**Chapter 32: The Xu Family Welcomes the Bride**
**A few days later.**
**Dongxi Village, the Chen family's old house.**
"What? Father, you want me and my family to become vassals of the Xu family?"
Chen Daming's face was horrified. Chen Erzheng was silent.
"This matter concerns everyone. You all need to think deeply. Da Niu, Fang Fang, and the rest of you—if you don't want to follow, I will not force you."
"I am old. I can't do much for you anymore. This time, I used my old face to make San'er agree."
"As long as you are willing, you can go and be treated the same as Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, and Zhou."
Uncle Chen's eyes were cloudy. He still held his old tobacco pipe in his hand and said bitterly, "Don't just look at how those few are now—each one has risen along with the family. How high the Xu family will go in the future will also determine how far you can go."
"San'er told me that the Great Wei dynasty divides families into nine ranks. His family has not yet entered the so-called ranks."
"He said that the family has only just begun."
"His heart is like the sea, his spirit like a mountain. He is building a foundation for a hundred generations."
Chen Daming looked displeased and said, "Though his children are outstanding, Xu Chuan can only live so many more days. Even if he is far-sighted, after his death, isn't everything empty?"
"How can he guarantee that the family will prosper for generations and not produce heirs who will lose the family fortune?"
"His family is at its peak right now, but my Chen family has thrived for generations. We will naturally have our own ancestors' glory."
"You see too far ahead."
Uncle Chen glanced at him, then looked at his children.
Mrs. Lu also said, "Father, my husband is right. My Lu family was also built by my father from nothing. In just over ten years, he became a wealthy merchant in Qingjiang County. But by my generation, it has already begun to decline."
"The world is fickle. No one can say what the future holds."
"I know what you mean. What is your family's decision?"
Uncle Chen looked at them.
"I—"
Chen Erzheng and Xu Yan were silent.
"Father, I agree." Chen Da Niu stepped forward first.
"I don't mean to demean our own family, but Uncle Chuan is the wisest person I have ever met."
Chen Da Niu seemed to remember something, and his face showed bitterness. "In the past, I always felt that I was no worse than Aiyuan, no worse than Brother Shitou."
"But after all these years, through the trials of the world, I have come to understand that there is indeed a gap in human talent. That is inborn. But for the development of a family, what is more important is having the guidance of a far-sighted leader."
"Do what you can. Everyone does their best."
"Family members each do their own work."
"This is how the Xu family is. Uncle Chuan is the needle of the divine sea, guiding the Xu family's steps, nurturing each person and bringing out their strengths."
"Brother Shitou is the eldest son, the family heir. What he needs is steadiness and deterrence."
"Aiyuan has a flexible mind and is eight-sided and玲珑. He is a businessman. The Xu family's industries are controlled by him. Even Uncle Chuan rarely gets involved."
"Tan Tan was sent to the martial hall from childhood, single-mindedly pursuing martial arts."
"Even Aunt Bai is only responsible for the inner household and never meddles in anything else."
When he spoke of Bai Jing, he also looked at his own mother, intentionally or unintentionally.
There was a comparison there.
Uncle Chen's mouth curled with a smile. "Worthy of my good grandson. With this vision, even if you don't become a vassal of the Xu family, you are enough to make the Chen family a line of wealthy merchants in your lifetime."
"Second son, and you."
Chen Erzheng sighed and lifted his head. "It's just that I was born unsuitable to be a decision-maker. Since I have the opportunity to do the old line of work, I will continue to follow Chuan Ge."
"So, Daming, go back and live your days well."
In the end, Chen Daming did not want to go the way Uncle Chen had arranged.
Perhaps from the beginning, it was destined.
Uncle Chen and Chen Erzheng, Chen Da Niu, told Xu Chuan's warning. The Chen family's property would be absorbed into the Xu family, unified under the Xu family's management.
However, Xu Yan strongly disagreed.
Chen Erzheng tried to persuade her to no avail. In the end, he gritted his teeth and decided to separate from Xu Yan.
Knowing her greedy nature, he left her seventy percent of the family business. He, Chen Da Niu, and Chen Fang Fang all voluntarily joined the Xu family, becoming their vassals.
Uncle Chen informed Xu Chuan of the decisions of the Chen Daming and Chen Erzheng families.
Xu Chuan was surprised. He looked at Chen Erzheng with a few glances.
