Chapter 231 - 130: Grand Wedding (2)

Zhou Ping paused for a moment before changing the subject.

"However, there’s a matter next month that only you, in all of Dragon Mountain Upper Courtyard, can handle! It’s not set in stone yet, so I won’t say more for now. Once it’s confirmed, Master Cao will come to you personally..."

"Understood. Thank you for the heads-up, Senior Brother Zhou."

Chen Cheng gave a slight nod, not taking it to heart.

’No matter what it is, it can’t be more important than my own cultivation,’ he thought. ’I’ll see what it’s about when the time comes. If there’s a benefit, I’ll participate. If not, I’ll turn it down. Someone else can go if they want.’

...

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

During this time, aside from three assignments escorting the Wu Family’s fleet of boats, Chen Cheng had practically become a shut-in.

He meticulously planned every day, every breath, doing everything possible to advance his progress in several core Skills.

He also consumed a considerable amount of resources.

He finished all the Red Jade Blood-Nourishing Pills and Three Treasures Nourishing Essence Pills.

He also finished the Three Treasures Bone-Building Pills from Zhuang Zhen, taking one every three days.

He drank an entire jar of Aged Golden Ring Treasure Snake Medicinal Wine.

He ate twenty pieces of Exotic Tiger Dried Meat.

He ate five Treasure Fish.

At his rate of resource consumption, it was likely that no faction in all of Zhao City, aside from the Eight Great Races, could afford to support him.

Oh, no.

To be precise, it was now the Seven Great Races.

Over the past month, the Bai Family’s foundation in the Inner City had been completely eradicated.

This was due to Xu Linyuan’s swift and decisive actions, as well as the other seven great races fanning the flames from behind, driven by the chance to divide the spoils.

With the Bai Family’s fall, the Seven Great Races were overjoyed to carve up the businesses, territories, and connections they left behind. In their own words, they’d never had such a fat new year!

However, outside the city, some core members of the Bai Family were still holding out, defending a Hunting Manor, a Fishing Village, and two mining sites, essentially becoming like mountain bandits claiming their own territory.

The Captain’s Mansion sent men out of the city to exterminate them twice, but they failed to crack them. It was said they even lost some men, so for now, the matter was shelved.

Chen Cheng wasn’t very clear on the specific details.

All the information he had came from the woman of the Li Family, who had heard it from Lady Sun.

Fortunately, Lady Sun’s husband was an Inspectorate Clerk Officer, so this information should be more or less accurate and was certainly not baseless gossip.

However, Chen Cheng wasn’t too concerned about it.

’As long as I can cultivate in peace, I don’t care what kind of chaos is happening outside.’

"Mother, it’s time for us to leave."

Chen Cheng, neatly dressed, walked out from the inner courtyard.

Today, he had changed into a newly made Ink Fox Fur jacket. His hair was specially tied up, gathered neatly atop his head and secured with a black hairpin, making him look even more spirited than usual.

Moreover, he had clearly grown taller again. His shoulders were broader and thicker, and his physique appeared more lean and powerful. Just by standing there, he exuded an aura that seemed to emanate from his very bones.

In the words of the woman of the Li Family from a few days ago, he now had the air of a young Jianghu hero. He had truly grown up.

In the front courtyard, hearing the commotion, the woman of the Li Family also came out of her side room.

She too had changed into a new, thick set of clothes today: a dark red jacket and skirt, with fine fur trimming the collar and cuffs.

Chen Cheng had entrusted Lady Sun to accompany her to the largest tailor shop in South City to have it made.

The material was excellent and the cut was perfect. It was extremely comfortable to wear and complemented the healthy complexion she had gained recently, making her look even better.

Furthermore, she interacted with Lady Sun almost daily. Through gradual influence and accumulated experience, her temperament, speech, and demeanor had all undergone a significant transformation.

Now, as she stood in the courtyard with her back straight and a benevolent expression, she already possessed the air of a lady from a grand household.

"Let’s go. Time to head out."

The woman of the Li Family chuckled in agreement and started walking toward the gate.

When she reached Chen Cheng’s side, she casually straightened his collar, took a half-step back to look him up and down, and nodded in satisfaction.

"My Cheng truly is a fine, handsome man!"

"..."

Chen Cheng didn’t speak, just smiled. He pulled open the courtyard gate and stepped aside to let the woman of the Li Family exit first.

In the afternoon sun, Qingshui Lane was bathed in a warm glow, always evoking a feeling of tranquility and ease.

Mother and son walked side by side with light steps, a relaxed smile constantly on their faces as they chatted casually.

Once upon a time, this was a scene they wouldn’t have dared to dream of.

...

「South Outer City, An Nan District.」

A large, impressively-sized courtyard home in a prime location was currently adorned with lanterns and streamers, with guests arriving like clouds.

The main gates were wide open, their vermilion lacquer brilliant. Two large red lanterns hung from the lintel, the gilded "Double Happiness" character on them clearly visible from halfway down the street.

Inside and outside the threshold, a brand-new red felt carpet was laid out, stretching from the gateway all the way to the spirit screen wall behind it.

A steward in charge of greeting guests stood at the entrance, his face wreathed in smiles. He clasped his fists in greeting to every arrival, continuously calling out, "Inside, please, inside!"

Behind him, two young servants stood on either side, holding lacquer trays filled with wedding candy and melon seeds wrapped in red paper. They pressed them into the hands of every person they saw.

The courtyard was even more lively.

A row of large red lanterns hung under the eaves of the main hall. A dozen or so "Eight Immortals" tables were set up in the front courtyard, covered with red cloths and laden with teapots, melon seeds, peanuts, and wedding candy. Seated around them were relatives and friends who had arrived early.

Guests were still arriving in a steady stream.

The first thing they did upon entering was to deliver their red envelopes with gift money to the gift table.

The gift table was set up behind the spirit screen wall, and behind the table sat two elderly men who looked like accountants.

One held a brush, while the other announced the gifts.

"Lady Sun of the South Street Embroidery Workshop! A gift of eight hundred coins!"

"Chief Shopkeeper Ma of Ma’s Clothing Shop! A gift of two thousand coins!"

"The bride’s grandfather, Elder Lin! A gift of five thousand coins!"