Longevity: Starting From Getting Down The Mountain And Marrying A Wife

Laughter and cheerful voices filled the air.

Goblets clinked and crossed.

After three rounds of drinking.

Zhong Yan raised his hand to signal for quiet, surveyed the crowd for a moment, and said loudly:

"From now on, Jiang Ping shall be bestowed the title of 'Lady Ping', Yu Qingyao shall be called 'Lady Yao', Xia He shall be called 'Lady He'..."

Pausing for a moment, Zhong Yan's gaze shifted to Li Jingqiu, "And Li Jingqiu shall be called 'Lady Qiu'. If I am not present or if there are matters to be decided, you can consult with these four ladies."

"Yes, sir!"

Everyone responded in unison.

Sitting on the left side at the head of the table, Jiang Ping's nose tingled with emotion. She couldn't help but reach under the table and tightly hold her husband's hand.

Yu Qingyao on the right side also felt a stir in her heart. Her emotions were complicated. She knew that her current status was only because she was a cultivator, and her emotional connection was definitely not as strong as the several concubines who entered the household before her.

Li Jingqiu was indeed very shy and bashful. When her gaze met Zhong Yan's, she immediately blushed and lowered her head, her eyelashes trembling lightly, lost in her own thoughts.

On the other hand, her mother, Zi Ying, was extremely excited and tightly grasped her daughter's hand, whispering something in her ear.

The Li family members beside them were all smiling and happy, feeling deeply moved. They all knew that Li Jingqiu, who had not yet fully entered the family, was treated differently solely because of her father's face.

The happiest and most proud one was Xia He, the 'Lady He'. She couldn't hide the smirk on her face and raised her cup, saying with a smile, "Thank you, husband, for your favor and trust. I will not disappoint your expectations. I offer this cup to you!"

Zhong Yan looked at her and couldn't help but roll his eyes, but he also raised his cup with a smile, "Drink less."

This concubine Xia He was the most special one in the mansion. In terms of appearance, she was not as good as Tang Xiaoshu, Zhou Yunning, Yan Sandao, and others. Her intelligence also couldn't compare to Dong Cao, Jiang Ping, and others.

Moreover, Zhong Yan knew that Xia He had many hidden thoughts.

But she was cute, with a natural mischievous charm between her eyebrows. Every frown and smile exuded a playful and adorable aura that was extremely likable.

Even if she did or said something inappropriate, it was difficult for others to feel displeased.

And what Zhong Yan found most rare about her was her attitude.

After entering the Zhong Mansion, Xia He quickly lost the caution and humility that everyone else adhered to, seemingly placing herself on an equal footing with him.

Especially when she spoke those 'modern phrases' she had learned, Zhong Yan had a feeling of being in the wrong era. She resembled a girlfriend from a past life.

This was the charm of her personality.

The food and wine were enjoyable.

Zhong Yan specifically called Tang Xiaoshu, "Xiaoshu, I heard that you are a master of the guzheng. Are you interested in playing a piece?"

"Yes, it is an honor for me, Xiaoshu, to perform a piece for you and everyone!"

Tang Xiaoshu smiled sweetly, but only she knew how much her mood had changed on this day.

At this moment, she was worried and conflicted. Today's meeting had brought so much important news, and there were many opportunities to spread it, but she had been hesitating and hadn't done anything until now.

She was afraid that the longer she stayed in the Zhong Mansion, the more difficult it would be to complete her mission—not that she couldn't do it, but that she didn't want to.

During the banquet, everyone chatted about daily life and anecdotes. Zhong Yan also briefly talked about his expectations and plans for the future of the family.

Naturally, this caused everyone's eyes to shine with excitement and their blood to surge, as if they could see the moment when the Zhong family would rise.

When it was the hour of the pig (9-11 pm), Zhong Yan raised his cup and smiled, "Let's drink together. Next year, let's unite as one, work together, and strive for the future of the Zhong family!"

"For the Zhong family!"

"For the Zhong family!"

"For the Zhong family!"

They all finished their drinks, put down their cups, and Zhong Yan glanced at Yu Qingyao, then looked at Jiang Ping.

"Ping'er, you arrange it. After the new year, choose an auspicious day for Qingyao to enter the Zhong Mansion and become my Dao companion. Invite guests and arrange her residence in the courtyard behind the tenth house."

"Yes, husband!"

Zhong Yan stood up. "Enjoy yourselves and have fun, but don't stay up too late."

