Chapter 54: Family Joy [Thank You for Your Support! Again, Thank You!]

Sun Shi and Bai Shi hired someone to select an auspicious date.

Bai Shi returned to the Gu household and informed her husband; after pondering it, Gu Yan Kai mounted his horse and went out to make arrangements.

Gu Tingyu is the son of his first love, the white moonlight of his heart, his only beloved, the peerlessly talented, solitary genius, Lady Qin.

Martial training was impossible for Gu Tingyu’s body, but literary study was feasible.

Though the Qin and Gu families had once been close, after this heartless incident, they had essentially severed ties.

Gu Yan Kai still felt grateful to Bai Shi; after learning the full story, he developed a favorable impression of the Xu family.

He had considered finding a dependable in-law family for his legitimate eldest son, but Gu Tingyu had persuaded him otherwise.

He isn’t joining the military—having a healthy, virtuous wife from a clean family is worth more than anything else!

As for the rest, he would earn it himself.

This marriage, in every respect, was excellent.

So Sun Shi spent silver to hire the fastest relay horses and sent the news to Xu Minghua in the northwest,

along with the date for the betrothal gifts.

Marquis Xu Minghua naturally gave his full consent.

Time passed,

and the day arrived—the eighteenth day of the twelfth month.

An auspicious hour,

Xu Minghua had returned home well in advance.

Marquis Gu entrusted his former superior, General Lu Lao, to deliver the betrothal gifts to the Xu household; Xu Minghua and his wife naturally opened the central gate to welcome the matchmaker.

The subsequent rituals—asking for the bride’s name, accepting the auspicious omen, and presenting the betrothal gifts—proceeded in orderly fashion.

Once the procedures were completed, the marriage between the Xu and Gu families was officially settled.

Only then did Sun Shi formally inform her family of the engagement.

She also sent invitations to the Sheng family in Yangzhou.

Though they had not yet married the Xie girl, the two families were now relatives.

The pregnant Lady Xie received the Xu family’s joyous letter.

That evening,

at the Zheng household,

in the courtyard of the second Shu son, Lady Xie wrote to the main branch of the Xie family in the south, informing them that she and her mother and sister-in-law had agreed on the future bridegroom for Second Miss Xie.

The Xie family in Bianjing increased their daughter’s dowry even further.

After all, the future elder sister-in-law was going to the Marquis’s household; as the future sister-in-law, it was only proper to show some gesture.

Before the arrival of this year’s Spring Festival, the Xu household had arranged two joyful events; the many wedding gifts Sun Shi had distributed over the years would finally begin to yield returns.

After prolonged debate in court, no decision had yet been reached on whether to fight or make peace, but the political situation in Bai Gaohebei had stabilized.

The western army’s situation had greatly eased.

So Xu Minghua returned to Bianjing not to rejoin the western army, but to stay and celebrate the New Year, having secured his eldest daughter’s marriage.

He remained in Bianjing for the holiday.

On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month, Bianjing was filled with festive atmosphere.

On the streets, taverns and inns hung lanterns from every household.

At night, viewed from a height, it resembled a great metropolis from a past life.

The jade plate rose in the east and set in the west,

the Morning Star still shimmered in the sky.

At dawn, before the sky had brightened, Xu Minghua opened his eyes as usual.

The western army stood on the front line against Bai Gaohebei; though not constantly on guard, discipline was strict, and every officer was chosen for ability.

Xu Minghua had risen from deputy to commander in the western army only through the recognition of his superiors and subordinates; his daily self-disciplined patrols were among the most important reasons.

Sun Shi, awakened, opened her eyes; Xu Minghua patted her gently and said, “Go back to sleep.”

Dressing himself, Xu Minghua went to the riding ground.

On the way, he saw a small shadow carrying a lantern.

He thought hard but couldn’t recall who it was; the household had added many servants these past years, so he let it go.

