Chapter 399 In-laws? Stop arguing!
The period around the New Year is the time when Qingyun Tianxia is most active, but there are some differences before and after.
Before a festival, visits and banquets are mostly between equals, with large families interacting with each other and smaller families interacting with each other, with the aim of forming alliances. However, after a festival, most visits involve climbing the social ladder from lower to higher positions, with the aim of leveraging influence.
So, right after the new year, the Guan family of Zhongzhou, taking advantage of their marriage ties with a branch of the Fang family, invited the head of the Fang family to come as guests.
In preparation for today's invitation, they accelerated the construction schedule and completed the Linxian Manor, which had been meticulously crafted a year ago, on schedule, and also collected various rare and precious treasures as gifts.
Persistence pays off. The Fang family agreed, and Fang Lun, the second son of Fang Xiang, the head of the Fang family, led more than fifty members of the main lineage to visit on the fifth day of the lunar new year.
At that time, the Guan family mansion was filled with the sounds of gongs and drums, and countless members of the Guan family greeted the guests with smiles as if bathed in a spring breeze.
"Second Master, it's been a long time. You still have such an otherworldly air about you, truly making my Guan family feel as if auspicious purple clouds are rising from the east."
"Master Guan, you are too kind. Your daughter is related to a branch of my Fang family by marriage, so we are naturally family. There is no need for you to come out to greet her personally."
Guan Yue, the head of the Guan family, was a thin, middle-aged man dressed in a Taoist robe. Upon hearing this, he immediately cupped his hands and smiled, saying that it was appropriate.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the Guan family, numbering over a hundred, escorted the Fang family members towards Linxian Manor.
A grand banquet and song and dance performances had been prepared in the garden, interspersed with displays of rare and precious treasures, which began to be presented to the Fang family one by one.
"The Guan family certainly has a grand presence, but it's a bit too vulgar."
In the main and guest seats, a young man wearing a red crown and jade belt couldn't help but speak softly.
He is Fang Lun's second son, named Fang Jintu, the cousin of Fang Jincheng, an inner disciple of the Heavenly Academy, and has just reached the age of twenty.
"The Guan family is, after all, a small and insignificant family, and their vision can only be this limited," said the second master of the Fang family, raising his wine glass in a soft voice.
"Since we are from a humble family, I don't know why Grandpa still asked us to come. I will be going to the Heavenly Academy to find my elder brother next spring. I am about to complete my breakthrough, so there is really no need."
"You silly boy, you'll understand why when you grow up and become the head of the clan."
After Fang Lun finished speaking, he drank the wine in his cup.
The fact that the main branch of the Fang family condescended to come here is partly due to the rare and precious treasures they possess, but it is also a result of their own considerations.
The combined calamity of the ancient families did not actually damage the Fang family, but their strength was greatly diminished. The reason for this was that their patriarch, who held power in the Elders' Pavilion of the Heavenly Book Academy, entered the Ancient Ruins in order to break through to a higher realm, and his body was never found.
A cultivator at the Boundless Upper Realm is an absolute pillar for any cultivation family; losing even one would be a devastating blow.
Most importantly, they not only lost an ancestor, but their close ties with the Heavenly Academy have also weakened considerably.
Qingyun Tianxia has always been very pragmatic; other powerful families in the same territory would love to see you decline.
As the saying goes, even a small fly is still meat. It is precisely because of their current predicament that the Fang family is willing to set aside their pride to protect the minor aristocratic families that depend on them and strengthen their loyalty.
"Peng'er".
"father."
The head of the Guan family turned to his son sitting on his right and said, "Go and pour Second Master a cup of wine."
Amidst the sounds of drums and music, the handsome Guan Peng stood up, carried a wine pot, and respectfully went over to fill the wine cup in front of Fang Lun.
This young master of the Guan family is already twenty-seven years old, but his talent for cultivation is not high. He has just reached the peak of the lower three realms and is currently serving as the group leader of the Hall of Affairs at the Heavenly Academy.
Unlike other disciples of the Head of the Hall, who were regular transfer students from the Heavenly Academy, he entered the Head of the Hall directly through the Fang family's connections.
Having been influenced by his surroundings since childhood, Guan Peng is an excellent person and is highly trusted by the steward Ji Jingyao. He is currently enjoying great influence in the steward's office.
After pouring wine for the second master of the Fang family, Guan Peng returned to his own desk and heard the second master of the Fang family boast to him, which made his father burst into laughter.
Guan Peng smiled subtly, picked up his chopsticks to eat, and suddenly noticed a beautiful woman looking at him from across the room.
