Xu Yuanshuang wasn’t afraid of Xu Lingyue. Although Mother had always warned her not to provoke the First Daughter of the Second House, Xu Yuanshuang thought, even if she did, what of it? Would Elder Brother blame her over such a small matter?

When it came to women’s schemes and rivalries, as long as a bottom line was maintained, men couldn’t be bothered to care.

Besides, she and this cousin weren’t like those women fighting over men’s affections—how far could their conflict go?

Mother was just being too cautious, afraid that conflicts would upset Elder Brother.

Xu Lingyue spoke in a gentle tone:

“For Elder Brother’s wedding, the guests are either high officials or regional heroes. How can we present invitation cards written in such a delicate hand? Elder Brother’s status is exceptional, he might not care about these things, but as his sister, shouldn’t I know better?”

Xu Yuanshuang had just picked up the brush when she froze, her expression awkward.

Ah, suddenly checkmated… Xu Qian immediately looked toward his birth mother, finding her smiling as if completely unconcerned about her daughter’s predicament.

She wants me to resolve this awkwardness… Xu Qian wasn’t going to argue over such a small matter. While sighing that with more women in the family, the drama was indeed getting better, he smiled and said:

“Lingyue scalded her hand yesterday and can’t hold a brush. As for Aunt Mu, she seems quite tired from last night, so let’s not trouble her.”

He gave Mu Nanchi a subtle wink.

Understanding his implication, Mu Nanchi maintained her composure, keeping an elder’s gentle smile, while under the table, her embroidered shoe mercilessly kicked Xu Qian.

Their eye contact was very discreet. In front of the family, Xu Qian always positioned himself as a junior, addressing the Flower Goddess as “Auntie” whenever he spoke to her.

Besides not wanting to see Mu Nanchi socially humiliated, he had other thoughts. By putting the Flower Goddess in an elder’s position, she would have no legitimate reason to cause trouble on his wedding day.

Given the Flower Goddess’s tsundere and face-saving personality, she would find it hard to do anything embarrassing in public, likely suppressing her anger and settling accounts with him in private.

As long as things appeared harmonious on the surface, Xu Qian wasn’t afraid of her private antics. When the time came, he would thrust forward with his spear, and the Flower Goddess would become weak-kneed and soft.

All her fighting spirit would vanish.

“Yuanshuang, write one copy for me first, and when Second Brother returns, let him make another copy.”

Xu Yuanshuang gracefully took the opportunity to back down, smiling sweetly.

On the other side, Aunt led the little bean by the hand, pushing her in front of Ji Baiqing, beaming:

“Sister-in-law, this is my youngest daughter, Ling Yin.”

Ji Baiqing examined the round-faced, simple-looking little bean and praised:

“She looks clever and quick-witted, just like Lingyue. Both of Xiao Ru’s daughters are wonderful, very wonderful!”

Pft… Xu Qian almost laughed out loud, thinking this was killing two birds with one stone—subtly mocking Lingyue to avenge Yuanshuang while pleasing Aunt.

Xu Lingyue’s face was expressionless, a rare expression for her.

Aunt was overjoyed, patting the little bean’s head, beaming:

“Our Ling Yin has been clever since she was little.

“Quick, call her Aunt.”

Sister-in-law knows how to speak—she’s the first to praise Ling Yin’s intelligence.

“Aunt!” the little bean called out loudly.

Then she turned to look at her mother, puzzled:

“What’s an aunt?”

She had never had an aunt before and didn’t know what position “aunt” held.

Aunt was going to say that an aunt is Elder Uncle’s wife, but thinking of Xu Pingfeng made her hate him, so she changed her words:

“Aunt is Elder Brother’s mother.”

Xu Ling Yin was greatly surprised, her mouth agape:

“So I have two mothers?”

Aunt almost wanted to cover her face but tried to save face by saying:

“Ling Yin is still young, she’s always thought First Young Master was her blood brother.”

In Xu Ling Yin’s eyes, she had always had two brothers and one sister, it had been this way since she was little. Sometimes she would wonder why Elder Brother called her parents Aunt and Second Uncle.

But she didn’t think too much about it.

Everyone had their way of addressing each other.

Indeed a dull child… Xu Yuanshuang and Xu Yuanhuai thought.

Ji Baiqing maintained her smile, showing no change in expression, and took the opportunity to say:

“It’s time to start her education. Second Young Master is busy with official duties, and there’s no tutor in the house. Why not let Yuanshuang teach her to read and write?”

After she finished speaking, she noticed the Xu family members staring at her with strange expressions, including her eldest son Xu Qian.

