One month later.
Wu Rushan was discovered to be with child. Bai Jing was extremely happy.
Then she turned around and started pressuring Xu Mingxuan, giving him a huge headache.
Bai Jing asked him what kind of woman he liked, but he didn't know how to answer. He couldn't help but think of idle chats with his comrades in the military camp.
"When in doubt, ask Father."
Xu Mingxuan went to consult Xu Chuan, which left Xu Chuan between laughter and tears.
"You're marrying a wife. Why ask me? Just find one you like yourself. Whether commoner or aristocratic family, Father has no objections."
"I'm just not clear on what I like."
"Don't tell me you want Father to hold a selection for you?"
Xu Chuan immediately slapped his forehead, "Dream on!"
"If you're not clear, then arrange an aristocratic family marriage alliance. If our Xu family publicly announces this matter now, I'm afraid all the aristocratic families in the county seat will come join the excitement. You'll probably be dazzled."
"Father, stop talking. Just thinking about it gives me a headache."
After a while, Xu Mingxuan raised his head and looked at Xu Chuan, "Can I not marry?"
"Father can accept it, but your mother will annoy me to death. So for my peace and quiet, just comply with your mother."
"At worst, I'll complete it like a mission."
"That's too unfair to the young lady."
"This won't work, that won't work. Stop bothering me!"
Xu Chuan was amused despite his anger and directly kicked him out of the room, "Get lost!"
Xu Mingshu saw this scene and laughed secretly, "Third Brother, you're really in a sorry state. Father has such a good temper. How did you anger the old man?"
"You little girl..."
"Tell me. Maybe I, your little sister, can help solve your worries."
Xu Mingxuan thought about it and felt that Xu Mingshu should have quite a few female friends and might be able to help him.
"What? Female friends?" Xu Mingshu looked like he was joking, "Third Brother, do you think those noble young ladies would drink tea and chat with me?"
"If you really find it difficult, how about holding a talent-based marriage selection? Whichever one you have a good feeling about, you choose."
"Seems... that's the only way. At least it saves me from meeting them one by one." Xu Mingxuan nodded, "I'll go ask Mother."
Seeing him leave, Xu Mingshu spread her hands and sighed, "Ah, as a younger sister, I'm simply working myself to death over my elder brother's marriage."
Xu Mingxuan went down the mountain to find Bai Jing.
Bai Jing felt it was somewhat improper upon hearing this, but in the end could only comply with Xu Mingxuan and discuss it with the aristocratic families interested in marriage alliances.
This matter became an amusing tale in Qingjiang County.
The distinguished Third Young Master of the Xu family actually had to resort to a talent-based marriage selection. However, since it was a public marriage selection, ordinary wealthy households and merchants could also participate, which gave them an opportunity.
Being able to form a marriage alliance with the Xu family was simply a chance to leap through the dragon gate.
Half a month later.
The talent-based marriage selection was held in the county seat. There were quite a few eligible young women with both talent and beauty.
Many knew music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. There were those with flexible waists whose figures made the eyes of the assembled wolves turn green. There were those who could perform sword dances, heroic and spirited, brightening everyone's eyes.
There were many young ladies from aristocratic families, wealthy merchants, and rich households.
Many were once close friends in the boudoir, but now, to marry a good husband, intimate sister flowers became plastic sister flowers.
Even if not life-and-death struggles, they all brought out their full arsenal.
As a result, Xu Mingxuan chose a woman from a small household.
She was from the Zhang family of the county seat, named Zhang Wanqing, eighteen years old, with fairly delicate features. She was the youngest daughter in her family, with some embroidery skills, which is why she came to participate in this talent-based marriage selection.
The Zhang family in the county seat was just an ordinary wealthy household.
Although Bai Jing felt Xu Mingxuan deserved better, since her son liked her, she had no choice.
Xu Mingshu also joined the excitement and told Xu Chuan about it after returning.
"Oh, your third brother chose a woman from an ordinary household?"
"Yes, Father. Today's talent competition was so lively. Thanks to me, I helped Third Brother solve his lifelong matter."
"You!" Xu Chuan tapped her head and shook his head helplessly, "Coming up with such a terrible idea. Our Xu family's face has been completely lost."
