Chapter 45: Will You Marry Me?

Since Xu Chuan had received the [Divine Farmer's Hundred Herbs] destiny talent, in addition to his daily cultivation of the "Five Elements Creation Art," he also began reading medical texts and herbal compendiums that Xu Mingyuan had collected for him.

At the same time, he continuously researched the medicinal properties of herbs.

His medical knowledge advanced by leaps and bounds daily.

Xu Mingwei occasionally ventured deep into the Broken Fang Mountain Range to familiarize himself with [Frost-Cold Cloud-Piercing] but only for an hour or two.

Yang Ronghua was a woman who understood the bigger picture. She didn't harbor any dissatisfaction because Xu Mingwei didn't constantly accompany her. She even helped Bai Jing manage all affairs of the Xu household.

Her arrangements were appropriate, earning Bai Jing's deep appreciation and the love of the many maids and servants.

She understood the Xu family's situation.

With her father Yang Zhao gone, the Xu family was isolated and weak. In the future, they could only rely on themselves to deal with the various aristocratic families of Qingjiang County.

As Xu Mingwei was the eldest son of the family and the future Xu family head, he had to put the Xu family first in all matters.

On both sides were four sword-bearing guards on horseback.

The driver was a servant. He jumped down from the carriage and retrieved an extending ladder from the rear, placing it properly.

A noble lady and a pretty young woman with a ponytail descended from the carriage, each accompanied by a maid.

Zhou Ming, who had been waiting at the gate for some time, stepped forward to inquire, "Are you the Wu family lady and young miss?"

"Yes." The maid replied.

"Madam Wu, please follow me. Our mistress has been waiting for you for some time."

"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Zhou."

The Wu family lady had already visited the Xu family twice, so naturally she recognized Zhou Ming.

"You're too kind, madam. Please, both of you."

Aside from the Wu family lady, young miss, and maid, everyone else waited outside the Xu residence.

The pretty young woman looked around as she walked, her eyes revealing curiosity about the Xu family.

"Rushan, don't look around. It's improper."

Upon hearing this, the pretty young woman immediately withdrew her gaze, "Yes, Mother."

The Wu family lady was the legitimate first wife. Even children of concubines had to call her mother, while they called their birth mothers "little mother."

They passed through the front courtyard toward the central hall.

The maids and servants in the front courtyard were also secretly observing.

"So this is the Wu family's young miss. She gives off a heroic and spirited feeling, completely different from the First Young Madam."

"Do you think this Wu family young miss can become our Second Young Madam?"

"Discussing the young masters' affairs like this, do you all want to be punished?"

Hearing this, they all began working honestly.

The Xu family members were kind, but the rules were strict, commanding respect and awe from the servants.

"Sister Wu, we've been longing for your arrival."

Bai Jing rose to greet her, her face full of smiles, then her eyes also glanced at the pretty young woman.

"I too wish to visit Sister more often, but the inner quarters of the Wu household require my management. Ordinarily I can't spare the time."

The two women exchanged smiles.

"Please sit. Let's sit and chat."

After the three sat down, the maids stood behind their respective mistresses.

Three Xu family maids entered carrying pastries and tea, placing them on the tea tables beside the three women. They then quietly retreated a distance before turning to leave.

Bai Jing and the Wu family lady chatted about everyday matters.

Before long, Xu Mingyuan entered the great hall. He first bowed to Bai Jing with cupped hands, "Greetings, Mother."

"This is the Wu family lady and young miss."

Xu Mingyuan turned and cupped his hands to the two, "Greetings, Madam, Young Miss."

As he spoke, he also sized up the two women, particularly the Wu family young miss with whom he was supposed to have this meeting.

Her ponytail was tied with a red silk ribbon. She wore clothing similar to narrow-sleeved Hu clothing. The indigo fabric made her skin appear white as snow. Her almond eyes were bright as stars, and her brows carried a hint of heroic spirit.

She was quite eye-catching.

Though not possessing the peerless beauty of Yang Ronghua, her heroic and spirited manner had its own unique charm.

"Second Young Master Xu's reputation in Qingjiang County is no less than First Young Master Xu's. Even my husband often praises him, saying that with such a son, one could prosper the family business for decades."

