A strange atmosphere permeated the hall as if brewing some emotion, waiting to reach a critical point before erupting.

Yang Qianxuan’s gaze swept across the crowd from beneath his hood, paying particular attention to the table of competing beauties. He had figured it out – Li Lingsu wasn’t wrong, these women all wanted to disrupt the wedding to varying degrees.

But due to various reasons, they couldn’t directly sabotage it.

So they had to “put on an act,” each playing their unique cards, venting their spite – in short, they wouldn’t let Xu Ningyan and Princess Lin’an have an easy time.

Yang Qianxuan looked at Xu Qi’an again, seeing his overwhelmed expression, and Elder Brother Yang felt satisfied…

Once this matter spread, that Xu fellow’s reputation for being hopelessly lecherous would be cemented. With this stain, he could use it to thoroughly blacken Xu Ningyan’s name.

Xu Qi’an was indeed overwhelmed, now engaged in a battle of wits with the fish in his pond.

The fish harbored ulterior motives, being both allies and enemies, while he and the fish were enemies, yet he needed to keep their emotions stable.

Huaiqing’s move was particularly devious – she directly triggered the fish’s emotions, stimulating them to go berserk.

For instance, the Flower Goddess might remove her bracelet and make a scene, accusing him of being fickle and unfaithful; Li Miaozhen might storm off with cutting remarks; the Imperial Teacher might draw her sword to cut him down; or Lin’an might hear the news and rush out to create drama, forcing him to send away the fox women…

How sinister indeed.

At the same time, Xu Qi’an suspiciously observed Ye Ji – this wasn’t like her style at all.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox had mentioned sending him a gift before, and Xu Qi’an had waved his hands in refusal while opening the bag, saying: “No, no.”

His attitude was clear – just leave a few fox ladies in the Southern Borderlands, and he would visit when he had time.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox hadn’t responded then, and Xu Qi’an had taken her silence as agreement, not expecting her to save this move for now.

*Sending eighteen fox women – you’re ruining my reputation, making people think I’m so lecherous I won’t spare any female around me… If this gets out, they’ll think I’m depraved enough to go after female horses…* Xu Qi’an pondered while scanning the crowd, trying to find an ally to help smooth things over.

Lingyue looked angry – couldn’t count on her; his birth mother was still “newly arrived” and shouldn’t try to pull rank; Miao Youfang was playing dead, and his combat power was too weak to even qualify as cannon fodder.

Aunt had the status and position but completely lacked fighting power.

Zhong Li examined Ye Ji, her brows gradually furrowing beneath her scattered hair.

“Greetings to Xu the Magistrate!”

Except for Ye Ji, the seventeen fox women curtsied gracefully, smiling sweetly:

“We are now Young Master Xu’s people.”

Beautiful women were naturally hostile to each other. Seeing the fox women’s coquettish behavior, not just Mu Nanzhi and her group, but even outsiders like Wang Simu, Xu Yuanshuang, and Aunt felt displeasure.

Xu Qi’an seized the opportunity:

“I’m extremely grateful that all the young ladies could attend my wedding. After the wine ceremony, I’ll send you back to the Southern Borderlands.

“The Nation Lord’s kindness is too much to accept.”

Ye Ji covered her mouth and laughed lightly:

“Young Master Xu is being proper again. These are all your concubines from the Southern Borderlands – what, now that you’re in the Central Plains, you don’t want them anymore?”

!!!

Xu Qi’an was shocked.

At these words, the men in the hall developed strange, ambiguous looks.

Though Xu Qi’an wasn’t the emperor, this harem scale far exceeded the emperor’s.

*Now I understand why Li Lingsu resents Big Brother so much.*

Second Young Master Xu thought to himself.

Mu Nanzhi gently pressed her bracelet, suddenly feeling the urge to perish together with this unfaithful man.

She could tolerate Luo Yuheng, partly out of helplessness, but also because the other party was at least a Terrestrial Immortal, qualified to stand as her equal.

As for marrying Lin’an, she was now full of anger and resentment, wanting nothing more than to scratch Xu Ningyan’s face.

And now he wanted to keep these vulgar vixens in his mansion?

Did he think she had no temper?!

Luo Yuheng’s mindset was similar to her “good sister” – she could tolerate one Flower Goddess, but was unwilling to tolerate a second Lin’an, let alone these types.

The other fish had similar thoughts.

Xu Qi’an, as an experienced pond master, immediately noticed when Li Lingsu’s smile began spreading uncontrollably, and naturally sensed the crisis within.

