“You trampled the flowers,” Xu Ling Yin pointed at the fox cub, shouting.

Bai Ji tilted her head, looking at her, responding in a childish feminine voice:

“I did not.

“I always play like this.”

“You did trample them.” Xu Ling Yin raised her delicate eyebrows, her expression and tone solemn, as if this was of great importance.

“I did not trample them,” Bai Ji retorted in her crisp voice.

The human child and fox cub argued for a moment before Xu Ling Yin charged forward on her short legs. Her speed was incredible, too fast for normal human eyes to follow, all thanks to her explosive muscle power.

But Bai Ji was faster, transforming into a white shadow, dodging her pounce and appearing on the right, watching her warily.

“What are you trying to do!” Bai Ji demanded loudly.

The little bean ignored her and pounced again.

Human and fox engaged in a chase around the courtyard, Xu Ling Yin’s thunderous running cracking the blue flagstones laid in the yard, while Bai Ji transformed into swift white light, darting left and right.

After a moment, the little bean realized she couldn’t catch Bai Ji and became very anxious.

When hunting with the Force Insect tribe in the Southern Borderlands, she had encountered agile animals before, but the tribespeople would always shoot them with arrows—there was no need to chase.

Now she had no bow and arrow, and she didn’t know how to use one anyway.

“Let’s stop playing!” Xu Ling Yin halted, saying with a fawning expression:

“Come here, I’ll take you to eat meat.”

Bai Ji indeed stopped, her pink tongue licking her lips as she said sweetly:

“What kind of meat?”

Xu Ling Yin spread her arms, gesturing wildly:

“Very delicious, very delicious meat. Come and you’ll see.”

As she spoke, she again showed a fawning smile.

Bai Ji was also gluttonous. Hearing there was meat to eat, she believed the little bean and ran over happily, saying sweetly:

“Meat, meat…”

The clever and brave Xu Ling Yin pounced, pinning her down:

“Got you!”

…

In the room, Mu Nanchi, sprawled on the desk, raised her head to look outside, frowning:

“I think I heard Bai Ji crying!”

The banging sound stopped as Xu Qian, his hands on Mu Nanchi’s slender waist, also looked toward the window and said:

“I heard it too.”

“Get off, get off!” Mu Nanchi reached back and pushed Xu Qian away.

She cared deeply for Bai Ji, treating her like her own child.

Xu Qian withdrew.

Mu Nanchi hurriedly lowered her skirt, bent down to pull up her silk pants, carefully arranged her clothes, and hastily left the room.

Xu Qian followed behind. The two left the room and followed the sound. After a few steps, they saw the master-disciple pair of Xu Ling Yin and Lina.

Xu Ling Yin had a wooden pole over her small shoulder, with Bai Ji tied to the other end. Bai Ji struggled while crying:

“Let me go, let me go, wuwuwu…”

The master and disciple were walking toward the kitchen.

“What are you doing!”

Mu Nanchi was shocked, lifting her skirt as she ran over to rescue Bai Ji.

“We want to eat meat.”

Xu Ling Yin watched with some regret as Aunt Mu untied Bai Ji.

… Xu Qian gave her a backhand knock on the head, scolding:

“What did I tell you in the Southern Borderlands?”

Xu Ling Yin, having been hit, held her head with both hands but showed no guilt, saying righteously:

“Elder Brother said if someone tramples the flowers, we should roast them for meat.

“She damaged the flowers Mother planted.”

Beside her, Lina wore an “as expected” expression. Her foolish disciple had finally figured it out—earlier she had been determinedly pinning crimes on Bai Ji, knowing that before eating a fox, they should first establish the crime, so no one could find fault.

Xu Qian turned to ask Bai Ji about what had happened earlier. Bai Ji described the events while crying, then accused:

“I was playing nicely, but as soon as they saw me, they caught me and tricked me, wuwuwu…”

Should I say Ling Yin’s intelligence spikes when it comes to food, or should I say that we finally have someone at the bottom of the intelligence scale in the family… Xu Qian pondered internally while poking Xu Ling Yin’s forehead, saying angrily:

“I’ll deal with you later.”

He turned to glare at Lina:

“Ling Yin doesn’t know better, but you should!”

Lina stuck out her tongue:

“We were just playing, scaring the little fox a bit. Once we got to the kitchen, I would have rescued her.”

Xu Ling Yin was greatly shocked, finally understanding her master’s evil intentions, and looked at Lina with a gaze of class betrayal.

Ling Yin hadn’t treated Bai Ji as a playmate or friend, single-mindedly wanting to eat her. This mindset needs to be corrected… Although having more “children” in the family will inevitably create friction, we can’t have them wanting to roast and eat each other at every turn… Xu Qian exhaled and pulled Xu Ling Yin away:

“Come with me!”

He led Xu Ling Yin to the courtyard, waved his hand, and a flower pot that was Aunt’s favorite flew out from the window of the east wing.

Xu Qian placed the flower pot on Xu Ling Yin’s head and said:

“Stand for two hours. If the flower on your head breaks, no meat for three days.”

