Never before the grand unbinding of that iron shell, could anyone have conceived that the silent figure ever present beside Heavy Xuan Sheng, the ironclad guardian who perpetually shielded him from peril, was in truth a woman, and one so seemingly delicate.

Frail and timid, she had blurred the lines of her femininity, erased every hint of weakness. Clad in iron armor, she had shielded both herself and Heavy Xuan Sheng. Her own cowardice and fear were concealed, leaving only the steely courage and strength of a warrior.

Today, she still veiled her face. The iron helm was replaced by a swathe of crimson silk, a shroud for anticipation and bashfulness. Without the burdensome armor, no tremor of panic stirred within her. That soft, thin red veil, astonishingly, bestowed upon her a profound sense of security. Armor was but a barrier for the flesh; love, however, could forge a fortress of the heart.

She heard the master of ceremonies’ pronouncements, her adoptive father’s solemn entrustment, the boisterous, lively clamor of the crowd, their laughter and joyous din. Yet, she was aware only of her own hand. Her hand, accustomed to wielding a heavy sword, was now enveloped in a large, gentle grasp… a hand guiding her forward. She had almost forgotten where she was, where she was headed. She knew only to follow him, that following him was the path.

Sheng brother was brilliant. Sheng brother would not lose his way.

She continued walking thus, until a voice, laced with playful teasing, broke the spell: “Still reluctant to let go, eh?”

Sheng brother retorted instantly: “If it were you, would *you* be willing?”

Haha.

Though she remained silent, she squeezed Heavy Xuan Sheng’s large hand tightly in support, before finally releasing it to enter the sedan chair… accompanied by Miss Li.

So good.

She had always believed this world held its share of wonders, and that as long as she remained by Sheng brother’s side, any destination was the same. But now, she felt it was even better. Everything in this world was infinitely lovely. She truly cherished this world.

The opulent welcoming procession, led by the newly wed Bo Wang Hou’s grandson, Heavy Xuan Sheng, flanked by Wu An Hou Jiang Wang, the direct descendant of the Shi Men Li clan, Li Long Chuan, the direct descendant of the Bei Jun Yan clan, Yan Fu, and joined by the daughter of Chao Yi Da Fu Wen Yan Yu, Wen Ting Lan, arrived at the mansion of Chao Yi Da Fu Yi Xing Chen to receive the bride, before ceremoniously proceeding towards the Bo Wang Hou mansion.

Along the route, well-wishers showered them with blessings. Qi Knife coins were scattered by the jin, and everywhere they passed, vibrant ribbons and streamers adorned the streets in celebration. The welcoming party itself was not vast in number. The grandeur of the outward journey lay in the numerous carriages laden with betrothal gifts; the grandeur of the return lay in the dowry prepared by the Yi family. These betrothal gifts and the dowry would, in time, become Shi Si’s private property, a foundation bestowed upon the young couple by their elders to build their new home. Through this single marriage, Heavy Xuan Sheng and Shi Si gained ownership of half a street of enterprises. Jewels, rare curiosities, and yuan stones were counted separately, a wealth far surpassing the profits from dabbling in the De Sheng business firm. In every aspect, the scale of this wedding surpassed that of the Shuo Fang Bo Fu’s by more than a level. It was, unequivocally, the most magnificent wedding in recent years.

As the welcoming procession, accompanied by the clang of gongs and the roll of drums, returned to the Bo Wang Hou mansion, the Champion Hou Heavy Xuan Zun stood at the gates, his handsome face already strained from constant smiling.

“My son Heavy Xuan Zun, he certainly inherited my looks, a true face of the Heavy Xuan family,” this was the reason Heavy Xuan Ming Guang had summoned him before dawn. To have the Champion Hou preside over the welcoming ceremony in the hall – who could have imagined such a thing? Without the direct instruction of his father, Heavy Xuan Ming Guang, even the current Crown Prince’s wedding could not have commanded such a specification.

Heavy Xuan Zun was utterly fearless of challenges, confident in his ability to excel at anything. But his father’s thinking was truly unrestrained and unpredictable; even his Zhan Wang divine ability struggled to keep pace. To station a military merit Hou at the gate, greeting guests with a perpetual smile – could any ordinary person conceive of such a notion? The entire front of the Bo Wang Hou mansion was packed to the brim, and not solely because of Heavy Xuan Sheng’s wedding! They said Heavy Xuan Zun’s elegance captivated Lin Zi, and this great city had also witnessed the Champion Hou’s rise. But in the vast city of Lin Zi, how many truly had the chance to interact with the Champion Hou’s grace? How many opportunities were there for such close proximity?

