Chapter 310: Chapter 57: Great Satisfaction! Sister-in-law’s Splendid Family Visit_1
Xu Anming, a common member of the Changning Xu family’s direct line of descent.
He, now eighty years old, had withdrawn from the family business years ago, becoming a respected elder of the clan. His days were filled with the simple pleasure of doting on his grandchildren or tending to his garden.
In his early years, his cultivation reached the high eighth level of the Vital Energy Refining Realm. However, as his age advanced, his vigorous vitality gradually faded.
Without taking large quantities of Spirit Food or Dan Medicine to maintain it, his current cultivation level barely keeps him at Level Eight of the Vital Energy Refining Realm.
During his life, Xu Anming may not have achieved significant success, yet he possessed his own form of pride.
He had fathered three sons and two daughters, and had fifteen grandchildren and bonus grandchildren. Now, he even had four great-grandchildren.
His life, one could say, was complete and fulfilled.
As a clan elder, Xu Anming lived in Lixiang Garden, towards the west of the main residence. The residence was close to the main hall and was fairly large; amongst the many gates and courtyards within the Changning Xu Family’s main residence, it was considered quite respectable.
At the peak of Spring, lush vegetation flourished within Lixiang Garden.
Thanks to the careful maintenance of the house servants, flowers of various kinds bloomed in an interspersed arrangement, vying for attention, making the whole garden pleasing to the eye and full of life.
Very early in the morning, the main paths within the garden had been meticulously cleaned several times by the servants. The used water was swept into specially dug drainage channels, ensuring no risk of water accumulation that could upset the Old Master, even in the rainy season.
Xu Anming was up early, donned in a brand new long robe, sitting in the main hall. His solemn face faintly displayed an anticipation as though waiting for someone.
His children and grandchildren, who normally lived nearby, had gathered in Lixiang Garden for the day, forming a picture of harmonious family unity reminiscent of a minor clan within a major family.
“Xu Zhenxing, go out and see if your sister has arrived yet,” Xu Anming, the Old Master, frowned slightly, seemingly restless.
Among his three sons and two daughters, the one he cherished the most was his second daughter, Xu Chunyun. This was due to the marriage arranged by the Family Head, which saw her married off to Wang Shouxin, a direct descendent of the Ping’an Wang Family.
The status of the Ping’an Wang Family at that time could have been described with a single word – “poor.”
Would his precious daughter be able to lead a comfortable life after marrying into such a family?
Xu Zhenxing, the eldest son of the Old Master, was already in his fifties. Over the years, he had taken over his father’s responsibilities, managing some major businesses in the Changning Xu family’s weaving factory. He had become quite an influential figure.
Hearing these words, he bowed to his father, replying, “Yes, father.”
Before he could step out, Xu Zhenye, the second son, smiled and said, “I’ll accompany brother to go check. It has been three years since I last saw sister. Plus, I heard that brother-in-law Shouxin is also coming over this time.”
So saying, the two brothers left together, with no hint of displeasure in their conduct or demeanor.
In fact, before they left, they even instructed their wives to tend to their father properly and prepare accordingly.
At the main gate of the Changning Xu Family Residence.
Under the slanting sunlight, an exquisitely splendid wooden archway stood tall, austere and majestic.
The plaque hung on the archway bore the words “Changning Xu Family” and the distinctive stamp of a Grade Eight Prominent Family glittered brilliantly.
Outside the archway was a wide, cobblestone path.
The higher the grade of a prominent family, the wider the path. For example, a Rank 9 Prominent Family would have a ten-feet wide path, a Grade Eight Family could have a twenty-feet wide path. This was a mark of dignity granted to prominent families by the Daqian Court.
At this moment, a beautifully decorated carriage, bearing the Ping’an Wang Family crest, came to a slow stop along the long cobblestone path under the escort of the family head and house servants.
The gatekeeper, upon seeing this, immediately approached to offer his warmest welcome, complimenting them profusely.
The Wang family’s coachman placed the footrest and respectfully helped the riders disembark.
Only then did Wang Shouxin and his wife, holding a child not yet three years old, descend from the carriage, surrounded by the respectful entourage.
Wang Shouxin was now over fifty years old. Although he didn’t look old, his demeanor was still reserved and stable, giving him a certain air of authority even amidst the crowd of household heads and servants.
However, his normally immaculate brocade robe seemed somewhat disheveled and the tiger-shaped jade buckle on his belt was skewed, as though hastily fastened.
His gaze seemed evasive and unease when it met the coachman’s. His eyes revealed a complex expression when he looked at his wife, Xu Chunyun.
This wife of his, who had always been bold and reckless, had turned out to be so willful.
Xu Chunyun’s eyes sparkled with a hint of spring, and she looked somewhat pleased with herself, even her mature face appeared to glow with unusual radiance.
The Wang family’s coachman had droopy eyelids, looking rather drowsy as if he’ve just woken up.
What happened just now? He didn’t see it, he didn’t hear it, he didn’t know anything.
As the Wang family’s hereditary coachman, he had always been very professional. Being deaf and dumb was the least of it, occasionally, even his eyesight could conveniently fail him.
And so, when Xu Chunyun secretly handed him a piece of Qian Gold, she whispered a warning, “Old Wang, you’re aware that I have a temper. There must be no rumours about this.”
“What was that, Madam Xu?” feigned Old Wang, pretending to be hard of hearing. Yet, that Qian Gold piece had been neatly tucked away by him.