While the Xuanling Imperial City was abuzz with excitement, a festive atmosphere filled a massive town on the fringes of the Xuanling Empire. The sounds of gongs, drums, and firecrackers rang out in unison, adding another layer of liveliness to the celebration.
"Haha, Old Gu, who would have thought things would end up developing like this?"
A resonant, joyous voice drifted out from a massive courtyard. The speaker was a middle-aged man whose face was flushed with delight, a wide grin spreading from ear to ear as he laughed heartily.
Who else could it be but Wang Mo of the Luofeng City Wang Family? Beside him stood an old man who, despite his joyful expression, also wore a hint of resignation. This was none other than the Mu Family Patriarch, Mu Gu Tian. They were in the newly rebuilt Mu Mansion—or rather, it would be more fitting to call it a Prince’s Mansion.
All the credit for rebuilding the Imperial Capital and elevating the nation to a Peak Empire went to Mu Chen and his people. As such, Luofeng City was naturally the primary focus of Xuan Yin’s rewards. When Xuan Yin learned that the Mu and Wang families were unwilling to leave Luofeng City, with a grand sweep of his brush, he expanded the city to the size of the entire former Xuanling Empire and retitled it the Luofeng Royal Capital. He transferred the former Lord of Luofeng City to a position in the Imperial Capital, renamed the Mu Mansion to the Mu Royal Mansion, and made Mu Gu Tian the first-ever Prince not of the royal bloodline, even granting that the title be hereditary! However, the next Prince had to be either Mufeng or Mu Chen, and they would hold the right to participate in political affairs.
Furthermore, if the Mu Family had an objection to any major political resolution, provided their reasoning was sound and gained the approval of the majority, they could unconditionally veto it, forcing it to be reconsidered. Although this condition proposed by Xuan Yin was met with countless objections at the time, all deeming it improper, a single sentence from him silenced all dissent.
"If the Mu Family harbored any ill intentions, the Xuanling Empire of today might already belong to another nation! And you all would be its slaves! I trust the Mu Family!"
Thus, the once-remote Luofeng City became the foremost city on the very edge of the Xuanling Empire—a Peak Empire on the fringes of the Flame Dragon Dynasty! It was a historic leap, and a testament to Xuan Yin’s admiration and gratitude for Mu Chen...
"’Although the beginning and the journey weren’t what we had in mind, the outcome is just the same.’ Mu Gu Tian remarked with a sigh, his eyes fixed on the couple at the front of the hall. Following his gaze, one would see a young man and woman dressed in red. The man was of average build but possessed an exceptionally handsome face, and he watched the woman before him with a gentle gaze. The woman wore no bridal veil, leaving her clear, flawless face on full display. Her eyes were soft, rippling with hidden affection. Most striking of all was her long, fiery-red hair, which blazed like a torch. It gave her a wild look that contrasted with her gentle and poised demeanor. This blend of seemingly contradictory traits created a unique and captivating beauty."
"’The threads of fate in this world are truly a marvelous thing...’"
To the left of the hall were the seats reserved for the Mu Family’s direct lineage. In the very first seat sat a slender, blue-haired man—Mu Chen himself. He watched the couple at the front of the hall with a smile, then turned to Mu Bingling beside him and spoke softly.
"’Yes,’ Mu Bingling replied, a small smile playing on her lips. ’You can’t see it or touch it, but it’s always there, weaving its way through your life when you least expect it...’ A flicker of hope, almost imperceptible, shone in her eyes."
"Heh heh, this trip to the Xuanling Empire was well worth it! Not only did I manage to persuade Boss Mu Chen, but I also get to be here for such a joyous occasion. Good thing I still have some treasures in my Storage Ring, or I’d be making a fool of myself today. Let’s see now... a woman with a Fire-Water Body. Her nature is water, but her appearance is fire. Boss Mu Chen, your second brother is a lucky man!"
Hearing this, Mu Chen grimaced. But then his gaze shifted to the groom—the man Long Xiaotian had called his second brother—and he couldn’t help but agree inwardly, ’He really is a lucky man.’
The groom’s identity was, of course, obvious: the former prodigy of the Mu Family, Second Young Master Mu Rongxuan. The bride was Wang Junyao, a daughter of the Wang Family’s direct lineage—the same young woman who had once been narrowly defeated by Chen Qing in their clan’s tournament.
"The auspicious hour has arrived! First bow to Heaven and Earth!"
...
"Second bow to the elders!"
...
"The couple bows to each other!"
...
"The ceremony is complete! Time to serve tea to the elders!"
After speaking, the master of ceremonies stepped aside, revealing the elders seated at the head of the hall. Mu Rongxuan and Wang Junyao accepted the tea from the MC and walked slowly to Mu Gu Tian’s side. After they exchanged a look, Wang Junyao said demurely, "Grandfather, please have some tea."
At these words, Mu Gu Tian grinned so wide he couldn’t close his mouth. He hurriedly accepted the tea and used his Primordial Power to help the kneeling couple to their feet. He laughed, "Good, good, good! Junnyao, you are a fine girl. Now that you’ve married into our Mu Family, we will never let you suffer the slightest grievance. With Brother Wang here as a witness, from now on, whether that boy Rongxuan is right or wrong, if he ever makes you angry, you just tell your grandfather. As long as these old bones of mine are still around, I will always have your back!"
All Mu Rongxuan could do was smile wryly at his grandfather’s words. But when he glanced at Wang Junyao, whose gentle presence was like still water, his wry smile melted into an expression of deep, tender affection. He had truly, deeply fallen in love with her.
Mu Gu Tian set down the teacup and immediately reached into his sleeve. He pulled out an irregular piece of Rough Jade that showed no signs of being polished. It looked exceedingly plain, yet it possessed a sense of natural, unadorned perfection.
"Junnyao, my girl, come here."
Mu Gu Tian gazed fondly at the Rough Jade in his hand, caressing it gently. The deep emotion in his eyes was plain for all to see. This piece of Rough Jade... it had a story.
"This piece of jade was a Jade Pendant that belonged to Rongxuan’s grandmother—my wife. It was personally passed to her by my own grandfather, the Patriarch of the Mu Family two generations ago. It has no special powers, nor is it some priceless treasure. But to the Mu Family, it is a token of our ancestors’ boundless blessings for future generations. I don’t even know how many years it has been passed down. Now, I pass it into your hands. I hope that the two of you will take each other’s hands and grow old together, that your love will last for an eternity, and that you will be forever of one heart!"
When Mu Gu Tian held out the jade, Wang Junyao stared at it, captivated, and for a moment, she forgot to accept it. Wang Mo couldn’t help but slap his thigh and call out, "Junnyao, my girl, what are you waiting for? Take it!"
It wasn’t until Wang Mo spoke that Wang Junyao snapped out of her daze. She hastily accepted the jade stone and bowed in thanks, her eyes filled with adoration for the Rough Jade. After all, it was a family heirloom, a symbol of eternal vows passed down through countless generations.
Next, they served tea to Wang Mo and the other relatives. Everything went smoothly, with Mu Rongxuan handling each interaction with a calm and steady demeanor that was quite endearing. It wasn’t until it was time to serve Mufeng and his wife that Mu Rongxuan’s expression became one of embarrassment and shame. The teacup in his hands trembled slightly.
"Third Uncle... Third Aunt... please... please have some tea."
At that moment, every eye in the hall turned to Mufeng and Bi Wan. Mu Gu Tian looked like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he held his tongue. As for Mu Yufan, he sighed silently to himself. ’This is a hurdle he has to overcome.’