Not to mention, standing here would also allow them to witness the return of the welcomed Wu An Hou – the Luan Lang of today! In the entire Da Qi Empire, if a list of desirable marriage candidates were to be compiled, the Champion Hou and the Wu An Hou would undoubtedly be at the forefront, with only a slight difference in ranking based on personal aesthetic. Those who came to the Bo Wang Hou mansion today to attend the wedding banquet were, without exception, either wealthy or noble.

Figures like Du Hou Cao Ji, Chao Yi Da Fu Wen Yan Yu, and Chao Yi Da Fu Ye Hen Shui were all in the inner hall, personally accompanied by the old Hou Ye. The Emperor himself had even sent emissaries to deliver congratulatory gifts! The current momentum of the Heavy Xuan family was undeniable. Furthermore, the military and political spheres were represented by numerous weighty figures, being greeted by Ding Yuan Hou. Representatives from the Gao family, like Gao Zhe, and Bao family’s Bao Zhong Qing and his wife Miao Yu Zhi attending the banquet… these younger generations were all entertained by the newly returned from overseas, Heavy Xuan Xin.

The wedding general manager, Master Ming Guang, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, doing nothing but strolling in and out to inspect – not that he needed to do anything, of course. The Heavy Xuan clan was a top-tier prominent family; their mansion housed an uncountable number of capable individuals. A mere wedding had no reason to be chaotic and disorganized.

Therefore, his initial chest-beating guarantee to the old master, bravely taking responsibility, had been an exceptionally well-chosen task. Even the wedding general manager had to face the duties of welcoming and sending off guests, yet he had simply brushed it off, sending his excellent son instead. Of course, when it came to receiving the ritual money, he still needed to apply some thought.

Returning to Heavy Xuan Zun. The Champion Hou stood at the gates, greeting guests. Those rich or noble young ladies and wives, each of whom had frequented the Bo Wang Hou mansion multiple times, seized the opportunity to engage in small talk with Heavy Xuan Zun.

“I am from the family of so-and-so, and our residence is located here, you know?”

“I have some dietary restrictions, will there be anything on the wedding banquet today without such-and-such?”

These were all casual questions that any attendant could answer, but they insisted on a personal reply from the Champion Hou. People surrounded him in waves, only increasing in number, never decreasing. They almost blocked half the gate, and this was the result of Heavy Xuan Zun’s efforts to maintain order. Had it not been for the grandeur of the wedding, the multitude of guests, and the bright daylight, these young ladies and wives would have been even more unwilling to release him.

The Champion Hou, regardless of how esteemed he was, dared to stand at the gate to welcome guests, and was swiftly divided among them. As for the rumors regarding this Hou Ye’s somewhat unusual “elegant interests”…

Whether true or not, what did it matter? Extraordinary individuals performed extraordinary deeds. Generally, exceptional talents possessed their own exceptional traits. Furthermore, for such a handsome, worldly young man, simply gaining his presence was enough; there was no need to capture his heart. Regardless of where his heart lay, or whom he loved, he would eventually marry and have children…

Facing so many chattering warblers and swallows, even with his higher cultivation, Heavy Xuan Zun was somewhat overwhelmed for a time. Finally, he saw the welcoming procession return and immediately squeezed out of the siege, rushing forward.

“Sheng brother! Congratulations on bringing back the beauty!”

With rare enthusiasm, he patted Heavy Xuan Sheng’s arm: “Come, come, let your brother clear the way for you.”

In full view of everyone, how could Heavy Xuan Sheng allow him to overshadow his performance? Tears welled up, and he spoke with a slight catch in his voice: “My brother! You treat me truly too well. Not only do you welcome guests for my wedding, and greet and send off people for me, but you also send me such a generous gift! You even sent me the Yun Du Wine House, a business that earns gold daily!”

His emotions were so sincere it made Jiang Wang pause for a moment, even doubting himself – had Heavy Xuan Zun truly suffered a fever, and gifted the Yun Du Wine House? Was their brotherhood this profound?

The Champion Hou’s smile was slightly strained. The hand that had been patting Heavy Xuan Sheng’s arm shifted to pinching, gradually increasing pressure, but he barely maintained his graceful demeanor: “Sheng brother, it is good that you like it. Right, your brother also wants to give you a special training session for a month after the wedding. I will impart everything I have learned in my lifetime to you!”