That was a young lady from a collateral branch of the Fang family, named Fang Jinyu. She was a cousin of my married aunt, and she had to call me cousin.
It's unclear what sparked Miss Jinyu's interest, but she couldn't help but smile sweetly when she saw him looking at her.
Guan Peng's heart skipped a beat, and he was momentarily stunned, thinking to himself, "What a beautiful girl."
Although twenty-seven years old is a time when a person is mature enough, he couldn't help but let his mind wander.
After thinking for a long time, Guan Peng stood up, poured a glass of wine, and brought it over.
However, before he even got there, the Fang family members gathered together burst into laughter at him.
"He actually came?"
"He really dares to dream of achieving the peak of the lower three realms."
Guan Peng didn't know what they were laughing at, but seeing that everyone's attention was starting to focus on the laughter, he couldn't help but blush and quickly retreat.
Upon seeing this, the Guan family patriarch's gaze fell upon the Fang family woman, a thoughtful expression on his face.
He had previously heard from his servants that his son had a close relationship with a woman at the Heavenly Academy, but after inquiring about her identity, he was not actually satisfied.
Although the woman's surname was also Fang, her family was worlds apart from the Fang family in front of them.
In Qingyun Tianxia, marriage alliances have always been heavily influenced by self-interest. People want to marry into a higher social class, and even more so, they want to marry into a more prestigious family. Naturally, he would prefer that someone of even greater standing enter his household, and if it were the Fang family's daughter before him, that would be even better.
Just as the head of the Guan family was letting his imagination run wild, a servant suddenly rushed over from the front yard, making his way around the banquet area.
"Master, there are visitors at the door."
"Visitor? Who is it?"
"It is said that Fang Ruoming, the deputy general of the Zhenbei Army, has come to pay his respects to the family with his sister Fang Ruoyao."
Upon hearing this, the Guan family patriarch frowned and looked at his son sitting to his right: "You invited him?"
Guan Peng naturally heard the servant's report and said in surprise, "I did say before I came back that I would invite her and a few fellow cultivators to come and visit if I had the chance, but I did not make an appointment for when. How come this Junior Sister Fang came by herself?"
As he was speaking, he was about to get up when he saw his father frown: "Our distinguished guests are here. If you leave halfway through the meal, what will they think?"
Guan Peng glanced at the young lady from the Fang family's collateral branch without thinking, and then hurriedly sat down again.
Seeing this, the head of the Guan family looked at the servant who had made the announcement and said, "Find a side hall in the backyard for them to stay in. Tell them I will come after the banquet."
"yes."
"Remember to have them use the side door in the back alley. Qingyun Tianxia has a rule that no more than two guests can be admitted to the main entrance of a house in a day. I'm sure they will understand."
After the head of the Guan family finished speaking, he waved his hand and ordered the servant to leave.
He really didn't want his son to marry a woman from the Fan family, but since there were distinguished guests present today, he couldn't just pretend and send them away.
Although major families prioritize financial interests when considering marriage alliances for their children, the character of the in-laws is also an important factor. After all, no one wants their daughter to marry into a family that can turn on them at any time.
"Fang Ruoming, Fang Ruoyao, when has my Fang family ever had a member with the character 'Ruo' in their name?"
The head of the Guan family was lost in thought when he heard this and immediately looked up at Fang Lun, who had suddenly asked the question: "Second Master, you misunderstand. This is not your Fang family, but a Fan family from Yuyang County, Fengzhou."
Fang Jintu, who was picking up food with his chopsticks, frowned upon hearing this: "Yuyang County? Wasn't that dead Ji You from Yuyang County?"
His voice was loud, and it immediately attracted other people's attention.
Upon hearing this, Guan Peng replied, "It's Yuyang County. My junior sister here is from Fengzhou."
"Hey, I remember now, isn't Fang Ruoyao Ji You's fiancée before he was hospitalized?"
"Is that so?"
“He opposed the old master before. Didn’t we investigate Ji You’s background? Third Brother really has a terrible memory.”
The head of the Guan family was startled by the sound, and his eyes widened as he looked at his son.
He knew that the woman was an ordinary mortal and that she came from Yuyang County, but he had no idea that he and Ji You had such a relationship.
It should be noted that Ji You had defeated the Fang family patriarch and almost prevented Fang Jincheng from entering the inner courtyard, thus incurring a deep enmity with the Fang family.
In an instant, the banquet, which had been filled with laughter, fell into a quieter atmosphere, but fortunately, the sound of drums and music prevented it from becoming dull.
Meanwhile, Fang Ruoming and Fang Ruoyao were standing in front of the Guan family's immortal residence, followed by five armored guards, waiting silently.