“What’s inappropriate about that?”

She frowned.

Aunt gave a dry laugh, looking troubled:

“Ling Yin, well… is somewhat slow. Let’s forget about it.”

Aunt was a kind person who wouldn’t set up her own family.

Although she said Ling Yin had been clever since childhood, she knew in her heart that her Ling Yin was perhaps slightly slower than other children her age.

Xu Yuanshuang, while writing invitation cards, said:

“Aunt, it’s no trouble. Although I don’t have Second Brother’s talent, I’ve studied since childhood. Teaching Ling Yin won’t be a problem.”

With things said to this point, Aunt couldn’t refuse and had to agree.

Throughout the process, Xu Lingyue hadn’t said a word—she wouldn’t appear so “vicious” in front of Elder Brother.

Besides, anyone who heard about Ling Yin’s difficulty in learning thought they could succeed, whether it was the Imperial Tutor the academy’s teachers, or even Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen, they all thought so.

Xu Lingyue felt that even without her stirring things up, this cousin would be like everyone else, and sure enough, she was.

Xu Yuanshuang nodded with satisfaction, then asked:

“I heard Ling Yin has been learning insect arts in the Southern Borderlands with this young lady?”

This young lady hadn’t spoken a word.

Aunt said:

“It was all First Young Master’s decision. He said since Ling Yin doesn’t like studying and has no talent for martial arts, we could only send her to learn insect arts.”

Ji Baiqing smiled:

“It’s fine if her talent is a bit lacking, diligence can make up for natural deficiencies. First Young Master probably doesn’t have time to teach her martial arts anymore, when there’s time, Yuanhuai could teach her. After all, Yuanhuai is a Tier Five expert—having such a talented elder brother, we shouldn’t waste the opportunity.”

She believed that First Young Master had no time or interest in teaching a child, and Second Brother Xu Pingzhi was the same.

This was where Yuanhuai’s Tier Five Transformation Force could prove useful.

Moreover, Tier Five practitioners were considered experts anywhere, and being willing to teach a child martial arts could show their goodwill toward Ling Yin.

Lina bluntly said:

“He’s not qualified to teach Ling Yin.”

This direct hit stunned the birth mother, making her expression somewhat awkward.

Xu Yuanshuang frowned:

“Yuanhuai is Tier Five and not far from Tier Four, how is he not qualified?”

Lina puffed her cheeks, humming and hawing:

“Well, I’m Tier Four, and my father is Tier Three. We’re enough to teach Ling Yin. What’s a mere Tier Five trying to get involved for?”

She didn’t care about teaching Xu Ling Yin to read, but when it came to teaching Xu Ling Yin cultivation, Lina disagreed.

This was not taking me, her master, seriously.

“Tier Three?!”

Xu Yuanshuang was stunned, probing: “Your father is Tier Three, and he’s also teaching Ling Yin insect arts?”

She reassessed Lina, realizing that this Southern Borderlands girl who had been eating constantly might not be so simple.

Xu Qian chimed in:

“The Dragon Chart Leader is also Ling Yin’s master.”

Xu Yuanshuang glanced at her mother and brother, finding their expressions as surprised and curious as her own.

This was different from the rumors—wasn’t this youngest sister supposed to be dull-witted? Why would a Tier Three expert teach a dull disciple?

Ji Baiqing examined the simple-looking little bean and asked:

“How is Ling Yin’s insect arts training going?”

Lina proudly lifted her chin:

“Ling Yin’s physical strength now equals a Tier Eight warrior, and by year’s end, she’ll be able to fight at Tier Seven. Her talent is excellent.”

Aunt was greatly surprised, looking at the little bean with delight:

“You’re almost catching up to your father!”

Xu Qian smiled:

“Ling Yin is a genius in the Force Insect sect.”

Even the Insect God had designs on her.

Currently at Tier Eight, Tier Seven by year’s end, and Elder Brother didn’t contradict it… Xu Yuanshuang stared blankly at the child who wasn’t even as tall as the table, suddenly feeling like she had wasted her nineteen years of life.

Tier Eight at seven years old?!

Could there be a Tier Eight at seven years old?

This was the dull child everyone in the Xu household spoke of.

Were all three children from the Second House so terrifyingly talented… Ji Baiqing was secretly shocked. She had thought Xu Lingyue and Xu Xinnian were already outstanding, but who would have thought that the brother and sister might not even be worthy of tying the youngest child’s shoes?

At seven years old, I was still tempering my blood energy and hadn’t even reached any tier… Xu Yuanhuai seemed stimulated, clenching his fists, eager to return to his courtyard to practice.