“Oh!”

Xu Ling Yin stood at attention.

After warning the little bean never to think about eating the fox again, Xu Qian saw a python-robed eunuch leading a line of imperial guards entering the mansion.

The python-robed eunuch had come to deliver rewards. According to custom, a princess’s husband would be titled “Prince Consort Commander,” which was originally an official position but gradually became a standard title for imperial sons-in-law, hence the shortened form “Prince Consort.”

Besides the title, the emperor would also bestow jade belts, formal robes, silver saddles, hundreds of bolts of seven-colored silk, as well as gold, silver, and properties.

These things should have been bestowed earlier, but the Empress was busy with state affairs and truly had no time, so it was delayed until now.

After delivering the rewards, the eunuch smiled and said:

“This old servant first wishes Officer Xu happiness in his new marriage and a hundred years of harmony.”

Following custom, Xu Qian rewarded the eunuch and imperial guards with ten taels of silver each.

…

With the wedding date approaching, the Xu mansion was in busy preparation. Aunt, who managed internal affairs, was overwhelmed with work, privately complaining that while the mother could relax, she as the aunt was exhausted.

To share Aunt’s pressure, Xu Qian summoned Miao Youfang back to work like an ox and horse, while he found time to study the wedding procedures.

Since ancient times, marriage has been a major life event, hence the procedures are complex and quite troublesome.

From the proposal to the completion of the marriage, there are six ceremonial steps: first the proposal, second asking for the name, third selecting an auspicious date, fourth presenting betrothal gifts, fifth requesting the wedding date, and sixth welcoming the bride.

The first five procedures had been completed, leaving only “welcoming the bride.”

That night at the dinner table, after clinking cups with his nephew, Second Uncle Xu tentatively asked:

“For the ceremony, should we let your aunt give her position to Sister-in-law?”

Aunt’s eyes immediately reddened as she glared at her husband:

“What do you mean!”

Second Uncle Xu said:

“Since ancient times, in matters of marriage, if parents are alive, they must sit in the high seats. Sister-in-law is after all Ning Yan’s birth mother. If she stands aside while you sit there, with so many guests watching, it would affect Ning Yan’s reputation when word spreads.

“Today, the Ministry of Rites officials mentioned this matter to me.”

Aunt raised her voice, saying shrilly:

“I raised Ning Yan!”

Second Young Master chewed his food slowly and casually said:

“It indeed doesn’t conform to propriety.”

Aunt was so wronged she almost cried. These past few days she had been busy preparing for the wedding, losing quite a bit of hair, but thinking of the four siblings in the family, at least one was finally establishing their own family.

She had been quite satisfied, just waiting to accept the newlyweds’ bows, but before seeing the newlyweds, she was backstabbed by her husband and son.

Aunt glanced at Xu Ning Yan, seeing he hadn’t spoken, her nose stung and she turned her head away, saying resentfully:

“Fine, I won’t sit there.”

Second Young Master swallowed his food and said unhurriedly:

“But emotionally, Mother should sit there. Ancient wisdom says the grace of nurturing exceeds the grace of giving birth. Everyone knows Elder Brother was orphaned young and raised by Father and Mother. So even if outsiders know Aunt is still alive, no one would criticize Elder Brother.”

Xu Lingyue followed up:

“What does Elder Brother think?”

Aunt immediately looked at her unfortunate nephew.

Xu Qian smiled and said:

“Second Brother is right. If I disagreed, Aunt would probably banish me to live alone in the side courtyard again.”

Only then did Aunt feel relieved, lifting her chin with a snort.

Xu Ling Yin and Lina lowered their heads to eat, immersed in their world.

Bai Ji crouched by the table, nibbling chicken meat in small bites.

Mu Nanchi maintained an uninvolved appearance, eating seriously, but under the table, her feet occasionally kicked Xu Qian vengefully.

“Who knows the meal in the bowl, every grain comes from hard work.”

Xu Qian returned good for evil, picking up the few grains of rice from her bowl and putting them back in.

The dinner ended in a peaceful and joyful atmosphere.

…

On the same night, Ji Baiqing sat in candlelight lost in thought, her face gentle and elegantly beautiful.

Xu Yuanhuai’s schedule was as regular as the rising and setting of the sun and moon. After dinner, he would cultivate qi for half an hour before retiring early.

Xu Yuanshuang pushed open her mother’s door, saw she indeed hadn’t slept, and smiled:

“Mother, are you thinking about Elder Brother’s wedding ceremony tomorrow?”

Ji Baiqing nodded slightly and said softly:

“To this day, I still haven’t been notified. It seems I won’t have a place at the ceremony.”

Xu Yuanshuang asked gently:

“Does Mother feel regret?”

Ji Baiqing sighed and said:

“When I gave birth to him, he was just that small. In the blink of an eye, twenty-one years have passed, and now it’s time for him to establish his own family. Being able to witness his wedding, Mother has no more regrets.”

