Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 271: Chapter 262: Marrying Off the Daughter

September 20th, Wang Bin also left Chongshan Town, heading to Beiyuan Town to take up his post.

Before departing, he made a special trip to An Yuan City to share a drink with Yang Zhenshan, accompanied by Yang Chengche and Yang Qinwu.

From now on, Yang Chengche and Yang Qinwu will be making their way in Beiyuan Town under his lead.

Faced with Yang Chengche and Yang Qinwu, Yang Zhenshan couldn’t help but give them another earnest guidance.

When they left, Yang Zhenshan gave each of them ten jars of medicinal wine.

The taste of his medicinal wine might not be great, but its effectiveness was on par with that of Treasure Medicine.

Made with Spiritual Spring Water and a formula for strengthening the body, the enhancement to one’s physique and potential was obvious.

As the day of the wedding draws nearer, the Yang family becomes increasingly busy, what seemed like a long span of ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and it was already the night before the wedding.

The courtyard of the Yang family was filled with the prepared dowries, all covered with red silk, and red lanterns were hung all around, making it look exceptionally festive.

However, amidst the joy of the people in the main hall was a touch of sadness; this was the last dinner Yunxue would have at home.

Yunxue and Yunyan were different; although Yunyan had married off early, she hadn’t been far from the Yang family. Previously she lived in the Jiang family village, just a few miles from Yang Family Village, and could return to her parental home at any time. Later, when Yang Zhenshan moved to Chongshan Town, he brought her family along, so they were always together.

But once Yunxue marries and moves to the Capital City, she’ll be thousands of miles away from home, and it may be years before they see each other again.

Inside the main house, everyone sat together in silence, Yang Zhenshan feeling somewhat sentimental as well.

Although Yunxue was only his adopted daughter, she had been under his care for several years, and he truly found it hard to let her go.

”Come on, eat more!” Yang Zhenshan said to the pretty young girl, his voice becoming even softer.

The old father’s heart was very complicated.

He was glad to see his daughter grow up, reluctant to have her marry off, and worried that she might be bullied after getting married.

”Dad, let your daughter pour you a drink!”

Yang Yunxue had always been gentle and sensible, never causing trouble. Even though the Yang family had risen abruptly, Yang Yunxue still maintained an honest nature. Whether at home or outside, she always behaved with grace, kindness, and approachability.

”Mom, your daughter will pour you a drink too!” Yang Yunxue approached Yu Qingyi and filled a bowl with wine for her.

Yu Qingyi smiled, ”If someone bullies you in the future, tell Mom, and I’ll take care of it for you! You know, your mother is very capable!”

”Okay!” Yang Yunxue smiled with pursed lips.

”Ha ha, besides Mom, you also have us brothers! We brothers will also have your back!” Yang Mingzhi, seeing the atmosphere was a bit heavy, spoke up with a laugh.

”Then I’ll also pour wine for my brothers!” Yang Yunxue went to pour wine for the three brothers.

”Auntie, I will also have your back!” Yang Chengxian suddenly spoke up, but his eyes were fixed on the wine pot in Yang Yunxue’s hand, clearly harboring ulterior motives.

”Then Auntie thanks you, Chengxian!” Yang Yunxue didn’t notice his gaze but instead affectionately patted his little head.

”Auntie, why don’t you pour wine for me?” Yang Chengxian said with dissatisfaction.

Yang Yunxue’s stroking hand paused, looking at the little guy in a bit of an amused frustration.

”Don’t talk nonsense!” Beside him, Yang Chengye grabbed Yang Chengxian and sternly lectured: ”Auntie is an elder, how could she pour wine for you!”

Chengxian is four years old this year, and Chengye is already ten. As the eldest grandson of the Yang family’s main branch, Chengye has always acted like an elder brother at home, exercising strict discipline over his younger brothers.

Hearing Chengye’s words, the usually lively Chengxian immediately dared not speak and bowed his head to eat his rice.

Yang Zhenshan saw this scene and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

What’s called one thing overcomes another.

Chengxian, this child, usually acts without restraint, not afraid of even him, but is uniquely fearful of Chengye.

Speaking of which, Yang Mingzhi and the Li family had somewhat indulged their children. Yang Chengmao grew up in Yang Family Village; his personality is rather steady. But Yang Chengxian and Yang Wanting, these two little ones, grew up in Jianning Guard—one is an unruly troublemaker, the other is a sparrow that chirps incessantly without a moment of peace.