Heavy Xuan Sheng’s face, even with its plumpness, stung from the pinch, yet his tone remained joyful: “How can this be? Zun brother, you also sent me thirteen hundred and fourteen yuan stones, wishing Shi Si and me a lifetime together as a single pair! How can your foolish brother let you spend more money and effort?”

“Hahaha.” The Champion Hou laughed several times. First, he declared: “What I have sent you is already all my property. Others simply cannot afford to give so much.” This blocked any possibility of Heavy Xuan Sheng continuing his audacious demands. Then, he continued: “But your brother still has strength, and I still care and concern for you! Since you are married, you must bear a man’s responsibilities and grow. Of course, you must practice extra. Your brother will squeeze out time to help you… just three months of extra practice!”

The onlookers were not unmoved by the emotions of this pair of brothers. Truly, brotherly affection and filial piety were intertwined, their joy overflowing.

“Alright, alright, you brothers will have plenty of time to exchange pleasantries later. Now, let us give time to the bride,” Marquis Jiang, smiling, waited for their contest to end, then, as if remembering his duty as Luan Lang, temporarily separated Heavy Xuan Zun and nudged Heavy Xuan Sheng forward.

Heavy Xuan Sheng walked to the front of the red sedan chair. Li Feng Yao stood at the edge of the sedan door, gently lifting the curtain.

“Shi Si…” Heavy Xuan Sheng called out softly.

Shi Si timidly extended her hand, her small hand gripping his large one… at first, a slight tremble in her face, then a firm grasp, their fingers interlacing. Surrounded by a throng of relatives and friends, the two stepped into the Hou mansion. They had traversed the gates of the Bo Wang Hou mansion countless times. They had been accustomed to the scenery within the Bo Wang Hou mansion since childhood. But never before had they felt so at ease, so free, so happy, in this renowned mansion, as deep and vast as the sea. Stepping across this threshold, completing this wedding, they were henceforth the masters of this Hou mansion. This was their home, their true home.

Today, guests filled the doorway; today, good friends graced the seats. Today, Heavy Xuan Sheng married Yi Shi Si. Within this Hou mansion—

Large red lanterns hung high, a pair of mandarin ducks swam in the pond. Water lilies bloomed in pairs, and alongside the path, ‘Together Happy’ flowers blossomed. The sound of silk and bamboo instruments was leisurely and melodious. Chao Yi Da Fu Yi Xing Chen and Bo Wang Hou Heavy Xuan Yun Bo sat side by side at the head, serving as the ‘high hall.’

Chao Yi Da Fu Ye Hen Shui, skilled in crafting elegant prose,’s friendship with the Heavy Xuan family stemmed from his earlier relationship with the old master. His ability to personally visit and discuss the marriage last time was certainly due to Heavy Xuan Sheng’s dazzling performance on the Fa Xia battlefield, but also largely, it was giving face to the old master. The relationship between the two families had originally had an opportunity to deepen… Fortunately, at that time, it had only remained at the stage of private contact and had not yet been publicly announced, so they had not directly fallen out. Of course, the Ping Yuan Jun Xing family, on their side, certainly would not have been without their opinions.

The fact that Ye Hen Shui could attend the wedding banquet was a testament to the old Hou Ye’s efforts to mend the relationship during this period, and Heavy Xuan Sheng had also personally visited to apologize. His role today as the master of ceremonies for the hall worship ritual also served as a form of attitude display, indicating that there were no grudges between him and the Heavy Xuan family. It was unknown how many things the old Hou Ye had done privately.

Under Ye Hen Shui’s guidance, the wedding ceremony proceeded step by step. The Luan Lang, Jiang Wu An, and the Feng Niang, Li Feng Yao, each recited blessings. These were naturally penned by skilled writers, crafting elegant and auspicious prose. Only after Marquis Jiang’s solemn and rhythmic recitation concluded, a female voice suddenly called out from the crowd: “Wu An Hou spoke well, Wu An Hou say more!” For a moment, it was unclear which family’s daughter it was.

Because quite a few of the ‘warblers and swallows’ were present, a chorus immediately chimed in. The entire courtyard was filled with joyous voices.

“Wu An Hou, say more!”

“Your close friend is getting married, you can’t just say these official pronouncements!”

Someone, it was unclear which young master, mixed in, shouting: “Jiang Wang! Jiang Wang!” Eh, this one didn’t count.