Xu Yuanshuang pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

Although Mother said she had no regrets, how could a mother truly not yearn to participate in her eldest son’s wedding day in the role of mother?

Rather than being an unremarkable spectator.

…

Bureau of Astronomy.

Li Miaozhen woke from chaos, opened her eyes, and saw Susu sitting at the table, intently reading an illustrated storybook.

The beautiful ghost wore white clothes and a white dress, her features exquisitely beautiful, her demeanor alluring and enchanting.

In terms of beauty alone, Susu was outstanding among the outstanding.

“Ah, Master, you’re awake!”

Susu happily closed her book and automatically poured a cup of warm tea, “You’ve been unconscious for five days without a drop of water, drink some tea to quench your thirst.”

Li Miaozhen was indeed parched, her lungs burning.

Even with the weakest physical body, Daoists at Tier Four had long since transcended the need for food. They could go months without food or water.

But her body was injured and in a weakened state.

After drinking a cup of warm water, Li Miaozhen exhaled in relief and asked:

“Where is this, the Xu mansion?”

“This is the Bureau of Astronomy. Junior Sister Caiwei comes every day to check your pulse, and the Holy Son disperses your excess primordial spirit power daily to prevent your consciousness sea from rupturing.” Susu sat back at the table, continuing to read her book.

Li Miaozhen closed her eyes for internal inspection. Her primordial spirit was tough and powerful like steel tempered countless times.

Though her physical body was weak, there were no major issues.

“By rights, I should be able to break through to the Transcendent Realm now, but unfortunately I cannot comprehend the Supreme Forgetting.” Li Miaozhen sighed.

For Yin Spirit to advance to Yang Spirit, the most basic requirement was sufficient toughness.

The pill that Master had fed her back then had now been fully absorbed, laying a solid foundation for her.

“The Holy Son said that Golden Lotus Daoist intends to take you into the Earth Sect to cultivate merit,” Susu turned a page and continued:

“With Master’s merit, advancing to Tier Three would be effortless. It just depends on whether you’re willing.”

Li Miaozhen pondered for a moment, then smiled:

“Of course I’m willing.”

Susu sighed in relief and said charmingly:

“I thought you would say: I’m not interested in the Earth Sect, I only want to join the Human Sect.”

Li Miaozhen asked in surprise:

“Why?”

Susu winked:

“That way, when you’re entangled by karmic fire in the future, you’ll have enough reason to dual cultivate with Xu Ning Yan. Although I’m Xu Ning Yan’s concubine, since Master also likes him, I don’t mind being a dowry maid.”

“Go away!”

Li Miaozhen scolded her, then her gaze fell on the book and she casually asked:

“What are you reading?”

Hearing this, Susu’s willow eyebrows rose as she said:

“The book tells of a scholar named Xu Ning Yan who, after achieving success in the imperial examinations, abandoned his original wife, pursued glory and wealth, and married another princess.”

Li Miaozhen could certainly hear the implication in her words and frowned:

“What happened?”

Susu humphed:

“Xu Ning Yan is marrying Princess Lin’an tomorrow.”

Li Miaozhen was stunned.

…

The first year of Huaiqing is February 27th.

Auspicious for moving house, seeking children, and marriage.

At dawn, still hours before the wedding procession would leave the mansion, both sides of the main road from the Xu mansion to the imperial city were already filled with common people waiting to watch the ceremony.

The entire capital knew that Officer Xu was marrying Princess Lin’an.

As Da Feng’s pillar of stability and the people’s pillar of the state, Officer Xu’s wedding naturally attracted much attention and universal celebration.

On this day, from the outer city to the inner city, porridge stations were set up at eight city gates, serving porridge for three days.

In the palace, Shaoyin Palace.

The Empress Dowager had people carefully check the dowry items one by one: one phoenix crown decorated with pearls, nine five-colored golden pheasants, and four phoenixes; one ceremonial robe embroidered with young chickens; one set of pearl jade pendants; one gold leather belt; jade dragon crown, jade pendant ring, northern pearl crown flower combs, seven-treasure crown flower combs…

The dowry was rich and prepared according to the highest standards.

Besides Lin’an’s noble status, Prince Consort Xu Qian’s identity also meant the royal family dared not neglect or slight him.

These matters should have been handled by the Empress, but after Huaiqing ascended to the throne, Emperor Yongxing’s Empress was deposed, and the Empress Dowager remained the ruler of the inner palace.

The Empress Dowager didn’t mind the work. Ever since Wei Yuan’s resurrection, her smiles had become more frequent, and she was no longer as coldly detached as before.

Moreover, with Imperial Consort Chen under house arrest in the inner palace and Emperor Yongxing confined in the Bureau of Astronomy—neither able to leave—the Empress Dowager had to take charge of these matters. Even if she didn’t pity Lin’an, she had to consider Xu Qian’s attitude.

After checking all the items, the Empress Dowager led a group of palace maids into Lin’an’s bedchamber.

She wanted to see if the bride was ready.