Put the two little ones together, and what a noise they make.

After dinner, everyone dispersed. With the wedding tomorrow, all the preparations that should be made were complete.

But Yang Zhenshan had called Nanny Zhang, Xia Feng, and four maidservants, along with four male servants to the main courtyard.

These people were part of Yang Yunxue’s dowry; they would follow her to the Marquis Mansion.

Xia Feng had been with Yang Yunxue since early on, originally just a young maidservant, now she has become a chief maid.

Nanny Zhang is a servant purchased by the Yang family after moving to An Yuan City; her whole family serves the Yang family. She is always prudent in her work and highly trusted by Yang Yunxue.

As for the four maidservants and four male servants, they were also trained by the Yang family in recent years, all around sixteen or seventeen years old, all martial artists.

However, the one with the highest cultivation is still Xia Feng, who is now a Postnatal Martial Artist.

”Master!” Nanny Zhang entered the hall and bowed to Yang Zhenshan.

”Mm!” Yang Zhenshan nodded.

This Nanny Zhang was the one by Yu Qingyi’s side, skilled in cooking, with a cultivation of Postnatal Fourth Layer. She had once roamed the worldly society and understood the dangers of it.

She, too, would follow Yang Yunxue in marriage.

This was arranged after discussions between Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi.

The Marquis Mansion is different from the Yang family home; as the saying goes, ”Entering the Marquis’s door is as deep as the sea.” Although the backyard of Changping Marquis Mansion is still quite peaceful, no one knows if it will always remain so in the future. Moreover, Yang Yunxue will live in the Capital City, where there are many complications. If any chaos arises, the outcome is unpredictable.

”Tomorrow you will follow the young lady in marriage!”

”I have only one request, if the young lady suffers any grievance, you must notify me!”

”It’s a bit troublesome to contact me in the Capital City, but you can go to General Zhou, or go find Mr. Liu, the Right Imperial Censor at the Imperial Examination Hall!”

”Nanny Zhang, Nanny Lin, I entrust the young lady to you both!” said Yang Zhenshan.

”Master, rest assured, we will take good care of the young lady!” Nanny Zhang responded.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly.

Once Yang Yunxue enters the Marquis Mansion, these people will be her greatest support.

As for her husband, Liang Jinyan, men can sometimes be unreliable. Although Liang Jinyan seems to be an ideal gentleman right now, who knows about the future!

Yang Zhenshan, as a father, must plan for his children’s long-term well-being.

...

The next morning, before dawn, Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi got up early.

After handing Little Ming Zhao over to the nanny for care, the two went to the front court to wait for the bridal procession from the Marquis Mansion.

The bridal procession from the Marquis Mansion had arrived yesterday. They were setting out from the city early this morning, planning to hasten back to Chongshan Pass within the day to perform the wedding ceremony at dusk. Thus, time was tight.

Just as a hint of white began to spread across the eastern sky, the sounds of music and beating drums arose outside the Yang family’s door.

”Master, Madam, they’ve arrived—the groom is at the doorstep!” Wu Hai ran into the main hall and announced.

Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi simply nodded, not saying much.

It seemed rather lively outside. After waiting about half a ’shichen’ (two hours), Liang Jinyan came to bid farewell to them with Yunxue.

Watching the two bow in front of him, Yang Zhenshan felt a tightness in his heart.

His cherished adopted daughter was getting married!

From today onward, she would be someone else’s wife!

”Rise!” Yang Zhenshan composed himself.

”Dad!” Yang Yunxue softly called out.

Yang Zhenshan stood up and adjusted the golden hairpin on her head.

He still remembered when she first arrived at the Yang family. She was short and thin, with slightly yellowing hair. In the blink of an eye, that little girl had grown into a beautiful young woman.

”Take good care of Yunxue!”

Yang Zhenshan approached Liang Jinyan and spoke in a deep voice.

Liang Jinyan, feeling the intensity of his gaze, couldn’t help but shiver.

Such a daunting father-in-law!

”I will not let my wife suffer any grievances!” He spoke with a certain nervousness.

Yang Zhenshan patted him on the shoulder, ”The hour is late, you’d better be off!”

Due to the long journey, the timing was very tight.

Subsequently, Yu Qingyi covered Yang Yunxue’s head with a red bridal veil, and Yang Mingcheng carried his younger sister out of the house.