Accompanying them were three other disciples of the Heavenly Book Academy: Qin Ruo and Lin Cong, and Qu Churou, a woman who had also entered the academy based on military merit and then transferred to the Heavenly Book Pavilion, and who had a very good relationship with Fang Ruoyao.
"The Guan family may not be of high status, but their gate is certainly impressive."
"The Guan family is good at making friends, and the women of the last three generations have all married well. They are quite a powerful force in the southern part of Zhongzhou."
"No wonder……"
Listening to the discussions behind her, Fang Ruoyao couldn't help but feel a little proud, but she couldn't help but be modest: "Actually, Guan Peng said that his family receives and sees off a lot of guests every day, and the effort he puts into his home is also for the sake of other people's face."
Qin Ruo turned to look at her after hearing this: "We're not even married yet, and you've already figured out my family's secrets?"
"Senior sister, please don't make fun of me."
"That being said, do you really think Guan Peng's temperament is suitable for you?"
Fang Ruoyao glanced at the mansion in front of her upon hearing this: "There are no two people in this world who are perfectly compatible. They just need to work things out."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a series of footsteps sounded from the Guan family's residence.
The servant who had gone to announce the arrival came out and stood still, looking at everyone: "Gentlemen, the Guan family has distinguished guests at our residence today. The head of the family has ordered me to take you to the courtyard to rest first."
"It turns out there were guests at your residence. We've come at a bad time."
The group muttered something under their breath, then stepped onto the stairs, but before they had gone more than a few steps, the servant hurriedly waved his hand to stop them.
Seeing this, everyone was puzzled.
"Everyone, the patriarch said to go this way."
"?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Ruo and the other two frowned slightly, instantly realizing that the Guan family was preventing them from entering through the main gate.
You have to understand, they didn't just come to visit friends on the way here. Guan Peng said that Fang Ruoyao was deeply in love with him and invited her to visit after the New Year. How can they not even let them through the main gate?
Thinking of this, Qin Ruo and the other two couldn't help but turn to look at Fang Ruoming and Fang Ruoyao standing behind them.
Fang Ruoming's expression remained relatively calm, but his eyes sharpened slightly, suggesting he sensed the disdain.
Before anyone could speak, Fang Ruoyao interjected, "We don't accept two guests a day. They might be extremely distinguished guests. Let them go through the side door if they want."
"Even if it's true that the family doesn't allow two guests a day, Guan Peng should have come to pick them up personally."
"It's alright, they probably couldn't leave the banquet."
She was the one who was supposed to be the one to pay respects at the door, so since she had already said so, no one could say anything more and could only follow the servant.
What they didn't expect was that this one thing, which was not a big deal, took them a full incense stick's time to spin around, and they were eventually led to a dark back alley.
Even the servant was a little embarrassed at this point, and hesitated for a long time before finally managing to say "Please come in."
However, Qin Ruo, Lin Cong, and Qu Churou believed that they absolutely could not enter through this door.
Otherwise, if she were to actually get married in the future, Fang Ruoyao wouldn't even be able to hold her head up in front of the servants in the mansion.
To their surprise, Fang Ruoyao didn't say anything, but instead walked in calmly.
Sure enough, when they saw unfamiliar faces entering through the small door in the back alley, all the servants living in the backyard couldn't help but stop and watch.
Despite the discomfort of being stared at by strange eyes, Qin Ruo and the other two quickened their pace and were finally led into a side hall by the servant.
"Please rest here, everyone."
After the servant finished speaking, he turned to leave.
Seeing this, Qin Ruo said, "Wait a moment."
"What can I do for you, sir?"
“You only said to rest here, but you didn’t say how long we should rest. Are we supposed to keep waiting?”
Upon seeing this, the servant bowed and said, "Our master is currently hosting a banquet for guests at the Linxian Manor ahead. He should be here soon after the banquet ends."
Qin Ruo wanted to ask him when the banquet would end, but then she thought that a servant like him couldn't possibly know these things, so she had no choice but to give up.
Lin Cong got off the chair and waited for a long time before his brow furrowed slightly.
He thought that the servant would order tea to be served after leading them over, but after waiting for so long, no one showed up.
"They won't even serve a cup of tea? What kind of hospitality is this?"
"I'll make the tea; the tea set is ready anyway."
Fang Ruoyao stood up and walked to the tea table in the corner.
In truth, she was well aware that the Guan family's behavior was full of contempt, but there were some things she couldn't do about it.
She had limited talent and could not reach the Tongxuan Realm. According to the Xia Dynasty's immortal rules, mortal cultivators could not enter the upper five realms, so later generations still did not have the capital to cultivate immortality.
