**Chapter 34: Marriage, Breaking Through**
**The Yang residence.**
**Yang Ronghua's chamber.**
"Miss, the eldest young master is fighting with the young masters from the prefectural city."
"Is my brother hurt?"
"Naturally, the eldest young master won. He defeated that young master from the Qi family!"
Yang Ronghua was full of joy, a coquettish smile on her face. "I knew Brother Mingwei is the most powerful."
A moment later.
Another maid entered.
"Miss, the eldest young master composed a bridal poem."
*"The fragrant carriage adorned with gems stops at the golden gate,*
*The painted hall has silver candles.*
*In the diamond mirror, a new deer appears,*
*Before the tortoiseshell screen, old dust settles."*
"We should go out now."
---
**The main hall.**
Yang Zhao and his wife sat at the head of the hall.
After the crowd filed in, Xu Mingwei bowed to Yang Zhao and his wife, saying, "Your son-in-law pays respects to Father-in-law and Mother-in-law."
"Yes."
Yang Zhao stroked his short beard and nodded with satisfaction.
"The bride is coming."
No one knew who shouted, and the crowd parted to make a path.
A woman in a dark-haired wedding dress walked slowly.
On her head, a phoenix coronet swayed, with emerald ruyi flowers on both sides. A half-face fan painted with black lacquer covered her face. The fan's surface was painted with brush flowers, revealing eyes like black obsidian soaked in a spring.
A jasper belt was girded around her waist. Hanging silk threads were embroidered with emeralds, making a clear sound with her movements.
The people around fell silent.
For a moment, only the woman in his eyes remained.
Yang Ronghua knelt on the futon and bowed to Yang Zhao and his wife.
"Father, Mother."
Mrs. Yang lowered her head and wiped her tears, crying and laughing at once.
"Go." Yang Zhao nodded and said, "From now on, be a good wife. Be respectful and deferential first. Do not forget the family teachings. Be quiet and gentle."
"Your daughter remembers Father's instruction."
Yang Ronghua choked back tears as she bowed to Yang Zhao.
Yang Zhao looked at Xu Mingwei again and smiled. "Son-in-law, I entrust Hua'er to you. Treat her well."
"Your son-in-law will not forget your instruction. I will cherish her."
After that, Yang Shichang escorted Yang Ronghua out the door and helped her into the carriage.
The Xu family procession began to head toward Dongxi Village.
Many people from the Yang family naturally followed. This was a customary ritual, to show support for the bride and ensure she would not be looked down upon by the groom's family.
---
**Almost noon.**
The procession returned to the Xu family home.
Then came the wedding ceremony.
They listened to the wedding officiant:
"First bow to heaven and earth—may husband and wife love each other."
"Second bow to the high hall—may parents be blessed with long life."
"Husband and wife bow to each other—may they grow old together and never part."
The feast began.
Except for Xu Mingyi and Xu Mingxian, who were still young, the others accompanied Xu Mingwei, responsible for blocking and pouring wine.
After round after round of toasts, Xu Mingwei was half drunk. A small portion of that was thanks to Xu Mingyuan's help in drinking for him.
With the help of Chen Da Niu, Xu Mingyuan, Xu Minghu, and others, Xu Mingwei entered the bridal chamber.
Once in the bridal chamber, there was a series of rituals to observe.
For example, tying their hair together—cutting a strand from each and placing them in a silk pouch as a token of faith.
Scattering osmanthus and dates—praying for "an early birth of a noble son."
Drinking from the same cup—the couple drinking bitter wine to symbolize sharing hardships together.
Eating dumplings—and being asked, "Raw?"
---
**That night.**
"Husband, we should rest."
"Yes."
Yang Ronghua's voice was as soft as a mosquito's, barely audible.
Her cheeks were rosy and lush, giving her a deliciously alluring look.
Xu Mingwei pulled down the bed curtains and slowly lowered her down.
And then—
---
**The Yang residence.**
"You lost this morning to the Xu family." Yang Zhao's cousin, Yang Hua, said lightly.