In front of the Yang family’s gate, the long procession gradually trailed off into the distance, accompanied by the music and drums. Yang Zhenshan sat in the main hall until the sounds faded away, then let out a deep sigh.

In contrast to the melancholy of the Yang family’s send-off, Chongshan Pass’ Marquis Mansion was a bustling, joyous scene by dusk.

The festive atmosphere was filled with the clamor of gongs and drums and throngs of guests. It was nothing short of jubilant.

Liang Chu was soon to return to the Capital City to take command of the Twelve Camps of the imperial guard—a clear step forward, signifying the old Emperor’s trust in him.

Before leaving, the wedding at the Marquis Mansion naturally attracted officials from all over Chongshan Town, and even many from the Capital City came to offer their congratulations.

Those nobles—those amongst the Twelve Camps—each one came early to pay their respects to their future superior.

”First bow to heaven and earth!”

”Second bow to the parents!”

”The couple bows to each other!”

The lively wedding ceremony began inside the Marquis Mansion. As Liang Chu looked at Yang Yunxue in her bridal attire, he felt an immense sense of pride.

He was thoroughly pleased with Yang Yunxue. If it were not for his eldest grandson already being married, he would have wanted Yang Yunxue to be the primary heir’s wife.

The primary heir’s wife would be the future matriarch of the Marquis Mansion, the clan mother alongside the clan leader, responsible for all family affairs.

In terms of birth, Yang Yunxue was nothing extraordinary, but her talent in martial arts was impressive.

After all, the Marquis Mansion valued martial prowess above all, and martial arts were the foundation of their legacy.

A granddaughter-in-law with exceptional talent, if nurtured, could be a significant boon to the future of the Marquis Mansion.

Watching the newlyweds being sent into the bridal chamber, Liang Chu joyously attended to the well-wishers.

The festivities in the Marquis Mansion lasted well into the night.

...

Three days later, the newlyweds were to pay a return visit to the bride’s family.

Early in the morning, Yang Zhenshan was waiting in the living room. It was strange; when Yunxue was home, he never felt particularly close to his adopted daughter. But during the days since Yunxue’s wedding, he found himself constantly thinking about her, worried that she wouldn’t be well-cared for in the unfamiliar Marquis Mansion.

They were supposed to return in the morning, but due to the long distance, the couple didn’t arrive at the Yang family home until the afternoon.

”Dad, Mom!”

”Your son-in-law pays his respects to father-in-law and mother-in-law!”

Yang Yunxue and Liang Jinyan kowtowed to Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi.

”Rise!” Yang Zhenshan looked over Yang Yunxue, noticing her rosy complexion and the absence of any sign of distress or grief, which somewhat eased his mind.

”Thank you, father-in-law, mother-in-law!” Liang Jinyan said, meticulously observing the formalities.

He had to be meticulous. His father-in-law was a fearsome warrior on the battlefield, and facing him always made his heart race.

”You and your mother can catch up. Jinyan, come with me!”

After speaking, Yang Zhenshan took Liang Jinyan to the front court.

Once they left, Yu Qingyi took Yang Yunxue’s hand and asked, ”How is it going? Have you adapted well to life in the Marquis Mansion?”

”My eyes are sparkling, Mom, rest assured, your daughter is doing very well in the Marquis Mansion!”

Yu Qingyi, seeing the smile in her eyes, followed up with another query: ”How are your in-laws treating you? I’ve heard the rules can be quite strict in those noble families—is it the same in the Marquis Mansion?”

”Mm!” Yang Yunxue pondered for a moment, ”Not really, my husband mentioned that the Marquis doesn’t like too much severity at home, so the atmosphere in the Marquis Mansion is quite relaxed!”

”Husband!” Yu Qingyi couldn’t help but smile as she heard her speak so naturally, ”It seems that the affection between you two is quite good!”

Harmony between husband and wife after marriage was most crucial.

”Mom!” Yang Yunxue called out, a hint of shyness in her voice.

Yu Qingyi inwardly praised—marriage really did change people. But seeing the young bride’s bashfulness, she decided not to tease her further and instead said, ”Your dad has been waiting here early in the morning, peering out the door, afraid of missing your arrival!”

Yang Yunxue’s heart felt a tinge of emotion, and she nearly cried.

Although life at the Marquis Mansion had been pleasant, it still couldn’t compare to the warmth of her own home.

As mother and daughter spoke in the room, though not biologically related, Yu Qingyi always extended sincere care to everyone in the family, and they had long accepted her as their mother.