Therefore, she was determined to marry into a prominent family and thereby completely escape her ordinary fate.
Everyone in the courtyard knew that Guan Peng had been expressing his feelings to her all along, and she had been reserved until the New Year before finally agreeing. But what they didn't know was that she had actually wanted to agree to marry him and change her fate long ago.
But Guan Peng doesn't represent the Guan family. The older generation always considers family background, so she was prepared to be harassed when she arrived.
For her, feeling wronged was not important; the most important thing was not to lose her manners and leave the best impression on the Guan family.
So she could easily convince herself to go in through the back door, and if no tea was offered, she would make her own.
Qin Ruo and the other two understood her mindset. After all, the disciples who entered the Heavenly Academy's Hall of Affairs were either from ordinary families or were the last descendants of collateral branches of minor aristocratic families.
They were also aware that, in terms of status and background, Guan Peng was already the highest position they could reach, so they didn't say anything more.
Before Fang Ruoyao could pick up the teacup, Fang Ruoming reached out and stopped her.
"Brother?"
"You don't need to do such a small thing. Let Ah Liang do it."
Fang Ruoming looked at one of the armored guards standing on either side, and saw a flash of light appear in the guard's hand, revealing a tea tray with a teapot, teacups, and a tea canister on it.
Upon seeing this, Qin Ruo and the other two looked at the armored guard's waist and couldn't help but show surprise.
Storage artifacts are very expensive because they are difficult to make, and even some ordinary noble families cannot afford them. Unexpectedly, one of Fang Ruoyao's brothers' guards has a storage artifact.
They took out the tea set, asked a maid for water, and the tea quickly filled the air with its aroma.
But once you start drinking this tea, it's already late afternoon and the sun is setting.
Throughout this process, no one came; only the cultivators, with their keen hearing, could faintly hear the commotion in the front yard.
Fang Ruoming had been standing on the veranda in front of the door for a long time, calmly watching the snow on the roof tiles melt at a slower rate, without saying a word.
He has always believed in destiny and karma, so he is very cautious about cause and effect. Therefore, he rarely goes home, avoids getting too involved, and only cares about his sister's marriage, but does not interfere too much.
Moreover, my younger sister grew up with my parents and has a limited perspective, so she is indeed not suitable to marry someone too well.
This is what is meant by everyone having their own destiny, which cannot be forcibly changed; to follow it is the way of Heaven.
However, seeing the Guan family's attitude, he became quite curious about how things would unfold next.
"I wonder what my elder brother is thinking at this moment..."
Fang Ruoyao looked at Fang Ruoming from behind, her heart filled with unease.
Her elder brother had been in the army for many years and rarely came home, so she was not very close to him and did not have a very accurate understanding of his temperament. She did not know if her brother was already furious and did not agree to her marrying into the Guan family.
Fortunately, not long after, an elderly man in a blue robe entered the front hall, breaking the silence.
"Distinguished guests, my master invites you to the front courtyard for a chat."
Fang Ruoyao breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this: "Brother, their banquet should be over."
Fang Ruoming glanced at his sister and then nodded gently.
The five then passed through the backyard and arrived at the front yard, traversing the vast Taoist temple before reaching a tea room located in the Linxian Manor.
The reception at Linxian Manor was not actually over yet. When the five people arrived, the garden was still full of Guan family members accompanying Fang family members for a leisurely stroll.
When they arrived, everyone's attention was drawn to them.
"Is this Ji You's former fiancée?"
"It's her, Fang Ruoyao."
Fang Jintu looked at them calmly: "Who's that next to her?"
The Guan family member standing next to him said, "This man should be Fang Ruoyao's older brother, Fang Ruoming. He is also from Yuyang County. He was sent to the northern border to join the army when he was young, and now he is a deputy general."
"No wonder I don't like him. I didn't expect him to be from Yuyang County as well. But why can't I see his cultivation level?"
"Barbarians are naturally sensitive to their five senses. The Zhenbei Army has been fighting them in the northern border for a long time, and the army has its own unique methods to conceal its aura. However, Fang Ruoming participated in the Heavenly Dao Assembly and has the cultivation of the Fusion Dao Realm. He has good talent, but it is a pity that he has not made any progress since entering the Holy Land of the Sages."
"I see."
Being watched by others is not a pleasant experience, so Fang Ruoyao and her group did not linger in the manor and quickly followed Fang Ruoming into the tea room.
Despite their reluctance to be watched, the pampered young masters and ladies still flocked over, crowding around both sides of the tea room.