"Farewell, husband (sir)!"

"Farewell, uncle (father-in-law)!"

The crowd stood up to see them off.

"Xiaozhong!" Zhong Yan beckoned and led Zhong Xiaozhong out of the hall towards Courtyard No. 10.

After the two of them had completely left.

The banquet continued, filled with laughter.

Li Yangshi smiled and said, "I drank a lot today. I'm afraid I'll have to squeeze with Ziyin tonight. The Xue residence is so big, I don't know when it will be renovated. It would be convenient and lively if the whole family could live together..."

Currently, Li Shangwen, Li Jingqiu, and their birth mother Ziyin have separate rooms in the Zhong residence.

Li Yangshi and her children, as well as Li Qiushi, are considered guests.

Although the Zhong residence has two connected courtyards, it is still not as large as the previous Li residence. Currently, there are nearly thirty servants and maids in the Zhong residence.

When Jiang Ping heard the phrase "whole family," she felt a bit uncomfortable. There was no need to find such a poor excuse. It takes less than half an hour to travel from the Zhong residence to the Li residence.

She knew that she hadn't been paying as much attention to Li Yangshi lately, but she still treated her with courtesy and a smiling face.

But today, after Li Yangshi went to the study, she didn't know what she discussed with her husband. When they met again, Li Yangshi only nodded and greeted her briefly, but she was lively and joking with Xia He.

However.

She was clear that even if Li Jingqiu married into the Zhong residence and Li Qiushi joined as well, it was impossible for Li Shangwu to merge with the Zhong residence.

Continuing the Li family's bloodline was Li Henian's wish. Cooperation is cooperation. Jiang Ping knew that no matter how well her husband took care of things, he would adhere to this point and help the Li family maintain their independence.

With her keen insight, she naturally noticed that Li Yangshi coveted her husband. That look, she had never seen it even when Li Henian was alive.

And the reason why she didn't treat Li Yangshi like other women and instead excluded her was ultimately because Jiang Ping herself respected and feared Li Yangshi, who was also the wife of the eldest son. She had a sense of awe and caution.

She didn't even realize this herself, or perhaps she did, but she didn't want to admit defeat.

Yan Sandao said, "After the New Year, I will contact craftsmen and hire more workers. If everything goes smoothly, we should be able to move in within a year or two. Everyone can provide their opinions and ideas. The husband said that the interior layout can be completely changed, with practicality as the priority..."

The current Xue residence has many buildings and facilities that are not very useful, wasting a lot of space and resources.

Yu Qingyao couldn't help but speak up, "Although the Xue residence is large, it doesn't have a formation cultivation room. When the husband cultivates..."

Yan Sandao said, "The husband will take care of this himself, and Courtyard No. 10 has been bought. He can also cultivate here."

Yu Qingyao's heart moved. He actually bought it. But when she thought of the dazzling two thousand spirit stones, she understood. It wouldn't be a problem to specially invite a formation master to construct a Spirit Gathering Formation.

As for Zhong Yan's identity as a formation master, she had already learned about it. She couldn't construct it herself.

"..."

Not long after.

Zhou Yunning stood up and walked to Jiang Ping's side, squatting down with a blushing face, and said shyly, "Elder sister, younger sister can't handle alcohol and wants to go back to rest."

Jiang Ping glanced at Dongcao and smiled, "You should go back early and prepare. The husband has just come out of seclusion. Remember to be considerate and serve him attentively."

"Yes, elder sister."

Then.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

Jiang Ping led Yu Qingyao to the residence in Courtyard No. 10, the closest place to the cultivation room. Yan Sandao, Jiang Huan, and others followed closely.

Xia He gathered Qiu Xiang, Dongcao, and Ba Fangjiufang, the four sisters, and talked about their aspirations for the future.

Li Yangshi also acted like a host, inviting several people who came from the Li residence and the two new concubines who arrived at the Zhong residence to drink tea and chat.

A clear division of factions.

When Li Shangwu left with his wife, Li Shangwen pulled him aside.

"Brother, isn't it inappropriate for Mother to do this? Aunt Ping is obviously unhappy. Don't let it affect our little sister!"

Li Shangwu frowned as well, "I'll talk to Mother later."

Then he sighed, "As for our little sister, she's so weak. Although Father treats her so well and she likes it in her heart, she doesn't know how to take the initiative. With so many women in this family, I don't know if she can settle down in the future."

...