He was about to speak, to expose Ye Ji’s identity when he heard Zhong Li say softly:

“You’re Fuxiang? No, who’s controlling you?”

Everyone in the hall was stunned by Zhong Li’s words, all turning to look at her, then all turning to look at Ye Ji.

Fuxiang?

This woman was Fuxiang? That lover of Xu Ningyan?

Hadn’t she died long ago? Besides, Fuxiang didn’t look like this and wasn’t even a yokai.

Very few people knew that Ye Ji was Fuxiang.

Being controlled?

What did that mean – who was controlling Fuxiang, and why control her?

As these thoughts swirled, Zhong Li suddenly screamed in pain, falling into Chu Caiwei’s arms, crying miserably:

“My eyes, my eyes have gone blind…”

Chu Caiwei was greatly startled and hurriedly brushed aside her senior sister’s hair, finding her eyes only bloodshot with rolling tears – though shocked, she wasn’t blind.

Even with Xu Ningyan nearby, the senior sister still occasionally met with small misfortunes. Chu Caiwei felt sympathy, and then waved to everyone, indicating Zhong Li was fine.

*Good thing it was just a strand of divine consciousness, otherwise you would have perished, Sister Zhong… So it was you, you stinky fox. Later I’ll trap this strand of your consciousness in Fuxiang’s body, and let you know how it feels to be possessed…* Xu Qi’an had guessed it.

The real Fuxiang wouldn’t put him in such a difficult position.

Only that mischievous mature fox spirit, the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, would do something like this.

Xu Qi’an seized the opportunity, immediately putting on a serious face and cupping his hands respectfully:

“So it’s the Nation Lord. Nation Lord, you’ve come such a long way to Beijing to attend my wedding – I’m truly grateful.”

After paying his respects, he put on an affected wry smile and said:

“As for these fox women, that won’t be necessary. Nation Lord, please don’t tease me along with Her Majesty. Do you have some urgent matters to discuss with me tonight? Hmm, let’s discuss official business after the banquet – for now, please sit and have a cup of wedding wine.”

He maintained a strictly professional manner while implying that the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox had conspired with Huaiqing to “frame” him.

The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox clicked her tongue:

“How boring!”

Everyone glanced at Huaiqing.

Mu Nanzhi’s expression improved slightly, and Luo Yuheng’s face softened.

Xu Lingyue felt her big brother was good again.

Li Miaozhen and Susu lowered their heads to drink, reasonably satisfied.

However, the matter of Fuxiang wasn’t questioned for now, though people kept it in mind.

Li Lingsu and Yang Qianxuan were unhappy, thinking this fellow had escaped another crisis.

The crisis was temporarily resolved, but the earlier emotions of “shock and anger” weren’t so easily dispersed. Xu Lingyue smiled and said:

“Looking at Big Brother’s reaction, it seems he didn’t know the Fox sisters were coming. Your Majesty, why tease my big brother so?”

Though it seemed like questioning, she spoke in a bantering, joking tone.

True and false intermingled, making her real attitude unclear.

Rare for Xu Lingyue to start an offensive – the straightforward Li Miaozhen sneered:

“Your Majesty and Princess Lin’an share deep sisterly bonds, naturally she wants to test if Xu the Magistrate is the type to have wandering affections.”

Huaiqing said flatly:

“We trust Xu the Magistrate’s character, what we fear are women with ulterior motives deliberately approaching him. For instance, using disguises, approaching like-minded friends, pretending to be weak and pitiful, and so on.

“Lin’an is naive and genuine – she’s no match for such women.”

Who was she insulting?! The fish grew furiously angry.

Zhong Li wasn’t happy either, feeling that “pretending to be weak and pitiful” was aimed at her.

Mu Nanzhi smiled and said:

“Your Majesty is so thoughtful. Ningyan, Aunt Mu feels that if you hadn’t married Princess Lin’an, you and Her Majesty would certainly have been a match made in heaven.”

At these words, countless faces in the hall changed color.

This direct hit from the Flower Goddess even stunned Huaiqing momentarily.

The Flower Goddess continued:

“By the way, Your Majesty has ascended to the throne, and now that the court is stable and peace reigns across the four seas, you should consider marriage. Many talented young men are gathered here – does Your Majesty have anyone in mind? Why not pick one?”

After speaking, she put on a terrified expression and sincerely apologized:

“This humble woman spoke carelessly in her cups, offending Your Majesty. Please forgive me.”

Luo Yuheng said coldly:

“Send her to the Imperial Entertainment Bureau!”

Huaiqing nodded:

“Agreed!”