Another voice mixed into the crowd of ‘red powder’: “Then let Li Feng Yao say more, I just love hearing her speak!” Li Feng Yao cast a glance, and the mixed voices all disappeared, all unifying into a call for Jiang Wang.

Qi country was not like Song country, which discouraged women from showing their faces. Regardless of gender, people expressed what they liked; no one could control that. Du Hou Cao Ji, Chao Yi Da Fu Wen Yan Yu, all smiled as they watched this scene. They had all been young before, and all remembered their youthful days.

Yi Xing Chen, seated at the head, laughed and said: “Wu An Hou, do not mind saying a few more sentences. Let me also understand my future son-in-law better.”

This drew glances even from Heavy Xuan Sheng. He was naturally curious about how his friend would describe him. On such a joyous day, Jiang Wang did not feign modesty. With a smile, he said: “Then I shall simply chat more about the groom, chat about Heavy Xuan Sheng. I will forget the memorized good prose and speak some words from my heart. I will say whatever comes to mind.”

“What kind of person is Heavy Xuan Sheng?”

He looked around slowly and said: “Some here may know, and some may not. Besides my official position, I also have the identity of a Tai Xu messenger. In Tian Fu city, I also operate a Tai Xu corner tower. Within the Tai Xu illusion, there is a sword discussion platform, convenient for participants to spar and verify their cultivation. And Heavy Xuan Sheng is the only person who, in same-realm battles within the Tai Xu illusion, has repeatedly defeated me, and I have yet to win back a single time.”

Exclamations rippled through the crowd; the Bo Wang Hou’s grandson was actually this formidable. Heavy Xuan Sheng simply smiled with a lighthearted air, indicating it was nothing worth mentioning.

Jiang Wang continued: “Heavy Xuan Sheng is a smart person, this is known to everyone.”

“Heavy Xuan Sheng is a foolish person, foolish in that he is clearly exceptionally smart, yet he always accompanies me in doing foolish things.”

“Heavy Xuan Sheng makes his enemies gnash their teeth, and he makes his friends gnash their teeth as well.”

“What kind of person Heavy Xuan Sheng is, even now, I cannot accurately evaluate. He appeared so concretely in my life, becoming my close friend, my brother in spirit. I cannot fully describe him, but I am willing to do things for him, and that itself becomes a description of him. I believe he is also worth many people spending a great deal of time to truly know.”

“Without Heavy Xuan Sheng, perhaps I would not be in Qi country today. It would also be very difficult for me to see all of you and gather happily with everyone.”

“There is no need for taboos. Today’s bride, Yi Shi Si, is of guard origin. It is Yi Da Fu’s pity and love for her that gave her a noble identity, allowing her, in everyone’s eyes, to match the Heavy Xuan clan’s status.”

“But to me, whatever kind of Heavy Xuan Sheng, Shi Si is a match. Being a guard is nothing bad. Before knowing Heavy Xuan Sheng, I was also just a country boy from a remote small country.”

“What I want to say is that I see Heavy Xuan Sheng and Yi Shi Si as a relationship of mutual support, dependent on each other for life and death. They are almost never separated, sharing joy and anger, honor and disgrace, participating in each other’s entire lives. I have seen Shi Si fearlessly face death for Heavy Xuan Sheng countless times, and similarly seen Heavy Xuan Sheng disregard his own life for Shi Si many times. This is how they have supported each other through the years I have witnessed, and also in the years I have not seen, they have walked through life together like this.”

“Regarding marriage, people usually discuss family background, discuss pomp, discuss benefits. Yet, they seldom discuss the two people who love each other, the two hearts that are in love.”

“One day I asked Heavy Xuan Sheng, I said, ‘To marry Shi Si, what are you willing to pay?’ He looked at me strangely, and said nothing. Because this was fundamentally not a question, because he was willing to pay anything.”

“I am a person who will walk a long road alone, and all my imagination about love and romance comes from them. I am not a person who understands romance well, but I think, what is called romance, what is called love, is nothing more than this.”

“Today, I entrust Heavy Xuan Sheng to Yi Shi Si’s side. Not to put his hand into his guard’s, but to put his hand into the responsibility named ‘husband’.”

“Shi Si has protected Heavy Xuan Sheng for so long, now it should be Heavy Xuan Sheng’s turn to be the one who stands in front.”

“I participate in Heavy Xuan Sheng’s wedding today, not to witness their harvest, not to witness the marriage of two families, but to witness their love.”

“Thank you everyone for being able to come, thank you everyone for being able to witness together with me.”

“Nothing can stop their love anymore!”

Please.