At this moment, Fang Ruoyao, who had just entered the tea room, realized that the so-called formal meeting was not as formal as she had imagined, and even felt like a casual affair.
Because at this moment, in addition to the Guan family patriarch and Guan Peng, there were also Fang family second master Fang Lun and three elders of the Fang family main lineage in the tea room.
She came here to discuss marriage with Guan Peng. Marriage is a family matter and a private matter, so there shouldn't be any outsiders present.
"Second Master, these are Peng'er's friends from the Heavenly Academy. The lady in front is the granddaughter of the Qin family, the maternal relatives of Steward Qin. They came to Zhongzhou for sightseeing today, and because they are on good terms with Peng'er, they stopped by to visit my Guan family."
When the Guan family head saw the group enter, he turned around and introduced Second Master Fang.
Master Fang held his teacup, glanced at it indifferently, and then nodded slightly.
Upon hearing this, Fang Ruoyao couldn't help but turn to look at Guan Peng, her eyes asking a question.
Because they had discussed it before the New Year, her purpose in coming was for Guan Peng to introduce her to his family, not for a friend to visit. Guan's words just now completely changed the meaning of this trip.
Guan Peng naturally noticed Fang Ruoyao's gaze, but looking at Miss Fang outside the door, he didn't speak, just kept his head down without uttering a word.
Seeing this, Qin Ruo frowned inwardly, thinking that Fang Ruoyao's trip might not be able to achieve its goal.
After the Guan family patriarch introduced them to Fang Lun, he turned to the group of five and said, “It is really unfortunate that you have come today. I have distinguished guests at home. Please forgive me for not being hospitable enough.”
“What Patriarch Guan said is true, and the hospitality was indeed somewhat inadequate.” Fang Ruoming, who had been silent all along but had been calmly observing the people around him, suddenly spoke up.
Upon hearing this, the Guan family head's face darkened.
He had only meant to be polite, but he didn't expect the other party to refuse the offer he gave, and he immediately felt embarrassed.
"I understand that Young Master Fang has been in the military camp for a long time and is naturally unfamiliar with the rules of aristocratic families. There is an order of importance among guests, and I cannot abandon my distinguished guest to entertain some unimportant people."
Fang Ruoming asked with some confusion, "Where is our honored guest?"
The head of the Guan family turned to Fang Lun and said, "This is the second master of the Fang family. However, this Fang is not the same as your surname. I wonder if Young Master Fang is aware of this?"
"Oh, it's the one that lost the family heirloom altar."
"?!"
Qin Ruo and the other two, being from the Heavenly Academy, were well aware of the Fang family's power and influence, and their hearts trembled upon hearing this.
Back then, the Fang family patriarch opposed Ji You, and Ji You forcibly took away the family heirloom altar. This matter has always been a sensitive topic that they forbid others from mentioning.
That one sentence alone was enough to ignite the Fang family's anger.
"Please forgive me, elders," Fang Ruoyao said hastily, and immediately addressed the Guan family head and Fang Erye, "My elder brother has served in the military for many years and is a bit too outspoken. Also, I am not bothering you today for no reason. It is because Guan Peng wants to arrange a marriage between us."
The head of the Guan family frowned deeply: "Your Fang family of Yuyang County is nothing more than an ordinary family. Marriage? Miss, you'd better not joke around."
"This is what Guan Peng told me personally before the new year."
“I know my son well. He is the worst at refusing people, and because of this personality, he is often harassed and suffers a lot.”
Fang Ruoyao realized that the Guan family head was implying that she should keep pestering him. Her expression changed slightly as she looked at Guan Peng again, but Guan Peng remained silent, only signaling her with an urgent look to stop talking.
In an instant, the daughter of the magistrate of Yuyang County felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles.
"Alright, it's common for young people to joke around, but it's important to know your place. I've prepared a feast for you all, featuring dishes you don't usually get to eat. Enjoy them, and then you can wander around for a couple more days before you leave."
In fact, the head of the Guan family did not want to see them in the first place. These few words were just a formality because they had entered the house. When the conversation did not go well, he could not help but ask them to leave.
Fang Ruoyao remained silent for a long time before bowing and walking out.
Because she knew that in this situation, Guan Peng's silence had already explained everything.
Qin Ruo and the other two couldn't stand it any longer, so they hurriedly followed. Fang Ruoming didn't say anything more and went out as well.
After watching the five people leave, the head of the Guan family immediately looked at Fang Lun with a slight apology: "I'm sorry for making you laugh, Second Master."
Fang Lun narrowed his eyes slightly: "I'm truly ashamed. The Fang family of Yuyang County, one a lowly cultivator and the other a mere soldier, dare to say anything."
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