On the flat ground beside the riding ground, Gao Yun was sparring with Xu Zaijing; low, angry shouts came from them, mostly from Gao Yun.

The small shadow up front spoke: “Young Master, I’ve brought hot water.”

“Mm, take it to that room over there.”

*Whoosh*

A short spear flew out from the stable; its speed surprised even Xu Minghua, accustomed to the might of western army warriors.

*Crack!*

The wooden shaft of the spear was shattered by a blow from one of the sparring men.

“Good!” Xu Minghua’s expression changed slightly; he silently praised the display,

though the dim morning light made it invisible to others.

This stirred his own desire to join; he rolled up his sleeves slightly, eager to step in and test his son’s skill.

Of course, only lightly—he wouldn’t hurt his son, just gauge his abilities.

As he drew closer, one of the sparring men suddenly dropped low and rolled along the ground; in the faint light, Xu Minghua saw an arrow embedded in the earth, its white feathers trembling—clearly shot with full force.

He hadn’t even seen where it came from, standing at the edge.

Before Xu Minghua could speak, a tall figure in the arena was hurled backward by tremendous force, flying over ten paces before tumbling to the ground.

“Cough, cough, Young Master, have you gotten stronger again?”

“Gao Yun, are you alright? I got too absorbed in training.”

Xu Minghua slowly lowered his rolled-up sleeves.

Gao Yun stood, clutching his chest, and bowed: “My lord.”

“Father.”

“Good, excellent, Jing’er. Your mother says you train diligently every day—good, very good.”

“Thank you, Father. In the western army—”

Xu Minghua waved his hand: “Continue. I’ll go speak with your master.”

“Yes, Father.”

Xu Minghua turned away; Xu Zaijing walked to a row of wooden posts, each embedded with deeply driven short-handled axes.

Xu Zaijing gently removed one, spun quickly, and threw the axe backward.

*Whoosh whoosh whoosh, clack!*

The axe flew fifty paces and buried itself in another thick wooden post.

The sounds came in rapid succession; in moments, a dozen short-handled axes had shifted position. Xu Zaijing sprinted over and hurled them back.

In the stable, Xu Minghua drew his bow: “Is this really effective? My archery may not be top-tier in the western army, but it’s still notable.”

“How does it compare to yours in your prime?”

“Naturally inferior.”

*Whoosh*

The arrow flew.

Xu Zaijing sensed it and caught the incoming arrow midair, his expression puzzled—then he saw the two figures in the stable and realized his father was testing his martial skill.

He lifted the arrow a few times, clearly proud.

“This boy has learned your fine skills.”

“Even in my prime, I couldn’t beat your son—how could you?”

“Too bad Bai Gaohebei’s politics have stabilized; otherwise, I could’ve taken him to the front to see the world.”

“When I delivered your son to his tutor, he told me your three boys—Jing’er has the best memory. In a year or two, perhaps he can sit for the exams.”

Xu Minghua looked at his old friend in surprise.

“When your third son studies, gains a mentor and peers, and enters the military, he’ll have allies.”

“True. A pure martial officer is nothing but a brute in the eyes of civil officials.”

“Your daughter’s marriage is excellent. I’ve met Gu Hou’s legitimate eldest son; though not strikingly handsome, he carries quiet depth, swift intellect—he has a bright future.”

“We struck gold. Only after returning home did I realize Tingyu is no longer the frail boy of a few years ago. Since you came to this Marquis’s household, ours has improved greatly—wouldn’t you consider—”

“No. Third son already treats Gao Yun as a brother-in-training. Wait another decade or so—when the world’s ruler is clear—then we can decide.”

If there are errors, please kindly point them out, esteemed reader.

The third round of recommendations is over; I feel much lighter.

Finally, no need to watch daily collections and recommendations.

I expect to reach 5,000 collections today.

Satisfied!

Thank you all for your support.

Keep storing drafts—charge ahead!



(End of Chapter)