Thinking of this, I couldn't help but think of my newlywed wife, and then of the passionate love we'd shared these past two days. My face flushed slightly.

The Qingping Marquis's family has a pure and upright family tradition. The boys in the family either study hard or insist on practicing martial arts. Before marriage, the boys in the family are not allowed to have maids. Cheng Kai likes Xu Gao very much. She is beautiful and sensible. The two have just gotten married and naturally have a very good relationship.

After a few rounds of drinks, Xu Di, the eldest son in the family, stood up with his cup in hand and said to Cheng Kai, "Brother-in-law, I'd like to toast you."

Cheng Kai quickly grabbed his wine glass and stood up. Xu Di waved his hand and said, "Brother-in-law, please sit down. Before we drink, I have a few words to say. After my eldest sister married you, we became family. You and my eldest sister will support each other and spend the rest of your lives together. I won't say anything else. There's only one thing I want to tell you today: please treat my eldest sister well. Although we are not uncles or cousins, we come from the same family, and our relationship goes without saying. Behind my eldest sister stands a group of brothers. Brother-in-law, please be sure to treat my sister well."

Cheng Kai raised his wine glass and said, "Husband and wife are one. Now that we are husband and wife, we will naturally share joys and sorrows. Please rest assured, I will certainly treat my wife well."

Xu Di nodded, raised his wine glass, and drank it all in one gulp. Cheng Kai followed suit and finished his own wine glass.

These words were not actually a warning, but rather a statement of their attitude. As an elder in the family, they naturally wanted to tell Cheng Kai that his wife's family had many brothers and sisters. However, it was inappropriate for an elder to say such things. Xu Di, as Xu Gao's younger brother, although not a biological brother, was the eldest boy in this generation of the family, so it was most appropriate for him to say it.

The prince felt grateful to Xu Di. Xu Gao, who was sitting at the other table, naturally heard Xu Di's words. She said to Zhang Zhaoci, "Third Aunt, thank you."

Zhang Zhaoci said with a smile, "They are all your brothers from your maternal family, so of course they will support you. In the future, you don't need to be afraid when you are in your maternal family. Just do what you should do. Your younger brothers are not grown up yet, but don't you still have us aunts? If it is inconvenient for your mother to get involved, we will stand up for you."

After hearing Zhang Zhaoci's words, Ning raised her wine glass to Zhang Zhaoci and said, "Third sister-in-law, thank you."

Everyone enjoyed the meal and left satisfied.

On the way back to the Qingping Marquis's residence with Xu Gao, Cheng Kai made an excuse that he had been drinking and did not ride a horse. Instead, he climbed into Xu Gao's carriage and sat next to Xu Gao.

Xu Gao glanced shyly at Cheng Kai, blushed, and lowered her head. Cheng Kai's face was also flushed from drinking. He gently took Xu Gao's hand in his own. Cheng Kai's hands were large and thick, and his palms had calluses from years of martial arts training. The calluses pricked Xu Gao's delicate skin, making her feel itchy. This itch slowly spread to her heart.

Cheng Kai blushed and said, "My wife, I have already sworn an oath in front of my brothers-in-law that I will treat you well from now on. My wife, you can rest assured."

Xu Gao lowered her head, her ears turning red upon hearing these words. She nodded without raising her head. Cheng Kai looked at his beautiful wife sitting beside him and felt as if the whole world had become perfect.

The day after Xu Gao returned to his parents' home, the Crown Prince sent someone to deliver a set of writing implements to Xu Di. Xu Di gladly accepted it and told Zhang Zhaoci about it when he returned. Zhang Zhaoci understood that this was the Crown Prince thanking Xu Di for what he had said at the dinner table. Xu Di said that it was because he and Xu Gao were both descendants of the Xu family, and the Crown Prince sending someone to deliver the gifts meant that he owed Xu Di this favor.

Xu Di said, "I think the Crown Prince is being a bit too polite. We all come from the same Marquis's family, so we should look out for each other. It's inappropriate for anyone else to say these things, but it's appropriate for me to say them."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "You think you're so smart? Hua-ge'er is his own brother, why didn't he say anything?"

Xu Di said, "Hey, Xu Hua? Didn't you see the way he looked at Cheng Kai? That's the look a fan gives their idol. Cheng Kai has a pretty good reputation in the capital. He's tall and strong, and highly skilled in martial arts. He's currently serving in the imperial court. Xu Hua is a martial arts enthusiast. Seeing Cheng Kai sparring with someone else, how could he say these things to Cheng Kai? Give me a break."

Granny Lu said with a smile, "The young master of the Qingping Marquis's family has a really good reputation. In our capital, many young people regard Guard Cheng as their role model."

Zhang Zhaoci said, "In that case, you should keep in touch with them more often. If you don't keep in touch, you might not even know if someone bullies you. You've made some tough promises to them, so if something really happens, you'll have to stand up for them."

Xu Di said, "So what if I stand out? There's nothing to be afraid of. Alright, Mother, I don't need many of these things right now. It's fine to leave them here for Xiao Jiu and Xiao Qi."

Zhang Zhaoci looked at the items in the boxes; they were clearly valuable. Granny Lu came over and examined them, saying, "Zhuge brush, Li Tinggui ink, Chengxintang paper, Longwei inkstone. Our young master has really spent some money."

Xu Di said, "Aren't these things made for people to use? I don't need them now, and they're just gathering dust. Let Xiao Jiu and Xiao Qi use them."

After Xu Gao got married, the most important thing for the Xu family now is for Xu Pu to take the whole family on long trips.

As Xu Pu described the journey to Chen, Chen grew increasingly excited about it, and her four children also hoped the trip would take place soon.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!