Bai Jing beamed with pride showing between her brows, "Sister Wu, you're too kind. Who doesn't know that the children you've raised are each outstanding?"

After exchanging a few mutual compliments, Bai Jing invited Lady Wu to walk around and have a private conversation, leaving Xu Mingyuan to accompany Wu Rushan as they toured the grounds.

Xu Mingyuan just quietly accompanied Wu Rushan.

In business, he was decisive and shrewd, smooth and adept, but in matters of the heart, he was a complete novice.

Suddenly, Wu Rushan stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Xu Mingyuan.

Xu Mingyuan also stopped. Originally looking down at the ground, he now looked up.

"Doesn't Second Young Master Xu have something to say?"

Xu Mingyuan didn't speak.

Wu Rushan continued, "They say you're smooth and tactful, a business prodigy. Even facing family heads, you converse freely without falling behind. How have you become mute now?"

"Since you don't want to speak, let's spar then."

"Fine." Xu Mingyuan uttered.

The two found a courtyard and began exchanging blows.

Wu Rushan, full of fighting spirit, made the first move. Her dark hair flew wildly as she advanced.

Xu Mingyuan met her moves and countered them.

After more than a dozen moves, he had gauged her strength. She actually had the strength of a third-rate martial artist.

Not from the direct line, and a woman at that, at sixteen years old, to become a third-rate martial artist, she must have put in considerable effort.

"Don't hold back!"

Wu Rushan had a fiery temperament. She spread both arms and kicked fiercely toward Xu Mingyuan's chest, fast, accurate, and ruthless.

Xu Mingyuan, quick-eyed and quick-handed, caught her leg with both hands, preventing it from advancing further.

Their eyes met.

The two froze in this position.

Seeing she couldn't pull free, Wu Rushan suddenly exerted force from her waist, sweeping her other leg toward his head.

Xu Mingyuan reacted and quickly retreated, narrowly dodging the strike.

"Miss Wu, I apologize for any offense just now."

"In sparring, there's no distinction between men and women."

Xu Mingyuan was surprised. He hadn't expected a woman from a wealthy aristocratic family to have such a personality. His eyes held a few more traces of appreciation.

"Since Miss Wu is so forthright, I'll accompany you to the end."

But after all, she was a woman.

After exchanging blows for a moment, Xu Mingyuan accidentally touched her chest, causing his heart to feel as if struck by lightning. He quickly withdrew his right hand.

Then he stopped and apologized.

"Forget it. You didn't mean it. I overestimated myself."

Wu Rushan's complexion reddened slightly, her heart pounding, but she quickly regained composure.

Xu Mingyuan said, "Miss Wu's talent is excellent. I'm inferior. If you had the full support of the Wu family, you would probably have already surpassed my martial cultivation."

"You really think so?!" Wu Rushan sighed softly, "Unfortunately, in this world, women are ultimately not valued."

"My father doesn't say that." Xu Mingwei said with a smile, "He often says that in a family, men and women are equal, each supporting half the sky."

"Family Head Xu truly is different from others." Brilliant light burst from Wu Rushan's eyes.

"My father is naturally the best. My siblings and I were all taught by his words and example from childhood. That's why we have today's achievements."

Before he knew it, Xu Mingyuan had already changed from calling him "Father" to "Dad."

Generally, only with those close to him would he call Xu Chuan "Dad."

"Oh, what were you like as a child?"

"Me?"

Xu Mingyuan smiled, a look of reminiscence appearing on his face. He didn't refuse and simply shared some amusing stories from his childhood.

Hearing that the Xu family had once been so impoverished, surviving on a mere ten mu of rice paddies, Wu Rushan was deeply shocked and extremely impressed.

She hesitated for a moment, then made a decision. Looking at Xu Mingyuan, she asked, "Second Young Master Xu, what do you think of me?"

"Heroic and spirited, a woman who doesn't yield to men."

"Then would you be willing to marry me?"

"Ah?!"

Hearing this, Xu Mingyuan's whole body trembled, standing dumbfounded like a wooden chicken.