Chapter 399: Marriage Ties? Don

During the Xin Yuan Festival, the Qingyun Realm sees the most frequent travel, though there is a difference between before and after the festival.

Travel and banquets before the festival are mostly among equals—great families with great families, minor families with minor families—with the aim of forming alliances; after the festival, most visits are upwardly oriented, aimed at leveraging power.

Thus, immediately after the Xin Yuan Festival, the Guan family of Zhongzhou invited the main branch of the Fang family to visit, citing their marital ties to a Fang branch line.

To prepare for this invitation, they rushed the construction, completing the Linxian Manor—undergoing meticulous craftsmanship for a year—as scheduled, and gathered various spiritual treasures and rare artifacts as gifts.

Their efforts were not in vain: the Fang family agreed, and Fang Xiang’s second son, Fang Lun, led over fifty main-branch disciples to arrive on the fifth day.

At that moment, before the Guan family’s immortal residence, gongs and drums thundered, and countless Guan family members greeted them with smiles, as if bathed in spring breeze.

“Second Master, it has been long since we last met—you still possess the same transcendent aura, truly making our Guan family feel as if purple qi has come from the east.”

“Guan Family Head, you are too kind. Your daughter is married into our Fang branch line—we are already one family. No need to come out to greet us.”

Guan Yue, head of the Guan family, was a thin middle-aged man clad in a Daoist-style robe. Upon hearing this, he immediately bowed and laughed, “Of course, of course.”

After brief pleasantries, over a hundred Guan family members surrounded the Fang guests and led them toward the Linxian Manor.

Inside the garden, a grand banquet and performances of song and dance had already been prepared, interspersed with displays of rare treasures, each one presented one by one before the Fang guests.

“This Guan family certainly puts on a grand show, but it’s a bit too vulgar.”

At the main guest table, a young man wearing a red cap and jade belt spoke softly.

He was Fang Lun’s second son, Fang Jintu, cousin of Fang Jincheng, a disciple of the Inner Court of the Heavenly Book Academy, and just past his coming-of-age.

“The Guan family is merely a minor house; their horizons can only extend so far,” Fang Erye said, lifting his wine cup.

“If they’re such a minor house, why did Grandfather send us here? I’m going to the Heavenly Book Academy next spring, and my breakthrough to Perfect Foundation is imminent—it’s truly unnecessary.”

“You foolish boy, when you grow older and become a main household manager, you’ll understand why.”

After speaking, Fang Lun drained his cup.

The main branch of the Fang family’s willingness to come here was not only due to the allure of rare treasures, but also due to their own strategic considerations.

The alliance of a thousand-year clan’s sabotage had not dealt the Fang family direct damage, but their strength had suffered greatly, for their Grand Elder—who held power in the Heavenly Book Academy’s Elder Hall—had vanished without a trace while entering an ancient relic to break through.

A Wujiang Realm cultivator is an absolute pillar for a cultivation clan; losing one would cripple them.

Most critically, they had not only lost one Ancestor, but also significantly weakened their close ties with the Heavenly Book Academy.

The Qingyun Realm is always pragmatic; other clans within the same territory are eager to see you fall into decline.

As the saying goes, even a fly is meat. Precisely because of their current situation, the Fang family has set aside pride to maintain ties with those minor clans clinging to them, strengthening their loyalty.

“Peng’er.”

“Father.”

The Guan family head turned to his son seated at his right: “Go, pour wine for Second Master.”

Amidst the drumming and music, the handsome Guan Peng rose, carrying a wine jug with utmost respect, and filled Fang Lun’s cup.

This Guan family heir was twenty-seven, with low cultivation talent—he had just reached Perfect Lower Realm, and now served as a group leader in the Heavenly Book Academy’s Management Hall.

Unlike other Management Hall disciples who transferred in as official academy students, he had entered directly through Fang family connections years ago.

Due to lifelong exposure, Guan Peng was exceptionally skilled in social conduct and deeply trusted by Management Hall Director Ji Jingyao; he was currently riding high in influence.

After pouring wine for Fang Erye, Guan Peng returned to his table and heard Fang Erye praise him twice, prompting his father to burst into laughter.

Guan Peng smiled modestly, picked up his chopsticks to eat, and as his gaze shifted, he suddenly noticed a beautiful woman across from him watching him.

She was a young lady of the Fang branch line, named Fang Jinyu, a distant relative of his aunt who had married out, and who should call him cousin.

For some reason, this Miss Jinyu had taken an interest in him; when she saw him looking, she couldn’t help but smile sweetly.

Guan Peng’s heart clenched instantly—he was stunned, thinking, What a beautiful girl.

Though twenty-seven was old enough for maturity, he couldn’t help himself, and his mind wandered wildly.

After much thought, Guan Peng rose, poured himself a cup of wine, and walked toward her.

But before he reached her, the gathered Fang disciples burst into laughter.

“He actually came?”

“A Perfect Lower Realm cultivator? How dare he even think it?”

Guan Peng didn’t know why they laughed, but seeing all eyes now fixed on him, he blushed and hurriedly retreated.

Seeing this, the Guan family head’s gaze fell upon the Fang branch girl, his expression thoughtful.

He had previously heard servants mention his son had a close female companion; after inquiring, he had been dissatisfied.

Though the girl also bore the Fang surname, she was worlds apart from this Fang family.

Marital alliances in the Qingyun Realm are steeped in profit—everyone seeks to marry up, and he naturally hoped for someone more noble to enter his home; this Fang lady here would be ideal.