"Father, Xu Mingwei is indeed as Uncle said—extraordinarily talented, with the bearing of a master. He also seems to have inborn divine strength, far beyond ordinary people." Yang Shihui spoke respectfully.
"Cousin, you have chosen a good husband for Ronghua."
"Prepare yourself. In less than a month, my father's side will be able to clear the way and have the transfer documents sent down."
"Thank you, Cousin."
"No thanks. We're all family. Just remember to do good work for the family."
Yang Zhao nodded in agreement.
But he also knew in his heart that the Yang family had chosen him because, among the Yang family members serving as officials, he was the most outstanding and the most promising.
When connections were nearly equal, naturally the one with the best performance and the greatest hope would be chosen.
---
**The next day.**
The Yang family members returned to the prefectural city.
**Another month passed.**
Both Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei came to bid farewell to the Yang Zhao family.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, your son-in-law will certainly bring Ronghua to visit you in the prefectural city."
"No need to rush. Help your father grow the family. The pond in Qingjiang County is too shallow—in the end, it cannot contain your family."
"Yes, Brother Chuan." Yang Zhao looked at Xu Chuan, a smile on his lips.
Xu Chuan grinned, saying nothing more.
"Let's stop here. I'm afraid I'll have to go to the prefectural city."
Hearing Yang Zhao's joke, everyone laughed.
"One can only send a thousand miles so far. County Magistrate Wu, County Lieutenant Fang, Brother Chuan's family—please take good care of them."
"Brother, that's only natural."
The Yang family had deep roots in the prefectural city. If it came down to it, County Magistrate Wu and the others would naturally be unwilling to risk offending the Yang family by targeting the Xu family.
In addition, the Xu family's businesses were watertight, and the family itself was united like a solid barrel.
They could not easily find a reason to attack.
---
**Two months later.**
The morning light was born. Purple energy came from the east.
Xu Mingwei sat in the courtyard and read the general outline of the *Minor Dragon Elephant Skill*.
*The dragon tugs on yin and yang,*
*The fire refines the great essence.*
*Three levels of heaven and earth,*
*Breathe in the yellow court.*
His five hearts faced the sky. His hundred acupoints opened like windows to heaven. He felt the power of heaven and earth.
Miraculously, his spiritual platform was empty, his mind like a mirror. His pores opened like lotus valves. The power of heaven and earth transformed into white points of light and entered his body.
Half an hour later.
He opened his eyes and looked at his hands.
"Understanding heaven and earth, drawing energy into the body—I've finally done it!"
"Twelve years of hard work will not disappoint Father's hopes!"
Just then, a maid passed through the arched courtyard gate and entered the yard. Her face was full of joy.
"Eldest Young Master, I came this morning to say that the young mistress is with child."
Xu Mingwei was stunned for a moment, then laughed—even happier than at his own breakthrough. He immediately got up and went to visit Yang Ronghua.
The news spread throughout the residence.
Xu Chuan's heart was filled with joy. A wave of excitement surged through him. He immediately ordered that all the housekeepers, maids, and guards be rewarded with half a month's wages.
"Hua'er is with child. Shitou, you must not be rough anymore."
Xu Mingwei looked at him, as if there was a hidden meaning.
He scratched his head.
He had a prior record. The second day after the wedding, Yang Ronghua had been tossed out of bed because of the previous night's activities.
That day, tea had been specially moved to the afternoon.
He had been ridiculed by his brothers.
Bai Jing sat beside Yang Ronghua, holding her hand and laughing, constantly asking after her with concern.
Xu Mingwei pulled Xu Chuan aside and lowered his voice. "Father, your son broke through to the innate realm this morning."
"Really!"
Xu Chuan's face showed surprise. "Come, follow your father to the study."
---
**The study.**
Xu Mingwei directly removed his upper garment.
And then—
*The orange glow was warm. The jade kryptonite slanted down.*
*Toad light passed through the neck. Crane energy gasped.*
*The spring of the spirit springs surged with peach streams. True essence flowed between them.*
*The most wonderful place to cultivate—a red lotus.*
---