As the saying goes, it only takes a thin layer of gauze for a girl to pursue a boy. Pei Zitong had been sitting at the gate of the yamen for five days and had become as tough as steel. He successfully turned Tong Bajin into a soft woman.

As Ding Youtian's term was about to end, Jian Ning had the flower hall decorated as a bridal chamber for Tong Bajin and Pei Zitong to temporarily reside in, and also held a grand wedding for them.

Pei Zitong was familiar with the customs of the Central Plains. She had always longed for it after hearing her mother describe it. Although it was her second marriage, she specially sold her jewelry and asked Jian Ning to buy her a wedding gown. When Tong Bajin found out, he redeemed all the jewelry she had pawned and gave the extra money to Jian Ning to buy it for her.

Tong Bajin and his companions had all made military achievements and were rewarded by the court. If they hadn't volunteered to follow Ding Youtian for their entire lives, they would have long since joined the army. He had originally not planned to marry or have children, but he hadn't expected to marry a Yue Kingdom princess, and he naturally didn't want to treat her badly.

On the day of the wedding, the whole Xing'an City was in an uproar. The yamen runners and hangers-on carried the bridal sedan and the red wedding dress around the city, and sent her to the county yamen with music and drums. Duan Xinyan was so jealous that she caught Erlangzi and scolded him again. She felt that she had made a mistake in marrying him, and blamed Erlangzi for not loving his wife like Tong Bajin.

Ding Youtian also asked Jian Ning, "Should I hold a wedding for you after we return to Beijing? I promised you a successful exam and a wedding night. This is my second marriage, but yours is your first. I'd be letting you down if I don't hold a wedding for you."

"Forget it. Bao'er will be getting married in a few years. I don't want to be scolded if you want to. Besides, what will happen to the outside world? The whole court will be alerted when Taibao gets married. Then, do you think it's better for them to bring gifts or not? If they don't bring gifts, they will be afraid of offending you, the new noble of the court and the virtuous son-in-law of Prince Pingnan. If they bring a large gift and we accept it, won't it become a topic of gossip if there is any trouble in the future? I'm not doing this to satisfy my own vanity. As long as you treat me well as always, it's enough. What is more important than the two of us growing old together?"

Ding Youtian was deeply moved by her words and said seriously, "Madam is right. Wealth and honor are like floating clouds, gone in a flash. Even someone as powerful as my master cannot avoid this. If I don't constantly reflect on myself and practice self-discipline, I'm sure I'll end up making the same mistakes as my master."

"Sometimes I think it would be better to stay in the countryside and live a life of poverty, happy and free. But if that happens, I won't be able to realize my ambitions. I understand the hardships Brother Yifan went through back then. In his position, he should at least be able to do some real work and make life comfortable for his wife and children. It's just that thanks to my wife, I couldn't welcome you into our family in a grand sedan chair."

Jian Ning shook his head and smiled, "No one can live in this world and everything goes as planned. Whether or not there is a wedding is not important. What is important is that two people can live together, talk to each other, and support each other from youth to old age. This is more important than anything else."

"That's right. How could I, your husband, be so worthy of your companionship throughout my life?" Ding Youtian held her hand. "I can't promise that I won't make you suffer, but I can promise that as long as you don't abandon me, I will stay with you for the rest of your life. Even if you grow old, you will still find it very beautiful."

Jian Ning slapped his hand away, squinting at him and said, "You're just saying sweet words and you can't say anything without saying anything. If you dare to flirt with other women outside, I'll punish you!"

After hearing this, Ding Youtian burst into laughter, put his hands behind his back and walked away with his head held high.

Time passed like flowing water, and soon Ding Youtian's term of office was over. Early that morning, the new county magistrate arrived and completed the handover. Ding Youtian and Jian Ning said goodbye to the people who came to see them off. Then, they and their family, three followers, a family of more than 20 people, and several horse-drawn carriages set off for Zhuling County.

Qin Yifan still has two months left in his term, and he will soon be promoted to a Beijing official. In the past, when he was a county magistrate, Old Qin often quarreled with others. Now that he is in a high position and has power, Old Qin has become kind and easy-going to others. He no longer gives people the cold shoulder easily, and he no longer gets angry and glares when encountering things. He no longer has to compete with others for victory or defeat in everything, and he no longer argues with Aunt Feng much.

When Ding Youtian heard Qin Yifan mention the changes in Old Qin, he secretly sighed. The old man was so insightful. The higher his son's official position, the more he was easygoing and humble, not wanting to bring trouble to his son. Now that he had made his mark, wouldn't he also want to be filial to his parents? Let them live a comfortable life in front of the elderly.

He had this thought in mind when he returned to his hometown this time. After all, his parents gave him life, and although they sent him to school for their own glory and wealth, the money was ultimately squeezed out from their teeth, and it was all saved by careful budgeting and frugality.

After all, he had been too playful in the past and didn't pay enough attention to farm work. He made up his mind that if Old Ding and Mrs. Meng came to their senses in the next few years, he would persuade Jian Ning to take them to Beijing to enjoy their old age, which would be considered as fulfilling his filial duty as a son.

At night, he and Qin Yifan drank and chatted, and Jian Ning and Mei Niang and other female relatives also had a good chat in the small flower hall. Duan Xinyan always liked Mei Niang, who was also a concubine's daughter. After learning that Mei Niang's mother was promoted to a co-wife by Mei Niang's father because of Qin Yifan's success, she felt sorry for her mother.

Erlangzi made great contributions in the battle of Fengyi. She has heard from Jian Ning that Ding Youtian will let them take up positions in local areas sooner or later. If her mother is kinder and more obedient, then there is no need to worry about not having a good life.

People often destroy the blessings they are destined to have because they want too much.

Jian Ning and his companions only stayed in Zhuling County for two days before setting off for the dock. Ding Youtian did not write to anyone to inform them of their itinerary, but when they got off the boat, Master Ding Sanye, Ding Jian and several other elders were waiting at the dock.

"Uncle San, Big Brother." Ding Youtian bowed to them, "How did you know we were coming?"

Uncle Ding Sanye smiled and said, "My eldest brother and the village head figured it out. They counted on their fingers that you would definitely come back to visit when your term was up. But if they hadn't predicted it correctly, your eldest brother and I would have waited here for three consecutive days. Finally, you are here."

Ding Youwang also smiled and said, "Fourth brother, fourth sister-in-law, you have worked hard on the journey. Your sister-in-law and the others have prepared food in the old house. I will send the third brother back to tell him the news. When he returns, he will have hot food to eat and the house will be cleaned."

"Thank you for thinking of everything." Jian Ning pulled Erniu and Sanniu and asked them to call for help.

"Uncle, second uncle, third uncle, your niece greets you." Sanniu was about to give them the three blessings, but Erniu pulled her aside and said, "Third uncle is older, so you should greet him first."

"Haha, it's okay, it's okay. These two kids have become successful. They are both very handsome. The guardian and the princess are so lucky!" Master Ding was so happy that his eyes were beaming.

Ding Youtian hurriedly bowed and said, "Third Uncle, please call me Lao Si as before. It sounds comfortable. I have said before that I will always be a member of our Dingxian Village and will always be a junior in front of the elders of the clan. Third Uncle, please don't be estranged from your nephew."