Li Miaozhen, Susu, and the newly seated Ye Ji all nodded in tacit agreement.

Mu Nanzhi’s expression changed slightly, well aware that her outstanding beauty made her an easy target.

Xu Qi’an awkwardly tried to smooth things over: “Imperial Teacher, the joke has gone too far.”

Luo Yuheng lowered her head to drink.

Wang Simu didn’t dare speak throughout, afraid of becoming collateral damage. It wasn’t that she feared verbal sparring – Young Lady Wang could certainly hold her own with cutting remarks.

But it wasn’t necessary.

*Now this is more like a noble family…* Second Young Master Xu’s lips curled up, remembering what his big brother had gleefully told him when Aunt moved in.

Splendid! Splendid!

Daoist Jin Lian, Zhao Shou, Wei Yuan, and others calmly ate their dishes and drank their wine, listening with great relish.

Xu Pingzhi coughed once and said:

“Ningyan, it’s about time.”

Xu Qi’an understood immediately, rising with a smile:

“Everyone, please excuse me!”

Taking Miao Youfang and Second Young Master Xu with him, each carrying a pot of wine, they went out to toast the guests.

He first went to the courtyard where the Martial Arts Alliance members were gathered. After offering a toast, he asked:

“Is Alliance Leader Cao in closed cultivation?”

Xiao Yuenu smiled and said:

“The Alliance Leader is attempting to break through to Third Rank.”

*It is indeed time for him…* Xu Qi’an nodded. He had Ji Xuan’s blood pill but hadn’t given it to Cao Qingyang not out of stinginess, but because it would be too wasteful.

Cao Qingyang was half-step Third Rank, his physical body beginning transformation, no longer entirely mortal. After participating in the Central Plains War, he had advanced even further. At this point, he could withstand the blood pill’s backlash without relying on luck.

However, at Cao Qingyang’s level, reaching the Third Rank was just a matter of time – there was no need to waste a blood pill.

That was the nature of blood pills – those who could withstand them didn’t need them, and those who needed them couldn’t withstand them.

One could say blood pills had only two uses: to supplement supernatural warriors’ bodies and to provide a quick path to supernatural status for those blessed with luck.

Xu Qi’an gazed at Xiao Yuenu, mature and graceful, with first-rate looks and figure, and smiled:

“There’s something I’d like to ask Pavilion Master Xiao.”

Xiao Yuenu held her wine cup with jade-like fingers, smiling slightly:

“Please speak, Xu the Magistrate.”

Xu Qi’an transmitted his voice:

“Are you Snow Princess?”

Xiao Yuenu’s smile remained unchanged, “What are you talking about? Yuenu doesn’t understand.”

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

He then went to the courtyard where the Night Watchers had gathered. Among these crude warriors, Brother Chun stood out like a clear stream in a mudslide. This had nothing to do with appearance or dress, but rather that while others either threw their leftover bones and food waste on the ground or piled them on the table,

Brother Chun had sorted the garbage…

Bones with bones, fruit peels with fruit peels, fish bones with fish bones.

Li Yuchun’s position was still Silver Bells, but he now managed more Bronze Bells, and his salary had increased.

Life was fairly comfortable.

Xu Qi’an knew this leader’s character – like Wei Yuan, Brother Chun had originally recognized and looked after him out of public duty, not personal interest.

Therefore, Xu Qi’an couldn’t promote him or grant him wealth and glory out of personal feelings either.

That would be disrespectful to Brother Chun, and he probably wouldn’t accept it anyway.

Of course, necessary care wouldn’t be lacking.

There were too many wedding guests, toasting table by table, chatting briefly with each person, by the time this process was complete, it was late and the wedding feast was drawing to a close.

Xu Qi’an didn’t return to the inner hall, as he had to see guests off at the manor gates.

From his Second Uncle who came out with him, he learned that the “scheming” in the inner hall hadn’t ceased with his departure.

“Plates kept falling for some reason, over ten have been broken. Most of them fell on Miss Zhong – talk about unlucky.”

According to Second Uncle, various misfortunes had befallen many people in the hall.

Lingyin almost choked to death on a chicken bone; Lina burned her tongue on chicken soup; Li Lingsu fell while making a toast, happening to hit the table corner and cutting his head.

Wei Yuan’s clothes were stained with food and wine because the table Li Lingsu hit was the Night Watchers’ table, and when Nangong Qianrou tried to help clean Wei Yuan’s clothes, she accidentally tore them.

Yang Qianxuan kept getting up mid-meal to stand in the corner with his back to everyone and ended up being hit on the head by Aunt’s hanging plant.