The mother and children realized that this child might be the most talented person in the Xu family aside from First Young Master.

“Mother, I want to go play outside.”

Xu Ling Yin didn’t like staying here and listening to adults talk.

“Go ahead!” Aunt cautioned: “Don’t trample the flower beds.”

“What happens if I trample them?” Xu Ling Yin probed.

“Then we’ll roast you and eat you up,” Xu Qian teased.

Xu Ling Yin ran away frightened.

Lina followed her out, snatching the pastries from the table as she went.

…

With the wedding date approaching, Aunt had a pile of things to busy herself with—this was the duty of the household mistress. Her only helper, Xu Lingyue, was working passively, so Aunt took this opportunity to keep her Sister-in-law to help.

Ji Baiqing was certainly willing, after all, it was her eldest son getting married.

Xu Qian took a stack of written invitation cards and returned to his room. He needed to check for any omissions—all friends who should be invited must be invited, none could be missed.

First were those from the court, only inviting several key members of the Wei faction, such as Censor Zhang Xingying and Liu Hong.

From the Wang faction, Former Prime Minister Wang Zhenwen must be invited, but he would likely send Wang Simu to attend the wedding feast and not attend personally.

There were many to invite from the Night Watchmen’s Office—nine Golden Gongs, as well as close colleagues like Song Tingfeng, Zhu Guangxiao, and Li Yuchun.

Among them, Brother Chun had OCD—Clock Li couldn’t appear within ten meters of him.

All these needed to be arranged by him, the protagonist.

Colleagues from his time as a runner in Changle County also needed to be invited—don’t forget old friends when successful, that’s basic human decency.

Several great scholars from Cloud Deer Academy and Principal Zhao needed to be invited too. One thing to note was that no poetry could be composed at the wedding feast no matter what, or the great scholars might start fighting regardless of the occasion, which would be troublesome.

Several people from the Bureau of Astronomy naturally needed to be invited too. Yang Qianxuan would need a separate small table, facing the wall, back to the guests.

“I’ll need to keep Clock Li by my side at all times, otherwise there might be bloodshed at the wedding which wouldn’t be good. If I invite Senior Brother Sun, Guardian Yuan will likely come too—no, if it comes, the wedding won’t be able to proceed.

“If Song Qing wants to come, I need to tell him in advance not to bring gifts. I’m afraid he might bring a ‘cloned version of Luo Yuheng.’

“The Heaven and Earth Society members are all in the capital, they won’t be absent.”

Then there were friends from the martial arts world—those who truly caught his eye and had that kind of friendship were only people from the Martial Arts Alliance.

“Better not call the people from the Southern Borderlands. I just slept with Luan Yu, if she comes too, that would be a disaster. Besides, I’m worried Dragon Chart might bring the entire tribe to eat at the feast…

“Ah, what kind of people are these!”

Xu Qian pinched his brow.

“Creeak~~”

The door was pushed open, and Mu Nanchi entered with a cold face, holding dates in her hand, eating while coldly laughing:

“Oh, Officer Xu hasn’t finished writing invitation cards yet? Does Aunt Mu need to help write them?”

“Yes, yes!” Xu Qian smiled:

“I still need one more. Hmm, I need to invite the Northern Garrison Commander’s wife Mu Nanchi to drink wedding wine at the mansion.”

Mu Nanchi “fiercely” said:

“I’ll expose your lecherous misdeeds in front of all the guests, tell them how you defiled me, possessed me, you shameless man.”

Xu Qian wore an innocent expression:

“Aunt Mu, why are you being vulgar?

“Can’t you act more like an elder?”

Mu Nanchi was furious, pouncing over with claws extended to scratch his face.

But Xu Qian twisted both her hands behind her back and pressed her against the table.

As they tussled, the desk began to shake bang-bang.

…

In the courtyard, Xu Ling Yin and Lina sat at the stone table sharing pastries.

“Master, I want to eat meat.”

Xu Ling Yin’s mouth was full of pastries as she wheedled: “Help me find some, okay?”

Lina, her mouth also full of pastries, glanced at her:

“You just want me to go look for meat so you can eat all these pastries by yourself, right?”

Xu Ling Yin looked at Lina warily, not expecting her master to know her thoughts. Master was amazing.

Lina mumbled:

“I want to eat meat too, but it’s not time for lunch yet. If we were in the Southern Borderlands, the master would take you hunting.”

Master and disciple both sighed. At this moment, there came a rustling sound from the flower bed, and shortly after, an adorable fox cub emerged.

Three pairs of eyes met.