiercely chopping at a table in front of him. Suddenly someone gripped his wrist, his entire arm immediately went numb, his five fingers couldn’t hold the sword, and the long blade immediately fell to the ground.

The person released his wrist and casually snatched—the sword was in his hands.

Li Mu had arrived. With a “swish,” he executed a sword flourish, a snow-white mass of sword energy swept past Gu Wei’s face.

Gu Wei was greatly alarmed, instinctively covering his head, then felt weight at his waist—the long sword had been inserted back into the scabbard at his waist.

Li Mu seized the sword and returned it to its sheath—the process was lightning-fast, and before Gu Wei could react, it was over.

Coming to his senses and seeing himself still covering his head with countless gazes upon him, he awkwardly lowered his hands. Facing Li Mu, he wanted to rage and save face but lacked the courage, frozen there with his face flushed red.

Li Mu smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the group of scholars before him: “Tonight is Li’s joyous occasion. I’m deeply grateful for your honored presence, which brings glory to my humble abode. My elder brother is drunk and has been sent to rest. If you gentlemen wish to remain, Li Mu will drink whatever wine is offered—why not risk life to accompany gentlemen? If you have no intention of staying, I respectfully escort you out. If you have words to say, wait until tomorrow when my elder brother sobers up—you can seek him out then. What do you gentlemen think?”

Those scholarly families were somewhat intimidated by him. Seeing he had given them a graceful exit, they quickly took advantage of it, offering farewells one after another. Gu Wei glared fiercely at Dai Yuan before hastily departing with the crowd.

Li Mu escorted them a few steps. After the scholars left, he turned to the other guests and smiled: “It’s nothing! Everyone continue—tonight we don’t return until drunk!”

Everyone laughed heartily and responded enthusiastically, raising cups and toasting, becoming lively again.

Sun Fangzhi and Dai Yuan exchanged glances and laughingly pulled Li Mu over, determined to pour more wine into him with the attitude of not stopping until they had thoroughly intoxicated him. Fortunately, Guo Zhan, the eldest and most steady of the three, knew he had already drunk considerably tonight and blocked for him, letting him leave.

Li Mu finally escaped. Amid his brothers’ teasing laughter behind him, he headed toward the bridal chamber in the eastern wing. Walking along the covered corridor, he saw from afar the dim red lamplight glowing from that room door. His steps gradually slowed and stopped. He stood still for a moment, then finally stepped forward again, walking toward that door.

A’Ju stood straight at the doorway with seven or eight servants and maids on both sides. Seeing Li Mu approach, the servants and maids curtsied to him.

Li Mu stopped opposite A’Ju.

A’Ju hesitated, then spoke in a low voice: “Master Li, my young mistress was tired from the journey and has just rested, falling asleep. Please wait a moment, Master—I’ll go in immediately and wake her.” She turned to push the door open.

“No need. I can go in myself.”

Li Mu said.

By the light from the red lantern overhead, A’Ju examined his appearance.

Although his speech was clear and his tone sounded calm, his face bore the heavy flush of alcohol—he had obviously drunk considerably this evening.

“I’d better wake her first—”

She frowned, suppressing the increasingly strong dissatisfaction in her heart.

She was uneasy about leaving A’Mi, who had fallen asleep, alone with this possibly half-drunk man.

Even though this man was now her husband.

Who knew how roughly he might treat the delicate young mistress she had watched grow up?

After speaking, she turned to go inside again, but just as she raised her hand, an arm reached out beside her, a palm pressing against the door ring, blocking her path.

“No need to trouble yourself. I’ll go in myself.”

Li Mu repeated, his tone still calm.

A’Ju slowly turned her head and gazed at this man for a moment.

He wasn’t consulting with her, much less requesting.

In the two gazes he cast at her, she read an commanding, irresistible meaning.

A’Ju bit her teeth. Finally, she slowly stepped aside.

Li Mu gently pushed open the half-closed door, lifted his foot, and stepped across the threshold.

…

Luoshen hadn’t expected she would sleep so heartlessly and carelessly.

Perhaps from the day she learned the marriage was confirmed until tonight, during all these days, she had constantly felt unsettled, thinking of this and that, yet unable to think of anything that could truly calm her heart, so she felt doubly agitated.

She was truly a bit tired.

Tonight with everything settled, having been delivered to the bridal chamber anyway, her mind was instead blank. Combined with traveling by waterway, spending several days in the swaying boat cabin, the moment her body touched the stable and soft bed beneath her, her whole being relaxed and she sank into sweet dreams, not even dreaming once.

This was probably the best sleep she’d had in these past days.

She didn’t know how long she had slept before waking.

She only vaguely remembered that when she had just lain down, her ears could still catch the faint sounds of revelry from the banquet outside, and the pair of wedding candles in the room had only burned down about an inch.

But now, her ears were completely quiet without any sound, so still it felt almost unreal.

Her eyelids moved slightly, her lashes trembled lightly, and she slowly opened her eyes. In her drowsiness, she felt as if there was a dark shadow looming before her, seemingly in human form…

She steadied herself and suddenly opened her eyes wide, instantly becoming fully alert. Her whole body seemed pricked by a needle as she quickly sat up.

Just moments before, when she had awakened, she had met a pair of eyes looking down at her from above.

These were a man’s eyes.

He had his back to the candlelight, his gaze deep and dark.

Perhaps because he was backlit, his expression seemed veiled with a faint shadow.

The candlelight outlined his body as an enlarged black silhouette cast upon her.

This man had been sitting by the bed watching her sleep, silent and soundless—who knew for how long.

What a terrifying feeling.

She didn’t know how she could have slept so deeply, completely unaware that someone had entered the room.

Luoshen’s small hands instinctively gripped the slipping blanket corner tightly, wrapping around her body.

Her face was slightly pale, her heart pounding. She stared wide-eyed at this strange man before her who had startled her greatly.

He was her new husband Li Mu—she knew this.

During the day at the dock, she had only seen him from afar. Now, finally, she could see his appearance clearly.

Seeing her awake, he stood up. The dark shadow cast by the candlelight behind him became even larger, swaying with his movement and enveloping her entirely within it.

“A’Mi, you’re awake?”

He smiled slightly, bending down toward her, calling her pet name. His voice was low yet unexpectedly gentle, and the gloomy aura that had made Luoshen feel somewhat chilled to the bone completely dissipated without a trace.