Xu Qi’an looked at the dark street and smiled:

“Of course – Zhong Li is a prophet, plagued by misfortune.”

Second Uncle nodded:

“Right, that’s what Song Qing and Chu Caiwei said too. Later, your and Second Brother’s teacher Zhang Shen said he could dispel the disasters with Confucian arts. But instead of chanting ‘There are no misfortunes here,’ he chanted ‘There shall be no jealousy here.'”

Xu Qi’an was startled:

“He didn’t die?”

“They saved him!” Second Uncle said.

*That too was a kind of misfortune…* Xu Qi’an immediately breathed a sigh of relief, feeling emotional.

“There are no misfortunes here” would have dispelled Zhong Li’s bad luck.

“There shall be no jealousy here” targeted the reincarnated Immortal Tree Mu Nanzhi, the imperial Huaiqing, and the Terrestrial Immortal Luo Yuheng.

Zhang Shen was indeed lucky to survive.

His misreading was mostly Zhong Li’s fault, though it also came from watching the drama with great interest for so long, forming a deep impression.

As for Luo Yuheng and the other fish… social death!

Zhang Shen, the Grand Scholar of Cloud Deer Academy, had single-handedly crushed them.

“So anyway, I got my revenge.”

Xu Qi’an laughed heartily, hands on his hips.

Second Uncle thought for a moment, then suddenly understood:

“You did it on purpose? Heh, you rascal, quietly vicious.”

Xu Qi’an had deliberately slipped out to toast without bringing Zhong Li, just to get back at those watching the show and causing trouble – this was a plan set before the wedding feast began.

Since they couldn’t escape it, they might as well hurt each other.

“Oh, Lord Wei has come.”

Xu Qi’an saw Wei Yuan leading the Night Watchers, streaming out of the manor in great numbers.

Wei Yuan’s face was stern, his chest bearing a large stain of oil and dirt, as well as a tear.

“Ai-yo, Lord Wei, how could you be so careless?”

Xu Qi’an approached with a full smile, lowering his voice: “Isn’t this the robe the Empress Dowager made for you? Seems like it was the only one?”

Wei Yuan glanced at him and left with an unhappy expression.

Then came Zhao Shou leading four Grand Scholars, with Yang Gong carrying a listless Zhang Shen on his back.

“Teacher, what happened to you?” Xu Qi’an feigned surprise.

Zhao Shou smiled:

“Today was quite spectacular – the wedding gift was worth it.”

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

The unlucky one was Zhang Shen, not them – they had thoroughly enjoyed watching and listening.

Xu Qi’an looked ashamed:

“It was my poor care that troubled Teacher. Later, I’ll write a poem for you.”

At hearing this, Zhang Shen’s face lit up.

Zhao Shou and the other Grand Scholars’ expressions sank, no longer able to smile.

After seeing off batch after batch of guests, Xu Qi’an knew the battle wasn’t over yet.

Apart from Wei Yuan and the Cloud Deer Academy scholars, only those with distant relationships had left. The former two either held high positions or were role models, needing to maintain their image and status, so they didn’t choose to stay for the wedding chamber festivities.

The Tiandi Society members, pond fish, Sky Monitoring Miscreants, brothel friends, Martial Arts Alliance fighters – these fellows were still in the manor.

*Time for the wedding chamber revelry…* Xu Qi’an pinched his brow.

In this era, wedding chamber festivities were a custom in all regions, existing for several purposes:

First, to ward off evil and avoid disaster.

By teasing the bride or groom to ward off evil and avoid disaster, the core idea was like naming a child “Dog Egg” – a humble name for a strong life, easier to raise.

Second, to enhance the relationship between the new wife and the husband’s family.

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

The second and third were similar – in an era that emphasized parental arrangements and matchmakers’ words, the bride and groom were strangers, or at most, strangers who had briefly met a few times.

Thus they needed some “play” to dissolve the unfamiliarity and barriers between them.

Over time, this became custom.

Xu Qi’an figured those two rogues Yang Qianxuan and Li Lingsu would take the opportunity to give him trouble.

And the fish would likely take the chance to give Lin’an trouble.

But it didn’t matter – he had anticipated all these situations, everything was still under control.

It was time to call out Guardian Yuan.

To intimidate these petty fellows and womenfolk.

“I’d also like to know what they’re thinking… After tonight, I’ll have Elder Brother Sun protect Guardian Yuan, listing him as a first-class protected animal of Great Feng.” Xu Qi’an stroked his chin.