"Which aristocratic family would do such a thing?"
"Father, you're overthinking." Xu Mingshu hugged Xu Chuan's arm and acted coquettishly, "Now, who in all of Qingjiang County dares mock our Xu family?
I estimate they'd love for us to hold a few more such events."
"Forget it. Seeing that you at least helped your third brother pick a good wife, I'll forgive you."
"Father, you haven't even met that woman yet you think she's good. Isn't that too hasty?"
"After your third brother marries, have your elder brother get the testing crystal to test her."
"She has immortal cultivation aptitude?"
"You'll know after testing. Since your third brother chose an ordinary-looking woman with ordinary talents from among many outstanding women, it shows she has other exceptional qualities."
"Did your third brother tell you he chose based on intuition?"
"Exactly."
"Then it's fine. Your third brother's intuition is quite accurate."
Xu Mingshu didn't believe it. She went down the mountain to tell Xu Mingwei and the others about this. They also thought it was mysterious.
Xu Mingxuan himself didn't believe it either.
"It seems our Xu family can't shortchange the Zhang family. Increase the betrothal gift list by twenty percent and add four bottles of Qi and Blood Pills."
Xu Mingwei made the final decision.
"Alright, Elder Brother. I'll handle this matter." Xu Mingyuan said.
Such a generous betrothal gift would be enough even to marry a legitimate daughter of one of Qingjiang's top aristocratic families.
The Zhang family was overwhelmed by this favor.
Two months later, there was an auspicious day.
The Xu family welcomed Zhang Wanqing through the door. Before the wedding night, Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan came to discuss the arts of the bridal chamber with Xu Mingxuan.
After all, Xu Mingxuan had little contact with women growing up, plus six years in the military camp. They were afraid he didn't understand how to consummate the marriage.
Xu Mingxuan was made red-faced and embarrassed.
On the wedding night.
Zhang Wanqing's autumn waves rippled as she gazed at Xu Mingxuan. Her powdered cheeks flushed as she gently parted her vermillion lips, "Husband, this concubine first receives your grace. I hope you will take pity."
Xu Mingxuan's ears turned slightly red. He held her soft hand and said slowly, "My lady, please be at ease. Your husband is also experiencing the clouds and rain of Mount Wu for the first time. Let us encourage each other."
"Pfft~"
Zhang Wanqing was amused and laughed, feeling it was improper. She quickly explained, "This concubine was rude. I just found husband's words very interesting."
"Really?" Xu Mingxuan scratched his head and grinned, "I also think among my family, I'm the most interesting."
"What are husband's elder brothers and younger siblings like?"
"We're all family. It's fine to tell you. My elder brother is dignified and solemn. Since I returned from six years in the military, I feel this even more.
Second Brother is tactful in all situations, a great talent in business. My fourth sister is mischievous and spirited. Relying on being favored, she's occasionally willful. She has an exotic white tiger as a pet. Tomorrow if there's a chance, I'll take you to see it.
Fifth Brother has been cool and aloof since childhood, taciturn, but extremely protective of family."
"What about Father and Mother?" Zhang Wanqing asked again.
"Mother is gentle and refined, very easy to get along with. As for Father, it's no exaggeration to say he has heaven-reaching and earth-connecting talents, but he's also kind to people.
Just remember not to violate the Xu family's interests. Things forbidden from being spread outside the clan, if leaked, even we several would be severely punished."
"Wanqing will remember. Thank you for husband's teaching. Having married into the Xu family, this concubine is a woman of the Xu family and will absolutely not do anything harmful to the Xu family's interests."
"Mm." Xu Mingxuan nodded and was silent for a long while, "My lady, how do I remove these clothes?"
Zhang Wanqing smiled gently.
She was also happy in her heart. The Xu family was indeed as rumored, every one of them was upright and proper, never seeking flowers and willows outside.
"Husband, let this concubine do it herself."
Gauze curtains lightly draped, candle shadows swayed red, dragon and phoenix joy candles shone together in the brocade tent.
In the hazy curtain shadows, two figures overlapped like twin lotus flowers, just like phoenixes harmonizing in the ninth heaven, mandarin ducks entwining necks in azure waves.
This was precisely the night when golden wind and jade dew meet, surpassing countless moments in the mortal world.