As the Guan family head’s imagination ran wild, a servant suddenly rushed into the front courtyard, weaving through the halls to reach the banquet.

“Master, a visitor has arrived at the gate.”

“Visitor? Who?”

“Says he’s Deputy General Fang Ruoyao of Zhenbei Army, accompanied by his sister, Fang Ruoyao.”

Upon hearing this, the Guan family head frowned and turned to his son on his right: “Did you invite them?”

Guan Peng had heard the servant’s report and exclaimed in surprise: “I did say before I left that if there was a chance, I’d invite her and a few fellow cultivators to visit, but I never fixed a date—how did this Fang sister come on her own?”

He rose to speak, but his father frowned: “We have honored guests here—if you leave the banquet mid-meal, what will they think?”

Guan Peng instinctively glanced at the Fang branch girl, panicked, and sat back down.

Seeing this, the Guan family head turned to the servant: “Take them to a side hall in the back courtyard. Say I’ll join them after the banquet.”

“Yes.”

“Make sure they use the side gate at the rear. In the Qingyun Realm, there’s a rule: a household’s main gate admits only one guest per day. They’ll understand.”

After speaking, the Guan family head waved the servant away.

He truly didn’t want his son marrying a mortal girl, but with honored guests present, even if only for appearances, he couldn’t turn them away.

Though major clans prioritize profit in marital alliances, the character of the in-laws is also crucial—no one wants their daughter marrying into a family that turns on its word.

“Fang Ruoming, Fang Ruoyao—when did our Fang family ever have a ‘Ruo’ generation?”

As the Guan family head was distracted, he looked up sharply at Fang Lun, who had spoken: “Second Master, you misunderstand—this is not your Fang family, but a commoner family from Fengzhou’s Yuyang County.”

Fang Jintu, who had been eating, frowned: “Yuyang County? Wasn’t that where Ji You came from?”

His voice was loud enough to draw all eyes toward him.

Guan Peng spoke up: “Yes, that Yuyang County—my fellow disciple is from Fengzhou.”

“Ah, I remember now—this Fang Ruoyao is Ji You’s fiancée before he entered the academy!”

“There’s more to this?”

“Didn’t we investigate Ji You’s background when he opposed Grand Elder? Third Brother, you’ve got a terrible memory.”

The Guan family head froze, his eyes widening as he stared at his son.

He knew she was a mortal woman from Yuyang County, but had no idea she had once been engaged to Ji You.

Remember, Ji You had defeated the Fang family’s Grand Elder and nearly blocked Fang Jincheng’s entry into the Inner Court—deep enmity had been forged with the Fang family.

Instantly, the banquet, once filled with laughter, grew quiet—only the drumming and music prevented an awkward silence.

Meanwhile, Fang Ruoming and Fang Ruoyao stood before the Guan family’s immortal residence, five armored guards behind them, waiting in silence.

Also accompanying them were three other Management Hall disciples of the Heavenly Book Academy: Qin He, Lin Cong, and Qu Churou—a woman who had entered the academy through military merit and later transferred to the Heavenly Book Hall, and who was close to Fang Ruoyao.

“This Guan family isn’t high-ranking, yet their gate is built with such grandeur.”

“The Guan family excels at networking; their women over the past three generations have married well—they’re a significant force in southern Zhongzhou.”

“No wonder…”

Hearing the murmurs behind her, Fang Ruoyao felt a faint sense of pride, yet she still replied humbly: “Guan Peng said his family hosts many guests daily; they invest in their estate to uphold others’ dignity.”

Qin He turned to her: “You haven’t even married him yet, and you already know his family so well?”

“Sister, don’t tease me.”

“Even so, do you truly think Guan Peng’s temperament suits you?”

Fang Ruoyao looked at the grand mansion before her: “There are no two people perfectly matched in this world—only mutual adjustment.”

As she finished speaking, footsteps suddenly echoed from within the Guan family’s immortal residence.

The servant who had gone to announce them stepped out, stood firm, and addressed them: “Ladies and gentlemen, my master has honored guests today. He has ordered me to guide you to a courtyard for rest.”

“So there are guests inside—what bad timing.”

Everyone murmured, then stepped forward toward the stairs—but before they took more than a few steps, the servant hurriedly waved to stop them.

Seeing this, everyone grew confused.

“Ladies and gentlemen, my master says to take this way.”

“?”

Hearing this, Qin He and the other two frowned slightly—they instantly understood the Guan family was refusing them the main gate.

They weren’t casual visitors; Guan Peng had claimed deep affection for Fang Ruoyao and invited her to visit after the New Year—how could they be denied the main entrance?

Thinking this, Qin He and the others turned to look at Fang Ruoming and Fang Ruoyao standing behind.

Fang Ruoming’s expression showed little change, but his eyes sharpened slightly—he too sensed the slight.

Before anyone could speak, Fang Ruoyao preempted: “A household’s main gate admits only one guest per day—perhaps it’s an extremely honored guest. Let’s take the side gate.”

“Even if it’s due to that rule, Guan Peng should have come to greet you himself.”

“It’s fine—perhaps he’s occupied at the banquet.”

Since Fang Ruoyao was the main guest and she had spoken, no one could object further—they followed the servant.

What they didn’t expect was that this detour wasn’t minor—they wandered for a full incense burn, finally being led into a dark back alley.

Even the servant now looked embarrassed, standing at the door, hesitating long before he could say “Please enter.”