"Second Uncle, a great man is not afraid of having no wife. In a few years, we'll find you a better one."
Xu Mingyuan was also present at the time. He patted Chen Da Niu on the shoulder, saw his sad face, and comforted him, "Big Ox, don't worry about what's happening in your family."
"Follow me from now on."
Xu Mingyuan looked at Xu Chuan. Xu Chuan smiled and nodded. "Don't let Big Ox be wronged."
"Thank you, Master." Chen Da Niu cupped his hands.
"Look at you. We keep public and private separate. When we're among our own people in private, still call me Aiyuan."
Chen Da Niu and Chen Fangfang smiled. The sadness in their hearts cleared like rain passing over a sunny day.
Uncle Chen set aside a worry.
Two months later, he passed away, not living to see the year-end sacrifice.
The Xu family held a grand funeral for him.
---
**In the blink of an eye.**
The second day of the second month arrived—the dragon raises its head.
The mountain streams babbled. The shore was verdant.
The wedding was another great occasion.
Many families from the county came. The Yang family also had close family elders from the prefectural city.
The Yang family had been established for over three hundred years and was very large. It was impossible for everyone to come.
Only Yang Zhao's close relatives attended.
But if Yang Shichang were to marry a Wen family daughter in the prefectural city, it would be very different—far more lively than this.
---
**At the gate of the Xu residence.**
Xu Mingwei wore a red, gold-embroidered, cloud-patterned round-collar robe. A gold-inlaid jade belt was fastened around his waist. The five-bat pattern embroidered in dark thread on his robe appeared and disappeared with his steps.
He wore a black gauze hat on his head, revealing his feet. On both sides, the kryptonite glinted. His sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes became clearer and clearer.
His nose was as high as a mountain peak. His lip line was slightly raised by tension.
On his feet were deep red, pink-bottomed boots. A large red silk flower was slanted across his chest. His whole person was like cinnamon fresh from quenching.
He mounted the black horse and was about to set off with the wedding procession.
Xu Mingyi ran out with the white tiger.
"Brother, wait."
"Snow, what is it?" He turned around and asked with a smile.
"I heard Father say that some people from the Yang family have come from the prefectural city. They want to test us. If you take Little White, you can give them a show of strength."
Xu Mingwei looked at her. "That's not necessary."
Xu Chuan knew that the marriage had made many in the Yang family dissatisfied. He said, "Listen to Snow. Though we may not be able to compare to the Yang family, we cannot be underestimated."
"Good, Father."
"Little White, lie down. Let my brother ride you today. When you come back, I'll give you a delicious reward."
Xu Mingyi whispered in the white tiger's ear.
Her words seemed to have a special power. The white tiger nodded as if understanding, and also made a few sounds, as if bargaining.
"Stingy Little White. Fine, as you say."
The rest of the guards saw Xu Mingyi communicating with the white tiger and were no longer surprised.
"Brother, get on. I'll follow you, so he doesn't lose his temper."
"Aiyuan, Tan Tan, Yunnu, you go too. Remember, don't cause too much trouble."
"Don't worry, Dad. I promise to bring sister-in-law back on time." Xu Mingxian laughed.
The five siblings moved together.
Just like that, the sound of drums and music began.
"Dad, Mother, your son is leaving."
Bai Jing's eyes were moist, but a happy smile was on her face.
Xu Chuan held her soft hand, stroked it, and said to Xu Mingwei, "Go."
Watching the children grow up and watching them marry—for parents, this was the greatest happiness.
---
The wedding procession set off.
In the county, many people followed.
They had all come to see the white tiger.
"Today is the Xu family's wedding," someone on the street said.
"How do you know?"
"The white tiger has come out. Everyone in Qingjiang County knows that's the Xu family's."
"Does the Xu family have this kind of beast-taming skill?"
"That's not clear."
---
**Green Cloud Street.**
**In front of the Yang family gate.**
"Cousin, later you don't interfere. I want to let the Xu family know that a woman of my Yang family is not so easy to marry. If they don't have the ability, they can go back where they came from."
The corners of Yang Shichang's mouth twitched slightly, but he did not stop him.
In weddings, since ancient times, the woman's side has made things difficult for the groom.
He could only let it happen.
"They're coming! They're coming!"
A ten-year-old boy in black and gold satin shouted loudly.
---